Fucking With Greatness.

[schild]

She partied without dancing. She partied with my heart.

[stray]

First off: Motorcycle boots (Hell, any sort of boots on men)

The hell you talking about? Boots, of all types, are cool. What kind of statement is that?

And you know what? You might be "Hyu", but I'm still cool enough to say that Jew Fros are cool. I have no snappy comeback here.

[Ironwood]

First off: Motorcycle boots (Hell, any sort of boots on men), chain wallets, etc. have never been cool. 

I had to back and make sure you'd said this.  You're not correct.  Male Boots on manly men are always cool.

Always.

I've tried for years to get a proper pair of boots, but you can forget about it around here.

[stray]

I've tried for years to get a proper pair of boots, but you can forget about it around here.

Price? Availability (in Europe?!)?

[Ironwood]

Saw a beautiful pair in Italy when I was over, but missed the boat.

I was talking about Scotland, really, as I've never managed to go further afield - I realise that this is probably something I could sort with 5 minutes effort on the web, but, hey, who understands the Internet ?

Price should never be an issue for something you want. 

Scotland does not go in for boots unless they're wellies.  To understand why, don a pair and go into The Clansman around closing time.

:)

[Signe]

Nice boots on feet in general are pretty cool. 



Motorcycle boots, cowboy boots, combat boots, etc.  are cool.  Well, not wellies, really.  Or Gary Glitter boots.

[Telemediocrity]

I suppose we'll chalk that one up to different taste, then.  I really don't know any men who've actually attempted wearing boots, except for the "we're so punk look how punk we are" kids, and they usually end up looking like the guy from that 'Heavy Hitters' image that kept getting tossed around here.  Well, except Lugz.  For most guys I know, it's generally Pumas, Adidas, Converse, or perhaps Onitsuka Tigers if you're feeling funky.

Cowboy boots?  That I have a hard time seeing.  I'm just having a hard time imagining what sort of outfit man-boots would really go with (Cowboy boots immediately conjure up images of tight bluejeans and an ill-fitting "Don't Mess With Texas" t-shirt).  Picsplzifpossible - expand my imagination.  In keeping with Llava's post, I won't pass judgment until I see all that's out there.

[Signe]

You can wear cowboy boots with any sort of trouser.  Most men don't wear them over the trouser legs.  All you see is the bottom, just like shoes.  I'm sure if someone is all dressed up, they wouldn't wear scuffy ones, either.  You're really kind of weird.

[Ironwood]

The phrase 'full of shit' leaps to mind.

But I dislike offending people for no reason at all.

[stray]

I suppose we'll chalk that one up to different taste, then.  I really don't know any men who've actually attempted wearing boots, except for For most guys I know, it's generally Pumas, Adidas, Converse, or perhaps Onitsuka Tigers if you're feeling funky.

Sometimes Pumas and Adidas can look OK, but I can't believe you mentioned Chuck Taylor's, man.

Anyways.....You're like what? 20-22?

You can't pull that off as much later on, I'll say that much. There's just a careless and juvenile look about tennis shoes, no matter how shiny they are, and no matter how much you compensate in other areas (the same partly goes for t-shirts and baggy pants, but that's beside the point).

Time and a place for everything, of course, but you should make a habit of not looking like an overgrown kid now. The dorm room and/or teenage mall shopping look is not that cool, no matter what you think.

The only time boots aren't appropriate is when you're wearing shorts (well that, and they should never be worn over pants). Besides that, depending on the boot (and you should have more than one type), they can pretty much work for anything. Even a suit (though I wouldn't recommend that necessarily).

As for cowboy boots, I don't know. The only time they struck me as really fucking cool (black and silver-tipped at that!) was in an old Ray Liotta movie (Something Wild...Check it out if you want. I don't have pics).

[Telemediocrity]

FWIW, appropriately styled converse go very well with a nice suit.  (By nice suit, I mean one with a cut appropriate to something other than just the office; united colors of benetton two-buttons, for instance, something that gives you some shape)

Sure, you can only rock that until age 29ish, but longer if you can keep your hair and look younger than your age.  And past that, it's a bland world of khakis anyhow.

[stray]

FWIW, appropriately styled converse go very well with a nice suit.

No, No, No. Fucking clown shoes. If you insist on tennis shoes, get some skate shoes or something. Wearing them with a suit (ughh) will at least get you the "bohemian" label. Not the "dork" label.

About the only kind of suit that'll work with Converse is a suit with a bunch of Question Marks all over it. Like the Riddler's. Or that Ask Lesko!! guy.

[stray]

Don't be this guy Tele. It's not cool. It's not even funny. It's just stupid.





Hell, even scroungry ass boots AND a chain wallet beats that:

[Margalis]

I like whatever Tele does not like, and vice-versa. I figure that's a safe approach, since Tele is basically the living definition of lame.

[Signe]

I don't know who those people are in Stray's first pic... or I don't recognise them.  They both look fine to me, though. I have no problem with anyone of any age wearing tennis shoes... they're comfy.  What are older people supposed to wear?  Dockers with no socks?  Wing-tips?  Slippers?  Flippers? 

[stray]

I have no problem with tennis shoes (like I said, there's a time and place for everything). I just think that tennis shoes, especially Converse ones, with a suit, is stupid.

If you didn't notice, one of the guys in the first pic is doing that (I don't know who he is either).

[Hanzii]

I suppose we'll chalk that one up to different taste, then.  I really don't know any men who've actually attempted wearing boots, except for the "we're so punk look how punk we are" kids, and they usually end up looking like the guy from that 'Heavy Hitters' image that kept getting tossed around here.  Well, except Lugz.  For most guys I know, it's generally Pumas, Adidas, Converse, or perhaps Onitsuka Tigers if you're feeling funky.

Cowboy boots?  That I have a hard time seeing.  I'm just having a hard time imagining what sort of outfit man-boots would really go with (Cowboy boots immediately conjure up images of tight bluejeans and an ill-fitting "Don't Mess With Texas" t-shirt).  Picsplzifpossible - expand my imagination.  In keeping with Llava's post, I won't pass judgment until I see all that's out there.

You're a kid with the really annoying idea that what your limited experience has taught you can be applied to the rest of the world.

[NowhereMan]

Actually on the whole converse with suits thing, that's what they went for with the latest Doctor Who and I've got to admit I think it looks pretty good.
link to the best full length pic. There's lots of others with better pics of the suit.

Perhaps the whole Doctor Who and eccentric clothing helps pull this off but I have got to side with Hyu on thinking this can look good. Of course a grey suit with bright red sneaker or something would look horrible but it can work.

[Ironwood]

When you're basing your fashion decisions on Doctor Who, you may as well just kill yourself.

[Miasma]

Dr. Who can teach us all a great lesson in how to look absolutely fabulous via the use of ten foot scarves.



NowhereMan you are taking the side of someone who thinks that these look good.

[Telemediocrity]

Scarf length aside, that's actually a pretty good outfit.  Farnsworth would be proud.

Re: The earlier pictures - the reason the guy looks clownshoes in that first pic, IMHO, is because he's wearing the tightest goddamn pants imaginable with that suit - which not 100% always inadvisable, but usually makes your feet look gigantic, even if you're wearing normal matching shoes.  A slim fitted suit doesn't have to be skin-tight.

As for the second one, yes, it looks cool.  But at the same time, it's motherfucking Johnny Depp doing cosplay (We've already been into my feelings on Mr. Depp) - you could stick a potato sack on him, and he'd find some way to wear it with flair, but that doesn't necessarily do much for the rest of us, even beyond the fact that its almost a period costume.

[stray]

Anyone could wear what Depp is wearing and get less laughs than some dork wearing Chuck Taylor's and a suit (good cut or not).

but that doesn't necessarily do much for the rest of us

Speak for yourself. You're the one with the problems.

[HaemishM]

Tele, when you think you have found something that looks cool, please, think again.

[NowhereMan]

I still say the look works on the good Dr. at least, though I don't think it's one I'd go for myself.

And yes those sneakers do look firmly like ass, anyone wearing them outside of camouflage in some post-apocalyptic graffiti covered wasteland should be beaten to death with fluffy toys, to ensure they have plenty of time to consider just how fucking stupid a decision it was.

[Telemediocrity]

Show me a candid shot of any regular Joe who's not Johnny Depp dressing like that and having it look good.  I don't think it can be done.

Also, as far as the converse with a suit go, I'm a firm believer that you should never dress completely normal - so the idea that if some point somebody laughs at your outfit, you've done something wrong, that's a bit silly.  I have a wide variety of multicolored knit gloves, scarves, and socks for just such purposes.  Not all at once, of course, but each in its stead.  When I wear converse with a suit, I usually go with dark olive/black ones that don't stand out as much, but I have a matching tie so it does work well. ;p

[stray]

Show me a candid shot of any regular Joe who's not Johnny Depp dressing like that and having it look good.  I don't think it can be done.

It's just black pin striped pants, a white shirt, and a vest. Take out the "uncool" chain wallet and boots if you must (just don't fucking wear Cons). Either way, there's nothing "period" about it.

And what's a regular Joe anyways? You've got a Jew Fro and I'm a 6'4" Half Scandi/Half Asian guy.

[stray]

My final word for now about the shoes: I think you're a troll even in real life, Mediocre. Probably not as bad as on the net, but a troll nonetheless (note: I don't necessarily consider this a bad thing). If you honestly think it's OK to wear Converse shoes (especially like the ones above) with a suit, then I can't help but think that you're looking for as much attention as possible.

Thing is, you'd probably get more attention if you did the complete opposite (Hey, I think this just might be the perfect motivation for you. I should have said this before).

Your only options aren't Bozo the Clown or "Normal" Guy in Khaki pants. There's so much more. Not necessarily anything "overdressed" either (hardly that).

You could even throw in almost any kind of quirky shit you want -- There just needs to be some balance -- and certain things knock the "quirky" look totally off the scale (Converse All Stars with Suit, Hip packs, Geordi Le Forge sunglasses, etc..).


OK, I'm done. Stay tuned next week for Stray's Fashion Tips 101. Next Episode: Tightrolled Jeans, Vannila Rice, and Inspiration from Goatse.

[Engels]

You guys are discussing shoes?! What's wrong with you people?!

[stray]

Boots, man. Boots.

[Margalis]

Tele is a pathetic attention whore? What gave it away?

Was it everything he's ever said, or something else?

[MahrinSkel]

Which sucks since I can't seem to find a place that sells cool motorcycle boots anymore. Jackets are a little easier.

Renaissance Faires.  No, I'm not kidding.  Just about the only place to find high-quality leather goods anymore.

--Dave

[Llava]

Loafers are my shoe of choice.

I'd wear them to the gym if you could run in them.

[Abagadro]

If you are wearing a suit and don't have at least JAM quality dress shoes on you don't look very good.  I prefer cap toes or split toes.  Wearing Chucks with one makes you look like the short-bus let you off at the wrong place: both retarded AND confused.

[Johny Cee]

The whole point, if you're wearing a suit, is to convey a certain impression.  It's generally a "I respect the rest of you people enough at this wedding/funeral/business meeting that I'll put on this hot, uncomfortable monkey outfit and try hard to make a good impression."

Wearing something as odd as sneakers/converse is slick and ironic, if you're young, but defeats the whole purpose in putting on the suit in the first place. 

Just wear a shirt that says "Fuck You".  It's more honest,  and less smarmy.

[schild]

There really isn't a situation that exists where I'd wear anything more than a sportscoat, nice t-shirt (single color, nice material), jeans, and a decent pair of shoes these days. Except family events where my mom dictates the level of clothing like a wedding or bar mitzvah. You never want to piss the parents or grandparents off.

Seriously though. Black tie wedding? Sportscoat and jeans. Funeral? Sportscoat and jeans. It's not that I'm non-conformist, it's that I just don't give a fuck. Comfort trumps all. The last 4 interviews I've gone to, I've worn a sportscoat, jeans and expensive shoes and gotten the jobs. Granted, my t-shirts (or polos - sometimes) cost as much as most peoples Nice Shoes or Jackets and my sportscoats definately cost more than most peoples suits, I tend to get away with it.

You don't wear a suit to convey an impression anymore. You wear it to say "Sure, I'd bend over a table for you." You can say that's an impression, and I suppose it is, but any person with hiring power who won't hire me for not wearing a suit isn't worth my fucking time.

But Converse sneakers?

Don't be a dickhead.