Thursday, June 22, 2006I just wanted to say that I didn’t do this post to get him back or for revenge. When I took this photo I reminded him of that story and we both had a good laugh.
Actually, at the time, I was probably much more of a pain to work with than him because I was so young and eager and my enthusiasm far outweighed my talent at that point. I also remember he really saved my ass on something that happened with Nordstrom that he somehow was able to cover for me,
Like I said it was not revenge just an honest, funny story of starting in the fashion business. I was a little surprised no one made a comment about my “5-button” suit.
I use to work with this guy when I first moved to New York in the early 90′s. Actually ,in his case, I use the term “work” very loosely and I don’t think he would disagree.
As you can see he is the epitome of Trad. Upper East Side Chic (except for the man bag). I remember when I bought my first Armani suit in ’92ish – I was around 22. I was so proud and I was sure everyone loved Armani as much as I did. I walked into this gentleman’s office that morning while he was eating breakfast with a couple of my coworkers. He asked me all about my new suit – I made sure to point out this was the new “5-button model”. He seemed very pleased by that.
I don’t think the full weight of his sarcastic interest in my suit really hit me until about lunchtime – that was my first introduction to the vicious style tribes of New York fashion.
I can laugh about it now because I just added about 30 pounds to him in Photoshop, (just kidding)
argos
June 21, 2006 at 9:07 am
While I’ve previously supported the discerning use of flip-flops on women, I’ve never found inspiration from men wearing them.
Shorts to me are so casual that I tend not to tuck when wearing them.
Sweater tucked in…plus flips…equals odd.
Bart
June 21, 2006 at 9:43 am
Not a big fan of this look. He’s a bit too thick to pull this tucked in sweeter look/belt with shorts look off. The flip-flops just adds up to sloppy.
I think height to body proportion is the best style secret around.
Anonymous
June 21, 2006 at 9:54 am
Sartorialist, I think you’re slipping. I don’t see anything chic about this guy, he’s even too over weight for the “look” which show no imagination what so ever! Look a lttle harder!
The Sartorialist
June 21, 2006 at 10:05 am
Anon 9:54am
did you read what I posted? his style is a very important part of the story.
GĂ©raldine
June 21, 2006 at 11:03 am
Great post!
invisible girl
June 21, 2006 at 11:17 am
Sarto,
Could you define “Trad”. Not only do I love fashion, but I also love neologisms:)
invisible girl
June 21, 2006 at 11:26 am
Oh, she is not all that skinny, and the flip flops are nice. Overall the look is quite comfortable, clean and city smart.
agentlorange
June 21, 2006 at 11:39 am
It took reading the story twice to realize that it was the actual gentleman in your story you had photographed and not just a look a like. How interesting!
Anonymous
June 21, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Please – someone – make flipflops go away! I beg you!
Anonymous
June 21, 2006 at 2:18 pm
I like that belt , can you get a close-up of the clasp
Serge
June 21, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Sarto,
Seinfeld notwithstanding, I find mabags to be incredibly practical. Yet, I haven’t mustered the courage to buy one. Your take?
Thanks
ageez
June 21, 2006 at 4:26 pm
invisiblegirl, i think he simply means “traditional”…yes, sarto?
love the story! sometimes our paths cross with others again, just to show us how far we’ve come. :)
Alessandra
June 21, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Overweight? That guy? You people are bone-obsessed. That is just a regular weight guy carring a little stomach.
Fnarf
June 22, 2006 at 12:02 am
Thank you, Alessandra, for that!
Nothing excuses that belt, though.
Anonymous
June 22, 2006 at 1:49 am
One of the things which makes The Sartorialist such a joy to read is its straightforward appreciation of style as opposed to “sarcastic interest”. Please don’t turn into a fashion bitch – it doesn’t serve you well.
Greetings from London, by the way.
mao
June 22, 2006 at 6:18 am
I am a traditional Brooks Brothers,
J.Press, Purple Label type of guy
(think Great Gatsby w/ Redford)
and I don’t really think this gentleman
captures the look fully. I can see
the pastel coloured shorts as trad.
but the sweater and flip-flops
are not.
I would have worn a pair of
leather sandals with a grosgrain
strap and a rugby or a fitted polo
shirt, slightly untucked. This
would elude to the, “I am on
my way to Montauk, so just
snap the photo and be done
with it” feeling.
=]
Anonymous
June 22, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Sarto-
Do you mean those elongated Armani jackets that buttoned at the top collar?
Miss A
June 22, 2006 at 5:56 pm
Good story! I love that green.
Anonymous
June 22, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Let’s just say it’s his personal style and I think his flip-flops are ok because it’s not like he wears them at work, right?
Sometimes I think people with casual style are the people who really have self-confidence about what they are wearing, and these people tend to look good all the time too.
-VD-
kokuou
June 23, 2006 at 2:23 pm
some of these comments are quite rude and it is quite obvious that the people making them have never been more than 20 minutes in the upper east side