Replicating a Look

I was looking for a tie like the man in Hiroshi Watatani illustration above. I thought that a purple tie would be a nice addition to my collection. I liked the way the purple looked with the blue blazer. Plus, I do aspire to look like the man in the picture so the tie will be a must…one day. I found the tie much quicker than I had anticipated. I decided to challenge myself by trying to locate the rest of the items that he is wearing which turned into a trad version of what Nerd Boyfriend does.

I started with the easiest items first. The shoes weren’t hard to find at all as they look like Alden’s Cape Cod bit loafers, the trousers could easily be white ducks from O’Connell’s, and the shirt a J.Press blue and white butcher stripe. The blazer was harder to find than I had imagined especially because price was not an issue in this exercise. It is sad that the three patch and two flap pocket sack blazer is a dying breed (perhaps like J.Press itself). I did find one, but I had to go with a trim fit version which will not please many of the trads out there.

The hardest item of all to locate was the coat. I blame the artist for this. I can’t make out if the jacket is a wool overcoat or a raincoat. The yellow color of the jacket threw me off, but because of the cut of the coat, the fact that he is not wearing socks and I saw that his lady friend had the sunroof open so I guessed rain coat. Unfortunately, I could not find a perfect match. I ended up settling on a cotton gabardine raincoat from J.Press. It is good to know that I can still get my hands on this rig, but it would not be cheap as the total of these items for just under $3k. Like all goals in life this one will be approached one step at time.

Glastonberry Cricket Club

Glastonbury Cricket Club – Ben Silver $105

Alden Horse Bit LoafersAlden Horse Bit Loafer – $325

O'Connell's White DucksO’Connell’s White Ducks – $99.95

J.Press Blutcher Stripe ShirtJ.Press Butcher Stripe Shirt – $98

J.Press Patch Pocket Sack BlazerJ.Press Patch Pocket Sack Blazer – $980

J.Press RaincoatJ.Press Raincoat – $1,295

And the end result is…

Hiroshi-Watatani-Illustration

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

5 Comments on "Replicating a Look"

  1. levis501 says:

    It is always inspirational seeing your dressing style and preference. You are definitely gifted about that, no doubt. It seems that the way one wear clothes somehow reflects his personalities. If it is true, you are sort of perfectionist I would think. I see perfect color matches and structure from the way you choose and wear clothes including accessories. The hair looks always perfect and every piece is in place correctly (I can’t breathe ^^). It is not a critic, but it would be great showing little bit of relaxing look. It is just me though. No doubt inspirational all the time. Thanks.

  2. oxford cloth button down says:

    Levis 501 – Thank you for your very kind words. You are very observant and correct that I am sort of a perfectionist (I did not know it was so obvious!). I do sport a more relaxed look in the evenings and on the weekends. I will work on presenting some of these looks. Thank!

  3. Jake says:

    Great blog post as always with your usual eye for detail. I do think the coat you’re referring to is a very 1960’s mac, probably made by Aquascutum? I know it was the fashion in the 60’s to have one of those slightly plastic looking mac. I have seen something similar to this style and in the same colour on a secret brand sales website. Maybe this will help narrow your search? Keep up the blog!

  4. Jovan says:

    Hm, this is all the inspiration I needed to get a pair of white or off-white chinos.

  5. Richard Creel says:

    Read your article and found it interesting. I am approaching 71 years old, but can pass for late 50’s. I grew up in the generation where the “ivy league” look was THE look to have. I turned 21 on Dec. 26th of 1964, That was when having a pair of shell cordovan Florsheim Imperials were the shoes every clothes conscious male wanted to be seen in. And $40 for a pair of shoes in those days seemed pricey. (I paid $600 recently for a pair of Brooks Bros. “Gatsby Spectators”, made by Peal & Co. in England. Never thought I’d pay that much for a pair of shoes). In contrast, on a trip to the Midwest, I found a used pair of Allen Edmonds wingtips in a thrift store for $7.00. The uppers were in good condition. I bought them, had them resoled and they look like new. Found a patch pocket Brooks Bros. wool flannel sack navy blazer in a thrift store for $10.00 I even put an embroidered patch on the upper pocket, like the Frat boys used to do. I’ve also had all my button down collar shirts have the rear color button added by a tailor. It keeps the collar from riding up and showing the tie. I have become a dyed-in-the-wool traditional dresser and everyone thinks I’m the best dressed person they know. I love the traditional/preppy/ivyleague look. I hope it will always stay in style. The young guys don’t seem to like it much; but I think its’ classic clothing at it’s best. I’ve never bought from J.Press; but L.L. Bean’s heavy oxford cloth no iron button down shirt is a real bargain. I also keep all my tie widths at 3.5 inches at the bottom. I’m not into fads anymore. I like braces (suspenders) and wear them regularly). I don’t care if I look like a 1980’s stockbroker. I like the look. I try to keep myself fit, as my clothes fit me best when I keep my weight at 160 or lower. I am 5’10” tall, which used to be considered an average height. I even still have the steel wedges put in the heels of my dress shoes and only wear leather soled shoes. I haven’t bought shell cordovan shoes for years, but still have two pair I bought in the ’80s and white bucks and spectators that I wear in the warm weather, as well as saddle oxfords, white duck pants, and tassle loafers. I have worked at J.C. Penney, Dillards, Macy’s, and Joseph Bank; as well as a now defunct store in L.A. called Boshard Doughty. Learned a lot. And no, I don’t wear argyle socks with a suit–only with blazers, sportcoats, and slip on loafer shoes. Long live traditional clothing.

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