From Inspiration to Reality

As the summer came to a close last year I saw this picture of Prince Charles shown below. I thought that it was pretty fantastic. It had everything that I like in a cool weather rig including a tweed sport coat, tan corduroys and a boldly-colored striped tie. I was inspired. I used this inspiration to put together a few of my own fall/winter looks which I have shared below.

Inspiration
Inspiration
Inspired by the above
Inspiration #1Inspiration 2

As you can see from the above, my rigs were not exact copies of the picture at all. For example, in the first picture I wore a navy blazer in place of the tweed, but kept the same color cords and a similar tie. In picture #2, I mimicked the jacket and trouser colors, but swapped out the tie. I opted for the OCBD in both situations to make it my own.

I took what I saw in the picture and subtracted that from what I already had in my closet then divided that by where I was going. While that is not the exact formula that I used it does give you an idea of how I turn inspiration into reality.

Just for Fun

Inspiration 3(Based on last week’s post I thought that I would add this picture of my 3/2 roll jacket buttoned as a true 3 button jacket that I took for fun.)

I read quite a bit about clothes, but the resource that has been the most helpful to me in terms of putting together an outfit is people watching. This is why I try to share my own images as well as the images of other “real people” on the blog.  My last piece of advice is to take note of combinations that you see in everyday life, magazines, and the internet that appeal to you and to replicate them. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel.

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

16 Comments on "From Inspiration to Reality"

  1. Orthodox Trad says:

    Without those exaggerated shoulder pads and that equally-exaggerated narrowing of the waist, the jacket worn by HRH would have been far more attractive.

  2. C.H. Winfrey says:

    Orthodox trad- that may be true to us here that favor the natural shoulder look, but I can’t imagine English royalty in a sack suit, nor can I imagine his Saville Row tailors making him one. It fits him well and is very traditional- for an Englishman.

  3. oxford cloth button down says:

    Considering Orthodox Trad and C.H.Winfrey’s comments I think that a better title would have “The American Version.”

  4. Prescott says:

    Charles’s jacket looks one size too small

  5. Ezra Cornell says:

    I have read this website for a very long time. The reason I always enjoy it is that you are very down-to-earth. Of course none of us can compete with the Prince of Wales when it comes to the budget and tailors at his command. But that doesn’t bother you. You show us, again and again, that we can have fun with our clothes, take inspiration from various places, and not get hung up on the rancor and one-upsmanship that mars the content and comments of too many other blogs. So, though I’ve never commented even after reading your posts for a very long time, I finally just wanted to say: it’s post like this one — sensible, thoughtful, playful — that make this one of my favorite spots to learn. Thanks for your work.

  6. Danny says:

    On a somewhat unrelated note, what type of cords are you wearing in these pictures? I’ve had a devil of a time trying to find non-baggy wide wale cords.

  7. oxford cloth button down says:

    Ezra – I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comment. Thank you!

    Danny – I have the same problem. These are Lands End tailored fit 8 wale cords. I tried a pair from this season and I had to exchange the tailored for for traditional, because they have slimmed them down so much from a year ago.

  8. MythReindeer says:

    OCBD, if you can, would you compare the fit of those cords with LE’s flannel trousers? I recently got some traditional fit flannels and found them to be about right. The LE tailored fit linen trousers I bought a couple of years ago, in the same size, are no slimmer than the flannels I bought.

  9. George says:

    Faultless ensembles for the Fall. I’m all for rigs that one can actively live in, and the ones here look ready to handle and civilized undertaking. Well done, I say.

  10. Moins Que Parfait says:

    If we had wanted to dress like the Prince of Wales, Ivy/Trad style would never have come into being. We would have simply copied traditional, uncomfortable English style. Your style, Mr. Swanton, is far more attractive than that of HRH.

  11. Billax says:

    OCBD, I am an admirer of your sequencing posts. and this one is no exception. Like most of your commenters, I like your version better than that worn by the PoW. Our Ivy style preferences produce a trimmer look with softer shoulders. I think it’s a perfect look to display the country flavor of TNSIL!

  12. oxford cloth button down says:

    You guys are too kind! Thank you.

    Mythreindeer – Unfortunately I do not own any LE flannels to compare them to, but I think that LE has slimmed up all their trousers this year. I hope that helps some!

  13. Carmelo says:

    Fine jacket,Jerrod !
    Yes,is a true tranformable three button,not the “fake” 3/2 roll.
    Very well tailored.

  14. Carmelo says:

    Well Gentlemen,i think that criticize Prince Charles because he not wear “Ivy” makes little sense.
    Are two different styles,with different features.
    I don’t think that the Prince’sport coat is “uncomfortable”(probably is a “Anderson & Sheppard soft cut coat),but of course is not a sack jacket.
    The sad thing is that sack jackets are rare also in USA in our days.

  15. Hollywood Argyle says:

    Another excellent post and discussion. Kudos to you, OCBD!

    Prince Charles is one of the best-dressed men in the world, but that doesn’t mean we should try to dress like him. I love your idea of taking inspiration and going from there. You look great, although I still don’t care for the top button buttoned on a three-button jacket. You look much better with it unbuttoned.

    As it so happens, I wore my own boldly-colored wide-striped tie just a couple days ago, before reading this post. An Atkinson’s Irish Poplin number, it’s just the thing in the autumn and winter to perk up an outfit.

I would like to hear from you