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Is there an uglier male fashion than a smart suit worn with an unbuttoned shirt and no tie? Almost invariably displayed on television nowadays by politicians and newscasters attempting to look "cool and with it", the actual result is that we are obliged to stare at several inches of pallid neck, bobbing Adam's apple and sparsely haired chest - thus distracting us from the seriousness of the news story.
this style of undress has largely become the habit of middle aged men...
It's noticeable that this style of undress has largely become the habit of middle aged men (John Prescott is now doing it - heaven help us!). It can't be long, therefore, before style-conscious younger men switch to something more becoming than a smart suit and an unbuttoned shirt.
May I suggest two alternatives to this scruffy fashion? Try the Nehru Jacket which was very popular in the 70's this style of jacket is actually based on the Indian sherwani apparently (see Wikipedia. It's smart, attractive and colourful, not to mention the fact that the high collar covers up those nasty double chins and unattractive wobbly throats perfectly!
Alternatively, how about the exquisitely-tied cravats worn by those 18th-Century dandies? At any rate though, lets loose the scruffy unbuttoned shirt thing and let's bring tasteful good looks back to our television screens!
By: Oracle2007
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Kit, In the past, but admittedely, not for the last six weeks or so, it was not an uncommon thing to go through the comments list for the day and only see an ongoing dialogue between two or sometimes three males. That was what I was referring to as "selfish".
If you tap "gay code" into your google bar and research the subject, you will find that referrences to articles of clothing and how they can be worn and combined are a coded way for gay men to chat and flirt.
15/04/10 Mr Hicks
If you tap "gay code" into your google bar and research the subject, you will find that referrences to articles of clothing and how they can be worn and combined are a coded way for gay men to chat and flirt.
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Craig and How Loose
Hello. I have over the months read some of the posts on this gripe and also the comments people have made that this has become a gay thread.
Although I don’t understand why unbuttoning your top button should excite such interest it did not seem to me to be about anything but style. However, other people keep commenting on innuendo and “code” and I simply wondered am I being very dense and missing something?
It does not matter to me if you are gay and I forgot that that possibility does matter to some people and would attract some unpleasant comments. Sorry, it was rather silly of me but the interest will soon die down.
Mr Hicks,
I don’t see what is selfish about this discussion; it is one of the few where people have not gone off topic and are actually talking about the title of the gripe. (Until I put my oar in).
14/04/10 Kit
Hello. I have over the months read some of the posts on this gripe and also the comments people have made that this has become a gay thread.
Although I don’t understand why unbuttoning your top button should excite such interest it did not seem to me to be about anything but style. However, other people keep commenting on innuendo and “code” and I simply wondered am I being very dense and missing something?
It does not matter to me if you are gay and I forgot that that possibility does matter to some people and would attract some unpleasant comments. Sorry, it was rather silly of me but the interest will soon die down.
Mr Hicks,
I don’t see what is selfish about this discussion; it is one of the few where people have not gone off topic and are actually talking about the title of the gripe. (Until I put my oar in).
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Thanks for your response, Craig. Comments from other people are pretty unjust. To chat about details of shirts and ties... I can't honestly see the problem. To suggest that this is a 'gay chat' is also unjust.
14/04/10 How loose
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I rarely, if ever, agree with 'Mr Hicks' but on this we are 100% in agreement.
14/04/10 MikeP
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I think the word "code" best describes what is going on in this thread and dress clubs in bars and clubs. I have no prejudice against gay men, but it is a bit annoying when one goes through the comments list and ninety-five percent of it consists of two men exchanging comments about whether or not they should have their top button done or undone and where they can meet to compare collars etc. It seems selfish because there are websites and magazines and meeting places that cater to the needs and wants of the gay community.
14/04/10 Mr Hicks
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Wow! Didn't expect these reactions. Euphemisms, eh? Hadn't considered that aspect at all.
To Kit and "grumpyoldwoman" ... Mr. How loose is correct - this is just about style (at least for me that's all it's about). Despite it being a "tiny detail" of clothing, it's very much a man thing. Thanks to Mr How loose for your answers. I'm not sure I intended to re-start old discussions, but it looks like I've done exactly that.
I'm currently into small collars and slim, but not skinny) ties. But I wear semi-spread and regular collars too. I nearly always keep the collar fastened until after work but like to loosen my tie and unfasten my collar when leaving work unless I'm going somewhere special.
13/04/10 Craig
To Kit and "grumpyoldwoman" ... Mr. How loose is correct - this is just about style (at least for me that's all it's about). Despite it being a "tiny detail" of clothing, it's very much a man thing. Thanks to Mr How loose for your answers. I'm not sure I intended to re-start old discussions, but it looks like I've done exactly that.
I'm currently into small collars and slim, but not skinny) ties. But I wear semi-spread and regular collars too. I nearly always keep the collar fastened until after work but like to loosen my tie and unfasten my collar when leaving work unless I'm going somewhere special.
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“How loose”
Thank you for answering me. I only wondered because it seemed like such a minute examination of a tiny detail of clothing.
There is nothing wrong of course in being interested in style and appearance. Grumpyoldwoman likes to be well turned out I understand.
I suppose it is a character flaw in me that I cannot stand the thought that something is going over my head!
Forgive the intrusion; I will leave you to your debate.
Regards , Kit
13/04/10 Kit
Thank you for answering me. I only wondered because it seemed like such a minute examination of a tiny detail of clothing.
There is nothing wrong of course in being interested in style and appearance. Grumpyoldwoman likes to be well turned out I understand.
I suppose it is a character flaw in me that I cannot stand the thought that something is going over my head!
Forgive the intrusion; I will leave you to your debate.
Regards , Kit
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Not at all. No euphemisms. Some of us guys are interested in fashions. There are loads of fashion forums (Ask Andy, Style Forum) that debate the wearing of clothes.
13/04/10 How loose
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Well Kit, some of us have our suspicions regarding the exact meaning of many of the posts!
13/04/10 grumpyoldwoman
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Hey Craig. Your post is exactly about what you have posted. It did get a bit strange, but glad you've brought it back on track. Good to hear from you. I shall answer your questions with discussion and ideas.
1) How often do tie-wearers loosen their ties? Don't be shocked or surprised when I say that my top button is never closed. I always have my top button undone. I guess in the Spring/Summer months my tie is slightly looser than in the winter months. I also guess that unless you tie your tie in the same way you would think my top button was done up. However, tying a windsor knot with a spread collar shirt it hides any undone top button.
2) Am I influenced by how others are wearing their ties? No, but like you I am interested. Seeing how other guys' ties are tied and whether or not their top buttons are done up or undone fascinates me. Why do guys choose to wear it their way? However, I have been an influencer. Some guys I have noticed have changed to wearing their shirts and ties in my style.
3) If you normally start the day with your collar fastened, when do you decide to loosen it? I guess that is difficult for me to answer, as my collar button is never fastened. However, the tie is slightly loosened - without adopting a scruffy look - depending on the temperature inside the office or when I go out at lunchtime or going home.
Interestingly on the train this morning (considerably earlier than yours at 06.20) there was a guy who normally travels in the same carriage as me. Invariably he wears his tie in a windsor, top button undone and tie tight. Today, it was considerably looser,without it being warmer in the carriage. In fact it was pretty chilly this morning.
This interests me too.
What style / colour shirts do you wear, Craig. And what about ties too? Do you wear your tie in a windsor knot? So, I guess you are normally 'done up' at work and loosen on the way home?
13/04/10 How loose
1) How often do tie-wearers loosen their ties? Don't be shocked or surprised when I say that my top button is never closed. I always have my top button undone. I guess in the Spring/Summer months my tie is slightly looser than in the winter months. I also guess that unless you tie your tie in the same way you would think my top button was done up. However, tying a windsor knot with a spread collar shirt it hides any undone top button.
2) Am I influenced by how others are wearing their ties? No, but like you I am interested. Seeing how other guys' ties are tied and whether or not their top buttons are done up or undone fascinates me. Why do guys choose to wear it their way? However, I have been an influencer. Some guys I have noticed have changed to wearing their shirts and ties in my style.
3) If you normally start the day with your collar fastened, when do you decide to loosen it? I guess that is difficult for me to answer, as my collar button is never fastened. However, the tie is slightly loosened - without adopting a scruffy look - depending on the temperature inside the office or when I go out at lunchtime or going home.
Interestingly on the train this morning (considerably earlier than yours at 06.20) there was a guy who normally travels in the same carriage as me. Invariably he wears his tie in a windsor, top button undone and tie tight. Today, it was considerably looser,without it being warmer in the carriage. In fact it was pretty chilly this morning.
This interests me too.
What style / colour shirts do you wear, Craig. And what about ties too? Do you wear your tie in a windsor knot? So, I guess you are normally 'done up' at work and loosen on the way home?
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Am I missing something here?
Is this whole gripe really about men leaving their top shirt button undone or is this a euphemism for something that is going right over my head?
I have thought for a while now that my life is pretty dull but this thread makes me think it might be quite exciting compared to some people’s.
Signed, genuinely puzzled (otherwise known as Kit)
13/04/10 Kit
Is this whole gripe really about men leaving their top shirt button undone or is this a euphemism for something that is going right over my head?
I have thought for a while now that my life is pretty dull but this thread makes me think it might be quite exciting compared to some people’s.
Signed, genuinely puzzled (otherwise known as Kit)
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I'm not sure what this Gripe is about anymore.
There's been lots of chat about shirts, ties, collars, etc. in previous posts. These have mostly been personal opinions as opposed to observations. So my questions are : i) how often do tie wearers loosen their ties?; ii) are you influenced by how others are wearing their ties?; iii) if you normally start the day with your collar fastened, when do you decide to loosen it?
Since the warmer weather has appeared, I have noticed guys who regulalry take the same train as me in the mornings change their dress habits. This morning, one bloke who is always fastened-up at 8am, got on my train and within 10 minutes decided to loosen his tie. I noticed that the guy opposite him was unfastened, too.
Then on the journey home tonight, there I was sitting outside the bagel counter at Marylebone when another guy sat down at another table and immediately loosen his tie and unfastened his top button. I had already loosened my tie, so did I influence him to do the same?
On the train itself, three or four guys in my range of vision had the top buttons undone, but others remained fastened.
Any comments/ideas?
13/04/10 Craig
There's been lots of chat about shirts, ties, collars, etc. in previous posts. These have mostly been personal opinions as opposed to observations. So my questions are : i) how often do tie wearers loosen their ties?; ii) are you influenced by how others are wearing their ties?; iii) if you normally start the day with your collar fastened, when do you decide to loosen it?
Since the warmer weather has appeared, I have noticed guys who regulalry take the same train as me in the mornings change their dress habits. This morning, one bloke who is always fastened-up at 8am, got on my train and within 10 minutes decided to loosen his tie. I noticed that the guy opposite him was unfastened, too.
Then on the journey home tonight, there I was sitting outside the bagel counter at Marylebone when another guy sat down at another table and immediately loosen his tie and unfastened his top button. I had already loosened my tie, so did I influence him to do the same?
On the train itself, three or four guys in my range of vision had the top buttons undone, but others remained fastened.
Any comments/ideas?
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The Nehru jacket? Are you a complete muppet???????????
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23/03/10 youreamuppet
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Men wearing shorts in winter. Who are you men that wear shorts in Winter, particularly when it's below zero? Are you trying to make a point that you are toughened to the weather - or it is just that the credit crunch took great toll on your wardrobe and you haven't been able to recover since the hot summer? If you are trying to look tough, think again - you are probably also wearing safety boots. Please stop, before someone finally laughs out loud at you.
22/03/10 Weather watch
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How loose
There are loads of topics here that do not interest me one iota. If folks are coming in and starting comments about this being a gay site, why come in at all? If this particular chat does not interest you, don't bother saying anything. Leave it to those who wish to contribute to the topic.
MikeP comes in every now and again.... so what?.... he's ignored. In fact we've had interesting conversations about grammar in the past.
BTW, my wife hooted when she heard it was being labelled as a 'gay site'.
Craig.... are you still around? Anything to contribute? Good to share with you until thiese interruptions.