Comments on: You’re going to like the way you look. I guarantee it.

By: Stewart Foss

Stewart Foss — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 22:35:04 +0000

My wedding suit cost me $5 at a thrift store. It was a beautiful tailor made 3 piece pin stripe suit and it fit like it was made for me. Unfortunately I out grew it (in the waist) so I passed it on to a friend who used it in his wedding. Well worth every penny.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:08:12 +0000

Re: #11,

I couldn’t wear a solid white shirt without a tie.

Re: #17

Not all women know how a man should dress. And for what its worth, there are too many resources out there today on how to dress properly that there is no excuse for someone to be ignorant about proper fashion.

In addition, regarding the comment about not having anyone to dress up for, how about dressing up for yourself?

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:15:38 +0000

Of course, if you leave the tie long it can cover your fly if you forget to zip it.

By: Seth R.

Seth R. — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:57:50 +0000

“A maid to a man, is a vision ethereal.
A man to a maid, is a piece of material.”

I guess your typical Mormon gal likes a “fixer-upper” Steve.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:50:49 +0000

Steve – lol, that’s funny about the suit. Also, ties that are not in the ‘belt end zone’ look bad – when they’re either too short of too long. I sort of agree with the article, but I don’t think most people can pull it off. Good guys acting bad end up more like George Michael than Colin Farrell.

By: Steve EM

Steve EM — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:05:52 +0000

#18, Yes, that’s it. I’d forgotten the trademark. So when did that awful Swedish Knit die? Ironically, in Europe today, you can buy machine washable wool blend suits that don’t look bad, but I haven’t seen them over here.

Chad,
A few years back the WSJ had an article about many professional men having wives from blue collar background that weren’t very helpful in this regard. The writer even mentioned on his first real job, his boss complimented him on his new Brooks Brothers suit, and he replied, “yeah looks great, but you’d think it would come with real pockets.” The boss laughed, took out some scissors and opened the pockets for him.

My fashion sense comes from the coaching of gay friends (yes, even BYU had them, even back then) and having lived in France, The Netherlands, UK and working in Manhattan. Regarding ties, I meant it should touch or cover the belt. Short ties look awful.

But regarding the ladies, I’m afraid being too nice and cleaned up can hurt, as I posted here: http://mormonopenforum.blogsome.com/2006/08/01/advice-for-the-marriage-minded-single-heterosexual-lds-male/

By: CS Eric

CS Eric — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 14:25:14 +0000

Steve EM,

I think you are talking about the abomination they called Swedish Knit. I hated that suit, and couldn’t even burn it. When I tried, it melted.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:54:06 +0000

Steve – not all straight men are brain dead about this. Most shouldn’t be – if they don’t have a girlfriend, significant other, or sister, then certainly their mom can tell them how to dress. Bret made the comment that he didn’t have anyone to dress up for – a sentiment that is heard frequently. But as usual, the answer lies in the problem. If people put a little thought into what their ‘presentation’ they’d have a much easier time with the opposite sex. And yes, make sure the tie doesn’t go down to your knees.

By: Seth R.

Seth R. — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:10:59 +0000

Polyester ties however made a lot of sense on my mission. After all, you get rained on wearing a silk tie, all the color bleeds out onto your shirt.

They were easier to clean too.

By: Steve EM

Steve EM — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:57:27 +0000

Chad,
Straight men are just brain dead about this stuff. You forgot about the neck tie that doesn’t cover the belt too.

#8,
The suits I’m thinking of were circa late 70′s, a rather coarse weave, somewhat shiney, machine washable and virtually indestructable. I’m pretty sure they were nylon, but certainly 100% synthetic and of a fiber that had no business being used in a suit. But bear in mind that back then nice wool suits cost the same in late 70′s dollars as they do in today’s dollars, so they were several times more expensive. Moreover, nice wool suits will only hold up a year in a typical mission, so I think people were just doing the best they could to meet the church’s missionary dress code. Anyway, the typical Elder today is much better dressed than in my time, and I was wondering when those awful suits died out.