Introducing: Permanent Style Plaid
Two years ago, when we visited the Joshua Ellis mill near Batley, Yorkshire, I spent a happy couple of hours browsing their archive.
As you might expect, the vast majority were classics: plain or textured cashmeres, houndstooths and herringbones. This is the majority of the market, and what most people expect.
But now and again, there were little collections of really wonderful checks. Unusual - with real personality - but subtle with it.
It was these I spent the longest time poring over, and which resulted in us bringing one of the most beautiful out of obscurity - the dark purple and green cashmere you can see pictured.
It’s available on the Joshua Ellis website, from today, in the same way the Escorial has been previously (rather than on the PS site).
I've always had a soft spot for checks, but in the past I’ve tended to go for strong ones, or have them made into suits rather than jackets - which makes them stand out rather more.
The key thing I loved about this pattern was how much was going on, yet how subdued the overall impact was. When you say you’re going to wear a purple-and-green check, this is not what people expect.
The base of the pattern is a dark green and very dark brown/purple. The latter, in fact, is so dark and mixed in that it’s hard to say exactly what shade it is.
The suggestion of purple, though, is reinforced by a faint additional purple stripe (alternating with white in the twill) running horizontally, and a thinner, uniform purple line vertically. These are surrounded by straw-yellow stripes of varying widths. Then there’s a white stripe, a couple of faint blues and an orange.
I know from experience how hard something like this is to design, how easy to get the shades or balance of the colours completely wrong, and I bow to the expertise of the Joshua Ellis design team. It’s a rich and beautiful pattern.
I decided to call it the Permanent Style ‘plaid’ only partly for the alliteration.
The pattern also has something Ralph Lauren about it - unsurprising perhaps, given Joshua Ellis have worked for Ralph for years - and I think to that extent something American too.
English mills don’t usually produce designs like this, and the Italians rarely do either. The English would make it up in tweed, and the colours would be brighter. The Italians would happily make it in cashmere, but the cloth would be light and the colours less rich.
This luxurious take on tartan has more of an uptown American feel, and hence we’ve used American terminology. It is the PS Plaid.
I think it would suit a jacket worn more in the evening too, for these reasons.
I’ve pictured here during the day, with some of my favourite things - a denim shirt, flannel trousers, suede tassels. Looking at that outfit now, an old red bandana might have looked nice as a pocket square.
Or a purple spot. The fun thing about checks like these is picking up little aspects of the pattern and using them elsewhere. I might not use green in a hank or tie, but certainly a brown or yellow.
However, I do think I’ll wear the jacket often in the evening. It would look excellent with a charcoal rollneck, or a cream shirt. Even black. I have tried it with a cream knit, charcoal trousers and black Sagans and it works wonderfully.
Something this luxurious - which must come from the depth of the colours as well as the cashmere - seems to suit dressing up.
We were keen to produce a fabric that felt as sensuous as the design implied, and to that end decide to use the finest cashmere Joshua Ellis has to offer, with slightly brushed finish.
The finish raises the fibres and gives both more ‘cover’ to the pattern (fluffiness makes any pattern less pronounced) and a more tactile feel.
This is very understated - we're not talking anything like the milled finish of a flannel - but it does make the cashmere both more indulgent in feel and more subtle in tone, so accentuating both of the things that already drew me to the cloth.
If anything, it reminds me most of this jacket in a vintage cashmere I had a few years ago. Not as heavy, but with the same old-school feel.
The weight is a versatile 350g. So not for warmer months, but I'd certainly wear it nine months of the year in the UK - perhaps with a grey crewneck underneath when it was my outermost layer.
For anyone looking at other Joshua Ellis jacketings, this weight and finish mean the PS Plaid is a unique quality, so not comparable to anything else in the range and not available elsewhere.
The jacket itself was made by Whitcomb & Shaftesbury, in a softer style they are now doing with an inset shoulder, plus a more generous fit than what I’ve had from them before.
There are many other things to comment on there though, so I'll do so in a separate post.
The shirt is my old Al Bazar denim, the flannels are from Cerrato and the shoes are my Belgravia tassels from Edward Green. The red handkerchief that would have made a nice addition is here.
Thinking as I write, I reckon a black or navy knit-silk tie would like good with this too. Unlike a regular checked-tweed, there would be nothing old-mannish about the combination.
Details on the cloth and on ordering:
- The PS Plaid is available through the Joshua Ellis website only.
- Buy the length you require in units of 1m and 10cm.
- In terms of length required, I need 2.1m for a single-breasted jacket, but requirements will vary a lot with your size and desired style. Check with your tailor.
- There is a limited number of swatches available, with a small charge that is refundable if you place a full order. Again, on the Joshua Ellis site.
- If you want to send the cloth straight to a tailor, that is possible (and saves on shipping twice). Just put them down as the delivery address - with your name included in it - and let them know it’s coming, to avoid any confusion.
- The cloth costs £175 a metre, including VAT. For jurisdictions outside the UK, there are separate set charges that will show on checkout - but which do not include VAT or duties. Joshua Ellis does offer free shipping worldwide however.
- The cloth is regular width, a 350g 100% cashmere twill, woven by Joshua Ellis in the UK.
- The check repeats every 6.5 inches horizontally, and 6 inches vertically.
There are no current plans to reweave the Escorial Tweed. The PS Harris Tweed, however, is being rewoven again and should be available again later this year.
Photography: Alex Natt @adnatt
Lovely. It would also make a luxurious dressing gown. [Stops himself clicking on the link to purchase]
Or perhaps a travel rug for the back of the Rangie? Not for me as clothing though.
It’d be way too delicate for that I’m afraid…
Wow! Nice idea, imo!
Really beautiful cloth. Congrats.
Cheers Matt
I’m curious: Could cloth like this be successfully turned into a full suit or is it too delicate for trousers? Really a beautiful fabric!
Thank you.
No, it would be too delicate, soft and open for trousers I’m afraid. I’ve made the mistake myself of getting a full cashmere suit before – see here.
Simon, do you think this might work as a safari jacket or overshirt, or is it a bit too fine and formal for such designs?
I think it would probably be too soft, Alexander. It would benefit from the shaping of a jacket – overshirts/safaris need more density than this, so they can hang well without other assistance
Makes sense….well, it is an absolutely beautiful fabric. I’ve yet to get suit or jacket, half tempted to just order 2-3m for when I do find a tailor/start commissioning jackets. Stop making such damn tempting fabrics (kidding, please don’t stop).
Mr Crompton strikes again! Congratulations – it’s amazing and I am hugely tempted. Just a couple of questions because no matter how good the photos are it’s hard to assess the cloth without seeing it in person.
1) I live in London as well, so would you say this is good as an alternative to a navy blazer for eating out and going to cocktail parties?
2) How unusual is it? Does it fall into the category of your purple liverano (i.e. amazing but can’t wear too often) or is it a bit more subdued?
Cheers Nick.
1) Yes absolutely. It wouldn’t do the navy blazer’s job of smarter wear, office use etc, but it would lovely for events like that.
2) More subdued than that, while still more unusual than a navy blazer or grey herringbone. Perhaps halfway between those and the Liverano?
Order placed, can’t wait to see this in person! Also, what shoes were you waring? Would black suede work?
I was wearing brown suede loafers, but yes black suede would work nicely too
Took the plunge because it appears to fit the cold colour wardrobe I prefer for the winter months, the cashmere is a luxurious alternative to tweed, and I can see this being my “Christmas Dinner” jacket minus the abysmal novelty “Christmas Sweater”.
I can’t think of a better time for it.
(PS, here’s my rant on Christmas sweaters, if you fancy it)
Wow. Great fabric and jacket.
Simon- a beautiful product. I’ll be ordering a length directly. I very much like the W&S soft shoulders, as well as the slightly more voluminous cut you went with here. After having a jacket made by Steven Hitchcock a few years back I’ve slowly leaned toward a more masculine, fuller cut for my jackets.
Does your reference in the article mean you’ll go over these fit details in another post on the jacket? Thanks.
Yes exactly Justin, I will. Pleased you like the overall effect
Hi Simon, just wondering when you might publish this more detailed post? I ask in anticipation of the new order of PS Harris Tweed as I wonder whether this style from W&S would suit the cloth, perhaps with patch pockets? I ask as I am based in London so there are not really many other options that I can see with little travelling form tailors. Thanks.
Hi Benjamin,
It should be up this Friday or early next week. Sorry for the delay.
The style would certainly suit the tweed, though it still wouldn’t be something I’d wear with jeans for example.
S
Thanks, I look forward to it. No need to apologise, I expect you have been busy with the pop up shop.
I wouldn’t wear it with blue jeans as I have more casual jackets and cardigans for that, although perhaps it might work with cream denim like the Drake’s pair?
Otherwise it’s flannels and cords.
I wouldn’t wear it with cream denim personally, no. Thanks though
The world needs more plaid and checks. This looks great, and I bet it looks terrific in person. It’s good to step out a bit, put some life into your wardrobe, wear something like this. A pattern that seems a bit bold often ends up going with lots of stuff. I think this would be like that.
There is a lot to like about this. Excellent choice. The second I saw it, I thought “black grenadine” for the tie. I usually only bring that out for somber events and toning down bold patterns. While this one isn’t as bold as many I’ve seen, there IS a lot going on, and it would be easy for a tie to set up a real Hatfield vs McCoy conflict with the jacket, so I’d go as stark and simple as possible if I just HAD to wear a tie with it. Black shantung (or, as you mentioned, knit) would be elegant, too. The only other thing I’d consider would be any of those weaves in a solid dark navy or a dark-enough brown.
I think some dark-ish tan corduroy pants would be a nice match, given the weight of the material. Or perhaps cavalry twill. Brown full brogue and an ecru OBDC. That would be my go-to, methinks.
Again, you have exquisite taste in patterns, sir.
Thank you. Great call on the black grenadine too, I’ll try that.
I hadn’t though of tan cords or cav twill, I’ll try it.
I’m flattered! I’ve picked up “a few” sartorial tricks from you to add to my arsenal, so I’m glad I could help find a combo idea or two for your lovely new suiting. I’d probably lean towards a narrow wale on the cords, and maybe fina for the grenadine.
I’d also think this pattern would be slick for a Norfolk or hacking jacket, and I agree with some of the others that a DB would be sublime.
Now if I can just make room in the budgie…
Brilliant jacket! Well, subdued, actually, but you know what I mean. And it does look quite American to me too, I have lived on this side of that famous pond for close to two-thirds of my life, so I should know.
In addition to the other items you have combined this jacket with, I think one could be a tad more adventurous in going a bit farther afield: The right shade of khaki, perhaps a slightly darker British khaki, would be great for a pair of trousers to go with this plaid jacket. Rust cordurouys, likewise, might echo that bit of orange in the jacket. This is definitely a jacket that one can experiment with, in terms of colours and pairings. And definitely brown pebble-grain shoes.
Very true on the trousers. I tend to tone down other things, but I can see a stronger complimentary colour in the trousers being nice too
Simon, I hope you keep on producing these lovely fabrics. Under normal circumstances I would have put in an order. But right now, the tailor I’ve used in the past is not coming to the US due to an interminable travel ban on foreign nationals coming into the U.S. In fact, I still have the Escorial fabric I ordered last year waiting to be used! I naively thought things would be back to normal in 2021… If only!
So it’s a weird situation. Notwithstanding the Delta variant, I’m fortunate to be living in an area that has a high vaccination rate, low community spread, and all the restaurants are operating as usual. I’ve also started working at the office once or twice a week. So I’d be happy to have something made, but it’s impossible impractical right now. Alas, first world problems…
Indeed. Hopefully that will get a little bit back to normal this Autumn
Apologies for this being a little bit of a tangent.
I love the silhouette of a double breasted jacket, but find it hard to judge when a double-breasted odd jacket would work (worsted suits and blazers are easy to do double breasted). Their greater formality and being more noticeable (and therefore harder to wear frequently) are key challenges.
I was wondering about this cloth as a double breasted odd jacket? Would the strong pattern ensue it doesn’t seem too formal, and that pattern makes it somewhat striking again so it wouldn’t be worn often anyway.
In general, do you have advise on when a double breasted cut will work in an odd jacket?
I think this pattern would be lovely as a double-breasted, though it would likely make it more striking, so you’d have to want that look.
I think most of the key with DBs is being casual in how they are worn. Hands in pockets, not always buttoned up, trying not to think about it. And for some people, that is helped by having the jacket in a casual material or cut. Something like my grey cord from Ciardi I think would be a good example. I’d start with something like that.
Thanks, very helpful.
I think this pattern is noticeable enough (if not necessarily striking) that the double-breasted cut can’t make it stand out too much more. This may be my sense, though, because I rarely wear strong patterns, so I feel it would be relatively striking within my wardrobe.
That’s probably true, it would be a slight addition to what is already a striking cloth
Hi Simon,
For deliveries to the EU the price is the same. Is it sent duties and taxes paid? Or would we be charged VAT ? If so, shouldn’t they remove the UK VAT?
It’s not sent duties and taxes paid, no. The price should change to a euro price when you enter the shipping destination, which will not include taxes. Does it not?
Hi Noel,
Just a quick update. Joshua Ellis say there was a bug, which is now fixed.
You should find now that if you enter a country that uses euro currency, it will set to €170 a metre. And if you enter a country that does not use the euro (e.g. Sweden) it will set to £155 a metre.
You will be charged tax and duties on top of that when the cloth arrives. As I said, this should create a price that is roughly equal with the UK, given the shipping is free and that would cost more to the EU than UK.
Thanks
Hi Simon,
Another lovely cloth, and one that fits my taste for checks. I find hard to find cloths in which offer a subdued and mute checks, while still being “fun” (which for me is important, given I have 0 need for anything formal) but not dandy
Just one question. Regarding VAT it is not clear to me what you mean for outside UK that there will be “separates charges (…) don’t include VAT and duties”. In a simple way, my question is: for those outside UK (me in Europe) will I need to pay VAT + duties or just the duties and the VAT will get discounted in the checkout?
Thank you for the attention,
Tamaki
You’ll need to pay VAT and duties on arrival. The price should change to a slightly lower euro one (not 20% lower, as I think they’ve built in something for the shipping, but still lower) when you enter the destination country.
A reader above noted that this doesn’t seem to be happening though, so I’ve just asked JE about it.
Thanks, Simon, for the follow-up. My question came from the same reason as the previous reader
Hi Tamaki,
Just a quick update. Joshua Ellis say there was a bug, which is now fixed.
You should find now that if you enter a country that uses euro currency, it will set to €170 a metre. And if you enter a country that does not use the euro (e.g. Sweden) it will set to £155 a metre.
You will be charged tax and duties on top of that when the cloth arrives. As I said, this should create a price that is roughly equal with the UK, given the shipping is free and that would cost more to the EU than UK.
Thanks
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the answer. I noticed that almost immediately after I sent the message the bug was fixed. I purchased the cloth and it arrived last week, and I am really pleased with it. The checks are strong and the cloth colorful, but not dandy (or too dandy) so fitting well in what I enjoy in some jacket cloths: some muted but “fun” colorfulness and check
Also, wanted to emphasise that the colors are exactly as you described: a very distinct palette to usual English and Italian cloths (I probably spend 1h/day just looking at online swatches of cloths from différent Mills). It is something quite unusual yet useful.
Ah, ok good to know, thanks Tamaki.
And really pleased you like the cloth so much.
I really like this. I tend to find strong checks too busy. I guess the overall fairly dark colour scheme helps making it calmer. The plaid also has an almost camouflage-y quality to it. Well done!
Thank you. And pleased both those things come across
Interesting to see the different style of jacket from W&S. Would that style suit the PS Harris Tweed I wonder as you say you are bringing that back soon? Thanks.
Yes, it would suit the tweed. The jacket is still not as soft as a Neapolitan maker, and not something I’d wear with jeans for example, but still it would look great in the tweed
The jacket looks great! However, I really like my button higher up.
Simon, you’ve often written about how you generally favour Neapolitan tailors for sport jackets given their casual cut better suits the more casual garment. I’ve noticed though that you have a handful of jackets you’ve done through English drape tailors, including this one. Can you elaborate why you opt for some jackets cut in the English drape style, and what are the merits of having a jacket in that cut. Thanks!
Sure. The brief answer is that this is the style I like for normal formal jackets – so not to wear with jeans, and not something more stylised like a Sexton.
I prefer Neapolitan for more casual, eg with jeans or chinos.
The more detailed appeal of a drape cut would take a longer answer…
FWIW. I think an article or perhaps articles detailing your personal aesthetic tastes for various cuts could be interesting!
Cool, thanks
Hi Simon, do you think this fabric might suit a chore jacket, similar to the one you had made at William Crabtree?
It would feel amazing, but it would be very soft and not hold its shape as much as something more densely woven. As long as you’re aware of that, then yes. Though it would be a very luxurious chore jacket
Hi Simon,
Beautiful fabric, beautiful jacket. In looking at the photo of the back, my eyes are drawn to the wider groups of vertical white stripes, and the symmetry seems off. I see what was done, with the inside white stripes equidistant from the seam, but I have to look harder to see that. How do you think it would have looked had the wider groups of stripes been placed equidistant from the seam?
Good point Kim.
I think it would probably have looked more off that way, personally. We did discuss both (there’s actually a post coming up on the check matching etc going on here).
But neither would be ideal, in that they’d both look a touch off one way or the other. I think it’s just inevitable with a less uniform check
Any idea what the duty is when shipping to America? From what I remember you mentioning in another list, it only kicks in if the price is greater than $700 or $800 or somewhere along that range.
Yes, exactly. You’ll pay VAT, or some sales tax, and then duties but only on things over $800 in the US currently
Dear Simon – quick question on the cloth – can I assume that as it’s 100% cashmere it won’t crease too much i.e. would be suitable for travel?
Thanks, Winot
Yes it would be pretty good. You wouldn’t want to stuff it in anywhere, but folded up nicely it will do well
Do you think a jacket made in this cloth could fit the same niche as your Solito green lightweight wool? https://www.permanentstyle.com/2017/06/wearing-black-in-a-sports-jacket.html
Or is this cloth a bit smarter as cashmere, and a bit stronger in pattern, so not quite as versatile?
I’d say a bit stronger in pattern, yes, so not as versatile
Simon, my PS Plaid has arrived. Fabulous! I was thinking of getting Solito to make me up a SB jacket in this. Do you think this would work well? – I am thinking about the informality of the Neapolitan tailoring vs. the apparent formality of the cloth?
I think would work wonderfully Matthew. No concerns about the cloth in that cut
Hi Simon, I have recently collected my Solito sb jacket in PS Plaid. It is a thing of great beauty! Interestingly, some differenty choices about the cutting, compared with your jacket. Not better or worse, just quite different, and a quite different result. Also worth noting: it is a highly tactile garment – people simply can’t help themselves.
Ha! Yeah I know what you mean. The pleasures of good cashmere
Hi Simon,
How would you compare the cut of the jacket compared to your navy cashmere sports jacket by Stephen Hitchcock?
If you don’t mind, I’ll leave answering that question until a later post where I’ll go into detail on the cut.
But I’ll make a note to answer that question then.
Thank you Simon. It would be interesting to understand this. I have long admired both tailors and have taken the plunge in purchasing the cloth.
I really like how this jacket looks on you, it seems to frame you very nicely from what I can see. I particularly like the shoulders but I’m not sure if that is just down to the way that the cloth tailors.
Being of similar size I hope that it will help me look at least half as good as you.
My fabric just arrived and the colours are very subtle, exactly what I was hoping for, and the cloth has a very nice hand. Well done, Simon.
Wonderful, thank you Mark. The feel of that cashmere is something special isn’t it?
I wasn’t sure about the cloth given I don’t like strong patterns, but I like green and purple combinations, so I bought a swatch. I was pleasantly surprised at how subtle the pattern is and it seems much more wearable and muted than the photos here lead one to believe.
I’m still hesitating about the checked pattern and whether to buy a length, but I do think the photos unfortunately don’t fully capture the cloth’s attributes.
Hi Simon. Just a suggestion. Since now you are covering how some PS readers actually dress, then perhaps it is interesting to cover the various – and different ways – PS readers (and customers) actually wear the products they purchased from PS shop (e.g. how they wore the trench, how they ended up tailoring the tweeds and the shirt fabrics, etc). Could be interesting to read about, and see. Good day!
Good point, yes Ali. Thank you
This could be the fabric that gets me wearing green…
Seriously though, considering having a jacket made out of this, but I do have one question: I normally have my jackets made with a very light canvas, and that’s worked really well for tweeds and heavier flanells. I’m wondering if the relatively light, delicate cashmere would be too soft for this kind of construction?
No, I think that would be fine. I wouldn’t suggest having it without any structure at all, as some have asked about in comments above. But a light canvas would be fine
Are you still planning on doing a review of the jacket itself? Very much looking forward to that.
Yes, sorry for the delay there. Should be up in a couple of weeks
Hi Simon,
Thanks again for the article and the cloth!
I’m having a bit of trouble pairing this jacket/cloth with trousers other than tailored wool grey trousers, maybe because the cloths feels so dressy and elegant.
Could you help me out with recommendations for trousers cloth that would match well?
Thanks a lot!
Tamaki
No worries.
It is a little more limiting than most cloths, but I would wear it with both charcoal and mid-grey, with dark brown and with black. Possibly cream as well, although that would be a pretty strong look.
Thanks Simon
So I guess mostly on the darker side, right? I regard to material, would you say cotton works or it would have to be flannel/worsted trousers?
For example, khakis (trouser type not color) I find that don’t match well enough the jacket. Or do you think there is one that would work well?
Thanks again in advancs
Tamaki
Hi Tamaki,
No you’re right, it’s a fairly smart jacket, so I think it’s better with wool trousers – flannel, worsted, cav twills etc.
A cotton could work but it would have to be very fine and smart, like my Brioni ones here.
And yes, largely dark colours (or mid-grey)
Hi Simon,
I bought a length of the PS Plaid and I’m quite happy with it. It’s the first time I’ve experienced cloth from Joshua Ellis and on that basis, I would consider making other jackets from their cashmere. Most of their cashmere jacketing is a bit lighter, at 300g however. I’m wondering if this is too light for a cashmere jacket? Would it affect its longevity?
A little bit, but only if you wear it heavily, eg in a wardrobe of three or four.
Simon, sorry if I have missed it but not seen a piece about this jacket or W&S’s softer styled option in general. How do you find it, in particular the shoulder? I’m assuming it isn’t ever going to be directly comparable to something Neapolitan, but it might just fit the bill for my budget and travel options. What are the key differences?Looking to have a suit made over the winter for next year and I keep coming back to W&S classic bespoke as the most likely candidate for my budget, but want something a bit rounder and roomier than their house style.
Hey Chris,
Did you see this article? I think most of the points are addressed there. If not please do ask in the comments
Dear Simon.
I just have a jacket made with ‘your’ plaid. The fabric and, of course, the jacket turned out to be fabulous. First time, I have bought something you have developed and I am super duper impressed. I wanted to send in my sincere appreciation.
Respect.
AAKG
I’m so pleased to hear that, thank you for letting me know
With increasing casual tilt of PS curious if this fabric holds same allure as when introduced. Obviously luxe, but hasn’t been featured since. Have you cooled on the look?
Good question Robert. No I haven’t actually – it’s really nice for smarter or evening things, and is a nice combination with denim as well. It would ideally be made in something softer like a Neapolitan style for wearing with jeans, but the colours are great (particularly with washed black jeans)
Is Ralph Lauren using the PS Plaid in their latest collection? I know the intention was to get it somewhere in the RL ballpark but surely there’s no higher praise!
https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/kent-handmade-plaid-cashmere-jacket-655378.html
Huh that is pretty close isn’t it? Though fortunately I think I still prefer ours! Or at least this is more country
Joshua Ellis doesn’t offer the Permanent Style plaid fabric anymore on their website. Maybe it is out of stock (and hopefully it will be restocked) or maybe Ralph Lauren bought what’s left…? Anyway, it was a very fine cloth. I wish I had pulled the trigger on that cloth when I had the chance.
I thought there were a few metres left. Let me check with them – if there are I’ll let you know here
Any luck? Waiting far to long to pull the trigger on this.
I am sorry Mathew, I checked but forgot to reply. No, there are no more metres left sorry
Ok, thanks Simon.
I saw something super similar in tk max in Stratford. agreed. it’s too country. but hey. if you like the colour and want something cheap… and Ralph Lauren fits you well… can certainly do worse than that.
Hi Simon.
I wanted to give some unsolicited feedback – I got a jacket from your cashmere plaid in spring this year and got a chance to wear it now. It is simply the best jacket I ever had – not only for the make of it but also because the fabric is so soft, warm and substantial. I cannot be more pleased with the fabric.
With my best
AKG
Amazing AKG, thank you
Beautiful jacket. Right at the midpoint between bold and subtle. Really nice.
Thanks Leif, the material is coming back into stock this summer, for autumn/winter jackets
Hi Simon,
I’m interested in your thoughts on plaid patterned flannel trousers. I think it’s very much a look and not easy to pull off (perhaps it’s something for the more ‘advanced’ dressers in my view).
Plaid trousers are still a rarity I think and likely to stay that way in my view. Having said that, for someone with a large wardrobe perhaps it makes sense for the occasional wear (with everything else in the outfit paired back (solid colors, no patterns)).
Many thanks in advance.
Personally, I don’t like them Nezar. Even as an advanced thing. The only exception is probably tartan trews, for an occasion, if you’re Scottish
Many thanks Simon. Would you be able to kindly elaborate as to why you don’t like them? Would be instructive to hear your views given your experience and knowledge.
I think they’re too flashy. A patterned trouser can work sometimes in a slightly louder style, but not plaid
Thanks Simon.
Hi Nezar,
If I can add a point of view here. I think (one of) the point of dressing well and appropriately is to direct the viewer’s attention to your face. If you have such patterns that everybody looks at you trousers first, you miss the mark. It gives the message that you want people to actually remark this particular garment. It seems that you want people to focus on your clothes and not on you. I could say the same with flashy shoes.
In my opinion, this plaid works as a suit with maybe an appropriate tie to frame the face as the trousers no longer stand out.
My own two cents.
Thanks Dominic. Yes I think that’s right and I did have that as a consideration when thinking through this.
My pleasure Nezar. This is a trap some people interested in menswear fall easily prey to in my opinion : they love some much clothes that they end up bringing attention on them instead of using them to bring attention on their person.