Current menswear - All awful? or, am I getting old?

Wibbs

Actually... there's a question I'd have. At what point did we stop being men and become "male". WTF is that? I only apply the male title to animals, if I consider it at all.

Wibbs

Actually Part Deux... My approach to men's fashion would be mostly muted but majorly tied to;

Me. Previously wrote: »

Because no fcuks were given on that or any other day.

Wear what you like. Make sure it fits your body. Make sure it's actually practical, keep the colours going on relatively muted, but among the muted throw in one item that's a wobbler, a dissonant note of colour or style and accessorise with good shoes/boots/spectacles(if you wear them)/watch/bracelets/necklace.

Middle Man

Wibbs wrote: »

Actually... there's a question I'd have. At what point did we stop being men and become "male". WTF is that? I only apply the male title to animals, if I consider it at all.

Can both terms ('man' and 'male') not be used?

Wibbs

Middle Man wrote: »

Can both terms ('man' and 'male') not be used?

Generally when I see "male" being used of late I think of imported American "gender war" bullsh1te is in play, whoever subconsciously.

Your whole "I'm 44 and I'm like a Ferrari all over rust buckets when trying to get by these "trendy" young men" and "A woman once told me that my shirt was too big - well she met her match and didn't fare too well when I went on the counter attack" and "I actually saw two young country men having their clothes picked out for them by their other halves - I was shocked and felt like going up to one of them and telling them to man up!" and "However, that leaves very little scope for[women] taking control..." and "I do plenty of pre-delayed selfies (for distance shots) and have even starting using the video cam... Mirrors as you say give a very limited perspective of oneself"and your posts about your V shape and "broad shoulders", it sounds to me like a 44 year old man who gives way too many fcuks about how he is perceived and a man who appears to be buying into some of that imported US bullsh1te for comfort. Never mind the "I'm faster at 44 than these young men/males", again sounds like the lady doth protest too much. And is too try hard. Just my observation mind.

OldRio

To use a golfing term.
Hole in one Mr Wibbs. Hole in one.

Middle Man

Wibbs wrote: »

Generally when I see "male" being used of late I think of imported American "gender war" bullsh1te is in play, whoever subconsciously.

Your whole "I'm 44 and I'm like a Ferrari all over rust buckets when trying to get by these "trendy" young men" and "A woman once told me that my shirt was too big - well she met her match and didn't fare too well when I went on the counter attack" and "I actually saw two young country men having their clothes picked out for them by their other halves - I was shocked and felt like going up to one of them and telling them to man up!" and "However, that leaves very little scope for[women] taking control..." and "I do plenty of pre-delayed selfies (for distance shots) and have even starting using the video cam... Mirrors as you say give a very limited perspective of oneself"and your posts about your V shape and "broad shoulders", it sounds to me like a 44 year old man who gives way too many fcuks about how he is perceived and a man who appears to be buying into some of that imported US bullsh1te for comfort. Never mind the "I'm faster at 44 than these young men/males", again sounds like the lady doth protest too much. And is too try hard. Just my observation mind.

Well, I also think a lot of the Irish mindset is Bull**** - before looking into the imperfections of the USA, the Irish need to look at themselves first. Indeed, there's a lot wrong in the US, but there's also a hell of a lot there that Irish people could learn from, especially in terms of business ethic and collective responsibility! Many Irish people think they're it (no they don't all like us the world over - we're no different to anyone else) and it quite annoyed me when I read here that Americans were not quite up to said Irish standards in terms of fashion...

Really???

Well, >>here's<< a guy from the US - he'd put any Irish man to shame in terms of style - look at how nicely his shirt fits - it's slim (you heard right, not all Americans are fat!) but it suits him and the fabric neither strains nor pools anywhere on his body!

I'm just so fed up of the attitude in Ireland - the cyclist is God - don't you dare criticise, TV celebrities are it - don't question them, loose fit clothing is old hat - we should all wear tight fitting clothes, you're not sociable if you don't drink, don't touch the 'value' of our property, don't dare step above your station, follow like good sheep and don't defy the shepherd etc. etc. etc.! Bull****!

Middle Man

Wibbs wrote: »

<snip>sounds like the lady doth protest too much. <snip>

I don't actually have one because I don't need one - I also know a woman who gets on perfectly well without a man. I think relationships are nowadays skin-deep and cheap and I reckon she is of the same opinion regarding same!

job seeker

Middle Man wrote: »

I don't actually have one because I don't need one - I also know a woman who gets on perfectly well without a man. I think relationships are nowadays skin-deep and cheap and I reckon she is of the same opinion regarding same!

I think that it's pretty easy to say that about relationships, when you're not in one.

Edit:

I'm single myself at the moment. For me anyway, there is nothing better than been in a relationship, with someone who you really care about. Obviously, you need to be attracted to that other person. So looks play a part. However, personality is what helps the maintain the relationship.

Wibbs

Middle Man wrote: »

Well, I also think a lot of the Irish mindset is Bull**** - before looking into the imperfections of the USA, the Irish need to look at themselves first.

Sure.

Really???

Well, >>here's<< a guy from the US - he'd put any Irish man to shame in terms of style - look at how nicely his shirt fits - it's slim (you heard right, not all Americans are fat!) but it suits him and the fabric neither strains nor pools anywhere on his body!

Eh he's British. Did the accent not give the game away?

Middle Man wrote: »

I don't actually have one because I don't need one

"the lady doth protest too much" is from Shakespeare, nothing to do with your relationship status or not.

Skedaddle

I think when you start making sweeping statements about nationalities about any topic, you're on to a losing argument.

Some Americans dress extremely well, some don't. Some Irish guys dress well, some don't. I've seen extremely well dressed French guys and guys who looked like they ran through a washing line or exclusively shopped at InterSport.

Some people look extremely well dressed one day and pull on a random t-shirt and jeans the next day. It's all a bit random.

There are differences in terms of how much being sharply dresses matters in certain locations too and what the dominant dress code is. For example, you don't necessarily see very many sharp suits in the wealthiest parts of California but, you do in Manhattan.

Dial Hard

Middle Man wrote: »

She had no business telling you what to wear. A woman once told me that my shirt was too big - well she met her match and didn't fare too well when I went on the counter attack. Again, it was a case of 'people in glasshouses...'!

Middle Man wrote: »

I get the lend of an eye an odd time, but I make sure I'm in control at all times. I know where you're coming from, but for me the problem is that some women will take a mile if you give them an inch.

Middle Man wrote: »

That's a man who has self respect! :cool:

You said it mate - Kudos!!!

You are a very strange creature indeed.

Middle Man

I don’t think I’m ever going to make any sense of the Irish mentality. Anyone it seems who doesn’t conform to this mindset (you must do what O’Grady says, be a good boy and follow like the rest of the sheep!) is an oddball. Many Irish men don’t look good because they don’t wear what suits them. Whether that guy on YouTube is English or American (the YouTube account appears under Eastern Standard Time) young Irish men will never look good like him unless they cop on and stop following fashions that don’t suit. It must also be noted that some New York accents are very soft and have a tint of an English accent - well, London and New York do interact a lot on the global financial markets, so perhaps that’s not surprising. That guy could be from New York or perhaps living in New York with English origin. Anyway, the English men that I’ve seen also look better.

Middle Man

Dial Hard wrote: »

You are a very strange creature indeed.

I suppose you are a feminist...

21Savage

The guy is wearing a white shirt with a black t-shirt underneath it, he's just in normal clothes, I was expecting you to link me to a a Youtuber who makes videos about fashion for older guys.
Also, I'm not hating on Americans, some of their casual style is cool af. I personally like their shorts and socks with sliders(Adidas or Nike) look. It looks lazy af, but it just works. My point is though you would very rarely see this in a European Airport, however go to LAX and literally everyone and their mother is wearing that getup. I'm also not suggesting that being 'fashion conscious' is a good or bad thing, it just is, but I am confident if you go into an Irish University and an American Midwestern one you would notice a distinct difference in the effort that they make. I personally don't like British fashion that is popular in Ireland. The jeans coming short and tight at the bottom is so bad it's laughable. Even worse when it's done with a suit. Sheep in wolves clothing comes to mind.
Wearing clothes too small though is such an Irish trait. Every rugby enthusiast and GAA head feels obliged to wear t-shirts that are incredibly small and most of these guys are way too arm dominant so looks ridiculous(imo)

ancapailldorcha

Dial Hard wrote: »

You are a very strange creature indeed.

Middle Man wrote: »

I suppose you are a feminist...

Cut this out please.

Middle Man

21Savage wrote: »

The guy is wearing a white shirt with a black t-shirt underneath it, he's just in normal clothes, I was expecting you to link me to a a Youtuber who makes videos about fashion for older guys.
Also, I'm not hating on Americans, some of their casual style is cool af. I personally like their shorts and socks with sliders(Adidas or Nike) look. It looks lazy af, but it just works. My point is though you would very rarely see this in a European Airport, however go to LAX and literally everyone and their mother is wearing that getup. I'm also not suggesting that being 'fashion conscious' is a good or bad thing, it just is, but I am confident if you go into an Irish University and an American Midwestern one you would notice a distinct difference in the effort that they make. I personally don't like British fashion that is popular in Ireland. The jeans coming short and tight at the bottom is so bad it's laughable. Even worse when it's done with a suit. Sheep in wolves clothing comes to mind.
Wearing clothes too small though is such an Irish trait. Every rugby enthusiast and GAA head feels obliged to wear t-shirts that are incredibly small and most of these guys are way too arm dominant so looks ridiculous.

But even if they wore their tight clothes and just shut up and let others do their thing, I wouldn't be so vocal about it. What I'm objecting to is this fashion pulpit mentality where these young guys in tight clothes ridicule older guys for being 'not with it'. Also, they follow the fashion industry like sheep and as a result, our own choices are being restricted in the shops - I can't get boot leg trousers at the moment - if these young guys were more man than sheep, the industry would be forced to diversify more. Fashion is currently so un-dynamic (at this given time) that anyone who considers it modern is living under a rock.

As for the guy on Youtube, I guess it's a matter of taste - I think his shirt looks so cool because of the style, colour and fit and the way in which it perfectly suits him - others might see it as just an ordinary everyday clothing item, but that's natural and I've no problem with it.

Middle Man

Skedaddle wrote: »

I think when you start making sweeping statements about nationalities about any topic, you're on to a losing argument.

Some Americans dress extremely well, some don't. Some Irish guys dress well, some don't. I've seen extremely well dressed French guys and guys who looked like they ran through a washing line or exclusively shopped at InterSport.

Some people look extremely well dressed one day and pull on a random t-shirt and jeans the next day. It's all a bit random.

There are differences in terms of how much being sharply dresses matters in certain locations too and what the dominant dress code is. For example, you don't necessarily see very many sharp suits in the wealthiest parts of California but, you do in Manhattan.

...but it is fair to say that there is quite a small town mindset in Ireland where everyone has to do the same thing - this is particularly true among younger generations - in the 1990's it was the same BS when my generation was young - at the time, if there was any reasonable shape to your outfit, it was too formal - at one stage, I had casual trousers, ordinary shirt and tracksuit top on over - guess what? It was too formal - seriously, I'm not making this up!

When today's young men look back on themselves in a few years, the jaws will drop. I have photos of myself in the 1990's and thankfully, I don't have to cringe for the most part (I strongly resisted the fashion) - when I see some of the others in the said photos, well that's a different storey.

freshpopcorn

Just to add I don't really care what people wear as long as there happy.(I don't like this no socks thing and ankles hanging out). I'm nearly 26 and I find that following trends is a lot more common now especially with teenagers and that people aren't really as individual as when I was a teenager and there's more pressure to look a certain way compared to the past.

21Savage

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Just to add I don't really care what people wear as long as there happy.(I don't like this no socks thing and ankles hanging out). I'm nearly 26 and I find that following trends is a lot more common now especially with teenagers and that people aren't really as individual as when I was a teenager and there's more pressure to look a certain way compared to the past.

I'm your age when I was a teenager we all wore McKenzie and NY Yankee tracksuits.

Wibbs

Middle Man wrote: »

Whether that guy on YouTube is English or American (the YouTube account appears under Eastern Standard Time) young Irish men will never look good like him unless they cop on and stop following fashions that don’t suit. It must also be noted that some New York accents are very soft and have a tint of an English accent - well, London and New York do interact a lot on the global financial markets, so perhaps that’s not surprising. That guy could be from New York or perhaps living in New York with English origin.

Let's put this to bed He's British, living in Prague. I have never heard a native New Yorker having close to a British/English accent. I have zero idea where that came from.

21Savage

The funny thing is he sounds so stereotypically British

freshpopcorn

21Savage wrote: »

I'm your age when I was a teenager we all wore McKenzie and NY Yankee tracksuits.

We had a real mix to be honest in my area. From tracksuits/to jeans/shirts/t-shirts/Jumpers/etc. People would have generally wore Nike and maybe Adidas tracksuits and Mckenzie/NY wouldn't be popular at all!

Skedaddle

Middle Man wrote: »

...but it is fair to say that there is quite a small town mindset in Ireland where everyone has to do the same thing - this is particularly true among younger generations - in the 1990's it was the same BS when my generation was young - at the time, if there was any reasonable shape to your outfit, it was too formal - at one stage, I had casual trousers, ordinary shirt and tracksuit top on over - guess what? It was too formal - seriously, I'm not making this up!

When today's young men look back on themselves in a few years, the jaws will drop. I have photos of myself in the 1990's and thankfully, I don't have to cringe for the most part (I strongly resisted the fashion) - when I see some of the others in the said photos, well that's a different storey.

The only thing I would say that fairly exclusive to these islands is the school uniform. At an age when most people on the continent and in the USA are developing their own personal style, we are mostly dressed in the most hideous outfit imaginable - specifically designed in the 1950s to suit nobody and to be very durable.

If you try to personalise it in anyway, you’re very quickly knocked back into line with threats or detention and suspension. Even if your hair is a bit different in some schools you’re standardised immediately! You can’t be having any flamboyance or self expression! That might lead to teen pregnancy!

I would say that definitely has some impact on some guy’s (and women’s) inability to develop a sense of personal style and just being either very conformist or not caring at all about what they dress like.

I remember being given detention for refusing to cut my hair into a short back and sides and being mocked by staff for having stubble!!! Talk about destroying someone’s self esteem and sense of self at a vulnerable stage.

quadrifoglio verde

21Savage wrote: »

I'm your age when I was a teenager we all wore McKenzie and NY Yankee tracksuits.

I refused to wear it. McKenzie, yankee, carbrini airmax and the timberland tracksuits all looked tacky as hell.

job seeker

Middle Man wrote: »

...but it is fair to say that there is quite a small town mindset in Ireland where everyone has to do the same thing - this is particularly true among younger generations - in the 1990's it was the same BS when my generation was young - at the time, if there was any reasonable shape to your outfit, it was too formal - at one stage, I had casual trousers, ordinary shirt and tracksuit top on over - guess what? It was too formal - seriously, I'm not making this up!

When today's young men look back on themselves in a few years, the jaws will drop. I have photos of myself in the 1990's and thankfully, I don't have to cringe for the most part (I strongly resisted the fashion) - when I see some of the others in the said photos, well that's a different storey.

As I've said previously, alot of.this attaude comes back to fitting in with peers etc. However, that's the current trend. Therefore, I'm not worried if someone thinks that I'm 'sheepish'. I'm quite happy to follow the crowd. as I previously stated, I was extremely uncomfortable at first. But once you get used to tright/slim fitting trousers and shirts they become extremely comfortable. Now, I didn't realise this prior

However, I do wear lose fitting jeans around the house and when I'm doing a bit of work on the car. But, now I find such jeans extremely uncomfortable. As they offer no support around the croch and arse, everything is all over the shop. Even though I'm a quite slim body type.

I'd not agree, I expect in years to come, I'll look back at old photos and think "wasn't those times trendy". I'd prefer to follow, as opposed to trying to create my own fashion trends and appear to look like a fashion outcast..

Middle Man

job seeker wrote: »

<snip>I'd prefer to follow, as opposed to trying to create my own fashion trends and appear to look like a fashion outcast..

There lies the problem - that to me is a sign of weakness - you have succumbed - young Irish men need to man up!

Well, I wear trousers (not jeans) anyway and I like the bootcut ones - relatively slim towards the crotch with a nice flamboyant look towards the bottom - the widest ones I have certainly don't stop me running fast when I need to (rain etc) - only my lungs (being only human) limit me distance wise. You talk about wide leg jeans being uncomfortable - well perhaps, the slim jeans have become the new lazy fashion, because most men certainly don't look good in them. I have managed with wide trousers (maybe that's what you should go for instead of jeans) for decades and I never had any real issues.

Amazingly, wide formal trousers (normal grade polyester/viscose fabric) can glide through the air very easily (discovered that years ago in school when I forgot my tracksuit bottoms for PE) - They were also very comfortable - I was actually rather surprised. Then again, my trousers are nothing like many of the bootcut jeans in terms of leg width (my leg openings very from 9" to 10" when folded) and I guess were back to this proper measurement thing again. Irish men need to stop being lazy and cease cutting their clothes to the bone or wearing them so sloppy.

Man up, Measure up, Get the right fit and take a bit of pride!
Stop following the fashion like a herd of sheep - it doesn't make you guys look smart!

Middle Man

Skedaddle wrote: »

The only thing I would say that fairly exclusive to these islands is the school uniform. At an age when most people on the continent and in the USA are developing their own personal style, we are mostly dressed in the most hideous outfit imaginable - specifically designed in the 1950s to suit nobody and to be very durable.

If you try to personalise it in anyway, you’re very quickly knocked back into line with threats or detention and suspension. Even if your hair is a bit different in some schools you’re standardised immediately! You can’t be having any flamboyance or self expression! That might lead to teen pregnancy!

I would say that definitely has some impact on some guy’s (and women’s) inability to develop a sense of personal style and just being either very conformist or not caring at all about what they dress like.

I remember being given detention for refusing to cut my hair into a short back and sides and being mocked by staff for having stubble!!! Talk about destroying someone’s self esteem and sense of self at a vulnerable stage.

I don't think it's just the uniform - I think it's the entire curriculum and the way in which it is a 'one size fits all' indoctrination process! I think the following video (link below) explain the problems with official education so well...

Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall

The only change I'd make to the song would be...
"We don't need YOUR education" because eduction in general is good, but the system's education? Not so sure about that!

Middle Man

Wibbs wrote: »

Let's put this to bed He's British, living in Prague. I have never heard a native New Yorker having close to a British/English accent. I have zero idea where that came from.

Whatever, but he still looks a lot better than Irish men in general!

Middle Man

I think I'm going to have to leave it here and perhaps turn to producing satirical Youtube videos on Irish men and their sense of fashion - I'm sure the leprechaun legs (short inseam measurements and large middle areas with tight trousers :pac::pac::pac:) would induce a few laughs abroad...

Mister Vain

I definitely have the leprechaun legs. 30 inch leg seems to be the minimum in all the clothes shops. I spent half the day yesterday trying on jeans and they were all way too long. I find the clothes in Dunnes Stores to be generally the best fitting. The stuff in most of the clothes shops is either too tight or too big.