Help me find a great outfit that is awesome and unique, and won't get me weird stares from strangers.
March 20, 2012 8:23 PM Subscribe
Help me find a great outfit that is awesome and unique, and won't get me weird stares from strangers. Details inside.
Every once in a while I see someone who has an outfit on that just looks amazing and unique, but still looks like something they could walk around town in without getting any weird looks. I would like to find something like that for me. In the end, if it isn't completely unique that's OK, but I want something that doesn't look like every day wear.
This outfit would be primarily for performing (singer/songwriter and band type stuff, geeky acoustic and rock stuff), although I would like to take elements from it to add to my regular wardrobe every once in a while, assuming they made sense.
In my head I'm drawn towards things inspired by the steampunk look, but I don't want to look like I'm trying to wear a steampunk outfit. I've also thought that something with a slight military flare might be cool.
Currently for shows I wear a very dark pair of jeans, a nice vest that sometimes goes over a tee shirt, and sometimes over a button shirt with tie, and most of the time I wear a cap. I've put a video in my profile of a previous show (although I no longer have a beard). I'm overweight, although less so than I used to be, but I anticipate being that way for a while at least.
I bought a pair of brass motorcycle goggles, since I'm going to be playing at a comic convention and wanted to try to put together an outfit, and that's when I realized I have no idea what I'm doing.
So, if anyone has any suggestions for me in terms of outfits or parts of outfits, I'm all ears. I'd love to see what someone who has fashion sense would tell me to wear.
Every once in a while I see someone who has an outfit on that just looks amazing and unique, but still looks like something they could walk around town in without getting any weird looks. I would like to find something like that for me. In the end, if it isn't completely unique that's OK, but I want something that doesn't look like every day wear.
This outfit would be primarily for performing (singer/songwriter and band type stuff, geeky acoustic and rock stuff), although I would like to take elements from it to add to my regular wardrobe every once in a while, assuming they made sense.
In my head I'm drawn towards things inspired by the steampunk look, but I don't want to look like I'm trying to wear a steampunk outfit. I've also thought that something with a slight military flare might be cool.
Currently for shows I wear a very dark pair of jeans, a nice vest that sometimes goes over a tee shirt, and sometimes over a button shirt with tie, and most of the time I wear a cap. I've put a video in my profile of a previous show (although I no longer have a beard). I'm overweight, although less so than I used to be, but I anticipate being that way for a while at least.
I bought a pair of brass motorcycle goggles, since I'm going to be playing at a comic convention and wanted to try to put together an outfit, and that's when I realized I have no idea what I'm doing.
So, if anyone has any suggestions for me in terms of outfits or parts of outfits, I'm all ears. I'd love to see what someone who has fashion sense would tell me to wear.
If you can't find what you're looking for at military surplus or vintage stores, Ralph Lauren has a couple of things that might interest you (military-inspired shirt, safari jacket, chinos & surplus).
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:49 PM on March 20, 2012
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:49 PM on March 20, 2012
Dig the music!
I think a steampunk/dieselpunk look would be great for you. The vest/cap look you're rocking now doesn't seem to be doing justice for the quirky countercultureness of your music. I don't think it will take a lot to get you there. Instead of the tees you're currently wearing (which look like threadless style), consider getting some shirts from Design by Humans, which are a bit weirder and more artistic. A military coat--perhaps a German military jacket?--would give you a military edge without looking TOO out there. If you're going to add steampunk accessories, I'd keep it fairly light. A lot of what looks good about steampunk style in men's clothing to me (a counterculture kinda chick) are the stylin', nicely fitted suits, not the accouterments--the cogs stuck on stuff. Goggles are cool (wear them around your neck or on your head), but adding a lot more steampunk specific stuff would edge into the "steampunk nerd" area to me.
Some of it, though, is just taking risks and dealing with people giving you funny looks. It'll happen, but it's not the end of the world.
Metafilter's own John Leavitt (thewhelk) has really unique, interesting dude style (here's another), if you ask me. He's not all out there with GEEK ACCOUTREMENTS but wears nicely fitted menswear in interesting colors that pretty successfully still communicate geekiness. You could do worse than to copy him.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:51 PM on March 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
I think a steampunk/dieselpunk look would be great for you. The vest/cap look you're rocking now doesn't seem to be doing justice for the quirky countercultureness of your music. I don't think it will take a lot to get you there. Instead of the tees you're currently wearing (which look like threadless style), consider getting some shirts from Design by Humans, which are a bit weirder and more artistic. A military coat--perhaps a German military jacket?--would give you a military edge without looking TOO out there. If you're going to add steampunk accessories, I'd keep it fairly light. A lot of what looks good about steampunk style in men's clothing to me (a counterculture kinda chick) are the stylin', nicely fitted suits, not the accouterments--the cogs stuck on stuff. Goggles are cool (wear them around your neck or on your head), but adding a lot more steampunk specific stuff would edge into the "steampunk nerd" area to me.
Some of it, though, is just taking risks and dealing with people giving you funny looks. It'll happen, but it's not the end of the world.
Metafilter's own John Leavitt (thewhelk) has really unique, interesting dude style (here's another), if you ask me. He's not all out there with GEEK ACCOUTREMENTS but wears nicely fitted menswear in interesting colors that pretty successfully still communicate geekiness. You could do worse than to copy him.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:51 PM on March 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
For god's sake, don't wear a fedora. (And I'm not even saying that for banjo-related reasons.)
posted by Madamina at 9:07 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Madamina at 9:07 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Epaulets, but not the fringy kind. The shoulder-tab kind.
posted by rhizome at 9:09 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 9:09 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Button-down shirts with a vest, maybe a hat, not suspenders, well-fitted. Do not get tempted by shirts with embroidered designs, as it will steer you way too close to a) bowling alley guy or b) Ed Hardy guy. Find white shirts, maybe brown clothes (for steampunkiness), get in touch with a tailor.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 9:38 PM on March 20, 2012
posted by c'mon sea legs at 9:38 PM on March 20, 2012
Wear just one or two elements of steampunk at once and you should avoid looking too costumed. Such as a velvet blazer. Or a military jacket without too many buttons and zippers. A well-cut wool vest or a pair of vintage-inspired low boots would also be elements you could incorporate into your everyday style. Stick to black and white so everything matches.
posted by devymetal at 9:48 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by devymetal at 9:48 PM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I totally agree with PhoBWanKenobi -- I think you'll get a lot more mileage out of interesting fabrics/textures/patterns on garments that are comfortable and fit you well than you would by just trying to bolt some curious accessories onto your look. For example, I love this navy blue velvet (or maybe corduroy?) blazer on Zach Galifianakis, and this plaid one (photo #11) that he wore on top of a checked button-down shirt.
You might also want to look for a signature pair of sneakers or oxfords, which invariably look great with dark jeans and transition easily from stage to street. Here are some steampunky ones for inspiration, or maybe something like these wingtip/sneaker hybrids, or you build your own customized Chuck Taylors....
Good luck!
posted by argonauta at 9:58 PM on March 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
You might also want to look for a signature pair of sneakers or oxfords, which invariably look great with dark jeans and transition easily from stage to street. Here are some steampunky ones for inspiration, or maybe something like these wingtip/sneaker hybrids, or you build your own customized Chuck Taylors....
Good luck!
posted by argonauta at 9:58 PM on March 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Here are two simple rules of thumb that can help guide you (until you know when you can break them)
1. No affectations.
That means nothing for its own sake. Eg. don't use a cane if you don't have a busted leg. Don't wear sunglasses where there isn't sun. etc. Everything should have a reason for its inclusion that has more substance than "it's different".
2. Keep it real.
That means nothing fake. To take your goggles example:
Fake goggles: Terrible.
Real goggles: Better.
Real goggles designed for an activity you do a lot of and have expertise in: Perfect.
A real-world example? Ok, it's a bit boring, but it's also iconic in some ways, and obviously totally street-legal.
Now just go nuts - without breaking those rules. It's ok to go nuts now because the rules will keep you within bounds. You'll find that the rules push you towards trying to work out who you are and what matters to you and what you're trying to communicate and things like that, and those avenues of thought will be more conducive to great outfit design than approaching it from the other direction of looking for random interesting things and hoping you can assemble them into a cohesive whole somehow.
(I might have added "Rule 3. You can wear it on the street and not get weird stares from strangers", but you already have that one. Pushing the street envelope until you're distinctive but still within bounds, is a great target. )
(You'll also notice that rules 1 and 2 explain why many outfits fail to meet your Rule 3 target, if you couldn't quite put your finger on it.)
posted by -harlequin- at 12:17 AM on March 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
1. No affectations.
That means nothing for its own sake. Eg. don't use a cane if you don't have a busted leg. Don't wear sunglasses where there isn't sun. etc. Everything should have a reason for its inclusion that has more substance than "it's different".
2. Keep it real.
That means nothing fake. To take your goggles example:
Fake goggles: Terrible.
Real goggles: Better.
Real goggles designed for an activity you do a lot of and have expertise in: Perfect.
A real-world example? Ok, it's a bit boring, but it's also iconic in some ways, and obviously totally street-legal.
Now just go nuts - without breaking those rules. It's ok to go nuts now because the rules will keep you within bounds. You'll find that the rules push you towards trying to work out who you are and what matters to you and what you're trying to communicate and things like that, and those avenues of thought will be more conducive to great outfit design than approaching it from the other direction of looking for random interesting things and hoping you can assemble them into a cohesive whole somehow.
(I might have added "Rule 3. You can wear it on the street and not get weird stares from strangers", but you already have that one. Pushing the street envelope until you're distinctive but still within bounds, is a great target. )
(You'll also notice that rules 1 and 2 explain why many outfits fail to meet your Rule 3 target, if you couldn't quite put your finger on it.)
posted by -harlequin- at 12:17 AM on March 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Add a pocketwatch or some sort of doodad on a chain (bonus points for cthulu-related) to the vest.
Wear sleeve garters when you wear a button-down. Go for a more old-fashiony tie like an ascot.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:39 PM on March 20, 2012