Patterns for Fall: Glen Plaid

The ranks of gentlemen abound with standard suits in grays and blues.  Plain fabrics have a long and distinguished career serving the city and business professional.  Their simplicity and conservative temperament allow for broad application.  Though the monotony is occasionally interrupted by stripes or a different color, the sophisticated man may yet desire a subtle alternative.

If you are such a man, look to unique patterns.  In particular, I draw your attention to one appropriate weave for the fall season -- glen plaid.  The pattern combines black and white yarn in an intricate windowpane design.  A classic cloth, it has been consistently fashioned by many traditional style
icons.

The pattern boasts several virtues.  First, the black and white weave appears gray even from a short distance, thus appearing to be a traditional color.  At the same time, the casual observer quickly detects the distinctive pattern.  It is a sign that the wearer has made a studied selection.

The glen plaid pattern expresses subtle sophistication, unlike the "loud" statement evident from the chalk stripe windowpane below.

(Source)

From a distance, the plaid begins to appear solid.

Using Color: Green

It is said that the art of dressing well rests on the foundations of color and proportion.  Unlike the visual appearance of clothing on the human form, we can observe the natural or manipulated mixture of color all around us in our daily experiences.  Everything from animal species to the natural landscape and environment in which we live can offer us examples of colors that compliment or contrast one another.  If we look for it, the backdrop of our lives can mimic the painter’s palette upon which certain color combinations are first contemplated.

Over the past year-and-a-half, I’ve begun to pay increased attention to the coordination of color.  My thoughts have not remained only with the “staples” of the everyday wardrobe.  I’ve made a conscious decision include those colors in my consideration as well as those that lie beyond.  Green, orange, brown, purple, and yellow hues have a place in our rotation of outfits (even if only after much practice).  I now propose to chronicle my thoughts on the use of various colors, one at a time.  First up, green.

Green is a color that can be worn in any season.  Generally, a lighter shade is more appropriate during the warm months to catch and reflect the sunshine as well as to join the abundance of bright color that is present during this period.  The darker dyes, of course, are more suited to the cool and subdued fall.

The most common male expression of green in the more formal setting is seen in the necktie.  It is rare in the city to find suits made in a shade of green other than olive.  Some sport coats and odd jackets are set on a green fabric, but they cannot compare to the prevalence of the other dominant colors (gray, blue, black, and tan or brown).  But even apart from the supply of common garments, it is far easier as a matter of practice to be daring with a necktie.  A Kelly Green necktie may “stand out” to observers, but not nearly as much as a Kelly Green suit.  Only the Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot is ever seen in one. 

In a more casual environment, the use of color generally, and the use of green in particular, becomes more evident.  We might commonly observe green coral chinos and seersucker shorts among the New England or preppy crowd.  Socks, sweaters, and handbags enter their appearances in turn.

I invite you to incorporate more green into your collection.  Green can be paired well with navy, orange, brown, and gray.

MY FAVORITES:

I’ve personally taken a liking to the pairing of navy blue and green.  Here are some images that might serve as inspiration for you.
 

Combinations I've worn.





Additional Reading:  How to Wear Green Suits and Green Jackets