Formal Dress Forum

[Anon.]

Well, would you wear a marcella shirt during the day? No. Marcella ties are, in my opinion, subject to the same prohibition.

Having said that, I've worn a marcella tie with my gown before, so I don't know what right I have to be so unbending about it.

[David Bean]

I think not owning a marcella shirt is possibly a greater barrier to my wearing one than any stylistic issues, and the same applies to silk ties - there just aren't any in town. In fact, I only found one place that sold the marcella self-tie bow ties - everyone else was peddaling pre-tied ones, or whatever they're called, and I can't stand those. Looked fine as far as I could see.

[hr]

"Don't ask me what you know is true, don't have to tell you, I love your precious heart. I - I was standing, you were there, two worlds collided, and they could never tear us apart" - INXS

[Jason Dunn]

Quoting Anon. from 15:35, 20th Jul 2005
Having said that, I've worn a marcella tie with my gown before, so I don't know what right I have to be so unbending about it.

All the right in the world, I'm sure.

I have a friend who wishes to get his hands on a non-butterfly cut bowtie. Has anyone espied such neckwear anywhere?

And I really do mean a friend; in my view they are ugly things.

[Anon.]

http://www.bowtieclub.com/html/BowTieStyle.html

[Eliot Wilson]

My complaint with white silk bow ties is that some of them have an unpleasant, Roy-and-Siegfried sheen to them. As I only have a marcella bow tie as far as white goes, I shall probably continue to wear that, and cope with being a cad. Set against the vivid blue of my next gown, I think it will pale... However, when I start work in the Clerk's Department of the House of Commons in October, I shall scrutinise the neckwear of my senior colleagues and report back.

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Ian McFarlane]

Eliot, have you been acquainted with Sir John Sainty, the former Clerk to the Parliaments? He's a fine fellow, and an uncle of mine, so be sure to say Hi!

Also, come October, make sure you give Michael Martin a good kick in the testicles.

[Ian McFarlane]

Eliot, have you been acquainted with Sir John Sainty, the former Clerk to the Parliaments? He's a fine fellow, and an uncle of mine, so be sure to say Hi!

Also, come October, make sure you give Michael Martin a good kick in the testicles.

[Anon.]

Hang on - don't advocates in Scotland wear white bow ties? I'm sure their ties aren't marcella, so suitable ties should be available from wherever advocates get their togs. Not that I have any idea where that might be.

[Stuart]

They are marcella.

[Anon.]

Tsk.

[Anon.]

I have recently acquired a pair of white spats. However, I have found that they don't go with a great many things, and I have come to the conclusion that some other colours may be required. Now, what coloured spats are allowed? Jeeves famously disapproved of Old Etonian spats (and with reason, though St Andrews Graduate spats would be infinitely worse), but that problem doesn't arise, as I wasn't at Eton. I assume grey, buff, beige, off-white and brown are allowed. What about yellow? Pale blue (probably not)? Dusky pink? Black? I do rather fancy some black spats.

[Eliot Wilson]

Black for mourning, perhaps?

In answer to Mr McFarlane's question, no, I'm not acquainted with Sir John.

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Jason Dunn]

Quoting Anon. from 01:39, 25th Jul 2005
I have recently acquired a pair of white spats.

Spats seem to be devilishly hard to get hold of. Aside from bidding on ebay, which has proved to be a rather unreliable method, I know of no stockist. Would you be good enough to divulge from where you bought them?

With regard to colours, I'd suggest the sort of tones in which morning waistcoats are usually made; sedate colours; nothing lurid. Indeed co-ordiation of spats and waistcoat ought to look smart.

Given that the spat is derived from the country gaiter, greys and browns would be a safe option, depending on what you were wearing of course.

[Eliot Wilson]

Someone should suggest graduate spats to BESS. Indeed, a whole range could be stocked; United College, St Leonard's, St Mary's, Bute, Debating Society...

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[RJ Covino]

Thank you, Eliot, for putting the idea of St Leonard's spats into my head.

I'm picturing blue polyester with a single tiny crest floating aimlessly...

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http://www.ralphcovino.com

[Eliot Wilson]

Whereas stripes, in the manner of the back of the St Leonard's cufflinks, would be much more tasteful...

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Jason Dunn]

Perhaps if some spats were introduced into the Principal's wardrobe we would be spared the sight of his legendary, multihued socks.

All volunteers, one pace forward.

[Eliot Wilson]

Unless he wore similarly bright spats.

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Anon.]

And bright spats are much worse than bright socks.

White spats being excepted from the rule.

[Tweedle-Dum]

Quoting Anon. from 00:03, 29th Jul 2005
And bright spats are much worse than bright socks.

White spats being excepted from the rule.

Would white spats be characteristically worn by Americans in a white socks with everything stylee?

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Live by the sword, die by the arrow.