Essential Style Terms for Gentlemen

Aug 9, 2024

25 Style Terms Every Gentleman Should Know

Introduction

  • Importance of classic menswear terminology.
  • Helps in conversations with salespeople, online forums, and product details.
  • Video will cover 25 style terms beyond basic concepts.

1. Business Casual

  • Clothing suitable for the office, less formal than a full suit.
  • Typically includes dress shirt and pants (not jeans), optional outer layers like sport coats or sweaters.
  • Leather dress shoes are preferred, no sneakers.

2. Sprezzatura

  • Italian term for looking elegant without trying too hard.
  • Implies a nonchalant vibe in style.

3. Blazers vs. Sport Coats

  • Blazers: More formal, typically solid colors, contrasting buttons, sometimes with a crest.
  • Sport Coats: Less formal, often patterned.

4. Odd Jacket

  • Garments not part of a set; can be mixed and matched.
  • Blazers and sport coats are odd jackets.

5. Canvas

  • Inner flexible layer (wool and horsehair) for shape.
  • Half-canvas covers just the chest; full canvas extends down the front.

6. Fused Jacket

  • Materials glued to stiffen the jacket; less desirable than canvas construction.

7. Cupro

  • Lining that looks like silk but is more durable; preferable to polyester.

8. Drop

  • Difference between jacket chest measurement and trouser waist measurement.
  • Standard drop size is 6 inches (e.g., size 40 jacket = size 34 trousers).

9. Gorge

  • Connection point of collar and lapel; impacts overall appearance.

10. Surgeons Cuffs

  • Functional buttons on jacket sleeves; originated from surgeons needing to roll up sleeves.

11. 3-Roll-2

  • Refers to buttoning style of jackets with three buttons; top button visibility indicates buttoning rules.

12. Tweed

  • Type of rough wool, ideal for cold weather; durable and moisture-resistant.

13. Donegal

  • Type of tweed with colorful speckling; named after an Irish county.

14. Grenadine

  • Weaving process for silk ties, creating a gauzy texture.

15. Madder

  • Natural dye for silk ties; results in distinctive hand feel and patterns.

16. Twill

  • Diagonal ribbed cotton weave; subtle sheen, good for formal occasions.

17. Oxford Cloth

  • Basket weave cotton fabric; slightly more casual, durable, and ages well.

18. Break

  • Amount fabric folds at the trouser leg bottom; no break for a clean line, full break has defined crease.

19. Rise

  • Distance from crotch seam to waistband; influences leg appearance.

20. Welt

  • Strip material holding a shoe together; can be leather, rubber, or plastic.

21. Vamp

  • Part of the shoe between the toe and lacing area; prone to creasing.

22. Oxford Shoes

  • Closed lacing system (eyelets under the vamp); more formal.

23. Derby Shoes

  • Open lacing system (eyelets on top of the vamp); less formal than Oxfords.

24. Broguing

  • Decorative perforations on shoes; originally functional for water drainage.

25. Wingtip Shoes

  • Characterized by a broguing pattern forming a 'wing' shape at the toe.

Conclusion

  • Mastering this vocabulary enhances confidence in menswear discussions and purchases.
  • Importance of building a gentleman's wardrobe.

Outfit Description

  • Color combination: pink and green with a charcoal suit.
  • Accessories: French cuff pink shirt with eagle claw cufflinks, moss green pocket square, shadow striped socks, burgundy cap-toe Oxfords, Bordeaux leather belt with a silver plated brass buckle, vintage green tie with white polka dots.