Club Obi Wan

I got my picture taken in SoHo, NYC by the fashion blogger Face Hunter on Monday.
Sometimes we think of gear as replicas of a costume, getting caught up with a plethora of little screen accurate details, but in reality, Indygear is really just functional clothing. This was a nice reminder that Indy's clothes are really good looking and hold up as classic wardrobe staples.


http://facehunter.blogspot.com/

How have you worn Indygear, especially the jacket, with your regular wardrobe?

Ghos7a55assin wrote:in reality, Indygear is really just functional clothing.

I've never thought of Indygear (or the jacket at least) as anything BUT a functional fashion accessory! I mean, if I didn't care if the clothes could be worn out and about in public, then I probably would have focused on Han Solo, who I personal prefer to Indy...

Now THAT SCREAMS class, old friend!!!

What hat are you wearing in your photo, if I may ask? Come to think of it....how did you get hold of my grey AB?

Do you all SEE???? Grey hat....brown jacket? I TOLD you it worked!!! That's pretty much the same combination I wear in winter!

GREAT photo!! Do I see a new avatar in the works?

Regards! Michaelson

NICE!!! I also have been known to wear a grey fedora with my Wested. It looks mighty fine, in my book. Today it's cool enough that I've got my lamb Wested with a newsboy cap. I find that makes a nice combo, too. Ghost, you wear that gear VERY well. In fact, age the photo and it might pass as true vintage!

Ghos7a55assin wrote:How have you worn Indygear, especially the jacket, with your regular wardrobe?

Back when I was happier with the fit of my Wested, I saw it as no different to any other part of my wardobe. While some get the gear as a kind of costume and hobby, I definitely got things like the jacket and bag as things that I could use in everyday life.

Michaelson wrote:Now THAT SCREAMS class, old friend!!!

What hat are you wearing in your photo, if I may ask? Come to think of it....how did you get hold of my grey AB?

Do you all SEE???? Grey hat....brown jacket? I TOLD you it worked!!! That's pretty much the same combination I wear in winter!

GREAT photo!! Do I see a new avatar in the works?

Regards! Michaelson

Thank you very, very much, good sir. The hat I'm wearing is a vintage Cervo that I found at a vintage store here...really lucky. It's got the lightest, most malleable (malleablest?) felt I've felt....err.....handled.

Thanks, Bink- I'll give it a go with the ol' photoshop!

I wear parts of my gear nearly every day, so it became a part of my daily wardrobe. I really like the way you mixed the Wested with the rest of your Outfit, it´s the way I do it myself

thats a great picture. you wear the gear quite nicely sir

I wear my wested whenever the weather tells me to. I have another few jackets I like a lot but Wested is easily my favorite jacket of the mid-warm complection.
I love wearing it with regular shirt & jeans. But with a sweater, it looks dashing. (haha)

As for the pants or shirt, I don't really mix the two, in fact I only have them for costume purposes.

But that hat's been growing on me.

During the cooler months, I like to wear my wested with my work attire. Slacks, a button up shirt and tie ... kind of like what you've got going on there. Other times, I'll wear it without the tie, or with a t-shirt and jeans. It really does go with a lot, doesn't it?

Ghos7a55assin wrote:

...And this, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why you should NOT distress your jackets!

Man, you're looking SHARP!!

Cheers - CM

Jacket, hat, pants, boots, and sometimes shirt are all part of a functional everyday wardrobe for me.

First my apologies as I'm not much of a Gear-Head, oh I've got a (sort of) shirt and a cheap-o Fedora and some semi-realistic boots. However, unless it's Holloween or there is some reason I rarely wear the hat or shirt, now the boots I use alot. Whenever I want that style of boot, sure. The Jacket I have had for four years (goat) and it is one I wear very often, make that very very. I have a few leather jackets and it is one of my favorite "light" and cool weather jacket. I ride both a motorcycle and a scooter so the Indy Jacket is really only warm enough for cool summer nights or early fall days on the bike but wear it well into winter when I drive a car. I get many positive comments but unless I have the hat, almost no one thinks "Indy" unless I point it out. Peter's work is outstanding and someday I plan to have him make me a Memphis Bell A-2 in Horse Hide with a bit more of a liner for the cold. Mind you, the TOD competes with my two Schott motorcyle jackets-- a man just can't have too much leather, but I'm getting close.

Ghos7a55assin wrote:I got my picture taken in SoHo, NYC by the fashion blogger Face Hunter on

...not a suprise to me Ghos7!,you know how to wear these clothes so well(you have a deep understanding of vintage style ), and you really make them your own style too,it's a rare gift!:D

Doe's anyone else hear ZZ Top's "Sharp dressed man" playing?

indy89 wrote:Doe's anyone else hear ZZ Top's "Sharp dressed man" playing?

Why yes, I do. Then again, that might be because it's on my MP3 player...

I know I'm bringing up an old thread, but has anyone picked up a copy of this month's GQ? I was very surprised to spot a familiar face... In the same issue, there was also a brief page dedicated to the 'return of Fedoras'

Yup, that's me! I'm wearing the same tie, too.

Let's see a scan!

Shane

It's on The Sartorialist, the fashion blog, and also on the GQ web-site.

Now that is style!

:tup:


Regards.

Jakob

Not bad! We recognized this 'style' LONG before GQ, eh?

Regards! Michaelson

This is a slightly OT rant about dress in general - SO - I can think of no better reason to make the Indy movies required viewing in middle and high school than the hope that the sense of style might rub off on some of the kids. I have been subbing for our local system, and the general slovenliness is really appalling. And that's the teachers! I'm often the only adult male in the place with a tie. Can you see Indy facing a class in anything less than his tweed 3-piece? At the risk of coming across as a complete geezer, it's nice to see a young sprat like Ghos7a55assin with that fabulous 1930s sense of style.

dwardeden wrote:This is a slightly OT rant about dress in general - SO - I can think of no better reason to make the Indy movies required viewing in middle and high school than the hope that the sense of style might rub off on some of the kids. I have been subbing for our local system, and the general slovenliness is really appalling. And that's the teachers! I'm often the only adult male in the place with a tie. Can you see Indy facing a class in anything less than his tweed 3-piece? At the risk of coming across as a complete geezer, it's nice to see a young sprat like Ghos7a55assin with that fabulous 1930s sense of style.

I know what I'm gonna say is probably gonna get me alot of flak, but...

While many of us on these boards love the style of the early twentieth century, it's no fair to compare that with the fashion of today. I myself gravitate towards older fashions, but you've got to remember that even if Indy WAS a real person (which as many of us seem to forget, he is NOT), chances are that he wasn't trying to be stylish. He was just trying to fit in.

To place this into context, just think of it in terms of today. Folks here tend to enjoy dressing in decades old fashion, while observing others in more "sloppy" clothes. Truth is, those "others" are more Indy-ish in their fashion, since they are just trying to fit in.

If you were to think of this in Indy's context: Ever professor wore three-piece tweed suits at least in the fictional world of that era. If Indy were to have similar nostalgic styles as us folks in CoW, chances are he'd be showing up for class looking fairly ridiculous wearing a sack suit and a top hat... staples of the 1860s...

Now I'm not saying the way people today dress is right, or the way we decide to dress is wrong. All I'm saying that Indy was very much a product of his time period, and to compare the way Indy dresses to the way folks today dress just doesn't make any sense. Bottom line is if Indy was created and set in today's world, he'd be wearing just whatever was in fashion. However, that is all null and obsolete, since we can't really make any conclusive statements about the thought processes of a fictional character.

I know you mean well, dwardeden, and please don't take this as a personal attack. I just had to say what I did, since I feel that most of us here sometimes tend to take things too literally.

I think Ghos7a55assin carries off the look very well - it looks very modern and fashionable while still retaining the 30s feel. Nice and timeless.

Your point is well taken, CD.....

I only question the 'fashion' of today as the form over function when compared to the time of Indy. Just recently I followed two men (not kid, mind you, but fully grown men) wearing trousers with the crotch just below the knee!! These weren't just a couple of fellows with they pants falling down, but the trousers were MADE that way!

Now, maybe that is the fashion of today, but Heaven help them if they had an emergency and had to run for it!!!

At least, with the exception of the neck tie which has no real function at all ( ), just about everything worn in Indy's time and up to the early 1960's were form over function, at least for me. They just messed with color and patterns.

So, yes, you have to keep in mind that Indy was a field man and had to have items in his possession he could use that would keep him alive. I doubt he would have lasted past the first scene in Raiders, running from the cave/temple if he had been wearing a current pair of the 'crotch below the knee' trousers of today. If he had, I honestly believe we would not be sitting here talking about 'Indygear' as he would have just been a small part in a big film.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:At least, with the exception of the neck tie which has no real function at all ( ), just about everything worn in Indy's time and up to the early 1960's were form over function, at least for me. They just messed with color and patterns.

Not to be pedantic, sir, but I believe what you meant to say here is that clothes in Indy's time and up to the early 1960's put function over form. And I agree with you entirely regarding the tendency for form over function in today's designs. And I would add that there is often a trend towards emasculation in modern fashionable menswear!

Yeah....what HE said. 8-[

I have GOT to stop writing posts before my morning coffee....

Thanks, my friend!

Regards! Michaelson

dwardeden wrote:This is a slightly OT rant about dress in general - SO - I can think of no better reason to make the Indy movies required viewing in middle and high school than the hope that the sense of style might rub off on some of the kids. I have been subbing for our local system, and the general slovenliness is really appalling. And that's the teachers! I'm often the only adult male in the place with a tie. Can you see Indy facing a class in anything less than his tweed 3-piece?

I agree with you, completely. Or, maybe you agree with me because I've ranted about this before.

I've said this countless times, we've seen a decline in style and values in modern society. I say they are related.

At the risk of coming across as a complete geezer, it's nice to see a young sprat like Ghos7a55assin with that fabulous 1930s sense of style.

Ghost is the perfect example of how you can take a few gear items with some other vintage items and make the style not only your own, but fresh. He's the Poster of how to take the Golden Era into the Cyber Era.

Found that one on the Sartorialist...

Where did you get that HAT?? It's beautiful! And where did you find a suit in our size?

Shane

Michaelson wrote:So, yes, you have to keep in mind that Indy was a field man and had to have items in his possession he could use that would keep him alive. I doubt he would have lasted past the first scene in Raiders, running from the cave/temple if he had been wearing a current pair of the 'crotch below the knee' trousers of today. If he had, I honestly believe we would not be sitting here talking about 'Indygear' as he would have just been a small part in a big film.

I have to disagree with you there, I'm afraid... Though personally cannot believe I'm defending the fashions of today (which I'm not a big fan of myself), the fashions you speak of only represent a small section of today's entire society. But if we were to talk about that 'hip hop' subculture that you speak of, then you must remember that they have their exercise clothes, just as they do their day-to-day outfits.

In other words, while that image of Indy wearing a leather jacket and safari shirt is an iconic one, we musn't forget that Indy also had his 'normal' outfit: a tweed suit and a bow tie. For the hip-hop subculture, those baggy clothes would be their 'normal' clothes, while a tracksuit (or whatever) would be their adventure clothes.

Now it is fair game to argue that a tracksuit wouldn't last very long in the jungles of South America, but by the same logic, a safari outfit complete with a leather jacket wouldn't last too long in a basketball court.

To be completely honest, I'd say today's fashions are more function over form than they were in the earlier parts of last century. Back then, the world was still reeling from losing its formal bearings, and was trying to clutch desperately at the last remnants of 'proper' dress. As such, they ended up favoring fashion over function: the fashion in this case being formal wear. I mean, exactly what function does a bow tie serve? Or a carnation in one's lapel for example?

As we moved on in time, it seems people in the US (as a whole) cared less and less about being formal, and instead wanted to wear what would work and feel good instead of what would convey a sense of formal fashion. However, it IS true that certain subcultures such as the hip-hop one favor fashion over function (take the baggy pants you mentioned for example), but as a whole, people began dressing down, loosing unnecessary garments such as ties, pocket squares, etc... Sloppy or not, it was and is still function over form.

It should be said that I'm not against the old fashioned look (or I wouldn't even be here), it's just that I feel that sometimes the discussions here can be a bit too one-sided, and everyone should get a fair trial...

I completely agree with you Castor. I think your assessment of both fashions is a fair one and to an extent, the opinions here on the subject can be a bit one-sided. Always nice to hear a fresh point of view. :junior: -IJ

I think it also has to do with us being a "wash-n-wear" society in the west. Almost everything that is presented to us today claims to be easy to care for. people are not spending time ironing, or caring for clothes as they used to. Fashion has acelerated. A pair of shorts one summer is out of style the next...for shorts???

I find it interesting that the mainstream fashion is starting to return to some o the vintage cuts and homage to the styles of the 30's and 40's. I found a great sportcoat at Ralph Lauren's website for just over $100 on sale (I never would shop there mind you, but the blazer is reminiscent of the 30's estate blazer in corduroy...you should check them out)...anyway, what appears to be happening now is what Cole Porter wrote back in the 20's...."Anything Goes".

Castor Dioscuri wrote:To be completely honest, I'd say today's fashions are more function over form than they were in the earlier parts of last century.

I'd say it was the opposite. I can't speak for the rules of fashion at the beginning of the 20th century, but things were made to last back then. Stuff was handed down, not thrown away or donated. Today, with trends coming and going in less than a year, nothing is designed to stick around for very long. Not to mention the mass production in place to do everything cheaply.

Take any garment from a reputable store today. Compare the materials and construction to the like garment made in the 20s or 30s and you will see a difference. Granted technological advances in materials have given us some very lightweight stuff, which seems to be the bar. Gore Tex and Fleece come to mind....how long does that last? Maybe 2-3 years. Heavy twills and different wools probably perform similarly but last longer. I like some substance with my garments. I can wear out a pair of JCP khakis in less than a year, and I am not "out in the field" with them. Wested or Aero vs. Wilsons....which products are meant to last and which was done using the cheapest materials?

'Planned obsolesence' I believe is the term. Probably spelled wrong, but it's the term for the day.

Regards! Michaelson

I love the feel of an old tweed blazer. Things were made on a smaller scale and were mostly hand made (or crafted)...and good quality sure went a long way in service-ability.

Well done! In both pictures you look…well, dashing and dapper my friend.

The GQ article states:

“Be Your Own Man. It takes a lot more balls for a young guy to dress like this these days than just throwing on another iconic tee and a pair of skinny jeans. This kid is building a persona through his wardrobe. “

I have to agree. Moreover, those lids are perfect for you.

What brand is the other one?

- Mac

Bjones wrote: Wested or Aero vs. Wilsons....which products are meant to last and which was done using the cheapest materials?

Sorry to be slightly OT (although not quite) but I had to ask as this statement confused me.

Do you mean that Wilsons are better quality than Wested/Aero? (i'm not sure what Wilsons is i'm afraid). It was my understanding that Aero was build to last ages and are good quality (judging from the price tag and what people say). Westeds seem sturdy enough and I could see my goatskin copping a bit of punishment (though nowhere near as much as a leather jacket made in the 30s)

Wested and Aero would be on the high quality side, and Wilsons is on the other end. I've owned jackets from all 3 as well as other "department store" offerings, and Wilsons is mediocre at best. Better than something you might get from JCP and the like, but nowhere near Wested and Aero. That's what makes Wested such a value. You get better materials and quality than you would from a store, but you are paying the same or less. Aero is upper end of the price scale, but what you get is a work of art that will last decades. They emulate the 20's and 30's materials and construction, and their customer service is the best I've dealt with for anything.

I agree. My Aero WWI Aviator in tough as nails. It almost feels like it could deflect bullets....not that I'd ever want to try that. It's my most prized jacket.

Any new photos??
Maybe we should start a thread with photos of the other ways to wear IndyGear. Could be very interesting

Like this?

Regards! Michaelson

Looks like Sergi is upside down!

His definition of the hat 'turn' as I recall.

Regards! Michaelson

I've always wondered what an open crown fedora looks like ...

You guys kidding me!

Kidding you Mac?!!

We're as serious as a heart attack, my friend! 8-[

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Mac wrote:Well done! In both pictures you look…well, dashing and dapper my friend.

The GQ article states:

“Be Your Own Man. It takes a lot more balls for a young guy to dress like this these days than just throwing on another iconic tee and a pair of skinny jeans. This kid is building a persona through his wardrobe. “

I have to agree. Moreover, those lids are perfect for you.

What brand is the other one?

- Mac

Thanks! It's a vintage Cervo from the 40's or 50's.

Mac wrote:Well done! In both pictures you look…well, dashing and dapper my friend.

The GQ article states:

“Be Your Own Man. It takes a lot more balls for a young guy to dress like this these days than just throwing on another iconic tee and a pair of skinny jeans. This kid is building a persona through his wardrobe. “

I have to agree. Moreover, those lids are perfect for you.

What brand is the other one?

- Mac

Is there a link to that article on-line?