Fashion Fail: the "Short Suit"

**BCAC** · 11th June 14, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

My father was a business man in Toronto in the early 50s. There was many a business meeting held at our house. If memory serves, they all wore shorts suits (some with waistcoats, some without). I can remember being 5 years old and just starting school and wishing that I didn't have to wear long trousers.

I think that the whole thing is completely and utterly ridiculous, but wearing one with a waistcoat is kind of defeating the object.

Here we see men (foreigners, not locals) walking around in cold winter weather with overcoats, big jumpers, scarves, long wolly trousers etc and sandals with no socks!

**Llama** · 11th June 14, 07:24 AM

I've been seeing the no-socks with loafers thing for years, though I've never much cared for it. I think it started with boat shoes that are worn, sometimes out of necessity, with no socks. Young men from well-off families would then wear any moc-toe shoe (like a loafer) without socks. It's a very east-coast, prep school, frat boy kind of look.

Not my thing, just saying it's not new either.

**mookien** · 11th June 14, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Llama

Not my thing, just saying it's not new either.

It was all the rage in the mid '60s - Weejuns penny loafers sans socks.

**Kiltedjohn** · 11th June 14, 08:05 AM

If worn on the beach, it would be a case of being "overdressed". In the office, "underdressed". It seems a bit schizophrenic, as if the person is in two minds!!

**creagdhubh** · 11th June 14, 08:26 AM

One word...HIPSTERS!!!!

**cessna152towser** · 11th June 14, 08:37 AM

Some of these shorts suits look quite smart though they would look much better with hose, preferably in a colour which matches the rest of the suit. At least they are much neater than baggy hipster cargo shorts.

**creagdhubh** · 11th June 14, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

What makes no sense to me is the idea of cutting the legs off the trousers due to heat, but leaving the jacket full length. I'd rather wear the trousers sans jacket than the jacket with shorts. It just seems backwards, especially with the lack of socks. These fellows look like they are only half dressed.

Knowing my local judge as I do, if I showed up to court with shorts on, he would send me home to change with a stern lecture. No jacket, he would probably let slide.

Indeed. This is why suits (for spring and summer) made of seersucker, linen, chambray, and cotton have been a favourable choice for men with any remote sense of sartorial style for years.

**creagdhubh** · 11th June 14, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Llama

I've been seeing the no-socks with loafers thing for years, though I've never much cared for it. I think it started with boat shoes that are worn, sometimes out of necessity, with no socks. Young men from well-off families would then wear any moc-toe shoe (like a loafer) without socks. It's a very east-coast, prep school, frat boy kind of look.

Not my thing, just saying it's not new either.

I do this all the time, but then again, I've always been a preppy. During the warmer months, and especially whilst at the beach, I'm an avid wearer of Sperry Top-Siders (as well as dressier loafers) without socks. To me, wearing this style of boat shoe with socks looks quite odd. Of course, one could wear "loafer socks," which are very low cut and produce the sockless look.

**James Hood** · 12th June 14, 07:26 PM

Personal thought upon seeing the illustrated short suits was already voiced by Colonel Kurtz in the film, "Apocylapse Now."

"...the horror...the horror...."

**CDNSushi** · 12th June 14, 10:33 PM

Doesn't bother me one bit. Menswear in general is just so flippin' boring to begin with, I like to see anything that challenges stodgy, old, tired, overdone styles. I mean, seriously. Men's suits haven't changed much in almost a century.

Each to their own. If ya wanna wear shorts with your suit... Give'er! I won't be the one to criticize.