Manclothes, anyone?

[Mike Duggins]

When I use the term "manclothes" I refer not to macho ball caps, football jerseys, etc. I would simply like to go into a clothing store and find garments that could possibly be suited for an adult man that may have a modicum of taste. In other words, man clothes and not "I really want to be a hip-hop star" clothes or " I want to look like Ryan Seacrest or the Jonas Brothers" clothes.
For example, the other day I went into an establishment and saw a vest that at first glance seemed decent. It was kind of tweedy and understated. From the front it looked quite old-school, like something Ben Hecht or George S. Kaufman might have worn. Then I looked at the back, and my god there it was, some big silkscreened panoply of eagles and skulls and such. Now skulls as an emblem are fine, but they belong on black t-shirts and leather biker jackets, not dressy vestments for refined gentlemen. One will be hard-pressed to find any decent suspenders, mostly they'll be matching suspender and tie sets, just like the smarmy boss wore in the movie Office Space.
Everywhere I go there is a plethora of enormous baggy pants with chains hanging from them, jackets that could be OK if not for the errant strange pocket on the sleeve, and shoes that are made mostly for 14 year old aspiring basketball stars. If something looks appropriate at first, one finds that it is made of some bizarre material. If a material seems aesthetically pleasing, then it's probably going to be in a hideous color. Or if not a hideous color, just dull brown or blue (the famous utilitarian male clothing standbys). And if you should ever find a place that sells hats, one may be certain there will be no fedoras or homburgs. You guessed it, just ball caps. If everybody doesn't want it, then nobody has it.
I don't necessarily hate Ryan Seacrest or the Jonas Brothers or hip-hop stars, but at my age I do not feel a singular, burning desire to look up to them as fashion avatars. I prefer to take my sartorial cues from a Pre-Code Hollywood silent or talking picture. Oh, fair readers, let's bring back a gentility in attitude, manners, decorum, and dress. Let's resurrect spats, straw boaters, silk top hats, and how about even tunes about being under the moon.
I realize there are a few outlets where one may order such specialty clothing, but they are usually very expensive. If one should be gifted with a proper aesthetic, should one always have to be extremely wealthy also? There was a time when the culture I dream of was normal. I've gone out in a nice fedora, suit and two-tones and mostly gotten stares. That's my normal.

[Wink Holliday]

I have no helpful suggestions, but a "hear hear" regarding the sentiment. I wish you luck, Sir.

[Betty Sue]

And how about tunes about being over the moon! When I read this I immediately thought of Jake Vintage. Now there's a gentleman with some style and class. http://www.jakevintage.com/