First of all, thank you so much for posting a video about Tom Ford! He was the ONLY American designer to do what he did…resurrect the dying Italian fashion house of Gucci. He then went on to design for YSL until he departed from the Gucci Group over issues of autonomy. He finally came back and created his own design label. Tom’s individual style ,aura and business acumen enabled him to achieve this level of success. In my opinion, Tom possesses a certain je na sais quoi, that exudes sensuality, masculinity, refinement and intelligence! It’s this specific aura that parallels his modernistic approach to his personal style, furnishings and architecture. He instinctively understands and prefers the beauty of simplicity. It’s very challenging to create beauty and purity in a desirable manner. Not every individual can wear all black or monochromatic clothing and look “stylish”. On the wrong person, you do look as if you’re attending a funeral or a server at a restaurant. An individual who naturally possesses a penchant for sensuality, modernity, subtlety and restraint looks phenomenal in monochrome or a “preferred uniform”. You must pay attention to their mannerisms…their energy. The details in the monochromatic wardrobe are amazing upon closer inspection. The fit, fabric and nuanced patterns are exquisite. These are not individuals that are begging to be noticed like the “peacock”. There’s an underlying sobriety that’s softly alluring with a minimalist aesthetic. Look at Giorgio Armani for example. He’s about to be 90 years old in July and he’s timeless because of modern approach to life and design. Tom Ford is very similar in my opinion. Modernity is a perfect blend of the old and new. Every individual won’t understand or appreciate this aesthetic and that’s perfectly fine. How horrible would it be if we all dressed the same. Tom Ford is very deserving of your video. I sincerely thank you for posting this video!!!🙏🏽
Apart from the most classic - waltz; i'd say any, you might use. With my love for vintage i went with Lindy Hop (one of the swing dances) and Balboa. In past they were not considered "gentleman-y" at all, but now a days i'd say go for it. Also just "plain" social dancing, which you can use to most of todays music.
As a creative director, as any person with a creative job really, it's all about decision fatigue in the aesthetics domain. Wearing a uniform is a great answer to that problem, as powerful as thinking in a decluttered space. Another point, if you get bored with a piece of garment it's a sign that it's not perfect for you as a whole, it might only be suitable for your mood or the occasion. As you describe Tom Ford choices, pay attention to the way he explains or justify them, it's pretty much only about how they make him feel, not about rules of what others might think. Karl Lagerfeld by the end of his life also wore a kind of uniform. Thank you for the work you do !
I would only add to your accurate comment that TF has often stated that dressing ‘well’ is also a form of politeness and respect for the people who will see you. This is a key consideration that is often overlooked by people caught up in the ‘I wear what I want, whenever I want’ mantra. Neither TF, nor I, nor many other people, want to see your flip flops on an airplane, your baseball hat in a restaurant, etc, etc, etc.
@@EyeByBrian Great point ! We also dress for "how we want to be perceived". Here we find the normal distribution again, at both ends of the bell curve there's rejection, there is such a thing as being, sincerely, too polite for some, or overdressed, and they won't let you get away with it. To dress according to the way it makes us feel, seems to be a shortcut to also dress for how we want to be perceived by, and whom we want to be positively perceived by. Thanks for your reply, as it gave me a chance to think about something interesting.
Ford is not inviting us to emulate him. Quite the contrary. The black suit says "I do this, I can do this. You? Not like me." His "uniform" with all its the consistent quirky details is about being one of a kind. This isn't a style, it's a statement. In contrast think of one of the Ivy style uniforms: blue blazer, khakis, loafers, OCBD shirt, rep tie. Of course, you can mix that up a little but it's a style, a conventional, easily adopted "uniform." The point is that Ford is projecting individuation, not uniform. He achieves that individuation by wearing doing the black suit schtick (again and again). But this is neither uniform nor style.
This is my exact approach. I have several bespoke suits in exactly the same drapers dark charcoal fabric. They're all slightly different - I have SB and dB waistcoats with and without lapels, SB jackets with notch and peak lapels (I have two peak lapels, one with a straight lapel and one which is slightly curved) and a dB jacket too. Always wear light shirts and black shoes. It's extremely easy as everything can be thoughtlessly mixed and matched and can be dressed up and down - 3 piece with a tie for the most formal and simply trousers and a shirt (and maybe add a waistcoat with rolled up sleeves) for the most casual. Easy as wearing pyjamas and always extremely chic yet understated.
he sold his brand and is now an advisor I think. Since then, the price of tom ford's fragrances have skyrocketed. I would only wear the exquisite oud wood for special occasions.
CLASSICAL DRESSER. SOLID COLORS, HIGH QUALITY, THE BRING BACK OF WHATS PROVEN. WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU LOOK GOOD NOT WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON OTHERS, AND KILL IT🌶
I have a few Tom Ford suits. And they are indeed amazing. There is something about the fit that makes you just stand better. His suits are surprisingly comfortable even when well fitted. Price tags on them are comparable to a decently made Saville Row suits. I have stopped wearing suits. And just wear smoking jackets, made by my private labeled tailor, when on nights out with my wife. I have also stopped wearing ‘luxury’ watches and just wear an Hermes Apple Watch for every occasion.
If I were to limit myself to wearing only one everyday uniform city outfit, it would be a navy SB club blazer, a blue and white striped dubble cuffed dress shirt with chain cufflinks, a navy and white polka dot tie, a madder silk pocket square, grey flannel pleated trousers with side adjusters and braces, OTC cashmere socks and black or dark brown Oxford Adelaide semi-brogue shoes. Accessories would be eyewear and a wristwatch (Rolex Datejust, 36 mm). My country style would be a dark green supasax tweed jacket, worn with a cashmere and cotton tattersall shirt with barrel cuffs, a woolen tie, navy corduroy or moleskin trousers, OTC cashmere socks, and dark brown 'espresso' country brogues. Accessories would be eyewear and a wristwatch (Rolex Explorer, 36 mm).
I do wear a uniform everyday. Jeans, usually black, a long sleeve polo shirt (White, black or navy blue), a v-neck sweater (Black, mid grey or brown), Black steelcap boots and an Anson belt, and depending on the weather, a black leather suit style jacket or a mid length charcoal wool/cashmere coat. Dont forget accessories, a ring, nice watch, bracelet and ear ring (if you are inclined, left ear only (if you know, you know)). Old school with a modern twist. Dont forget gloves if its cold, and sun glasses if its sunny out. The uniform idea is great, less time thinking about one's wardrobe for the day and more time for other things. Plus when you find something you like that fits well you can get a few few of them in different colours with confidence. As for the black suit, I love Tom's style. The only good suit I own is black, and although most fashion RU-vidrs say its only for funerals and weddings, I disagree, a black suit is style, charcoal is second. Blue suits, IMO, are for douches, you know those brown shoe no sock finance, marketing and legal douches, not my style and not what I want to be associated with. Remember Men, there is nothing wrong with being the best dressed, and smelling man in the room!
Personal uniform: Dark back jeans with black belt Grey wool socks Black boots Grey wool herringbone vest Button down shirt, alternatively blue or white Ties sometimes
I like and do the uniform thing. Always easy, always cool. Still follow the seasons. Eventually people accept I don't like children clothes anymore and stop asking why. Becomes normal to anyone.
I would get tired of the same thing I would change it up. But it would have to be subtle not slap in you face but little things that would stand out. Little accidents. Things that others don't do. It would have to add elegance,.
Funnily enough, before Tom Ford started his fragrance brand, he didn't wear any fragrance. Now he likes to spray a lot 😂. Some of his earlier fragrances, made and now owned by Estee Lauder, are real quality though
You nailed it. TF's style works for him, but that doesn't mean we should do it. If you're trying to be the face of a brand, it's probably a good idea, but in day-to-day life it would come across as one-dimensional at best, and probably downright silly.
Wore black suits every day- day or night-. A few thoughts. First, was surprised how often people would comment that they liked the look. True it was a uniform but it had panache and respectful all at once. Ok, fine. But can report how day in day out it can get not necessarily depressing but a bit wearing , just keeping you in the same place day in, day out
I remember you mentioning that you used to go and watch Arsenal...the current Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has quite a unique modern smart-casual style which incorporates some classic elements, which I would love to see you explore in a video. Great video by the way!
I bet Tom Ford is a big Reservoir Dogs fan! I do like the look and i adopted it myself in the 90's. Thing is though you look like you're off to a funeral! I think it would look better worn with a darker shirt, but not a black shirt unless you're trying to look like John Wick.
I see you're taking from his featured episodes in Mr. Porter. Those are fun to watch. And yeah, while I personally don't have a "uniform" outfit due to my love of variety, I did name the outfit I'm wearing in my (current) avatar AFTER his black suit look, which I call the 'Model (T) Ford'. The secret weapon of his outfit: the pocket square, the one he wears in his "makeover" videos (see below). Fantastic. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bP4Jz2kUpes.html Also, his black suit is enhanced by the following features: roped shoulders (most likely Continental), peak lapels, and ticket pocket. I say keep these in mind if you try to copy his look.
I like rich sport coats paired with beautiful complimentary slacks and slip-on leather shoes (e.g.: Johnson Murphy or Cole Haan). I love rich wools is interesting, earthy colors (think Scottish wool blends). I prefer the more structured English-tailored look vs. the fussy French or Italian overly "styled" look (e.g.: YSL or Armani) or the unstructured American 'sack suit' (e.g.: Brooks Brothers or Hart Schaffner Marx). Ties are always silk, knots are always 1/2 Windsor and dimpled. Pocket squares look fussy and affected as do French cuffs. Jewelry should be a fine watch discreetly sized. Personally I prefer Rolex. The only other jewelry that's acceptable is a wedding band (if you're married). Otherwise it looks affected and ridiculous. Some men (like King Charles III) can pull off a "pinky ring" but most men can't. Socks are a must and in a muted, preferably solid color. The "no socks look" looks absurd and it's cringeworthy. Overcoats should be double breasted in either camel or navy.
I own roughly 100 suits But if I had to count I probably got around 30-40 black suits as I always go black for my businesses Other colours i save for casual events
Having a personal uniform can work for a select few but usually doesn’t. Look at Lex Fridman in his black suit with black tie. He thinks it looks sharp and iconic, but it actually looks tacky, very uncool, and almost always out of place. If you were to have a uniform I think you’d be best saving it for your later years because anybody remotely young is unlikely to have built enough refinement in their taste to choose the right perfect outfit.
I do not need your video. I own the Tom Ford coffee table book. Are you familiar with it? It's very black, very big and says TOM FORD in white letters. I do not know the actual contents of the book as I have never opened it, but I am sure it's Tom Ford teaching me how to dress like him.
How snotty and inappropriate. GUESS WHAT ? ARMY OFFICERS know how to dress and have a real job and have better manners with the Royals. Americans constantly commit faux pas. SEE TRUMP.
Tom Ford is a master at screwing his fan boys out of their money. There’s a little artisan shoe manufacturer in Norwich that makes beautiful, monogrammed house slippers for gentlemen. If you buy direct, you’ll pay £200-£300….if you buy them in Harrods with a Tom Ford label glued inside, you’ll pay £3,000… and be rightly regarded as a twat!