38 Comments
User's avatar
Click's avatar

Hear! Hear! ...says this guy who has a full closet of such items and little opportunity to sport about in them since retirement. Sigh. Guys move up several notches in appearance and notice when they take the time to dress up a bit.

Expand full comment
Bennett Hirschhorn's avatar

These new suits *are* tech. Recently I bought some Theory suits. Stretchy, comfortable, warm, breathable, and light. They have zipper pockets on the inside so you don’t lose things. The fit is perfect. Both tight and roomy in the right places. My tailor was shocked to find that some of the seams are melted, not stitched! They are wash only, hang dry. I challenge you to wrinkle them. They travel better than any off the rack suit I’ve ever owned, including the wrinkle resistant business man’s wardrobe mainstay, the Brooksease. The Theory suit is a tech accessory.

That said, your Canali—it’s that fit! It visually blows the X-Suit Away.

Expand full comment
Doctor Mist's avatar

I have a vivid memory of trying to buy a suit 40 years ago for an event with my new girlfriend (now my wife). We went to the Men’s Warehouse, figuring that they were big enough to have a fair selection even of synthetics, as my girlfriend was allergic to wool.

But no. The salesmen swarmed round us but when we asked about something not made of wool, they just goggled and said, in a perfect NYC accent despite this being Silicon Valley, “Suits a made a wool.”

Expand full comment
Roger von Oech's avatar

Nice threads!

Two off-topic comments.

(1) I just re-upped at the $150 level for another year of Glenn’s Substack. That’s just 41 cents a day -- which is a pittance compared to the value I get from Instapundit and these essays. If you’re not subscribed, consider doing so!

(2) Why do some Insty readers dump on Ed Driscoll? I’ve been reading him since he had his own blog in the early 2000s, and, of course, since came over here full time. He makes valuable contributions especially on the arts scene (music, film, tv). Go Ed!

Expand full comment
Doug Jones's avatar

From your emphasis, you obviously need a stylish wrinkle-free suit with an integral holster(s) and ballistic protection. And sunglasses. And a hat. But you can probably skip the beard, it's the sharp-dressed part that counts.

Come to think of it, the heck with you, *I* need that suit.

Expand full comment
Glenn Harlan Reynolds's avatar

Shut up and take my money!

Expand full comment
Eric Scheie's avatar

I grew up wearing suits, but now no one does. Funerals and weddings, that's it these days. Maybe the pendulum will swing back to a more formal look for men, because all casual all the time is just plain boring.

Expand full comment
Mike Anderson's avatar

If only more folks would suit up for weddings and funerals. In South Texas, a black t-shirt is considered formal wear.

Expand full comment
KevinWLCD's avatar

I’ve never been a fan of the ‘close fit’ suits that have been popular lately. They seem trendy among the local TV personalities doing News, Weather, and Sports.

There’s a weather guy who’s always wearing close-fit suits. And no matter which one he’s wearing, the suit is so tight across his chest it looks like he’s wearing a suit his parents bought him for his high school graduation, 15 years ago.

The style looks clownish, and I have trouble taking someone serious when they look like that. And if the pants have zero ‘break’ at the shoes, the PeeWee Herman look is complete.

Expand full comment
Bryan L's avatar

Every time I see a young man in a too-tight, too-short suit, I think to myself, "oh, son, you're not supposed to put that in the dryer."

Expand full comment
Corrin Strong's avatar

I think I saw the Unfortunate Queso Incidents open for Iron Butterfly in the 60s man!

Expand full comment
annademo's avatar

That Canali's a snazzy suit, Prof. I hope your students came to that first class comparably well dressed.

Expand full comment
Christopher's Eclectic as Hell's avatar

Daper. That's a good word that needs to be used more.

Expand full comment
Doctor Mist's avatar

Or even dapper. :-)

Expand full comment
Christopher's Eclectic as Hell's avatar

No coffee and spellcheck make for a bad combination!

Expand full comment
John McNamara's avatar

Half my closet is filled with suits that haven't been worn in more than 10 years, with ties unused 15 years or more. Not sure why I'm still keeping them. Perhaps the subliminal wish that they'd come back in style. But by then, I'll probably be retired...

Expand full comment
Tmitsss's avatar

BTW lawyers and speakers - when you stand up button your coat.

Expand full comment
msjazzmeblues's avatar

But you really look good in that brown suit. A lot of people don't!

Expand full comment
Thomas R.'s avatar

Love the look of an Italian suit, with I could wear them- not right fit for Italian suits. But prefer the look of the real thing- wool, linen, silk and don't like the synthetic fabrics much.And wish we would all wear suits or sport coats more- something to be said for the James Bond look. Women like it (mine does).

Expand full comment
Kevin Menard's avatar

Hey Glenn, I don't see a crease in the X suit pants?

Expand full comment
Glenn Harlan Reynolds's avatar

There's a pretty nice crease, I think it's just the light.

Expand full comment
Kevin Menard's avatar

Ah. Couldn't see it on the website either. A travel suit would be useful.

Expand full comment