8 responses to “Venn Diagram #3: “Leader’s Clothing””
No, not right I’m afraid. I am in the intersection, but I really don’t like the jeans & vest combo (ever; let alone for competitions).
Many of the follows have hit on a style that is contemporary, but with clear, explicit nods to vintage at the same time: pencil skirts and loose blouses is the classic version of this look, but there are several variants. But we leads haven’t nailed this combination yet, except for the obvious just-a-damn-fine-suit (ideally with vintage lines). I can’t help but feel that we could do more – but jeans & vest is not the solution.
I somewhat agree with Thom. I would add that followers right now have the advantage of these slightly vintage styles being present in our current style trend at large. Leaders don’t really have this luxury at the current time. I think our solution is to stick with timeless things like slacks and shirts with collars and ties. Maybe adding a modern flare like fitted clothing or playing with vintage vs modern in our color choices. (stripes, solids, paisley, houndstooth, etc)
Of course a suit is always a good option. There’s no situation a good suit can’t fix. Ask James Bond.
The diagram joke aside, I’m actually in the same field as you guys. But, I think you guys are both sartorialists, and most leaders in the swing scene are not, and so the vest-and-jeans is a simple (and arguably not un-elegant) mixture of modern and classic.
I’m myself actually a lover of both modern and vintage clothes, just like in my swing dancing taste–we have the ability to get the best of both worlds. In my daily life I try to mix modern and classic stylesso that they support each other. However, I don’t know the last time I danced in modern-style clothes for a swing contest. Maybe I should try mixing it up more myself.
I realised over the weekend that there’d been a horrible US/UK English misunderstanding here. By ‘vest’, you mean ‘waistcoat’, right? The sleeveless part of a three-piece suit, worn between shirt and jacket? I thought you meant ‘vest’ – the white, sleeveless things that some people wear under shirts.
That makes more sense. But it means I must temper my reaction to the jeans + vest combo. Not so bad. Still not great for competitions, but not a terrible look in the bigger scheme of things. I wear combat trousers with a waistcoat sometimes, even in non-dancing contexts.
Hahah. Oh yes, the English to English translation.
And, I think you will also notice, very few men today will compete in the classic staple of men’s fashion of wearing suspenders with their pants.
When I dress up for a dance I prefer suspenders and a waistcoat, usually no jacket, I’m in Florida. And when at an event I will be dressed up most of the time. But when at home, a lot of times I don’t have much time between all of the other things I need to do before a dance. At those times it’s jeans and whatever shirt is handy.
[…] Venn Diagram #4: “Balboa / Blues” Love & Swing (1): “To Meet Boys.” Venn Diagram #3: “Leader’s Clothing” A Word on Swing (1): “Lonestar!” Josh Collazo on Swing Drumming For Hal (Tribute […]
Swungover* 
8 responses to “Venn Diagram #3: “Leader’s Clothing””
No, not right I’m afraid. I am in the intersection, but I really don’t like the jeans & vest combo (ever; let alone for competitions).
Many of the follows have hit on a style that is contemporary, but with clear, explicit nods to vintage at the same time: pencil skirts and loose blouses is the classic version of this look, but there are several variants. But we leads haven’t nailed this combination yet, except for the obvious just-a-damn-fine-suit (ideally with vintage lines). I can’t help but feel that we could do more – but jeans & vest is not the solution.
I somewhat agree with Thom. I would add that followers right now have the advantage of these slightly vintage styles being present in our current style trend at large. Leaders don’t really have this luxury at the current time. I think our solution is to stick with timeless things like slacks and shirts with collars and ties. Maybe adding a modern flare like fitted clothing or playing with vintage vs modern in our color choices. (stripes, solids, paisley, houndstooth, etc)
Of course a suit is always a good option. There’s no situation a good suit can’t fix. Ask James Bond.
The diagram joke aside, I’m actually in the same field as you guys. But, I think you guys are both sartorialists, and most leaders in the swing scene are not, and so the vest-and-jeans is a simple (and arguably not un-elegant) mixture of modern and classic.
I’m myself actually a lover of both modern and vintage clothes, just like in my swing dancing taste–we have the ability to get the best of both worlds. In my daily life I try to mix modern and classic stylesso that they support each other. However, I don’t know the last time I danced in modern-style clothes for a swing contest. Maybe I should try mixing it up more myself.
I realised over the weekend that there’d been a horrible US/UK English misunderstanding here. By ‘vest’, you mean ‘waistcoat’, right? The sleeveless part of a three-piece suit, worn between shirt and jacket? I thought you meant ‘vest’ – the white, sleeveless things that some people wear under shirts.
That makes more sense. But it means I must temper my reaction to the jeans + vest combo. Not so bad. Still not great for competitions, but not a terrible look in the bigger scheme of things. I wear combat trousers with a waistcoat sometimes, even in non-dancing contexts.
Hahah. Oh yes, the English to English translation.
And, I think you will also notice, very few men today will compete in the classic staple of men’s fashion of wearing suspenders with their pants.
When I dress up for a dance I prefer suspenders and a waistcoat, usually no jacket, I’m in Florida. And when at an event I will be dressed up most of the time. But when at home, a lot of times I don’t have much time between all of the other things I need to do before a dance. At those times it’s jeans and whatever shirt is handy.
suspenders are braces right??? (another english to english translation!) you dont mean the things used to hold up your socks (or stockings!)??
[…] Venn Diagram #4: “Balboa / Blues” Love & Swing (1): “To Meet Boys.” Venn Diagram #3: “Leader’s Clothing” A Word on Swing (1): “Lonestar!” Josh Collazo on Swing Drumming For Hal (Tribute […]