AM I A CHAP? - GENTLEMAN'S STYLE ASSESSMENTS - VOLUME 16

[@RaoulKunz1]

Umbrella... needed constantly as of now in continental Europe... it's either that or 40+°C... Anyhow, but this looks like a stunning "vintage-ish" outfit there Erik! Starting out strong with some mid-brown derbies (though they tend to be worn with brighter suits and less formality), less formal of course but also under many circumstance (i.e. store bought) more comfortable than the Oxford because of the open lacing - the laces themselves seem a bit long, it's probably 90cm laces, I usually can do with 75s in most shoes, and I have a fairly large size, so try the 75cm! And burnished tips are always nice to see, kudos here! A (colour unrelated) word on the attaché case: I love it, I'm probably a tad bit biased since I've been using messenger bags, or attaché cases, or satchels, currently a more stiffened attaché case-like "teacher's bag", for the past.. oh... two and a half decades? (I'm also in my very last 30s, fast approaching the 40s so roughly similar ages here) and I really like them, they're versatile, offer sufficient space for most things you might need over the day and look *way* more dapper than a plastic-y oh so modern high tech material bag or the other worse alternatives like a bag-pack or the ultimate sin, a fanny pack (with "Ken" lettering in a Metallica font🤣) The, nicely cuffed, trousers seem a tag bit too long, but this is something I'm also struggling with (it has reached the point where I'm experimenting with 0.5mm changes in my MTM trousers...) and I'm certain in other circumstances the trouser legs seemed perfectly fine - also the piling isn't *that* large and it's not a drama or anything, but I'd look into trousers lengths. The crease is cuttingly sharp! Charcoal grey in my opinion is one of the most versatile of the greys (and I have disturbingly many grey suits...🙄) since it both edges into darker territory while containing a *tiny* sliver of brown...-ish-shading. The notch lapel, two button, slightly rounded finish, straight flapped pockets... or put differently: it's impossible to criticize anything here about the coat! And it's *almost* boring (but I'm a bloke who's always experimenting with his coats, no criticism here) "standard" cut is beautifully both upset and also complimented by the lapel-ed (😉) waistcoat which seems to be a beautifully conservative five button item (? - could be six but it's too low for that and too high for a four button waistcoat...I suppose?). I love my waistcoats with lapels so I'm not entirely unopinionated and it adds this lovely visible layer or complexity before you reach the tie. The tie is a definitely a nice one, though I'd suggest having the pocket square either in matching colours though never pattern (but I feel you know this anyway) or plain white. It might even be closer than I feel it is because whenever something even verges on the red-green spectrum I'm effectively colour blind, so... take this as a general advice which may or may not be appropriate.😅

[@WilliamSmith-gx8ed]

Eric is dapper but black shoes shined the best military fashion! Bill

[@WilliamSmith-gx8ed]

Needs

[@JeffWilkinson]

Agreed, the pooling of the trousers and the lighter colored shoes detract from the outfit some. Otherwise Eric seems to be a dapper young chap who has the vintage look dialed in well. I like the bowler hat, although I'm not sure I could pull that look off myself. Thanks for another great assessment, Ash!

[@silasmoser301]

Looking forward to watching the umbrella exploration you mentioned. Also, thank you for the content!

[@danielschaeffer1294]

It’s great that the good rich browns in his tie go with the color of the umbrella handle and bag, and the contrasting designs in the tie and pocket square is a nice touch. And the material in that suit has a texture and sheen that are impressive - charcoal is rather drab, but that material has character! I would, however, suggest a Connery trilby. Eric has a round face, and the bowler only accentuates that. Besides, a trilby would add a bit of pizzazz to an otherwise ultra-conservative look.

[@QV1010]

I do not want to sound rude, but Eric seems like a stereotypical British professor or businessman from a movie. That is meant as a compliment. The bowler simply completes the look. One of my Stetsons is a bowler, and I wish I had more occasions to wear it. Additionally, I agree with the vest/waistcoat with a lapel. The vintage one has a brown check pattern that makes the outfit more relaxed but still dressy. I was supposed to get a second waistcoat with a lapel when I went to my haberdashery to order a suit, but the waistcoat did not arrive. As a result, I used the refund to purchase a hand-made messenger bag made from wax canvas and leather, which I have used extensively. If you suggest a better quality umbrella to replace my poor one, I will follow your advice. Having a more packable item has been on my list.

[@adrianbird5271]

Good morning to you Ash,your advice to this chap is absolutely spot on.Change those few items and he would look a million $.Must say to you that your Blazer outfit with the Pink shirt etc looks absolutely perfect.Im just waiting for the few final adjustments to a New double breasted Blazer that I have recently purchased in a very Dark Navy Blue ,looking forward to finally picking it up- I’m like a little kid waiting for a New bike at Christmas with this New Blazer I can’t wait. Still really enjoy your Chanel and your honesty with us Chaps. Hope you have a good day and thanks again ,Adrian nr Lichfield Staffs.

[@matthewdee]

Appreciate the information. Thank you for the video.

[@lynn5447]

Shoes need a mirror shine. If I am wearing a vest, I do not button the coat. Great outfit.

[@chrisakarazor9612]

This is almost the exact vest that I have. I like the lapels.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Eric has out done himself. Great looking suit. I have the same issue with a couple of trousers I have recently purchased with pooling. I need to get to the tailor and get them hemmed. I believe I too would have gone with a darker shoe but other than that great style and great look keep up the good work Eric. Ash would definitely like to see a video on umbrellas. Keep up the good work. Cheers Ron

[@LeRoiDeLaBoxe]

What a suit on you.

[@badger9961]

You're never fully dressed without an umbrella - and a smile.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Agreed - I always reject the horrible nylon laptop bag / rucksack I always get offered at work. I use a leather satchel with a shoulder strap, which is large enough to accommodate a 16” screen size laptop.

[@Philipk65]

Eric does look rather dapper in his three piece suit.

[@BrianLannoye]

I thought you were not supposed to button a jacket when wearing a vest?

[@diogeneslantern18]

Hello Chap! I might be entirely wrong, but did you not say in a video a while back that one of your fragrances was Terre D'Hermes? Also, have you tried Tsar?

[@morrisdoug6497]

Like you to comment on collapsible umbrellas for travelling. They are not at all in common use where I live. But when I visit Vancouver I carry a collapsible one in my luggage. Can't imagine carrying one travelling on an airplane with a full size one. And not getting damaged.

[@adrianwalker2833]

I must say, this suit, the vest with the lapels, the tie, the collar-bar, the attache case and above all: the bowler hat really look stylish. Perhaps the pocket square could be a bit more colourful - but this only a minor aspect. And my God: are you really 40? You look at least 10 years younger. With regard to the umbrella: I have a number of German vintage umbrellas, called HUGENDUBEL which look like a wooden walking stick and when it rains you simply take off the wooden covering, which can be pushed together and - voila - an umbrella emerges. That way you simply carry a walking stick when it's dry and an umbrella as soon as it's pouring.

[@PaulHindemith-i9b]

As always a good assessment, dear Ash. Your outfit today was impeccable! My further thoughts and observations reg. Eric. The best, if even not the ONLY appropriate shoe color for this suit is BLACK. So for the bowler hat. Brown doesn't match whith charcoal gray at all, neither light nor dark. (Dark burgundy red would probably do as well, but not brown.) Shoe laces are too long. Not so sure whether the suit is vintage, because the trousers are pretty narrow at the bottom. Anyways, fully agree, urgently need to be shortened. Wearing a 3 piece suit better to let the jacket completely unbuttoned. And please, Eric, remove the ugly white blurbs from the umbrella.