70's suit. Passe, or maybe OK?

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
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This is a little embarassing. My only suit is a good quality business suit I bought in 1976. I was working for the US government in the bicentennial year. Not because I was trying to be patriotic, I just really needed the money while I was in grad school. I took the 3 month position and renewed it for another 3 months but I spurned my supervisors' advances when they offered to make me permanent. I HATED government work. All I could think of was getting out of there, and I saved every penny, bought a couple of good business suits and started applying with local brokerage houses. I had a notion I wanted to be a stock broker and make it rich. Pretty damn naive. I didn't really know what stock brokers do, especially new ones. They just make cold calls, basically. I had no sales experience and didn't get an offer. I started working on other kinds of jobs and I never wore those suits again - just to those 1/2 dozen interviews at brokerage houses.

One of the suits' jackets was moth eaten and I threw it away. The other suit is in good shape, and I lost a lot of weight recently and can fit in it. I'm going to a wedding in a month or so and wonder if I'd look stupid in this 70's suit. I didn't realize it until I tried it on the other day - it looks pretty dated. The pants are cut tight and flare some at the cuffs. The jacket is kind of long and it's cut tight at the waist, the padding in the shoulders seems pronounced - the way they made them in those days, but probably less exagerated because it was a business suit, not a leisure suit. But I've seen people wearing 70's clothing, and wonder if it's ridiculous to wear a 70's suit to a wedding in San Diego. Or should I just buy another suit, period. Thanks for your input.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
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Buy another suit.

Here's a tip:
If you bought clothing yourself that is now considered vintage, you're too old to pull off the look.

That said, even if you could pull it off, it's not the type of look you should be going for at a wedding.

But I still want pics of you in the suit!
 

pulse8

Lifer
May 3, 2000
20,860
1
81
You have to have a certain personality to back up a suit like that.

I know one guy who can, but if I were to try and pull it off, I certainly couldn't.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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I hear you guys. You're probably right. I can't host the picture but I do have a digital camera and could take the shot. I guess you can't attach a jpg to a post here, right?
 

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
uh, get a new suit. you can get a very nice suit for little money at marshalls, marshalls, or other discount "department stores"


=|
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
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Originally posted by: Muse
I hear you guys. You're probably right. I can't host the picture but I do have a digital camera and could take the shot. I guess you can't attach a jpg to a post here, right?

See my signature.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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Originally posted by: dirtboy
Wear it, unless you really care what other people think about.

I hear that too. I've always been a guy who at least tried not to care what people think. Maybe I'll try it on again, look in the mirror and see what I think. Some relatives want to buy me a suit for my birthday. Maybe I should just let them do that. :)
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
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Whoa. Tell me you don't still have the foot-wide tie too... :Q
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
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Originally posted by: theNEOone
uh, get a new suit. you can get a very nice suit for little money at marshalls, marshalls, or other discount "department stores"


=|
marshalls, marshalls....or marshalls? LOL :p
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Muse
I hear you guys. You're probably right. I can't host the picture but I do have a digital camera and could take the shot. I guess you can't attach a jpg to a post here, right?

See my signature.

Great. I'll post there within an hour or so. Gotta shower, shave, take the pic, post. :)
 

brigden

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2002
8,702
2
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DO NOT WEAR A 30 YEAR OLD SUIT UNLESS YOU ARE ATTENDING A COSTUME PARTY.

Why do some people think wearing a thirty-year old suit would be a good idea. Who are you kidding? Chrissakes; take pride in your appearance. Bite the bullet and buy a new suit.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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Originally posted by: Vic
Whoa. Tell me you don't still have the foot-wide tie too... :Q

I've got a load of ties, but most are narrower than what they're wearing now. Seems like wide ties (oh, about 4" wide) have been the fashion for 8-10 years now, no? I've got a few of those too.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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Originally posted by: Muse
I hear you guys. You're probably right. I can't host the picture but I do have a digital camera and could take the shot. I guess you can't attach a jpg to a post here, right?

Just took the photo, here it is. Complete with vest. Guess you can't see it all that well. Maybe nobody will really notice, it's not all that radical a suit.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,103
10,329
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Originally posted by: brigden
Please tell me the suit isn't made of polyester...

Oh, man. I did buy a polyester sport jacket before I got those suits. For interviews, really. I still have it! :D No, this thing is 100% wool. I've been storing it in a suitcase with moth balls. If I wear it to the wedding, I'll have to get the smell of moth balls out of it for sure. Maybe sitting out for a few days, or have it cleaned or something.
 

It looks just fine to me. By the way, you look like an adorable older man to me. I can't believe you built your own rigs! I say wear it. :D
 

brigden

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2002
8,702
2
81
Originally posted by: Muse
Originally posted by: Muse
I hear you guys. You're probably right. I can't host the picture but I do have a digital camera and could take the shot. I guess you can't attach a jpg to a post here, right?

Just took the photo, here it is. Complete with vest. Guess you can't see it all that well. Maybe nobody will really notice, it's not all that radical a suit.

Actually, it doesn't look that bad. In fact, it looks pretty good on you. I say go for it!
 

Tremulant

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2004
4,890
1
0
Doesn't look bad on ya. I'd say you'd have no problem wearing that.

edit: after looking at your rigs, I'd say you win the award for coolest grandpa ever.