I often feel like there's not enough opportunity these days to express creativity in a professional environment- particularly where fashion is concerned. School is no exception to this rule- after 5 years of the classic drab, bog-standard school uniform, there are a mere 2 years (cut short by several months of study leave) in which one has a chance to choose one's own clothes- within reason, that is- before the undisputed freedom of University. I am now at the beginning of my second year in sixth form, and I spend at least 15 minutes each evening planning out my outfit for the next day. About half way through my first year I found the courage to break with the traditional 2 piece business suit, and began a period of experimentation with tweed jackets, and I haven't looked back since. I like to think of a school as a microcosm for the fashion world, particularly men's fashion (without the denim, of course)- boring shades of grey and black are everywhere, and people usually conform with most popular look- in the case of my school, a dark grey pinstripe suit, with white shirt and skinny black tie. However, as with the fashion world, a few more ambitious dressers stick out, and I always aim to be in this minority. This is what I wore today:
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| 'strike a pose' |
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| (slightly better lighting in this one...) |
So there you have it- not my most exciting school look I assure you, but it definitely meets the required level of formality- as much as I would have loved to have worn some houndstooth trousers, I thought simple black chinos might be more appropriate. After all, too much attention isn't always a good thing- especially in a common room full of unimaginative, illiberal, conservative-minded school boys (and teachers, for that matter). I think the bow tie goes very nicely with the jacket (tweed, it goes without saying) and the wide tuxedo-style collar seems to add a nice sense of occasion. In keeping with the blue theme, i wore a light blue shirt with a blue jumper to keep warm. I love to roll my sleeves up so that it shows a little of the jumper/shirt- I think this highlights the fact that the sleeves are well and truly rolled up; sort of says: 'style other comfort' (especially on a cold day!).
Tweed jacket- £15 from Rockit in Camden Town (huge selection of Tweed jackets here, all at £15)
Jumper- £15 from Primark
Shirt- £15 from M&S
Houndstooth bow tie- £12 from Camden (somewhere!)
Chinos- £38.99 from Topman
Brogues- £50 from Clarks
Stay tuned, more school outfits to follow!
