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The University World
Off The Cuff...
Fall'69
Mister Guy Managers Speak Out
Because of the increasing awareness and concern of College Men with their clothing and appearance, the Mister Guy specialists have been put into the position of an expert . even a "Consultant." The following interview will give insight to their "philosophy of dressing."
TRENT SLUSHER
Question: Trent, what does the average new college student want to know about clothing?
Answer: Well, he usually asks,
"What's new?" It's too bad, too, because this isn't really what's important.
Question: What do you mean,
this isn't important, Trent?
Answer: Well, just because something's new doesn't mean it's in good taste. All the magazines are always trying to push something new because they want news, and most of their tips come from some manufacturer trying to create obsolescence.
Question: So, if newness it-
Question: So, self isn't the answer, what should the first consideration be, Trent?
Answer: We advise our customers to think about building a wardrobe instead of just buying clothes. Now, you can't do this overnight, but if you buy with a plan, you will acquire a wardrobe that will always have the right thing to wear for the right occasion. The first things that are needed in the wardrobe are basics - this is the foundation to build on.
Question: Jack Ring - why don't you explain what you mean by starting with basics
Answer: Well, let's start with suits as an example. If you don't have a suit, you might think you could buy almost anything — wrong. You really have very little choice. You may like a glen plaid, and they are very fashionable today, but if you don't have a suit, you should not buy a glen plaid first. Your only logical buy would be a dark navy blue or grey suit, either solid or chalk stripe. This is a suit that will perform for those important occasions when nothing else is appropriate. Another
suit. On the other hand, with the dark blue or grey I mentioned, you can make it look very different by changing shirts and ties, etc.
Question: Well, let's say I buy the basic suit you recommend. Then where do I go from there?
Answer: My next suggestion would be either a sportsuit or sportcoat. Again, we start by
JOHN BISHOP
looking at what you already own. If you don't already own one, I'll strongly recommend a navy blazer. You can wear
this several times a week and never get tired of it You can put all kinds of accessories with it, combinations of colors, shirts, ties, trousers and shoes. This can be almost a miniature wardrobe itself. Now you're ready to build. Bold plaids, clear tone herringbones, muted country suits – all great looks, but all special purpose, now and then kind of clothes. You can alternate these with your basics and add to this collection each year for more variety. In other
thing is a patterned suit has a lot of identity. If you wear it on Friday night and again on Saturday,it is obviously the same
words, blend the things that are new and in today with those basics that are always in.
Question: John Bishop - you
Answer: Well, to us traditional clothes are clothes that have a history of good taste. They have been accepted over the years because we have learned that they reflect the good taste of their wearer. I think good taste is the key to the whole thing — this is why we don't want to get mixed up with the high fashion approach. In high fashion clothing, every year you have to have something new — and you have to try so hard to find something new you usually end up with something ridiculous, at the best, in doubtful taste. This doesn't play any part in our kind of clothes, because we ask not only is it new, but more specifically, does it go with the things we already have in our wardrobe — does it fit with our way of dress — is it consist ent with the appearance we want to be remembered for?
fellows constantly refer to traditional clothing. What do you mean by this?
Question: John, what about some of the people on television or in show business that wear high fashion clothes? They're pretty well known celebrities - don't they have good taste?
Answer: These people wear some of these things like a costume - and costumes don't need to have the criteria of good taste applied. We tell our customers their clothing should
but attention the man - not the clothes. Traditional clothing is associated with people who dress well, but not ostentatiously.
JACK RING
Question: If good taste is the key to traditional clothing, what is the key to good taste, John?
Answer: There are a lot of measures, but to me the main one is to avoid looking as if you're trying too hard to be well dressed You can pick up Esquire or Playboy and buy all the things that are obviously new this season. And everyone can tell that's just what you did — there is nothing of your own taste involved. Now we expect our customer to take the time and effort to select, coordinate and accessorize his wardrobe, but he wants all of his wardrobe to be consistent and go together for an overall impression. One example of try- bed is over-coording
ing too hard is tion. As an example, the magazines will show a burgundy blazer with a pink shirt and navy slacks. Then they put a
JACK STREATOR
navy and burgundy tie with burgundy socks and a burgundy belt, and a burgundy pocket square. This is obviously over coordination - and obviously anyone wearing an outfit like this is trying too hard to be noticed.
Question: Jack Streator, you've been trying to get a word in here for some time now. Did you have something to add to what John was saying?
Answer: I wanted to add that you shouldn't try too hard, but you shouldn't go to the other extreme either. Some people
extreme order think because they're slobs, they are showing their independence and contempt of good taste. There's a good
middle ground that we would call an understated or studied casualness in approach.
Question: Jack, I heard you telling someone that he should dress so that he can forget his cloties. What do you mean by that?
We've Replaced The Salesman
Mister Guy is not an ordinary clothing store. We don't have "salesmen" working for us. We have replaced the salesman with a new concept . . . the CLOTHING CONSULTANT. His responsibility is not merely to sell. Rather, he is concerned with helping you develop your own tastes. He is young and knows what styles are currently dominant on the college campus. Thus, he is able to advise you on what's "In" and "Out." But more important than
Answer: If you are confident of your taste and have selected your wardrobe carefully, you'll know you will look right and you don't have to be concerned about it. It's like being in a familiar or comfortable environment, gives you a great confidence in yourself and lets you concentrate on what you're
doing. Obviously, this helps you accomplish and enjoy yourself that much more.
Q u e s t i o n:
Here's the last
question, Jack - How much is it going to cost me to dress in good taste:
Answer: The most inexpensive way is to dress correctly -
that, he wants to assist you in expressing your own ideas and personality . . . through your wardrobe. The self-confidence you will have knowing you're well dressed is why . . we don't have just "salesmen."
to avoid mistakes. If you follow the philosophy that we have talked about today, it is pretty inexpensive. We get our customers to start out with a few basic things, they can start to collect the extras. Those special occasion clothes with special flair that puts their individual stamp on their wardrobe. After four college years to develop your taste and wardrobe, you'll find yourself a more confident graduate with a big head start on your future.
CREIGHTON'S VINTAGE OXFORD
A NEW POINT OF VIEW. This is called Vintage Oxford. It's a heady mixture of Burgundy and Chablis stripes framed with white, created especially by Creighton to delight the man with a sophisticated palate. Made of the finest combed cotton oxford, it's enhanced by the deeply rolled Brookside button down collar and barrel cuffs.