What is Sharp?

[rondo]

MacL,
In the US Navy, we called it being 'squared away'.
Rondo

[Cygnus]

I've been thinking a bit about the cost of looking sharp - and I think there is a cost, but not always in currency. Many people on this forum have to search thrift shops, eBay, or sales, spending a great deal of time finding just the right item, and then often go to the expense/work of having it tailored. For these people, the cost is time.

For others, like HRH Prince Charles or Alan Cumming, I highly doubt they're agonizing over the decision, combing through racks of clothing at the good will. The former undoubtedly has a sizable wardrobe and a valet, the latter (I would hope) has more than enough money to simply buy whatever he likes at a whim and have it custom tailored to fit.

Both groups pay, but in different ways.

[Panache]

In terms of your approach to wearing the kilt, what would you call "sharp"?

Colin,

I think you'd best refer your question to Joe Jackson, Roxette, or perhaps ZZ Top for a definitive answer...

;)

Cheers

Jamie

[The Wizard of BC]

To me personally "Sharp" is what I was taught in the USMC as being "Two blocked".

To define.... Two blocked is a phrase that means that extra care has been taken in every detail of putting things right. Two blocks or pulleys are tight up against each other to keep them from swaying and causing chafe.

For example... 5 gentlemen in an X Marks photo.... If you look at the photo what do you see? If four of the 5 are dressed similarly but one is in an outfit that makes him stand out... that is not what defines "sharp" to me.

If, in another photo of 5 X Markers the five appear, at first, to be dressed similarly but you notice something, something hard to put your finger on that is a bit "crisper" or a bit "cleaner" about one of the gents, then that is "sharp".

I'm talking about things like the hint of glint off the polish on one pair of shoes. The symetry of shirt creases that are parallel and vertical. The hair that is cared for.
The subtle difference that you notice but can't quite explain why you noticed.

I know some of our members prefer the more flamboyant looks that stand out in a crowd. It is common to see the outfit as defining "sharp".

I am in the other boat when it comes to "Sharp". In a military uniform everyone is dressed alike. But a "sharp" look is always appearent even if all the clothes are exactly the same.

So I define "sharp" as those subtle details that will be noticed but not seen. A nice piece of jewelry such as tie tack or kilt pin. A newly pressed kilt. Well polished shoes etc.

This is one of the reasons I don't usually dress according to TSHD. It does not suit my daily life. The subtle details are far overshadowed by the bling for my taste. I'll dress in a traditional way when the occasion calls for it and I know the rules of that type of dress. But for everyday, I already have a kilt on, I already stand out in the crowd. I don't usually dress in a way that would stand out even if I were in a group of kilties.

I personally prefer to add that subtle detail that would not stand out. That "sharp" quality that is subtle and understated, but still noticable.

I personally define "Sharp" as those details a man takes the time to put into his everyday appearance. To me it is not the clothes. "Sharp" to me is exactly the same for jeans, a suit, a kilt, or a tux. I think "sharp" is actually harder to achieve in a kilt because the kilt often overshadows the subtle details.

I know what "sharp" is to me and I swear, I'll get there one of these days.

[Jock Scot]

I think your definition of "sharp" is bang on, Steve. I have been thinking how to define "sharp" ever since this thread started and there have been many words and phrases posted that I can connect with, but Steve has really defined it for me.

[OC Richard]

Looking sharp/smart, for me, would start with elements of high quality. These then are combined in just the right way.

Part of it is the balancing act between tradition and innovation. Someone, of music, said that the key was the balance between the familiar and the unexpected.

A big part is the person: their appearance and their personality and the way the outfit looks on them. No matter how nice the outfit, it doesn't really look smart to me if the man is "posing" more than simply "being", working too hard at trying to be cool or mugging for the camera.

Going back in time a bit, these men look very smart to me. They look like men who are used to these clothes, and they have a natural relaxed panache.







and somewhat more recently, in 1939. I love this guy!



And in the Army... you can't top these fellows

[OC Richard]

Coming into the present, there are still military men who know how to dress!



In civilian attire (well, military too) the very definition of style is You Know Who



Dressing smart/sharp doesn't mean elaborate or strictly traditional dress!

These photos of X Markers really stand out to me. Common threads are interesting high-quality one-of-a-kind sporrans, well-made traditional kilts often in unusual tartans, and interesting high-quality hose.

[CMcG]

OC Richard, thanks so much for posting some examples. Can anyone else come up with other examples of folks they think look really sharp?

For the last couple days, I've been mulling over some of the excellent commentary in this thread. I like a good analogy, so I thought Cygnus' use of the sharp cheese imagery in his view of classic style was very well done. Allow me to offer my own.

The sartorial effort towards sharpness that a number of people have talked about, whether that be "two blocked," "squared away," or just plain well groomed, can be likened to sharpening a knife. Some people don't sharpen their knives and, after a while, end up with a very blunt edge. Others give it a bit of a sharpen every now and again, but accept a serviceable edge as satisfactory. To put a keen edge on a knife takes effort to achieve and still more effort to maintain. A razor edge would then be the pinnacle of both sharpness and effort.

The danger of all this sharpening is for an edge to be overworked. Too much effort and the knife develops "shoulders" that get in the way of the edge or else it gets too thin, at which point it becomes brittle, fragile, and therefor impractical. Even with good sharpening, eventually a knife starts to get worn away and loses mass.

I really like what Steve was saying about sharpness lying in the subtle details that would make you stand out, even against a group of guys in kilts who are wearing similar outfits. Avoiding over-sharpening seems to me to be just as important in knives as it is in kilts. Perhaps this reflects OC Richard's comment about sharpness requiring a naturalness; if one looks like they are trying too hard, they spoil the effect