Gryffin, you and I share a deep love of black watch! It's a moody and slightly introverted tartan. I like that about it. Hmmm. Thinking about it...I know you are the Princess of Darkness, but a black watch accessory or two would fit well into your wardrobe, or perhaps a top that would go under le smoking?
Krish, thanks for being frank. I appreciate all views! I might have preferred a structured bag, also, but I don't currently own one (sob!) -- a subject for another post. In the meantime, this bag worked for what I had on the agenda -- a long walk to a grocer to buy supper.
I think the "suit with sneakers" look is something of an acquired taste -- as comments on Angie's blog post showed. And pattern mixing is also an acquired taste, or one that isn't necessarily shared. Speaking for myself, I love stripes with plaid and with florals and with animal print as well as with solids. A pattern mix is one kind of maximalism I can embrace. (There are others I can't manage for myself, e.g. lot of accessories.) My preppy gene likes stripes and likes plaid and likes them together. But I get that some people might not. And that's okay! Puts the personal in personal style.
This "suit" somehow feels "unsuit-like" to me, i.e. more casual. It might be because I did not buy it as a suit. I bought the pants because I wanted the pants. Noticed the jacket just as I was about to leave the store, saw the sale price, and pounced. The pants have stretch so they are even more comfy than jeans. The jacket is lightweight so it is also super comfortable. I honestly felt casually dressed, which I don't think I'd feel in my more formal Elie Tahari suit. Hmmm.
I liked it so much that I wore it again yesterday!
