Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

Requiem · 09-15-2009, 02:50 PM

Pipes have been part of men's fashion and style for many decades. Although nowadays it is not common to see a gentleman smoking the pipe, there probably are some fashion rules on pairing pipes with clothes and/or with circumstances.
I wear a suit and tie almost everyday and never had any concerns about choosing a "matching" pipe... however, last weekend I had a wedding and found myself reflecting on the matter.
On the most formal ocasions what kind of pipe should one use?
Are rusticated pipes suitable for every ocasion?
Are straight pipes more formal looking?

I already made my mind up on some of those subjects, but would love to ear from you guys.

drastic_quench · 09-15-2009, 03:14 PM

People know so few pipe smokers and know so little about pipes that I think any pipe style etiquette was long ago thrown out the window. For instance, I can see where you're coming from questioning the pairing of a suit with a rusticated pipe - but the other 99% wouldn't even notice the finish.

I'll never own a dress black pipe for this reason (I don't like covering the grain anyhow).

Really, I think if we're smoking anything other than a churchwarden, gourd calabash, or some other equally huge oddity people just register all pipes as pipes.

I've experienced this when showing friends my pipe shelf. I've got six briars and not one resembles the other in the slightest - huge variation in shaping, finishes, and stain - yet these friends who've commonly seen me smoking on countless occasions say, "I didn't know you had all these pipes." They thought I just had the one. Because they don't think about it. It's not their hobby.

Imagine if there were shoe lace enthusiasts who always wore the same sneakers but switched out the shoe laces daily. Colors, corded, aglets and non-aglets -- I could imagine a hundred variations that we (pipe smoking non-shoe lace enthusiasts) would never notice in a year.

RJpuffs · 09-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Requiem

Pipes have been part of men's fashion and style for many decades. Although nowadays it is not common to see a gentleman smoking the pipe, there probably are some fashion rules on pairing pipes with clothes and/or with circumstances.
I wear a suit and tie almost everyday and never had any concerns about choosing a "matching" pipe... however, last weekend I had a wedding and found myself reflecting on the matter.
On the most formal ocasions what kind of pipe should one use?
Are rusticated pipes suitable for every ocasion?
Are straight pipes more formal looking?

I already made my mind up on some of those subjects, but would love to ear from you guys.

You mean to tell me, you can actually SMOKE at a wedding (or in public) out there? Wow, here we would get chased down by a rabid mob waving pitchforks and scythes.

The only "dress up" I would do in NY is to select running shoes and trackpants, and use a pipe that is outdoor proof (wind/cold/rain). About the extent of my style coordination.

dmkerr · 09-15-2009, 03:21 PM

Agree with the Quencher. As long as the pipe isn't overly large or weird looking, it should be ok. I'd match the briar to the suit, or as closely as possible. Other'nat, I don't think anyone will care.

Hermit · 09-15-2009, 03:22 PM

I never thought about it, but a guy in a Tux
smoking a cob might look a little odd.

Mister Moo · 09-15-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermit

I never thought about it, but a guy in a Tux
smoking a cob might look a little odd.

That would be just a little rough around the edges, wouldn't it?

Tux = nothing in the pockets, please - no pipe
Styled Italian sharkskin suit = Porsche Design
Smooth-finish wool or silk (50% or more) suit, including herringbone = smooth billiard
Smooth finish wool or silk (token content) = any smooth or blasted billiard
Any Tweed sportcoat = bent dublin (smooth) or any rusticated pipe
Jodpurs, cape and/or a deerstalker cap = meer/gourd calabash
Pointer, Oshkosh, Dickie or other major brand bib overalls; soccer shorts and tee shirt = cob, Kaywoodie, Grabow or anything that's a little dinged up

Dzrtrat · 09-15-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

That would be just a little rough around the edges, wouldn't it?

Tux = nothing in the pockets, please - no pipe
Styled Italian sharkskin suit = Porsche Design
Smooth-finish wool or silk (50% or more) suit, including herringbone = smooth billiard
Smooth finish wool or silk (token content) = any smooth or blasted billiard
Any Tweed sportcoat = bent dublin (smooth) or any rusticated pipe
Jodpurs, cape and/or a deerstalker cap = meer/gourd calabash
Pointer, Oshkosh, Dickie or other major brand bib overalls; soccer shorts and tee shirt = cob, Kaywoodie, Grabow or anything that's a little dinged up

Dan where do you come up with this stuff?

rrb · 09-15-2009, 11:08 PM

Gee!!! You guys out there are really complicated!!

If you don't bother anyone with your smoking, what the hell is the problem?

From personal experience, people love the smell and looks of pipe smoking, smoker or non smoker. Whereas if you smoke a cigarette...well, you are simply banned!! All in all, I figure the problem with people is the "status quo". No more, no less.

Here (Portugal) pipe smoking became extremely rare (that's why we have to go to Spain to get some decent tobaccos), so everyone looks at you as if you are something else than a smoker, and even the stupid radical anti-smokers seem to find lovely when you smoke a pipe.

Go figure!!!

jrpvr6 · 09-15-2009, 11:24 PM

I think something with an ebony finish paired with a stainless band would go well for a tuxedo smoke.

Requiem · 09-15-2009, 11:42 PM

Quench is absolutely right... 99 out of 100 people will not notice anything about pipe variety.
However, just like the shoe lace's guy probably as some style rules, so should we, I guess. The main rule on this hobby is, of course, to enjoy it as it pleases you the most... but style could be another interesting extra take on the hobby (and another good excuse to keep buying pipes

... "oh sweetie, you know I really need to buy this pipe to match your new shoes!")

Moo is, as usual, on the spot.
My personal intake on the matter beggins with a brief analysis on men's wear. Classic men's clothes are divided in two major categories: city suits and country suits. Of course this distinction makes little sense nowadays, but the classic 19th century (and early 20th century) point of view on fashion is a good starting point.
-City suits (worsteed suits, mainly) are refined clothes, just as smooth/polished pipes are more refined... so, smooth pipes and worsteeds should go together.
-Country suits (tweeds) are rougher, just like rusticated pipes, so they are good matches.
- Flanels are in between, so they match well with smooth or rusticated pipes, depending more on the environment.
- Shapes seem to be of secondary importance, although some shapes are tricky... (pokers always look rustic, for example).
- Colours are of terciary importance (if any)... (well, maybe a redish pipe goes better with some clothes, and a smoking black suit (tuxedo) definitely asks for a black smooth pipe). If someone is willing to take it to the highest style level, then match your pipe colour with your shoe's colour...

-Also, and this seems important (...

) I think straight pipes are more formal then bents.
Bents are great for clenching, but if you're ment to engage in conversations, or in a business environment, maybe clenching is not the way to go... so, I think straights (or 1/4 bents) are more suitable for social ocasions.

-Anything other then a suit can go with any pipe, IMO.

Hmm, after writting all this fashion nonsence (is it?) I'll now retire to my chambers with my wife and reafirm my masculinity by...

Requiem · 09-15-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrb

Gee!!! You guys out there are really complicated!!

If you don't bother anyone with your smoking, what the hell is the problem?

From personal experience, people love the smell and looks of pipe smoking, smoker or non smoker. Whereas if you smoke a cigarette...well, you are simply banned!! All in all, I figure the problem with people is the "status quo". No more, no less.

Here (Portugal) pipe smoking became extremely rare (that's why we have to go to Spain to get some decent tobaccos), so everyone looks at you as if you are something else than a smoker, and even the stupid radical anti-smokers seem to find lovely when you smoke a pipe.

Go figure!!!

You are absolutely right, my friend... however, here we are, about 60 miles away from each other! I think it is even rarer in the US, and more common in the rest of europe.

MarkC · 09-15-2009, 11:58 PM

Smooth pipes are more refined than rusticated? To who?

Fortunately, I have no style or class, so I don't have to worry about it.

rrb · 09-16-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Hmm, after writting all this fashion nonsence (is it?) I'll now retire to my chambers with my wife and reafirm my masculinity by...

Já de volta? Estás a deixar-nos mal vistos.....
60 mls=90 km (na verdade estamos a cerca de 130km), já te enviei uma pm com uma foto para te aguçar o apetite. Mas é melhor voltares atrás e continuares o devido...(cof, cof)
Grande abraço

and now in English:

Back already? You're making us look bad....
60mls=90km (130km away in reality), I sent a pm with a picture to sooth you up. But you should go back to what you should be doing... (cough, cough)

Big hug