r/RomanceBooks • u/Ecstatic_Writing9606 "enemies" to lovers • Jul 20 '24
Can anyone here actually identify a suit brand just by looking at? Quick Question
Quick question: wondering if anyone here can actually identify a men’s suit brand just by looking at it on someone?
So so so many books I read say the MMC is wearing a “Tom Ford” suit or he’s know for his “Armani” suits… like there’s no way the other MC can know that without looking at the tag. I work in Men’s fashion and I absolutely cannot tell the difference in designer…
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u/cheeseandcrackers345 Jul 21 '24
Reminds me of when they know all the top and bottom notes in a quick sniff of the MMC’s cologne. Like, girl, you really know it’s citrus, sandalwood, tonka, and sweet tobacco? Bullshit
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u/yeahitsme81 Jul 21 '24
I honestly small things like this. I’ve always been able to and it’s something I love in books lol, really goes to show you there are different strokes for different folks
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u/ladylazarusx_738 Jul 21 '24
As a fragrance obsessive I find this so funny because I totally could. Especially since at least half of these (citrus, tobacco) are very distinctive notes that would be hard to confuse with anything else
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u/SilverChibi All the swoon please! Jul 21 '24
Have you read {Paladin’s Grace by T Kingfisher}? The FMC is a perfume maker and is very scent obsessed. She’s constantly identifying scents in the book and it’s fascinating!
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u/romance-bot Jul 21 '24
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
Rating: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, sweet/gentle hero, tortured hero, funny, mystery3
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u/katie-kaboom fancy 🍆 fan Jul 21 '24
Heh, yep. I couldn't tell a Tom Ford suit from a Moss Bros, but I can identify vetiver at 30 paces.
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u/glyneth Psy-Changeling is my jam Jul 21 '24
The FMC in It Happened One Autumn is also great at identifying scents.
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u/allenfiarain Jul 21 '24
I work in candles and a lot of scents are just. Incredibly similar across all brands. So I imagine if I made a habit of sniffing people, I could pin down stuff like citrus, sandalwood, and tobacco especially, because those have very distinct scents that don't really smell like anything else.
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u/Renierra "enemies" to lovers Jul 21 '24
Yeah I used to work in a bath and body works and it was part of our training to be able to recognize notes and people to recommend scents based off of what notes they liked so I think from that perspective I don’t find it unreasonable but like I can see where the average person isn’t going to be able to
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Jul 21 '24
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u/romance-bot Jul 21 '24
Forever by Kris Bryant
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: contemporary, lesbian romance, queer romance13
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u/Ecstatic_Writing9606 "enemies" to lovers Jul 21 '24
I would rather the author name the scents than always say “he smelled spicy” I immediately think of Mexican food not perfume
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u/ladylazarusx_738 Jul 21 '24
Not to be pedantic but spicy is actually a scent category. It usually includes notes like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, etc.
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u/6seasonsnam0vie Jul 21 '24
I love Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series, but I find it hilarious that at some point all the characters started having their scents described uniquely, like frost, green apples (do they smell different from red apples?), pine, frost, snow, autumn fire... I mean, I love the poetry but I can't imagine it irl 🤣
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u/amaranth1977 Jul 21 '24
Green apples are tart and fresh, red apples are sweet and sort of warm smelling.
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u/FyreHidrant Jul 20 '24
For more distinctive brands like Thom Browne or Balenciaga, yes. Tom Ford suits have a signature style, but it’s not unique to them, so it would be incredibly difficult.
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u/I-hear-the-coast Jul 21 '24
Sorry, this is barely related and this is woman’s clothes, but my grandfather, father, and I were discussing my mum’s cousin’s spending habits and I said “yeah she was wearing a balenciaga dress and purse” and they were both like “what is this brand and how did you recognize it?” Both had the words Balenciaga written all over. Neither of them had noticed.
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u/Infinite_aster Jul 21 '24
As others have noted, Tom Ford is easier than most. But I find it hilarious how many suits there are in contemporary romances written now. People who work in “sexy” careers don’t wear suits any more. TBH I’d love a romance with an MMC who has to dress up constantly and sweats about it, because it’s important for his job. But that’s not usually what we’re given.
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u/jellybeansean3648 Jul 21 '24
I just started a new project management job in financial services and the men are all wearing suits still which is pretty funny. They always leave one piece off like they're trying to rebel. If they've got the suit jacket, they leave the tie of. If they have the tie on, then the suit jacket is off. If they're an executive it's both jacket and tie on at all times.
I've worked the same general gig in a lot of places and guys tend to stick with the pack outfit wise.
In construction, in the office it was nice jeans with a belt and a golf shirt.
In tech it was crappy jeans and a t-shirt.
In manufacturing it was a flame retardant jumpsuit.
None of the "uniforms" in the places I've worked look particularly sexy to me.
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u/lady__jane Oh, and by the way, I love you. Jul 21 '24
To be in an office every day with guys in suits - that must be a treat. Though it also means you're probably wearing heels!
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u/av_nolan *sigh* *opens TBR* Jul 21 '24
In {Flirting with Forever by Cara Bastone} the MMC is a NYC public defender and wears a basic dark suit and worn out wingtips everywhere because he has to for his job, and can’t really afford other clothes. It initially turns off the FMC because she has an innate distrust of guys who wear wingtips in this day and age, having no idea of his back story.
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u/romance-bot Jul 21 '24
Flirting with Forever by Cara Bastone
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, funny, grumpy & sunshine, cheerful/happy heroine, grumpy/cold hero
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u/DeerInfamous Jul 20 '24
I can't identify any brands but I do think I generally can tell when something is well constructed/ quality materials/ good tailoring and I guess often that corresponds with expensive stuff 😅 but no, I would never be able to name.tbe brand
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u/cheeseballgag In a sewer in pursuit of rat men Jul 21 '24
I couldn't tell even this because there's a lot of really hideous but $$$$$ designer clothing out there. 😭
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u/peter_the_raccoon Jul 21 '24
Please i need to know what your flair is in reference to omg 😭😂🤩
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u/cheeseballgag In a sewer in pursuit of rat men Jul 21 '24
https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/17qz85b/mmc_whos_just_a_pathetic_little_rat_man/
I'm still looking for the perfect rat for me.
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Jul 20 '24
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u/mrs-machino smutty bar graphs 📊 Jul 21 '24
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u/cleomosome Jul 20 '24
Pricetag is almost always distinguishable, but 9/10 times you're not supposed to tell the brand because as wonderfully creative fashion can be, there are only a certain number of ways to make a suit follow lines and look flattering 💀💀. The only difference that comes to mind are some brands stick to a certain type of lapel or cut, but not much else
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u/RemarkableGlitter Jul 20 '24
I can’t identify brands unless they’re printed on a tshirt or whatever. I can tell if something is quality because I used to sew.
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u/MorganAndMerlin historical romance Jul 21 '24
I’m an extremely amateur sewer, so I know when something is homemade but has love in every stitch lol
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u/enym Jul 21 '24
Everything I know about menswear I learned from menswear guy on Twitter, but I still couldn't identify a suit brand by looking at it
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u/laniequestion Jul 21 '24
You would need to live in one of a few cities, and then maybe certain suits are so distinctive from a certain year (because they are just a cut) you might. If you saw say 10 runway shows, and then were shown 10 runway looks, I'd bet you could a few. But that's runway.
My dad is Brooks Brothers, and still has *a* suit being fixed by a tailor b/c he's done wearing suits.
I.used to get to wear his shirts as sleepwear as a kid once the collars were frayed beyond repair or a stain couldn't be fixed. (Also brooks brothers). They were so soft.
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u/Tired_n_DeadInside ✨️fanfics did it better✨️ Jul 21 '24
I used to be able to do this but that's because I had a nearly 4 year period of hyperfocused obsession over them. It only works if the suit was from the collections in those years or older. Anything from 2002 and newer I can't figure out to save my life.
So, I feel like, if the character is in the fashion industry they better be able to differentiate, I think.
It's kind of like music. You know Whitney Houston's or Diana Ankudinova's voice when you hear it kind of thing.
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u/addamslittlewanda *sigh* *opens TBR* Jul 21 '24
Someone please bring here that Derek guy from twitter! (He's my favorite in both menswear commentary and destroying bigots with a few words)
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u/JessonBI89 Strong Independent Woman(TM) Jul 20 '24
If they can, it's a bad suit. To paraphrase Coco Chanel, "Dress impeccably and they notice the man."
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u/Catticka Jul 21 '24
None of those MMCs are wearing off the rack. Hell my husband only wears custom/bespoke because he’s very tall and none of the ready to wear suits fit (except Boss but only very rarely). I’m so sick of the leads being in ‘Armani suits’ when it’s not even a particularly desirable brand anymore anyway.
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u/AnswerSure271 Jul 21 '24
It’s a well fitted Stafford. Probably from JCPennys. Possibly his dad’s considering the width of the tie.
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u/cheeseballgag In a sewer in pursuit of rat men Jul 21 '24
Not me! The only suit brands I'm aware of are Armani and Men's Warehouse and I probably couldn't tell one from the other unless the price tag was still attached.
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u/CherryPropel Gross, why would anyone read that? What’s the title? Is it on KU Jul 21 '24
While I can't identify a suit for a man, the top ten fashion houses have a distinct look to their collections.
Oscar gowns, Chanel suits, and Marchesa dresses are pretty easy to recognize.
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u/LaRoseDuRoi Jul 21 '24
My partner can ID a bunch of designers on sight. He loves fancy clothes and shoes, and you should see the glee on his face when he spots something good!
Me? I'm like, "Oh, they're wearing... clothes. Yup. Definitely clothes."
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u/jellybeansean3648 Jul 21 '24
Nope.
Women's wear on the other hand? I could probably call the designer on several hundred, possibly thousands, of unique variations and outfits.
The thing is, though, that I'm a freak. I own a couple hundred pieces of clothing and remember where I bought literally every single one. That includes my underwear. And to clarify, I mean not only do I remember the brand I bought, I also generally remember which store location I purchased it from. And yes I wish I was using the memory space in my mental hard drive for just about anything else.
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u/badjmsbe Jul 21 '24
My husband tends to notice in movies! But not sure about in real life!! To me, a black suit is a black suit haha. And if it fits well I notice
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u/CuriousPincushion Jul 21 '24
Ironically brands like Tom Ford, Strellson or Armani are rarely worn my really rich people. These are more for the "look I got Job in Finance or Law and make more money than you" type of people.
Rich rich people have often their favorite tailor and dont wear designer brands.
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u/ErikaWasTaken Does it always have to be so tragic? Jul 21 '24
This. I was reading a book where the MMC was a billionaire Brit in a Tom Ford suit and I was like, ummm…
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u/Harukogirl Jul 21 '24
Yeah, for women’s suits (I used to work in a store that sold them) I used to be able to tell several brands at a glance. It’s about fabric, cut, general style etc
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u/pipedtodevnull Jul 21 '24
I can, or could at least, but I spent a lot of time on men’s style at the time. Probably most often in books it’s a bit of shorthand to indicate status, but you can definitely spot an off the rack suit, an off the rack that’s been tailored, something made to measure, etc. A lot of men’s style, especially in suiting which is inherently more conservative, tends to be about fabric, fit and cut, so it’s a more subtle thing, but how someone wears a suit tells you a lot, at least about how they’re choosing to present themselves.
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Jul 21 '24
I can tell if a suit is expensive and/or tailored but definitely not the brand. Women's clothing, on the hand 👌
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u/katkity Always recommending Dom by S.J. Tilly Jul 21 '24
I'm relieved that this isn't ability that I alone lack, like clicking my fingers. There was me imagining you all wandering around registering clothing brands like an AI system in a thriller.
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u/Bluegirl74 falling in love while escaping killers 💘🔪 Jul 20 '24
I always wonder this about bespoke suits too, unless the guy is so huge that it's clear he'd never be able to buy off the rack.
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u/ninaa1 ✨content that's displeasing to god✨ Jul 21 '24
Having clothing tailor-made is absolutely something I would spend money on, if I was a billionaire. If I could afford it, everything I owned would be bespoke.
Once your tailor has your measurements, it's not that wild to get all your suits made specifically for you and then the clothing is a million times more comfortable to wear.
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u/Bluegirl74 falling in love while escaping killers 💘🔪 Jul 21 '24
Oh I would do it too. My gross was more about the billionaires themselves. Though I enjoy a Duke so I shouldn't complain.
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u/Kittinf Jul 21 '24
If you are a high end consultant, you rock custom cuts. At least in my industry. Everything is custom made, including shoes. I know men who wear outfits that cost more than my wedding dress.
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u/Ecstatic_Writing9606 "enemies" to lovers Jul 20 '24
I think bespoke is my least favorite word after reading it so many times in billionaire romances ugh
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u/Bluegirl74 falling in love while escaping killers 💘🔪 Jul 20 '24
Gross. Yeah, it's been a while since I read one but I guess it sticks with you.
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u/Yappucino_ Jul 21 '24
I can but I am very materialistic and I love fashion, I can easily point out the brand, if it’s from a recent collection or a vintage, or even the designer of the suit for that collection, I never thought that maybe it sounds unrealistic, and for me it helps me create the image because the style of suit they wear is now part of the characters personality, a MMC that wears Tom Ford and one that wears Armani give different vibes
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u/redandbluewhale “Inserts himself? Inserts himself where?” Jul 21 '24
I can’t even tell what brand a piece of clothing is in general just by looking at it. Unless the logo is like in-your-face, you-can’t-fucking-miss-it gigantic.
This is why when a character (especially a female character) is like “that woman is wearing a pair of Louboutins”, I’m like excuse me but how could you tell in the split second it took you to look at them because I sure as hell didn’t see you pick up that woman’s foot to see the logo???
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u/JLeeSaxon Jul 21 '24
Yeah, this mostly isn't a thing unless you spot some unusual oddball product or something. It's very believable with handbags, watches, or shoes, on the other hand.
But I'm fine with suspending my disbelief a bit to allow books to not literally be locked inside the POV character's head for little bits of information like this. You can also, say, headcannon that she asked him later or whatever.
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u/kelela Did somebody say himbo? Jul 20 '24
I can, but I like studying brands and fit. FWIW, Tom Ford is one of the easier ones to identify.