Modern Vespa

The 19th of May is fast approaching, and I'm finalizing my...ummm....'look' for the event.

I have decided on a variation of the outfit that I dazzled the main street of Sturgis with last August, long sleeve dress shirt, classically suspended black trousers, and tie.

The main changes for the DGR versus the bygone Sturgis Rally outfit will be an overall black/white 'winner's racing flag' checkerboard motif for the fashion incidentals.

Although not to be worn on the 600 mile trek to the event from where I live, I will be wearing my black/white checkerboard, half-helmet/goggle set during the actual ride, which is probably between ten and twenty miles in duration.

My black/white canvas tennis shoes will also visually come into play, with checkerboard crew socks, of course.

Now.....concerning my DGR fashion dilemma at hand, I'll be ordering both today (just to have them on hand for future use), but as for the actual wearing at the event, which would be the better choice, the standard configuration men's necktie?...OR!.....the clip-on checkerboard bow tie?

I am poised to push the 'order' button on both items this very day, so there's plenty of time for last minute outfit mods when, and if, desired.

So, here's the DGR clothing accessory list so far, to compliment the basic and classical white cotton, long sleeve dress shirt, and sparkly new black denim dungarees.

So!....the question proposed here is.....

Neck tie.......or bow tie????

The 'finish-line flag' checkerboard theme will include, helmet, tie, suspenders, and socks, along with a pair of old-fashioned black/white canvas 'tennis shoes'...of course.

The only item left to be considered is...which type of tie?

Is that a 3 pack of bowties all different sizes. If so then you could start off with the small one in the morning and then during the course of the day, go on to medium and then large.

and at some point switch to the tie for a bit.

If someone mentions the change, say that youve been wearing this one all day and maybe they are confusing you with your twin brother who is also at the event.

Either unfortunately, or fortunately perhaps, the decision to ride my GTS300 to the DGR event in St. Paul, Minnesota has recently been muddled by Trixie's suggestion to use her (yes, fittingly black-and-white) Triumph Speedmaster 1200 for the 1300 mile ride, citing it's longer range, higher sustainable highway speed capability, larger carrying capacity with it's soft bags and rear fender luggage rack, as well as heated grips if needed (or desired) and cruise control, which kind of is nice to have with this bike due to the weird wrist angle of those old-timey tiller handlebars on this model, which tends to put a crick in my right wrist after about fifty miles.

Of course, riding the Vespa would be epic, and slather me with HUGE 'street cred' at the DGR in Minnesota (You know, "You rode that thing HOW FAR?"), but the Triumph is super classy, relatively great out on the open road, and most importantly, better color-matched to my admittedly silly outfit.

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Hmmm!

An interesting visual 'rabbit hole' that could be fun.

Good idea!

My dog approves of the bow tie. 😂

I vote for the tie which would form a beautiful line to match the suspenders.

I second this!

Another advantage of the straight necktie is that I then have an excellent excuse to buy a Vespa tie clip.

Ok, slight change of DGR footwear here.

I decided to expand the B/W checkerboard theme another notch and now have these on the way...

Could always go into 'deep details' with Vespa cuff links, eh?

Although!

These haven't been entirely ruled out either, there's still time...

Checkerboard Van's, for sure.

Give yourself ample time to break those Checkerboard Vans in, especially in the heel/Achilles area.

If those wingtips have a leather sole, I'd advise against.

BJacklund,

You are the best dressed. Kind of the Roger Stone of the ModernVespa set.

Bob Copeland

Somehow a bowtie seems to me the better look while riding a motorcycle.

JB, the Bow Tie would go nicely with this little number and we live in such a diverse world now who would notice, you never Know you might get a few proposals showing that much leg, then again you may have to use them to run

Rude Boy rides into town (on a Vespa)

I think a pair of Aviators is needed as well

… if you're going for a cartoon villain.

Or just a villain.

I quite prefer this cashmere v-neck

I'm ok with the cartoon villain thing.

Snidely Whiplash comes to mind.

Boris Badenov also works.

Hmmm!

Snidely chases Sweet Nell but never catches her, and Boris already 'has' the diabolical Natasha.

You know what they say, "A Natasha in the hand, is worth two Bells in the bush"...or something like that.

So Boris it is then.

If you need a Clown Suit then McDonald's are still hiring.

Hello Stephen. As always, so good to hear from you.

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

Bill Dog has been ejected from this topic

Sooooo, how 'bout those Dodgers?

Nevermind Bill Dog, that's just his "brand". Post a pic wearing the finalized look. If you're not worried about covering the ankles then the 2 tone wingtips get my vote. Shebalba, what's the deal with leather soles? Too slippery?

Meh, it's an ongoing comedy, just part of the program. I don't let it bother me.

I haven't covered my ankles for five decades, why start now?

Ah chequerboard pattern my favorite, so it has to be the neck tie with chequerboard vans and other chequerboard items of clothing with the Vespa all very classy
If your riding the triumph a whole different outfit would have to be worn to go with it maybe a James Dean style with Winkle pickers big turn ups on a pair of jeans white tee shirt and leather jacket of course a white neckerchief to bring it all together insanely stylish

Van's tryout. All's well.

I need a helmet just like that hard to find one that is painted and clear coated

It's a cool looking old style half helmet, but isn't DOT rated in the US for street use, and although I'm likely to wear it at the DGR ride on the 19th, it isn't something that I'd dare regularly wear otherwise.

I think that I ordered it from a UK or German seller but don't recall which.

Correct, especially if they're more of a dress shoe leather sole, and especially if they're new.

I would suggest a top hat, but I do not know any that are DOT certified.

Problem solved.

https://www.amazon.com/Stickers-Approved-Motorcycle-Helmet-Decals/dp/B08XM3YM56

Make sure you shop Amazon at the bottom of MV to buy 'em.

With those, I don't even need a hat...or helmet for that matter, just stick one on my forehead and I'm gold!

Why would anyone want to dress like Roger Stone? Do you dress like Roy Cohn as well. Find better heroes, old man.