BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / John's clothing style

**Posted by Vhanja** February 1, 2016 2:46 pm

This might be a cultural thing, but I feel that John dresses... a bit old. Checkered shirts, cardigans, vest... not to mention that long coat he wore in TEH (when visiting 221B again for the first time in two years). Most men I've seen that dresses like that aren't a day under 70.

But, as mentioned, could be a cultural thing. Perhaps it's a more usual style for men in their early 40s in England? Do you guys know? What do you think of John's clothing style?

I really like his black jacket with the leather pads, that is a really nice looking jacket. But I feel that mostly everything elses he wears seem... not cheap, but very traditional, old-fashioned - almost "boring". Like something you would find senior citizens in a brown pub wearing.

**Posted by Little Weed** February 1, 2016 3:03 pm

My dad doesn't even dress like John Watson and he's 67 this year. I think it's just his style... maybe he dresses like his own dad... unconsciously? He certainly dresses like Sherlocks dad...

**Posted by tonnaree** February 1, 2016 3:05 pm

I think it's a telling bit of John's character. His clothing is deceptively dull and contributes to the way people underestimate him. Unlike Sherlock, I think John would rather avoid the spotlight and that also influences his style of dress.

**Posted by Little Weed** February 1, 2016 3:10 pm

Yes it's ultra conservative and very boring... wallflower...

Last edited by Little Weed (February 1, 2016 3:11 pm)

**Posted by tonnaree** February 1, 2016 3:19 pm

Now Martin's style.................................that's a horse of a completely different color.

**Posted by Vhanja** February 1, 2016 3:20 pm

I actually read a great thing in a fanfic that more or less became my head canon - that John deliberately dressed and acted in a way that made him seem boring and harmless, as that was a great way to hide the fact that he was nothing but. A disguise, really. Similar to what you mentioned, tonnaree.

I like that idea.

Last edited by Vhanja (February 1, 2016 3:21 pm)

**Posted by Little Weed** February 1, 2016 4:31 pm

I think it is... almost like a uniform... and the colours certainly are sandy like his uniform would have been... camouflage.

**Posted by Lilythiell** February 1, 2016 9:37 pm

Vhanja wrote:
I actually read a great thing in a fanfic that more or less became my head canon - that John deliberately dressed and acted in a way that made him seem boring and harmless, as that was a great way to hide the fact that he was nothing but. A disguise, really. Similar to what you mentioned, tonnaree.

I like that idea.

I've read that fic -and I, too, share that headcanon.
No wonder Sherlock's so intrigued by John. He knows that the art of disguise is hiding in plain sight, and what does he do here but that?
A disguise meant to fend off any boring person, I suppose? A disguise that Sherlock sees through, because he's not boring.

**Posted by nakahara** February 1, 2016 10:37 pm

tonnaree wrote:
I think it's a telling bit of John's character. His clothing is deceptively dull and contributes to the way people underestimate him. Unlike Sherlock, I think John would rather avoid the spotlight and that also influences his style of dress.

Maybe John is like... practical, more than deliberately dull?
At the beginning of the series, he lives only from his pension and the clothes he wears may be dictated more by necessity than his personal likes or dislikes... also, they are practical, working clothes. It´s easy to move in them, they are great to blend in when you are between people, they are nothing special and can be discarded if torn or damaged during an adventure... good for danger-addict.

**Posted by KeepersPrice** February 1, 2016 11:04 pm

Interesting......Quite awhile back, when the series first started, I read an interview where the costumers said that they dressed John as "urban chic".

**Posted by Little Weed** February 1, 2016 11:17 pm

Urban chic? Maybe... I mean I think it's definately a style but it's a bit reminiscent of those guys who dressed as grandad style in the 70's on purpose...

**Posted by besleybean** February 2, 2016 6:37 am

I believe Martin feels John is quite stylish!

**Posted by nakahara** February 2, 2016 7:39 am

KeepersPrice wrote:
Interesting......Quite awhile back, when the series first started, I read an interview where the costumers said that they dressed John as "urban chic".

Bit of a hipster, yes...

**Posted by Liberty** February 2, 2016 8:04 am

It has definitely been fashionable in recent years for young men to wear rather retro clothes - checked shirts, vests, cardigans, etc.

**Posted by Vhanja** February 2, 2016 9:34 am

Lol, John the hipster?

**Posted by nakahara** February 2, 2016 9:36 am

Vhanja wrote:
Lol, John the hipster?

Isn´t he one?

**Posted by Vhanja** February 2, 2016 9:47 am

Martin might be a bit hipster-y, but I never thought of John as one.

**Posted by tonnaree** February 2, 2016 2:11 pm

Vhanja wrote:
Martin might be a bit hipster-y, but I never thought of John as one.

Martin is absolutely NOT a hipster. He's got real class.

And thank god neither Martin nor John have one of those disgusting shabby Hipster beards.

Last edited by tonnaree (February 2, 2016 2:12 pm)

**Posted by besleybean** February 2, 2016 5:01 pm

I second that emotion.

**Posted by Tribut** February 18, 2021 7:33 am

i really love the way he dresses i love nearly all the shirts he's wearing