Skip to main content

Posts

Three-Piece Monday. . .

  A cold, blustery day here today, more like January or February that the second half of March.  So, out came the warm, comfortable three-piece number purchased from J. Press back in December for another wearing.   Needless to say, I was overdressed, but that's usually the case almost anywhere one ventures in 2024, so I don't let it bother me anymore.  To the undergrads surrounding me, I'm just that crazy older guy in a suit sitting by himself with his laptop and a large dark roast.   Why in the world would anyone dress up if they don't have to? -- Heinz-Ulrich
Recent posts

The Interview That Wasn't. . .

  W ell, the guy we were supposed to interview today for a video documentary got held up in some sort of budgetary planning meeting (corroborated by the Grand Duchess of all people), so our planned session didn't happen.  Sigh.   Still, it was nice to be dressed in a slightly more understated way.  And you can't go wrong with navy blues and grays.  A bit less dandy than I've been of late The usual suspects here with a vintage Black Watch repp stripe from Reiss of New Haven that somehow, by hook or by crook, made it to the wilds of Central Illinois where I found it in one of my old thrift/charity shop haunts -- a dozen or so years ago -- before we decamped for greener climes. -- Heinz-Ulrich 

Tweed & Cords for Monday. . .

  A bright, sunny late winter day, really more like mid-April, so out came the chocolate suede shoes and belt.  Otherwise, several of the usual suspects rounded up for today's combination.  A bit on the dandy side of things without straying into Sir Watkyn Basset territory.   A very nice collar roll, nevertheless,  if I might be so bold as to say so! The new J. Press purchase arrived Saturday afternoon, and I stopped by the tailor's on the way home for a couple of the usual small alterations.  Should have the jacket back by Friday or Saturday this week just in time for an inaugural wearing next week when it will already be Week 10 of the semester.  Where does the time go? -- Heinz-Ulrich

Books and Coffee on a Saturday. . .

T he Grand Duchess and I escaped for a few hours of "us" time late this (Saturday) morning, following breakfast, to (re-) visit a favorite haunt in Lansing not too far from campus.  Hooked is a neat locally owned bookstore-cafe-wine bar that provides a nice place to while away a couple of calm hours on a Saturday or Sunday.   Always fun to browse, the Grand Duchess left with a new book while I held off since I already have a couple of titles in progress from our last visit in late January-early February.  But a lovely way to spend some time together talking and enjoying the weekend ambiance.  Meanwhile, the Young Master held down the fort at home with Minecraft, Flight Simulator, or some other digital diversion. -- Heinz-Ulrich

"If you see something you want. . ."

  The above photograph has been "borrowed" from the J. Press website. "I f you see something you want," advised my late mother, "buy it.  It won't be there when you go back later."  A favorite (and wise) adage hers that I still follow whenever possible.   So when this item appeared on clearance at J. Press, I mulled it over for a couple of days, and then clicked the requisite boxes to make the online purchase.  Should be here within the week. Once upon a time, I had a similar jacket by Corbin that I foolishly purged before we left Central Illinois ('Illi-noir' anyone?)  for Michigan almost 10 years ago.  Not sure what I was thinking at the time since I did like the item and wore it routinely.   This one will be a bit nicer and help me make sartorial amends.  At least to myself. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Wednesday Attire. . .

  O ne of the more pleasing recent combinations of "The Usual Suspects" today.  In particular, the necktie, jacket, and pocket square seem to compliment each other very well without screaming.  The bottom half is even more subdued but not unattractively so.  Once in a while. . .   My colleague, with whom I work closely although he is in another department, has started turning up to physical and online meetings in a collared shirt and sports jacket, going so far as to admit that he has fallen under my influence sartorially speaking.  It's all about looking professional he maintains.  As Peggy Lee once intoned, "Yes, it's a good day. . ." -- Heinz-Ulrich

Monday Has Gone to the Dogs. . .

  W ell, not really.  But I did enjoy wearing this poodle necktie from Chipp, which has been in the rotation for five or six years.  When I was a child and adolescent at home, the two kinds of dogs we had were either Poodles, or West Highland White Terriers.   As a 20-something, I also house-sat my parents' four Poodles for several summers while in graduate school while Mom and Step-Dad traveled the Ring of Fire and Central Asia among other points on the globe.  Two standards, and two toys.  Wonderful dogs, funny, and full of personality without that oily funk that some other breeds suffer from.  You know it when it hits you. Otherwise, the usual suspects for a day that was more like mid-May than early March.  Temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit, and truthfully the flannel was almost too warm.  This being Michigan, however, I am sure we will have some chilly wet weather before the latter half of June when things typically dry out for a couple of months around here. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Wednesday Oxford Cloth, Silk, Tweed, Cords, and Loafers. . .

  A t home today (Thursday) recording and producing another episode of my course podcast (Episode #104 thank you very much!) to help the students populating my courses navigate their work more effectively.  So, I'm clad today in the usual corduroy jeans and a Rugby pullover.   But yesterday's campus attire was a bit more interesting in the classic style sense.  Many of the usual suspects as I like to call 'em.  Warm, very comfortable, and, while many in 2023 would consider it somehow overdressed nevertheless. very presentable.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

A DB Navy Blazer Monday. . .

  A pleasant combination of items for today although the shot of the 6/2 blazer does illustrate why a bristled clothes brush (Yes, I have one.), a lint roller, or a lint brush is sometimes necessary.  Grrrr.  It's what I get for trying to dress quietly in the early morning darkness of the bedroom without waking the Grand Duchess. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Early February Humpday Style. . .

O k, a little matchy-matchy perhaps, but overall not an unpleasant combination of a few more of the usual suspects.  A gray plaid wool scarf, charcoal overcoat, and gray fedora -- The real thing.  NOT a trilby, which is often called a fedora by people who know no better. -- topped off the ensemble.  Must've done OK though because not one but TWO students paid their compliments as I entered the library this morning and made my way to the cafe.  It has once again become my main space to wade through email, work, think, plan, meet with colleagues, and occasionally watch the world go by between tasks. -- Heinz-Ulrich  

Monday Wool Flannel Three-piece. . .

A number of the usual suspects made up today's attire.  Another not entirely unpleasant, yet extremely warm and comfortable, combination.  A trench coat (with liner zipped in, wool scarf, and Borsalino fedora completed the ensemble on this blustery February day.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

Friday Tweeds, Cords, and Coffee. . .

  I made the sojourn into campus this morning to have some coffee and talk shop with a colleague.  We had an enjoyable discussion for an hour in the recently opened library branch of the global abomination that is Starbuck's .  Can someone explain to me. . .  Why on earth do cities like Vienna and Rome even need them? I am of two minds here.  Starbuck's is handy in a lot of instances.  The coffee isn't bad.  Somewhat better than what is sold in the competing, campus owned and run Sparty's .  And the space in the library, occupied by a branch of Sparty's until early last May, is redesigned, bright, airy, and clean with plenty of new tables, chairs, and outlets for  laptop computers, tablets, and recharging phones.  All very convenient.   Yet it is locally owned, non-corporate cafes that have the character and quirkiness that makes them interesting places in which to kill time, work, and people watch.  Why the campus town adjacent to my employer does not have a bette

Bold Tweed Wednesday. . .

  S omeone, please!  Make him stop!   M y biggest, boldest, baddest tweed jacket (Southwick) was the choice this morning, to mark the final day of January 2024.  Already?  A not displeasing combination of items here in any case.   And although the vintage jacket lapels are a bit wide, I don't worry about it too much given my penchant for even more prominent double-breasted lapels.  Go big, or go home as the saying goes.   Happy February everyone! -- Heinz-Ulrich

Another DB Monday. . .

  A fun suit for today.  One of several vintage heavy wool flannel numbers from Polo that has been in the winter rotation for several years now.  Soft, warm, and every bit as comfortable as a pair of pajamas, yet a bit more acceptable in public.    Not shown are the vintage Polo braces work to hold up the trousers, a Borsalino fedora, and a light gray-tan-taupe trench coat (with liner zipped in) along with my usual tan Allen Edmonds attache case, given to me several birthdays ago by the Grand Duchess.   It's either a suit, or a combination of tweed and cords with sweater, and some kind of necktie four or five days per week during the colder months.  When you dress thusly all of the time, you quickly become part of the scenery and don't raise any eyebrows.   Were more men less worried about sticking out, society, in general, would appear more pulled together than it does at present.  Hey, a guy can dream, right?  -- Heinz-Ulrich

Monday Apres Ski Weekend Style. . .

  T he weekend XC ski getaway sadly over (I could easily indulge the activity four or five days per week weather and snow permitting), it was back to campus bright and early Monday morning.  Another combination of many of the usual suspects here plus the orange SWIMS overshoes, a vintage camel polo coat, Stetson fedora, and long woolen schoolboy scarf rounded out today's ensemble.  As much as my wife and I enjoy what we do for a living, we're already watching the longer term forecast for another possible lost weekend on skis in a few weeks' time.  Propelling oneself through the woods, up hills, and down long descents during a snowy winter day while the trees creak in the breeze, and the only sound is the quiet schuss-schuss of skis gliding along the trail is addictive.   It's amazing how good physical activity makes you feel.  The Grand Duchess has done some kayaking, and I think I'd like to give it a try with her next summer. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Saturday Apres XC Skiing Style. . .

    N ot particularly stylish, but tired, happy, and relaxed after a day of cross-country skiing in the woods and highlands of the Hanson Hills winter recreation area in Northern Michigan.   A wonderful post-ski euphoria you could say -- complete with a thermos of hot chocolate, oranges, cookies, and chocolate -- before we headed back to our weekend rental house for showers, dinner, and hot-buttered rum by the hearth once the Young Master had retired.  I could do this everyday. Up early Sunday to load the car and head to another nearby Nordic center for lessons and a few hours of skiing before heading home mid-afternoon Sunday.  The car was all unloaded and everything stowed by just after 5pm, and we finished the second half of the tuna casserole for dinner an hour or so later following showers.   Again, nothing particularly special about the meal, but it sure hits the spot after physical activity in the winter.   -- Heinz-Ulrich

Frigid Wednesday Style. . .

  E xtremely cold with a mean windchill here in Mid-Michigan today, but warm and toasty in tweed, wood, and corduroy.  Topped off by the usual vintage camel polo coat, long woolen scarf, and a tweed cap given to me by the Grand Duchess for Christmas 2022.   The sweater vest is a recent purchase, having taken advantage of the year end sale at J. Press a couple of weeks back.  Very much Bertie Wooster--Bingo Little--All Creatures Great and Small territory, but it seems to work pretty well beneath the Harris Tweed jacket.   Some days, you just ant something a little more eye-catching than the usual navy or gray crew neck sweater.  Know what I mean? -- Heinz-Ulrich

Snowy Wednesday Style. . .

As above. . . So below. My newly opened "other" office in the main library.  I spend a lot of my time working here each morning.   S omeone give that man a lint brush!  An otherwise nice look spoiled by a linty navy blazer.  Grrrrr.  Otherwise, a pair of overshoes to protect the Allen Edmonds from today's snow and slush although the temperature has dropped appreciably since early morning, and more snow is forecast, so skiing might actually happen this long weekend given Martin Luther King Day next Monday.  By the way, my students always get a kick out of the orange SWIMS, which seem even more popular than the red ones that wore out a winter or two ago. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Snowy Tuesday Style. . .

  N ot a bad effort for the day attire-wise, and the new Mermaid is now open for business in our library (finally after several months of delay) , where I spent a delightful few hours working while taking the occasional sip from a large hot chocolate as the snow fell outside the window.  More of the usual suspects combined in different ways, you understand, and very much in keeping with the usual visage I cultivate during the academic year. -- Heinz-Ulrich      

Spring 2024 Semester Kick-off Style. . .

  D ecided to wear a new three-piece flannel number from J. Press for the start of the new semester/term yesterday.  A pre-Christmas treat for myself after some good news in early December.  Hard to find three-piece suits these days, and I would have preferred navy, but charcoal will do nicely in its stead, thank you very much.  My tailor had it ready in just a week following the usual minor alterations, but I waited until yesterday  to give the suit its first outing.   The slightly messy bow tie is vintage Brooks Bros. and not quite as large as the angle of the photograph makes it seem here.  I also wore some very attractive, Art Deco-inspired vintage Polo braces to hold up the pants.  A pair of wool navy dress socks with very small, dark red polka dots rounded out the ensemble.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

Saturday Cavorting. . .

  D oing the Snow Dance while running midday Saturday errands with the Grand Duchess.  Here, we were on the way to the indoor  Winter Farmers' Market with hot chocolate afterwards when I broke into song and step in an effort to coax some heavy snow from the clouds for local cross-country skiing.  Pretty typical cold weather casual gear here. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Happy 2024 from Classic Style!

N o grand resolutions for the new year?  Then how about the goal of finding small pleasures in the 'physical' everyday for the coming twelve months?  Here are just a few suggestions: 1) Wear a suit once or twice per week -- even if or when you don't HAVE to -- simply to enjoy the pleasure of tailored clothing.  It makes no sense to leave items like these hanging in the closet except for the odd wedding, funeral, or, ahem, court date.  And hey, even a sports jacket or navy blazer, when combined with a pair of odd pants a couple of times per week is a nice habit to cultivate.  The point is, learn to wear and enjoy the nice things we have as part of the weekly routine. 2) Same thing with a fine necktie.  Most of us do not necessarily have to wear one anymore, but most neckties are lovely things and will almost always garner favorable comments.  And if your collar size and knot are done right, it's not uncomfortable. 3) Go the extra distance.  Learn to tie and wear a bow ti

Feast of Stephen Style. . .

  T he Grand Duchess and I enjoyed a couple of hours this afternoon at one of our locally owned bookshop-cafe operations about 10 minute from home.  Just a pleasant change of scenery and a chance for some very light conversation about nothing of great consequence.  It was lovely.   On the bottom half, a pair of red corduroy jeans, navy and green ribbon belt, and the usual chocolate suede camp moccasins sans socks.  One of the baristas complimented the overall look.  Never necessary, but always nice to hear. -- Heinz- Ulrich

Christmas Eve 2023 Stollen Style. . .

  The 2023 stollen as the Grand Duchess dusted it with confectioner's sugar yesterday evening. T he Grand Duchess baked her annual authentic Dresdner stollen yesterday evening, and the festivities can now begin in earnest!  We each sampled a slice with some coffee by the fireside late yesterday evening, and it simply melts in your mouth. We will be cross-country skiing in Canada through New Year's, so things will be quiet here at Classic Style during Christmas Week although I might pop in with a brief skiing style post or two from Ontario if the spirit seizes me.   In the meantime, I wish everyone a peaceful, quiet period.  Goodness knows the world needs more of both. Merry Christmas! -- Heinz-Ulrich