Classic Style: Casual Friday

Friday, warm, and with bright blue skies. Springtime just like it out to be, so why not break out some more Madras?

Here's one possible way to do Casual Fridays a bit better than is the sad norm in many places these days. Perhaps the most interesting item pictured here is the vintage Rooster cotton Madras necktie, which was actually handwoven in India and sold at one of the now defunct Carroll Reed Ski Shops in New England. I stumbled on it in a vintage clothing store in Champaign, Illinois two or three summers ago and picked it up for less than US$5. And then there are the Allen Edmonds spectator shoes, something you never see in my corner of the world.

The khakis and shirt are slightly rumpled, which strike me as perfect for a relaxed end-of-the-week morning in early May. The blazer is one of four in my wardrobe -- two heavy flannel ones for winter and two lighter for spring and summer -- and is the lightest in weight. During the summers, when there is little occasion for me to dress for anything beyond shorts and short sleeves, it is my go to jacket for those occasional visits to the dentist, or errands where I need to look more pulled together and like I might possibly know which end is up.

As I always say to my students, "If you aren't interested in what I have to say at the front of the room, then I might at least be somewhat interesting to look at for 50-75 minutes, depending on the day of the week." Attire today notwithstanding, I had 'em rolling in the aisles with my Good Fellas imitation at the end of the 10am class. The context was what might happen if any students in that class fail to deliver finalized term papers by the appointed due date in about ten days' time. Don't mess with the Godfather!

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

This is how it's done. Business Casual the RIGHT way, ladies and gentlemen. Even during the summer months. A photograph (taken by Studio B Portraits ) which appeared in 425 Business Magazine in May 2017. T his post on the problem of business casual dress began as a quick postscript to a previous blog entry last week but quickly grew and grew as additional thoughts occurred, were developed in more detail, and revisions made. So much so, that it seemed, eventually, like a better idea to make the initial P.S. afterthought into its own entry . Are ya ready, Freddy? Then, here we go. . . ------------ U nless you actually plan to sell beach snacks and trinkets on Cozumel, become a serial barista, or greet customers at a fancy nightclub after taking out huge student loans to attend university somewhere for four or five years, plus an MBA afterward, it's really a better idea to err on the side of (somewhat) more formal work attire any time you head into the

The Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style Now on Ebay!!!

Another great old Laurence Fellows illustration of menswear from the classic era, the 1930s. T he Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style is up and running on Ebay. -- 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

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