Skip to main content

Monday Style. . .

 



Almost into full summer mode here at Totleigh in the Wold though scrambling to take care of a few things before departing for the 2024 Teaching Professors Conference in New Orleans later this week.  Don't worry!  I'll shave before then and remain clean-cut during said conference and on either end of the trip to and from.  A visit to the barber tomorrow morning to tame the mane as well.

Now, many will sneer at the chino shorts with their 6" inseam.  I have come to prefer a 9" inseam myself in recent years, but there are still several pairs with the former measurement in the rotation.  Moreover, I like the olive green of this particular pair, so there we are.  In any case, there is no doubt that the addition of a belt elevates even the most casual combination of attire.  Except maybe sweatpants or pajama bottoms.

A couple of my students about 10 or a dozen years ago once asked if I ever wore sweatpants, to which I replied (honestly), "Yes, but never in public."  They were incredulous.  For the record, I have a single pair of University of Wisconsin-branded gray sweats and pull them out for particularly cold late fall or winter days, a few times year, when I do not plan to venture out of the house.   Otherwise these reside in my bottom dresser drawer. 

But back to the immediate future later this week!

Travel and conference attire will consist of the usual navy blazer, a couple of pairs of pleated dress chinos, and three oxford cloth button-down collar shirts with a couple of knit silk ties, penny loafers and matching braided leather belt.  Not as formal as a suit, perhaps, but harder wearing given the indignities of domestic air travel.  Seats in first/business class will make that a bit easier to bear.  Well worth the added expense given the infrequency with which I fly these days.

Oh, yes!  And a Panama hat of course.  I know, I know.

-- Heinz-Ulrich





Comments

Post a Comment

All opinions are welcome here. Even those that differ from mine. But let's keep it clean and civil, please.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

Popular Posts

Four Little Words. . .

  R egardless of the cut of one's sports jacket, odd pants, suit, or shirt collar, four key words spring to mind when it comes to being intentional about our attire, personal habits, daily interactions and so much else.  Here they are: Polish -- Good manners and ease with people. Sophistication --  Refinement, good taste, and subtlety in not only a social context but also the cultural and intellectual senses . Finesse --  Sensibility, grace, and social competence. Awareness -- Perspective, empathy, and emotional intelligence    And my point?  We should strive to cultivate these qualities in ourselves with (more) conscious intent.  More of the four within and from everyone would make the world in 2024 a far more pleasant place in which to live and operate.  Best of all, these four things cost nothing, making them accessible to everyone regardless of education level or income bracket. -- Heinz-Ulrich
Post a Comment
Read more

J. Press Goodness. . .

    F resh out of the UPS box, three examples of J. Press goodness on a Friday morning.  These shirts are replacements for three recently worn-through, more than 20-year old OCBDs from Land's End (two) and L.L. Bean (one).  They were purchased shortly after I took my first teaching position at a now defunct local college outside of Minneapolis, immediately following graduate school, as the fall semester kicked off in September 2003. While some professional gear hung in my closet already, a few additional items were needed at that point to round out the weekly rotation. Said shirts all finally fell prey to small rips showing up in the now very thin, but incredibly comfortable, fabric within six weeks of each other this winter and early spring.  So, time for a few replacements.  The old friends will find new life as summertime lawncare shirts.  Of the three new items above, my favorite shirt is on the right, but one cannot go wrong with a light blue OCBD either, so we're in good
2 comments
Read more

Saturday Barbershop Style. . .

  The Young Master gets a trim.  #3 on the sides and back with just enough to part on top.  His request. O f course, it's not all waxing poetically about suits and sports jackets here at Classic Style .  Sometimes, we must come back down to Earth and take care of more domestic duties.  Such was the case midday today (Saturday), when I shuttled to Young Master to our barber for a trim and clean-up.  I've always assumed the role of barbershop-visit-facilitator since he was very small, but it shouldn't be too many more years before I can toss him the keys, and the Young Master can take himself.   By the way, we patronize the Williamston Barbershop , a quirky but lively establishment about 10 minutes from the house.  The shop is always busy, filled with music of one kind or another, and bubbling with related chat and laughter.  And then there are the framed movie and band posters that adorn the walls along with stuffed game birds, fish, and deer antlers.   "Pure Michigan&q
3 comments
Read more