Classic Style

  A slightly more casual look today for the second of four writing group sessions on campus this summer.  Organized by one of our associate deans, several of us have committed to joining each other once a month as accountability partners.  In other words, we set up shop with our laptops around a huge table in an air-conditioned room and work in silence for three hours (lunch provided) on our respective projects. Uninterrupted by children, pets, spouses, UPS deliveries, shiny doodads on the desk, or anything else that might interfere with prolonged concentration.  It's amazing what you can get done with a chunk of time like that. Attire-wise, another variation of the typical uniform but with a distinctly summertime vibe this time around.  I didn't shave this morning (I know, I know. . .), so I decided to forgo the usual necktie of some kind and go with an open-necked shirt instead.  Mercer & Sons this time with a vintage Brooks Brothers jacket, Land's E...

  I decided to skip the final half-day of the conference and spend Sunday with my sister instead.  Following a late breakfast, we spent the day together talking family, taking a couple of wonderfully long walks around the Cathedral District, followed by dinner and later coffee with popsicles (iced lollies?) up on the roof of her building, one of many spectacular refurbished apartment buildings in the area, which were built during the 1920s and 30s.  Fear not, I packed a couple of pairs of chino shorts, a casual belt, leather boat shoes, and a few short-sleeved sport shirts for our late afternoons and evenings at home. Monday (yesterday), it was up and at 'em early for the flights home to Michigan and the fourth version of the preferred travel-conference 'kit.'  Once again, the attire for the day included a third broadcloth shirt from J. Press as well as the same blazer pictured in previous 2025 conference trip posts.   Back to the olive green chinos, which ...

  T he third iteration of this year's travel-conference attire, featuring the same J. Press blazer and another broadcloth shirt.  The first thing I did when the blazer and shirts arrived earlier this spring was take the former to my tailor for the usual minor alterations.  I also asked him to move my university buttons from the previous 20-year old blazer to this one, personalizing it a bit in the process.   While there were a number of other men in evidence sporting the occasional suit, odd sports jacket, and even a nave blazer or two, I was the only one among almost 700 participants dressed thusly.  And boy oh boy, what others have advised is true.  If you're gonna wear a full suit, don't forget the necktie.  It looks decidedly odd without one.  Far easier to pull off a tie-less look with a blazer of sports jacket.   By and large, however, and keeping in mind this was an academic conference, most of the men in attendance presented...

  A nother variation of my preferred attire for conference travel and attendance although, depending on season, I dress similarly Monday through Friday during the academic year here at home too.  Although I like wearing suits when I meet with my students for classes, but that's a subject for another time.   The broadcloth shirt and blazer are J. Press items purchased in March or April of this year.  The thinking was that, while I have plenty of cooler season gear, lighter weight items for the summer and even early fall were in short supply.  So, I bit the bullet and made a few different purchases with that in mind.   Not inexpensive by typical standards, but quality items that will provide many years of wear and look good with proper care maintenance.  It's that very sensible idea of quality over quantity. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T o my mind, there is no more perfect male travel-conference uniform than a navy blazer, penny loafers, and chinos. We always called 'em "khakis". . .  even when they're not. With this particular combination of garments, its easy to combine various other items as and when necessary with almost no thought at all.   Topped off by a Panama hat, the ensemble made for a comfortable, yet distinctive appearance that garnered compliments and special perks throughout the five-day jaunt to and from Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Teaching Professor Conference.  My own contribution was a poster session on the use of podcast audio to support students in a hybrid course setting.   In addition, I attended a number of other very interesting sessions, and made several new contacts.  Exhausting, but enjoyable made more so by the fact that I stayed with my sister, who lives less than five minutes from the National Cathedral and Embassy Row.   -- Heinz-Ul...

  E very now and then, the Grand Duchess and I manage to sneak away for a few hours in Ann Arbor to have lunch, visit our favorite cafe, and do some window shopping plus drop by a few bookstores.  We always marvel at how different the vibe is between East Lansing and Ann Arbor even though both are home to R1 institutions of higher learning. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  An image of the Buck Mason navy blazer borrowed from the J. Press website. O ur son the Young Master showed up at home yesterday (Friday) afternoon with his navy blazer in hand and the following story. His history teacher had the kids in the 9th Grade class giving oral presentations about the subject they are currently examining earlier in the week.  Extra credit was offered for "dressing up."  He had the presence of mind to open his closet and take his navy blazer (with red plaid cotton pocket handkerchief) to school -- quietly and without fanfare -- on Tuesday for his own solo presentation that morning.   And apparently, both teacher and classmates were bowled over by both the presentation content as well as the Young Master's attention to sartorial detail (blazer over the rugby jersey of the day with jeans and the ubiquitous sneakers).  Ok, maybe not exactly what some of us more traditional oldsters might combine with such a jacket, but he was in the b...

  S oft air, partly sunny, and quiet following the Young Master's departure for school aboard the big yellow bus this morning.  Perfect for another cup of coffee and then a trip down the road to the supermarket for the week's groceries.   Normally, the Grand Duchess handles this particular chore, but she is away at a conference in South Korea this week, so yours truly is picking up the slack.  In any case, a good excuse to get moving today, brush my teeth, dress presentably, and take care of things before lunch.  That frees me up for re-mulching duties this evening after dinner once the Young Master plants himself in front of the TV for an hour or so before bedtime.  I'll don some older clothes for that particular task of course. Classes have been finished for just over two weeks, final course grades were submitted last Monday, and the Spring 2025 semester/term is now well and truly over although one failure contacted me just a few days ago to ask abou...

  W ith the possible exception of lawn care activities, cleaning out the garage, or changing the oil in your car, there's never any reason not to look reasonably presentable.  People can argue to the contrary all they want in 2025, but I will stick to my guns on that one.  Looking as if you have perpetually rolled out from beneath Oscar the Grouch's garbage can two minutes ago is not how to go through life.  The mindset and habit neither make (nor maintain) a decent impression, do not instill confidence among others, and do not encourage people to take seriously anything that one might have to say. Of course, I recognize and revel in my outlier status. With this particular contrarian approach to personal appearance in mind, I took the opportunity to attire myself as usual for the first session of a summer writing group on campus Monday morning.  About 10 of us will meet once a month between May and August to work in each others' proximity on campus, have lunch, ...

  Vivian Surratt Stokes-Williams (1945-2020) Vivian Jesse Bennett Roberts Stokes (1917-2007)   The Grand Duchess, December 2024 Clowning with my sister in Washington, D.C., late June 2022 M y sister sent me the top two photographs via text of our mother and maternal grandmother early today, both which were taken sometime in the early 1960s.  I believe the top photo was my mother's high school graduation photograph, or taken just before she started at Washington University that September.  To the women in our lives who somehow keep everything glued together by hook or by crook.  Happy Mother's Day 2025. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he Grand Duchess and I attended an afternoon party hosted by a colleague this (Saturday) afternoon for about 90 minutes.  This being Michigan, I was horribly overdressed, but the various women in attendance made an effort and looked the nicer for it.  The best part was that we cut it short to pick up a few things at the supermarket and come home where we will enjoy dinner on our screened back porch where I snapped these pictures before we left for the party.   Socializing is nice in limited doses, but after a busy couple of weeks and a conference, I'd rather spend time at home with the Grand Duchess, Young Master, and the cats.  With apologies to the young Michael Caine, know what I mean? -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A sunny but cool spring day yesterday for the in-person day of our annual internal spring conference on teaching and learning at my institution.  Well-attended and busy with a number of male professors and administrators actually attired in suits and neckties, or some combination of sports jacket and odd pants. One administrator even sported a very nice pair of black leather cap toe oxford shoes.  Not something you see everyday here in Mid-Michigan where it's usually sneakers or some kind of work boot, but then he is from another country after all.  Rather than my usual navy blazer, I decided to go with this particular Glen Plaid number on the top just to shake things up a bit.  Worn with a light blue OCBD shirt from J. Press and vintage Black Watch regimental necktie by Reis of New Haven that I stumbled across many years ago at my preferred thrift/charity shop in our old stomping grounds of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.  Otherwise, a good day all around...

A day filled with appointments -- sigh -- and a final online office hour session for students.  Cool but sunny though, so perfect for a transitional combination of items.  Looking very forward to being done with final grades, an internal conference next week, and then I can start my summer project, which has been on hold the last two or three weeks given the typical end of semester crunch.  I mentioned to a colleague about two weeks ago that even with the best lead plans, the spring term always ends up like this as we move through the latter half of April toward finals.  In a word, exhausting. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  N ot a suit today, but an odd jacket-odd pants combo.  Pretty certain I have not yet worn these two items during the fall-winter-early spring 2025 season.   Since it was chilly this morning, however, I had the perfect opportunity to trot out the jacket and trousers, which reside on the same hanger.  Both vintage items, thrifted long ago in our old stomping grounds of Central Illinois.  Combined here with various newer items to make up a relatively pleasing ensemble.   But we are well into the latter half of April.  About time now to stow my colder weather gear and bring out the lighter things for late spring, summer, and early fall.  Eager to become acquainted with those old friends once again. -- Heinz-Ulrich

    S hould your plans include a church service today with possibly a special brunch afterwards, or holiday dinner later, I hope you might dress with the occasional in mind. Happy Easter! -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A relatively staid (for me) combination of items today for no other reason than I felt like wearing a suit.  Shock!  Horror!  Gasp!  Yes.  I'm so ashamed.  The shirt collar is a bit rumpled, but not offensively so.  Unlined in other words.  I smoothed it later in the day. Typically, I have been wearing full suits on Mondays when my hybrid courses meet face-to-face during the 2024-2025 academic year.  Not consistently every week, but most of them.  It certainly sets a more formal tone than many students are used to in the college classroom these days, creating a bit more distance between us. Some might view that intentional boundary negatively.  I do not.  After all, I am not their bud, bro, or BFF.  Old school? Indeed.  My function is to try to teach them something and, in the process, cultivate a bit of critical thinking along with collaborative problem-solving.  The suited approach certainly seems to ke...

A few recent purchases from J. Press have arrived in the last week and a couple of days. Given how easy I am on clothes (and shoes), with routine care they should be able to bury or cremate me in a few of these items.   The purchase has little to do with the ongoing geopolitical clown show. . .  with anticipated steep rise in prices for just about everything.  Rather, it was simply time to replace a 20+ year-old blazer that is starting to look its age (along with shoulders that were always slightly too pronounced).  There were also a couple of Christmas e-gift cards burning a figurative hole in my pocket. -- Heinz-Ulrich  

  A cold, mostly cloudy Monday here today with snow flurries and, according to a colleague who lives over that way, whiteout conditions at times in the Detroit suburbs.  April in Michigan, eh?   Good thing I set out various cold weather items before bedtime last night.  A not displeasing combination if I do say so myself.   By the way, the corduroy pants, a recent Christmas gift from the Grand Duchess, are listed as 'Rose.'  That probably translates to 'pink' for most people, but ah well.  I like 'em fine, and they work nicely with various other pieces in the winter rotation. -- Heinz-Ulrich 

  A somewhat more relaxed approach to teaching and learning at the college-level this morning.  Once a month, typically on Fridays, a colleague and I host a small online faculty learning community (officially sanctioned by our institution) on digital learning and collaborative problem-solving, something we've done for the last three academic three years.  Besides the few MSU faculty who join us, the community also includes a few professors from other institutions here in the U.S. and several from India and Nepal, who join us late in the mid- to late evening their time.   Much of our ongoing discussion -- a remarkable blend of Global English, Hindi, Nepalese, and one or two indigenous Himalayan languages -- during the last two years has been about how artificial intelligence is already influencing and changing higher education.  We focus our discussions on how we might get out ahead of that development in ways that actually contribute to student learning, s...

  W ell, it might be spring according to the calendar, but it certainly looked, felt, and acted more like winter today.  Gusty winds, cold temperatures, and occasional snow flurries.  Ideal weather for a vintage flannel three-piece suit by Polo.   Worn with braces, Merino wool dress socks, and the necktie of my alma mater.  A staid but not unpleasant combination of items for trotting students through one last in-class work session on their second collaborative project ahead of the Friday evening due date.  My beige trench coat and tweed driving cap completed the ensemble.  A fedora was my first inclination but I feared the wind might lift that from my head and lead to regrets.  The driving cap, by contrast, managed to avoid the wind gusts and remain seated firmly in place during those outdoor sojourns while on campus today. -- Heinz-Ulrich          

  Y et another variation of the usual theme for this cold, snowy, and wet Thursday in the latter half of March.  The combination of the shirt, jacket, and this particular necktie, which has been in the rotation for close to 20 years, is a favorite.  I actually keep the jacket and this pair of dress cords on the same hanger, making it easy to piece in the other items without a whole lot of thought, and Bob's your uncle.  Showered, shaved, and out the front door before you know it. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A nother one of those blasted very early in the morning appointments today, this time to have a filling replaced at the dentist.  Actually, an easy in and out given the time I arrived.  It was so early, they took me back and got to work without delay.  Something to be said for that.  The shot of Novocaine to the gums, not so much. ------------   I have a very old friend, who I've known for 40+ years.  We go way back and played in a few hard rock bands together in around Philadelphia back during the heady days of the 1980s.  The two of us still talk about twice a year, and once in a while the subject of personal attire comes up.   His take is that he enjoys looking nice, but doesn't have a lot of time.  My own position, as you might recall, is that looking reasonably good needn't require much time at all provided your have a few essential items hanging in your closet that can be mixed and matched without a whole lot of thought....

    A fter a morning and early afternoon of Zoom meetings with various committees and a couple of working groups, I drove the 10 minutes into East Lansing to Whole Foods to pick up some things for the evening meal.  At the checkout counter, the cashier (female, approximately mid-20s) complimented the attire shown and asked where I'd been today.   I thanked her and replied that I had been in online meetings all day at home, and added that this was the first opportunity, just after 4pm, I had managed to get out of the house.  Big smile from her with the reply "Well, now you've had a compliment!" The admittedly flirty exchange outlined above supports a point that I make here with some regularity.  One, women of almost any age notice a man dressed somewhat more nicely that has become the average.  Two, dressing even reasonably well can turn mundane tasks into pleasant exchanges.   As I mentioned in a recent post, preaching to the choir here ...

  C ool once more here in Mid-Michigan today, even chilly this morning with frost in the night.  Ideal weather for a heavy, wool flannel double-breasted suit with the added pizzazz of a self-tie bow tie.   Managed to get the latter tied on the second attempt this morning, and it looks reasonably imperfect.  Part of the charm of a bow tie as I explained to the Grand Duchess in reply to her question as I prepared to leave for campus early this morning.   A trench coat (with liner zipped in), gray plaid wool scarf, and a felt fedora completed the picture.  All set for a late lunch with Barmy and Tuppy at The Drones' Club. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A slightly more casual iteration of the usual Monday through Friday uniform here at Totleigh in the Wold.  The occasion was a faculty learning community a colleague and I were leading, as guest facilitators, on how to integrate and support international students more effectively within the college writing classroom.   It went reasonably well, but the discussion around our presentation and reflective questions leads me tho suspect we were not telling people anything that they did not already know.  Ah, well.  A pleasant hour and now it's done.  Certainly many other things in need of doing this coming week.   The latter half of the spring semester, in particular, is always brutal with the speed at which time elapses and the sheer number of tasks to address within that seven or eight week window.  It's almost head-spinning. -- Heinz-Ulrich