Classic Style

  T here are those days where you run around from one small errand to the next without ever feeling like you have accomplished anything.  Today has been one such day, which kicked off with a visit o our local veterinarian with one of the cats and went from there.   Finally done and home again just in time for the Young Master's arrival home from school in a few minutes.  Some lawn work will follow outside late this afternoon ahead of the anticipated thunderstorms tomorrow. When a whole lot of nothing makes up 2/3 of your day, however, it helps to add a bit of spring to one's step with some comfortable attire as shown in the photographs above.  To wit.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A sunny, pleasantly warm day today, so time for the transition to lighter gear!  A bit busy on top, sure, but from a distance the small grid pattern of the shirt is not too terribly offensive.  A solid shirt would tame things a bit though.  A (genuine) taupe fedora completed the overall look.   And yes.  Of course I stick out like a sore thumb, which runs counter to what constitutes a well-dressed man.  But in 2024, it is very difficult to dress presentably and avoid sticking out given the general lay of the sartorial landscape.   I'm comfortable with sticking out. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  W ell, here we are approaching mid-April.  And it might just be about time to swap the cool and cold weather attire for warmer weather gear this coming weekend.  Mid-70s Fahrenheit yesterday, and low 70s today.  Cooler after that later in the week, but I can probably stow the heavier wool items and cords in the cedar closet and safely bring out the warm weather suits, odd jackets, and pants until the fall. Still time of one last hurrah today however.  Cooler enough this morning for a tan pair of cords paired with that recently arrived J. Press jacket.  The latter is light enough, although it is wool, that I might just keep it handy since we can certainly have chilly days in May and June. While classes end on the April 19th this year, I'll still be on campus occasionally into June, so it's not exactly time for khaki shorts, Madras, seersucker and short-sleeved polo shirts just yet.  There's also  conference coming up in New Orleans at the start of June, so still some oppor

  G oing for a more springtime look today while also taking the edge off the double-breasted suit with the addition of a slightly irreverent necktie.  Not a bad effort, but darker socks, either green or navy, might have worked better I think.   Still, I felt pretty good for this sunny, warm day in April.   It will time soon to carry out my twice yearly wardrobe swap, moving the cool weather items to the cedar closet downstairs just off my office in the (finished) basement and bringing up the warm weather items.  The latter really get most of their use in May and June and/or August through mid-October, depending on when the first cold weather blows through Lower Michigan. But before that happens, let's enjoy donning the linen, seersucker, cotton poplin, chinos, gabardine, and some broadcloth shirts, eh? -- Heinz-Ulrich

    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

S till rather chilly most days here in Mid-Michigan, so the tweed and cords still work well, thank you very much, without causing one to overheat by midday.  A tweed driving cap, trench coat, and gray plaid woolen scarf completed everything. More of the usual suspects, yes, but there is enough in the rotation at this point that it's possible to avoid too much repetition if anyone even notices.   A male student, however, complimented yesterday's ensemble as I walked up a wet sidewalk and entered a university building late yesterday morning.  I replied with a smile and a "Thank you!"  Compliments are never necessary, but always nice to hear. On a related note, a couple of my older blue OCBD shirts have, lamentably, bitten the dust in the last few weeks, so I put together an online order for J. Press last night, and figured I'd also treat myself to a couple of additional (and more colorful) shirts from Mercer & Sons while I was at it.  Not exactly cheap, but yo

  A rather quiet day on campus today.  It seems, given the sunny day and the fact that it is Easter Monday -- which school pupils and college students once upon a time long ago had off --  that many students simply took a personal day whether they went home for the weekend, remained in town on campus.  In any case, yours truly is not one to miss a chance to dress up a bit regardless of the day or occasion.   Still chilly despite the sunshine today, so a wool flannel three-piece remains a good choice.  Soft and toasty warm.  We've seen this vintage Polo number many times before.  However, it has been a long while since the necktie has made an appearance as part of any ensemble.  High time to remedy that omission.   I actually wore this tie on my wedding day back in June 2006, and it never fails to bring an added spring to my step when I wear it.  Must do so again before too long since the semester ends in less than a month, and then, excepting a conference in New Orleans at the star

  T he result of our egg-coloring efforts -- the Young Master and yours truly that is --  for Easter 2024.  Salted hard-boiled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, and perhaps also some Deviled Eggs will inevitably follow.  My maternal grandfather always colored eggs with my sister and me through our high school years on the Saturday of Easter Weekend.  My mother and I continued the tradition into my 20s whenever I managed to be home.  Happy times indeed! -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A nd be so good as to dress presentably should your Sunday plans include a church service and/or a sit-down Easter Dinner at home, or away. Kind Easter Regards, Heinz Ulrich

T he interview that didn't happen a couple of weeks ago was rescheduled for and took place today.  A very interesting hour plus discussion on how artificial intelligence will reshape post-secondary education.  I was the interviewer and dressed, more or less, as usual.  No surprises there.  A cold day today, so tweed, corduroy, oxford cloth, and wool for the most part augmented by a camel polo coat, long woolen scarf and tweed driving cap. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T aking the edge off a 6/2 double-breasted suit today with a prawn necktie, purchased many years ago from Land's End.  Haven't worn either in quite some time, so today is the day. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  M y turn to shuttle the Young Master to an appointment late this (Thursday) morning, so I snapped a couple of quick attire shots as I sat alone in the waiting room.   Now, many people don't grasp why one should dress for doctor, dentist, attorney, or other kinds of appointments with "professionals."  The simple reason is -- much like gate agents and cabin crews when traveling by air -- that you are treated better and command a greater degree of respect when you do not look like you have just tumbled off the back of a turnip truck.   How people approach and interact with you most of the time, like it or not, correlates directly with how you present yourself.  And let's face it.  A logo'ed windbreaker, uncollared shirt, and white socks with athletic shoes simply don't have the same effect. -- Heinz-Ulrich

T he snow squall in which I left the house early this Wednesday morning looked like we might get hammered by a big early spring snow.  Alas, it was not to be.   The warm, comfortable ensemble illustrated here provided solace along with a vintage camel polo coat, a 30+ year-old long school scarf, tweed driving cap, and a pair of well-worn leather driving gloves.  In addition, the combo of items featured Orange SWIMS that have been my foul weather footwear protection for a couple of years now since I replaced the previous red ones, which had finally worn out beyond all repair.   I must have been quite a sight and lacked only the goggles plus a 1930s roadster with the top down.  Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright has nothing on me! Otherwise, more of the usual suspects but with the addition of a recently acquired wool sports jacket from J. Press, purchased a couple of weeks ago on season clearance and freshly returned from the tailor following the usual couple of minor alterations. On second thoug

  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

  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 

  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

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

  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

  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

  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.  [Three breeds actually.  A pair of black Labrador Retrievers when I was very small].  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 Jun

  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 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

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