Casual Need Not Mean Slovenly. . .

The attire for a mid-October Casual Friday at home in the basement den.  Or as we like to call it around here, Zum Stollenkeller.

You know, it's entirely possible, and not that difficult, to look presentable and 'be comfortable' (an apparent obsession for the 99% here in the United States).  For instance, throw on an old oxford cloth button-down collar shirt (tucked in) with a sweater over top, a well-worn pair of tan corduroy jeans (with a belt), and a pair of leather docksiders, or the suede version thereof, on a cool, crisp mid-October morning, and you're all set.  Drop off the Young Master at preschool, vacuum the rugs on the first and second floor, and put away said boy's clean laundry.  Or just sit down for some quiet 'me time' with the felines and another mug of coffee before getting to all of that.  You look relaxed, yet pulled together. . . Nice even.  Three-piece suit and tie not required.

The Norwegian fisherman's sweater pictured above -- the genuine 'Made in Norway' article actually -- is a recent purchase of an old model that used to be sold by L.L. Bean.  Sadly, the company ceased offering these quite a while ago although I managed to purchase another, in navy and cream, on seasonal clearance during the winter of 1993.  That sweater also gets routine wearing during cooler months and has also cropped up here at The Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style now and then.  

This particular cream and charcoal model is identical to one given to me for a birthday way back in '92 by Mom and Step-dad, which I still have and wear.  However, when I spotted it in the An Affordable Wardrobe online store 10 days or so ago, I snapped it up since I prefer these more plain, 'everyday' versions of the Norwegian sweater to the fancier (and much more expensive) versions made and sold by Dale of Norway.  I've got a couple of those too, but they work less well for casual wear. 

By the way, and in much the same way as quality leather dress shoes, Norwegian sweaters wear like iron and will last for years with just a bit of care and maintenance.  They are perfect attire for a fall afternoon raking leaves outside, a walk around the neighborhood, joining some friends or the family at the local cafe for some hot chocolate and something sweet, or a snowy winter's evening before the hearth.  They also look good peeking out from beneath a tweed sports jacket. . .  or even the right sort of leather jacket.  In much the same way as I wrote recently in a letter of reference for a student, I recommend the Norwegian fisherman's sweater without reservation.  It is an ideal and slightly more sophisticated replacement for the ubiquitous, and invariably grubby,  fleece or 'hoodie.' 

-- Heinz-Ulrich

My more usual pose. . .  A coffee addict's version of mainlining.