Feast of Stephen Casual Style. . .

Modelling a new rugby jersey, a Christmas present yesterday from the Grand Duchess.

Things are relaxed here at Totleigh-in-the-Wold the day after Christmas. . .  but they are by no means sloppy.  Corduroy jeans and a rugby top are every bit as comfortable as, and a damn site better looking than, ratty sweats and an old t-shirt or hooded sweatshirt.  If you don't dress up a bit better than average for yourself, then at least do it for the others around you.

For Christmas Dinner yesterday evening, I wore an ocbd shirt in pale green and white university stripes with a red and white MacDonald tartan wool necktie, a navy double-breasted blazer, a pair of herringbone pants in a mottled brown with black tasseled loafers and black leather belt.  The combo was topped off by a very festive red, navy, silver, and orange paisley silk pocket square that I purchased new several years ago just before Christmas in a downtown Chicago department style close to the annual Christkindlmarkt on Daley Square.

The Christmas and New Year's holiday period is a time to have a bit of fun with dressing presentably even though many of us are able to take some time off and remain at home among family and friends.  I suggest we men pull ourselves together not because we must, but because we want to, which might require a shift in our general attitude about how we present ourselves to the world. . .  and those nearest and dearest to us  Would that really be so terrible a thing?

-- Heinz-Ulrich