Classic Style

As I said to my wife when we were looking over our photographs post-supper last night, "Ignore the ass in the jacket!" Y esterday, my wife, The Grand Duchess, and I celebrated ou r 10th wedding anniversary.  I gave her with a pair of Italian sterling silver earrings, cycling tights along with a high resolution yellow cycling jacket, and an all too rare dinner out on the town sans child, something we have not done by ourselves in almost a year.  Our son the Young Master is only borderline ASD, but he can be difficult to handle at times when the routine is interrupted.  God bless Mrs. P., his para-professional from school, who came over for a few hours to keep him occupied and prepare him for bedtime. Anyway, we tried a local eatery -- The River House Inn -- and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  The weather was cool for late June with low humidity and a light breeze, so we were able to have our wine, meal, and dessert along the shady banks o the Red Cedar River....

Strawberries from the supermarket never seem to taste quite as good as these.  And then there is the heavy cream of course I t's that point in the (early) summer, so instead of an actual lunch today, we enjoyed fresh strawberries picked by the Grand Duchess and Young Master this morning along with real whipped cream (my contribution) and shortcakes.  Definitely not heart-smart, but delicious.  Ahhhh. . .  I also now feel better prepared for a game of chess with Bengt Ekerot. -- Heinz-Ulrich

For your classic style erudition and enjoyment, another great old Laurence Fellows (?) illustration, apparently showing a gabardine suit. I just learned of the relaunch of a much missed blog, entitled Style Over Fifty , which presents all manner of musings and practical information on how to present oneself in a more stylish way.  And you don't have to be of a certain age either.  There promises to be plenty at this blog for guys of any age who either want, or realize the need to kick up their everyday style a few notches.  Click on the link above to be transported magically to the blog in question, or you can find the link in my list of 'Interesting Style Links' along the right-hand side of this page. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Ahhhh. . .  Nothing quite like the feel of a freshly ironed Madras shirt in the summer.  Olive green chino shorts with green surcingle belt and the ubiquitous leather dock-sider shoes on the bottom. I t is so easy to look a bit better and yet appease the almighty gods of comfort with summer weight Madras, poplin, or seersucker shirts and a pair of chino shorts.  You can wear this stuff to mow the grass at home, drink a glass of midday iced tea on the rear patio or back porch, read a book in the hammock, walk to the mailbox, or hop in the car and make a quick run to the super market for those forgotten hamburger buns.  All without embarrassing yourself with a sloppy, rumpled and/or/probably stained appearance.  Your spouse or partner will appreciate the small effort you make to look better than the mean even if he or she says nothing.  These things do not go unnoticed.  Trust me. -- Heinz-Ulrich

A vintage Corbin madras jacket -- Guess which one! -- and two linen-silk numbers from Southwick. S pending time down in the basement office here at Totleigh-in-the-Wold this Friday afternoon after enjoying a popsicle with my son The Young Master who concluded his kindergarten year of school with a half-day.  It has, moreover, been sev er al weeks since the last style post of any consequence has appeared here , so I thought that I would share three loosely related snippets now. ********** I finally found a new tailor, who really seems (pun unintended) to know his stuff when it comes to menswear.  Originally from Vietnam, the proprietor of Unique Tailors and Cleaners has run his shop for 17 years above, of all places, the local Meijer's supermarket!  The shop is bright, clean, and busy with lots of customers and the various items they bring to the shop hanging in neat rows right behind the counter.  Best of all, turn-around is at right about a week althoug...