Wednesday Zoom Office Hours Style. . .

As above. . .

So below.

The attire chosen for today's online office hour and later meeting. I have not donned this particular combination of items, the blazer and pants routinely hang together on one hanger, since before mid-March last year when we suddenly found ourselves in lock-down, all learning was suddenly shifted to an online mode of delivery, and the majority of my waking hours began to be spent at home.

Like many others, there was less occasion to dress along traditional lines for work. Most days, in cooler weather during the academic year from September through the end of April here in the U.S. at least, it is either a Rugby top or long-sleeved flannel shirt (tucked in with a belt) and corduroy jeans in one color or another with suede camp moccasins.

However, I still make the effort two or three times a week to dress for online Zoom meetings with students and colleagues. And you know what? I enjoy doing so, damn it! Dressing presentably really does pick up one's spirits in a way that more casual clothing simply cannot. It certainly puts an added spring to my step for several hours on either side of such meetings online.

But back to the combination of items for today. After so long, I'm terribly pleased with both the look and fit of this particular double-breasted blazer and gray flannel pants, worn here with silk navy and paisley braces since I've lost about two inches around my waist since last September.

Wearing a belt with pants that are now slightly roomy results in buckling material around the waist, which is slightly uncomfortable. Braces have the added benefit of keeping your pants where that ought to be all day rather than unsightly drooping or sagging around the rear end and hips along with constantly hitching up the offending garments.

There is nothing quite like putting on clothes you have not worn for more than six months, and everything fits and drapes better than it ever has. The recent weight loss has meant that shirts once again have ample room across the shoulders and chests, collars are much more comfortable when buttoned and worn with a necktie, and pants/trousers no longer pull across the seat. Jackets and suit coats too hang like they should with no gapping at the vents since there is less of, well, one's seat.

Ah, vanity.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

P.S.

Best of all, I managed to squeeze in a little over an hour on my skis this afternoon. The trails were a bit on the icy side and need to be regroomed, but the sun was bright, the air and snow temperatures cold, and I had the place to myself, seeing only one other skier during my two circuits around one network of the marked trails. I came home tired, relaxed, and content (though not overly winded) in a way that only intense physical exercise can achieve.

J. Press Goodness. . .

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

Time for the Ol' Switcheroo?

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

Job Talk #3. . .

C andidate #3 is, for my money, the person for the job. Considerable experience, broad perspective, well-connected throughout the college and university due to an array of collaborative pursuits of one kind or another, coherent and detailed vision laid out for the next three years and beyond. Yes. I am not on the committee that makes the recommendation to the dean, who will make the final decision and send the letter, but, were it up to yours truly, this is the guy. And he wore an actual suit (mid-gray), dress shoes, white shirt, and necktie as an added plus. 20 years or so my junior, but someone gets it. -- Heinz-Ulrich

CharlottesvilleFebruary 3, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Another nice look, Heinz-Ulrich. I almost always wear single breasted coats and blazers, but like you I make the occasional exception, and a DB navy blazer with gray flannels is one of the best exceptions one can make. Well done!
WSTKS-FM WorldwideFebruary 4, 2021 at 3:40 AM
Thank you, Charlottesville!

Best Regards,

H-U

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