Double-breasted Whales. . .

 

 

The upper half of today's ensemble.  The navy silk necktie with tiny green whales is worn with a very comfy old spread collar shirt that is just starting to fray along the cuff edges and collar points.  Sadly, it will need to be retired from the dress rotation before long.  But it irons up well and feels almost like silk once on.

 

And the lower half, featuring one of three or four pairs of black dress shoes that get far less wear than those in brown, tan, or cordovan.  Navy silk braces with dark red paisleys  hold up the pants.

Having a little fun with another 6/2 double-breasted suit, whale necktie, and cream cotton pocket square on this chilly, cloudy Monday here in Mid-Michigan.  I usually try to offset the seriousness of such attire with some kind of slightly irreverent 'critter' tie: whales, poodles, prawns, terriers, pheasants, parrots, and the like.  

Depending on your point of view, it either makes the entire getup less intimidating to young people who rarely interact with anyone in a suit, or it just edges one even further into clown territory if the double-breasted variety thereof is not your thing.  The jury is apparently split when it comes to double-breasted suits and blazers.  Either way, I enjoy them, and they certainly are uncommon in my little corner of the world.  

My wife, The Grand Duchess, has lobbed the word 'eccentric' at me a time or three over the 20 years we have been together when it comes to how I approach life in general.  And attire more specifically.  But I don't see it.

I asked her during one such discussion a few years ago something along the lines of, "Explain how I am eccentric."  To which she retorted with exasperation, "How are you not??!!"  I had no good answer at the time.  

Still don't. 

-- Heinz-Ulrich