Friday Pocket Square Style. . .

The upper half of today's later Zoom meeting with colleagues and some additional work-from-home activities, featuring a festive pocket square I purchased about 15 or 16 years ago in Chicago at Marshall Fields before Macy's took over. The display of men's pocket squares was something to behold. Rack upon rack and several large tables displayed them in their hundreds. It was a dandy's paradise, but I spared The Grand Duchess, looked around quickly, and purchased just this one since we were on our way somewhere else.

And the lower half, featuring corduroy jeans and my faithful old suede camp moccasins, which are my 'go to' at home shoe during the cooler half of the year. And no socks. Yes, I know. I know.

Still quite chilly here at Totleigh-in-the-Wold, so the oxford cloth, tweed, and cords are still very comfortable. I find that this particular tweed jacket from J. Press, another 'go to' piece, is the most comfortable indoors because it is less heavy than, for example, those by Harris or various Irish makers.

As far as pocket squares go, this one was dug out from the bottom of my pocket square jar this morning to brighten up today's ensemble and celebrate the approaching end of the term. We have a single week of classes left after today. Hallelujah and amen brother!

Now, I understand that some out there do not care for pocket squares, finding them effeminate, affected, of simply louche. I don't know about that. I prefer to take a page from the book of journalist Gay Talese and see them as colorful, festive accessories that help us celebrate life and the simple act of being alive through our attire. Unless one is attending a funeral or memorial service, why not liven up things a wee bit?

In any case, there are guys out there, who might like to venture into pocket square territory, but they worry about how to fold and wear them. In the interest of ease, I suggest that stuffing the square into your coat pocket and simply forgetting about it is the way to go. Unstudied and unfussy, yet just the final touch your sports jacket or blazer pocket needs.

Try it yourself and see.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

This is how it's done. Business Casual the RIGHT way, ladies and gentlemen. Even during the summer months. A photograph (taken by Studio B Portraits ) which appeared in 425 Business Magazine in May 2017. T his post on the problem of business casual dress began as a quick postscript to a previous blog entry last week but quickly grew and grew as additional thoughts occurred, were developed in more detail, and revisions made. So much so, that it seemed, eventually, like a better idea to make the initial P.S. afterthought into its own entry . Are ya ready, Freddy? Then, here we go. . . ------------ U nless you actually plan to sell beach snacks and trinkets on Cozumel, become a serial barista, or greet customers at a fancy nightclub after taking out huge student loans to attend university somewhere for four or five years, plus an MBA afterward, it's really a better idea to err on the side of (somewhat) more formal work attire any time you head into the

The Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style Now on Ebay!!!

Another great old Laurence Fellows illustration of menswear from the classic era, the 1930s. T he Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style is up and running on Ebay. -- Heinz-Ulrich

"If you see something you want. . ."

The above photograph has been "borrowed" from the J. Press website. "I f you see something you want," advised my late mother, "buy it. It won't be there when you go back later." A favorite (and wise) adage hers that I still follow whenever possible. So when this item appeared on clearance at J. Press, I mulled it over for a couple of days, and then clicked the requisite boxes to make the online purchase. Should be here within the week. Once upon a time, I had a similar jacket by Corbin that I foolishly purged before we left Central Illinois ('Illi-noir' anyone?) for Michigan almost 10 years ago. Not sure what I was thinking at the time since I did like the item and wore it routinely. This one will be a bit nicer and help me make sartorial amends. At least to myself. -- Heinz-Ulrich

CharlottesvilleApril 16, 2021 at 12:16 PM
A particularly nice specimen, Heinz-Ulrich. And for a funeral, I would suggest half an inch of a simple white linen or cotton handkerchief peeking out of the breast pocket of one's navy suit, worn in the "TV fold." As I commented recently on Ivy Style, a naked pocket just looks unfinished to me.

Classic Style

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