Wet April Thursday Attire. . .

Warmer today, so I am able to wear the attire set out for Tuesday but switched at the last minute due to the cold, blustery conditions two days ago.

While I like the overall look of this combination of items, I remember now why this particular pair of shoes is problematic and seldom worn. No matter what I do (Safir Renovateur and creme polish), the leather does not retain its oxblood coloring across the vamps where they crease.

It's maddening when you consider that these by Allen Edmonds were not exactly 'bargain bin' shoes when I purchased them a few years back. But after a walk from the house to the car in the morning, and then from the car to the office or elsewhere on campus, this is the result. Not a problem on any of my other pairs from the same manufacturer by the way, but perhaps this is the quality control issue that has plagued the company in recent years, which I have read about online.

Maybe a trip to the cobbler for stripping and re-dying is in order? Or maybe just bite the bullet, donate these, and purchase some split-toe oxfords by Alden, which some would probably argue I should have done in the first place. Penny wise, pound foolish, and all that.

Sigh. How we suffer for our attempts to present ourselves reasonably well.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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Mid-June Thursday Style. . .

A nother pretty typical variation on the theme for late spring, summer, and very early fall. I'm a huge fan of Madras and have several such shirts in the seasonal rotation. Lightweight, exceedingly comfortable, and even dressy when pressed and tucked in, which is the usual way of things here at Totleigh in the Wold. Now, if I had my druthers, I'd still rather be skiing the trails in the upper half of "The Mitten" (of Michigan), in the Upper Peninsula, or Ontario. But summers ain't so bad either, and I'd look pretty funny walking around in cross-country ski attire during June. -- Heinz-Ulrich

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