Tweedishly Dandy Thursday. . .

A seasonal and slightly dandy version of the typical attire today. Is 'dandy' a dirty word in conversations about classic male attire? Does the term necessarily connote straying into flamboyant, even clownish territory consciously or otherwise?

Interesting questions to consider and possible fodder for a future discussion.

I had planned to wear a wool flannel double-breasted suit, but cords and tweed wear harder given the high wind and rain we are experiencing today. So, a last minute change of plans this morning following shower and shave before my usual 6:10 am departure.

Lately, I seem to be the least bothered and most productive during the first half of the day. From about 11am onward, productivity takes a nosedive as students, colleagues, meetings, and various other things intervene and vie for my time.

And once our son is home just after 3pm, in the words of The Sopranos, "Fuggeddaboutit!" Family life takes over, and accomplishing work-related stuff becomes impossible. So early mornings it is.

But I digress. Again.

Highlights for today include the Harris Tweed jacket and a vintage cross country skier necktie from L.L. Bean that I picked up somewhere in the last 10 or 12 years.

The silk pocket square was purchased back in December 2005 at the former Marshall-Fields (now Macy's) near Daly Plaza in Chicago when the Grand Duchess and I journeyed up from Bloomington-Normal one chilly Saturday to visit the German Christmas Market and do some early Christmas shopping. The array of pocket squares in the men's department was stunning. While I would have liked to purchase several, this one leapt out at me and now takes pride of place during the holiday season each year given its bright, festive appearance.

My vaguely Yankee Candle palette notwithstanding -- Go on. It's ok to laugh. I don't mind. -- it's a colorful and not entirely displeasing combination of items.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

Comments

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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