Classic Style

The front porch this evening.  Trick or Treat is 6-8om in our neighborhood.  And yes.  That's snow.   The Halloween version of Comedy & Tragedy this afternoon after carving.  The now 14-year old Young Master chose this year not to participate, something else taking precedence after his arrival home from school, so I carved them both myself since the Grand Duchess is away again.  The last (4th???) deans' or Germanic studies conference for the season.  I can't keep 'em straight anymore. A nother blustery day here today, very fitting for the last day of October 2023.  I worked from home, so dressed in a cotton plaid flannel shirt, the usual corduroy jeans with a navy and orange ribbon belt, and suede camp moccassins sans socks as promised yesterday.   Back on campus tomorrow for two or three face to face meetings, so either a wool flannel three-piece suit, or another tweed jacket with dress cords, and possibly a shaggy dog sweater over an OCBD shirt with something appr

  A cold, blustery, and initially damp day today.  Some clearing later, but the sky had that unmistakable late October, wintry look about it all day, and the breeze was stiff at times.  Perfect for tweed, cords, and suede wing-tip brogues.   The pocket square is the second half of my early birthday gift from my sister, and it went nicely with both necktie and jacket.  A bit matchy-matchy  perhaps, but a not unpleasant look overall..   Not visible is the suede belt, a pretty close match to the shoes, and various other accoutrements: Stetson fedora, single-breasted wool overcoat with a charcoal herringbone pattern, and an gray plaid  wool scarf that ol' Mom gave me one Christmas 25 or 30 years ago. Working from home tomorrow, so corduroy jeans with either a plaid cotton flannel shirt, or a Rugby pullover and the usual suede camp moccasins on the feet sans socks.  But Wednesday, I'm back on campus, and it might just be time for a wool flannel suit given the generally chilly foreca

  A few days late in getting these photographs posted here, but we are into the latter half of the semester/term here, so things have become fast and furious as students and faculty try to keep their heads above the rising waters.  Classes end on December 08, but who's counting? In any case, the weather was quite warm last Wednesday, so out came a cotton jacket and chinos that I keep on a hanger together because these two particular items work so well together.  It's very easy to add almost any shirt-necktie-socks combination, slip into the loafers, and in minutes you're ready for whatever the day might throw at you. Not visible is the brown braided leather belt that I always pair with these loafers.  It's not an exact match, but in the same color range and close enough for my tastes. The pocket square, one of two new ones, is an early birthday gift from my sister in Washington, D.C., who ordered and had them sent from the U.K. via DHL.  From Rampley & Co ., they a

  A chilly one here this morning with frost on the ground when I left for campus before dawn.  Fall Break Day #1 here today, so no students or classes, but I met on campus with a friend and colleague, with whom I am developing several related projects, for coffee, chat, and project discussion.   A lovely way to spend a couple of hours during an otherwise blissfully quiet morning. Attire-wise, more of the usual suspects although you'll note the shift to cooler weather gear.  Most notable are the tweed jacket by J. Press and the Mercer & Sons shirt of their Tattersall variety.  Comfortable, cozy, yet pulled together at the same time.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he Grand Duchess and I ventured out to our local Saturday farmers' market late this morning for a couple of hours sans the soon-to-be-14-year old child.  It was bliss.   Layered items for this chilly mid-autumn days included a vintage L.L. Bean Norwegian fisherman's sweater (from when they were still made in Norway), corduroy jeans, navy and orange ribbon belt, and flannel shirt, plus a the Classic Anorak shell from L. L. Bean, which I've had for over 20 years now.   And, of course, my Phi Kappa Phi ball cap since my hair needs a trim and would not calm down even after the usual morning brush before I headed downstairs for that first mug of coffee about 9:30am.   Of the hair, the less said, the better.  Something between Ricky Nelson, Yahoo Serious, and Leonid Brezhnev.  But back to the farmers' market! Locally produced and grown items purchased included apples, fresh apple cider, maple syrup, and various traditional Chinese buns, with sausage and hard-boiled egg in

  G etting a bit chilly here in Mid-Michigan for cotton khakis, so this will probably be the last time I don them until well into the spring next year.  But a not unpleasant combination of items for today.   And I managed to get the bow tie tied relatively well on the first attempt this morning.  As Peggy Lee once sang, "Yes it's a good day. . ." The tie and jacket are both vintage Brooks Brothers (my late father would appreciate that), while the Khakis, shirt, shoes, socks, and belt are other brands.  Time to quit fooling around here, now, and get back to work! -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A dark, chilly Monday today here in Mid-Michigan.  So, what better way to brighten things up a bit than a vintage J. Press bow tie and a Samuelsohn suit?   Look closely, and you'll find that the bow tie is not solid, but very dark green and red, which helps keep things from becoming too busy given the two more prominent patterns of suit and shirt.   Not visible is a plain brown dress belt to more or less match the shoes.  I snapped these pictures before any students entered the room where my 10:20 hybrid course takes place on Monday mornings each week. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A chilly, seasonal day yesterday, with not one, not two, not three, but FOUR meetings on the agenda for the day.  Yikes!   To lessen the blow, time to dress more cozily given the decided bite in the early morning air.  Items included a vintage Polo tweed jacket, a newly acquired pair of corduroy pants/trousers from Berle (in Dark Olive) and my trusty Dearborn Fedora from Optimo Hats of Chicago for a bit of noirish academe.   My overly warm office, regardless of season, actually felt kind of nice yesterday. -- Heinz-Ulrich

The front stoop this Saturday afternoon at Chez von Boffke, following my seasonal external decorative efforts midday.  The flag is University of Wisconsin, flown to goad my wife, who completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University.  On Wisconsin!!!   A near perfect October Saturday here in Mid-Michigan.  Breezy, chilly, mostly cloudy, and damp after rain much of the day Friday and through the night.  In another week or so, the leaves ought to be at their peak color-wise.   While I am a winter sport enthusiast and avid cross-country skier (albeit still occasionally clumsy after all these years), the autumn remains my favorite season, stretching back to my youth and young adulthood in southeastern Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia.  There and then, the weeks from late September through late November were always stunningly beautiful without fail.   But it's pretty special here in Michigan too where each season has its own unique qualities, and I wouldn't trade it for

  T emperatures have been back in the mid-80s Fahrenheit (approx. 28.8 C.) the last few days, so why not enjoy warmer weather attire for a bit longer?  Here are quick shots of Tuesday's combination (worn with Panama hat).  Channeling 'Room with a View' I guess.   Plain navy socks would have worked better, but these are what leapt from the sock drawer when I dressed at 5:45am following the usual shower and shave.  A fun ensemble in any case. The pants were purchased early in the fall of 2021, but it took me two years to get them to my tailor for hemming, so yesterday was their inaugural wearing.  A soft hand and extremely comfortable although they are nevertheless heavier than a few of my other warm weather worsted and gabardine pairs.  Definitely eye-catching, but they fit my obvious sartorial eccentricities given the general appearance much of society in 2023. In any case, the weather forecast shows much cooler temperatures are on the way, so this weekend might be the one

  A beautiful, warm autumn day here in Mid-Michigan.  The kind of day you only really get in September and October.  Perfect for having some fun with a few warm weather items, topped off by the usual Panama hat.  It'll be time for the tweed, flannels, and corduroy soon enough though. -- Heinz-Ulrich