Classic Style

  S till a bit chilly here in Mid-Michigan, but there's no reason not to pull oneself together, sartorially speaking, even as the Spring 2024 semester recedes in the rear view mirror, and summer approaches.  Hence the navy sports jacket tossed over an old cotton poplin button-down collar shirt (tucked in of course) along with some tan corduroy jeans, a ribbon belt, and the familiar suede camp moccasins yesterday.   Once the Young Master arrived home from school and enjoyed a snack, we journeyed to a nearby tutoring center to get him set up for some extra math practice through August.  He'll begin his freshman year of high school late that month.  Can you believe it?  Where does the time go? -- Heinz-Ulrich

  The Young Master gets a trim.  #3 on the sides and back with just enough to part on top.  His request. O f course, it's not all waxing poetically about suits and sports jackets here at Classic Style .  Sometimes, we must come back down to Earth and take care of more domestic duties.  Such was the case midday today (Saturday), when I shuttled to Young Master to our barber for a trim and clean-up.  I've always assumed the role of barbershop-visit-facilitator since he was very small, but it shouldn't be too many more years before I can toss him the keys, and the Young Master can take himself.   By the way, we patronize the Williamston Barbershop , a quirky but lively establishment about 10 minutes from the house.  The shop is always busy, filled with music of one kind or another, and bubbling with related chat and laughter.  And then there are the framed movie and band posters that adorn the walls along with stuffed game birds, fish, and deer antlers.   "Pure Michigan&q

    R ecently arrived, a cotton poplin number courtesy of J. Press!  The usual two or three minor alterations are necessary, along with a pressing (pun unintended), but then we're all ready.  I might even take it in a suit bag to my upcoming conference in New Orleans at the start of June, to wear during a planned presentation. Full disclosure here.  I do have a beige suit in the rotation already, and have worn it routinely in May-June and August-September, but I have never been quite happy with the fit.  Somehow, the coat has always been a little off even after the usual alterations.  It's either a Southwick or Samuelsohn oddly, and these usually fit well without too much effort from my tailor.  It's puzzling to say the least.   I know.  I know.  First World problem.  Time to donate it, and begin enjoying this one instead.  Press items fit well without much attention from the tailor, which is what we're really after, right? My late father, a stockbroker and corner offic

  M y colleague and I met in the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation this morning where we were interviewed for 90 minutes or so on generative artificial intelligence in the post-secondary classroom.  An interesting and fun conversation followed.  The finished piece should hit the stands, as it were, at the end of the month in a few weeks. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he Grand Duchess and I enjoyed a grand day out on Saturday, when we drove about a hour southeast of East Lansing to Ann Arbor for brunch, some tooling around various favorite shops, and stop at our favorite patisserie-cafe before heading home late in the afternoon.  As we walked along hand in hand toward our first destination, shortly after parking the car, a passerby remarked that we were a striking couple.   I don't know about that, but it was nice of the woman in question to say so.  The Grand Duchess, by the way, wore a navy dress with a navy cardigan over her shoulders, a pair of low black heels, and pearls.  She was certainly the more striking of the two! It was, we discovered, graduation weekend for the University of Michigan, and there were actually many male graduates and family in suits or sports jackets with neckties milling around along with tastefully attired women of various ages dressed to the nines.  Great to see actually, and an indicator that many remain aware

  C andidate #3 is, for my money, the person for the job.  Considerable experience, broad perspective, well-connected throughout the college and university due to an array of collaborative pursuits of one kind or another, coherent and detailed vision laid out for the next three years and beyond.  Yes.  I am not on the committee that makes the recommendation to the dean, who will make the final decision and send the letter, but, were it up to yours truly, this is the guy.  And he wore an actual suit (mid-gray), dress shoes, white shirt, and necktie as an added plus.  20 years or so my junior, but someone gets it. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A vintage Hart, Schaffner, and Marx jacket with and English-made necktie, featuring Eustace Tilley of The New Yorker magazine fame, on top. Combined with non-vintage items on the bottom.  But it all works well together. A nother beautifully sunny and cool spring day here with a slight breeze.  Ideal odd sports jacket, khakis, and loafers weather.   This particular jacket is, to my mind, a perfect Spring-Summer-early September piece.  Colorful, yet it doesn't burn your eyes when you look directly at it.   That's a joke , son.  I say, that's a joke.   Anyway, I made the 15-minute trip into campus again this morning for the second of three job talk with lunch events this week.  Normally, I would avoid these.  But the position is for the director of my particular program, and I am now one of the four senior most faculty in it, as hard as that is to fathom, so I feel honor bound to be present and ask probing questions during Q&A.  The candidate today was very strong, and I