Classic Style

H ome from the previously mentioned appointment in time to change clothes, set the table, pour a mug of fresh coffee (courtesy of the Grand Duchess), and join the Young Master while he enjoyed  breakfast with Sunday's comic section just after 10:15am.   Children of any age are funny creatures.  You get a pleasant smile, and in the blink of an eye, as you press the "shutter" button, the expression disappears.  He did NOT want to try again. -- Heinz-Ulrich  

  A pleasing shot of the recently purchased J. Press blazer that better conveys its true shade of navy.   U p and at 'em this morning for an early appointment with my ophthalmologist.  A perfect excuse to dress for the hour or so to make the trip there, wait around, hobnob with some kind of physician's assistant, wait around some more, see the doctor for a few minutes, schedule another appointment for the end of the year, and drive home again.  Another variation of the usual theme here, but it's easy and, dare I say, fun when one can assemble a reasonably put together ensemble without too much thought.  Good thing given the early hour of said appointment.  Why do I do this to myself? -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he Young Master at work behind the griddle for the Young Aviators Fathers' Day Breakfast this morning.  And with a pleasant smile rather than a maniacal leer.  At 15 1/2 he is already very close to my own height (5' 11"), and it will be interesting to see how tall he becomes.   The Grand Duchess and I have very tall Danes, Swedes, Germans, and Englishmen on both sides, well over six feet, so he might very well tower over us when all is said and done.  Now, if only I could get him to use that Norelco electric shaver from two Christmases ago. The past week has been a big one for the Young Master.  Fresh from his 9th Grade year, he has finished his fourth quarter with high grades, started volunteer work at the area food bank, and logged another official flying lesson yesterday, taking the controls of a small two-person trainer aircraft for a time.  It looks like a banner summer is in store for him.   Happy Fathers' Day everyone! -- Hein...

  S adly, I always seem to miss this one since we are over a month into the summer lull by the date, I am home most of the time, and have shifted to shorts and various short-sleeved sport shirts of one kind or another.  Although yesterday there was apparently some kind of BIG seersucker event at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac (pronounced 'Mack-i-naw) Island in Northern Michigan, of all places, sponsored by Haspel. Go figure. While nowhere near as dandy as yours truly sometimes is, my late father had and wore a similar suit during the summers when he was an exec for the brokerage house that at one time was bullish on America as the TV commercials used to say.  This was, of course, back when many more men wore suits and in colors beside navy, charcoal, and (shudder) black.   At one time, you actually would see nicely dressed men attired in taupes, tans (during the summer), subtle patterns, subtle stripes, and the occasional tasteful brown in addition.  Mind ...

  A slightly more casual look today for the second of four writing group sessions on campus this summer.  Organized by one of our associate deans, several of us have committed to joining each other once a month as accountability partners.  In other words, we set up shop with our laptops around a huge table in an air-conditioned room and work in silence for three hours (lunch provided) on our respective projects. Uninterrupted by children, pets, spouses, UPS deliveries, shiny doodads on the desk, or anything else that might interfere with prolonged concentration.  It's amazing what you can get done with a chunk of time like that. Attire-wise, another variation of the typical uniform but with a distinctly summertime vibe this time around.  I didn't shave this morning (I know, I know. . .), so I decided to forgo the usual necktie of some kind and go with an open-necked shirt instead.  Mercer & Sons this time with a vintage Brooks Brothers jacket, Land's E...

  I decided to skip the final half-day of the conference and spend Sunday with my sister instead.  Following a late breakfast, we spent the day together talking family, taking a couple of wonderfully long walks around the Cathedral District, followed by dinner and later coffee with popsicles (iced lollies?) up on the roof of her building, one of many spectacular refurbished apartment buildings in the area, which were built during the 1920s and 30s.  Fear not, I packed a couple of pairs of chino shorts, a casual belt, leather boat shoes, and a few short-sleeved sport shirts for our late afternoons and evenings at home. Monday (yesterday), it was up and at 'em early for the flights home to Michigan and the fourth version of the preferred travel-conference 'kit.'  Once again, the attire for the day included a third broadcloth shirt from J. Press as well as the same blazer pictured in previous 2025 conference trip posts.   Back to the olive green chinos, which ...

  T he third iteration of this year's travel-conference attire, featuring the same J. Press blazer and another broadcloth shirt.  The first thing I did when the blazer and shirts arrived earlier this spring was take the former to my tailor for the usual minor alterations.  I also asked him to move my university buttons from the previous 20-year old blazer to this one, personalizing it a bit in the process.   While there were a number of other men in evidence sporting the occasional suit, odd sports jacket, and even a nave blazer or two, I was the only one among almost 700 participants dressed thusly.  And boy oh boy, what others have advised is true.  If you're gonna wear a full suit, don't forget the necktie.  It looks decidedly odd without one.  Far easier to pull off a tie-less look with a blazer of sports jacket.   By and large, however, and keeping in mind this was an academic conference, most of the men in attendance presented...

  A nother variation of my preferred attire for conference travel and attendance although, depending on season, I dress similarly Monday through Friday during the academic year here at home too.  Although I like wearing suits when I meet with my students for classes, but that's a subject for another time.   The broadcloth shirt and blazer are J. Press items purchased in March or April of this year.  The thinking was that, while I have plenty of cooler season gear, lighter weight items for the summer and even early fall were in short supply.  So, I bit the bullet and made a few different purchases with that in mind.   Not inexpensive by typical standards, but quality items that will provide many years of wear and look good with proper care maintenance.  It's that very sensible idea of quality over quantity. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T o my mind, there is no more perfect male travel-conference uniform than a navy blazer, penny loafers, and chinos. We always called 'em "khakis". . .  even when they're not. With this particular combination of garments, its easy to combine various other items as and when necessary with almost no thought at all.   Topped off by a Panama hat, the ensemble made for a comfortable, yet distinctive appearance that garnered compliments and special perks throughout the five-day jaunt to and from Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Teaching Professor Conference.  My own contribution was a poster session on the use of podcast audio to support students in a hybrid course setting.   In addition, I attended a number of other very interesting sessions, and made several new contacts.  Exhausting, but enjoyable made more so by the fact that I stayed with my sister, who lives less than five minutes from the National Cathedral and Embassy Row.   -- Heinz-Ul...