Classic Style

  I f you're a fan of old films noir from the 1940s and 50s, you'll get the reference.  I couldn't help but think of that as I perused these photos shot very early this morning while I waited on my first mug of coffee at a cafe ner campus that I like thanks to their large tables, usual choice of music, and low key (ahem) aesthetic early in the morning. IN any case, we've now had a couple of heavy frosts, and the mornings have a decided nip about them.  Time to reintroduce a few more seasonally appropriate items.  This time, of the favorite tweed, cords, and suede variety.  Not visible is the houndstooth tweed cap atop my noggin that appeared for the first time since last April.  A gift from the Grand Duchess a few Christmases back, it worls very well with a less formal ensemble like today's -- Heinz-Ulrich

  F inally chilly enough for the return of one of my favorite seasonal suits, a vintage Polo wool flannel three-piece number that I stumbled onto quite a few years ago now in a thrift/charity shop in our old stomping grounds of Central Illinois.  No tags, but it had been worn only once if at all and was in my size (40R) although it has had a few minor alterations since then.   Worn here with a necktie from J. Press, shirt from Mercer & Sons, and shoes from Allen Edmonds.  Not visible are the vintage silk Polo braces (small navy, crimson, and silver paisleys) that I usually wear with this particular suit.  Toasty warm and extremely comfortable, yet "pulled together" as my maternal grandmother used to term looking presentable. -- Heinz-Ulrich

I f it's Tuesday, then it must be the cafe just off campus for a solo morning work session and online office hours.  All caught up with everything and sitting in the latter with Zoom open right now and -- surprise, surprise -- no students banging on the figurative door to complain about grades thus far.  And an 11am collaborative work session with a colleague cancelled. What better time to catch up a bit here at Classic Style ? A slightly more casual look overall today with odd jacket, pants, penny loafers, and a knit silk necktie. Given the muted pattern of the jacket, I think a solid shirt would work better, but there we are.  Not a bad combo overall however. The socks are a nod to my alma mater the mighty University of Wisconsin-Madison.  All things being equal, I wish I were still there.   The years I spent in Madison during the 1990s were an amazing time, and campus, at least the older central part of it, is stunningly beautiful.  Especially once ...

  T here was a decided nip in the air very early this morning here in Mid-Michigan, so I broke out a flannel three-piece and vintage topcoat for the first wearing of the season along with one of my much loved genuine fedoras.  Vintage red, white, and blue Polo braces and solid navy Merino wool dress socks completed the ensemble.  The mark of a poorly dressed man, since I looked as unusual and out of place on campus as if I had emerged from a flying saucer in a glittery silver spacesuit.  Something I am completely comfortable with whatever the Beau Brummels of the style world might advise to the contrary.  Happier standing out than blending in with the hoodied masses you understand. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he weather finally turned last Tuesday following several hours of heavy rain and strong wind early Tuesday morning. Since I have no classes Tuesdays, I spent a delightful few hours working remotely in a coffee shop not far from campus where I also held Zoom office hours although no students turned up.  Also bumped into two former students from Fall 2018, both of whom are working as baristas in said establishment.  I hope they are not still occupying Mom and Dad's sofa in the basement recreation room by this point in their young lives, Attire-wise, transitional stuff, combining khakis and penny loafers with a J. Press number that has a decided autumnal vibe about it.  One of my favorite odd jackets between October ad April each year.  I wouldn't call it a heavy weight jacket by any stretch, but it traps enough air in its rough weave to keep you comfortable on a chilly, damp day.  Truth be told, I also sported a trench coat with the liner zipped out along...

A  busy couple of weeks with grading the first round of collaborative projects and chasing down team members who either neglected to ensure their names were on the materials submitted, or team members whose names were left off that work because they contributed nothing to the team effort.  Isn't putting your name on your work one of the most basic things?  Sigh.   Even with team reflections as but one component of collaborative projects, it remains exceedingly difficult to get a clear picture of the actual dynamics within learning teams.   It almost seems that most undergraduates would rather let a teammate receive credit for no actual contribution to the team effort than rat 'em out to the professor.  Mafiosi in training, the Code of Omerta, and all that jazz I guess.  Never go against the family, eh?    In any case, here are a couple of shots of last Monday's attire before the weather really cooled off later in the week.  Ru...