Classic Style

  T he attire for last Thursday's quick jaunt into campus for one more meeting about something or other along with a series of errands along the way home.  These included a twice yearly check-in with the ophthalmologist, which turned out to be surprisingly quick.  A good report, so it looks like no prescription change is in order and the toy soldier painting (hundreds of tiny buttons anyone?) can continue for the foreseeable future. On a sartorial note, it always amazes me how people appear for appointments with professionals -- doctors, dentists, attorneys, and the like.  Without going into it ad nauseam one more time, appearance is important, men, and how you present yourself to the rest of the world has a direct bearing on how the rest of the world perceives and interacts with you.   Figure it out. -- Heinz-Ulrich 

  O f course, the way w e keep our dressier items looking nice is to change clothes after arriving home.  Admittedly, I opted to keep the shirt and add a gray sweatshirt from my alma mater along with a pair of the usual corduroy jeans and suede camp moccasins.  I typically sit cross-legged in this particular desk chair with my shoes off, however, so I thought it best to hide 'em since men's feet are unseemly at best.  Not something others should have to endure you understand. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T he attire for my sojourn into campus and leading a couple of classes yesterday as we sail along to the end of March and April beyond with still, at times, wintry temperatures.  Sadly, all of our December, January, and February snow has been gone here in the East Lansing region since the week after Valentine's Day.   Not so in the Petoskey area, where they still have full coverage and routine trail grooming at Hickory Hills Nordic Center.  And how I wish I could escape northward for some late season skiing for a day or three more.   Alas, March is the cruelest month as the spring semester/term grows busier and encroaches into what little free time we have left during evenings and weekends.  I know, I know.  This is the life I've chosen.   But still. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  W ell, the calendar might say it's Spring, but it's still rather chilly.  So corduroy jeans (with surcingle belt) and oxford cloth are still the order of the day for a weekend at home.  Relaxed, casual, and comfortable, yet still pulled together enough to run a few errands mid-afternoon and a enjoy a coffee with the Grand Duchess on the way home without embarrassing myself.   Tossed a cream and charcoal Norwegian fisherman's sweater over the shirt before heading out given the decided nip in the air.   Between us, I'd still rather be skiing, but the mower was already at the shop, and it'll soon be time to think about cleaning up the winter debris and preparing the beds around the yard for the arrival of spring and summer perennials and planting of annuals.  But that's still several weeks away since it never really warms up here in Michigan until the latter half of May. And sometimes we're even into June before short sleeves and shorts are comfort...

  B lustery and cold here today with a heavy sky and sporadic snow flurries mean that it's a perfect excuse to trot out some cotton oxford cloth and wool flannel.  Fairly staid navy (socks too) and gray but with a wild Tattersall waistcoat, given to me for Christmas several years ago by the Grand Duchess.   The items shown come from various manufacturers, but they work well together, I think, and received a nod of approval and kind words delivered with a smile from a lady I do not know as we passed each other in the supermarket on my way home after leading a couple of classes for the day.  As I always say, compliments are never necessary, but always nice to hear.   And if you can leave someone with a smile on his, her, or their face simply through the clothes you wear, why not?  -- Heinz-Ulrich

  T oday's post responds to a question posed by a reader in Chile, Alfonso (26), who wrote to me in Spanish (Muchas gracias, Alfonso, y mucho gusto!) a week or so ago.  And while my own Spanish is very rusty at this point, I believe the gist of his email was the perennial question "How does someone interested in classic male style and attire get started?" Especially in our overly casual era. Well, many articles, books, blogs, and vlogs have been written on the subject, so the following advice echos what you might find elsewhere.  My own answer is to start small, make informed decisions, and purchase fewer items but spend enough for quality attire that will last a long time.  If money is tight, consider charity shops and watch for online sales.   Older  family members too might be able to help if you are similar in height and size.  Keep in mind that most tailors can handle a few basic alterations that will make your clothes look and feel like they...

B ack to the salt mines, as my late maternal grandfather used to say, following our recent Spring Break Week.  Definitely spring-like weather here, but still cool enough for flannel and tweed with the potential for a return of winter conditions by the weekend.   The photographs here show the attire for yesterday (Monday), including outerwear.  You can just about make out the Borsalino navy fedora in the top shot.  The charcoal wool overcoat (single-breasted) and colorful silk scarf are vintage items as well.  All things that have been in the winter rotation for 10-12+ years at this point.  Worn with vintage Polo braces, the suit too is vintage Polo, a 4/1 double-breasted number that's fun to trot out a few times each October-April.  Extremely comfortable and warm, yet far more appropriate for public consumption than the typical alternatives that blot the landscape in 2026. -- Heinz-Ulrich