Old Hollywood

When I think of Old Hollywood, I think of classic style. An era of grace and elegance on the big screen. Men looked like gentleman, and women were delicious. It was not an era influenced by fads or uncertain teenagers. Actors had class and style on and off the screen. Can Hollywood return to its old glamour? I don't know, but we can relish in the photos we have from the old days. Men like George Clooney are sometimes compared to Cary Grant, and in my book, he does not hold a candle to Cary. However, at least George sticks to the basics with his tuxedo at events like the Oscars. He does not try to be cool by not wearing a tie, or experimenting with some other contraption. I will give him that! I leave you with images of Hollywood greats, and if you check out the new Brooks Brothers catalog. You will find Old Hollywood inspired imagery, in my opinion.

Fred Astaire

More Fred

Frank Sinatra

Audrey Hepburn (a personal favorite)

Suz....wait how did she get in here! Oh well, she loves to send in photos, and she looks like she belongs. She is an LA gal!

Liz Taylor

Return Of Style

This photo from tennisservedfresh.com, is certainly a fresh take on tennis fashion. I always thought of tennis as a gentleman's sport, and it does have royal heritage. Remember when the Queen attended Wimbledon? Anyway, at some point tennis player's style took a nose dive. I attribute it to Andre Agassi's early days and a number of players in the late 80s. Though Andre was beautiful to watch, and he did later clean up his act. Anyway, tennis revived itself ever so slightly when Roger Federer sported his white tennis blazer in 2006. He entered with his jacket and after the match, he took time to put his blazer on before walking off the court. What a breath of fresh air. Nike has since jumped onto the scene, and they customized Roger a jacket with a gold monogram. I actually prefer his personal blazer because the Nike version is made of mesh. Anyway, he still looks great, and hopefully other players will catch on. Sorry if I am scattered, I am a little worked up tonight!

A Casual Dinner With A Twist - Part Two

I planned a different post for today but when considering the interest in today's post, I decided to continue the casual dinner story. Is this continuation full of older women trying to pick me up? No! Is it full of mischief? Yes! So, the story begins with another casual dinner with my wife. It was a long day considering that I drove two hours to one of my offices, and back home in the same day. My wife planned to meet me again, and this time she was not late :) I was wearing the outfit above: herringbone sport coat with leather elbow patches, bow tie, wool pocket square with pheasant hunting motif, moleskin trousers, argyle socks, brown saddle shoes.


Realizing that she was never going to let me live down yesterday's incident, I set forth on a mission to even the score. After arriving at the restaurant, I excused myself and went to the restroom. While inside, I called the restaurant and asked for the manager (I know him). I requested a drink to be sent to my wife with a note! The note said, "I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are, please accept this drink as a token of my appreciation -- secret admirer." So, I went back to the table and took my seat. Suddenly, a drink appeared with the note intact. The waiter gave the drink and note to my wife. She read the letter, and immediately her face turned red. I exclaimed, "what does it say." She said, "nothing." "Come on", I said. Finally, she gave me the note, and I pretended to be mad. I walked up to the waiter and pretended to want to know who sent the drink. The waiter knew what was up, and played along. I came back to the table and I told my wife the gentleman left already. She was feeling good, but she knew we were even. She totally bought it but if she reads my blog (she usually does not), I just ratted myself out. Oh well! I hated to be deceptive, but it relieved me of my burden and it made her feel good. I will tell her someday, just not today! Some guy would have sent her a drink at some point anyway. I just decided to speed things up :)

The footwear and the pooch! He can't resist the camera!

A Casual Dinner With A Twist

Okay, I promise my blog will not become a fashion show of yours truly, but I have a great story to share. The photo above was taken by my wife before we met for dinner tonight. If you look at the bottom, you can see a daschund gazing up at me (not really part of the story, but I thought I would point it out). We were meeting up later for a casual dinner at Village Tavern (preppy little restaurant in the middle of prepville). I decided to be adventurous, and I pulled out one of my ascots. I paired it with my custom navy blazer (with a purple lining, should have taken a picture), Brooks Brothers chinos, red candy stripe oxford button down, plaid pocket square, suede tassel loafers, and argyle socks. Anyway..........................

So, I arrived a little early, and my wife was running late as usual. I ordered a drink, and fired up a Macanudo Gold Label to relax (I have not had a cigar in a while). After about fifteen minutes, my waitress brought me another drink. I told her thanks, but I did not order another. She said it is courtesy of the woman across the way. I glanced across the room and an attractive, but older woman waved. She was probably about 37 or 38 (Older than me). I did not know what to do, so I borrowed a pen and wrote her a message on a napkin. I wrote, "thanks for the drink, but I am married". When my wife arrived, I immediately told her what happened (I am honest). She was not happy, but she appreciated me telling her. Regardless, it was a confidence booster (not that I needed one), and I guess the moral of the story is for you single guys to buy an ascot (if you are into the older lady thing :) Hopefully, I handled the situation appropriately.

The Shoes and Socks For The Evening

Casual Sunday

Plaid odd jackets are a must in a classic wardrobe, and they are great for casual Sunday lunches. The jacket above is a brown cashmere and wool blend with green plaid. It is combined with a green wool tie, gray flannels, and tobacco suede shoes. A navy pocket square finishes off the look, and it picks up the hint of blue in the tie.

The individual has chosen a blue/gray dress shirt with a spread collar. The pocket square is a simple puff (one of my favorites). The jacket is a two button model with a throat latch.

Cuff links are also added as an accessory. Some believe you should not wear cuff links with an odd jacket. I do not follow this assumption, and I believe a casual link looks good with a casual jacket. The golfing theme on these links give them a casual appearance that match the jacket. A set of gold links with intials on display would have been too dressy, and those are better saved for suits.

One more look!

Reader's Inquiry

Richard,

You often mention that WASP style is heavily influenced by English culture, especially the Royal Family. I have often seen members of the Royal Family wearing kilts. The Duke wore one, and so did Prince Charles. Have you ever worn a kilt, and is a kilt part of the classic wardrobe?

Yes, the English influenced the style I call WASP style, and most all male members of the Royal Family in England have been photographed wearing a kilt. Have I ever worn a kilt? No. Is there a time and place for this classic garment? Yes. In my opinion, if you do not fall into a situation listed below, you should not wear a kilt:

1. You become a member of the Royal Family.

2. If you are Scotish, and a family event calls for a kilt.

3. If you are invited to a theme party, and a kilt is part of the attire.

Otherwise, don't wear one.

Spring Is Coming

After looking at my new Brooks Brothers catalog, I realized that Spring is just around the corner. Yes, it is still freezing in my neck of the woods, but things will change and the pollen will come. I hate allergy season! When the weather is in transitional mode, it can be difficult to dress accordingly. It is too warm for winter tweeds and flannels, but too cold for full blown sping/summer apparel. This Brooks Brothers ad is a good example of how to make the transition. Buying clothing in neutral colors made from linen, cotton, or light weight wool are good choices. A heavy linen can keep you warm and cool at the same time, and its natural rumple is appropriate for early spring. It is also a good idea to include a touch of color, and pink is a good choice. I also love the fact that Brooks Brothers is promoting the spectator shoe this season. The shoe is a classic, and it looks great with summer apparel. I own a pair of brown and canvas Brooks Brothers spectators, and I look forward to wearing them with my linen suits. I love seersucker and white linen suits, but save those for the warmer days of spring/summer. Come to think of it, I could use a double breasted linen suit in light brown. Let's go get measured!

Tucker Carlson

In Tucker Carlson's early reporting days, he was one of the best dressed anchors on television. He wore his hair in a classic style, and he wore ivy league apparel such as tweed and navy blazers with gold buttons. Oh, and let's not forget the bow tie! It was his trademark, and for some reason, he ditched them a couple years ago. For a while, he wore no tie while on the air, and recently, he has been displaying a regular tie. Regardless, he still dresses well, but his early years were excellent. Take the photo above for example, and notice how the ensemble goes together without matching perfectly. He successfully mixed three patterns, and the navy club tie looks great against the olive sport coat with a rust windowpane pattern. The new Tucker still dresses well, but the old Tucker was a master of Ivy League/WASP style. I leave you with another picture of Tucker in his navy blazer.

Reader's Poll: Is There Hope For Our Youth?

Gossip Girl Characters: Chuck & Nate

Is there hope for our youth? Of course, I am talking about their style or lack there of. This is a subject that I touch upon often, but I never expound. I consider myself young at age 30, but I admit that many in my age group dress poorly. However, in my teens and twenties, my age group favored ripped jeans, t-shirts, and Gap inspired fashion. The 30 somethings today seem so damaged by their youthful past, I don't know if they can recover. Only a select few have gone on to abandon the square shoes, cheap black suits, and reckless casual style. That brings us to today's teens and early twenties crowd. Is there hope for them? In effort to form my opinion, I was forced to do a bit of research. It is without question that America's youth is influenced by popular television, music, and movies. Therefore, I set out on a mission to find out what television shows are teens watching, what music are they listening to, and what movies they watch. While researching these areas, I analyzed the fashion of the characters and singers they emulate. The photos I have chosen are from the television series Gossip Girl and a new popular rock band Vampire Weekend. I am also including a picture of the first young brave soul that is allowing me to use her photo for critique (My blogging friend Suz). After careful observation, I concluded that there is some hope. The preppy influence of the 1980s seems to have resurrected itself. Of course we know that genuine WASPs and Preps never stray from classic fashion, but again, we are discussing society's youth in general. The characters on the show Gossip Girl seem to adorn themselves with classic fashion. In particular, the character Chuck, wears tailored suits, ascots, and bow ties often on the show. Other characters are preppy with a disheveled appeal, but their clothes are classics.

The Band: Vampire Weekend

The band Vampire Weekend is another influence on America's youth. This band of young Columbia graduates are always dressed in preppy classics. Yes, they are disheveled and eccentric, but at least they are not wearing the typical teenage garbage I grew up surrounded by. Would I aspire to dress like these guys? No, but I appreciate the attempt to display some classic pieces of clothing. I had rather our young kids today be influenced by these guys rather than some leather pants, t-shirt wearing punk rock band.

Finally, I leave you with the first brave young lady to allow her photo to be used for critique, and my final thoughts. Even though I can find many flaws in the fashion of the characters and personalities influencing our youth today, and I am encouraged by the fact that classic apparel is being adorned. Hopefully, with age, these young people will learn how to properly wear their attire. In addition, seeing a photo of a young lady with the style that Suzanne demonstrates gives me additional hope. Her style is classic and simple in this photo. She chose a classic color, modest cut, and I love the fact that she did not wear black or navy shoes with the dress. Throw on some pearls and large hat, and she would be ready for a polo match in the Hamptons.

Herringbone Perfection

Spring is quickly approaching, but here on the east coast, it is still cold. We had a high today of 40 degrees, and we will be dipping into the 30s by Friday. Anyway, I am still inspired to write about one of my favorite fabrics, tweed. Yes, I know that there are spring/summer weight tweeds in silk, linen, wool, and bamboo blends. However, it is just not the same, and therefore, I am taking the opportunity to display what I call herringbone perfection. I spied (I adopted this term from my blogging buddy Suz) this photo from one of my favorite blogs, the Sartorialist. The gentleman in the photograph has been the subject of many of Sart's photos, but this is my favorite. If I remember correctly, the guy in the photo lives in New York, and I am willing to bet he lives on the upper east side. The herringbone pattern is a favorite of mine, and I am very fond of this gentleman's herringbone jacket. I love the silk scarf, leather gloves, bow tie, shirt, pocket square, glasses.....I love the entire look! As I have mentioned before, most of the photographs we see of dapper men are men in their 50s and so forth. At 30, I feel that I dress as well as the gentleman photographed, but most men my age do not. I will be doing a post in the next few days about America's youth, and we will decide if there is hope.

Reader's Poll: Who's The Greatest?

Gianni Agnelli and the Duke of Windsor are two of the most well known men in the fashion world today. Both, have influenced the way men dress, and they will continue to do so for years to come. Each of the two had trademark style, and each individual pushed the fashion envelope from time to time. So the question is, who is the greatest? Is there an answer, or is it like comparing Michael Jordan to Wilt Chamberlain? What is your opinion?

Croc Shoes

The crocodile shoe is unlikely to be the first pair of shoes you buy, but it is a classic that should eventually make its way into a classic wardrobe. The shoe was first introduced in London during the 1930s, and like suede, it offers a great deal of versatility. The croc shoe can be purchased in all classic models, and there are many brands that offer crocodile shoes. Orvis, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Zelli, and many other shoe companies include the shoe in their collections. In addition, I recommend crocodile shoes in hues of brown, and never in black. I don't think black shows the shoes true craftsmanship, and actually, I am not a big fan of black shoes. I do own a couple pair though, but not in crocodile leather.

Reader's Inquiry

Richard,

I am taking a trip to the snowy mountains for a long weekend of R&R. I don't plan on skiing, maybe a wee bit of hiking, but lots of sitting around sipping tea or hot chocolate by the fire.
What to wear?

Ski trips give one a great opportunity to wear lots of texture and patterns. A suitcase should consist of lots of sweaters in shetland wool or cashmere. Patterns such as fair isle also look great at the ski lodge. Boots are a must, and I am very fond of LL Bean Duck Boots. Accessories such as plaid scarves look great, and tweed suiting is excellent for casual dinners at the lodge.

Plaque Belts

It is common knowledge that preps and WASPs alike, enjoy wearing things that subtlly display their initials. Their monogram can be found on shirt cuffs, brief cases, etc. However, for this discussion, we are going to focus on the plaque belt. The belts and plaques on display are from Trafalgar. I own several of the one-inch straps, and I have a gold buckle with my initials on display. The engraving is subtle, and classically done (block style of course). When purchasing a plaque belt, you simply need to purchase a good plaque, and a few different straps. The plaque can be interchanged, so again, you only need one plaque. Personally, I prefer gold because I am not fond of silver. I also recommend buying at least three different straps. A classic gentleman will need a black strap, dark brown, and a chestnut crocodile strap (probably not a need, but it is nice). Plaque belts also pass down though the generations well, and there is a sense of pride in wearing a plaque that your great grandfather wore (given your initials are the same). Even if your initials differ, it makes a nice heirloom. Trafalgar belts and plaques can be purchased via the internet from stores like Dann-Online, and other sites. In addition, many classic men's stores sell the items as well.

The Windowpane Suit/Sport Coat

How often do you see a windowpane suit or sport coat? Probably, not that often; however, it is truly a classic pattern, and it has its place in a classic wardrobe. I think most men fear the pattern, and they fear it due to the fact that it could complicate the rest of the ensemble. Now, I admit, the windowpane jacket does take some skill to pull off, and you should not make it your first suit purchase. There are other basic suits that belong in a classic wardrobe first. The model above is from Brioni, and I like the tie and shirt combination (a pocket square is needed). It would be possible to mix three patterns (suit, shirt, tie), but I believe one should keep either the shirt or tie plain to start things off.

Don't Be Tempted on Valentines Day!

Don't do it!!!!!! Valentines Day is a wonderful occasion to express your love for another, but don't be tempted to wrap yourself in a sea of red. With all the red hearts and roses around, gents may be tempted to present their loved ones with a fashion tragedy. Does red have its place in a classic wardrobe, yes, of course it does. Is it okay for your lovely lady to wear a red dress on Valentines Day, yes, definitely! Should you go out and buy a red suit and black tie, absolutely not!! Instead, try to emulate the Brooks Brothers model below. Wear one of your best sport coats, casual flannel trouser, loafers, pocket square, and tie. Your date will appreciate your attire, and she will not be embarrassed to take you out in the future. Have a great Valentines Day! Oh yes, the guy pictured above is the character "Face" from a show I watched as a kid, "The A-Team".

Is It Too Wide?

Though I am reluctant to question possibly the greatest fashion icon of all time, I am left with no choice after reviewing this photo and others of the Duke. The Duke was photographed on several occasions wearing a very wide tie as displayed in the picture, and in many photos, the tie was inches away from his belt line. Yes, I know that all the greats had their quirks. Agnelli wore his watch over his shirt, his tie over his sweater, and combat boots with suits. The Duke shocked people constantly with his combinations, and suede shoes with town suits. However, did the Duke push the boundaries too far with extra wide/short ties? In addition, I also saw a picture with a tie similar to the one above, yet the narrow end of the tie hung below the wide end. The Duke then took the extra length and tucked it in his trouser. The photo above also displays a flopping pocket square, but I will not move forward with that discussion since I have already questioned the Dukester! So, I leave you with the burning question, is his tie too wide or is this another shining moment left behind by the Duke?

Argyle Sweaters

Argyle is a wonderful pattern for sweaters, and one should be included in all classically dressed individual's wardrobe. The diamond pattern is overwhelming for some, but I find the design very appealing. I own several argyle sweaters in fabrics ranging from pima cotton to cashmere. The argyle sweater is great for casual occasions. A long sleeve sweater can be worn with an oxford cloth button down and chinos for a casual event, or an argyle vest can be paired with a sport coat or blazer for a dressier look. If you wear a tie with your sweater and blazer, be sure to keep it simple for starters. It takes a lot of practice to be able to match a patterned tie with argyle, though it can be done.

Harris Tweed

Harris Tweed undoubtedly belongs in every WASPs wardrobe, and it is one of the most desirable fabrics for fall/winter sport coats. Every year I anticipate the dropping temperatures so I can bring out my collection of various Harris Tweeds. As we approach warmer weather, I take the opportunity to wear my tweeds as often as possible before I must pack them away. For those who may not know about Harris Tweed, let's take a moment to fill you in on the rich history. Harris Tweed is a luxury cloth woven by the islanders of the isles of Harris. Each jacket has a special label signifying that the tweed is authentic Harris Tweed. The fabric is durable and it provides great warmth. The pattern above is one of many designs, and I recommend owning at least two Harris Tweed jackets.

Reader's Inquiry

Richard,

"If readers sent you photographs wearing their favorite classic clothing, would you post the pictures for critique and comment?"

I would be happy to accept photos sent to me via e-mail, and possibly consider them for occasional blog postings. Anyone interested should send their photo via e-mail with a brief statement giving me permission to use the photo.

WASP Cologne

In a world of thousands of fragances and colognes, what should the well appointed WASP splash on in the morning? My pick is Geo F. Trumper Extract of Limes. When it comes to cologne, a WASP would want to smell fresh, but not overwhelming. Trumper Extract of Limes provides a light and refreshing smell that is not overwhelming. If you walked by a crowd wearing the extract, you can be certain not leave a trail behind you. I find it repulsive when men or women walk into a room, and immediately it fills with their applied scent. Brooks Brothers also sells a brand by the name of Royall, and their lime and mandarin cologne is also light and refreshing.

The Smoking Jacket

The smoking jacket is another classic wardrobe item that can be found in WASPs and classically dressed men's closets. The sad fact is that we rarely see this beautiful and luxurious item worn in today's society, and it carries an air similar to that of the ascot. The jacket above has a toggle fasten and shawl collar, and this model is very rare. Most of the smoking jackets I have seen are double breasted models or a more casual jacket with a tie waist, quilted shawl collar, and turn up cuff. The model I own is a Brooks Brothers double breasted jacket in the color shown above. I often wear it to casual evening affairs with my tuxedo trousers, shirt and links, black tie, pocket square, and matching slippers. The smoking jacket can also be dressed down as illustrated above. A pair of medium gray trousers and velvet slippers would complete the look above, and it would be great for home entertaining. I have also considered purchasing a smoking jacket with a tie waist, but this model should never leave the home in my opinion. It is great for casual home entertaining, or for smoke by the fire in your favorite club chair. All this talk about smoking jackets has inspired me to light up a cigar. Have a safe and classically styled weekend!

Philippe Noiret

I know very little about Mr. Noiret, but I have seen numerous photographs of him and he is always well dressed. I can tell you that he is a French actor, but that is all I know about his personal life. From the photos I have seen, Noiret is a master at mixing patterns and colors. He also appears to be fond of accessories such as classic hats and cigars. There were some great photos that I found of Philippe, but most of them were protected by copyright. I would highly suggest a Google search to view additional photos. Below are some additional ones that I did find for blog use, and I leave them for you to enjoy!

Long Live The Ascot

This is an ad from a recent Brooks Brothers catalog, and they continue to feature the ascot as one of their featured items, and I applaud them. The picture above demonstrates how to wear an ascot in a casual home setting. I like the look, and I think this gentleman/model looks relaxed and distinguished. However, the general public does not accept the ascot as an acceptable garment. This was not the case during the hay day of Cary Grant and Fred Astaire. During their time period, it was common and stylish to wear such a garment. Personally, I don't see anything obtrusive or pompous about the ascot. I had much rather see an ascot displayed with an open collar than a white t-shirt or even worse, chest hair. Mentally remove the ascot from the model and visualize him with a white t-shirt or a big patch of hair. Would he look as sophisticated? I leave you with my one an only ascot story. Last year while on a weekend getaway with my wife, I decided I would wear a paisley ascot with my herringbone tweed suit and light blue dress shirt to a casual but elegant dinner. While enjoying our meal, our waitress informed me that the gentleman across the way wanted to know why I was wearing an ascot. I discreetly told our waitress to tell him, "because I can". I continued to notice laughter and I overheard a couple rude comments. So finally, I walked over to the table with the rude gentleman, and I asked him how his dinner was. He said, "good" with a smirk on his face, and I followed with an additional comment. "I am glad you enjoyed your dinner, and I am happy I could provide such entertainment for you, but how would you like to leave here with a black eye and have to tell your friends the guy wearing an ascot gave it to you". The stunned rude gentleman had nothing further to say, and because he was so rude to me and my wife, I should have given him one anyway :)

Super Seersucker!

It was 73 degrees on the east coast this Super Tuesday, and with all the political talk, I thought I post this photo. We will certainly revisit seersucker as warmer weather approaches, but I wanted to display this interesting photo of our political leaders in America. I recently mentioned the lack of style our political leaders have in today's world, and I about fell over when I found this photo. With a little research, I unveiled that the US Congress apparently has a "seersucker day", and on this day, the members encourage each other to wear seersucker. Apparently, Senator Trent Lott started the tradition. I applaud their attempt to break form the norm, but I frown on the fact that they consider seersucker something they can only wear one day out of the year. Regardless, I also applaud the white bucks, saddle shoes, and spectators worn by the men. The bow tie and pocket square on display is also impressive coming from these guys; however, I cannot say much about the fit of their suits. The poor chap on the far right (I can't remember his name...maybe Norm) looks sloppy with an oversized jacket and trousers that are way too long. I also hate black shoes, and black trousers with seersucker. It is difficult to say because he is partially blocked, but Senator Trent Lott appears to have the best fitting suit. Anyway, I thought the rest of the world may want to see politicians in something other than the normal blue or gray suit, and of course, seersucker is a WASP wardrobe classic. Happy voting, I have to wait a little while longer!