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There are times in every one's life when a good smoke is called for, and even though I have not smoked in months, I did partake of a delicious pipe smoke this afternoon with the mailman. As it appears, I was dressed for the occasion and since our mailman was already running late on his last stop of the day (my street), I offered him a drink. He accepted, and to let you know a little about his character, our mailman is a tweedy older gentleman. In the bitter cold of the winter, he usually wears an oxford cloth button down and tweed jacket. In addition, he is an avid pipe smoker and since he decided to have a pipe smoke with his drink, I decided to join him. It was a jolly time sitting on the porch talking about women, politics, and old times. We did briefly discuss sartorial bliss, and he loved my tartan tweed jacket. He actually complimented it so much, that I let him try it on (we are basically the same size). I was so flattered that I almost gave it to him, but then I remembered what I had to go through to acquire this particular jacket. Oh well, sorry mailman. Regardless, I enjoyed my evening with the postal carrier, and it was a memorable pipe smoking adventure.
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23 comments:
Richard,
Great jacket! The pocket handkerchief is fantastic.
Hum,
you must have read my mind. As stated before in another post, I myself must stick to the more earthy tones due to my skin color.
As a matter of fact I will be wearing these same colors tomorrow. All in all, I like the look, and yes I agree the pocket square is a plus. I give an A- for this one. An A- due to the fact that I do not know what slacks and shoes you are wearing.
Poloist12,
I am wearing gray flannels, and Polo Tassel Loafers. The loafers should be featured in many other posts.
Correction to the grade, A+.
since you're such a fashion hit... have you or would you ever cheat on your loving wife?... if you could?
we all know you have all these web crushes on girls, what does she think about them?
you're so fascinating!
ps... why do you have some old dudes face as your avatar? it's kind of gay. ie, man up show your face!
TJ
Looks like you and poloist12 have taken a real liking to each other. Dick, maybe your wife should be more worried about poloist12 than that waitress. I have to admit that the comments are really the only reason I occasionally visit this blog.
Anonymous,
The whole blogging world is happy to know why you visit my blog!
TJ,
I love my wife, and I would never cheat.
Ugh, “Into the breach once more my dear friends.” I will let Richard explain why the use of the photo. I will not attempt to explain anything about Richards’s marriage, as it’s none of my business, and actually none of yours.
However, I for one love my wife and the family we have. If you have read my blog you would know that. Though Richard and I have had our differences, we also share something else, an interest in the WASP life styles, as do others who visit this site. Asking if he cheats, or will cheat on his wife is out of line, and just down right rude. I hope that you who are asking such questions, and alluding to such innuendoes do not call yourselves gentlemen. If you are only reading this blog seeking strife, keeping reading, as I’m sure you will find it, as there is always going to be someone such as your stature who will be sure to light the fires of contention. Also, don’t let the bow tie fool you into questioning my manhood. You really do not want me to become indignant and show the Redneck Zulu side of me, as it ain’t pretty. :)
The jacket is just plaid, not Tartan.
"Rememberable"? Did yo mean "memorable"?
Hmmm...a guy in his 30's smoking a pipe in tweed. A bit affected if you ask me.
Just sayin'.
Giuseppe,
I realize that you do not mean to pick a fight, but I respectfully disagree with you. This jacket is tartan in my opinion. Brooks Brothers had it labeled as tartan when I had it made, and by the definition of tartan, it fits. Anyway, I enjoy your blog, and I read daily. I will add it to my blog roll (society) soon.
QUite so! it is too true and you are right poloist12. what is it with these detrimental comments i for one must agree that our currnt culture has gone directly down the lou! We are all chaps, is it not so? i must correct you old sport it is acutally "once more unto the breach." we could all do well to learn a thing or two from Billy Shakespeare!
I received a new pipe and pipe lighter for Christmas. You have inspired me to duck out an hour early today and break it in on the back patio. Now, I must set about planning what I'll drink with it. Decisions, decisions.
Richard,
Excellent combination, I think it works very together. The shoes work well with the tie and the outfit looks like it belongs together.
Being British, the only thing I would change in your ensemble is the button-down shirt. I would have gone with a spread collar of the same colour. As you may know, in England, the button-down is really casual and not intended for use with a tie. It was originally created for Polo players so that the wind doesn't blow the collar on their faces.
Regards,
Giuseppe,
To clear up the air - Plaid is the American word for the British (Scottish to be exact) Tartan. When Americans decide to use the original word (which Brooks appears to have done according to Richard), they use Tartan which is sometimes confusing for those accustomed to Plaid. Here in England, there is no such thing as 'Plaid', it is always Tartan.
Richard,
The jacket is slightly too loud for my liking, but you carry it off well, as you so often do.
I have been following your blog, from way down here in Sydney, Australia, for most of the past year, and your taste in classic clothing (although not in politics!) always impresses me. Alas, most Australian men's retailers have become slaves to trends and fads -- and bad ones, at that -- so if, like me, you value timeless, classic garments, your only option has become online shopping. With the Australian dollar relatively weak at the moment, I have resorted, with generally favourable results, to LLBean and Lands' End.
One slightly mischievous political remark, though, from a devout liberal like me: Richard, in the four overwhelmingly enjoyable years I spent, initially as a graduate student, living in the United States, I found the most loyal adherents of classic WASP style were tweedy liberals on Ivy League campuses. Lots of herringbone, corduroy and brogues. Most of the Republicans I met wore slicked-back hair -- Gordon Gecko-style -- snakeskin cowboy boots, shiny suits, and way too much aftershave. They desperately wanted to wear their ill-gotten fortunes, quite the opposite of WASP understatement.
Anyway, Richard, your blog is a treasure. I am very glad you recovered from your earlier illness and keep on blogging.
Anonymous,
Thanks! I really do appreciate the compliment. I agree with your concept about Republican style. It used to be said that a bow tie was the Republican calling card. Not so much anymore.
Plus, I don't mind that you are liberal, at least you believe in something. I am really down on politics right now, and I am considering not offering my consulting services to them (politicians) anymore. They are a lot of agravation, and I make most of my money from corporate accounts anyway. Again, thanks for the kind words.
Comment on HMS's comment:
" As you may know, in England, the button-down is really casual and not intended for use with a tie."
I have yet to come across a British shirtmaker who produce a proper button-down collar. Fortunately, we can obtain Brooks Brothers OCBDsin London. Such collars are certainly far more becoming than the British spread collar which makes every face look fat.
Despite what our British cousin HMS states, "tartan" and "plaid" are not synonymous, nor are they simply British vs. North American variants.
All tartans are plaids. However, all plaids are not tartans. I believe that this is the point that Giuseppe was making.
Tartains are plaids associated with a particular clan or with a particular district in Scotland. Tartans have specific names; plaids do not.
Anonymous,
The word plaid is not really in use in England. Plaid in England refers specifically to the tartan cloth slung over the shoulder when wearing a kilt - nothing else, which is how it came to be used in North America to describe the pattern in general.
Although a specific Tartan was once associated with a certain clan, today there are a few tartans known as "universal" i.e. they can be worn by anyone. This includes the Blackwatch among others.
My point was (and still is) that in standard American English, "plaid" and "tartan" are not interchangeable. "Plaid" is a generic term, while "tartan" specifically referes to those plaids that are associated with a particular region or clan in Scotland.
Tartans are referred to by name, plaids are referred to by color.
I'm sorry, but I have to agree with anonymous on this one.
When you see a Black Watch plaid, you know what it means, and it's origins, well some of us anyway.
Richard, great post as usual. What's up with the camera though? The photos haven't been as sharp lately, and they don't do justice to the cloth, the clothes, or the man.
As to some of the comments being left here. I don't understand how people can be so insensitive. What the heck does "affected" mean? Did Guiseppe mean "pretentious?" Why not just say it? I loved your response though, keeping it classy, nice. But, I have to admit, I enjoy reading the comments.
I'm not sure what to think about the great Tartan vs Plaid debate, but I was able to find this forum: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/tartan_vs_plaid-t12420/index.html?s=c14ba8c058f9901f8cb29be97c779f94&t=12420.
And finally, I rediscovered this short book, figured most here would appreciate it (and need it), and highly recommend it, "Between You and I: A Little Book of Bad English."
Keep up the good work Richard, don't let the D-bags get to you.
Cheers!
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