Taking a Few Days Off.........

Gingham Shirts

After more than two weeks of rating the best dressed men and women of all time, I am pooped. And to make matters worse, it was 91 degrees this past Sunday and we are expecting more of the same for the rest of the week. I hate hot weather, and I have considered moving to Alaska (not really). Anyway, with hot weather brings new wardrobe items back to the front of the line, and for church Sunday I began to dress for the weather. On this particular Sunday, I chose a deep purple gingham shirt as my centerpiece. I combined it with a blue blazer, lightweight cream trousers, bit loafers, rainbow grosgrain watchband, polka dot square, and no socks. I even skipped the tie which is rare for me. So, onward we go to the hot of summer, and let's bring on the seersucker and linen.



(1940s Vintage Hamilton - Brooks Brothers Ribbon Band)

The Top Five Best Dressed Women In The World: Number 1

Photo Credit: LifeInLegacy.Com

At number one is the famous socialite and expert gardener, C.Z. Guest. C.Z. is the epitome of what a WASP women should look like, and she is very stylish in her display of WASP clothing. Notice that she is wearing gardening gloves in the top picture with pearls and a sweater. Amazing! She was also the feature girl on the cover of the book A Privileged Life, and she has been featured many times in many places over the years. So at number one, we have the late C.Z. Guest.





Honorable Mentions (Ladies who would have definitely made the top ten):

Queen Elizabeth
Grace Kelly
Audrey Hepburn
Blair (Gossip Girl)

The Top Five Best Dressed Women In The World: Number 2

Coming in at number 2 is the late New York socialite and philanthropist, Brooke Astor. Though some feel Jackie O should be number one, I believe Brooke has just as much style and class as Jackie. Jackie was more visible due to her husband, but she was shy and not an outgoing socialite in the mold of Astor. Brooke was elegant and a flirt in her hay day, and she is crowned number two on the all time WASP 101 list.

The Top Five Best Dressed Women of All Time: Number 3

Coming in at number three is the beautiful Jackie Kennedy. A lady who embodied style and grace, and could often be seen wearing Lilly Pulitzer.

The Top Five Best Dressed Women In The World: Number 4

Arriving in at number four is the deceased but always famous CoCo Chanel. Yes, she derives from a French background, but WASP women have embraced both her elegant style and fragrance Chanel No.5. Probably an obvious choice for some, but maybe a surprise for others.

The Top Five Best Dressed Women In The World: Number 5

Today, I start a short series to name the five best dressed women in the world. The first request I have is to be kind with remarks due to the fact I am not an expert on women's fashion. The named five will be in order with one being the best. Today, coming in at number five is Princess Mary of Denmark. A gorgeous lady, and well dressed to boot. Also, please enjoy the YouTube section below as it displays more photos of the princess. ( I know this is a little early for Tuesday's post, but I had to do it now or never....though I guess I could have scheduled it)

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Honorable Mentions

As promised, I am listing the honorable mentions (those who almost made the list). In addition, I am providing a set of photos from YouTube of the number one choice. Enjoy!

Honorable Mentions:

Prince Charles
JFK
Jock Whitney
Gianna Agnelli
Wes Anderson
Andre 3000

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 1

Associated Press

As many may have predicted, coming in at number one is Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor. The famous once King of England gave up the throne of England to marry the twice divorced Wallis Simpson, but he at least did it in style. Throughout his life he held on to a fondness for loud tweeds and checks, and he introduced much of what we know as the Ivy League Style to the United States. The repp tie, suede shoes with gray flannel suits, kiltie loafers, and many more items did the Duke introduce to the states. I sometimes believe that without his duties of king to keep him busy, he simply played with clothes. I also believe it is not arguable that he influenced modern menswear more than any other man, and designers like Ralph Lauren have made billions from his inspiration. Furthermore, it is not arguable that he contributed to what we know as Ivy League style or WASP style. Americans certainly had anglophila during the 30s, and the Duke was their key inspiration.

A Recap of The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time:

1. Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor
2. Gary Cooper
3. Prince Michael of Kent
4. Philippe Noiret
5. Cary Grant
6. Bruce Boyer
7. David Wilder, J Press
8. Richard Merkin
9. Fred Astaire
10. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 2

(Gary even makes this outfit look amazing)


Photo Credit: Masquers Scrapbook

It is probably not a surprise that Gary Cooper comes in at number two for my top ten list. I admire Gary's style so much that I have used his photos for my profile picture since day one of the blogs creation. Gary comes from a day when actors didn't have all the stylist, and most of his sartorial creations truly came from his style and taste. Furthermore, I suggest all readers do a search on Life Magazine's archive of Gary to view many of his wonderful creations. Gary, you were definitely the man!

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 3

Coming in today at number three is Prince Michael of Kent. Michael is known for his large tie knots, and impeccable dress. He tends to favor double breasted jackets and blazers, but he always appears dressed in public in elegant fashion. Congrats Prince Michael, you made the top three on the WASP 101 all time list.

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 4

Philippe Noiret was a famous French actor who passed away in 2006. He was a renowned stylish dresser, and he was featured in Alan Flusser's Dressing The Man. Philippe was a lover of the bow tie, and he was often photographed with a cigar in hand. Congrats to Philippe for being named number 4 on the WASP 101 all time list.

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 5

Today at number five is the master of simple style. Cary Grant! Enough said.

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 6

Coming in at number six is an Ivy League expert and writer, Bruce Boyer. From his tortoise shell glasses to impeccable tweeds, Mr. Boyer is a walking Ivy League script. The Sartorialist and Ivy Style have done wonderful interviews with Mr. Boyer, and I suggest checking them out. Congrats Mr. Boyer, you are number six on WASP 101's All Time List.

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 7

Photo Credit: FNB Blog

Today's choice is arguably not that famous, but he works for the world renowned company J Press. Furthermore, Mr. David Wilder could possibly be ranked higher, but without other photos for reference, I can't allow it. Regardless, the photo above demonstrates a style that is worthy for this list, and I am truly envious of his tweed suit. David is the epitome of trad/WASP style, and I also love his glasses and leather eye-case for a pocket square. Congrats Mr. Wilder you are number 7 on the WASP 101 all time list.

The Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 8

Photo Credit: Esquire

Coming in today at number eight is a man who is certainly a dandy, and he is an individual that could easily be number one on other lists. Yes, number eight is Richard Merkin. Richard demonstrates some of the most beautiful outfits I have ever seen, and I love his tweed suits, cream linen suits, dandified hats, walking sticks, and favoring a boutonniere over pocket squares. In addition, his footwear is remarkable. For example, notice the kiltie loafers he is wearing with his cream linen suit. So, if Mr. Merkin could be number one on other lists, why did I choose him for number eight? The answer is mostly for his dandy style. It suits him, but I cannot choose a true dandy for the number one spot. This is of course WASP 101, and not Dandyism.net.

Top Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 9

Fred Astaire comes in today at my number nine spot. Fred was borderline dandy at times, but he always maintained a very conservative and traditional look. He was a huge fan of the button down collar, and I believe he purchased his from Brooks. In addition, he also favored the button down collar with double breasted suits. In general, Fred is an obvious choice for this list, but I placed him at number nine due to some lack of creativity on his part. However, being number nine on an all time list is not a bad spot.

The Ten Best Dressed Famous Men of All Time: Number 10

For the next few weeks, I plan to place emphasis on my choices for the top ten best dressed famous men of all time. Actors, politicians, news anchors, etc. will be the pool that I choose from, and deceased members are fair game as well. I may take periodic breaks to discuss other sartorial measures, but essentially one selection will follow the next. And yes, my choices are ranked in a hierarchical format, with number one being the best.



Today's number ten choice is the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In addition to serving in the US Senate, Patrick served in successive presidential administrations, and as an ambassador. Patrick grew up as a poor child, but he obviously developed a liking for the Ivy League Style. Patrick sported tweeds, poplin suits, and bow ties on a regular basis. In addition, he held on to this style even in years that did not smile upon its display, and that is another feather in his cap. So again, today's choice is Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

My New Kicks

Photo Credits: Ebay/Previous Owner of Shoes

Occasionally, I search Ebay for a pair of shoes or an antique watch. Tonight, I was the lucky winner of these brand new Gucci Kiltie Loafers. I do look forward to their arrival, but I am uncertain as to how I will wear them. To be continued.....

The Red Blazer

Blazers in colors other than navy are rarely seen today. However, I think blazers in bottle green and red are perfectly appropriate. Heck, even a gold blazer can work. The gentleman on the far left is wearing a red blazer with a madras shirt, and he looks smashing in this ensemble. Personally, I own a red blazer with brass buttons from Brooks Brothers, but I seldom wear it. I may just have to break it out next week though. Photos to come.