The Red Coats Are Coming

This is a jacket that is not for the faint of heart. But, it dresses up nicely with khaki trousers or gray flannels. However, I was feeling abundantly casual this morning and I threw it on with some jeans and a different yellow OCBD.

The jacket is a cashmere blend and it is equipped with brass buttons. I like it, but many don't. Who cares!

The Sunday Before Easter (Palm Sunday)

Today for Palm Sunday, I broke out a recent eBay find. But, before I give you details about the suit, I should preface the story with the fact that I was considering having a glen plaid suit made. However, I wisely did a search on eBay and found this vintage H Freeman & Sons Naturalaire suit equipped with a 3/2 roll, sack finish, and two button sleeve (saving myself about $900). The suit fits impeccably and the only disappointment I had was the fact the trousers came without a cuff. Fortunately, there was enough material to put an inch and a half cuff on the trouser. Normally, I prefer and inch and three quarters to two inches.

With the suit, I wore a yellow Oxford Cloth Button Down with my tobacco suede bluchers. Now, as I utter these words, I can already see the comments. And, I bet they will go something like this.......you should have worn black cap-toe shoes......you should have worn a point collar. Well, all I can say is do a little research on WASP style or Ivy League style and you will see many chaps adorning their suits with Oxford Cloth Button Down shirts. Is the point collar, club collar, or even a pinned collar correct? Yes! Is the button down less formal? Possibly, but the Ivy League look isn't intended to be formal but rather relaxed.

Now on to the shoes.......I hate black shoes. Yes, I own a pair of black cap-toe oxfords from Allen Edmonds, black suede Shipton & Heneage bit loafers, and two pair of black velvet slippers. And yes, I wear them on occasion but I do prefer the class and character of a brown shoe. In my opinion, the only suit brown cannot be worn with is a black suit. However, wearing or even owning a black suit is another no-no in my book. I can name countless greats that wore suede and brown with charcoal and navy suits. Let's see, how about the Duke of Windsor. Check out Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man, and you will see the duke in a chalk stripe double breasted suit in charcoal while also wearing tobacco suede bluchers.

Anyway, this is what I wore today and if you like it good. If not, oh well!

Well I Can't Breathe In Here With All These Germs

"Making The Grade" is an movie that could be considered a country club guide to dressing. The plot or lack there off is somewhat subdued by the amazing collection of Ivy League clothing. Plus, who could forget the opening scene above. We all knew a Palmer Woodrow didn't we? Anyway, enjoy some of the movie photos.

Jewelry Art Designs

A very nice girl named Sarah contacted me and asked if she could send my wife a free piece of jewelry for a review of her site on my blog. I agreed, and my wife has never been so happy as she is right now that I blog. The ring arrived in a cute little snap box, and my wife has worn the beautiful ring everyday since its arrival. I don't know a lot about jewelry, but the ring is beautiful and the jewelry is reasonably priced. Sarah also has other items such as earrings on her sight as well. Check her out, you or your wife will not be disappointed!

www.jewelryartdesigns.com

More Political Drama

Tonight, I traveled just outside the state I live in to help another political candidate. This particular candidate is running for the US Congress, and fortunately, he hasn't given me any orders concerning my wardrobe. The candidate is a good guy and he falls into the category that many candidates fall into in the early days, and that category is the "I am going to save the world" group. Poor guy doesn't realize that if he wins he will only be a small speckle of a voice, and truthfully, regardless of who controls Washington, the special interests run the show. Corporations, social issue groups, you name it and if they have the funds they can play ball. The American people truly are the least heard group, but I blame the American people for letting this happen.

Just a quick glimpse of Jay Leno's "Jay Walking", and one can see that few Americans understand basic civics. People vote for candidates because they like their hair, or their tie. Some base their vote on a single issue, and usually this issue is one that may never be voted on. I guess I should rejoice that people are ignorant because it helps me garner clients who need help putting together 30 second ads. However, I would gladly give up every dime I have ever made on political campaigns if American voters would become involved and responsible enough to research candidates and how the system truly works. Imagine a world where candidates only had to make television appearances on news stations, publish websites stating their beliefs, and possibly participate in public forums to get their message across. Inevitably, the people of this country are the sole reason campaigns have become so expensive, and it is their ignorance and lack of character that forces candidates to capture their attention with 30 sec TV ads. Maybe one day people will stand up, truly do their homework, and demand more from their elected officials.

Anyway, I think I looked pretty sharp tonight. I don't enjoy wearing a lot of suits, but tonight, I broke out my:

Charcoal J Press Worsted 3/2 Sack Suit
Polo OCBD
Brooks Repp Tie
Bob Timberlake Tobacco Leaf Socks
Ralph Lauren Tassel Loafers

I May Buy This Tie

I think Brooks Brothers must have throw back fever with the offering of a Mad Men Suit, and now a collection of authentic 1960s patterns in a slim width. This particular tie caught my eye, and I may just have to purchase it. I do enjoy a slender tie, but you have to be careful not to go too slim. Let's order it and see how it looks.

Brighten Your Day With Lilly

Lilly Pulitzer clothing is a sure fire way to brighten up a busy dreary day. And today, I wore my one and only Lilly item, my bright yellow mini wale cords. Now, even though Lilly is certainly WASPy, most of her items should only be worn at the resort or while on vacation. And though I admire some of the brands bright flowery trousers, I could never pull those off. The only male that I have ever seen wear those to perfection is TinTin at The Trad. To see this photo, check his first post.

Anyway, my bright yellow cords is as far as I can go at the moment with Lilly, but she is a WASP institution.

WASP 101 Car of The Moment: Vintage Toyota Land Cruisers

www.ToyotaOffRoad.Com

Beware!!! These vehicles are bad to the bone! And, I mean that in a good way.

Santa Did Come To Town.....And, I Am Just Now Telling You About It!

It has been a while, but do you remember me professing my desire to own this J Press Brownwatch Plaid sport coat? Well, Santa came to town (a.k.a my mom) and bought it for me this past Christmas. And today, I broke it out of the closet for a casual day spent at Starbucks on the phone with vendors and politicians. Actually, I can barely write this piece as I am all jacked up on a caffeine high.

I went casual today with straight fit jeans cut slightly short, Polo OCBD left unbuttoned at the neck, and J Press club tie. On the feet, I sported my favorite Polo Shell Cordovan Tassel Loafers.

Worthy, I am missing you pal, and I just might come out to California and try some of those doughnuts. You crazy WASP reject you :)

The Odd Vest

Tonight is our weekly poker game at the country club, and I decided to pull out my favorite odd vest for the occasion. The odd vest is a garment we rarely see today, but it was certainly a prominent item in the Ivy/WASPy past. This vest is obviously tattersal and it matches a sport coat that I purchased from Brooks Brothers (posted twice before). Odd vests also come in a variety of tweeds, and doeskin odd vests are pretty nice as well. Brooks has embraced the resurgence the last couple seasons, and Ben Silver fits in this category as well. The vest is acceptable without a jacket for casual occasions, but I usually like to always keep a sport coat/blazer handy.

J Press 3/2 Sack Blazer
Brooks Tattersal Vest
Brooks Gray Flannel Trousers
J Press Pheasant Club Tie
Brooks Straight Collar Shirt
Polo Fair Isle Hoisery
Cole Haan Bit Loafers
Brightly Colored J Crew watchband (doesn't match a darn thing but who cares)

My Reluctant Return

I am reluctantly returning today, and I say reluctantly for many reasons but the greatest of these reasons is that I am super busy with political candidates. I actually feel like Richard Gere from the movie Power at moments, and in truth, that movie sums up politics.

Most candidates have little clue what they are walking into in the world of politics. Many have a "save the world mentality" to start off with, but they quickly see this mentality will be checked in at the door before entering. Philosophically, I will not work for any Democrats, but to be honest, most Republicans don't even know why they are a Republican. I find that most people register the way great grand-daddy registered, and a lot of Republicans are just as liberal as some Democrats. Once in a while, somebody will come along that impresses me, but it is very seldom.

Anyway, this past weekend, one of my clients for the state house had his county convention. I usually deem these events as useless, and these events are full of king makers (in the minds at least) that are very demanding. I did agree to go with my client to observe his speech but for the first time in my life, my client gave me an order. He asked me to wear khakis and a button up shirt with his sticker stuck to my chest. Did I do it? Heck No! First, nobody is going to tell me (a public relations consultant) what to wear! Second, I showed up at the event wearing the above ensemble:

Adrian Jules MTM 3/2 Roll, Patch Pockets Sport Coat (I have matching trousers)
Brooks Pink OCBD
Polo Pocket Square
Polo Tweed Trousers
Brooks Peal & Co. Suede Bluchers

And third, when my smarty pants client pulled me to the side to express his discontent, I told him that my clients do not give me orders that regard facets of my personal life. I expanded this conversation by telling him that I would drop him as a client in a heart beat if he showed his butt again, and that he needed me more than I needed him. Just crazy!

I will leave you with these final comments. It is unbelievable what it costs to get elected to public office in the United States. An individual had better bring 100k to get elected to the state house, 1 million for US Congress, 15-30 million for the US Senate or Governor, and 500 million - 1 Billion for President. As a former history buff, I really enjoyed reading about past political elections. But, I have a feeling I will not enjoy reading about today's races 40 years from now.

I Need A Week Off, Enjoy The Archives!!