22 July 2009

Off Season

It's been pretty hot and humid the past few days, and I had been planning a post on the vagaries of grown men wearing short pants, complete with four days worth of outfits to prove my somewhat dubious points on the matter. I'll save that for another day, because yesterday this winter gem walked into my closet: This thing is thick, heavy, and as soft as any tweed you've ever touched.It's browner than it looks in the photos, so come fall it will make a dead perfect match with these pants and this tie, which I've also been holding on to. Add a blue button down and you've got the 1965 college look nailed.

It's got all my favorite details: patch pockets, welted seems, 2 button cuff. The sleeves will need a bit of shortening, but that's standard. At 40+ years old, it's none the worse for wear. I don't want to screw around with it too much, but I'm thinking that some brown suede elbow patches might also be in the cards for this one.from the long gone Brooks Brothers "University Shop" line. $4.99, pink tags half price=$2.49. Deals like that take my breath away.

p.s. "Off the Cuff" recently wrote a great bit on dressing well, even if you're not dressed up. As a guy who likes clothes but rarely gets the chance to wear suits and ties, I think he's spot on. If you haven't read it yet, do it now.

10 comments:

C said...

Outstanding G. Love these kinds of jackets. I can't wait until I can break them out again.

Conor

Richard said...

Beautiful coat -- I wish Brooks would fully return to the 1960s Ivy look, but I know that is doubtful. At least they do hold on to some of the characteristics, but two button sleeve, patch pocket, sack style is almost impossible to find in the store now. I know I do own some darted jackets, but I have grown to love the sack style again and will only purchase this style in the future.

paul said...

THAT is truly and amazing find!! Be sure and blog it in the fall when the weather is right. Good luck.

Young Fogey said...

Very nice find at a very nice price! Does it have a hook vent?

I have to share one of my recent finds: a pair of oxblood kiltie tassel slip-ons, from Italy. Brand-new (as in never worn) and half-price in a thrift shop for a sawbuck-and-a-half! In a department store there would have been another zero on that price.

Thanks for inspiring me to go thrifting. I've gotten some great togs at incredible prices.

Andrew M. said...

I'm looking forward to reading your take on men wearing shorts. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about that issue.

44 said...

Would you be so kind as to share the names of the thrift shops that you frequent? I am an occasional visitor to the Boston area and would very much appreciate some tips on trad-rich thrift sources.

Giuseppe said...

44,

Let me think it over. For better or worse, I've always found that a bit of greed and tight-lipped secrecy are part and parcel of succesful thrift shopping.

Young Fogey said...

Don't spill the beans, G! If you do, everyone who lives within a few score miles of Boston, as well as everyone who ever visits it, will raid all your favorite haunts and you'll never see anything worth wearing again!

On the plus side, all those forever-classy polyester leisure suits will still be yours for the asking.

Young Fogey said...

P.S.: Have you considered pairing this jacket with the de-suited green (i.e. olive) pants?

dandy nihilism said...

Glad to see you still thrifting!