H-E-double hockey sticks

The man from Brooks Brothers: Vintage 1980s Brooks Brothers "346" kelly green hopsack blazer,acquired through trade; Brooks Brothers pinpoint oxford shirt, made in USA, thrift store; Brooks Brothers navy chinos with embroidered kelly green whales, thrift store; J. Press ribbon belt: gingham square, cut from an old shirt.

It is my great honor to declare "Go To Hell" season officially open. Gentlemen, do your worst!

Firsts of the Season

 Ribbon belts and kelly green blazer

 Bare, pasty, white ankles

 Massachusetts hippie shoes

 Mussels steamed in beer with bacon, crispy shoe string fries

 Excellent local beer to wash it down with

 Periwinkle blue slubby herringbone silk and linen jacket...

 ...that happens to be a suit. (traded, more here)

 the Boy playing soccer

and sideline seats with my favorite Girl.

It's been a rough week around here, but now that it's over, I'm happy to report that the good far outweighs the bad. Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts, Now lets forget it and get on with things.

p.s. new stuff today in the Shop. Hows that for getting on with it?

The Present

I've been switching out my Winter wardrobe for Spring stuff lately. As I said before, in 20 years little has changed, or rather things have come full circle. I still wear a version of that same outfit from the Summer when I was 16, only now its a bit more refined. Vintage Hathaway shirt, Italian silk ascot, Brooks Brothers khakis and ribbon belt, leather and mesh spectator loafers, and a USA made Polo blazer, all of it from thrift stores. The hat was a treat for myself bought new at the Andover Shop, though I did get for half price in the end of Summer sale.

I bet I still have something like this in the closet when I'm 80....unless even if we've all switched to silver space suits by then.

A Dash of Color

I like to make an attempt to look put-together, even when I'm not really dressing up. Since a tie is frequently too much these days (as stated here), Springtime affords a man the option of ribbon belts in a myriad of stripes and prints. They can add the dash of color of a tie, in an easy, casual way:

My own collection isn't huge, but it's adequate. A grouping of stripes in colors similar to what I might wear in a tie, one madras plaid, and  a couple of go-to-hell prints. If you're wearing khakis or go-to-hell pants with a tennis shirt, a leather belt simply won't do. If you're wearing a blazer and bow tie, and you're a brave man, try one on for size. Just stay keep them away from dress pants and suits (but you already knew that, right?)

Cheap, fun, and eminently collectible, ribbon belts satisfy my style conscious side as well as the insatiable hoarder in me. And here's a little secret: look for these in the women's accessories at the thrift shop. All the best ones wind up there.

p.s. the Shop is as stocked as ever. Check it out.