New Old Stuff

As much as I love good old Brooks Brothers, at heart I'm more of a J.Press man. If I had money and actually bought clothes new, I'd likely shop there. For one thing, they still look like what they are and always have been, a standard bearer of American menswear, unlike Brooks Brothers, who now seem to be merely a label with little connection to its history, other than from a marketing point of view. Or maybe it's because Press is a New England thing and Brooks is a New York thing, so it's a bit like the difference between the Red Sox and the Yankees...who knows?

I'm thinking of this because two real scores, J.Press by way of the thrift, joined the Affordable Wardrobe today:First, this pair of khaki wool pants, sturdy but soft to the touch, with just the slightest red undertone in the fabric, $4.99

My educated guess says 1970's vintage, judging by the fact that the label lists only New York, Cambridge and New Haven, not San Francisco. But what does it matter? They could be brand new or 50 years old. With J. Press, consistency is the name of the game.

As evidenced also in this lovely necktie:Paisley print on ancient madder, $2.99I'm guessing this is even older, possibly 1960's. It's cut rather narrow, and note again the three city label.

I find a real satisfaction in acquiring clothes that are older than I am and owning them for many years...especially at a savings of 99.6% (that's right, do the math, $7.98 vs. 187.50). Builds character, or something. Plus, every time those hippie college kids on the sidewalk with the clipboards campaigning for the environment look me over as a stuffed shirt, I get to be all smug to myself and think "Green? Recycling? You think you invented it?"

It is however, a little weird to occupy a social position smack between those kids and the old money who discarded this stuff in the first place.

Keep It Simple (reprise)

Recently I extolled the virtues of the perfect simplicity of a white oxford and blue jeans, one of the most classic and inherently American combinations in existence. Our boy Conor even picked up the thread. Here's another variation, built mostly around my recently acquired (fake Baracuta) Harrington jacket:

I know it may be a little silly, but I really dig the striping on the collar of this jacket. It may not be totally classic, but it does add a bit of flair that sets it apart, without being over the top. While I'm not usually a fan of the popped collar, I feel that this jacket practically requires it. Little things like that work best when used sparingly.As is usually the case in menswear, the smallest details can play a crucial role. This outfit is all casual, no doubt about it, but adding a narrow, dressy Coach belt can be a nice touch that elevates and polishes things just enough, and because it as dreary and drizzly and even a little chilly, Sebago camp mocs are the perfect shoe. Boat shoes would work on a sunny day, or even penny loafers and light socks, with a rolled cuff on the jeans.

I'll say it again: when in doubt keep it simple.

p.s. I'm a bit at a loss as to what other pants to wear with this jacket. It seems so made for jeans, that anything else is weak in comparison. Suggestions?

Pink, part 2

Not only it is Memorial Day weekend, but I also had the pleasure of attending a friends wedding yesterday afternoon, by the seaside. All the right ingredients for this years debut of the pink pants:

I picked these up the Polo outlet for about $15 the same day I found the green pants. I guess the ghost of Lily Pulitzer was on my side that day, or something.

All morning long, I went back and forth in my mind about what to wear with them; a bow tie?, a striped shirt? Then I realized that when a man wears pink pants, his best bet is to keep the rest of the items really simple. Otherwise, it's too easy to fall into "preppy costume" territory.

So I stuck with a white shirt and navy blazer, and a summery navy and white tie in mini gingham check. For a bit of extra dash, a white square with pink and navy flowers.My favorite thing about these pants is that they're made of oxford broadcloth, almost like a shirt. Very comfortable, and a bit unusual.

The whole thing was finished off sockless, with penny loafers (of course).The tie has some interesting bits about it too. As usual, I found it for a dollar or two at a thrift store somewhere. The brand name is "Paddle" (which is funny, because it's not a rowing paddle so much as a frat house hazing paddle), and it hails from some long gone local Massachusetts store called the Country Store of Concord.The dirty little secret is: it's not silk (gasp!). That's often a deal breaker for me, but this tie is just too sharp too let such a small detail deter me from wearing it. Besides, when I dribbled a little bit of beer on it, it wiped right off with only a paper napkin.The wedding was a lot of fun. A beautiful ceremony outside in a beautiful place, followed by barbecue, beer, and live music provided by a group of my good friends. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. H, we wish you all the best.

Spring (jacket) Fever

Recently, I found myself in need of a good lightweight jacket for Spring. Something workable and smart, but comfortable and easy to deal with...in other words, not a sports coat. Though I may be a staunch devotee of the old second-hand store, I'm not above the occasional new purchase, provided it's on sale of course. Recently, I turned this up on the L.L.Bean website:

Pull over windbreaker, light weight, folds into it's own pocket, a nice handy thing to keep in the car, $19.99. Not bad, but when worn with a baseball cap it does tend to send a rather "third base coach" vibe.

Then a few days later this:Pullover windbreaker, a bit heavier, in the sort of yellow that only exists on the New England coast, $7 at the thrift,
possibly 1990's L.L. Bean. I seem to remember that label with the mountain scene on all those monogrammed backpacks everybody had back when I was in high school. I wore it today with khakis and navy blue sneakers...if only I had the damn sailboat to go with it.

Then today, this:I'd recently been wanting a jacket like this. I was lusting after a proper Baracuta G9 'Harrington', but at $265, that's a bit far out of reach, and more than a pinch unreasonable even if I had that kind of scratch. This one, for $5.99, will more than suffice as a substitute.From Gant, back when they were cool the first time around. True, it doesn't have the cool plaid lining of a proper Barcuta, but I do think that stripe around the collar is rather sharp. This one needs some Levi's 501's, tan dessert boots, a convertible and one of those weird skinny cigars that were so popular in the 1970's.

With my part time job at an end, and my full time status at home with the kids back in effect, I look to be spending a lot of time at playgrounds and parks, not the dressiest places in the world. These ought to help me stay casual and comfortable without resorting to the "what do you want, I'm watching the kids" style of sweatpants and baseball jerseys seen on too many dads today. (snark, snark, snark...)

78 Degrees and Rising

And out come the kelly green "go to hell" pants:

$14 at the Polo outlet in Maine a couple of years ago. Paired with their natural counterparts, navy blue and white, canvas of course.The cut of these pants is basically that of a nice, fairly trim pair if plain front cotton chinos. It just goes to show the power of color. Throw on a slouchy casual outfit (chinos, un-ironed oxford, sneakers), but use color to elevate it to something a little more dressy, without sacrificing any comfort. Got to love them warm sunny days.

We're looking at 94 degrees tomorrow. I may have to resort to (gasp!) shorts. They'll be perfect for an afternoon of waiting in line at ye olde unemployment office.

Be Back Soon....

....I promise.

Two small kids and finals will keep a fellow real busy. Time for some much neede rest. As such, I must limit my internet activities in the wee hours for a while. Don't worry, if I turn up any cheap gems you, dear readers, will be the first to know.

Perils of Thrifting

I know I'm prone to prattle on about the wonders of the charity store, and a wise pauper's ability to drape himself in the clothing of a prince. But second hand shopping is not all peaches and cream. It has it's downfalls.

Just the other day, I discovered this fun Brooks Brothers sport shirt. A real old one, with the six button front and the long tails, like our man Heavy Tweed Jacket has been known to yearn for, all mine for a mere $1.99:
"Won't this look great with khakis, a blazer, no socks and topsiders?" I think to myself, and into the wash it goes. But upon ironing it the next day I discover this unsightly gash:
The poor old thing just couldn't take any more washing. The cotton is too tired to withstand warm water and detergent.

Oh well, at least it'll look sharp as hell for garden work.

in other news: today on the Harvard campus, I saw a kid wearing a t-shirt in crimson and white, with George W. Bush's picture on it, that read simply "Blame Yale". Awesome.