Wool to the Wise

What does $45 buy you on eBay? These lambswool and wool-blend sweaters, en route to me now. There's no better time to buy wool products than in summer, when demand and bidding competition are low. I snagged a set of Pendleton wool tartan ties at about four dollars a piece the same day I found these sweaters.

Time to start the winter wardrobe search! What's your favorite piece here?

Walk This eWay

What does $75 buy you on eBay? These, which will be arriving in coming days. I keep telling myself I need no more shoes, but it's hard to pass on four pair at less than the price of one.

Cole Haan tassel loafers. I already have this style in a burgundy/cordovan but had been looking for a lighter tone for summer.

Cole Haan penny loafers. I have these in dark brown. A large step up from Bass Weejuns and perfect for summer.

Cole Haan shortwings. These will be my first Cole Haan brogues. A little scuffed but good for more casual days.

Allen Edmonds St. Michel loafers. Though not generally into buckled shoes, I couldn't pass up this deal. This particular pair features a Vibram rubber sole, perfect for long days at work.

In which pair would you find the greatest use?

Womenswear Inspiration

As I aid the development of my friend's womenswear collection, I look at bold and simple fashions such as these. I find it interesting how men's shirting details can become so stylishly feminine.

Scottish from Head to Shoe

Vintage Crockett & Jones. Not sure what to think here. I'll be donning tartan trousers before I ever try tartan saddle shoes, but there's something pleasantly dandyful about these. Perhaps it's the rainy weather or the clearance corduroys I picked up today, certainly these shoes, that have me almost missing my winter wardrobe. Anybody else having the same feeling?

Arnold Palmer

Another nod to my favorite advertising... Arnold Palmer drinking an Arnold Palmer. This gent's one of my sports heroes.

Couldn't be in more of a golf and tennis mood right now. Now's the perfect time to start watching Wimbledon coverage.

Polo Ad Madrasity

Here's one of my favorite summer advertising pieces, featuring the madras blazer I picked up a few months back. While I'm not so keen on the white denim here, I appreciate the overall look. I've been pairing my blazer with linen trousers, lightweight poplin shirts and bow ties.

What We Will Still Learn

I wanted to write sooner, but family business has kept me busy.

Happy Father's Day!

Hope you enjoy the reissue of one of my first posts, and a slight expansion of thought below.

 What We Will Learn

I was blessed to go through an incredible line of public schools. My high school is admired for its academic and athletic accolades but has long been infamous for its snobbishness. The resentment is unfortunate, but I admit, some of it has been earned. We were always the rich and preppy kids, the true tale of the Preppy Handbook (though I hadn't heard if it at the time). If you've read my first post, you'll know I wasn't among the collar-popping masses.

I tried to be as time went on, but I never quite felt like them. I had no car, no trust fund, no membership at the country club and no lodge at the ski resort. My father always had that classic, traditional substance without the accompanying bank account. I learned it all from him and have continued to grow.

My friends, the ones I was formerly so envious of, have stopped growing. They play it safe. They stick to the daily - a Ralph Lauren polo and chinos/jeans and boat shoes. These guys haven't heard of Brooks Brothers, and they certainly haven't heard of Paul Stuart, Gant or J.Press. Their days consist of some school and a lot of sleeping and drinking.

Obviously, I'm a fan of Ralph but I go beyond that. And obviously life isn't about style, it's about substance - the substance that resonates from my father. From my father I learned what true class is.



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This is a photo from Christmas of 1993. Practically everything in my life has changed since that time. I've gained and lost many, many things. However, one thing to remain constant is my unceasing admiration for my father. The old post initially focuses on style, but of course there's so much more to life than that. With the passing of my great aunt and the occurrence of Father's Day, I'm reminded that the love and dedication of family comes before all else. And with such things come respect, loyalty, dignity, bravery, pride. Such things are the substance, the class emanating  from my father.

Again, happy Father's Day!

Sincerely,
Scott Alexander

My Triumvirate

Always on the hunt for inspiration, I look to these three in so many ways. Coppola, Allen, Scorsese.

I know it's not much of a post, but I've been meaning to share this photo. Things wrap up tomorrow with my great aunt's funeral. My thanks to those of you who have left comments and messages of support.

Sincerely,
Scott Alexander

Beyond the CEY

Not saying I'd wear this, but we should all aspire to have such boldness.

From Street FSN at Pitti Uomo.

A Short Break

Very early this morning, my great aunt passed away. My posts are likely to be limited over the next week or so, as various arrangements are made and time is spent with the family. I truly value all of you who come here for my daft musings, and I ask your patience and prayers until things get back up to speed.


Then again, I find writing to be an excellent outlet for grief and my posts might reach an all-time high. I'm lost at the moment, so we'll see what happens.


Most humbly,
Scott Alexander

Womenswear Week Two

Pretty in prints. Bold and bright summer paisleys.

Womenswear Week One

This week brings a nod to women's style and fashion. Starting off simple and sweet.

Madriful Madrasity

Madras. Yep.

What's your favorite piece?

CKC Shoppe Sale

Thursday only, receive 17% off your purchase at the CKC Shoppe when you enter the code CKC17.

From the blogosphere archives, a bit of sartorial inspiration for the day.

Rugby Revisited

After receiving some excellent comments on my Rugby All Around post, I went searching for local rugby photos. The result was an uncovering of old rugby clubs from across the state, with rather impressive photos from the 70's and 80's.

The last photo? No idea. More rugby to come.

Wish You Were Here

One of my favorite days each year. From Scottish bands to symphony orchestras, from funnel cakes to kabobs, from belly dancing to fireworks, I so love Symphony Sunday.

Splish Splash

The Sebago Boat Shoe Boat. Brilliant. 

 

Next stop... the Bean Boot ATV. Brilliant-er.

Beep Beep in a Jeep

While there may be an obprepssion (yes, prep-obsession) with the Wagoneer, I've always been fond of the full Jeep lineup. These are my top selections, primed to take on winding woodland roads, absurdly low mileage and all.