Talbott's Tradition

For All Seasons

This is a favorite outfit of mine, from an old Ralph Lauren runway show. I've had this image saved for awhile so I don't remember whether this is a spring/summer or fall/winter look, and the blurriness doesn't help. However, I'm rather glad about that - it speaks to the functionality of color and pattern rather than fabric. Too often we limit ourselves to bright colors for warm weather, dull colors in the cold. I say that anything goes, anytime.

Were this a spring/summer look, the tie would likely be made of silk or cotton, the blazer of silk/linen, and the trouser of lightweight cotton twill.

For fall/winter, the tie and jacket would certainly be heavy wools, with the trouser composed of corduroy.

With the weather warmed up a bit, it's time to utilize madras and such, but you shouldn't have hesitation in going bright and bold now when such opportunity is yours all year. This is the perfect time to stock up on off-season sales of corduroys and tartans. So, get to shopping now and you'll be ready to move straight into lavish lavender lambswool and cozy cranberry cashmere.

Could Be Worse

When you enjoy the beautiful flowers, the weather that's just-right, and the unbeatable thrift shop finds of spring, it's hard to let anything get you down. So I'm not feeling too down, really, considering that in the past twenty-four hours someone in another state stole my credit card number and I spent fourteen hours waiting for a service visit from the phone company.

However, it could be worse. My bank's Fraud Security called me and took care of the credit card situation immediately. I'm just grateful I wasn't mugged and had someone get my card number that way. Also, being stuck at home while waiting for the phone company gave me the opportunity to garden, to read on my deck and enjoy the birds, and to prepare some items for the CKC Shoppe for you wonderful readers.

Like I said, things could always be worse. Take the coming day to be as optimistic as ever, thanking your family and friends for the joy they bring to your life.

~Scott Alexander

Melodious Madras

Another $20 down. Another three ties to the rotation.

Older Polo, Brooks and Polo Indian bleeding madras. The real stuff. 

May = madras season.

The Casualization of an American Man's Clothing

To some people, dressing down means wearing a polo and chinos, as opposed to the usual office-only suit. To others, sadly, dressing up means wearing a polo and chinos, with a suit or even a sport coat out of the question.

I'm not much of a suit guy - I own five - but thanks to my bargain-hunting efforts, I own around forty sport coats. To me, wearing a tuxedo is dressing up; wearing a sport coat is simply dressing well.

On three occasions whilst running errands today, I was asked in one way or another, "Why are you so dressed up?" I could only affirm that this is how I often dress. The casualization of the American man's wardrobe, something that seems to be be very slowly reversing, is just absurd.

Shouldn't the guy in camo cargo shorts and an embroidered muscle tee be the person in question? (Yes, that guy was standing behind me at Target checkout.) I realize I'm not spot-on with every outfit, but I'll proudly hold my style against that of the Affliction-afflicted, Tapout-tapping, Abercrombie-abominating masses.


I'm all for artistic freedom, the freedom of sartorial expression and such, but I believe a certain level of respect should be upheld when out in public. I dress in such a manner as to look well for myself, while respecting my surroundings (both people and places).

To succumb to a routine of dress which doesn't at least attempt to best display one's attributes is an injustice to oneself.  I don't expect anyone to change who doesn't want to change. But you see, that's the problem - the lack of effort to wear something appropriate, to wear something that fits, even to wear something clean.

What passes for proper is preposterous.







Michael Kors gingham blazer, Polo shirt and pima sweater, Breuer tie, Oak Hill linen trouser, Club Room socks and Bally loafers.





A little effort, fellas.