Black Dress

Encore

Readers will recognize him from last week's post.

Two-Toned

Wonderful Times

Black and White

No need for colors when black is done so well.

Mad Style

Beaded Necklace

Great mix of proportions - slim leggings, generous sleeves, wonderful volume in the coat.

More Colors...Blues and Yellows

Purple and Red

Sweater Scarf

Sneak Peek

A Good Sign

More fallout from our tough economic times: suit sales are up. Supposedly people now have a greater interest in looking their best. To those wading into the sartorial pool, I say, "What took you so long? I have been testing the waters, and the temperature is just right. Come on in!"

With champagne in hand, here is to better times - style-wise that is.

Beauty in Wear

I like age in my clothes; no, not dated clothes, but clothes with a deep patina which only loving use can impart. The leather handle of a bag tanned by the oils of its owner's hands. The hole in the back pocket used to carry a wallet on a pair of jeans. The fray on the collar of a casual shirt.

I do not see a need to dispense oneself of items at the first appearance of wear, only to buy a piece which comes distressed or with a vintage look. I prefer to do the wearing myself.

Simplicity in Sleeves

Whether it is wearing a watch, bracelet, jewellery or tattoo, there are many ways to decorate the hand. I prefer none of the above, instead opting to concern myself with my cuffs and sleeves - all in an attempt to live simply.

Details of sleeve length and diameter; button stance, whether just touching or overlapping; whether the buttons are hand-shanked with an H- or X-pattern; the number of buttons, and their material and color; functional and turnback cuffs; and pick stitching along edges are considered. And that is just the coat sleeve as there are still the shirt sleeve to specify and the coordination - color and length - of the two.

Sounds simple enough.

A Step in Time

Harmony

I absolutely love this. Everything is so well done - the scarf, leggings, the bow on the shoes, and the touch of red.

Embracing Wrinkles, Rumples and the Sort

I am here to talk up wrinkles and rumples in clothes. Not the kind on ill-fitting or poorly cared for items, but the ones which are part of a look. Think linen pants with a cotton polo and panama hat, and as my tailor would add, in the south of France.

I am of the straight and narrow, never one to cross a straight line variety, and this is reflected in my clothes - clean lines, trim fit and an air of neatness. Well, my tastes are evolving to include rumples. I am looking forward to the linens and cottons of summer. Scarves worn over shirts with their sleeves pushed up. Cream pants flapping in the breeze. Canvas bags at the market.

I can get use to that. I think I will start in the south of France.


Tan duffle: 22 oz cotton twill, paraffin treated; bridle leather, vegetable tanned; rumpled.

Linen pocket square