Red Wings Low Cut Oxfords No. 8109 - Mahogany

These sturdy shoes caught my eye the other day. I don't own them, haven't worn them, not sure where to buy them & pretty damn sure I don't want to be the one to break them in. However, once they have been sufficiently kicked to shit, I suspect they would make a very serviceable pair of shoes, sufficiently versatile to take you from the job site almost to the boardroom. (Well, maybe not quite that far, but at least I wouldn't have a problem wearing these out to get the newspaper and run a few errands.) Looks like they would last forever and probably be pretty comfortable after a years' time.

I couldn't get over the photographic similarity between this shoe and the L.L. Bean Blucher Moc (or at least what the Blucher Moc wants to be when it grows up).

A nicely broken-in pair

What they look like now

Know Thyself

It is really important not to get bamboozled into trying things that are really not our style. Experimentation is one thing, but after several decades of being a grown-up, we have begun to know what works for us and what doesn't. When in doubt, trust your gut.

To Belt or not to Belt

I asked my younger daughter just now whether she had any good ideas for today's post; she demurred saying, "why don't you give a shout out to one of your friends or something." It was, of course, a stroke of genius, for in that moment I recalled the brilliant post by Will Boehlke I read in A Suitable Wardrobe yesterday. The subject is trousers which no longer have belts, that is to say they are either supported by braces, or else fitted snugly with side tab adjusters. It is a subject near and dear to my waistline, and there is nothing which I can either add or subtract from this very reasoned piece. Go have a look, and tell Will I sent you!

Christmas Movies

Three out of these four movies I got to see on television over the past week while my mother-in-law was here. I missed not seeing Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. How about you? How was your week?

Baby, it's cold outside . . .

Back in the day, when I lived in a climate cold enough to require such gear, I always preferred mittens to gloves, and I always prefer "simple" to "more complex". Hand-knitted mittens such as these are hard to find.

Image Ffffound! here.

White Christmas

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas! Here's hoping Santa's been good to you all, delivering baubles and woolens, goodies and Belgians, to all loyal readers. Hope that you are sitting by a crackling fire, feet up, toes warm, nestled in your cottages. We are enjoying the second snowfall of the season, a beauty, dropping 3-4 inches here in St. Louis, reminding me of New England.

Mrs. W's mother is visiting, as she normally does this time of year. The five of us trundled off to see the King's Speech -- a wonderful movie, great clothing, great period piece, wonderful subject matter. Heart warming without sentimentalism. Highly recommended. Five stars on a scale of one to four.

Stay warm and keep the faith.

The King's Speech

Christmas List Addendum - my very own eye patch

Apple I-Pad, $500 at a store near you.

I have wanted one of these since the day they were first announced. Mrs. W drags her feet, insisting I become employed first. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

But I can wait until March for the new version with the built-in webcam. Surfing the web and skyping will be kewler then.

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

Here are a couple of guys who come across as pretty well dressed on television:

Jay Leno

David Letterman

But that was not always the case:

Back in the day

I say time heals all wounds. Let me know what you think.

Gold Knots - Christmas List - Item No. 12

Mrs. W. and I have a thing about gold knots.

Plated gold knots, $54.99 at Cufflinks House.

Barbour Liddesdale

Here is another old stand-by:

I own several of these, but not in navy.

Barbour Liddesdale quilted jacket. Perfect for all but the coldest days in St. Louis. Great catch-all pockets. Also available at Orvis, $149. Size XXL.

Dolphin Cuff Links - Christmas List - Item No. 11

I think I am beginning to realize just how playful life can be.

I had a nice chat with David Shockley at Savile Row the other day. One of the things we talked about was cufflinks. There is obviously a whole language concerning cufflinks, one which I have been oblivious to, since I have never worn anything but button-cuff shirts. It's almost like a whole new avenue of personal expression has opened up for me. I also realize that many people collect cufflinks. Rita Braver did a wonderful piece for CBS Sunday Morning on her husband, Bob Barnett, a Washington DC lawyer who collects cufflinks. I have searched the internet but am unable to find a clip of it. If anyone has a link, please let me know.

Silver plated dolphin cuff links. $23.95. Available here. (Remember, it's not how much you spend, it's how much thought you put into it.)

Field Coat - Hunting Jacket - Chore Coat

To my way of thinking, everybody needs one of these in their front hall closet.

This is the one article of clothing I have obsessed over for the past five seasons. This is not the one I own, but it is a fine example, available at Orvis, on sale for $219. (Size XL) Get 'em while they last.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

This always puts me in the mood!

First Snowfall

Last night here in St. Louis we had the season's first significant snowfall.

Oh what joy! I get to wear my Bean boots for a day or two and shovel my car out. I do recall what a co-worker had to say one blustery, snowy day when the both of us had busted our tails to get in to work on time.. "There are only two kinds of drivers you need to worry about on days like this: the Confederates who can't drive in it, and the Yankees who think they can."

Christmas List - Item No. 10

"Well you can do anything, but lay off of my blue suede shoes . . ."

Henley Royal Regatta Blue Velvet Slippers, available here. Size 11 (UK). Better in black.

Christmas List - Item No. 9

"Sometimes, when you are a man, you wear ...stretchy pants. Just for fun."
       --Jack Black in Nacho Libre

Catch Point Plaid Lounge Pants, $55. Vineyard Vines.

Christmas List - Item No. 8

Personal grooming device, Micro Touch Magic, $9.95 at Amazon.com . Soon to be 57, and still a sucker for blister packs and TV advertising.

Christmas List - Item No. 7

Elegant gold watch, Patek Philippe Calatrava 5119J, or something like it that can be purchased for less than $500. Any suggestions?

Spot-On. (Christmas List - Item No. 6)

Spotted neckties. Drakes of London. Around $135. Lovely shades of lilac.

Christmas List - Item No. 5

Oval-shaped gold cufflinks, preferably with a simple, regal monogram like this one. Think Tiffany's.

Christmas List - Item No. 4

SuperFocus adjustable reading glasses, About $1000, 30 Day Risk-Free Trial. Cool looking, though pricey. Does anybody out there have any experience with these?

Christmas List - Item No. 3

Polo Blue EDT Spray.

Christmas List - Item No. 2

Magnanni Pamplona in Brown, $245 at The Shoemart. I own this shoe in black. It has an elegant shape, it is very dressy, and because of the deerskin vamp, it is surprisingly comfortable. If you're not quite ready for custom made Gaziano & Girlings (and really, who is?), this is the shoe for you. And remember, Santa, I have been a very good boy this year. Size 12, medium width, for me.

Christmas List - Item No. 1

Here is an item for my Christmas list. Ben Silver offers prefolded linen pocket squares, shown above in five colors. They also offer an alluring selection of silk pocket squares. Me, I like to keep things simple. Many times I do not even bother with the pocket square, but if I do, it is always at the last minute, just before I am going out the door. Whether stuffed or folded, I just don't have time to fuss with it. So, Santa, if you are listening, please bring me a set of 5 prefolded linen handkerchiefs (all in one color - white). I have been a very good boy this year.