I Don't Understand Where I Went Wrong

I am working on a Grand Unified Theory of necktie knots, but it has proven elusive.

Obviously, I retied it before sallying forth.

Dapper District Braves The Metro

My dislike of the Metro is well documented, but it does provide many opportunities for self-portraits while one sits around doing nothing.  A casual night out on a typical spring swamp-night: shorts from Banana Republic outlet, shirt from Paul Fredrick, hand-rolled Irish linen pocket square (thanks, Mater!), white bucs from Johnston & Murphy outlet (thanks, Mater!).

My one regret is that I wore ankle socks.  Better to powder one's feet.  I still haven't found any ankle socks that stay low enough to hide below the shoe line.

On eBay For Shoes

I've been regularly outbid on fancy shoes (Church's, Alden) on eBay lately.  I'm learning several things:

1. Top-quality shoes hold their value surprisingly well.
2. The people shopping for men's shoes on eBay know the value of what's available.

The second point holds true for shoes far more than, say, suits.  I've gotten some absolute steals on suits on eBay.  But there are so many more variables in buying suits on eBay: exact fit, drape, and most importantly, hand.  Those are things you just can't tell from a picture, whereas if you buy an Alden cap toe in a 9.5E, you know exactly what you are getting, and particularly if it's cordovan, you know it'll still be in great shape.

Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Half-Madras/Half-Seersucker Bow Tie, With Apologies To Wallace Stevens

1. The propeller of the universe.

2. The essence of dandy versatility.

3. The wings of a mutant butterfly.

4. A night out in Falls Church drinking Coors Light at the State Theatre.

5. You spent too much time futzing with your bow tie knot to make it perfect.  It is now dark.  You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

6. Some of the best things in life, most especially clothes, are a 10-degree angle from perfect.

7. The blues are blue and turquoise and navy and scratched-up denim and everything else.

8. Honestly, who's going to do it if you don't?

9. The stripes go in every direction and every size except the stripes in the shirt, but they are members of the same family.

10. Be forewarned: Strangers will approach you to compliment it.  Depending on your disposition, maybe this is not what you are after.  But even if you don't want to talk, you can always just smile and say, "Thank you."

11. Order meets chaos.

12. Mu.

13. Can a piece of clothing make someone else feel the way you feel?  Can a series of choices about which pants, shirt, tie, and shoes to wear be art?  Regardless, shouldn't you be trying to find out?

Had from The Cordial Churchman.

Portal Cufflinks

That is all.

Khaki And Black Attack

In my rush this morning, I thought to grab my black overcoat but opted for camelish brown instead. Black is so...black. Too late did I realize that I had escaped only the frying pan and was now wearing khaki and black adjacent.

How will I show my face at the courthouse?