This almost needs no introduction – almost. Astaire’s Puttin’ on the Ritz song and dance routine in Blue Skies (1946) looks deceptively easy and effortless but it took five weeks of painstaking preparation and rehearsal according to the dancer in his autobiography. Astaire was known for his total dedication to dancing and his dance partners […]
Fred Astaire: A sartorial icon for whom? Read More »
This post is severely overdue but better late than never, right? Includes photos of London (Savile Row, Kensington) and Bath (Fashion Museum). Kensington: Hornets, Michael German Antiques Savile Row Bath: Fashion Museum The following are shots of some of the Fashion Museum permanent collection: Chanel & Topshop Mary Quant / Ossie Clark / Missoni 1970s
Summer remainders: London & Bath Read More »
Another summer sartorial retrospective – this time in Dresden. Yes, that’s right, in former East Germany the desire to dress well is alive and well 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and some 65 years after the deadly firebombing of the city during World War II. Time heals as the saying goes.
Dressing up in Dresden Read More »
Some housekeeping is in order. The following are more photos from my summer trip earlier this year to Madrid: Carmina shoes (Salamanca store) Casa Sesena capes Casa Hernanz espadrilles This window features men’s espadrilles. The second row from the bottom features traditional handmade versions (hecho a mano). Casa Yustas hats Additional links – New York
More Madrid: Carmina, Sesena, Hernanz, Yustas Read More »
In this recessionary environment, it’s been fairly common to hear of consumers trading down to more inexpensive alternatives. But what about consumers trading up for quality at a price level an order of magnitude higher? It seems a bit unlikely but this seems to be what is happening in the women’s footwear market. More and
Bespoke shoes: A growth engine? Read More »
Earlier this week, I received a pair of Foster shoes – a three eyelet Norwegian stitched apron derby with a lovely dark chestnut finish carrying just a touch of russet brown (less reddish than the photos suggest). They turned out spectacularly well in terms of fit and finish. Conventional wisdom says the Italians have superior
Foster & Son update: Norwegian derby Read More »
When we think of Hawaii, we tend to think of sunshine, beaches, Waikiki, tropicality in some form. I certainly don’t deny any of this but there’s another side of Hawaii related to clothing that is distinctive – instantly recognizable at a glance. So what is Hawaii’s contribution to the sartorial world, or at least fashion
The Hawaiian (or aloha) shirt Read More »
I received an email yesterday indicating that Brooks Bros has put up a special section on their website for their limited edition Mad Men suits. As might be predicted, reaction in the online world has been mixed as this Styleforum thread shows, with the comments perhaps tracking more on the critical side. If you like
Brooks Brothers Mad Men limited edition suits Read More »
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