Mixing and Matching

Monday, March 17, 2008:
Today I had more meetings that I remembered so I was glad that I wore a comfortable sitting suit. I love my cotton/wool herringbone suit. Anyways, as I've eluded to, I am getting down there in tie selection and in order for me to keep on schedule I need to continue to push on through, and therefore leave behind all apprehensions. For some reason I have had a fear of mixing patterns and stripes, but a wise bird told me if I chose two patterns at different scales then everything will work out just fine. Breathe easy, I think she said. The tie I wore was a selection from JCrew that I bought in high school - probably junior year. I had convinced my mother that I absolutely needed this navy tie with red stripes on it and that it was different than anything else I owned. Totally different. I swear. It is, and I have to say that as far as striped ties go, even navy and red ones, a little different and fun. And it ties really nice, even for being so old.

Bright yellow for Monday

Monday, March 10, 2008:
Today's tie was one of the first ties I purchased when I decided I wanted to wear suits for ever and ever. Katherine, her mother, and I had gone to the Woodburn outlets because I was on the quest to work in politics or in law (or something requiring a suit) so I needed an interview suit. We were in Brooks Brothers, the pinnacle of taste in my life at that point, led us to a simple black suit. It is a little stretchy, has flat front pants and no back vent - I am told that it's a peculiar suit by Brooks Brothers, and if you went through their selections you will not find another one like it. The tie is a silk print tie, also from Brooks Brothers, in bright yellow and has alternating small blue diamonds and red dots. This is one of only the silk print ties I actually like, and it works with a light blue shirt. The selection was at the suggestion of Katherine's mom because everyone needs a bright tie in their closet - inspiration for further purchases perhaps? Thanks LeeAnne.

Crimson satin berries.

Thursday, February 28, 2008:
Today I chose a tie I had bought in high school from JCrew. It is a satin tie in a crimson color with small yellow dots. I think JCrew went away from this kind of tie a long time ago and have gone down the preppy east coast path, which I don't mind, except I don't get to see this simple, yet formal and sophisticated. I like it because of the formal design, so I paired it with my navy blue suit with brown pinstripes from Banana. I like this suit because no matter how fat I feel, or am, its seems to always fit right. The color is of the tie is pretty cool because it changes in the light and makes the spots pop out when the light hits it. I paired it with a light blue shirt. This tie has has had a tendency to slip down at inopportune times only to have my boss fix it in front of important people - kind of fatherly I guess. Today it didn't so he didn't and that's cool with me. I think I dress in berries. Corporate berries.

My apologies to the blogosphere. . .

First off, my lack of entries isn't discontent with the concept of blogging, or a lack of commitment to my goal. I've been sick and then a general sense of malaise has washed over me beckoning me to sleep, rather than to keep up appearances on the net. However, a sudden creative spirit washed over me and I've decided to get my things in order and catch up. Sorry blogosphere.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008:
Today I decided to wear a sharp combination of a blue paisley tie (from Banana) and a blue striped shirt (from the JCrew outlet) with my gray JCrew suit. The Oregon State Society birthday reception was that evening and I wanted to be refined, but at the same time a little young and sporty. I liked to contrast between the strong verticals and the completeness of the paisley. I also like the cut of the shirt, which is more slim fit then some which is good. I also like the cut of the collar which frames the knot well.


Thursday, February 14, 2008:
I decided to wear one of my favorite ties today. It was my second Ted Baker tie, which was purchased in the summer of 2006. It was the second Ted Baker tie I purchased and I am pretty sure that it was purchased at Saks Off 5th Avenue with Natale and Ian. I paired it with my Banana navy suit with brown pinstripes. It like the unconventional pairing of the colors. I had meetings that day so I decided to dress up for the day. I paired the tie with a blue shirt as to highlight the blue flowers in the tie. This is one of Ted Bakers non-repetitive ties, kind of like a jungle, and a beautiful bramble of flowers. It makes me a little sad that I can't wear this tie for a while now, but it only makes me want to complete this task quicker.


Friday, February 15, 2008:
I made a bold move today and decided to go for the bow tie. The tie was a gift from Katherine's father, Splinter, for Christmas in 2000. Splinter had taught me to tie a bow tie, so he thought this was something I needed. I agree. It's by John Talbot and has a nice geometric design on a field of blue. I remember Katherine asking me what I was wearing when I came over for Christmas dinner and my choice of a white button-down shirt and herringbone pants seemed to be a fine selection as to be paired with the new gift. I went old school at work and chose the forest green sweater I got in Rehoboth, DE on New Year's Day 2008 and my favorite old blazer. Amid the hoots and the hollers from staff when I arrived at work I completely forgot I actually had meetings so I got to share the glory with more people. Thankfully I have another opportunity to wear a bow tie. I think I messed this one up because it was too loose and came out to floppy, maybe.

New shirt in the mix

Wednesday, January 23, 2008:
Even though this blog isn't about shirts I decided I would talk about the one I wore today, because I'm proud to have seamlessly added it into the rotation, which is harder to do than one my think. So the shirt was a Christmas present from my best friend, Katherine, and it's from Talbot Men's. It is a blue woven check pattern, but has a skillfully placed orange thread to add a little dimension to the shirt. To match it I didn't go straight to my orange ties, but I decided to find something that brought the same kind of detail to the table, so I chose my red square patterned Ike Bahar that I had purchased at the Nordstrom Men's Half Yearly Sale in 2006 with my friend Danny Ly. I thought it was adventurous to buy a red tie, kind of bold, since I was straying from safe blues and greens and oranges and purples and turquoise.