Its a satirist dream come true. What's sad though, is watching a venerable tradition slide into senility. This catalog may be the greatest example of do not do as I do advertising ever put out by BB's.
Men's sartorial rules are few and far between. The simplest is this. Only one distracting item at a time. It's the same as the women's rule.
So take a gander at this Mad Man. Fourth of July at the club. Nanny reds -perfect. Nanny reds and a bow? No, and I haven't worn a long tie in a decade.
Once upon a time, BB sold a much better version of this shirt. Wasn't seersucker, had long sleeves. They called it the Blandings. It was a perfect summer shirt. This is ugly.
Unless you are British AND in Bermuda you may not wear shorts with a jacket and tie. If you are British and in Bermuda, you must wear socks. Preferably knee socks.
Ladies are permitted to refuse admittance to a man, old enough to buy his own drinks, who shows up at their door attired like the idiot on the right.
As long as we are taking shots, did you notice the coat length on the man on the left? Looks like the coat came from Jos Banks.
I recommend few sartorial rules. One I espouse is "If you wear a tie, you must wear socks." Simple to remember, simple to execute, and I rarely wear socks. He's old enough to know better.
He did it again.
Once upon a time, BB sold a much better version of this shirt. Wasn't seersucker, had long sleeves. They called it the Blandings. It was a perfect summer shirt. This is ugly.
Unless you are British AND in Bermuda you may not wear shorts with a jacket and tie. If you are British and in Bermuda, you must wear socks. Preferably knee socks.
Ladies are permitted to refuse admittance to a man, old enough to buy his own drinks, who shows up at their door attired like the idiot on the right.
As long as we are taking shots, did you notice the coat length on the man on the left? Looks like the coat came from Jos Banks.
I recommend few sartorial rules. One I espouse is "If you wear a tie, you must wear socks." Simple to remember, simple to execute, and I rarely wear socks. He's old enough to know better.
He did it again.
Tom Cruise walks into a bar.....
Toad
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25 comments:
The catalogue went straight into the rubbish bin.
However, thanks to (an ever-decreasing number of) proper ties and Oxford-cloth button-down shirts, BB still occupies an important place in my pantheon.
My apologies for that awkwardly-expressed comment.
It should have read (in part):
However, thanks to proper ties and Oxford-cloth button-down shirts--in spite of the fact their number is ever-decreasing--BB still occupies an important place in my pantheon.
or perhaps:
Nevertheless, BB continues to occupy an important place in my pantheon, thanks to their proper ties and Oxford-cloth button-down shirts, even though the number of such items continues to decrease.
I wish that the President dressed that well.
The First Lady certainly dresses better than that model.
Hilarious blog. Produced a chuckle this morning - thanks.
Oh my. The socks thing is a particular pet peeve of mine, but the shorts with jacket and tie just went to the top of the list
So sad. You are certainly correct on the sock issues.
I was truly disgusted by the spring catalog but when I walked into the New Orleans store a few weeks ago I wished I had any reason to wear some of these items. The clothes are right, the catalog is a disaster.
That shirt is a tragedy as they had perfection in the vaults. Seems I may be forced to hit the thrift shops yet.
Wow, you are right, those are hideous clothes! I know they do shorts and suits in Australia, mind, but a the no-socks look really sucks. What ever were they thinking!?
Living as I do in a summer resort, I don't have the aversion to sockless dress up that you do----but of course, one knows better in town.
HOWEVER, right on the money about BB slipping into senility. I was in a BB just the other day, and the whole place looked like a joke of Brooks Bros. The bright colored shirts and sweaters just caricatures, and not funny ones, of old man golf wear....and I stopped buying their shirts and khakis, always staples, several years ago because they decided we wanted them coated with some sort of slick no-iron stuff. Makes everything look and feel cheap, and the shirts won't stay tucked. Excuse me, I've got to run. Going to Ralph to see the ironic prep look done well.
I used to shop so much in BB, for my husband and myself. Alas when quality goes down, it makes me so sad especially for an icon shop like this.
They do have some nice items, the catalog is just over the top. You did make me smile as always Toad!
Has "ironic" acquired a new meaning? or is it being used instead of "iconic"?
Spot on Toad. Shirt - 'fugly'. I did dress my sons in a sport jacket with long shorts, polo's and topsiders, but after the age of 10, I drew the line. Never to torture them again.
Lack of socks with that look, do not like either. I hope he is wearing odor eaters!
Great post Toad : )
Old Trad: I said ironic, and meant ironic, although iconic can also apply. They can't possibly be doing the horrible preppy gone nursing home look they've been doing the last three, and particularly the last two, seasons and be serious. Or can they?
Thank you for the laugh, although I'm with you on BB. I TOTALLY agree about the Nantucket reds and the tie. No, no, no.
What a day to lose my internet connection. I rarely wear sox, but even I know where to draw the line.
BB's womens wear is especially vile. I couldn't even go there.
The fellow with no socks, at least the "fashion designer" didn't make him wear his watch on the outside of his shirt cuff as well.
I enjoy your posts!
LD
I'm with Dutch Uncle. Without BB's ocbd's I wouldn't have shirts. The day they make all their shirts no iron though,I'm gone.
LD thank you
"Ladies are permitted to refuse admittance to a man, old enough to buy his own drinks, who shows up at their door attired like the idiot on the right."
Oh my goodness I actually choked on my ovaltine when I read that lol! You are too funny :O)
ovaltine will do it every time.
Well, I do agree they need to lose the tie, it makes him look like he forgot the rest of his suit. But I will say I rather like the shorts and jacket look, but only with a sport shirt or polo underneath and either a casually tucked pocket square or none at all.
Loved TDED's "nursing home look" comment, but I'm still at a loss over the use of "ironic" and my Merriam-Webster's dictionary doesn't help. Care to elucidate?
Toad, I have be the lone voice here, I think, but I dig most of it including:
1. Reds and a bow tie. I have a picture I'll send along - it looked great: Nantucket reds, a light blue gingam double cuff, blue blazer with brass buttons and a navy bow tie with whales. Wore it to a rehearsal dinner and it looked fresh w/o being contrived.
2. Shorts and a tie. Several years a go the Lilly store in Bethesda was reopening and it was hot outside. I chose to pass on the Lilly pants and rock the seldom worn cotton vintage lilly tie with green shorts, a blazer and loafers. It was killer.
3. Okay - I'll give you suit and tie no socks. But if its spring time and a cotton/seersucker, I let it slide. Rakish.
Do you think this is our difference in age? Or maybe cause the no sock look is a bit more "trend" from the classics?
Let us credit the age difference. Rakish does not appropriate make. If it is so hot you choose shorts, you do not need a tie. Period.
Let us agree to disagree. i would love to see a photo of the blue blazer though
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