In The Eye of the Beholder

Michael Bastain by Mister Mort

Many men worship at the altar of Michael Bastain. I don't blame them, Mr. B is a rare talent, who usually designs clothing that real adult men can actually wear.

The photo above, taken by Mister Mort, shows Michael during NY Fashion Week wearing a fashionably short, shawl collared, double breasted herringbone number. He had me at the shawl. Perhaps missing a button or two.

Toad

The joke is on me

Horizontal stripes are in for Spring

Ghurka trousers

Car guys call it a "ten footer". When expressed as "it's a ten footer", it means that from 10 feet that car doesn't look bad, but as you come closer.... Camilla Parker Rolls is a 10 footer on her off days, so am I.

Sadly, I really love it, it fits perfectly, and like lingerie has a few Toadisms that only I know. I've spent too much time trying to convince myself that no one will notice the direction of the weave. It's enough that I know, and I can't escape that. Maybe if I only wore it at night.

The lining is from an old sari.

I had ordered replacement fabric, but couldn't bring myself to deliver it. The new suit would forever be tarnished by the memory of its other. Better to move on. Before consigning this suit to the island of misfit toys, I felt it deserved an airing. Go ahead and laugh. I did. It's a ten footer.

Toad

Odds and Ends

Garden Question

Unless you grow winter wheat, the warm winter in North America has been wonderful. We haven't had a hard freeze yet and I still have roses in bloom. As my ex told me, "I'll get mine."

Walking around the garden yesterday afternoon I noticed that too many plants and bushes were beginning to bud. Forsythia is always too early around here, but Iris, hydrangeas, azaleas were beginning to sprout. Surely the weather will change eventually and not for the better. Shall I let nature take its course and plan for a late or stunted spring bloom as these buds die, or do I need to protect these plants somehow? If so how?

shawl collared cardigans

I have the unfortunate habit of wanting some article of clothing I saw last year, this year. Know the feeling?

I'm on the lookout for shawl collared cardigans. Last year they were as a common as leaves in fall. This year they are either made of gold, as is this number from Ben Silver , or

somewhere, somehow just not quite right, like this from wool US Army replica with the too small shawl from What Price Glory.

The more I look though, the more I like this cotton sweater from Orvis, but not enough to buy.

Available in 4 colors, each one slightly wrong.

My favorite thus far is from J Crew. Perhaps a bit too much like a Lands End Canvas I already have but I've waited too long and now it's gone.

Any recommendations?

Screaming yellow linen pants

I know it's early in the year, and it's not really my place to say, but I gifted these Ralph Purple Label screaming yellow size 42 linen flat fronts to my buddy Giuseppe of An Affordable Wardrobe for his store. Look for them in a few weeks, or if interested get in touch with G.

Keep in mind they are Purple Label thus trim and short rised.

And finally

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Ferry

Best wishes to the happy couple, who were married January 4. My sole regret is that no one told me the rules had changed. Once upon a time it was accepted, and taught at boy school as fact, that the ideal age difference between a man and his mate was that she should be half his age plus 7 years. The 66 yo Bryan has 37 years on his bride. He's got shoes older than her.

Toad

More Window Shopping

First and foremost Happy Mother's Day. I salute you, and thank you for your sacrifice. Mother's make the world a better place, and I'm grateful for you.

My bride generously gave me a handful of Sears gift cards last week. Neither of us could recall where they came from, and since we rarely shop at Sears, I went shopping at Lands End.

So what if Lands End isn't the retailer at the top of the clothing chain? I have always found their goods well made and a good value, and most importantly for an on-line retailer, their stuff can be returned to Sears, no questions asked.

First I hit the sales racks.

It was 85F in Mayberry on Easter, and has barely hit 75 since. It's still sweater weather here. Summer sweaters are an oxymoron in Mayberry. Rarely, is a summer evening cool enough to consider donning a sweater, but I can hope, or perhaps dream can't I? Maybe someone will offer a trip to New England this July.

I have a linen and shawl collar fetish. I have proven my bonafides several times in this regard.




So when I found a linen shawl collar sweater here I pounced. $35, choice of colors, I couldn't go wrong. I just hope I get to wear it.


Next came the latest edition of my Johnny Apple blue gingham shirt collection.

Mr. Apple was famous for his Harvie and Hudson gingham shirts. H&H's off the peg don't work for me, and I do not get to London as often as I'd wish for custom. This is my summer 2010 alternative. Offered sized, none of that S-M-L nonsense. Under $40. I purchased a LE Canvas scarf in this material last month, and am awed by the softness of the cloth.

Last, in the hope this fabric is just as soft I picked up this scarf.

Until last summer I never wore scarves, but a combination of The Sartorialist's inspirational photos, and to wick away summer humidity I have come to like them. The added color is nice as well.

Happy shopping.

Toad