KNOCKABOUT HOLIDAYWEAR
Here I am in the den again, this time in a pale pink bespoke shirt by Simone Abbarchi, my own signature pocket square made by Lord Willy's, an altered H&M tweed suit, and a tartan wool tie generously sent to me by A Fine Tooth. The slimmer tie works with the cut of this suit as nicely as I had hoped.( More images... )
I think a well-rounded wardrobe has items of varying quality and timbre to meet any occasion--bespoke, made to measure, off the rack, and thrift. Some suits are reserved for very important occasions when nothing can be left to chance, and less flashy suits like this one are meant for knocking about and tending to one's daily business. This is where H&M comes in handy: I rather like the slim, youthful fit of H&M suits, and a visit to the tailor will fix any problems with cuff and trouser length (I like my shirt cuffs to show at all times, and I prefer only a slight break in my trousers, if any). Is it top quality? No, but that's the point: all the dash without the anxiety. The cut is more on the snug continental side, and so to the eye of a casual observer it will often pass for a suit much higher in quality than it actually is (after all, most of the planet is well over ten feet away from you at any given moment). One can glide through most holiday occasions without any trepidation in this number. Auntie Marigold spilled eggnog in your lap? No worries, son--just smile, and get a towel from the kitchen.
~W