The Best Of Ask Andy Trad Forum

Yes, there is a world of bloggers out there who hate dear ol Richard! And, do I hate them back? Of course not, and I find these bloggers and forum participants amusing at times. Some of my biggest fans include a small portion of the Ask Andy Trad Forum, Duck from A Duck Gets Dressed (I think he referred to me as a jerk on the Ask Andy Forum), and Christian from Ivy Style. Though I don't really now what I did to deserve their discontent, I truly enjoy all three of their blogs/forums. I enjoy Christians posts at Ivy Style....... I like the Duck's blog (though he should post more), and I even enjoy the what are you wearing series that the Ask Andy bunch has going on. And therefore, today's post is going to be the best of "Ask Andy's What Are You Wearing" at WASP 101. Since, their forum uses my photos without asking me, I assume it is ok to use theirs. If any of you trads have a problem with me using your picture......e-mail me and I will remove it. Thanks!

All these guys look great.......no criticism from me. My favorite is the first one with the bow tie, sweater around the neck, and blackwatch trousers. Again, I am in no way being derogatory to any of these men. I truly like all their ensembles.

Random Sharp Dressed Guys

Found this photo at a new blog - The Quad



Doc Holiday at Ask Andy's Trad Forum - Always a very sharp dressed chap!



Swiped from the Trad blog!



Photo Credit: Finch's Quarterly

Tweed Suiting

Photo Credit: Retrieved from The Trad, which he retrieved from Polo

It just is not cold yet, and this frustrates me. Yes, I have been wearing tweed regardless but we are missing out on the bone chilling days of fall we usually have here. And, it is dampening my consideration of purchasing a new tweed suit, and though they are not functional but for only a small part of the year, I love them! After viewing the blogger TinTin's The Trad blog, I spotted one of the most beautiful tweed suits I have ever seen. The jacket is done with a slanted pocket, which can look nice and I have experimented with that look in the past. However, it is the cloth that is so appealing to me. Then after gazing at this photo, I was reminded that I have a sport coat in a similar cloth that I had made at Brooks Brothers. And then it hit me, how stupid was I for not having trousers made to match the jacket. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb I am for not doing this when I had the chance. But oh well, the cloth isn't available now but I guess I could take a trip to Brooks and chance it. But a lovat tweed suit would look nice as well, and that is probably what I will end up purchasing. But maybe not from Brooks, I am thinking J Press this time.

If You Still Think I Am Fat, You Have Issues....Seek Help!

Yes, this is me....Richard! And if you think I am still fat after seeing me without a shirt.....well you have some serious issues! No more comments about my weight..PERIOD! I will not post them!

My Wife's 30th Birthday

This past weekend, my wife celebrated her 30th birthday and I helped her do it in barnyard style. As most wives would, she expected a party but when she found out that I was planning to have it at our home, she was disappointed. So, to make all right in the world I rented the "barn" as we call it around her to host her birthday celebration. The barn is a country barn designed to host wedding receptions and get togethers. I had it decorated in her favorite flowers along with the white lights that burn there on every occasion. A catering company was hired and they prepared sirloin steaks made-to-order, grilled chicken, ribs with special sauce, and grilled shrimp. The wife ended up being very surprised and happy with her celebration. Score one for ol Richie!

Now, what does one wear to an event with the destination being a barn. Well, I honestly don't know, but I wore an old Land's End Sack Fit two button tweed jacket with a Polo Oxford Cloth Button Down and a Brooks Brothers Bow Tie. I finished the look with jeans and Alden Cordovan Pennies ( I have got to give these shoes a rest). All together, I thought the evening went well, and I was pleased with my look.

My Top Five Favorite Labels: My True Number One - J Press

After causing mild stokes across the United States, I am ready to adorn the historic and famous J Press with my number one spot on the WASP 101 Five Favorite Labels category. Founded by Jacobi Press in New Haven Connecticut in 1902 with the intention of catering to the east coast college students, the owner later opened stores in New York, Cambridge, and Washington D.C. In addition, they also opened and closed stores in Princeton, New Jersey and San Francisco (West Coast). The company then and still today prides itself for selling 3/2 roll sack suits and flat front trousers with a cuff. Without question, J Press remains as the only purist in the Ivy League movement today, and thank goodness they started a mail order business via the Internet in 2007. However, the famed company is no longer owned by American hands as the Press family sold the brand to Onward Kashiyama. Press, is a much bigger label in the Ivy crazed Japan, but through the Internet, many across the US can have the style without having to travel to the eastern United States.

Press is also renowned for employing some very kind salesman of which include David Wilder and Jay Walters. Wilder is one of the best dressed men I have ever met, and Jay is a well dressed and very courteous. Jay and I had a recent conversation about ordering a pair of Harris Tweed trousers to go with the sport coat matching vest I bought last year at Press. Unfortunately, Jay was not able to get the cloth, but he was so helpful during the process.

So, there you have it, and J Press reigns supreme in my eyes at least. Though the other five labels should be proud because this is my top five of all time. Honorable Mentions include:

Cable Car Clothiers
Andover Shop
Lacoste





David Wilder



Mr. Jay Walter

Mr. Walter Photo Credit: A Continous Lean (blog/website)

My Top Five Favorite Labels: Number 1 - My Very Own Collection.....WASP 101

That's right, coming in at number one is my very own label to be released this December.....NOT!!!!! I bet Christian at Ivy Style and the Ask Andy crowd had a mild stroke but don't worry, I was just joshing you! But the real number one will be revealed on Monday :)

I will however take a moment to display my houndstooth suit in its full glory. I posted the jacket earlier, but tonight I went for the entire outfit. I wore it with the following

Brooks Dark Green Knit Tie
Vintage Braces (not pictured)
Alden Cordovan Pennies (the suit has a casual air, so I deemed it acceptable)
BB Tartan Watchband
Suit - Adrian Jules MTM

My Top Five Favorite Labels: Number 2 - Ralph Lauren Polo

Arriving at number two is the most hated label by the so called trads, Ralph Lauren. Why do they hate Polo so much, I often ask myself that question. Sure, Ralph makes some low end products in China including Chaps (not sure if he still runs that label), and American Living at JC Penney. Maybe it is because he is a billionaire and he has a global empire. Could be because he is Jewish and prejudice WASPs (though I doubt these hating trads are WASPs) hold it against him. Regardless, I find Ralph Lauren to be refreshing, and I have welcomed many of his items in my closet. In my opinion, nobody does the old money look better than Ralph, and if you want to dress your home in WASPy aristocratic style, you better shop Ralph Home. And though some argue that Ralph cannot be credited for protecting the Ivy League style, I beg to differ. Sure J Press and the Andover Shop probably keep the tradition alive, but in a world without the Internet.....it wasn't convenient to drive to the Northeast to shop if you lived elsewhere. And Ralph did sell these items across the US.

My Top Five Favorite Labels: Number 3 - Southwick

Southwick is an American company that sells itself on its traditional made jackets and suits. They favor the natural shoulder set, and they offer a wide variety of sack and darted suits and jackets. I have personally had and continue to have the pleasure of owning many of their garments. Unfortunately, Southwick is not known to most of the world because they do not have a Southwick store. But, they do make garments for many other labels including J Press, Brooks Brothers, Andover Shop, and Cable Car Clothiers, etc. In addition, they do sell jackets bearing their label as well, and recently, Southwick was purchased by Brooks Brothers. To read more about their history, check out the following:

http://www.southwick.com/cgi-local/content.cgi?p=4

My Top Five Favorite Labels: Number 4 - Alan Flusser

Alan Flusser is certainly a legendary name in men's classic fashion! He is a world renowned designer, and author of 4 books on men's style (the fifth one is on the way). Flusser operates a custom shop in New York, and he does have a website on the Internet though you cannot make an on-line purchase. Flusser's style is based around classic fashion, and I assume this began early in his life as he did attend an Ivy League school back in the day when they dressed like one. Number 4 is certainly a favorable ranking but Alan does receive a demerit for selling cheap clothes at Stein Marts in the southeast. I have been to a Stein Mart and seen Alan's products.....shameful, but I understand that a man has to make a living. Regardless, his contributions are great, and the custom shop is unmatched and Alan ranks as number 4 on my all time list.