Chill Out

     Your key just broke off in the lock, the car door is frozen shut, and icicles are beginning to form on the whiskers of your olde English sheep dog.  In times like these one begins to wonder how even Old Man Winter survived the icy breeze these past couple of sub-zero days. While the wind blows a fury against your home, office, or shop, and the memory of umbrella drinks and sunglasses fade quickly, may I offer you a few ideas on how to keep cool while staying warm in the Great White Northeast?

     1. Layer it up!  It is colder outside, which means that folks and businesses will more than likely attempt to keep it warmer inside, and sometimes to the point where you need to step back outside just for a breather.  Nothing goes better under your button-down shirt than a plain, white T.  Delilah knows this, so check through this past year's Christmas gifts.  Perhaps you received a few under the tree.  This will also provide a nice shield for your underarms and pro-long the life of your dress shirt as so many times it is impossible to plan around the varied temps of offices or homes of the many clients you may see today.  A little secret - double sock it!  If you layer a nice check pattern, plaid, or stripe over a pair of ankle high athletics, those little piggies will be warm all the way home and the passerby or distant admirer will be none the wiser.

     2. Perhaps instead of reaching for the trusted and Classic V-neck cashmere sweater to go under your suit jacket, you could substitute a half-zip sweater with a pop up collar.  When the wind begins to blow you can easily zip that thing up to protect your mug or at the very least your neck.

     3. Pardon me for being negative, but with sub-zero temperatures wreaking havoc on your thermostat and heating bill, a jacket will most certainly come in handy and this winter Leather Bombers are all the rage.  You will want vintage, the older the better.  Check you local Thrift stores, Goodwill, and Salvation armies.  Boutique shoppes carry some one-of-a kind pieces, but will come with a price tag.  How hefty the price will be determined by the weight, grain, stitching, and of course the label of the jacket.

     3. You might need something for the neck, like a scarf?  If you do not already have some, I recommend picking up a few, both in light and dark colors which will give you versatility within your wardrobe allowing your core item for that day to be complimented while adding variety.

     4. Gloves this should give you a good grip on maintaining warmth while casually procuring your own sense of style.  And if you are going leather, lamb skin offers an exceptional softness with a subtle sheen.  Grab a pair of brown as well as black.  You never know when you'll have to drop the Bond facade to momentarily adopt a preppy version of you for an evening with the wife.

     Just because winter has finally hit us with both barrels does not necessarily mean that we have to throw the baby out with the ice water when it comes to style and cold weather, but then again...that's just my humble opinion

Prepped for Thanksgiving Dinner

     Your annual beating from the conglomerate gathering known as your family will ensue or continue within about a week.  As you prepare your mind with snappy comebacks and your Mikasa dish with sweet desserts, allow me to help with the attire.

     Above all, you will want to dress for comfort as the chances of you simply making an appearance at your annual day in family court and slipping out the back door may not be as probable as you dreamt up in your mind.  Obviously, it can't be a silk kimono and slippers, but it certainly does not have to be Black Tie from Calvin.

     Let's begin at the top and work our way down.  Depending on your complexion you may want something more subdued in color, darker tones and allow the bling to bring the pizzazz.  Might I recommend a light blue collared shirt.  This not only goes with everything, but once the spills from the running children begin your stains will be better hidden than your cousins new boyfriend who foolishly threw wisdom aside for a crisp white shirt to be worn at the kiddie table.

     If your wife or girlfriend will abide, I would skip the tie.  You do not want to look too stuffy for a family-style occasion, and go with a simple orange vneck which subtly states you are both modern and in season.

     Slip into a dark grey tweed jacket to don a classic look, or if you prefer, grab your favorite blue blazer.  Clip the gold buttons and have your tailor sew on a few simple dark blue, or if you are feeling dangerous, choose light blue buttons with a contrasting purple thread.  My tailor peered at me as if I asked her to mend my Members Only jacket, but I simply asked her to trust me.  Her demeanor quickly changed soon after she saw it all come together.  Fold in a polka dotted pocket square.  There is no need to match the colors of the shirt or sweater to the square, you can do that at work.

     Jeans are certainly appropriate for this setting, and recommended.  The darker you go, the dressier they appear.  If your family goes casual, lace up some all-white K-Swiss, if they are more formal, try a pair of dark brown Johnston & Murphy wingtips.  They are classic in any culture setting.  Socks or no socks, your decision

     Finish off the ensemble with a meat, appetizer, or beverage in your left arm, but leave your right hand available for handshakes and hugs.  This is after all, a celebration of thanksgiving for what we have, and who is in our lives.  Of course, none of this may apply to you or your household and may as well serve you better as a substitute when you run out of Charmin.  In which case I would recommend unscented baby wipes, they are softer and more efficient but...then again...that's just my humble opinion.