Vintage Dandy

They're all dressed alike. Maybe some sort of group. Perhaps a dandy boy band of the turn of the century (the last century).

C.H.

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Dandy Finds: Vintage Accessories

I love finding vintage accessories. There's just something about finding that random box full of odds and ends at a flea market or vintage shop, rummaging through and discovering the score of the day. Maybe a little rough around the edges, slightly discolored, or flecked with rust; it's one of a kind and will have a special place in my collection. Here are some of my recent finds: a bow tie, pair of cuff links, and a couple of tie bars.

C.H.

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Dandies Online: The Sartorialist

Love the specs and the cap. And the print on print is wild.

(photo: The Sartorialist)

C.H.

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Dandies Online: Mad Men Contest

I love this. Men's style enthusiasts have been buzzing about Mad Men since even before the premiere of season one. I just found a Mad Men style contest from Australian fashion blog, Super Kawaii Mama. Contestants submit photos or videos of themselves dressed as their favorite Mad Man characters. You can bet that I'm lining up my skinny ties and tie bars and charging my camera battery.

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy

I think this is what you call travelling in style.

C.H.

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Illustrated Dandy: National Theatre Program

Arrow Collars ad from the National Theatre Program, October, 1922.



C.H.

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New School Dandy Profile: Martin Jerez

Over the past several months we have been introduced to many amazing people through our Facebook fan page. With this post we continue a regular series of profiles of New School Dandies. This week we feature Martin Jerez of the blog Wing Tipped.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Woodside, Queens, New York and lived there until I was 4. Then, my family packed up and moved to a quiet suburb in the northern New Jersey area.

Where do you live now? I currently live in Boston, MA, but I shuttle back and forth to New York because I just can't get enough!

Where did you go to school? Two words: Catholic school. I'm currently a student at Boston University's School of Management. I'm sure wearing a uniform for most of my life has been a big influence on my comfort of being in ties and blazers.

What's your occupation? I've been working as a Marketing Assistant for a manufacturing company in New Jersey for quite some time doing product and event photography as well as various tasks. I'm actually quite anxious for the summer begin because I recently just landed an internship with Gucci. I can not wait!

When did you establish your personal style? Hmmm... I would probably have to say towards the end of my junior year in high school. I just started gravitating towards button up shirts, dress pants and suit shoes. I also "borrowed" a massive amount of ties my father had from the 80s, including an awesome red Fendi tie and two Christian Dior ties. Seriously, I was surprised he had those laying around!

How would you describe your style? Retro classic. I'm really inspired by mainly the 50's, 60's, and 70's, but with a more fitted twist to it. I almost never wear t-shirts, though I do have a collection of crazy tank tops. I always go for button-ups. I love clean, solid shirts, especially with white bank collars. At the same time, print shirts such as florals, stripes, or symbol patterns are equal opportunity. When I go out, I love rolling up long sleeve shorts and throwing on a big black bow tie or suspenders (rarely both together). I've kinda given up on vests but I do love a great blazer...My current obsession is a gray APC blazer I wear with everything. I love a pair of fitted trousers or jeans with a pair of loafers (no or low socks) or boots (tucked in or out of the jeans depending on the outfit proportion). In terms of coats, double breasted is always the best way to go.

What are your sources of inspiration? Movies from or inspired by the 60s and 70s are a big inspiration. There's something about the usual color palettes and way of dress men had that gave it a sense of menswear freedom. A lot of past trends are always reappearing on the runway in a more fitted view.. which is what I truly adore. I also drive inspiration from editorials because it's always interesting to see the stylist's take on designer's clothing and sometimes you would never think of putting an article of clothing one way could work, but it actually does with some innovation and confidence!

Who is your style icon? To be honest, I've never really had one. But, I do admire Lapo Elkann's style (except for his occasional suits with sneakers outfit)... or should I say, Gianni Agnelli's wardrobe.

What are your preferred dandy reading materials? My best friend Sasha bought me this book a while ago called The New English Dandy that I favor a lot. It's by Alice Cicolini... you should check it out. It's good inspiration. My sister also bought me this men's style handbook by esquire and it surprisingly has a lot of interesting tid bits regarded every facet of menswear. Otherwise, I'm an avid magazine reader of VMan, Arena Homme +, L'Officiel Hommes, among other $15 men's magazines.

Do you have a favorite website? One too many! Of course The Sartorialist is always a go-to site... and I love Fashiontography and Where The Lights End for updates on new editorials. A new favorite of mine is What is James Wearing? I can relate to his love for Gucci and James really knows his color palettes! I'm always anxious to see what he pairs up next. It's also refreshing to see a man do a classic style blog.

What is your favorite personal item (non clothing/accessories)? My sister made me a soup cup once in her pottery class and I absolutely love it.It's big and has interesting curves to it. It's a pale mustard and dark gray color and I'm an absolute fan of a pale or darker color palette.My sister made it and it can fit Cup Noodles in it, what else does a college student need, right?

What is your favorite clothing article or accessory? I would either have to say my big black bow tie or my beige trench coat, evidently. The black bow tie has really become a staple in my outfits as I seem to wear it out a lot. I also have three of the same kind, which is pretty embarrassing!...I guess I need to step out of the black bow tie arena sometime soon.. I've been looking for a brown one recently.

Where is your favorite or dream vacation spot? My favorite vacation spot is definitely the Dominican Republic... my parents are from there and it's just so invigorating to be around such personal culture. Not to mention the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.BUT, my dream vacation spot would definitely have to be Sydney, Australia or somewhere in Europe I've never been to before... like Oslo, only because I'm anxious to be in such an open-minded and style-friendly environment.

Tell us the best kept secret in your city. Ok, the second thing I love most next to clothes is definitely food, so I'm going to focus on that subject. Inoteca on the corner of Ludlow and Rivington (Lower East Side area) has the most amazing and affordable dishes ever. You HAVE to try the eggplant lasagna and the bruschetta with ricotta fresca...oh and get a cheese platter too! Is it evident that I absolutely love the food there?!

At which establishments would you consider yourself a regular? This is almost embarrassing... but you could find me around Beatrice or BEast on the weekends and probably Sugarland on Saturdays because it's a great place to go with a bunch of friends and just let loose. Don't believe all the smack about that place until you actually go!

What would you be doing ten years from now? Hopefully working in the PR or Marketing office of a high-end fashion company and (wishfully thinking) doing styling for editorials on the side.

What else do you want to tell us? People always tend tell me I look angry and intimidating, but I'm really not.If you see me around, don't be afraid to say hello! I'm really friendly, especially when I'm in the right environment.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: Numéro Homme

I adore this photo editorial in Numéro Homme, shot by none other than Karl Lagerfeld.

photos: Coute Que Coute

C.H.

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FineAndDandyShop.com In The Press

I'm just catching up on recent press.

The most mainstream is our mention on page 50 of the May issue of Marie Claire Magazine: Get The Look For Under $100. Our engravable cuff links are featured.

On April 17th we were mentioned on The Momentum Of Failure (blog of "generally cool stuff") which indicated that Fine And Dandy is for "a dude that’s looking to spruce up his style with some classic accessories".

On March 31st some of our items were featured on the style blog Official L&F: "I'm as much for comfort as the next man is but sometimes you have to get your act together".

On March 22nd our friends at Swipelife showcased some of our new items for Spring/Summer.

Thanks for the dandy love!

C.H.

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A Bicycle Fit For A Dandy Part 3

Judging by my previous posts here and here, I seem to be obsessed with dandies on bikes. I've been meaning to post some photos from a fashion editorial accompanying a New York Times article about dutch bicycles. There is just something that makes me smile and chuckle a bit when I see a dapper guy ride by on a bike.

(photos - New York Times)

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy

Today we made a visit to the Brooklyn Flea, the outdoor flea market in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, and bumped into blogger pals Bart Boehlert (Bart Boehlert's Beautiful Things) and Kwannam Chu (We Could Grow Up Together). Our prized purchase was a vintage album full of dandy photos, one of which is to the left. I think this one is rather unique because of its shape and because the subject is dressed in outerwear. Many more to come from today's score.

In other news, we've been wanting to throw a belated launch party for FineAndDandyShop.com, where our new dandy friends could gather. I think tonight we may have found a location. Stay tuned...

C.H.

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New School Dandy Profile: Dino-Ray Ramos

Over the past several months we have been introduced to many amazing people through our Facebook fan page. With this post we continue a regular series of profiles of New School Dandies. This week we feature fashion/entertainment writer Dino-Ray Ramos.

Where did you grow up? My father was in the military, so we moved around a bit. He ended up retiring in San Antonio, TX and that’s where I spent the majority of my life – yes, you heard that right Texas. It’s not as bad as everyone thinks – especially the food. Damn. I miss that Tex Mex. I decided after college if I had to live in Texas I would stay in Austin– and that’s where I lived before I left the Lone Star State.

Where do you live now? San Francisco, CA.

Where did you go to school? Are you ready for this answer? I went to Texas A&M University – yeah, it is one of the most conservative schools in the world. I think I went there because I had an infatuation with small town college culture.

What’s your occupation? I’m a freelance fashion and entertainment writer (self-promotion alert: check out my clips at www.dinoray.com) and a journalism instructor at Academy of Art University.

When did you establish your personal style? Was there a pivotal moment? How has it changed? I don’t think my style is really established. Whether it’s in leaps and bounds or in baby steps, my style is always evolving. Right now I am on this whole mature dapper look. I feel the need to wear a tie all the time. It’s kind of conservative, but I always try to add a modern detail in the mix to make someone do a double take. But before all that I went through some hellacious style eras: there was the whole Jnco phase; the punk rock Goth phase; the Girbaud and rayon shirt phase; the Cross Colors phase – but as a supposed “adult” I think I have learned that simple chic is the way to go. Bells and whistles on an outfit are good, but with thoughtful discretion. If you put too many elements into an outfit it becomes over styled and your outfit starts to look more like a costume. I learned this when I started to take my writing career more seriously. I’m a writer so I wanted to look the part. I wanted to look professional, but at the same time, I wanted people to get a sense of my personality through my style. I’m fun and aware of fashion, but at the same time, I’m not uptight about it – at least that’s what I hope to portray.

What are your sources of inspiration? Words. I find inspiration in quotes that are both profound and absurd. I also take a lot of inspiration from books, film and anything under the pop culture umbrella. I am a die hard pop culture junkie and am a vessel of useless knowledge. I am all about combining high and lowbrow culture. In terms of inspirational people, J.J. Abrams and Diablo Cody are two of my favorite contemporary storytellers/writers. I worship them.

Who is your style icon? Steve McQueen, James Dean and Johnny Depp – anyone who has a swagger that compliments their style. It’s all about personality. If someone has the right attitude, then they can wear anything and it just makes them look cool.

What are your preferred dandy reading materials? The staples: GQ and Details. I also devour every single issue of Entertainment Weekly. When I want to look smart I make sure that an issue of the New Yorker is sticking out of my Jack Spade bag in plain sight so everyone can see. I am also a huge book nerd, but it’s mostly mainstream stuff. I am all about the pop-lit. I am a fan of Augusten Burroughs, but lately, I have been on a huge book-to-movie kick. I read the whole “Twilight” series as if I was a teenage girl. Some other books I just read are “How To Lose Friends and Alienate People,” “The Lovely Bones” and “Revolutionary Road.” I am not one of those pompous literary douche bags that try to make everyone feel stupid by discussing obscure books – I’m usually on the receiving end of those conversations.

Do you have a favorite website? Does my own site count (The Finer Dandy!)? What about Facebook and Twitter (shameless plug number 2: follow me at twitter.com/DinoRay)? Other than that, I have tons of blogs and websites on my GoogleReader: Gawker, Huffington Post, Jezebel, Refinery29, ConcreteLoop, Comingsoon.net, SFGate, Mens Rag, Dazed and Confused…I could go on forever but I won’t.

What is your favorite personal item (non-clothing/accessories)? My Moleskine journal. If people like Hemingway and Van Gogh used it, then I am bound to reach legendary status as well, right?

What is your favorite clothing article or accessory? My dad’s dog tag – it’s the one piece of “man jewelry” that I wear without hesitation.

What are some of your essentials on your Tivo or DVR? Lost, Skins, Mad Men (gotta love Don Draper), The Office, The United States of Tara…damn, I watch too much TV.

What song is currently on repeat on your iPod? Is it bad that I can’t stop listening to Kelly Clarkson’s new album?

Tell us the best kept secret in your city. Like any metropolitan city, there are tons of spots in San Francisco I frequent – but they aren’t usually that much of a secret because word spreads fast here. As of now, I am obsessed with a new ice cream joint called Humphrey Slocombe’s that serves up some tasty olive oil ice cream (along with other unconventional flavors). I frequent PPQ, a place to inhale Dungeness crab and garlic noodles. I also can’t get enough of freshly baked cookies from Specialty’s across the street from the Academy of Art. They are like crack. I also enjoy a mean cup of Blue Bottle Coffee while chillin’ out at Mint Plaza. Oh wait – you asked for one place and I gave you four. I’ll shut up now.

What would you be doing ten years from now? Reaping the benefits from my best-selling Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and writing scripts to my own Emmy-award winning television series produced by J.J. Abrams. I also hope to be the first Filipino-American to win an Academy Award for best original screenplay. All of this is on my “vision board,” so it has to come true.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: GQ

Zac Efron has broken out of "high school" and is looking very dandy in the current issue of GQ.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: New York Magazine

Marlon Taylor-Wiles, dancer/Ralph Lauren Salesman in the current New York Magazine "Look Book".

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy

C.H.

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Finding Dandy: Varick Street, Soho

The dapper photographer of A Fashion Instant. Love the camera.

C.H.

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Have A Dandy Easter

C.H.

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New School Dandy Profile: Cory Ohlendorf

Over the past several months we have been introduced to many amazing people through our Facebook fan page. With this post we continue a regular series of profiles of New School Dandies. This week we feature fashion writer/editor Cory Ohlendorf of the all-purpose men's go-to web site, Valet.

Where did you grow up? Just outside St. Louis, in a tiny town in Illinois.

Where do you live now? At the moment, Washington, DC. But currently entertaining the idea of a move. Such is the beauty of the web—you can do it from anywhere. Well, at least anywhere where an Opening Ceremony is located.

Where did you go to school? I studied journalism at Northern Illinois University, right outside Chicago.

What’s your occupation? Editor in Chief, Valet.

When did you establish your personal style? Was there a pivotal moment?
Ever since I was little, I was very particular about my clothes. Especially little things like belts and watches. I recently visited my parents and they remarked that my old school gold Timex, oxford shirt, corduroys and Top-Siders looked like something I wore in my 4th grade school picture. The classics endure, I guess.

How would you describe your style? Disheveled All-American. It's preppy, but not stuffy. Lots of button-down shirts, but never ironed and my sleeves are always rolled. And looking at my closet, blues and grays trump all.

What are your sources of inspiration? I'm inspired out on the street. Seeing how people are putting things together, and then just talking with guys about what they want to know more about. Then all that gets distilled into the site.

Who is your style icon? I like the guys that had really nice pieces, but didn't wear them in a precious way. Luxury with a casual attitude. JFK, Dick Van Dyke, McQueen and old school Sean Connery.

What are your preferred dandy reading materials? I love British Esquire, which seems quite dandy, doesn't it? Lately I've been pulling down every coffee table reference book we have and reading up on things like the history of khaki. And I check sites like All Plaid Out, Ivy Style, What I Saw Today and NYT's The Moment for a taste of the good life.

Do you have a favorite website? Besides my own? I think Michael at A Continuous Lean does a great job at funneling ideas in life, fashion and music through his distinct lens.

What is your favorite personal item (non-clothing/accessories)? I collect vintage typewriters, and my favorite is a light blue Royal number from the 60s. But my love for the iPhone borders on obsession.

What is your favorite clothing article or accessory? I've got a lot of cardigans since you can wear them year round. And wear them, I do.

Where is your favorite or dream vacation spot? Disney World.

What would you be doing ten years from now? Wow. That's hard to say. It's hard to imagine what the site (and thus, my life) will be like in two years. But I hope that I'm still doing what I love, with people I want to work with ... just with more money and a bigger closet.

What else do you want to tell us? Valet is all about little FYI boxes filled with interesting facts, so here's one on me. I once helped Arnold Schwarzenegger pick out a pair of shoes.

C.H.

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Dandies On TV: Ryan Seacrest Part 2

Several weeks ago I blogged about Ryan Seacrest and the placement of his tie bar on an episode of American Idol. I've been noticing that the blog has been getting a lot of hits from the google search "Ryan Seacrest Tie Bar". So I just googled it myself and found that Seacrest has been tweeting quite a bit about ties bars:

"I'm bringing back tie bars. You heard it here first. Just bought a new one this weekend. 7:07 AM Mar 30th from web."

"Tie bar or pocket square tomorrow on idol? 7:50 PM Apr 6th from web."

"Tie bar it is 2:42 PM Apr 7th from TwitterBerry."

"Tie bar fell off just before show open haha...I put it on a few mins into the show. Oops. 5:20 PM Apr 7th from TwitterBerry. "

Although he's overreaching a bit in taking credit for the tie bar revival, we appreciate Seacrest's seemingly new dandy dedication.

And then I found some online comments:

"Ooh, The Year You Were Born! That takes the sting off not being able to see Ryan's tie bar that he's been obsessing about all day on twitter."

"With the lights down low, the drum beats throbbing in the background, Ryan Seacrest is rockin' a black suit, tie and one of my Dad's 80's tie bars. Nice."

"@RyanSeacrest I liked your pink phase better than your tie bar phase. : )"

"Ryan Seacrest is making 2009 the year of the tie bar. Loving it!"

The internet is abuzz about Ryan Seacrest's tie bar!

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: The Wall Street Journal

Today's Wall Street Journal discusses the current popularity of the bow tie in Christina Binkley's article "Bow Ties Turn Up On The Cool Crowd". The article is subtitled "Old-School Badge Of Intellect, Eccentricity Gains Hipster Credibility, But Can It Be Sexy." (The answer is yes.) Binkley indicates that bow ties are no longer being worn just by academics and accountants or as formal attire. Bow ties are more mainstream, however they are worn with the intention of being noticed which is somewhat of a diversion from the typical "blend in with the crowd" nature of menswear. Even more interesting than the article are the responding comments left by readers online. From "an abomination" to "never trust a man that wears a bow tie for anything other than formal wear." I guess the bow tie has a ways to go before every Wall Street Journal reader is convinced.

C.H.

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Ivy League Dandy: Princeton 1949

The Cannon Club from the 1949 Bric-A-Brac Princeton yearbook.

C.H.

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Finding Dandy: The Sartorialist

I love this photo from street style blog, The Sartorialist. The blue blazer, the tie, the pocket square, the jeans... New School Dandyism at its finest.

C.H.

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Illustrated Dandy: George M. Cohan's Theatre

From the April 19, 1928, George M. Cohan's Theatre program.

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy

C.H.

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A Bicycle Fit For A Dandy Part 2

Earlier this week I wrote about my quest for a bike fit for a dandy. Via the blog Secret Forts I found an article in the New York Times about Rapha, a company in London "restoring taste to cycling clothes." The concept of stylish bike clothes is great. I love seeing a guy riding in a suit.

C.H.

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Finding Dandy: 51st and 9th

His name is Brook Lancaster. Seriously.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: The New English Dandy

In the middle of my always-growing pile of books by my bed, awaiting to be read, I found The New English Dandy, a coffee table pictorial book by Alice Cirolini. This collection of diverse photos ranges from the traditional in a chapter entitled "The Gentleman" to a young man in rolled up trousers covered in red tape, a three-button pin stripe suit jacket cut raggedly on the bottom, high tops, and a police helmet in a chapter entitled "New Briton". And a lot in between those extremes. Definitely some looks reimagining my idea of the New-School Dandy.

C.H.

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New School Dandy Profile: Lincoln Phillip

Over the past several months we have been introduced to many amazing people through our Facebook fan page. With this post we continue a regular series of profiles of New School Dandies. This week we feature fashion writer Lincoln Phillip of The Velveteen Prince.

Where did you grow up? Calgary, AB Canada.

Where do you live now? Same place (for now).

Where did you go to school? University of Calgary.

What’s your occupation? Fashion Writer and Stylist.

When did you establish your personal style? Was there a pivotal moment? In 9th grade when I discovered Vogue and those sexy Calvin Klein ads.... Seeing those images of lux, sex and beauty made me desire to be part of that world...yes at the innocent age of 14!

How would you describe your style? The spirit of soul funk and jazz musicians like Miles Davis, with progressive men's designs and grounded with preppy roots.

What are your sources of inspiration? Friends, designers, fashion mags, and people watching.

Who is your style icon? Miles Davis, Lenny Kravitz, Neil Barrett, Rick Owens, and Roisin Murphy.

What are your preferred dandy reading materials? Arena Homme Plus, L'Officiel Homme, Vogue Pour Homme, New York Times Style magazine.

Do you have a favorite website? Fashion? Too many to mention. Top 5...http://www.showstudio.com/, http://mensrag.com/, www.designscene.net/, http://contributingeditor.blogspot.com/, http://content.coutorture.com/category/feature.

What is your favorite personal item (non-clothing/accessories)? My pens by LAMY and iPhone.

What is your favorite clothing article or accessory? My Grey cashmere sweater by Corpus.

Where is your favorite or dream vacation spot? London, England.

At which establishments would you consider yourself a regular? YMCA, A store Called WORTH and Brava Bistro.

What would you be doing ten years from now? Seeking out the latest looks of the season, shopping and looking fine!

What else do you want to tell us? Support your local and independent retailers such as this fantastic online men's haberdashery!!

C.H.

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A Bicycle Fit For A Dandy

For as long as I've lived in New York City I've wanted a bicycle. But NYC hasn't traditionally been know as a bike-friendly city. What with all the cars and all of the people and more cars and more people. However living on the west side of Manhattan I've seen the development of the piers along the Hudson and it's quite an amazing ride from Riverside Park to the Battery (not to mention the commitment the city has made to bicyclists with bike lanes sprouting up all over the city). So I've been thinking about what would be an appropriate bike, fit for a dandy. I just googled "dandy bicycle" and here are a few items I found. Do you think the big wheel is a little over the top?

Bikes And The City is a cool blog from the San Francisco area.

C.H.

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