Dandy Finds: The Tie Selector

Some time ago I found this gadget on ebay and the folks visiting our pop-up shops have gotten a real kick out of it. The idea that this little low-tech gizmo would solve the color-coordinating dilemmas of the average guy is kind of funny. Looking at it however we see that we often break "the rules" in putting together an outfit. We love mixing unexpected colors, patterns, and textures. To us, that's what makes getting dressed exciting each day. Sometimes it works. Sometimes, not so much. Do you follow "the rules"?

Suit: Brown

Shirt: Tan, Green, or White

Tie: Brown, Green, or Tan

 

Suit: Grey

Shirt: Grey & Black, Blue & Green, or White

Tie: Maroon & Red, Grey & Black, Green

Suit: Navy or Blue

Shirt: Blue, Grey, or White

Tie: Navy & Blue, Maroon & Red, or Grey

 

Suit: Black

Shirt: Grey, Green, or White

Tie: Black & Grey, Green, or Maroon & Red

 

Suit: Tan

Shirt: Brown & Tan, Green, or White

Tie: Brown, Green, or Tan

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Dandy Finds: New Orleans

We just returned from a much-needed break in New Orleans. I always find getting away an important opportunity to refresh, get re-inspired, and of course shop for dandy treasures. New Orleans didn't disappoint: a cloth bag marked Petrolofen Calorifère à Pétrole, a Pioneer Invisible Suspenders box (suspenders intact), an empty Bachelors' Friend Guaranteed Sox box, several photos, tie bars, lapel pins, a leather-covered glass flask, a 1950's beanie, and crocheted leather gloves.

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Dandy Finds: Hand Painted Ties

Speaking of flea market finds, nearly two years ago I wrote about these Bergdorf Goodman ties I purchased at an antique market in New Hope, Pennsylvania. I had forgotten about them as my neckwear focus has been more on bow ties lately, but rediscovered them while working on shifting my wardrobe this weekend from warm weather to cold weather (don't you love the discoveries you make while doing the shift?).  From what I can tell they were hand painted from the 1940's or 1950's. Aren't they unusual?  I've never seen anything like them.

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Dandy Finds: Gladstone Bag

We found this great bag at the Hell's Kitchen flea market - think it's called a Gladstone Bag. We particularly loved the gold lettering. Who does that anymore?  Where can you get that done today?  Similarly we love monograming, engraving, etc.  It's the idea that you're investing in an item that you will keep forever and making the expense of personalizing it.

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy Finds: Upstate New York

This weekend we visited family in upstate New York and found a number of vintage treasures: a boater, a top hat, what appears to be a print block for haberdashery advertising, a couple of skinny ties (one of which is a Rooster), some collar bars and pins, some dandy photos, and a hat case to carry them home in. Wow, did we get attention when the TSA went through the hat case at airport security and found all of our dandy goods!

C.H.

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Dandy Finds: The Pop Up Flea

Michael Williams' and Randy Goldberg's Pop Up Flea this weekend was terrific. Below are my vintage dandy finds.

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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