Dandies In Print: The Globe And Mail

Russell Smith "rocks the bow tie without looking nerdy" in Toronto's Globe And Mail. Smith ponders the bow tie's transformation from high fashion to mainstream and the importance of context when choosing to wear a bow tie: he fears that if he doesn't get it right (black Prada jackets, skinny trousers, high boots) he'll look like a bachelor English teacher taking his niece out for tea. But for some of us, that is occasionally the very look we're going for!

C.H.

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Finding Dandy: Flickr

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Dandies In Print: What A Man Should Know

I finally picked up a copy of What A Man Should Know, J. Crew's gentlemanly guide by Max Blagg. An all purpose list of 50 tips from "A man should know how to salt his conversation" to "A man should know how to fire up a barbecue without starter fluid."

Most relevant here:

A man should know when to ignore certain rules of clothing etiquette: For instance, the canard that he should not bedeck himself in shades of white or linen fabrics once Labor Day has come and gone. Refuse such orthodoxy! You're a big boy now. You can dress yourself.

A man should know the true history of the blue blazer: Especially if he is wearing one. Back around 1837, Queen Victoria was making one of her surprise visits to the Fleet. The Captain of the HMS Blazer, appalled at the scruffy condition of his crew, had the ship's tailor, a genius at improvisation, sew up some sharp new uniforms, using an onboard supply of blue serge and some spare brass buttons. The tailor knocked off the double-breasted style of the standard mariner issue reefer jacket. The Queen remarked on the elegance of the crew and the "blazer" was born. Later variations produced the now classic single-breasted version with two buttons, a notched lapel and a center vent, but in either form, the navy blazer still rules.

A man should know how to tie a necktie: The tie is a useful accoutrement in helping to conceal too convex a body shape. It hides missing shirt buttons, too. According to a scientific study, there are 85 ways to tie a necktie, but one only needs to know those few that demonstrate symmetry and balance, like the Windsor or the classic four-in-hand.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: Time

I love the current Time Magazine cover featuring Barack Obama as a present day FDR: The New New Deal. Talk about a modern dandy!

C.H.

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FineAndDandyShop.com Press

We were featured in a few blogs in the last several days: Annie Spandex, Check Your Cuffs, and Bunny Tomerlin.

C.H.

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Skinny Retro Ties Are New All Over Again

I picked up these two vintage Bergdorf Goodman skinny ties, circa 1940's-1950's, at an antique shop in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Featured in the ties section of the shop are three designs (two colors each) inspired by actual ties from the 50's. Manufactured by J.S. Blank, a three generation tie-maker in NYC, these ties are so retro, yet so current.

C.H.

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Finding Dandy: Flickr

C.H.

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New In The Shop: Silk Scarves

We just added a new silk scarf in three colors: steel blue, auburn brown, and midnight blue. Silk scarves are great because you can wear one as a traditional scarf, or as an ascot. Better yet, silk scarves can be worn year round.

C.H.

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Vintage Dandy

I was just given this fantastic 1920's photo from the Philippines. I love how, in a culture so far from ours, so much is so similar. I guess it just shows how the dandy transcends ethnicity.

C.H.

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Dandies In Print: A Privileged Life

I just picked up a copy of A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style, a photo essay book by Susanna Salk. What a fantastic collection of vintage photos conjuring the mythical care-free life of the Hampton's, Nantucket, etc.

With it's fair share of dandy images (although on the preppy side) it's a must for every dapper guy's book shelf.





C.H.

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