Xavier on Fashion

I went out to do some clothes shopping yesterday. At one time in my life, when people were still doing the Hustle and digital media was a dream, I was a clothes horse. I would scan GQ and buy the latest styles. I do credit the Capezio shoes with helping me dance better, but the square bottom knit sock ties were bore patches waiting to happen. Times changed. I got older, wiser, I found less time for fashion frivolity. Over time, I simply began to become more discriminating with my time, and clothes shopping became a burden to be endured every three years or so. I would avoid it all together and let my wife buy my clothes, but I learned that was a bad idea. The first time I crawled under the car in a $70 T-shirt she bought for me, I regretted it. Classic styles stay in style. Classic styles mean I do not have to go back see the local suit peddler until I gain weight or the one I have is threadbare.

I learned it's easy to pack a gun under a sports coat. I have a small collection of sports coats for that purpose, actually. I try to find a Chaps by Ralph Lauren sports coat in a weave I can tolerate and a size I can fit into. They hide a pistol nicely. I wear a 50 Long. Not an easy find there...... But when you think about it, even the brand name is pretentious... Chaps.... by Rrrralph Llllauren.... These aren't chaps dude. Why the hell are you calling your brand "Chaps?" Lifestyle marketing at it's finest. The item I selected was a single breasted two button tropical weight Navy blazer. There ain't many cowboys wearing this jacket at the rodeo.....

I detest the squirrley young salesmen in the men's department too. They saunter up and introduce themselves, sticking their hand out in a businesslike way as though they were an executive. I'm sorry......I'm not stupid. I was that age once too, and I just can't help but picture them clocking out, stripping off the silk tie and the stylish store haberdashery, then putting on a T shirt and saggy pants with a ball cap on crooked, and getting into their fluorescent green rice burner and cruising my neighborhood with their rumble thumping rap noise beating on my walls. At their age I was liberating countries, quelling insurrections, converting virgins, and sailing the globe like a giant among men. I'm not impressed by a head full of grease and an overpriced tie around your neck. Nothing against a young man trying to make an honest living, but damn kid, have some respect and leave the pretentious bullshit at the barn when dealing with an old man. You will sell more and your customers will come back. Yeah, this sports coat I am wearing was custom tailored by Mr. Son in Hong Kong. I don't think your off the rack stuff can match it, but I don't have the inclination to return to Kowloon to have another one made. At any rate, I managed to find a tropical weight Navy blazer in my size that will hide a pistol while making me look decent. Navy blazers are great. They will work with a T shirt and jeans, khakis or slacks.

Shoes, I found to be a whole 'nuther matter in 2008. For casual wear, I prefer the Sperry Top Sider look. Lets face it. I was a sailor. I still think nautical. I like the ability to slip my bare feet into a boat shoe and still look some what respectable. Boat shoes can go with shorts, jeans or khakis. When I actively sailed, I would wear flight deck boots on deck, or neoprene dive boots on the deck of sail or motor boats, but I digress...... I don't really like the Sperry brand, because their razor cut siping eventually splits the sole of the shoe right at the ball of the foot. I want something durable so I won't have to go back shopping again. Thus, I lean towards the leather Timberland brand. Other types of shoes that I will wear include loafers, (but I leave the tassels to the attorneys) single color oxfords or wingtips, and hiking boots. Sports shoes are relegated to when I am participating in sports. It's just the way I was raised, I guess.

It is depressing to find that there are few classic styles among men's casual leather shoes today. Everything looks as though it was constructed for a diabetic at risk for amputation or an astronaut. The blending of sports attire and casual attire has resulted in men's shoes that are laughably ugly. Maybe I'm just being old fashioned, but I just want something on my feet that will last a couple of years, keep me from landing on my ass if I slip, and will not make me look stupid. In other words, I want the blue blazer of shoes, and it has gone into hiding.

Finally, with Little Darling's prodding, I relented and purchased three pairs of shoes. One is a moccasin style loafer with a segmented sole that reminds me of the pads on a dog's foot. Totally weird. Next, I decided on a pair of Timberland shoes that looked to be a cross between a sports shoe and a brogan. Finally, to ease the pit in my stomach, I bought some khaki canvas Top Siders. Then I grabbed Little Darling's hand and escaped the clutches of consumerism. Hopefully, I will not have to make another foray for a few years........

I'm going shootin'.