Sean Connery in a Baby Blue Romper

I never met anyone that didn’t like James Bond.  Then again, I don’t know any feminists either.  Anyway, 007 is a class act.  He’s always calm, knows everything works out; he’s totally chill.  And because of that, he always looks good.  Which brings me to the point of this article.  Sean Connery in a baby blue terrycloth romper.  In Goldfinger, we find James Bond, posted up pool side in such a thing.  I want one.

It just makes sense!  It’ll dry you off and add a layer of protection when you’re at the pool or ocean.  Considering there’s so much product placement in the James Bond franchise, I assumed it would be noted somewhere the make.  But it’s not!  After some searching though, I found a “costume” version on etsy.  $89, not bad either!

Fashion Murder on the Orient Express

So like, trains are pretty cool, right?  I used to know a lot more about trains, but it’s not something I’ve really focused on since I had a set-up in my basement.  All of my trains were replicas of real life historical trains, like……

Trains are a classic way to travel.  The first locomotive ran in 1804!  But the Orient Express is what really turned travel by train into a luxury.  The first train ran from Paris to Istanbul in 1883.  Over the years, it had varying routes and was discontinued in 2009.  There are, however, Orient Express inspired trains and routes currently running today.  There’s a reason everyone’s heard of The Orient Express and why it’s featured in so many movies and novels.  It’s an icon!

And my grandparents got to take a ride on it!  In the late 60s, they took the Direct Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul.  And I’m pretty sure the luggage I have from them went with them too.

I wish I had pictures!  I don’t recall seeing too many, and not any at all recently.  But hearing the stories was good enough.  Although, I do have more than just the stories my grandparents used to tell.  I have a lamp and overalls!

The lamp isn’t a big deal.  They bought it as a souvenir.  You can still buy them.  I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a really cool lamp and still has a story.  But the overalls are a little more unique.  My grandmother bought them off of an engineer!  She managed to talk him into selling two pairs. She gave my mom a pair, and my aunt a pair.  I have my mom’s.  I’ve searched for anything similar, but have come up dry.  

These haven’t gotten that much use.  For a while, they were too big.  I wore them to the Gunnery once, and was told they were out of dress code.  How anyone knew I was wearing overalls is beyond me.  I covered the straps up with a sweater!

So maybe we can bring overalls back into style!  I'm afraid not too many people will get behind it.  You know what they say, overalls are the oldest form of contraceptive.  And it might be tough as we head into spring and summer.  But at least now I’m ready for next year.

2 Minutes Will Save You Thousands on Your Wardrobe

Today, I’m sharing with you something that I just heard about from youtuber Drew Scott.  That’s a link to his video, from where I heard about this.  And it could potentially save you thousands of dollars.  It’s called, Shoptagr.  It’s a free service that notifies you when items you’ve tagged, go on sale.  I think it also notifies you when items come back in stock, or low stock.  But I haven’t gotten that far yet.  It only works with specific stores, but don’t worry it is a pretty extensive list.  The only ones that I noticed were missing were Mr. Porter and Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman.  But it works on Barneys, Saint Laurent, Shopbop et al.

It's the one in the middle.

The way it works is, you create an account.  You’ll be given a link to download the app for safari or whatever you’re using.  It’s just a plug in that shows up on the toolbar.  Now that you’ve got the plug in, you want to know where you can use it.  Look through Shoptagr’s list of cooperative vendors, and pick your favorites.  When you’ve found something you’re interested in, but not at full price, click the button on the toolbar.  Do this when you're on the page of the item you want.  You select the color, if there are any variations, the size, and what you want to be notified for.  You can also create lists.  I did, but I don’t think it’s required.

In his video, Drew mentioned the online store Ssense.  I’d never heard of it, but it seems pretty cool.  And according to him, they have good sales.  Says he got a pair of Saint Laurent Chelsea boots for 60% off!

Here are some things that I’ve saved!

My hopes for S/S 17

I wouldn’t say that I’m predicting trends, or even trying to.  But I’ve started thinking about what my summer wardrobe could look like.  I find the older I get, the more I dress like a child.  I replaced the velvet sneakers I had when I was 6.  I wear hats all the time, as far out at my big hat.  I don’t know what the style is.  This year I caught myself looking at Tevas and Hawaiian shirts.  I think this summer is going to be retro-nostalgic.

I've never really worn animal prints, but this shirt looks comfortable, and makes me think of Mic Jagger.

These shirts are made in New England!  I never wear a tie, so this striped placket is a nice touch.

I saw this in person at the Elderstatesman store, but they failed to tell me it glowed in the dark!

Nothing is as comfortable as a cashmere silk blend t-shirt.  I used to wear mine all the time, until it made it through the wash.

I've always liked gladiator sandals.  Even as a kid.  There was a pair of Birkenstocks with straps that went up your ankle, but they were skinny.  I wanted something more like this.  And finally, Givenchy has brought it to us!

These aren't actually Teva, but Prada.  I probably wouldn't buy these, but I think they're very cool.

Topo Designs makes all kinds of cool stuff, in America.  I had a pair of Chubbie's that were similar in color, but fell apart after 1 season.  These I'm assuming are more durable, and aren't outrageously expensive at $85!

I think I'm ready to pull off white jeans.  Or pull on, should I say.  I think they'd look good with that leopard print shirt and those Givenchy sandals.

Turtlenecks

In the winter, turtlenecks are my go to.  It’s like a thick long sleeved t shirt with a built in scarf.  Sometimes I think about the symbolism of either choking, or refrained communication.  But the comfort and ease gets me every time.  Easy enough to throw almost anything over.  A button down, a sweater and even a polo shirt (debatable).

I remember wearing them all the time when I was a kid, probably until 5-6ish.  Then never again until high school.  I don’t know what happened, maybe they dropped out of style and I didn’t even notice.  So high school came around and I had to wear a jacket and tie every day.  Well, I quickly found out one could avoid the button down and tie, by wearing a turtleneck!  What do you know, they sold them at the school store, with the Gunnery crest on the neck.  As I’m writing this I think I want to get one.  

That’s when my experimentation really began.  Through trial and error, I found out that mock turtlenecks do not count.  I also found out that I couldn’t wear a button down over the turtleneck.  Apparently, if you’re wearing the button down, you have to wear the tie.  I had a more flamboyant button down that had bright colored stripes on the back placket (is that right?  where the buttons are attached), and every button was different.  I paired that unbuttoned with a non-school mock neck.  Mr. Elgin would not have it.  Wish I had a picture, I probably looked crazy.  Especially with a braid.

Anyway, it turns out that all of those are acceptable IRL.  They’re so versatile.  I wear plain cotton ones lounging at home.  A slim fitting black cashmere one looks great on its own or dressed up with a blazer.  Casually, I leave them unfolded, but with a blazer, I turn it down.  My point is, turtlenecks are great and I think you’ll agree.  Very comfortable, very versatile.

It feels a little weird throwing a bunch of pictures of me up on the internet in a turtleneck, but hey, I'm a one man brand right now.

Can you tell by now that orange is my favorite color?

If David Wilcock is Edgar Cayce, Call Me Steve McQueen

If David Wilcock is the reincarnation of Edgar Cayce, you can call me Steve McQueen.  I’ve always been a fan of McQueen, but I wanted to put together a style inspiration post.  To begin my research, I google image searched Steve McQueen Style and found a plethora of photos.  In doing so, I find some striking similarities.  I will also note, he died before I was born.  Here I will present my case.

Exhibit A:

We both look naturally stunning in jean suits.

Exhibit B:

We both have an affinity for Land Rovers

Exhibit C:

We both wore the turtleneck/blazer/jeans combo, and we didn't even plan it!

Exhibit D:

Both into motorcycles and constantly surrounded by beautiful women

Exhibit E:

We share a need for speed.

Exhibit F:

Both handy with a 12 gauge.

NROL-9

NROL-9

Satellite Designation:  USA-144

Launch Date:  May 22, 1999

Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 4 East

Rocket:  Lockheed Martin Titan IVB

Orbit:  Classified 

Project:  Misty (Classified) 

Function:  Optical Imaging, Photographic Reconnaissance, Radar Stealth (Classified)

Notes:  First Titan IVB launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base.  There is no public video of this launch.

Photo by Julia Corbett

Easy Way to Upgrade Any Look

One of my pet peeves is when people wear wrinkled clothes.  It’s such a shame when someone put together a nice outfit, only to be a walking topographical map.  My mom’s probably laughing, because I didn’t always carry this opinion.  

Ideally, I would put on a wrinkled outfit, have someone take my picture, put on the steamed outfit and have my picture taken again.  But I don’t have anyone to take photos of me yet.  I’m not too happy with the mirror shots I’ve been doing.  My point is, steaming your clothes can make be a huge upgrade to your look and it takes no time.

It really shows when you pay attention to the details.  Clean and crisp clothing will make a difference.  It’s a nice touch that can upgrade any look.  It just comes across as more professional!

I prefer to use distilled water, as I’m probably going to breath some of the water vapor.  It’s also better for the steamer.  It prevents build up in the chamber.  I have a hunch it’s also better for your clothes.  No need to pass anything through my shirts that doesn’t need to.

This steamer is what I’d prefer, but right now I have this travel steamer.  It works fine.  When I’m steaming a bunch of shirts at once, it can be a little annoying to have to refill.  

All in all, steam your clothes.  It takes very little time and can make a huge difference in your look.  And I didn't even do a very good job.

The Original Motorcycle Jacket

The biker jacket is such a strong symbol in fashion today.  Every major brand offers a motorcycle jacket or similar style.  But not many people know that the biker jacket and be traced back to one original jacket.  The Schott Perfecto.  And I’m lucky enough to have one.

Irving Schott produced the first Perfecto in 1928.  It was the first jacket designed specifically for bikers.  From the diagonal zipper that doesn’t bunch up when you hunch over, to the collar that snaps down so you don’t get hit in the face.  The arms are jointed in a specific way to allow for mobility.  I believe they’re called “underarm footballs.”  It also has a bi-swing back which also improves arm movement.  Essentially, that means there are pleats opening up towards the shoulders.  A piece of elastic in the back pulls the jacket when you’re no longer in a riding position.  

Even better, it’s made entirely by hand in the United States!  Even the cowhide is American.  Makes sense that it’s an iconic piece of Americana.  It really first broke on the scene with Marlon Brando in The Wild One.  Great movie.  

My Perfecto is a hand me down.  It was my mom’s.  I’ve had it forever, but I haven’t worn it too much in the past.  I wore it once in 7th grade, and then I don’t think again until senior year of high school.  I recently broke it out of the closet and have been wearing it more.  I can’t say I’m an expert in styling it, but I find it’s more comfortable with longer shirts underneath.  The jacket is cut a little short.  But that’s by design!

Because it’s a tighter fit, I like to pair it with something looser fitting.  Usually loose pants, but sometimes a loose shirt underneath will do.

Jeans

“The clothes that I design and everything I’ve done is about life and how people live and how they want to live and how they dream they’ll live. That’s what I do.

”

— Ralph Lauren

My go-to pair these days. Saint Laurent D02 M/SK-LW

    I like noticing how people adorn themselves, because I think it’s a really interesting form of expression.  Fashion doesn’t rely on language, is used by everyone and can often tell more about a person than they realize.  There’s an interesting play between what people need from their clothing, and what people want to show by their clothing.

    Jeans are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, in my opinion.  I wear jeans changing the oil in my car (when I do), to the opera and everywhere in between.  Denim is not necessarily a soft fabric, but almost everyone feels comfortable in jeans.  But that’s good, because if it were soft like cashmere, jeans wouldn’t serve the purpose they do.

   A lot of people think jeans originated with Levi’s.  This is not totally true, however Levi’s was one of the first jean producers and was one of the first to bring denim to the US.  The fabric denim was first manufactured in Nimes, France.  It was meant to replicate an Italian twill called serge.  The resulting product was called Serge de Nimes.  It’s been shortened today to denim.

    Jeans gained such popularity because they are so durable.  Levi’s set up shop in 1853 in San Francisco, the prime location to outfit miners with sturdy pants.  The rest is history!  Now jeans come in all different colors, cuts and intentions.  Farmers wear jeans, polo players wear jeans, I wear jeans, so that just about covers it.  Everyone wears jeans.

  These jean pictured are 6 years old.  Ralph Lauren RRL slim fit straight leg.  They were my first experience buying quality jeans.  I love them!  Top Left:  Manufactured in the US of Japanese Fabric.   Top Right:  I like to add my own flare, so I embroidered my initials.  Upside down.  Oops, had to correct it on the other leg.  Bottom Left:  People often cuff selvedge denim to show the uniqueness of the fabric.  Often times there is a stripe of red thread.  Bottom Right:  Wear and tear is great.  These jeans started out solid navy, stiff as a board.  That's what they look like now. 

    There are several things to look for when buying the perfect pair of jeans.  It’s important to keep in mind that jeans are like diets, everyone needs something different.  We all have different needs, wants and bodies.  A polo players slim fitting white jeans will not work for a miner crawling down a narrow coal mineshaft.  I’m going to share what I look for in jeans.

    Ideally indigo dyed (or another unadulterated pigment) organic cotton, but I have yet to find the perfect cut in my size made from organic cotton.  I like to go for selvedge raw Japanese denim American made jeans.  Japan is known for their high quality denim, partly because Toyota (then Toyoda) produced high quality, versatile automatic shuttle looms.  What I mean is jeans manufactured in the United States of denim produced in Japan.  I like to keep it local, but sometimes you have to outsource for the best.  The word "selvedge" comes from self-edge, indicating that the edge is clean, and will not fray.  It's the outseam of the fabric.  I usually assume if a brand is going to go through the extra trouble of using selvedge denim, they're also going to use quality materials and methods, however that is not always the case.  Selvedge denim is often distinguishable by a string of red yarn.

I love the multicolor threads used in this denim. I think they're dressy but still cool. Jill Sander straight leg cotton blend S/S 15.

    I prefer tighter, darker, high waisted jeans.  Loose jeans are automatically casual.  I think skinny jeans have more versatility.  The darker the denim, the dressier they can be worn.  I like buying dark jeans because they don't show spots.  Just because they're dark doesn't mean they can't be worn casually as well.  The high waist is just a comfort thing for me.  It usually means the pockets will be deeper too, which I like.

    A balanced outfit is a comfortable outfit.  A great outfit isn't about the clothes, it's about the confidence.  And you'll only be confident in something you feel comfortable wearing.  Just like how it's not about what you eat, but how you feel about what you eat, it's about how you feel about what you’re wearing.  By balance I mean that if I'm wearing tight jeans, I'll wear a loose shirt.  I think it would be really restrictive and uncomfortable to wear all tight clothes.  I think most people would agree, however I'm sure there are people who feel good wearing a spandex suit.

Saint Laurent D02

    I think I should mention, not everyone can pull off skinny jeans.  They almost require a twig-figure.  Other than skinny, I think classic straight leg is the way to go.  Now go!  Find yourself a favorite pair of jeans!  Wear them out, embrace every spot and tear.  That's how your jeans will tell their story.

Luxury as Time

“Most of us have no sympathy with the rich idler who spends his life in pleasure without ever doing any work. But even he fulfills a function in the life of the social organism. He sets an example of luxury that awakens in the multitude a consciousness of new needs and gives industry the incentive to fulfill them.”

— Ludwig von Miss

Rolex Air King, looks good for having logged over 2500 days of wear!

   Time is the only real luxury. When I buy an item or an experience, I'm essentially paying for time. Whether it be time spent learning or perfecting a craft, or the time it took to manufacture the item or the time to grow or make the components. Green bell peppers are cheaper than red, because they aren't ripe and there's a faster turnover. I don't eat green bell peppers, they aren't ripe!  I could make an amazing hand crafted watch. But I would have to learn how to mine, mold metal, and take several lessons in horology. I don't want to do that, but I still want a quality watch. So I outsource.  I trade my time to someone else for, in most cases, money.  Then I trade the money I received to someone else for their time. That can be applied to nearly every purchase I make. As I grow and learn, I invest time in my life and perfect better the things I put my attention to, making my time more valuable. And as I grow I have less time, also increasing its value. Baby cashmere has a greater value because it can only be collected once in a goat's lifetime, and is only a limited supply. With no time, there is no luxury.  I think there's an unlimited amount of money (according to the Federal Reserve there is), so it's in my favor to look to others who have put in the time to understand the things I have yet to understand.  

    Unless you're Eckhart Tolle, which would mean, according to the transitive property, that luxury is an illusion.  I have to agree with him, luxury is just as illusory as time.  Being present in the moment is the ultimate luxury, supersedes time, and can't be bought.  Luxury is not about having stuff, it's about having time.  When you're totally in the moment, there is no time.  When I'm doing something I love, and am totally in the flow, I can accomplish so much in so little time, or totally get lost in the day and feel like it passed in the blink of an eye.  But if you're having fun it doesn't matter, there's no better way to spend time than doing things you enjoy.

   Back to materialism for a second, because I want to connect my watch to luxury and to time.  It was a gift for my 18th birthday.  And you know what they say about gifts, turning down a gift is denying yourself love.  I've worn it every day since I got it, except that one time the pin fell out of the band.  That means it's spent 2,529 days on my wrist.  I swim with it, I shower with it, I change my oil with it, rock climb.  And it's still going strong!  I have only spent one day without it.  To me, that's a form of luxury.  It's able to withstand the test of time, and 20w50.  It also serves as a representation of my parents, the gift givers.  I look at it, and am reminded about all that they've done for me.

    Every once in a while I'm questioned why I would want metal strapped around my wrist.  Believe it or not, it's not because I want to know what time it is.  If I wanted to know the time, I would not look at a Rolex (that picture was actually taken at 6:12).  I think generally those that ask, think that it harnesses energy on my wrist that I might not want.  One woman said how she can't wear her watch because it makes her feel terrible.  I'm thinking, why do you have such a negative association with your watch?  I have more say than my watch, and I say it only harnesses the things I want!  While it may look like a piece of 904L stainless steel strapped to my wrist, it's much more than that.  It's filled with gold nuts (maybe even sprouted?), and gemstones like rubies, sapphires and diamonds.  They are not there to make the watch expensive, they're there because they serve a purpose.  They are more durable than metal, and significantly reduce friction, increasing the lifespan.  So sitting on my wrist is hundreds of years of watch development, using traditional and modern technologies, made with the best ingredients.   I know people that carry crystals in their pocket.  I carry them on my wrist.

Thank you for reading!