The London Lounge

Luca, One of the silver wedding ties, or a glen check or puppytooth, I should think.

Hi Michael, Long or short sleeve seersucker shirts? A fine idea. I like that only 30% of the material touches your skin at one time. I think that I'll have some shirts made up as well. My tailor is at a funeral or I'd call him now to check sources. While we're MTM, someone supplies the people we use...

Hello Merc,
I'm a big fan of seersucker suits and tall iced drinks. Sterling Julep cups keep them colder though.

In such circumstances (and here in Central Virginia, we are in the midst of a heat wave that has mid-90 degrees F feeling temperate), I find that bathing more than twice a day and liberal lashings of talcum (Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder actually cools!) are very helpful. Especially down the back ...

I doubt that I can add much to the conversation that hasn't already been written, but I will point out that Cary Grant dressed as he did to draw all attention to that tanned and handsome mug of his. There was no color or pattern to distract from the column that lead directly to his face.

For regular dances, it was a lounge suit. I've also danced in a dinner jacket and a tailcoat. The tailcoat was made from very lightweight wool and was very fitted. Another guy wore one made from some sort of spandex blend and the trousers were a sort of unitard thing that didn't require separate bra...

The only thing that springs to mind is that the Prince of Wales set many sartorial standards for men during the period between the wars. As he favoured Savile Row's Scholte (who developed the Drape cut) for his jackets, he would have been photographed in them and started the trend for the look which...

When you get back to London, pop into someplace like Budd and ask where they get their cleaning taken care of. Someone knows a reputable drycleaner. I use to be a dance instructor and we were required to wear coat and tie for evening dances. It will take a toll on your wardrobe. By resting the cloth...

In Europe one tends to break down dress by city clothes and country clothes; and eveningwear versus daywear. So one might refer to “Formal, City and Country” as categories of dress; and “Evening and Daywear” as subs of each. The concept of “dressy” or “formal” or gradients of “dressiness” seems a b...

Michael, that's it! It's a "style switch", what I've misidentified as "giving a damn." I think most men have it, but have misinterpreted what it means to be stylish. They're trying too hard for "cool", "trendy", "fashionable", when they should be thinking "stylish." That, however, requires a bit of ...

Too crowded a field limits one's chances. Flynn would tell you there's win, place and show, though.

I believe that one can still act the gentleman whilst in pursuit or being pursued. That would mean no stalking, no annoying cockiness, no clownish behaviour. In fact, we may add, good manners to the list. In today's world, along with being well-dressed, good manners get noticed. Those displaying the...

A few random thoughts. Michael, I believe you've already listed one of the attributes: supreme confidence. That was one of Sinatra's strong points, if my readings are any indication. He "had them all" because he was confident in his ability to do so. His swagger announced it. Add to that the ability...

Hello couch, Thank you for the kind comment. I did accept the compliment in the spirit in which it was intended. Particularly as it came from a very well-dressed (very preppy) acquaintance. I'm not sure where our style touchstones are these days. I do know that my neckerchiefs are more accepted as t...

Please oneself, not scare the horses, and be appropriate to the situation. Beyond that dressing and style should set an example that everyone can do a bit better.