Sartorial UFOs

[uppercase]

Great looking outfit, Mafoofan! Really well done..

[Costi]

I frankly consider myself flattered if the pictures I posted of my sartorial enterprises (some failures, but hopefully a few successes, too) were of help in anyone's understanding of elegance as defined in the LL. I posted them without any reticence (my first post ever was a picture of myself), with the intention to offer a visual representation of who I am (at least with respect to dress) to a group of gentlemen for whom I have much esteem and admiration; also, with the hope to receive opinions and advice from people whose opinions and advice I value; lastly, to illustrate the work of the gifted artisans I have the privilege to patronize in a city which, in spite of being a European capital, is uncharted territory on the sartorial map of the world.

We may be camera shy, but as LL members we are not only the beneficiaries of a vast virtual library of elegantologic information, but we have also

agree[d] to defend, preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage embodied in the sartorial arts for future generations. Each member will use his energy, skill and education to render comprehensible the virtues of true elegance and good taste to those who seek advice and counsel.

(front page of the LL)

Elegance is a state of grace that is best perceived in direct contact with those who are blessed with it. Rendering it comprehensible using only words is just as difficult as describing a Bach fugue to someone who has never heard one. Counselling others requires some personal practical experience anyway, so using oneself to illustrate concepts should not be too difficult.

There are indeed quite a few “Sartorial Emerald City” sites on the web where omniscient Wizzards of Oz (Mr. Alden called them UFO's) profess the sartorial sublime, but we are not all Scarecrows are we?

[storeynicholas]

Well said, Costi!! And, with some variation, to reprise a refrain of mine, elsewhere in the LL, I wish that, bearing in mind that I have children who are one eighth Hungarian, my Hungarian were existent, let alone near your English. I also went on, elsewhere to berate the British for their obdurate neglect (generally) to attempt to learn other modern languages. However, your articulation of thoughts in English makes me recall that there was at least one Briton (in fact, a Scot) - James H Murray, 1st editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, who did learn, at first walking to and fro' school, many languages; to enable him to begin to compile the greatest dictionary of mankind - and one that will never be finished; undoubtedly giving us, from all four corners of the earth, the ability to communicate (in your case, supremely well and without grudge), in a single language, which all of us can understand: enabling us to exchange views - not just on dress but on thought and civilization itself. The pictures which Michael Alden posted today of Puccini in the Sartorial Heros' thread demonstrate, possibly more than any other pictures there, something essential to a sartorial (or any) hero - humanity, sympathy and also insouciance and joie de vivre - so evident in Puccini's music - leaving us with the impression that, however much care and time and money he spent on his clothes, he would lightly have tossed his cloak to a beggar. Maybe there is something in having fine clothes; maybe there is more in wearing them well but, most of all, is the reflection that they are external manifestations of what we are.
NJS

[Costi]

[...]I wish that, bearing in mind that I have children who are one eighth Hungarian, my Hungarian were existent[...]

I definitely empathize with you! Hungarian, I confess, is to me much like Chomolugma: I shall probably never get there in my life (and I lack the ambition to). In spite of living less than 1000 kms from Hungary’s borders, in a country where about 10% of the population is of Hungarian origins and prides in currently speaking the mother tongue, in spite of having Hungarian friends who did their best to initiate me in the apparent simplicity of this unique language (with only a Finnish cousin left in the world), Hungarian words stick to my ears like water to a goose’s feathers. Whatever talent you generously acknowledge in my use of English simply does not apply to Hungarian.
Esperanto, on the other hand, was not much disseminated in its first 100 years; methinketh therefore God planeth not to restore the tongues to theyr unified state before the Tower of Babel too soon

[storeynicholas]

Bucharest....Budapest....... my only excuse is that it was very late and I had dined quite well!! and how kind of you to formulate a reply at all let alone such an amusing one:oops:
NJS

[Costi]

[...] I had dined quite well!

Welll, as I remember you explaining Mr. Alden how you had the neighbours for dinner a couple of weeks ago, you must have dined out this time

Back to the substance of your post, you are absolutely right: actually those born in small countries speaking non-international languages (whether Hungarian, Romanian or Dutch) are actually privileged because they need to learn at least one other language. Those who have an international language as their native tongue rarely learn foreign languages, which is a loss with regard to intimate access to other cultures.

[storeynicholas]

The truth of the matter is that the neighbours were so late attending to eat (ie they arrived last night) that the intended pit roast turned, perforce, to a charcoal bbq and the comestibles were rather underdone;combine this, if you will, with an over-indulgence in the excellent Tokay which they brought as a tribute to the feast - et voila- disorientation all round. On the substance: I was born in a former country (Cornwall) - described in the time of Elizabeth I ,as 'A foreign country on that side of England, next to Spain' where once was spoken the ancient Cornish language (similar, I believe to Breton) - now wiped out. Napoleon III erected a monument to the reputed last native Cornish speaker 'Dolly Pentreath'. And all that went with that language, despite recent attempts to revive it, has gone, in favour of ..........yes, English.
best,
Nicholas.

[Cordovan]

I apologize for the delay, but despite being on the younger side of forum members here, I do not own a camera (maybe that's why - Ican't be bothered with pics) and had to borrow one, and then have the battery promptly die after a quick couple of shots. I also apologize that no one else was around and I did not have the benefit of having a full length mirror handy - but here goes.

The first picture captures my radiant glow that somehow was not captured in the other pictures.







The middle picture is probably the best as to the actual look. The suit is charcoal with burgundy and gold pinstripes side by side which I feel that this particular tie pronounces.

This was taken prior to an interview, hence no square.

The tie does not really look as bright or loud as it does in the better pictures; it is slightly more muted. Refer to the first picture for a better idea.

Cordovan

[yachtie]

Cheers, Cordovan!

[storeynicholas]

Very pleasing ensemble Cordovan, if I may say so. I am interested by the fact that you left out the pocket square for an interview. No trick question, but what was your reason please? - By the way, I believe that you were right - but the are many out there who would argue against us
best,
NJS.

[Cordovan]

I am younger than most people here, and I felt that I should avoid doing anything that could draw attention. Anything that in one way can stick out in a good way, has the potential for a negative reaction as well and I did not wish to take that risk.

I also recall speaking to an individual last year with a prominent position in finance. He told me that although he likes DB suits, he would not wear them to work unless he was one of the higher executives.

Cordovan

[yialabis]

I think I got it ..more to come from now on !

Kind regards to all

Vassilis

[yialabis]

sorry photo is gone ..I didn't realise i had to continue hosting it at image shack.
Here is another one or two !


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