What does your closet look like?

[hectorm]

As regards the physical wardrobe - the thread has sown the idea of putting a spare room to better use!

So far, the wisdom of this thread regarding that specific better use for a spare room (and we have several at home) has yet to convince my wife.

[Luca]

* There is something to be said for dressing well when one is travelling - a time when so many let themselves go even further. It does nicely to bridge the gap when language, norms or geography is new and unfamiliar.

Totally in agreement with you. It may even be more important, one of these small arts rarely seen.

I "third" that motion. Especially if you normally like dressing well, you'll just feel even more alienated than travel nautrally leads you to be if you dress poorly. I think a truly elegantly, rather formally dressed man makes a place look better for it, in this time of slovenliness, and people notice that and react to that.

[theoldesouth]

Great to have the turn out, guys, thanks, much.

Dear C. Lee, on the subject of traveling and one's clothes, I've lately discovered the virtues and pleasures of avoiding exorbitant dry cleaning costs, when doing so, by hand-washing and pressing my own.

There's a certain satisfaction.

Dear Hectrom, surely you can bring her 'round and put one of those spares to 'good use'?

OMG, those EGs are tempting. ...Resist...

[simonc]

I have a built-in three-door wardrobe (well, 5 in total but shared with my wife):

- On the shelf on top, new items waiting for inclusion on the left (e.g. trousers to be hemmed, unworn shirts). Bolts of cloth to the middle, knitwear to the right (~14 jumpers). Scarves and gloves to the front of that for accessibility, but moved elsewhere in the summer, together with a cufflink box.

- On the main rail, out-of-season coats to the far left (in-season live downstairs), sportcoats to the left (~12), ties (~60) in the middle, suits to the right (~15) and shirts to the far right (~30).

In racking below, shoes by colour, and in a cubbyhole to the left of the racking are tubs of socks sorted by main colour (blues, greys, casual / mixed).

It needs reorganising from time to time as items shift from their allotted position, but it means I can rapidly put together an outfit for work during the week, or spend a bit longer in my choices at the weekend.

[theoldesouth]

Brilliant organization, Simon.

So, you've three doors of the 5 door wardrobe? The wife, only two??

Reasonable, I'd say.

Thanks, much, for chiming in.

[C.Lee]

Have you dreamed?

Alfred Dunhill had a Vancouver boutique prior to 2008. Located on a street corner with mountain views and access to natural light, it was a modest space laid out on two levels around a central column.

The store layout and scale, and product selection and presentation made the space inviting and familiar. Everything was where it should be, visually and physically accessible with little effort. In short, it felt like the perfect closet. It was absolutely brilliant.

The pictures below give a taste of what I am describing; however, they do not capture the sense of wonder experienced in person.

Regards.

[theoldesouth]

Dear CL,

I've family who've lived in Vancouver for more than thirty years and have visited them regularly, but, sadly, I never had the good sense to visit the Dunhill store you've mentioned.

Pity.

And, yes, the images you've so kindly supplied and your description of the space conjure up a dream of a closet.

At least ninety percent of what I've bought through the years were sensible purchases. At least. But, so much of it is inaccessible, or nearly so, buried in my less than such a dream of a closet that it languishes unworn...

[davidhuh]

Gentlemen,

for LL members, the more appropriate question may be "What does your cloth trunk look like?".

It is impossible to make up all the LL beauties offered and everything I buy, even when using several tailors. So, having a good moth free storage space for later days is key. My nephews will praise the cloth club in 30, 40 years from now…

Cheers, David

[cathach]

At least ninety percent of what I've bought through the years were sensible purchases. At least. But, so much of it is inaccessible, or nearly so, buried in my less than such a dream of a closet that it languishes unworn...

I hear you believe me, I think I've reached an advanced stage of moth deception. I doubt they'll be able find anything.

[theoldesouth]

Dear David,

What a wonderful and generous uncle.

Care to adopt another nephew, sir?

Yours,
'South'

[theoldesouth]

Dear Cat,

There's always an upside...

Best,
'South'

[Dr T]

In military order, suits worn in strict rotation All from Benson and Clegg in London, same with shoes, Lobb, Fosters and Alfred Sargent. Shirts all from B&C used in strict order. Just thinking -the same rotation applies to ties and cuff links - all a bit obsessive - The only mess is my gym wear !

[chestercopperpot]

I would love to see some pictures of peoples wardrobes.

I'd show mine, but it barely fits in my tiny Brooklyn apartment.

[hectorm]

There is something to be said for dressing well when one is travelling - a time when so many let themselves go even further. It does nicely to bridge the gap when language, norms or geography is new and unfamiliar.

Reading this earlier post by C.Lee made me think that dressing very well while travelling makes it feel like you are the one at home, and the rest are lost out of place.

[theoldesouth]

Lots of stuff given away (some sold) has put my space in order! It can be done!!