Cardinals' Home Opener

Almost a holiday here in St. Louis when the Birds-on-the-bat return from Florida to open the 2011 campaign. Chaos reigned supreme at Kiener Plaza. The weather cooperated (64º and not snowing), but alas, the mighty Pujols went 0-for-5, and the Cardinals fell 5-3 to the San Diego Padres in extra innings. The good news: 161 games remaining.

Here Comes the Sun - A Tribute to George Harrison

Good Reads

Don't know why I have such a hard time keeping up with this journal. Perhaps it has been because both my kids are on their spring vacation. I don't know. I promised myself I wouldn't be apologetic; and yet I also feel the need to promise to be more faithful in the future.

Anyway, as to my latest read, it is Pat Conroy's My Reading Life. The man is certainly a gifted writer, and anyone who enjoys the sound of language or who enjoys languid descriptions of the lovely Charleston, South Carolina, will do well to read him. This is a memoir of sorts seen through the eyes of the adolescent reader who one day grows up to be the world famous and prolific writer he has become. It is a lovely guided tour through the classics, describing what Conroy looks for in a novel ("everything!") and shedding light not only on his process, but also the environment which shaped his world. Conroy, who claims to read 200 pages per day, sets the bar very high. Highly recommended.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I heard someone mention this book at a meeting last week, and since I enjoyed it so much, I thought it was high time to recommend it to the faithful. Without spoiling it for you, I will only say that it is written from the perspective of the faithful family dog who happens to be dying.

Most of what I read is non-fiction. Don't know why that is. I also prefer live television and live radio, although there's precious little of either out there. Because of its unique narration this book was definitely able to hold my attention and the story it tells comes across far more authentically than if it were told from some other conventional perspective.

Thought provoking and highly recommended.

Seersucker Suits

With spring and summer just around the corner, it's time to get your seersucker dusted off and out of the closet.

A little history. Seersucker was first introduced to the American landscape by Brooks Brothers around the turn of the century. Haspel lays claim to the first "wash & wear" version. The word seersucker comes from the persian and sanskrit meaning milk and sugar and refers to the two opposing textures. Southern gentlemen have long favored the cool, inexpensive sanity of it. The Episcopal priest who married Mrs. W. and I in Memphis wore blue seersucker trousers beneath his cassock.The coolness is achieved by the fabric's crinkly ability to sit up off the skin. Suffice it to say that seersucker has been on the scene long enough to have seen many revivals. Myself, I say a classic never goes out of style.

What I happen to like so much about the seersucker suit is the ability to wear it as separates. The suit looks great on other people. I like to wear the seersucker jacket with a pair of khakis and the seersucker trousers with a navy blazer. Maybe once throughout the summer I'll wear the both of them together.

Somehow this leads me to other summer looks. There is the pincord suit, a close cousin. Makes for a wonderful sportcoat. Probably my favorite. Something you could wear to school every day back in the day when we wore jacket and tie to school every day.

Then there is the white linen jacket. Very elegant. And no one does this better than Toad.

Equal parts Sam Clemens and Cordial Churchman

Then there is the question of white bucks. I love this look on other people. Myself, I've never been able to get to that point where the "new" has been kicked out of them. But if you're looking for a good example, look no further than ADG at Maxminimus.

Shoes can be found at Ben Silver. Nicely tanned ankles: priceless.

There are also the rowing blazers that I referred to in my maiden post.

This only works at Henley

As Giuseppe pointed out, these DBs look smashing on the Royals.

As a parting shot, let's remember that seersucker (like popsicles and jelly beans) comes in many hues. Those of you custom boys, don't hold back!

Rodney Dangerfield wore these in Caddyshack.

Toad, thanks a million for including me in your blogroll.

Shirt Pockets

Recently one of my readers called with an out-of-the-blue question: "is it okay to wear a shirt with a pocket with a suit?"

I paused for a moment, flattered by the attention and unaware of the context (as neither he nor I wear a suit very often). All I said was, "yeah . . . that's okay." Within a short time I realized that the answer I had given was far from complete. I'll try to correct that now.

Assuming that you are wearing a suit, you have to bear in mind the many pockets your jacket and trousers already contain. Anything you need to store can certainly go into one of those pockets. Also, a shirt without a pocket is certainly considered to be more dressy than one which has a pocket.

At a higher level it is good to remember to carry as few things in your pockets as possible, as any one of these things (wallet, handkerchief, cellphone, glasses, etc.) will cause a bulge and ruin the line of the suit, as well as the slim silhouette you want to present to the world.

Here's what I think about when considering shirts that go with suits. In today's world, where I live, a suit is fairly dressy all by itself. I am largely a button-down kind of guy and yet I know that the spread collar works well with suits. Those shirts that I have had made with spread collars also have no pockets, as I would seldom wear one of them by itself without being dressed up for a formal occasion (wedding, funeral, etc.). However, when push comes to shove and I'm getting dressed for church let's say, I still tend to fall back on that button down as the shirt of choice, the one I'm most comfortable in.

In and of itself, knowing the "rules" is pointless. There's only one reason to know the rules, and that is to know where the exceptions are. So, if you feel comfortable wearing a button down collar with a suit (or a shirt with a pocket), I say go for it.

In the end what's more important is that you feel comfortable in your own skin and project that to the world.

Just the Facts, Ma'am

These are the same sneakers routinely worn by the Boston Celtics when I was a kid. The nature of a true classic is never to go out of style. Also, the true classic needs nothing added, nor taken away.