I know of Cab Calloway for the marvellous “Minnie the Moocher”, his towering contribution to early 20th century music that combined scat, coded social commentary and call-and-response delivered in an obese and luxurious jive jazz style. It is primarily for this number that he is remembered but he was also responsible for several other gems before, during and after his famous residency at Harlem’s Cotton Club where Minnie was premiered in … [Read more...]
Saturday was somewhat chaotic here in London. Mass demonstrations against government cutbacks lead to large portions of London, from Oxford Street to Jermyn Street, being pedestrian only zones. I’ll confess it’s something I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of – pedestrian zoning, not demonstrations. In a bid to get to from Regent Street to Jermyn Street and avoid the nexus of demonstrators in Piccadilly Circus I took a stroll through … [Read more...]
Here in the American South the flowers are blooming, the leaves are popping and the temperatures are rising. I decided over the weekend that it was time to put my winter wardrobe into storage. I won't need those flannel suits or tweed jackets until the weather turns cold again next fall. By removing those items to a storage closet, I am sure to have plenty of uncluttered space in my main closet. Those clothes are also protected until they are … [Read more...]
As colleagues and acquaintances take a keen interest in my attire, I often receive a running commentary on sartorial habits and likelihoods. The commentary ranges from the prosaic “I knew you’d wear black shoes when it was raining” to the possessive “I’ve seen you wear that shirt four times this month.” One of my favourite comments came recently when, remarking on a bright March morning, an acquaintance gestured to my suit; “Soon, … [Read more...]
(Credit: TheSartorialist) In the mode of the best dressers I set out some time ago to clear out, plan and simplify my wardrobe. In my view all the best dressed men share an aptitude for the simple; and as I’m sure you’ve discovered, the simplest things are often the hardest to achieve. Well, I’ve largely achieved my goal, and I am at ease with my choices, up to a point. In terms of my business wardrobe I’ve followed my own … [Read more...]
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