Fashion on the Cheap!
I used to wear glasses when I was ten to twelve years old. All optical shops were the same. You got in, and for the “special” you got very unattractive frames. To get anything cool costs an arm and a leg. F orget the ads that encouraged people to buy multiple pairs so they can change “with their mood.” Most people do not live their lives like the imaginary people the models portray in fashion magazines. They don’t have one pair of studious looking glases, sport glasses, and sparkling ones for going out. You either stuck out a sore thumb at the grocery store with flashy glasses, or looked like you were going to play racquet ball at the theater because you couldn’t choose both.
I just got a tip about ZenniOptical.com. I have heard the name before, as I have read about their “too good to be true” $8.00 frame deal before. Apparently, its NOT too good to be true. The price is not a “come on.” Once you ad your prescription, you can reasonably expect to get a complete lens and frame package for under 20 bucks. Check out the consumer report about Zenni on Fox
What does this mean for retro fashionistas like us? Zenni has several retro inspired styles, but for purists, you can drop big bucks into a pair of authentic 1950s Buddy Hollys or horn rims, or 80s Wayfarers, but stock up at Zenni for your everyday kick around glases. That’s a different and economical way to preserve history!
Until Next Time…
When Socks Mattered
Socks are something that are sorely neglected today. I don’t mean “today” literally. It is obviously the middle of summer so a lot of you are not wearing socks everyday. I meant, in general. Flashback to 1947, where hosiery ads (a.k.a. sock ads) were evenly sprinkled throughout the March 1947 Fairchild Men’s Wear Magazine (A trade publication to the industry). The argyle numbers, above, were being touted for the outdoors inspiration in their patterns and colors. They were retailing at $2.00 per pair. Sounds pretty reasonable for fine Australian wool, right?
Adjusted for inflation, men expected to pay approximately $21.03 for a pair if you converted into today’s money. A lot of you would say that was quite pricey, when you can make your way over to the mall and buy some for $1.99 on the clearance rack and scoff at how the $9.00 socks are the result of price gouging. The fact of the matter is, socks were just made a heck of a lot better. In fact, people used to repair their socks. When proper ladies and gentleman want to swear, but are not angry enough to forget their matters, they say “Darn It,” to this very day. So it is actually a very positive statement versus merely being a euphemisn for something far less polite.
Even though socks were more cared for back then, apparently they were still a cause for unrest. This ad from Westminster Ltd. was a little puzzling. The slogan was “You’re Asking for a Good Sock…”
The message is simple enough. What is a little puzzling is the whole scene that is playing out in the restaurant.
We have a waiter that is looking either a little peeved that the gentleman left a rotten tip or is a little snooty. The man looks really angry or embarrassed about something. The young lady appears to be looking at you, maybe to motion over to you to intervene, or to sort of apologize for what has just happened? What does this have to do with socks? Maybe I have it all wrong, and the waiter can’t believe the man lights up a cigar in this white table-clothed establishment. However, the man is so uncomfortable because he is wearing socks are too tight, and his toes are poling through the holes, that he can’t help but act on it.
This ad was directed towards the “industry:” clothing stores and boutiques, manufacturers, and others in the trade. Therefore, I am wondering if I am missing the joke or the reference, not being a post-war textile manufacturer, or perhaps this is something that will make perfect sense when I have a eureka moment at 2 A.M.
Sometimes I just think too much…
Until Next Time….
Mirror Shiny Shoes
Awhile back, I wrote an explanation of the differences between real patent leather and its various substitutes. There is a work boots site that has a pair of poromeric oxfords. In other words, this is the version that is not leather through and through, but it offers the high gloss mirror shine. Often, they are used for certain dress uniforms and occasionally limo drivers. Of course, there are many other uses, but I thought I would point them out.
At the $39.99 price point, you can afford to stock your theater company’s wardrobe with a variety of sizes. They would be perfect for ballroom scenes, as well as for the military officers and chauffeurs that often drop in on the characters in your show.
Fashion Defined: Argyle
The design was first seen on the tartans worn by members of the Campbell clan from Argyll, Scotland. The clan found popularity when it was mentioned by the Scottish novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott. By the late 18th century, the knitted pattern of the argyle was beginning to be adapted by manufacturers as the argyle plaid and socks knitted with the patterns became known as “argyle socks.” Although the original pattern of the Campbell clan was a traditional green and white, today argyle socks can be a combination of any two or more bright colors.
Save that for a cocktail party. You are sure to dazzle someone with your knowledge!
Until next time,
The Ultimate Flirting Challenge
What is Victory Hair? It has nothing to do with WWII, I assure you. It is when your hair is so perfectly styled that it is a definite head turner to admirers. That could be the Veronica Lake look for ladies. Yes, the overstyled big hair look is dead for men, but there is a big difference in a guy giving off the aura of being unhealthy and a stranger to the shower, and a guy whose hair at least looks like he is in a reasonably good state of affairs, so in that him being alive for a second date is highly favorable.
When two people with hair they have taken many conditioning treatments to cultivate these looks over time, something happens that is far more magnetic than when the two blonde kids decide they have to date in middle school just because they match. When I was not married and was far more insecure I used to spend lots of time on a shampoo and conditioning regimen. For those of you that are still out there, it is still a sport that I am sitting back and enjoying the “people watching.”
The Extreme Style by VO5 Ultimate Flirting Championship is now underway. Go to the site now to play the game! See how you stack up!
More Cavaricci from the MailBag
I recently got a note from new friend of VG’sMD - Akber. He wrote in response to “Cavaricci Redux”
I really like the style of Cavaricci Menswear, and would like to see someone bring back the style. I feel that this Style has been totally underrated and misrepresented. I also would like to see banded collar shirts brought back as well. Plus in warm climate areas, I would like to see the usage of breathable fabrics, which also should not require Dry Cleaning. Wash and wear is perfect
With the amount of mail I have been receiving about said pants and clothing, it seems like I should change the name of this blog to the “Z Cavaricci presents VintageGent’s Menswear Daily,” as the subject is where the bulk of our mail comes from.
Akber, you are half in luck. Banded collar shirts are in style, as a matter of fact. This offering, at left, is at Neiman Marcus. There are surely interpretations available at a variety of price points. I spied some available in a variety of fabrics, including cottion. Unless, of course, you were referring to a Nehru collar, or the less formal modified crewnecks.
Until next time,
.
1980s, 1990s, cavaricci | Comment (0)Cufflink Mishaps
I just rediscovered this great blog about everything cufflinks. Up until reading this, I thought I knew enough to hold my own on the topic, but I stand corrected. Cufflinks are an essential item to think about when it comes to vintage fashion, but sometimes a guy just doesn’t know where to start, or a gal wants to figure out what pair she should choose for her guy without it ending up being unworn in the bottom of the drawer.
Author Adwin Ang suggest that there are 10 Common Mistakes that are made when wearing cufflinks.
Read on!
http://adwinang.com/blog/10-commonly-made-mistakes-by-first-time-cufflinks-wearer-part-12
fashion tips | Comment (0)Someone Likes Me!
Daily Crossover just tagged VintageGent’s Menswear Daily in their Top 10 Emerging Blogs. I am speechless. I just don’t know what to say! I am not sure if this blog has officially “emerged” yet, but apparently someone has taken notice. What are my picks? What would I consider my short list of Top Ten Emerging Blogs to be? I am halfway through deciding and will reveal my choices later today (I hope!) There are four that surely you will not want to miss.
blogging | Comment (0)Multi Pocket Pants
Dan, one of our faithful readers, was asking me the other day about multi-pocket pants. Back when the whole safari/explorer look was everywhere, more than a few khakis and shirts were in the stores with the additional pockets. Some were for looks, but some were actually functionally. Nowadays, the only real choice if you are looking for function is the local outdoor/fishing store.
I just found that 5.11 Tactical Outdoors carries a wide selection of pants and shorts with extra pockets, both hidden and obvious. They are especially good for travel, or whenever you don’t want to wear a jacket to carry the extra things you need when you are going to be out all day. You can spare your vintage clothing from the messy business of horse back riding, motorcycle ridng, and hiking, and can buy a few pairs of those instead.
Paintball: The Sport of Gentlemen
I added a new category to the blog called “Repository of Useless Information.” No, that is not my middle name, although some may think it is. I love trivial facts, and there will be some trivia to be gleaned here before the post is over. I’ll be adding more to the category from time to time, so read it and be prepared for your next party.
In my aimless wanderings, I stumbled by an online paintball store. It made me marginally nostalgic for participating in laser tag birthday parties, as at such parties we were imagining or hoping that we were really playing paintball. We weren’t interested in hunting. We didn’t want to harm animals, we only wanted to hit eachother. Although laser tag gave us that feeling that we were actors in the “Tron” movie of our youth, it lacked the requisite supplies and messiness. We would also argue the fact that the sensors fired by accident and would argue and cajole our way back into the game.
There is no “gray area” with paintball. The paint makes several things irrefutable. Firstly, the fact that you are “out”. Secondly, the Tippmann x7 sniper paintball guns and others firmly indicate to your friends that you are in fact an “army guy,” or a special opps person. With laser tag, half the time is spent arguing because they can’t tell that you were obviously supposed to be Luke Skywalker, and there can only be one Luke!
What is the point of all this?
Did you know that paintball wasn’t just a 1980s invention? Paintball actually originates in the 1940s from the forestry industry. Something was needed to mark trees a little more clearly and efficiently. Thus, the paintball gun was born.
I wonder who the first person was who decided to shoot their buddy to find out if it hurt or not. The recipient of the blow would have probably been the one decide that you need some sort of tactical vest or face protector. Well, maybe that person didn’t think of that, as their thinking cap probably wasn’t ready for the adventure of creativity. They probably were just complaining about how much it stung.
Of course, paintball didn’t make its way into bachelor party outings or corporate events until after 1981. Thus, it causes us to associated the activity with modern life, versus something gentleman and ladies in the middle of the century would have thought about doing after their weekly bridge game.
That’s the historical Tippmann for the day. I mean historical tip, man.
Until Next Time,