68 Comments on "All Dressed Up, Nowhere To Go: The Self-Quarantine Selfie Thread"

  1. Very Leyendecker-esque. All that’s missing is the pipe.

    http://www.ivy-style.com/joe-college.html

  2. J.J. Morier | March 21, 2020 at 3:06 pm |

    Great outfit and well-chosen books.
    How about an interview with the winner?

  3. Bag of Coins | March 21, 2020 at 5:38 pm |

    Interesting similarity with the Leyendecker. I thought he was referencing Norman Rockwell’s “Willie Gillis in College”. Link to the Rockwell below:

    http://museum.middlebury.edu/system/files/media/norman_rockwell_willie_gillis_in_college.jpg

  4. elder prep | March 21, 2020 at 8:40 pm |

    I agree with Mitchell, very Leyendecker-esque, updated with the addition of the tablet to make it contemporary. Would also like to know where the image was photographed.

  5. I don’t have photos to share, but I did indulge in a quarantine-inspired bit of sartorial shenanigans this week. A business trip with two colleagues was changed to a series of video meetings, each with a different member of the client team. So I decided to have a bit of fun with my colleagues. I changed my sweater between each video meeting, waiting to see if/when my colleagues would notice (charcoal grey, heather, red, blue, light grey, aubergine). I think they finally noticed on the fourth, and mentioned it on the fifth. This is what it has come to, just in the first week.

  6. Frederick Danton | March 21, 2020 at 10:59 pm |

    Apparently supposedly adult Americans never stayed at home before and are suffering psychologically from not being able to go to the playground.

  7. A very handsome (winning) photograph in any case. The young man looks a lot like my maternal uncle during his Sewanee days in the late 1960s.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

  8. Indeed he said he was channeling the famous Willie Gills image.

  9. Mr. C,

    Your ascot makes you look to the manor born.

    It reminds me of Jeremy Irons in “Reversal of Fortune”. He plays a wealthy Newport socialite who favors ascots and double-breasted jackets.

    https://letterboxd.com/film/reversal-of-fortune/

  10. Jeremy Irons portrayed Claus von Bulow, suspected of attempted murder of his wife, Sunny. Lived just down the road from where CC lives in Newport, at a mansion named Clarendon Court.

  11. I suppose that qualifies as “down the road” from me. I’ll take a bike ride this afternoon and have a look.

  12. Charlottesville | March 23, 2020 at 1:04 pm |

    Some nice photos, gentlemen. Quite a spiffy lot. I am still coming in to the office, but am more or less alone since all “non-essential” folk are forbidden access. Not sure that I feel all that essential, but in any event, I’m still in coat and tie for my own comfort and enjoyment.

    Christian — If someone at Clarendon Court should offer you insulin, I suggest you politely but firmly decline. Otherwise, the drive up Bellevue from your “cottage” should be enjoyable.

  13. I was interested in the brief reference to the Leyendecker/Rockwell overlap. I have written on a specific aspect of it here: https://heartheboatsing.com/2017/03/14/the-oarsmen-of-j-c-leyendecker-homeric-or-homoerotic/

  14. Would love to see a post on the necktie’s red-headed step child, the ascot.

    It certainly requires a lot of panache and chutzpah to wear, kind of like wearing a top hat or a fur coat.

    I’ve always dreamed about wearing an ascot with a blazer in Boston. Maybe when I’m in my sixties and own a Rolls.

  15. A sharp looking bunch of guys! Pleased to see so many younger gentlemen getting in on the act too.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

  16. @MItchell

    I began wearing ascots in my early twenties, being quite the retro-eccentric. I’ve stuck to a few guidelines since then.

    Wear under a crewneck sweater. Have the shirt be old and frayed.

    I’ve made it almost a uniform since landing in Newport. Usually I don’t wear a shirt, and just tuck a wool scarf over a henley or t-shirt and wear under a crewneck or button moc-neck. Next, to make them more casual, I use simple wool scarves in gray or camel.

    If I recall, Irons has a scene in “Reversal Of Fortune” where he wears a scarf under a crewneck, no dress shirt.

    You may have to take wool scarves and cut them, so they’re not too bulky. Also, this approach may not technically qualify as an “ascot,” which is rather the point.

  17. @Christian:

    Congratulations, Mr. C, you really wear the neckerchief with panache. Well done, sir!

    Thanks for all the detailed information. Your profile picture keeps getting better and better, like the J. Press brochure. One line I remember from the current brochure is “nothing new, shiny, or stiff,” a very old money way of dressing which you have mastered with a frayed button-down shirt, and self-made wool ascot.

  18. MacMcConnell | March 23, 2020 at 4:07 pm |

    When I see an ascot I have memories of Andrews and Irons in Brideshead Revisited.

  19. Charlottesville | March 23, 2020 at 4:25 pm |

    Three cheers for wearing ascots or scarves, Christian! And quite appropriate for the theme of working from home. I may be one of the last remaining ascot wearers down here. Even I rarely wear them out and about these days, although I have done so on weekends in New York and Paris in the past, where such things are less of a rarity. I have perhaps 6 or 8 in silk foulard, paisley and polka dots, mostly from J. Press and Brooks. I find them quite comfortable in cool weather under a button-down (frayed or not) with either a sweater or a sport coat. I would like to see more of them around town, but it has been a few years since I have spotted one locally, and even then, they were generally worn by older men (as in even older than me). Good to see one on a youngster of 50!

  20. Vern Trotter | March 23, 2020 at 8:37 pm |

    The Leyendecker men were mostly jocks.

  21. PocketSquare | March 30, 2020 at 1:23 pm |

    proud to be apart of this post, I am pictured in the living room sitting next to my dog enjoying a glass of beer.

  22. Hardbopper | March 30, 2020 at 2:07 pm |

    @PocketSquare

    Oh, the good life, full of fun,
    Seems to be the ideal
    Yes, the good life let’s you hide
    All the sadness you feel.

    You won’t really fall in love,
    For you can’t take the chance
    So be honest with yourself,
    Don’t try to fake romance.

    It’s the good life
    To be free and explore the unknown,
    Like the heartaches
    When you learn you must face them alone.

    Please remember, I still love you,
    And in case you don’t know,
    Well, just wake up,
    Kiss the good life “hel-lo”.

    Sacha Distel, 1962.
    recording by Tony Bennett, 1963.

  23. The perfect accessory for self quarantine:

    https://www.gq.com/story/brooks-brothers-medical-masks

  24. Hardbopper

    Great song. My favorite version is Frank Sinatra’s with Count Basie. Great album in fact.

    Will

  25. Regarding photo #8, where are those books from? They look to have a very similar design on them so I am assuming that most if not all of them are from the same publishing house?

  26. Old School Tie | April 6, 2020 at 11:42 am |

    Well done chaps, quarantine must be horrendous but at least you can do it in style. Chins up, shoulders back, lips adequately stiffened…

  27. Charlottesville | April 6, 2020 at 1:28 pm |

    More delightful photos, although I must be the only trad in all of traddom who still wears socks with dress shoes. Oh, well. I am willing to be a rebel in a good cause.

    Old School Tie – If I recall correctly, you are a doctor in London. I sincerely hope that you are and remain well.

  28. I’m wearing a western trad blue cotton paisley bandana sort of like an ascot for readily deployed PPE during brief and infrequent outdoor outings these days. With a sport coat it can be a rustic pocket square until needed. Washable, available in several colors and MIUSA if you search.

  29. Over Easy | April 6, 2020 at 4:02 pm |

    No socks with formal evening wear is, as the kids say, a “big oof.” And this comes from someone who will wear both black bit loafers and pink OCBDs with black tie.

  30. All this socklessness! Come on, guys, please. Wigwams!

  31. Some nice new photos, gentlemen. Re: the sockless debate. My only defense, a weak one I realize, is that I put on socks when I head out to face the rest of the world really dress to kill. At home, even in the dead of a real Michigan winter (which we did not really have this year), things are somewhat more casual, and I go sockless year ’round unless its time to ski or fire up the snowblower. I can relate that The Young Master (pictured on his knees above) refuses Bad Dad’s socklessness. He had on one of a dozen pairs of Argylls for the photo. They’ve become his new favorite sock style (really) since Christmas when Santa Claus brought him a dozen pairs.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

  32. “Dressed” to kill that is.

    H-U

  33. Charlottesville | April 6, 2020 at 9:03 pm |

    H-U
    The Young Master and I share a fondness for Argylls. Excellent look.

  34. Dutch Uncle | April 7, 2020 at 12:39 am |

    “Argylls”, gentlemen?
    Might we assume that you mean “Argyles”?

  35. Your homes in winter must be much warmer than mine. October through April, when I’m home, Wigwams are on my foot along with a pair of LL Bean slippers.

  36. Hardbopper | April 7, 2020 at 7:59 am |

    @ Sacksuit,
    Agreed. That was the swingin’est band ever assembled.

  37. Thank you, Dutch Uncle. I hang my head in shame.

    Best Regards,

    H-U

  38. Charlottesville | April 7, 2020 at 10:18 am |

    D.U. and H-U — Thank U.

  39. Wonderful pics– and a nice way of connecting this community! I do have a question for you all, however. What are your collective thoughts on maintaining the Ivy clean cut look ABOVE the neck? Depending on how long this sheltering place phenomenon lasts, these selfies may start to look like the 50’s becoming the 60’s, complete with the shaggy heads and beards to match…

  40. Charlottesville | April 7, 2020 at 11:45 am |

    Jim F – We already have an interesting mix of hairstyles above and, as you indicate, they will undoubtedly become more interesting as this goes forward. I for one am shaving and hope to figure out a way to keep my hair somewhere near regulation length although that may be a challenge if this goes on for more than a few more weeks. One of my colleagues has stopped shaving and said yesterday that he is already starting to look like a Chia Pet. A new look for me has been the mask that many of us are now required, or at least encouraged, to wear. At least it is a neutral white, and so goes with anything.

  41. Michael J. Lotus | April 7, 2020 at 2:26 pm |

    The bearded, sockless gentleman has Thucydides, Plato and Winston Churchill on his table, along with his bourbon. Well done! The life of the mind, as well as the life of tasteful attire!

  42. Michael J. Lotus | April 7, 2020 at 2:28 pm |

    “I for one am shaving and hope to figure out a way to keep my hair somewhere near regulation length …” Yes, shave daily. Maintain order in the details, like POWs who defy their captivity by maintaining as crisp an appearance as possible. As to hair, the pestilence prevents me from getting the short back and sides I prefer, so I make do with a part and some hair gel to push the sides down and back. A poor substitute for clippers on 2, but we adapt as we must.

  43. I am looking around Amazon, as we speak, for some small clippers to keep the sideburn area, around the ears, and nape of the neck somewhat neater until our stylist’s salon (I know, I know. . .) reopens. Just this afternoon, our son (10 years old) asked when his next haircut appointment is, and I had to remind him that the shop is closed until further notice. He’s an odd kid in that he prefers a traditional, conservative, side part haircut kept pretty short. He never misses a chance to tell me when I need a trim, or, by Sunday evening, that it’s time for a shave. His heart is in the right place I suppose.

    Best Regards,

    H-U

  44. A $20 hair clipper with different length attachments enable a man to cut his own hair. !/2″ comb on the sides and back, and use a 1″ to CAREFULLY trim the top. (Clip sparingly.)

    To trim the neck, a piece of masking tape around the back bottom of the neck, and shave. With practice, a pretty decent haircut can be attained.

    If fortunate (or unfortunate) to have a wife, she can cut and trim your hair with the clippers as above.

    Shaving every day is a given, even in pandemics.

    Stay healthy, gentlemen.

  45. Thanks for the ideas, gents. In addition to figuring out how to adjust to this new normal, I too am searching the interweb for face masks, preferably ones in a tasteful white tatersall pattern. Or perhaps a GTH pattern as a combined show of solidarity for our public health efforts and a show of defiance for this Godawful virus…

  46. Charlottesville | April 13, 2020 at 11:07 am |

    Nice to see a youngster or two among us middle-aged and older fogeys.

  47. Another crop (the third?) of wonderful photos! I really find myself looking forward to these.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

  48. john carlos | April 13, 2020 at 7:32 pm |

    I particularly like the gent “sporting” the Auburn University pants. All in all a great look. I fear, however, there may be no need to wear them this Fall. I hope I’m wrong.

  49. Hardbopper | April 14, 2020 at 3:18 pm |

    No pics to offer, but I did dress for Church this weekend. Thursday night–a charcoal grey 3/2/sack, white button down broadcloth shirt, purple BB tie, and black Florsheim longwings. Friday night–same suit, a fresh white button down broadcloth shirt, and black tie, and same shoes.
    Sunday–olive slacks, blue ticking stripe on white BB M2M OCBD, navy blazer, and brown Nunn-Bush longwings which are 50-60 years old and are in terrific shape. The shirt has diminished in size at the neck over the years, so, I broke my own rule and went without a tie. Jesus forgives me for that, too. There was another guy there about my age who wore the same uniform, but with a tie.
    If BB still made nice M2M shirts, I would order up another.

  50. Charlottesville | April 14, 2020 at 4:56 pm |

    Hardbopper – Sounds like my kinda clothes! I dressed for (online) church on Easter as well. 3/2 sack tweed and ancient madder Burlington Knot tie from J. Press, with white OCBD, tan cavalry twill trousers, Argyle socks and cordovan loafers all from Brooks. Just the two of us, but my wife said I looked nice.

  51. The homage to Bill Murray in Moonrise Kingdom is top-notch!

  52. @ Trip – One scene in ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ was filmed at Newport’s Trinity Church, but most of the movie took place across the bay on Jamestown, Rhode Island.

  53. When I walk Penny, the Golden Retriever, sometimes I pass an old guy jogging. We’ve gotten to the speaking point. He told me yesterday that my Hanna Walker hat and pipe reminds him of his grandfather. He asked me if I owned a pair of wing tip shoes. I replied in the affirmative.

    The guy says he “loathes” jogging, but feels great afterward. He must be educated; no one uses the term “loathe” anymore.

    If it ever warms up, after May 15, I’ll be wearing a Panama.

    PS: Great bunch of photos.

  54. Appreciate the nods to Wed Anderson.

    I suspect W.A. is a fogey at heart— the artsy, bohemian version.

  55. I propose the following as a soundtrack to quarantine trad:

    Cue montage:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2hEb2vOOaxI

  56. “Wes,” that is.

  57. Old School Tie | April 28, 2020 at 10:53 am |

    Perhaps, given the Moonrise Kingdom reference, you could recreate iconic scenes/outfits from Ivy movies instead of just randomly flexing your fits at home…

  58. Charlottesville,
    Thanks. I must investigate cavalry twill. I always thought it was a little too ‘mail room’ looking, but that’s probably due to inferior merchandizing. Sounds to me like it is a sensible, versatile option.

  59. Lamz E. D’Ivy | April 28, 2020 at 3:43 pm |

    Good new photos.

  60. Charlottesville | April 28, 2020 at 4:03 pm |

    Nice photos indeed. The triple self portrait is especially well done.

    Thanks, Hardbopper. I have seen some wool cavalry twills that look almost like old fashioned polyester double knits. Mine are wool and hold a nice crease. They came from Brooks perhaps 20 years or so ago. I doubt they still carry them, but I think J. Press offers a nice version in the cooler months. I also heartily recommend Press’s covert cloth trousers as well. I have a pair in taupe that go with almost anything. Both are nice alternatives to flannel with a tweed sport coat when khakis might be a bit too light weight. Sunny and upper 50s today, so khakis and tweed are the order of the day.

  61. I’m surprised to see photos with Jeans (seems to occur here a lot) and what seems like tattoos. I’m not complaining, just surprised? Am I seeing tattoos? I’ll tell you why I ask once I get a response.

  62. john carlos | April 28, 2020 at 4:40 pm |

    Charlottesville- low 90’s and sunny today in San Antonio so it’s sport shirt and khakis from Bill’s Khakis along with my Alden loafers. Hope all is well.

  63. Charlottesville | April 28, 2020 at 8:59 pm |

    Hello, John Carlos. I hope you are well. Thankfully it’s nowhere near the 90s here so far, although my Goddaughter, her parents and sibliings are experiencing 100+ temps in Phoenix. Glad to be in Virginia for now, but I may feel differently in late summer when the humidity here is 90%.

    I hope we all come out of the lockdown soon. I wish I could join you for a drink at the Menger bar and a steak at the Little Rhein, if they are still around. God be with you.

  64. Charlottesville,

    Tweed and khakis for me yesterday in tidewater as well. Close to 80 today so khakis and light weight blue blazer today with white OCBD and repp. Alden loafers no socks.

    John Carlos

    Have you been to The Yardarm in Corpus Christi and is it still in business? I enjoyed visiting Texas a few years back with my wife. Went everywhere but Austin.

    Will

  65. Charlottesville | April 29, 2020 at 5:06 pm |

    sacksuit – Sounds like the perfect ensemble for a warm day in the eastern part of the state, where it is probably already be a bit humid. I came into the office today and actually wore a BB sacksuit, along with a paisley tie from Chipp, a tab-collared oxford shirt and wingtips. I have seen a total of one (socially distanced) person so far today, other than my wife and the parking attendant, and I even did my Zoom meetings without video, but I feel good. We can’t go out for dinner, of course, but tonight I will see Charles, my regular local burger joint bartender, and Brian, the owner and cook, to pick up a to go order, including cocktails in mason jars for home consumption. So by dressing as I am, at least I will be treating them with the dignity they very much deserve.

    Very best to you!

  66. Charlottesville

    Dinner at home this evening. On Friday the wife and I plan to support a couple of our local haunts with a humble but delicious meatloaf dinner and a trip to a local brewery for some Big Papi IPA.

    God bless,

    Will

  67. Charlottesville | April 30, 2020 at 11:26 am |

    Thanks, Will. Our local brewery (just a couple of miles from my house) is called Blue Mountain Brewery, and their Full Nelson IPA (named after Nelson County where it is located) is a favorite. I had one at home last night with my take-out burger. I will be on the lookout for Big Papi IPA from Commonwealth Brewery in Virginia Beach.

  68. News alert: No one in real Society seeks attention thru self-promotion.

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