Today:

Stetson cap
M&M button-down - blue
Paul Stuart jumper - shawl collar
Aquascutum raincoat
Dark Levis
Falke socks
Leather/fabric belt
Walk Over bucks

A late morning out in Beeston, a suburb of Nottingham.  Not clothes-hunting for once, but bought books, DVDs and CDs from Oxfam and other charity shops.
Excellent food at 'Anatolia', a Turkish restaurant just down the street from the Oxfam shop.

A drizzly afternoon spent exploring London back streets between Holborn and Marylebone, discovering new Oxfam shops. Purchased a Chet Baker CD and a Tom Wolfe book. Hesitated at the door of a couple of pubs and then moved on. Rained all afternoon, but bliss really - providing you were equipped with a full length Grenfell raincoat, Brooks Brothers rainhat, John Simons brown herringbone jacket, LL Bean graph check button down, Tootal scarf, Levi 501s and Paraboots..

Sir Pendleton
Russell Athletic
Silvermans' chinos (as recommended by Uncle Ian - who, let's face it, knows a thing or two)
Anonymous-Ism
Jack Purcell

I looked - and felt - quite different to yesterday, even though wearing two of the same items.
The shirt says 'Dry Clean Only'.  These Americans!

Cool look AFS but hideous grandson? Come on man.

Very pared down in an old Gant shirt and faded 501s. 
I enjoyed my trip out yesterday.  Bought CDs and an excellent-looking book on jazz vocalists.
Had a stimulating conversation with an old Leftie working as a volunteer in Oxfam.  He predicted the outcome of the next election.

The raincoat - not needed.
Apparently I got an admiring glance from a woman in Morrisons.  My wife was not impressed.

Sun’s out. Time to give the ecru jeans their first outing.

With Gant indigo. Like a very lightweight chambray. Unfortunately with chest pocket logo. Dark brown MIE Clarks db’s. Khaki/blue/red surcingle belt.

Planned to go with Failsworth linen newsboy, but being easily influenced, and after scrolling through The Weejun’s IG posts, swapped for navy ball cap.

Nowhere to go but to a farm shop to stock up on bird food. So woefully overdressed.

Down vest - sand
RL flannel shirt - Black Watch tartan
Mid-blue Russell Athletic sweat
Navy RL chinos
Converse

Called in at the local Oxfam to check out their dozen or so jazz CDs.  Lionel Richie was playing and the females who work there were as bland and boring as ever.  If only they knew I'd had sex several times in their back room.  They couldn't change a £20 and made me feel that I was offering them counterfeit money.  I bought a Cannonball Adderley and a book of Marianne Moore's poems and scarpered.  Where do these shops find their staff?  Is total inability to deal with the public part of the job requirement?  But I was my usual charming self.

Contrast (if you like or will) the Oxfam crowd in the posher/trendier towns with those working in the old mining/textile/light engineering districts around here. 

I know which I prefer.

I would have expected a good deal of change out of £20.

Robbie, Oxfam's female volunteers tend to come in one of four different categories:

1. She recently stopped sucking her thumb/had her brace removed.  Going through the early 'bunny hugger'/vegan stage.  Somewhat awkward with the customers.  Usually wearing pink/purple/yellow Converse or something similar.  Does not think to offer a carrier bag no matter how many heavy art books you've just bought.  Is usually called 'Chloe' or 'Clarissa'.

2.  The 'serious glasses and frown'.  Did her Duke of Edinburgh Award at the branch and has not found gainful employment since leaving 'uni' with a 2:2.  Does a lot of lip-pursing and headshaking.  Often to be seen wearing purple DMs.  Often called 'Kate'.  Thought Corbyn was wonderful (even if she couldn't spell his name). 

3. Her elder sister/mother/aunt.  Still wearing Indian cotton skirts (often wraparound), with the odd piercing and discreet tattoo.  Still dying her hair and sporting Birkenstocks or DMs.  Often goes under some curious nickname, given to her when studying Sociology at 'Poly'.

4.  Granny.  Sometimes has a little crucifix and an acrylic cardigan that she has neglected to button properly.  Her hair is often cut short and resembles a Brillo pad. 
She is sometimes called 'Cath', even 'Gladys'.

They are not genuine human beings, but manufactured at an industrial unit somewhere off an orbital road.

"They are not genuine human beings, but manufactured at an industrial unit somewhere off an orbital road."

Those kind of comments just put me off wanting to post here.  Both my sons volunteered extensively at charity shops when they could and it's time consuming work.

These people are volunteering and in this case were in the shop, let's try to be kind here and think positively about them eh?  There's enough cynicism and negative influence around us all right now.

Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2022-03-22 07:58:06)

AFS - however you think you sound when you say these things, it isn't how it is received by others. Time for me to leave you to it.