Sadly I have a large proportion of my wardrobe that I don't wear now.

Simple reason is that I no longer wear a suit and tie to work.

I used to wear them every working day regardless of having a client meeting or not. I didn't see good suits as an expense it was just a necessary cost of doing business.

My preference were soft shouldered Polo made to measure suits. Their old Custom programme allowed you to get exactly what you wanted, within certain parameters, at off the rack prices. The suit quality was exceptional as it was made in Italy by Cornealani. They are/were incredibly hard wearing so they've lasted well.

Each suit though contains happy memories of spending many an hour debating fabric choice, details and fittings. My wife would them to go to charity and at some point I will have to concede defeat

I'm in the same boat as Alvey.

We've been working remotely now for almost three years. We tried going back to the office and three people promptly got the bug. Did they get it at the office? Don't know for sure, but we went back to the remote immediately.

I was moving away from automatic jacket and tie anyway, but I never imagined I'd be operating in chinos and sweatshirts almost exclusively.

But I have an assignment tomorrow that requires my physical presence. It's a hospital, so I'm going to break out a tweed and wear a tie and proper trousers. And shoes!

Last edited by Patrick (2023-01-11 07:37:52)

I am reassured. You are all as mad as me. I have moved items on that I still pine for, like old lovers.

"To my Walkover saddle shoes - I am so sorry I abandoned you. I always loved you but my girlfriend said I looked like a clown in you and would not walk next to me when I had you on my feet. But I should have kept you in your dusty old box with the J.Simons receipt still tucked inside. You would have been happy and warm in my wardrobe snug up against the shetland sweaters and woollen jackets. You'd have lived forever in that box with no ugly pavements to violate your soles. Every now and then I would have tenderly lifted you out for air as I sniffed your glorious Ivy whiff and delighted once again in the evocatively anachronistic detailing of your design. But I was weak under pressure, and callously gave you to the undeserving and unappreciative Oxfam shop. I pray you have found happiness on the feet of a man of taste, but I doubt it. Good bye old chum. I will never forget you. John x"

My last big clear out was back in the Autumn of 2015. Much has changed since the lockdowns, a different psychic topography, that demands a different look. Much too in my family, dark family secrets and lies are all out on the table. Beware those DNA tests my friends! So I'm ready for a new clear out.

I've addressed the conundrum of the death of shirt and tie look. In Germany it lingers on I'm told. Two drawers full of ties, and I think, I can box them up and keep one or two out. J.Press herringbone tweed not yet worn this season, I've a RL doeskin blazer in the wardrobe that suffices if I need to see a client. Everything else is in disused wardrobes, in boxes or on hangers. That's the death of the pure English look for me.

It's not back to full-on Ivy either. Elements of preppy, Ralphy garment dyed Oxford shirts in all colours and big bold primary coloured polos beneath half-zip jumpers in the winter. Shoes it's Aldens and C&J's, Coniston is playing a big role this January. Jackets are chore or Harrington style. Not a suit or sports jacket in sight, unless it's that doeskin blazer. Watches are the Omega Speedy Pro, the deep mangrove green dialed Seiko Marinemaster and the Seiko Alpinist bung strap 1959 re-edition. Pants it's G-Star Bronson 2.0 chinos. Cheap as chips and a rather modern slim fit in the legs, they're proper high waisted and roomy in the waist and crotch.

It happens that I am back to my fighting weight I was in the early 2010's so those John Simons and Harry Stedman shirts that I didn't get rid-off fit me again. Same with some 34'' Officer Pinks.