Yesterday I told Mrs Axelist that I fancy trying to give my crop an Ivy League/ astronaut-touch by letting the front hair grow a bit. She gave me one of her odd looks and asked, if EVERYTHING that I wear or have HAD to have a "NAME". I guess that most of us on here are in some sort of relationship and maybe it's fun to see how the other halfs deal with their own "case" of Ivy.
I'll begin.
She hates my no-break policy on trousers and gives comments like "wade in the water, children" or "off to dig for mussels"? She does not see why I have a load of loafers, harringtons and raincoats and why they all are completely different from each other instead of all looking the same as she claims. Then she hates all these "English technical" terms like "loafers" or "Brogues". Say "Weejuns" and count the seconds until she hits the ceiling.
Often, she asks why on EARTH I just won't buy my clothes in any store like the other guys?? Then I explain that I would love to, instead of buying loads of dead man's clothes to find a 3/2 roll jacket like I want one, for christ's sake. This is usually the point where my daughter joins the discussion by asking why it's only daddy who always gets parcels. That's unfair, little girls also would like to recieve parcels. Mostly, this is the best time to leave the room because then Mrs. Axelist brings up the topic that she always has to fetch my items from the customs office.
You are the ONLY GUY who cares about floating canvas and lapel width and other weird details, is something I often am accused of.
All in all, she likes my way of dressing and is very patient with my obsessions. She was even sweet enough to waste precious girly shopping time by join me to Brooks and J.Press, when we were in NY last year.
Last edited by Russell_Street (2010-03-15 06:31:37)
yes, this rings a bell...
good post axelist. i can relate. i get the similar comments from mrs + my son every other day.
oh yes, mrs heikki dislikes no breaks trousers, isn't awed by the simple beauty of bass weejuns and calls my harrington either 'boring golf jackets' or 'national front disco gear' - depending which colour i'm wearing.. and doesn't get why i have to have five rain macs instead of one and, why i'm not happy with them as i still doesn't own a london fog one. 'what's this fuss about london fog, isn't it foggy enough over here' etc..
'and what's with that collar roll? who cares about how a bloody collar rolls for christ's sake' mrs heikki, the stout voice of plain reason.
also, my old man doesn't get weejuns at all. every time i visit my folks and make the mistake of doing so with said pennies on, i get some snide remarks of wearing 'gay yuppie shoes', 'ladies togs' or the like.
"Gump, Forrest Gump", when she catches me with buttons done up on a polo. Btw, a thing which I haven't done in while. One victory for her.
My sister described me yesterday as dressing like an old man off to play golf!
http://richkleber.com/family/rich/moviereviews/moviereviews/movieimages/rainman.jpg
Thing is...
Give old Dustin more than a few Tweeks and that's a nice look!
Dustin first sees Tom's SF style jacket:
http://barelyawakeinfrogpajamas.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/rain-man.jpg
Ah, the joys of family life...;-)
D. looking cool -
http://www.tvland.com/photogallery/photos/Rain-Man.jpg
Ya see the chances I take?
Fortunately, the only film I can stand to watch with Tom Cruise is Risky Business, everything else is utterly unwatchable and crap. He has a distinct quality of bringing mediocrity and phoneyness into everything he does.
I keep my missis in the dark, have all parcels delivered to work, hide key purchases in with the wardrobe. When asked is this a new shirt, no I say with much confidence, not lying as its really some old deadstock.
She does complain about all the shoes I have seemingly all the same to her eyes. But she's gone quiet lately as one her friends has just married a fine chap with an Imelda Marcus sized shoe collection.
That's the way women are, they think only they have the right to dig clothes. And you ain't going to change them, just nod, feign interest and carry on with the mission. And failing that's there's always divorce, if you can afford it.
I've been blessed with Cathy really, although not quite as clothed obsessed as myself.
She does however question my need for 6 pairs of loafers, the answer of which is stunningly obvious to me (one pair of beefroll in black, one in oxblood, the same in proper penny, one pair in scotchgrain and one in brown..)
The advantage of her is, she does tend to keep me on the straight and narrow spending wise & is brutally honest if she thinks something looks shit.
In return, I indulge her efforts of sewing vintage 50's patterns (which she does very well), traipse to Salvatore Ferragamo every time they have a sale on and remind her how stunning she is. It works for us.
Last edited by Tim (2010-03-15 14:05:19)
my missus completely endorses all my choices, but that's probably cuz she was a "scene" chick rather than a "normal" chick
but she does think I have waaaay too much denim, and she's right
First thing you've got to do is sort your bird out. I find if having gotten some grief, the best approach is not to come home for a week or two.
That'll teach her.
There's a theme 'ere.
Note to say you've missed a delivery generally leads to "What have you been buying? Not more of them brogues..."
And that look on her face when there's no break says "that's wrong".
But I think she's developed a begrudging appreciation of the clothes now. Drip feeding (and helpfully suggesting she might like to look at Gloverall when she mentioned she'd like a good duffel) is the key I think
This all is great.
I mostly forget to get my stuff delivered to the office.
"Why does your husband have so many shoes?"
oohhh this is so very true. It's another thing that 'they' don't understand, like jazz and reading crime fiction.
mine's old man says i dress like a grandad, or yes a golf player is another, or "you look like a bloody yank in that!" Some people just don't get it. then again i don't get Sex in the City or spending two quid on the bus when i have legs