Had to be in Harvard Square yesterday so I took the opportunity to check out the J. Press and Andover Shop sales.  Press, even at 25% off, really isn't my thing so my stay there was brief--an argyle shaggy dog sweater did catch my eye--but the Andover Shop was rewarding, if only in spirit.  How I managed to leave my wallet at home is beyond me.  Since I wasn't buying I didn't inquire about the discount, but last year it was 30%.

I was particularly taken by some of the English wool challis ties and a number of tweed jackets which had small amounts of pink or lavender thrown into the mix.  The shirts appeared more brightly colored in the past but they may have sold a lot of basic solids during the sale, leaving a color riot among the shirts.  They're still selling Richard James socks, which amuses me, but shows how expansive Andover's vision of Anglo-trad can be.  The bolts of tweed cloth stacked up against the left hand wall were as tempting as ever--one day I'm going to have a tweed suit made, propriety in the city be damned.  When I arrived at the Andover Shop, Henry Louis Gates was there.  I've always thought him to be well-dressed and now I know why.  I highly recommend a visit, if only to browse.  Andover packs more sartorial excellence than one would think possible into a space smaller than most hotel rooms.  As a bonus?  Talk to Charlie Davidson, who won't set you wrong.  The man is a living encyclopedia of style.