@Robbie, ha ha me too. I went in my local one a fortnight ago and there was bugger all. Seen on the TK Maxx IG page Baracuta's were back in, some G4's.

I had one of the Harris Tweed G9's, bought from TK Maxx in Wood Green circa 2009. Nice on paper, looked shocking when worn, totally shapeless, the cloth just didn't suit the style of the jacket.

Never see anything of interest in the local place. Occasional Ralph Lauren polo shirts, that's about it. I tend to leave them there, I can't be doing with the chap sat on his horse on the pocket.

Yesterday, a genuine, original Crombie, bought from a cancer charity on Ebay.  There was absolutely no interest in it.  A single bid of £4.99.  What's the matter with the male of today?  Such an overcoat demands a jacket and tie to accompany it.  Hefty shoes like Florsheim.
Thermal jackets abounded on the park on Sunday afternoon.  Awful, just awful.

Outerwear never seems to do that well on eBay and you’ve only got to into any town on a freezing winter day to see why. Young men scurrying from shop to shop, heads down, shoulders hunched, hands thrust deep in pockets, teeth chattering but wearing their thickest hoodie. Wearing a coat is too dressed up and would make you feel silly, your mates might laugh at you, so half the population don't own one. Goodness knows what life is like in a UK winter, when it starts snowing and you have nothing warmer than a sweatshirt in your wardrobe. Still, the moment any sort of sunshine occurs you can stoically start walking around in T shirt and shorts - and they say the younger generation are soft, they can’t be.

Yesterday, more knitwear.  McGeorge and Hawick, the first Shetland, the second cashmere.
Expecting another 'Lord Jeff' and a Johnstone of Elgin cashmere v-neck by mid-week.

'Cheetah' grey sweatshirt.  £4.45 including postage on Ebay.  Very much like old school Russell Athletic.  Never heard of 'em.  Made In The USA, though.
John Simons Shetland sweater.  Nice but needs a little repair job.  Black with subtle coloured flecks.  To be worn with jeans, I expect.

Slim pickings on the Friday circuit today.
Never worn Lands End seersucker short sleeve for £7.10 including bag.
Forgot to return to one shop for a £9 Charles Tyrwhitt navy merino cardigan. CT seem to be on a campaign of donating all their stock to charity shops round here. They just put a red dash across the label. I assume to deter illegitimate returns. It’s pretty decent basic knitwear really.

Another USA-made Russell Athletic sweatshirt in navy.  Inexpensive, utilitarian, for my daily walks.
Pink Johnstone cashmere v-neck sweater (quite expensive) in honour of Kay Thompson.

Lush Life: I think there has been two compilations with that title. One was on Verve with jazz artists and sleeve note by Bobby Short ( I think).
Verve issued a few albums of songbook compilations. I have a lovely Harold Arlen one.
The other was cheap double cd of various artists that I know very little about.

Verve, Alvey, you're right.  I must buy that Arlen compilation.  I've just finished Alec Wilder's book, only about a third of which I understood: a composer writing about composers.  He was a big Sinatra fan of course but not afraid to bring the likes of Cole Porter down a peg or two when he thought it necessary.  An intriguing, elusive, highly individualistic man, Wilder.

Jimmy Rowles CD from ace sellers in Berlin.  They've never failed me yet on books, CDs and DVDs. 
English sellers pale into insignificance beside them.

Finding myself wife and child free for the afternoon. It turns out I couldn’t think of anything more constructive to do but meander into town and visit the Italian caff for a proper espresso and a bacon sandwich.

As is my habit, I hit the charities on the way back to flick through the racks of Blue Harbour and Tu.

The last one throws up a pair of barely worn, walnut Church’s Custom Grade Brisbanes. Last 73. Perfect fit. £25.

Ivy? Maybe not? Not longwings after all. But a damn fine pair of shoes at that price.

Last edited by Spendthrift (2022-05-14 12:22:52)