Times have changed since today's illustration was drawn. In an interview on Men.Style.Com, Varonique Nichanian, menswear designer for Hermes, tells us a man needs only a shirt, two cashmere sweaters, three polos, and one pair of jeans for a country weekend. Plus whatever sandals or moccasins he happens to be wearing.
We have weekend guests frequently and most of them seem to intuit her advice. I guess no-one ever told her (or them) that jeans are not permitted on most private golf courses. Including the one I play (perhaps it's a conspiracy by the pro shops to sell more clothing). I've grown accustomed to the awkward conversation as we get ready to depart for the round. "Do you have any other pants? Well, you'll need to buy some if we're going to play. Do you mind?"
Now, casual day wear is fine as far as it goes but it pleases me when the men make the effort to wear something dressier than jeans to dinner. The standard is not that high. In summer, which is much of the year, I try to strike a casual note myself with a white polo, black gabardine trousers and black slip-on shoes for meals at home.
I'm hoping without much optimism that a guest will surprise me with a white dinner jacket one of these days.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Country Weekends
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5 comments:
Will, if I'm ever invited to dinner, I promise....white dinner jacket.
This is not related to today's post, but I wanted to share this NY Times blog entry about a well-dressed panhandler: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/panhandler/#more-2657
"The standard is not that high."
Yes, it has come to that hasn't it? But as hosts we do try and make our guests feel comfortable. (I do have several friends who always make the effort, though. They seem to think that I expect it. I won't disabuse them of the idea.)
when The Hermes consultant say mocassins, is she referring to Loafers(slip ons) or Driving type shoes. When I go away for a weekend I usually will pack a pair of slacks, jeans, loafers that can be worn with either, sport shirt and polo with either a odd jacket and or sweater. I like to be prepared for most things even the unexpected.
I see the items that supposedly will go into the bag for the weekend. Black shoes, white suede bucks(?), and the brown ones he is wearing as he leaves. Are there golf shoes in the mix - maybe in the golf bag?
Then which trousers will be worn with the white dinner jacket? Surely not the white ones. And I would not expect that the brown ones from that suit would be appropriate. So, what is the white jacket to be paired with?
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