(Image and Swimsuit available from Brooks Brothers)

Getting my sea legs has little to do with sailing for me these days. Rather it is the moment when I must face up to the fact that I will, at some point in the near future, unveil said pasty stems and their supporting structure to the indifferent and unenvious glances at the beach or the pool.

If you, like me, are over the age of 30 and can’t quite carry off the La Perla GrigioPerla swimsuit sported by Daniel Craig in “Casino Royale”, you may be looking for a suitable swimsuit that will do the least damage to your reputation. Here are a few things to consider:

1) Length: I prefer a shorter version of the swimsuit as I am neither hip nor hop. Look for an inseam of 6″ - 9″.

2) Pockets: are a nuisence. They collect sand and balloon up in the water. Besides, my mobile isn’t waterproof.

3) Colour and Graphic Design. Less is, as with most things, more.

4) Material: quick drying and not-at-all clingly is most desirable.

And finally,

5) The Waistband: over 30 you are taking chances with an elastic waistband. Over 40, as I am, and you are flirting with the horrible muffin top regardless of how physically fit you may be. Even Sylvester Stallone had liposuction. I have had enough of hospitals and refuse to volunteer go under the knife. Or vacuum. Or whatever… Yikes. The solution is the sized waist with a draw cord closure. Buy them at your actual size and they will not slip. Nor will they bind and squeeze and redistribute that which has taken you years of sybaritic indulgence to build up.

Try the custom option or Style 301 Mid-thigh Basic from Birdwell Beach Britches. At USD$39.50 they are a steal and will last you indefinitely.

Or consider the Brooks Brothers Country Club Side Stripe Board Short with draw cord closure (shown above.) Worth the sale price of USD$73.88 and ocean tested by your faithful correspondent. The Bond-like light blue are sold out online. But then, my eyes don’t match them anyway.

Inspired by a post by Laguna Beach Trad about his tutor and sartorial mentor, I give you one Col. Robert “Bob” Lynch, (USA, dec.), substitute teacher, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for Boys, 1983.

“Cox, Thomas C.?”
“Present, Sir.”
“Any relation to Col. Tom Cox, U.S. Army?”
“Yes sir, my father, sir.”
“I served with him. Good man.”

I wish a had a picture of this man in all his Churchillian presence. He was commanding presence in the classroom, big and solid, iron maned, and florid of complexion when inspired. He was every inch “an officer and a gentleman,” a product of a different era.

When he retired from active duty, he adopted a uniform of a different sort.

He joined another long grey line of men who were clad in Brooks Brothers suits. His were three piece in oxford grey or darker colors.

(Brooks Brothers Regent Suit)

He wore conservative stripes or small, neat patterns on his ties…

(Ralph Lauren Tie)

(Ralph Lauren Savile Row Micro Spot Tie)

… which were always shown to great effect on blindingly white, starched, spread collar, french (double)cuffed shirts.

(Purple Label Shirt by Ralph Lauren)

The blaze of white echoed in his breast pocket by a linen pocket square which he would use to wipe his brow if need be.

(Irish Linen Pocket Square by Cable Car Clothiers)

I don’t recall his cufflinks, I’m sure they were discreet. Or his watch — was it a pocket watch? I believe he wore a signet ring in addition to his wedding band.

(Signet Ring through eBay)

He led from the front, standing and lecturing, feet firmly planted in what we used to call “gunboat wingtips” that were probably by Florsheim or Alden, moving confidently to the blackboard to dispense wisdom.

(”Callipygian, gentlemen, is the word you’re looking for.”)

(Florsheim Imperial Kenmoore through Zappos.com)

I understand that Col. Lynch passed away in 2002, 20 years after he became a teacher.
FACUL(T)Y
COL ROBERT E. LYNCH, USA
Colonel Lynch a member of the ICAF faculty
1974-1976 and a Correspondence Program grad-
uate died of a pulmonary embolism on 25
January 2002 at Virginia Hospital Center. He
was 78. Colonel Lynch resided in Arlington and
was a native of Wintrhop Mass. He received his
bachelor’’degree from the University of Mass.,
and a master’s degree in Business Administration
from the University of North Carolina. He was
also a graduate of the Army Command and
General Staff College and the Army War College.
During World War II he served as a Combat
Engineer in Europe and subsequently served in
combat during both the Korean War and the
Vietnam War. Colonel Lynch spent much of his
military career in education and administrative
posts. In addition to his faculty service at ICAF,
he taught social sciences at the US Military
Academy. From 1969-1973 he was Deputy
Adjutant General of the Army, and from 1976-
1979 he was President of the Physical Evaluation
Board at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
After retirement from the Army in 1979 he taught
Russian and Far Eastern History at St. Stephens
and St. Agnes School in Alexandria for 20 years
retiring again in 1999 but continuing on a part-
time basis until August 2001. He is survived by
his wife of 50 years, Mary Helen Lynch, three
daughters and three granddaughters.
(From the Tiger Times.)

His are big shoes to fill. I’m glad I knew him.

Huh…. Brooks Brothers, bastion of the No.1 sack suit looks… different. And very good, in my opinion.

I’m wearing one of their classic, blue oxford cloth button-down shirts this morning as I was in need of extreme comfort. When my daughter was born, I did two days and nights in the hospital in one. Recommended for rough mornings, if a bit “square.”

My shirt is of a different generation, more 1950’s than 1930’s or Naughty Oughties. The Spring 2008 catalogue shows looks that might feel at home in Old Hollywood. The Travel in Style look is one that I hope many men take to heart. The women fare equally well on all fronts, casual and less so. If fashion is cyclical, we may be in for a more elegant season.

Not a moment too soon.

Head over to their on-line catalogue and flip through the pages of Volumes 1 and 2. It’s well worth your while. Even if everything you want is already sold out or unavailable.