The historically-inclined Mrs. E. and I are watching a wonderful miniseries done for BBC in the 1970s. “Edward and Mrs. Simpson,” starring Edward Fox as the Prince of Wales (and later King Edward VIII) and Cynthia Harris as Wallis Warfield Simpson. I chose the series because it concerns a period that interests me greatly (Between the Wars); and frankly, for the clothes. The series was recommended by a reader for its costuming, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Although, I’m not sure that I would call it “costuming.” The Duke of Windsor was responsible for many of the sartorial innovations that we take for granted today. He helped popularize brown suede brogues, chalk striped suits, soft collared formal shirts, the midnight blue dinner suit, Fair Isle sweaters, and striped Breton sailor shirts, for example. “Easy and Elegant” would have been his watchwords. And it is amazing how up-to-date he looks (the women don’t fare quite as well. Ah, fashion.) Especially since the series was shot in the 70’s — a decade of sartorial Hell, to which I bore mute witness.

Now admittedly, some of his riskier fashions, the plus-fours with argyle socks, clashing plaids, large checked tweeds would be difficult to pull off today. But the rest of his wardrobe may be considered a template for dressing well in casual (what we call semi-formal) clothing. And, of course, he was small — thin — at least in his youth. He made a good hangar and he cared about clothing. I understand that something like half of his autobiography (”A King’s Story”) is devoted to matters sartorial — his real strength.

For another take on Windor’s fashion influence, Will at A Suitable Wardrobe referenced him a while back as a model for building a beginner’s wardrobe. Wallet permitting, I couldn’t agree more.

Head on over to Netflix and rent it immediately (I’ll return it shortly, I promise.)

(Photos from ISpy65.com)
Forget that Bill Cosby was the first black American to star in a network TV show. This show continues to be groundbreaking, and not just for great dialog and on location shoots.Even the casual viewer will appreciate the wealth of images from a time not too long ago when men dressed in suits to save the world and great American leisure wear the rest of the time. Sure some of it is dated, we don’t do a lot of terry cloth cabana sets these days, but who can argue with white jeans, flat front khakis, white sneakers or mocassins, and pale, finely woven v-neck or cardigan sweaters?

None of it is earth-shattering, but a lot of it would go unnoticed in today’s world. And isn’t that always the definition of easy and elegant?

Go for yourself, Jack! Dig the wonderfulness that is “I Spy.”

I wish you would.