I’ve got all sorts of interesting things keeping me busy of late. So please forgive my late postings or absence from the scene altogether, all will be clear shortly.
Yesterday, after dropping off the kids at school and before working out, I ran a quick errand to the dry cleaners. I was of course dressed in my workout gear. Which is exactly when I should least want to bump into a new acquaintance. Marvelous guy — charming, very tall and distinguished looking. He’s Canadian, works in New York and lives here. His wife has appeared on Broadway and has a music career. He was on his way to New York and was dressed in a check sportcoat, blue shirt, trousers and brown slipon shoes.
Dressed for a 342 mile car trip. Inspiring.
Inspiration came later that day as well. Reading through the last issue of The Rake (very good by the way), I was struck by their continued use of colour. Maybe it’s spring fever, but since they publish from Asia, I imagine the weather is sort of always sunny and warm.
It certainly is sunny and warm this morning in Richmond, VA. Which made me want to add a little colour into my clothing. And since I was inspired to dress a bit better than I had to by my Canadian friend, despite my not having to go anywhere at all today, I’ve added to my light grey suit a pink shirt, yellow and grey tie and …. light pink socks.
Now before you rush out to buy your Papal pink hosiery (if they even make them anymore), I should mention: pink socks aren’t elegant. Unless they are accompanied by an equally pale pink linen, seersucker or silk shantung suit. Playful, yes. Extravagant, sure. Elegant, no.
Elegance is restrained and always correct. Jeeves, Wooster informs us, is rather hidebound in the matter of legwear. But today I was feeling playful, extravagant, unrestrained and very spring-like.
“light grey suit a pink shirt, yellow and grey tie and …. light pink socks”
sounds pretty damn elegant to me!
Thank you for adding me to your blogroll; I’ll be sure to respond in kind
I concur with your musings regarding pink socks – I own none and would have to uncover the “ideal” pair to join its fans
Ironic, considering my lack of restraint in other garment categories
B
I’ve been searching for these sox since forever. If I were thinking I would have gone straight to the oracle.
Chris, looks quite elegant to me!!
Karena
Art by Karena
I’m poorly qualified to weigh in on anything akin to elegance…as appropriately defined here. When I think of elegance I think of Bobby Short…not his friend Merkin. Bobby Short wore just a few suits…well tailored, dark in color and often with a black knit tie. That to me is elegance manifest in restraint. Merkin was boisterous…sartorially pugnacious…not elegant. Pink socks….? Boisterous…but in a lilting way.
ADG
I am impressed with your playful side.
pve
Evidently, I am inelegant. Ah, the pain, THE PAIN.
Can I still stop by each day to read the current post?
It’s possible I own as many as 4 (the HORROR) pair of pink socks…
And, as a parting shot since I have already acknowledged my own inelegance, could it be that many dispute the elegance of pink socks because they lack the INNER ELEGANCE (read: confidence and comfort) to wear whatever sock they so choose?
Just sayin’.
ADG, Bobby Short was an extremely elegant man, you are too right. I’ve always been accused of harbouring a bit of lilt in the loafers.
Barima, a pleasure.
Toad, there or Alex Kabbaz’s place (http://www.customshirt1.com/Socks_M_CottonPlain.html) Some snazzy vertical stripes too, so you won’t be confused with ADG.
Karina, m21, thank you.
Mrs. PvE, I let it out to take the air on occasion.
BankerJon, I’m jealous.
It is a question of defining elegance. I’d still call you natty, sharp, dashing, or resplendent. It is the Bobby Short/Richard Merkin conundrum. Elegance has a certain coolness to it. Pink socks are hot! (I only own two pair along with lime green, orange, etc….)
You make me laugh. Your response was fantastic.
I do aspire to elegance, and, must grudgingly accept that, in spite of the best efforts of many, I am still just a “lineman or prop” at heart (capable of great subtly, but more inclined to just run things over). I guess the pink socks fall into the “knock things over” school of subtly.
Mrs. BankerJon (the Accountant) takes great pleasure in making fun (at the same time she is shaking her head, wondering if she kept the receipt post marriage and if she can still “return me”) of many of my sartorial choices…
Ah well. Self-actualization is a good thing…
I think those pink socks are or can be elegant, if they match a pink shirt. I follow mainly three matching rules, in elegant settings, most of the times I match pants or socks, which is safer and blends in, sometimes dare more and I match the shirt.
Antome, they have become my go-to choice for travel by air. I can hardly suppress a smile as I go through security.