Last Chances...Go Full Blast!

Here in Boston, we've got a good bit of Spring Fever in the air. It's a good thing. We've had some great weather for the sartorially over-wrought: warm enough to enjoy being outside in the afternoon, cold enough at night to keep the tweed and flannel in regular rotation. As the weather turns generally warmer, I find myself looking forward to all the stuff that's been in storage, but I also want to squeeze in one last chance for cold weather favorites while I can.

To that end, I wore this tartan flannel vest today. You may remember, I bought it a while back, but had yet to wear it. I'll be honest. I think this vest is really something. I'm sure many of you agree. But a piece like this brings everything to the next level. Admit it. Lord knows, I'm more than a little bit of a peacock, but even I can't find it in me to push it this far too often. However, with a blue oxford, thick flannel navy balzer, club tie and yellow foulard pocket square, the overall effect is very Brooks-Brothers-catalogue-with-the-watercolor-painted-illustartions-circa-1983, no? (I tried for hours to locate an outfit just like this in an old Brooks catlogue online, to no avail. I know I've seen it before. Wherefore art thout, Heavy Tweed?)
The club tie is the only thing here actually from the Brothers. At first glance, looks like it might be Harvard, only it's not. Pretty sure it's (gasp!) generic. J.Press would never sink so low.

Lets pause for a note on crests and logos:

I used to think it was no good wearing a crest or logo that you didn't earn. Mostly, I still do. But think about it. If we hadn't made a habit of appropriating military or school uniforms, we wouldn't have navy balzers, striped ties, khakis or trenchcoats. So who cares if I wear a fake club crest tie, just because it looks cool to have shields on my tie, and works really well with the plaid vest? Not me. Besides, the very purveyors of these things sell their wears to the general public. Pretty much kills the exclusivity argument, right?

Still, I get it. In the old days, nothing bothered me more than when one of my secret favorite punk bands got jsut this side of too well known. I understand.

Finshed simply, with big fat grey flannels (last chance?) and shiny brown brogues.

And since it was raining like hell, a tan Macintosh and a Pendleton cap, in Black Watch. One more tartan, you know, for good luck.

p.s. despite what I may wish to the contrary, I do in fact live in the modern world. As such, it seems clear to me that in order for events such as The Top Shelf Flea to succeed, An Affordable Wardrobe ought to have a page on Facebook. I've been trying to figure it out for three days. I still don't see what the point is or understand how it works. I try to ask people I know for advice, but all I get is "Oh, it's easy." Well, no, it isn't. Not if no one will explain it to you. Everything about Facebook runs against the genral way that my head works.I feel gross just for signing up. Anyone want to lend me a hand?

p.p.s I accidentally published a few spam comments, one about ladies viagra, one about dirty pictures, something else. I can't find which post they are attatched to. If anyone comes across them, please let me know so I can take them down.