“Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” Trailer
I love funny ladies, and this looks... well... fabulous. https://youtu.be/Dj3ZWhlmexw
The Fascinating DNA of Old Vinyl Records
I always loved vinyl records. My first years of music collecting were during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it was all about records and the occasional cassette. When I was in college, I was a DJ on Boston College’s amazing radio station (WZBC 90.3 FM) and in a nightclub across the Charles River at Man Ray in Central Square near Cambridge. While CDs and CD mixers were certainly in full swing at the time, my favorite format was still vinyl, hands down.
A Nod to the T-Shirt
I was recently asked by a men’s magazine for my thoughts on what makes a perfect t-shirt. I immediately thought of Marlon Brando. What Brando did for the Schott Perfecto motorcycle jacket in The Wild One (1953) he had also done for the t-shirt in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
Middle Eastern & Maghreb Disco Funk on David Byrne Radio
I have been a longtime follower of and listener to David Byrne’s monthly streaming music playlist. I just “rediscovered” David Byrne Radio at Mixcloud after getting DB’s email newsletter this morning. For April’s show, John Fitzgerald, aka DJ Fitz, put together a mix of his favorite songs from the Middle East and Maghreb, focused on the golden era of disco and funk (1975 – 1985).
This is not a geography I would immediately associate with really good funk or disco. This playlist, however, opened my ears to a whole new world, thanks to the talents of DJ Fitz and the unyielding good taste of David Byrne. It’s totally unexpected and absolutely fantastic. I had to share…
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
It's got a thin plot with more than a few holes in it, but The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), directed by Norman Jewison, is an unmitigated treat for the eyes. The film stars icon Steve McQueen as Thomas Crown, a…
The Oscars: A Hospice for Well-Executed Black Tie
It’s official: the Oscars are possibly the worst occasion on which to observe well-executed black tie, with very few exceptions. Not only are simple tailoring cues missed by a mile, but there is also that unnecessary urge for some men to make a statement.
Ideal Wardrobe Essentials for an American President
I’ve never made a living doing just one thing. I’ve always had side gigs here and there that supplemented my livelihood. One of my fantasy jobs would be as a wardrobe consultant for a politician, an executive or an on-camera personality. I think I’d be really good at it.
I’ve written before about the streamlined dress code of men in power, a subject that interests me greatly. Over the course of the much-ballyhooed current election cycle (or any election cycle, now that I think about it), I can’t help mentally re-dressing the candidates. Even with the inherent sartorial constraints of American politics, which entails a lot of blue, gray, white and splashes of red, there is a lot more room for elegance without being overly flashy.
Two Common Mistakes Men Make When Wearing a Jacket
In this video, I talk about two very common mistakes men make when wearing a single-breasted jacket or blazer with two or three buttons. The mistakes involve 1.) how to button the jacket, and 2.) when or when not to button the jacket at all.
My Urbanears Headphones
If you’re willing and able to drop $199 or more for a pair of Beats by Dre, the universe will surely shower you with radiant envy as a member of an exclusive club. If, however, you’re interested in a good pair of well-made headphones with fantastic sound and an elegant, understated design for $49, then hear me out…