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| THE TALE OF MY STYLE EVOLUTION |
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During the Great Dillards spree of 2010 in where I was in Wichita buying up every long-sleeved Ralph Loren Polo I could find on sale, something in another area caught my eye, which almost never happens. I mean, I've purchased Polo (for my shirts) almost exclusively the past 8-years because I don't like anything else. It was a hoodie, with a collar? I almost never leave the house without wearing a collared shirt, much like our old friend ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small} photogoot and I certainly always wear one in the office, which has the potential to restrict my wardrobe on days I might want to wear a hoodie, if that were ever the case, which it isn't since they don't have collars. This was...something new. |
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| With fascinating perplexity I crossed the aisle and approached the rack. Sure enough, a white collar (complete with button) built-in to the pullover. The inside of the hood was lined with a gorgeous maroon & navy stripe. "Gryffendor" I thought. It was soft to the touch and had a beautiful embroidered crest on the chest. I LOVE embroidery *and* crests. When I pulled it off the rack and spun it on its hanger, I knew I wanted to take it home with me: |
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| Then I wondered if it was too gaudy. As I looked around the other offerings of this brand I'd never heard of, I thought nearly aloud, "This is not marketed to my demographic." There were a lot of designs which featured messy graffiti and *ahem* metallic appliques. Definitely NOT me. But the others...bold deviations from solid classic designs. It was these which called to me. As it was on sale (cheap, I might add), I bought it. Then this past Tuesday I ran my wife to the outlet mall in Allen. I was surprised to find their storefront here and eagerly walked in. Once again, I was met with the overwhelming urge to leave the store. Metallic appliques...graffiti...and long, long shirts. Too long. The kind you don't tuck in. Then a beacon from the back of the store - was that...could it be...rugby-styled clothing? AND IT WAS ALL ON SALE. People, I mean to tell you I got a $70 jacket for $15. I went nuts. |
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| Obviously, there are some looks I prefer more than others, but I'm giddy over finding a clothing line which I both adore their style AND they're a fraction of the cost of Ralph Laruen. Of course long-term wearability and fabric-life studies will have to be done (one of the reasons I pay for Ralph Lauren is the shirts last me decades) but I love the inclusion of patches on the sleeves and the bold colors as a twist on classic designs. As long as they continue with this collegiate/rugby look I'm going to look past all the hip-hop and keep an eye on *eckō unltd. Europe meets South Africa is what plays out in my mind when I see these designs, then again, I often see things others don't. |
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| Via somebritinmass, straight from our Employee Discount Program (http://corporateperks.com), he notified me of a Corporate Event: Private, In-House shopping +20% off at Ralph Lauren's Rugby store from 1800-2100. I was ecstatic and somebritinmass knew I would be, which is why he sent me the email. Wait...why didn't I get contacted directly? A quick glance at his message and I find that of the 11 stores they have nationwide, they're only running this deal in New York, Washington, DC & Boston. Hoping this is simply an oversight, I call the Dallas store in Highland Park. They have no idea what I'm talking about. Foiled again! So I pull up Google Maps "Street View" to gaze upon the visage of the edifice and what do I see adjacent the store: |
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| I gotta plan a trip to Highland Park. Soon. |
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I'm really not materialistic - an absolute must when striving to live below your means (especially in this economy) which, ironically enough is why I buy Polo shirts. For a while, during my Air Force days, I bought all my clothes at the Base Exchange or Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, this was very expensive, as the shirts do not last long due to pilling, shrinking, fading, ripping or unraveling. Once I was out of the Air Force and could afford to shop elsewhere, I was shocked to discover that I could purchase $100 Polo's for half as much as a shirt would cost me at Wal-Mart (when on sale), and that they would last me something like seven times longer. It just makes good economic sense to buy Ralph Lauren at a Department Store.
But I don't want to ever come off as brand-centric. There was this guy in HP/UX class in '99 who drove a Porsche. Every day he wore a different color Porsche shirt with matching Porsche socks, and a Porsche hat. Any ONE of those items would be fine. Together, however, they're overkill. I have a Tommy Hillfiger ballcap, and a Polo ballcap. I try to never wear the brand of hat with the same brand of shirt. I'm just silly that way; I'd think it pretentious.
Similarly, I used to wear Guess jeans. I loved loved loved my Guess jeans as they were oh-so comfortable...until I had my second child. I could no longer afford them, so I started wearing Wranglers (not the dark, stiff, boot-cut Wranglers of the 70's mind you. These days they're soft, stone-washed demin). Come to find out, my $14 Wranglers last just about as long as a $75 pair of Guess. Since this discovery I've worn Wrangler's exclusively, as its all about value.
I do buy Ralph Lauren paints though. But not because I wear Polo shirts (See how this is starting to look? People really do think I'm a snob sometimes. Me! A snob!?!?) When we bought our first house, my brother had painted all the interior rooms different colors using Ralph Lauren paints. They were the deepest, most beautiful hues I'd ever seen. Every single time my wife and I pick out colors for a room, we always start with Glidden or Behr to save money, but always end up with Ralph Lauren. There really is no comparison. Nothing else even comes close.
Speaking of saving money, I never purchase designer cologne. I always buy the knock-off brands. Its just not that important to me. Besides, I'm not really big on wearing much. I like a nice spray on my neck when I shave, and that's about it. I like the convenience and applicator of the Axe sprays, but only recently found a fragrance I like - Bergamot. Subtlety masculine. But yesterday, all that changed, and I'm really not to blame. I didn't have any previous knowledge of this cologne! And it bothers me that I want to purchase it - at full price nonetheless - something I've never before done.
When we were in the Air Force together in England,
photogoot's favorite fragrance was "Lagerfeld: Photo." Which he refused to wear for the same reason I'm now struggling. He didn't want to have to tell people that he was a photographer by trade, who's hobby was photography, and why yes, that is "Photo" I'm wearing. It just seemed too silly.I was sitting at my desk yesterday morning, listening to Speed Racer and A Beautiful Mind while I worked, when some unknown person walked by my cube and suddenly this amazing scent filled the air. I've never gone out of my way before to discover male fragrances. I just don't care. But this! This...called to me in a way I still don't understand. I need to seek it out, and rub it on my body. I stood up looking for the culprit, and noticed a coworker who's desk is elsewhere standing in our area. Could he be the one? Of course I didn't want to approach him:
William H. Macy: Thanks, Woody, I feel really safe with you.
John Travolta: I noticed that. If you ever lay your head on my back while riding bitch, I'll throw you into traffic!
William H. Macy: I was just trying to keep the wind out of my face.
John Travolta: I felt you smell my neck!
Martin Lawrence: Did you smell that man's neck?
William H. Macy: His cologne is fantastic. It's musky with an oaky finish like a...lawyer cowboy.
Later that day, entirely by happenstance, he joined us at lunch, and I had to ask. The answer?
Polo Explorer.
*sigh*
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While I was shopping for my shirts this weekend, I came across several new designs that I just adored - and though they weren't on sale, occasionally, if I find one I must have I usually break down and pay full price for it. Here's the shirt in question (minus the green wool turtleneck - which I wouldn't wear anyway). They had one at Macy's and one at Dillard's - neither in my size. So I went online to find it, and discovered http://rugby.com Ralph Laruen's new line! |
| Admittedly, its for the 30-something crowd (which, until September I'll still consider myself part of) but I just adore the eggplants, deep British racing greens, and dark Navy blues. Most of my shirts are the Polo "rugby" style with the white collars - and while I didn't find that shirt online, I found a close second with the yellow & green. Unfortunately, it only came in two sizes: Small & X-Small. I AM NOT A SMALL OR EXTRA SMALL! |  |
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So now I'm scouring the net for these shirts in my size. I checked both Dillard's & Macy's online stores, which have almost nothing for online inventory, despite what you see in the store. I have a 'dream' second job if such a thing is possible. I've always wanted to work at one of those two department stores so I'd be privy to the sales. Granted, my entire paycheck would go to clothes, but then that's what the job would be for. (Yeah, so I'll never wear my collar 'popped' I promise.) |
| There are only eleven R.L. "Rugby" stores in the United States and thankfully one of them is here in Dallas, Highland Park. And while some of the shirts were $200 (nearly twice what I pay at full price) I did notice several sales online which brought them down considerably. I guess if I'm lucky, I'll be able to hit a sale and get them for half-off; still pretty pricey, but damn, I wants me some new shirts. The stores are 60/40 female/male clothing, which is a pretty good split for finding something interesting. |  |
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I did get some new shoes this weekend! Unfortunately, these as well have already been labeled. It seems I can't just go out and purchase a pair of shoes for myself without someone shaking their head in disbelief. I wore these out of the store and as soon as my wife saw them, she shook her head and said, "I can't wait for jesskd26 to see those." Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh, |
| While my wife was looking for shoes in another store, this kid approaches me and suggests I try on these new boots. I have a pair of Justin Ropers I wear every other day or so, but I don't like lace-up work boots, though once a year I kick myself for not purchasing a pair when my wife got hers, for the one day a year it snows here. Anyway, I humored the kid and slipped on a pair. Wow! Apparently these are their highest-selling boot, and also the pair which causes the most problems with their customers, because they're always out of the popular sizes. Oddly enough, they had my size. Now all I need is a good snowfall. |  |
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So I'm off to Highland Park at some point. With any luck at all the shop will be adjacent a Chipotle and I'll be able to dine in style. Its been awhile since I lifted one of those hefty bastards to my lips. Happy shopping! |
