David Mercer's Bold Multi Plaid 763 & J. Press Shaggy Dog Was moving to Chicago when a buddy from New York asked if I had "Chicago" gloves. I pull a pair of B-squared outta my pocket. He looks. Shakes his head, "Those aren't gonna cut it." It took one Chicago winter for me to figure that out. But I swear - (holy shit it's cold) - New York has turned into Chicago.
A sadistic wind blows cross town and walking west for five minutes reminds me of my first Slurpee brain freeze. Eyes tear up and ears sting. I cross streets against red lights and when cars honk I give them my best, "You have heat. I have the right of way." The problem with Chicago winters is they go on forever. In March you still have snow up to your pipik. I don't know how many times I froze my ass off at the Cub's opener. Early May could be rain and 37 degrees. Then it's June and 100 degrees. Seems to me New York is doing a helluva impersonation. Only problem is we don't have Daley here. Our mayor lives in Bermuda.Winter depression can be overcome with caution (never listen to the wind chill) and an optimistic color wheel. This is no time for Joseph Abboud's earth shades. That stuff'll have you jumping off a building. You need bold color just so everyone knows you're laughing. You're actually crying 'cause the wind is ripping your forehead off but they'll all think your laughing. That or you're a circus clown.
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21 comments:
Pipik? Had to Google that one. If Abboud makes you jump, please just land safely on the piled up trash bags like that one guy did.
Today they announce the Oscar choices. And that reminds me how warm it always looks when the stars walk the carpet...in warm L.A. It's an early, thin and shallow connection to Spring, I know, but I'll take it.
And yes (I'll say it for you), I'm a cold weather wuss here in the spoiled South.
-DB
Having lived in both and now as a resident of Chi town I can tell you that 100 degree summer is a rarity. Although it doesn't quite make up for the winter, summer is pretty nice here.
20 degrees above today here in the city of lakes. I'm thrilled.
It snowed everday for two weeks and we hit 20 below last week.
Spring is almost here though in the land where one wears stocking caps and Red Wing boots matched
with a very similar combo of shirt and sweater pictured above and does so in an unironic way.
:)
@anon 08:44
Chicago gets as hot as New York but it has a lakefront, nice wide streets, alleys, so you don't smell the rotting garbage..so overall it's much easier to handle a Summer day in Chicago than New York City.
I had a similar experience with the gloves. My boss laughed and slapped his thigh at the inexperienced Australian who hadn't owned (or needed) a real coat or gloves before moving to Chicago.
I almost rang 911 a few times during my first Winter as my hands refused to thaw.
Of course, I have adapted and used Winter in the States as a reason to build up a great wardrobe of coats and appropriate gloves. (None of them will be usable in Australia.)
DB- For years I thought pipik was something else.
Anon- Maybe you just moved there:
http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/07/chicago-hit-with-hottest-weather-of-the-summer.html
I lived in Chicago almost 18 years. I loved the city but not the weather. Spring and Fall are nice. Each lasts about 2 weeks.
Looney- I never wore Red Wings due to the communist connection.
Here's to bright colours chasing away the winter blues. I love the shirt and sweater combo.
I heard on the weather report, this morning , that the average high for Chicago is 31F. Now if only the actual high would catch up.
politics and weather are the other full contact sports we participate in here.
I was born and raised in Chicago. I don't think locals really notice how cold it is until they move somewhere else. Now I like visiting, but to spend another winter there, no thanks.
Tintin: what's your problem with Mikey. He doesn't live in Bermuda but like you has the wherewithal to escape NYC wind chill when he wants(ok he has a bit more wherewithal). A great shirt though.
I am wearing that shirt today!
There is never a time for Abboud's earth shades
I have followed your advice and picked up a Shaggy Dog for the really cold days here in Washington, DC. However, I find the collar is a bit constrictive and somewhat bothersome to wear. Will it stretch over time? Any advice on a particular maker of an OCBD that would offer a collar best to wear with this sweater? I've been wearing a J. Press OCBD with the flap. Thank you, sir.
Hilton- Check out the Andover Shop. The neck is little bigger. Also, there's a shaggy shetland at Rugby for $60. Probably made in China but if your poor and skinny and have no ass it'll probably work for you.
http://www.rugby.com/shop/item.aspx?productId=4465774&categoryId=3755337&cp=3768060
Great post -- classic Trad.
I too was once 150 lbs. 150 lbs with a 17 inch neck. Thanks to the Summit brewing company, 150 is a distant memory. But being a Schnorrer who is no longer skinny with no ass, the 60 buck shaggy sweater still sounds good.
I wouldn't wash the hubcaps on my car with anything from Rugby.
Hhhmm, I may rather be cold - that is one fugly house.
I mean, it is not to my liking, does that sound nicer?
Ah so sad, J. Press had a an outpost here in SF once... gone, gone like the 5 floor BB that is now a hellish Prada "store"...
I gotta have that pink shaggy...online i guess..
Pupik! Tintin you're a jew, welcome to the tribe- that's what my mom called that ear-like thing in the chicken giblet bag...
Hang in there with the cold, stock up on Famous Grouse (thanks for that tip) Dark and Stormy's and dig in..
I prefer the Shaggy Dog. Will the neck stretch with wear? It has been years since I wore Shetland sweaters.
Love the plaid!
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