Cold Comfort

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.

Otter's Sweater & Jay Kos

Jay Kos is an odd cat but I love his vision. He's also insanely expensive. But I look at his aesthetic this way. What you see is Jay. It's not a Filson bag or a Barbour coat. It's 110% Jay Kos. I saw this sweater in his shop a couple years ago and recognised it immediately. Jay asked if I know the story behind it. Do I know the story behind it? Please.

I checked out the price and looked at him in disbelief. "Jay, is this cashmere?" "Nope." he smiles. "It's just wool?" "Yep." he's still smiling. And he tells me how he took a picture of Otter's sweater from the movie, sent it to Scotland and had 20 made. I can get five Shaggy Dog sweaters from J. Press for the price of one Otter sweater. Not that I need five Shaggy Dogs.

It's seamless but is it worth it? I look around. I go on line. Discover the original sold for $3,250 at an auction. I buy a similar striped sweater but it's not the Otter. Not even close. A year goes by and that impulsive moron that lives inside of me complains, "What if Kos sold out and you missed your chance? You'll never see this (a beat) again!"

I go back to Kos. He has two left. I try one on. It fits. I beat myself up pretty good for buying it. The guilt and shame of being hosed in NYC. Today? Who cares. The sting of the money is gone and I have one of 20. Well, 21 including the one Matheson wore.

Update: J. Crew has seen the attraction to limited editions. Based on this jacket - - I'm feeling very good about my Otter Sweater.

Otter's Sweater - Pink Shetland

I will not quote this scene but be assured I know the line. I was hugely impressed by Animal House and by Otter's wardrobe. I still am. My Anodover isn't quite the pink in the scene with Mrs Wormer but it looks great with a dark grey - almost black - pair of flannels. In today's world it's casual without looking like you work in a gas station.

More Holiday "M"

'M' The Civilized Man - December 1986

Would someone please knock these off?

Shetland Sweater - WC in '83

WC in NYC. 1983

WC is looking very Trad (despite those side burns) and a little hungover in a diner somewhere around Brook's Brothers. Author of two crime novels with hero, Harry Rane, a character my dad describes as, "...someone who's always sticking his dick in places it doesn't belong." WC has a new one coming out this winter. Dad will be elated to know Harry's missing from this one. WC could always turn a phrase. In a Jersey nightclub, WC ordered beers, looked around and yelled in my ear over the Go-Go's, We Got the Beat, "These people's lives extend about as far as the cord on their hair dryers!"

'Gone 'til November' will be out in January and if WC has nicked any of my cop stories for his book, I will put his feet on a curb and jump up and down on his knee caps. Otherwise, I'm looking forward to the read from this old friend who writes such wonderful dark stories in a bone dry style. Somewhere back in time he left the Shetland behind and affected a wardrobe of black jeans, tee shirts and engineer boots. Proof you don't have to dress Trad to be Trad.