Do the Windows

Across from Chelsea Hotel on 23rd Street


Scully & Scully on Park Ave


Somewhere on Park Ave


Scully & Scully on Park Ave


J Press on Madison Ave


Somewhere on Lexington Ave



Somewhere off Park Ave near 59th St


Somewhere on Park Ave


Scully & Scully on Park Ave


J Press on Madison


P.J. Clarke's on 3rd at 55th


J Press on Madison Ave


On 5th...Whatever it is, it's not there anymore


Jay Kos on Park Ave (moved to Mott & Houston)


No idea


Somewhere on 5th Avenue near 54th St


6th Avenue near 45th St


Bergdorf Goodman


Somewhere in the Garment District


Four Seasons Restaurant on 52nd near Park Ave


Club Monaco on 57th St


Bauman Rare Books on Madison Ave near 54th St


H. Herzfeld on 57th St near Park Ave


Somewhere in the Garment District


Somewhere in the West Village


Brooks Brothers on 44th St near Madison


Le Veau d'Or on 59th near Lexington


Phillips Auctions on Park Ave at 57th St


Tad's Steaks on Broadway near 45th St


Kaufman's Army Navy on 42nd near 8th Ave


International Center of Photography, 6th Ave near 43rd St


St John on 5th Avenue at 53rd St


Aquarium Store way the hell over on the west side in the 30s


Petit Bateau on Madison at 82nd St


Myers of Keswick on Hudson near Jane St


Somewhere in the 90s a block west of Central Park


H. Herzfeld on 57th near Park Ave


Staten Island Ferry in Staten Island

Turnbull & Asser's Smoking Smoker

Anachronistic? Without doubt. Expensive? You bet. Mind numbingly beautiful? Depends on who are you. If you're like me... a sucker for out of date, hand crafted attire that most likely will never see the light of day outside your own four walls...then you'll love the smoking jacket. I've written at length about them here.

It makes absolutely no sense in today's world. It's the buggy whip of formal attire but it's also an unmitigated work of art. Last December I took a poll of New York City haberdashers on smoking jacket sales. It's complicated depending on the retailer but know this -- They ain't flying off the shelves.

All the more reason to have one. Trust me...you're not gonna run into anyone wearing a smoking jacket at a black tie Christmas or New Years party. But you'll need some hefty stones to pull it off. I'd say no if you're under 25. Maybe even 35. Why? You'll look silly because you don't deserve it...yet.

I remember entertaining a lady friend in my college dorm room just before Christmas break. Astrud Gilberto was on the Akai reel to reel while she sat on the edge of my bed with her legs crossed watching me pour tonic and gin into a cocktail shaker.

She arched an eyebrow and seconds later I understood why...She wasn't as interested in me as much as she wondered if I'd really shake tonic. I did. She smiled and left. I was all sticky. Good thing I wasn't wearing a Smoking Jacket.

Robe & Pajama Outtakes

Many years ago I was a police cadet directing traffic out of a city park after a July 4th fireworks demonstration. That night I dreamed I was sleeping in my bed on the side of the road by the park. Cars would come and I'd get out of bed, walk to the intersection in my pjs and direct traffic returning to bed only to be forced outta bed by another stream of cars.

This photo shoot was inspired by that dream. I wanted to include a small table with an vintage alarm clock but while the logistics proved daunting - Mark Rykken did not. It is no easy task to stand at 45th & Madison at 2PM dressed like you're going to bed. I owe Mark and Paul Stuart a huge thanks for their cooperation and their enthusiasm.

I am looking for a woman to model a smoking jacket. Long legs and assertiveness are required.

A Robe & Pajamas

Off white wool serge evening robe with navy piping - $547 French blue stripe pajama - $247, Red & blue paisley ascot - $128.50 Navy tipped cotton pocket square - $39.50 All by Paul Stuart. Navy monogrammed slippers by Edward Green - Models own.

Head of Paul Stuart's Custom Shop, Mark Rykken models Paul Stuart sleepwear at 45th and Madison Avenue...because I said so. The robe is Italian wool but is made on Paul Stuart's premises. It is a steal for what it is and where it's made. French blue & white awning stripe pajamas are 100% broadcloth and made in Canada, eh. A cotton tipped pocket square and paisley ascot round out the look with unneeded but refined flourish.

I know what you're going to say. Add the slippers and this is a considerable investment. However, if you're tired of seeing your husband roam your home in worn boxers and old college tee shirts -- this might be the solution you've been looking for.

Mad Man

Looking north on Madison Avenue, Summer - 2007

It is where you come to get things done. "Did you close?" It is asked like the sidewalk you stand on. Flat, bare and wide. The intonation lowered by an octave. "Did" You eye the candy of middle aged manhood. Prince of Wales check from Pink. Dominican Belicoso from Davidoff. A signed first edition of Look Homeward Angel from Bauman.

"You" A female sheep looks to be sheared or worse...mutton. Men wear serious here like a badge. Tightly laced Edward Greens look like the tip of a spear. Shoes don't make the man but the men here know shoes...and cloth. It won't close but it gets you through the thick glass door.

"Close" Money unseen is transacted. Can't touch it but you feel it. The relief. A mortgage payment. A bottle of Champagne. Self worth inflates the 44" chest. Taxi horns float upward -- Never sounding like they do in Chicago or London. Only New York. Asking..."Did You Close?"

Probable Maximum Loss: Cole Haan

Esquire Gentleman Magazine, Spring / Summer 1993

Probable Maximum Loss or PML is an insurance term I always called the "Ka-Boom" factor. PML is a basic underwriting strategy where an insurance company figures it's total maximum loss in a building, location, region or... shoe maker.

Cole Haan started in Chicago in 1928 and were, by the time I knew them in the '80s, the classic shoe choice. Whether a simple calf tassel loafer (my first post college shoe) or their perfect correspondent in buck and tan calf -- Cole Haan was classic. You didn't wear tassel loafers -- you wore Cole Haan tassel loafers.

In 1993, Cole Haan introduced the venetian loafer you see in the advertisement above. It was a clean looking shoe made in their Maine factory. In 1988, Cole Haan was bought by Nike and shortly afterwards closed their Maine plant and moved all manufacture off shore. How odd that Cole Haan became, if not the first, one of the earliest shoe companies to embrace off shore while leaving pricing the same.

Today, pricing remains high for what you get but design has really suffered as seen here. The plastic injected shoe so commonly associated with Donald Pliner is seen across the Cole Haan line. This may have more to do with the small world of shoe design talent but I think it stems more from what Asian factories are comfortable making. Who knows. I don't pretend to know a lot about making shoes. I do understand Probable Maximum Loss. You know? Ka-Boom!

Sub Rosa Hip - Johnny Quest

Jonny Quest Opening Titles from Roger D. Evans on Vimeo.

Back in the early '90s, I was often asked who Tintin was. " Europe's version of Johnny Quest..." was my cool and sweet reply. Anyone old enough to drive understood. It's different today. People who are cutting edges in 2011 were wearing Baby Gap and watching Rugrats in 1992. They know all about Tintin but haven't a clue about Johnny.

Quest was an animated Saturday TV cartoon with an opening that was slicker than owl shit. Save for the questionable relationship between Johnny's father, Dr Benton Quest and Roger 'Race' Bannon (pretty sure Mom wouldn't allow me to go anywhere with those two), it was the shit.

I've been reluctant to bring J.Q. up for fear every hip edge-cutter will glom onto Quest, suck him dry and toss his blond locks and Tim Matheson V.O. into the East River by next Tuesday before the Tintin premiere. Or...it just might be I'm that hipster. Please don't hate me.

Many thanks to commenter and friend, D.B. for the heads up on the Roger ('Race') Evans trailer above. See the original below.

You'll Know It When You See It...

...that perfect gift. And you're not gonna find it at Kay Jewelers.

More gift ideas from last week's, Something Special, featuring an alternative to shopping at the mall or anywhere else for that matter. Check out The Showplace Antique Center (Website here).

The Trad Profile Report

Click on image to see naked women

Many thanks (and 32 points) to Yankee Whiskey Papa at Boxing The Compass for this.

Something Special...

Kate Spade Restroom - One of the Best


Showplace Antique Center @ 40 W 25th Street. Website Here































Last Summer I was visiting Jack Spade and before leaving stopped by the powder room. I've visited a number of New York's fashion elite restrooms. I think they tell a lot about the designer and the brand and you'll be able to see them all just as soon as I secure my book deal, "Fashion Takes A Dump." A sumptuous coffee table book filled with full color photographs of fashion's places to ponder. He may be Tom Ford but he has to pee just like any other man... he may pee sitting down but you get my point.

I'm heading east on 25th Street and am stopped in my tracks by a window display of enamel double links. Thinking it one store -- it turns to a gallery of stores. Over 200 on four floors packed to the gunwales with some of the most bizarre, interesting, cool, kitschy stuff you're likely to find... in one place.

There's a website so no excuses about living in Naperville and having to shop at the Woodfield Mall. You're gonna have to forgo a 70% discount as well but you know all this discount stuff is bullshit anyway. Americans would buy horseshit if it were discounted enough. Which is mostly what's in the malls of this country.

Some ideas for ladies today and I'll follow with guy stuff tomorrow Monday. Be warned. This is shopping that takes some thought but it's connecting with someone special through something special. You'll know it when you see it.

Everything Isn't Wonderful...

What I don't believe about myself is what others have told me. Consequently, I don't believe in what I have in me. If I can overcome this -- I can move to a new place and start taking actions for my own benefit. It's a journey where we all try to find ourselves. If we don't... then how do we know what we're doing or why we're doing it? I just wish I could remember what to do.