Alan, AJ, my husband, has been in the clothing industry in one way or another for all of his life - even back in high school and college he worked long hours at various local flea markets . Clothes are all about convenience and comfort first, getting a bargain second and style, a dismal third. A typical shopping ritual of Alan's : go into a store, study the merchandise for an hour and them maybe if he actually buys something (which takes a lot) he owns and wears it for the next 20 years –literally – I’m not kidding.
I've heard all the lines and excuses in the book when it comes to getting rid of old, nasty, outdated things – a few of his favorites:
"I can't give that away – it’s cashmere",
"This is Armani, what are you crazy? I paid a lot of $$ for this" (yes back in 1985..)
"I got it for free from my friend/business connection Peter, Ed, Scott, Joey, etc. etc.
Shredded collars, a hole or two - this never mattered much – he’d smirk at me like I was crazy "it's comfortable!"
For years I never said a word and just let him be - until now... I'm not sure what precipitated the change of heart on his part, but I'm not complaining. Here are a few before and after photos..
ALANS UNIFORM:
The uniform is basically the same every day no matter what the activity … Left to right - Going to work, Hiking in Arizona, Visiting colleges.
There is a slight change in attire when the weather is warm - Black warm up pants become black shorts -
Below:
Ties that are too wide and too loud, Hawaiian shirts circa ???, Outdated shoes, jeans and an oversized sport coat.
Additional purchases included V neck, fitted cashmere sweaters in classic colors - Navy, Black, Grey, and Burgundy, ties in a more modern narrower scale and loafers in black pebbled leather.
All in all I think the makeover was a big success!
But lets be realistic - On a day like today you need very different attire and accessories…a plow and a shovel and a ridiculous hat for starters..
I will quote a friend who called this morning and when I asked how he was doing this was his response - "I feel like I"m living in a snow globe!"
Stay warm and safe. Off to my Mad Men binge - is it five o'clock yet?
Thank you for reading, Lori