"We?" I said, buying time to consider.
"Well, you, I guess, I don't need anything, but do you?"
Detecting an opportunity to Go And Spend Money We Don't Have, I formed a very careful answer.
"Mmm, I was thinking that I could use a jacket that would go with some of the pants I already have but could also look kinda cool with jeans."
"Oh, I thought you had a jacket."
A jacket? This could be dangerous.
"Not leather, it might be rainy."
"No, didn't you get a jacket a while ago?"
(this is the subtlest interro I've ever observed, the man is a master.)
I look blank."When you went shopping."
I pass stores every day, and go into mobile shopping coma at the sight of the words "free shipping." Where does the dear man think I live? Who does he think has been living in this apartment with him?
"At that place. With what's-her-name. Where you bought something."
I have no idea why, but a lightbulb took shape in the sky above my head and went click. Four or five years ago an acquaintance invited me to a private event at an elegant thrift shop. She was on the board. I had recently been paid. I did in fact buy something. I bought a "ladies who lunch" suit. I resented feeling like I had to buy, I had no place to wear the thing, nothing to wear it with, and as you can see, shaky grammatical tools with which to describe the predicament. But I still have the jacket, and indeed its evil teensy skirt. I tucked both pieces away. The skirt does bad magic on my butt. It was made for a lady who lives on cigarettes and ipecac. The jacket, on the other hand - I hunted out the jacket.
Here is the jacket. It fits like a happy dream.
 |
| ahh, a fine Bordeaux ages well |
Here are the jacket's credentials.
 |
| a thoroughbred |
 |
| these colors don't run |
The jacket has agreed to come to France with me in a few weeks.
It's unlikely that we'll run into its first owner.
Isn't it?
Did I mention it's hand-made?
Cigarettes and ipecac-hehe!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful jacket, perhaps Reagan era Adolfo? Looks like a crocheted edge? Just cool, I think.
But, I think you deserve to get another jacket as well. I would love to find a nice soft tweed one, but it would have to fly in the window as this is one of the craziest months of my life. I do get to go to NY next month for a couple of days, though, so maybe one will "come to me" there. I get so overwhelmed there, it's hard to shop.
Absolutely Adolfo! but normal shoulders, not exaggerated, definitely hand-done trim. The workmanship is to dream over.
DeleteOf all things, the East 59th Street TJ's is getting a lot of favorable attention for its real designer clothes and shoes. Easy to get to by (57th street crosstown) bus, then you get back on the bus, get off at 3rd Ave and go play at Bloomingdale's.
Oh, I would walk. TJ Max? Have never been in one, but will try. Bloomie's-- so huge...
DeleteRe: Bloomie's - keep the blinders in and go directly to the 3d floor. Perimeter : LaurenRalphLauren. DKNY, MaxMara, etc. central part: changeable.
DeleteThere are usually great sales, they start on weds or thurs, and there's a welcome desk by main 1st floor escalator where they have been known to have discount cards for visitors. But you knew all that.
Funny is insufficient. This is absolutely hilarious and illustrative of the neuropsychological differences between men and women. Truly. Where are his dendrites going? Does he not understand the joy of the hunt? Obligatory shopping does not count. Of course you need a jacket and a turtleneck and jeans. I second the motion for tweed and recommend a Ebay hunt for the old J crew Harris tweed along with a prayer that expedited shipping works in time for the trip. Please kiss the floor at Spring for me.
ReplyDeleteAA
HI, AA! Here's a link to an older post about who are the hunters and who are the gatherers that you might enjoy, if you haven't already seen it.
DeleteHimself is amazing about tracking down restaurants, we still laugh over the time we read an article about a tiny place with no phone, no reservation, hidden in a dangerous urban part of Nice, no English spoken, introductions needed. We were on our way to Nice, so... we checked into the Negresco, stepped outside, and I said "FIND!" The restaurant was practically around the block, they were still setting up for lunch, offered to hold a table for us, gave us their phone number and told us where we'd find a gentil apéro. The jerk who wrote the article is still doing food crit, which is why this is only a food blog when I have something to say.
So we have our different talents and to this day I discover things about him. Heaven only knows what he is thinking about me.
The jacket certainly is eye-catching. Perfect color for the current season.
ReplyDeleteThere is a dangerous part of Nice? Who knew?!
hi, xoxo, there are parts of the city that are rather heavily populated with French citizens of North African ancestry. Perhaps the "journalist" found that scary. Me, I think the "journalist" had never even been to Nice, probably just phoned that graph in from Jupiter.
DeleteI'm findingnthisnshade of "wine" much more becoming than this year's oxbloods.
oops sloppy iPad typing..."I'm finding this shade..." etc etc
DeleteI never felt unsafe in any part of France. The journalist was smoking something.
DeleteI know that there are "no go" zones outside of Paris and Marseilles, specifically due to enclaves of unassimilated people that retain their old cultural norms and it may be mainly "no go" for women. I always thought Nice was totally safe but I suppose like anywhere there are good and bad neighborhoods.
DeleteI agree on the color, I favor a more purpley shade of burgundy over the brown and reddish versions. I'll bet this looks lovely on. The yarn looks to have a chenille texture that is probably delightful to touch.
Rose, I agree that the "journalist" was smoking, drunk, or making it up because he'd forgotten to write down the address & phone number, key parts of any serious restaurant review (unlike mine, which are just for the fun of it).
Deletexoxo, we were in Clichy roaming around looking for a local feast-time only delicacy the day after Sarkozy let fly with his famous "bande de racailles" vituperation. I'll say only that perhaps we are hardened New Yorkers.
DeleteAND NOW THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE ABOUT FINDING THE RESTAURANT --
Deleteafter lunch, we strolled back to our hotel to freshen up. The Michelin guide was lying open on the dressing table.
After a brief discussion, Himself admitted that his "search and consume" performance was based upon having looked up the restaurant in the Guide Michelin. As indeed, not only the "journalist" but the "fact-checkers" failed to do.
What an extraordinary treasure. Now you have to find a deft tailor to work with the knitted? fabric and concoct a becoming skirt to match. I am sorry that himself remembers anything about your wardrobe. That is a dangerous quality in a man! Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteHi, KnitYarns, a little research shows that the Adolfo suits were hand-knitted, and I doubt I'll be able to match a 35-year-old custom yarn, so probably the wisest course is to treat the jacket as an "accessory jacket," and not risk a close-but-not-quite skirt.
Deleteyes, "mad, bad, and dangerous to know"
I agree, about the yarn, but I have noticed that many of the Chanel jackets had wool skirts with a border that matched the jacket. A beautifully made item of clothing like that only makes me lament the decline in quality at even the "bigger' labels today. Having(or saving up) more money to buy better clothes used to mean buying clothes of higher quality, not buying clothes with a larger logo. I miss looking at things to aspire to, because they were so elegantly constructed.
Deletemaybe I'll see a nice bolt of tweed-y woven on Paris...
Delete"The skirt does bad magic on my butt. It was made for a lady who lives on cigarettes and ipecac."
ReplyDeletewellfedfred, you are absolutely hilarious! I really needed a good laugh today, and I am so glad I stopped by to see what you're up to! :)
Your jacket is absolutely lovely, and such a beautiful color. What a nice piece to take with you on your trip. Speaking of which, how much longer before you go?
I'm glad you stopped by, too, FFM, thank you! I'm not sure how the color shows up on other people's screens, but IRL it is deep and rich and has no brown undertones, which is odd because one of the rows of crochet trim is a lovely café au lait. That is why Adolfo was a genius at color mixing and others are, well, not.
DeleteSubject always to the health issues of this past August, we leave on the 23rd.
Well that isn't too far away. You must be getting very excited! How long are you staying this time?
DeleteI'm glad that Himself continues to be on the mend. Is he feeling 'back to normal' these days?
We'll be gone about 3 weeks. Difficult to say about "normal," this was a scary one. He's more thoughtful. When he was a kid, he thought he was indestructible. Now he's been shown there are other possibilities.So the planning for this trip wasn't "Hey, look, here's a good cheap flight, whaddaya say?" but more deliberate. And every reservation can be cancelled at no cost, and we planned to avoid "performance" driving. But we are going. So far.
DeleteThree weeks sounds wonderful. My husband and I are planning a trip over next Spring, but will probably only be able to stay a week since the boys will be staying here. I'm still really excited about it though. :)
DeleteI completely understand about the more thoughtful aspect. That has happened recently to both my husband and my father after going through big 'scares' dealing with their health and mortality. Both of them approach daily life much differently than they did in the past.
I just counted on the calendar, it's more like 18 days. Still, that's long enough for us to walk our feet off and stuff ourselves silly!
DeleteLeaving children behind makes every trip feel too long and not long enough at the same time. I remember calling home from - someplace rural, difficult connection, wanted to hear every little voice, and one of the little geniuses put the dog on the phone. The dog was fine, by the way.
WFF, you crack me up! The jacket is a real treasure, and the colour is gorgeous.
ReplyDeletethanks, Louise, I'm still astounded that I remembered where I out it.
DeleteYou got the prize. It's a stunning jacket. The color and hand-made details get to me and the knit would take to travel beautifully. I want it.
ReplyDeleteOh and go visit Sue from The view from Great Island. Her Oct. 5 post is a must for you. ;)
thanks, tiffany rose! the penguins are old friends, see my post of April 14, 2011, but good taste is truly timeless.
DeleteYour penguins post had me hysterical. Yes, I remembered you post and why I thought you had to pay Sue a visit. :)
Deletethat is, your post ...
Deletewhat is it with keyboards that don't type!
there's an evil conspiracy , my iPad doesn't like it when I try to use its space bar. I'm thinking of going back to smoke signals or semaphore flags.
DeleteThe fact that Himself remembers your clothing is shocking to me! Although they do recall the oddest things... The other day I was wearing something I have owned for at least 2 years and he said "is that new?" Other times, I wear something brand new and there is no reaction whatsoever. Go figure!
ReplyDeleteI am with Knityarns. I am assuming the skirt is simply too tight or revealing? I have no bottom whatsoever (from a genetic standpoint, some joker thought it would be funny to push it through to my belly.. HAHA - NOT!) but I agree that being able to salvage or having a skirt made to match this gorgeous jacket would be divine!!
I recently had to take a gorgeous navy woollen Marc Cain skirt back to the shop where I bought it in order for it to be fixed. The skirt is plain, but there is a tulle panel of about 4 inches on the bottom that had 4 rows of polka dots in the same navy wool. It was just lovely. All last year, I would "lose" polka dots every time I wore it, 1 or 2 at a time, but after 6 or 7 wears, I considered it unwearable, which for a 7 month old very expensive skirt, was unthinkable. They are working up a solution for me right now - am anxious to see!
Let's get this straight - he does not remember my clothes. He does not remember my shopping trips. the fact that he thought I might have bought one jacket, somewhere, someplace, on the past 6 years, was - to me, anyway - man behavior, part of the same syndrome that causes a guy to walk into Brooks Brothers, stand still, and ask if they have any shirts.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the funny button when I need it? Excuse me, I have to clean up the coffee that somehow made its way from my mouth to the monitor?
DeleteAA
I treasure the memory of that cartoon where the guy is standing in front of an open refrigerator, stacked top to bottom with packages marked "Butter." Caption: "Hon, where do you keep the butter?"
ReplyDeleteWFF, I also spit at my screen as the DH got me that exact card today. Pesters at least every other a.m. and the butter is in the crock on the counter end and in the marked compartment on the fridge door. Same places it has been for the past 12 years. Love the trip jacket - very Ladies Who meets Sgt. Pepper, meets Coco, meets Ringling in the best possible 100% wool genuine way. So long as unlike coats it isn't prone to filching off a Paris chair. But easy to spot in that case as well.
Deletetee hee.
DeleteHey, I'm a city girl, I don't leave things on chairs.
Best part about jacket (besides that it's union-made) - it's knit. It won't wrinkle.
OK, a light bulb just went off ...
DeleteSo as a relative newlywed of 10 years, I shouldn't be surprised by or exasperated with answering the same question from him almost everyday for the past decade. Got it.
Lovely jacket! Do you have an olive colour skirt? I see some of that colour in the trim and would look lovely together. If not, the 'spicy gold' double-serge wool would look good too, I think.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rose, the iphone pic and monitor are deceptive. The green trim is - do you remember the green lace cotton vest that J.Crew did a while back? that green, only silk. The yellow trim is just this side of poison, and the brown is cafe au lait. I have a silk tee in poison with a square neckline that might work, and a few satin blouses, but for now the bottom looks like it might have to be black. Or maybe cafe au lait.
Delete