tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post5237971719409037884..comments2024-03-15T07:36:42.852-04:00Comments on Maxminimus: Cambridge and the Trad Mother Church: Charlie Davidson’s Andover ShopADGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612897500610475937noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-18886909060207651882010-08-19T20:01:42.837-04:002010-08-19T20:01:42.837-04:00About that"trad" style, Charlie once sai...About that"trad" style, Charlie once said to me, "When we're gone, no one will know what we meant."<br /><br />RSFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-44554847436035382592010-07-14T19:29:03.603-04:002010-07-14T19:29:03.603-04:00Alright, it's taken me forever, but I finally ...Alright, it's taken me forever, but I finally figured out the comment....<br /><br />"Paging Dr. Gonzo Flusser..... Paging Dr. Gonzo Flusser.... you have a call in the bar..."<br /><br />I could only hope.Easy and Elegant Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09951907004091808223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-39305724434676349132010-07-12T13:47:23.087-04:002010-07-12T13:47:23.087-04:00Well, upon reflection, considering that for too ma...Well, upon reflection, considering that for too many guys, "dressed well" means clean triple-pleat Dockers and a T-shirt sans holes, I can all-too-easily believe that you were the best dressed guy there (and you do look good in the blurry photo).<br /><br />Giuseppe is fighting a losing battle in Boston, it seems....Young Fogeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-71033861064798393512010-07-12T00:12:48.138-04:002010-07-12T00:12:48.138-04:00Holy cow! You were the best-dressed guy anywhere?!...Holy cow! <i>You</i> were the best-dressed guy <i>anywhere</i>?!? What was everyone else wearing, polyester leisure suits or something?Young Fogeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-83247924398491384752010-07-07T06:42:41.010-04:002010-07-07T06:42:41.010-04:00Hello ADG, Many thanks for your J Press & Ando...Hello ADG, Many thanks for your J Press & Andover shop comments. I visited Boston last December for 4 reasons - to have my first white Xmas, to buy some pipe tobacco at Pirettis, walk around Harvard and to visit Press & Andover. The service at Andover on Xmas eve was very good. Perhaps it was due to the time of year. God it was cold!!<br />All the best, Ian from DownunderIan from Downunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05025221393058596090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-88553139088614453762010-07-07T00:18:51.462-04:002010-07-07T00:18:51.462-04:00Ms. Patsy,
Perhaps its more of a Southern custom, ...Ms. Patsy,<br />Perhaps its more of a Southern custom, then, but if a southern boy has not had an occasion to wear a suit (funeral, wedding, graduation, etc) by the time he is 18- then I would be very surprised. Forgive me for being rude. SPSouthernProletariathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13344920720212526014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-21269595571640783692010-07-06T16:17:51.464-04:002010-07-06T16:17:51.464-04:00Ho Chi Min worked at the Parker House, home of the...Ho Chi Min worked at the Parker House, home of the famous rolls. <br /><br />From the Park Plaza, you can walk right down Charles Street to the Red Line, or take the Green Line to the Red Line.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02840629057159581688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-73326998396125655752010-07-06T14:29:01.412-04:002010-07-06T14:29:01.412-04:00Chris-duc-du-Elegante ...The Park Plaza is great t...Chris-duc-du-Elegante ...The Park Plaza is great too. Ho Chi Min used to work there...seriously. The train over to Cambridge is an easy no-brainer.<br /><br />Patsy...yes, of course. I'll be back for the Gardner.ADGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16612897500610475937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-56982138191909714882010-07-06T13:48:17.022-04:002010-07-06T13:48:17.022-04:00Please come back for the Gardener, I guarandamntee...Please come back for the Gardener, I guarandamntee you'll love it. Also, if you find yourself back in Cambridge (but not on Mondays) Harvard has a whole lotta cool museums.<br /><br />When I was 18 (granted, it was a billion years ago) I didn't know anyone my age who had a suit. None of my stepson's friends had suits at 18 either. I'm so ashamed.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02840629057159581688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-71522020455305870622010-07-06T10:35:54.815-04:002010-07-06T10:35:54.815-04:00I think you may have just outlined part of my (our...I think you may have just outlined part of my (our... as soon as I get Mrs. E. on board for that bit; does the trolley approach?) itinerary for the Boston trip later this month. Thanks! Particularly looking forward to Bobby and your impressions of the Copley make me wish we could've booked there (the rest of the reunion goers are at the Park Plaza and so....)Easy and Elegant Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09951907004091808223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-53047930210705782202010-07-05T16:40:56.685-04:002010-07-05T16:40:56.685-04:00BredonDeathMan...thanks and I hear you re J.Press....BredonDeathMan...thanks and I hear you re J.Press. I've only given them a transient reprieve via the occasional button down and maybe a bow tie.<br /><br />G-Man....brilliant comments...thanks! You "get" what I get...lore and story-wise. I think.<br /><br />LimeGreenGal...because back then you were looking at the world through a different lens. I HAD to buy the green check. I HAD NOT enough money to buy the other one you mention.<br /><br />Richard...thanks. Your comment is generous beyond good judgement.<br /><br />K.S. ... I feel the same way about white bucks. They aren't really broken in 'till you get some pee on them. Preferably your own pee-pee drops.<br /><br />AEF...Thanks. Those boys are upside down in their revulsion re jazz.<br /><br />Old School....what about BlueGrass?<br /><br />jrandyv...I hope to see O'Connell's one day.<br /><br />Preppy101...I too long for those days when people were decent to one another.<br /><br />SouthernProle....very good points. Decorum and deportment should be social class and economic station in life....independent.ADGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16612897500610475937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-50025314330050815952010-07-04T09:00:55.988-04:002010-07-04T09:00:55.988-04:00Great post.
As a died in the wool Southron, I h...Great post. <br /><br />As a died in the wool Southron, I hate to admit that Boston, with its wonderful GTH Traditude is something even a Southern man just can't live without! (I gave up on J. Press a decade ago, despite its Southern outpost in DC.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-24882039893402376132010-07-03T22:39:27.510-04:002010-07-03T22:39:27.510-04:00I tried to get a job at Press once...I might as we...I tried to get a job at Press once...I might as well have had ten heads. Too bad, they could use some young blood in these places.<br /><br />Right after, I went over to Andover and spoke with Charlie. He didn't have anything for me either, but decided to chit chat about clothes and music the Red Sox and everything else. he told me to feel free to stop by just to shoot the breeze whenever I'm in Harvard Square. I got all star struck, like I had just gained access to the most secret club on earth.<br /><br />To this day, when in Harvard Square without the kids in tow, I kill at least 1/2 hour with those guys. I've seen them treat paying customers like animals, and show me the greatest courtesy even though it's entirely clear I have no intention of buying anything.<br /><br />I love it.Giuseppehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11582043853388196139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-76305546265758209682010-07-03T19:39:27.752-04:002010-07-03T19:39:27.752-04:00I never liked Boston, dating back to my first trip...I never liked Boston, dating back to my first trip there when I was 16. Then when I was in college (in New England), I was dragged there more often for parties, Head of the Charles, etc., than I care to admit. But ADG, the Boston - and more specifically, Cambridge, that you portray, makes me wonder why I could never find anything to like during so many visits. <br /><br />And why didn't you buy the green striped shirt - don't you have tons of checked shirts?ilovelimegreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13704346108310846391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-72971425238350456132010-07-03T17:12:54.214-04:002010-07-03T17:12:54.214-04:00PS- question for LBT re: jazz - I really like a li...PS- question for LBT re: jazz - I really like a little, tolerate some and can't stand the rest but exactly how Trad is David Bowie?A.E.F.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-54641004209678182382010-07-03T14:42:48.049-04:002010-07-03T14:42:48.049-04:00This is the best post I have ever seen in the blog...This is the best post I have ever seen in the blog world.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918424936098694369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-71495548652228185672010-07-03T11:10:10.074-04:002010-07-03T11:10:10.074-04:00I spent an evening getting absolutely hammered w/ ...I spent an evening getting absolutely hammered w/ 3 20-something year old Yale undergraduate men--one an Andover graduate--discussing the sad state of affairs in men's clothing at Old Blue. All of them were "trad" dressers. The Andover grad insisted on the superiority of the Andover Shop over J. Press, but that article of contention was unimportant.<br /><br />My point is that all of those clothes mentioned are much better after they are soaked in beer and champagne-based cocktails consumed out of a trophy cup.K.S.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17377583042788502092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-91604017849590392832010-07-03T06:47:10.797-04:002010-07-03T06:47:10.797-04:00ADG - great post and pictures. I look forward to r...ADG - great post and pictures. I look forward to reading your response to some very interesting comments and questions. I also look forward to hearing when you're going to go back and order a three-piece suit in that orange windowpane and which bow-tie you'll select to wear with it.Anonymous English Femalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-82696258500894937702010-07-03T06:43:18.313-04:002010-07-03T06:43:18.313-04:00Re: Laguna Beach Trad's comment.
Hear, hear! ...Re: Laguna Beach Trad's comment.<br /><br />Hear, hear! <br /><br />"Jazz" is as bad as "slim fit" and (perish the thought) "extra slim fit" in a Trad context.Old Schoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11144953018591590369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-85915779656620947802010-07-03T03:18:39.689-04:002010-07-03T03:18:39.689-04:00Spent several hours a few years ago at the shop in...Spent several hours a few years ago at the shop in Andover Mass which is bigger I think but much the same feel. They even ran me up a college scarf while I was there. It didn't look quite as full of stuff; although neither stacks up for pure volume and quality as the day I spent in O'Connell's about two years ago.jrandyvnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-79877597751550433002010-07-03T02:09:14.623-04:002010-07-03T02:09:14.623-04:00This post made me a little weepy and I'm not s...This post made me a little weepy and I'm not sure why. Maybe because I remember the days when everyone did know how "to do". Maybe because I yearn for those days. Or maybe it's because I've had a couple of glasses of wine ;-) <br /><br />I don't always know all the people you reference, but it only takes me another paragraph to understand. <br /><br />I so look forward to your posts. I have learned so much from you. I also depend on your advice on all male sartorial matters since - well you understand. xoxoSandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06173303399522862906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-9869384131174530132010-07-03T00:23:50.682-04:002010-07-03T00:23:50.682-04:00As perhaps the only "outsider" aka non-i...As perhaps the only "outsider" aka non-ivy-league on these blogs, I would have to say, yes, LPC, it does matter. I frequent the trad dress blogs, both men and women, because how to dress well is a dying art.<br /><br />Unfortunately the value system that went behind the "trad" lifestyle is dying just as quickly if not more so. As I commented before, I love Boston, but what I didn't comment on was the two biggest A-hole preps I encountered of my life at Cambridge (while I was taking a professional course at MIT). Were they dressed Trad? To the hilt. Were *they* trad? Not in my book.<br /><br />I know that I come from a blue collar background. I know that first impressions, such as dress, bearing and manners are often the only chance one gets, hence my intense study if you will of clothing. But when someone begins to mistake the clothing for the man, he has made a grave mistake indeed.<br /><br />And ADG...if that child had not had a suit on his body by the time he was 18...someone should have spoken to his parents, not him. That is shameful.southernproletariathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11210367826631472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-79357508140310465212010-07-03T00:22:17.666-04:002010-07-03T00:22:17.666-04:00Lisa...thanks for your comment. The gravity of you...Lisa...thanks for your comment. The gravity of your statemets as well as those of the Anonymous fella who deems me too romantic warrant another post. I will get to it sometime in the next day or so because I do have things to say in response. I hope you feel good about the sentimentality fostered by communing with baby-flesh. I think I get what you meant.<br /><br />Scott...Beningn neglect indeed.<br /><br />Andrew...thanks.<br /><br />AnonTooRomantic...powerful comments. Thanks. See my comments above to Lisa-LPC.<br /><br />LagunaTradMon...San Fran would make great fodder for a story or two...Barnaby Conrad, El Matador, Herb Caen, Wilkes Bashford, Jerry Magnin. As for Jazz...it's a required taste. <br /><br />Hilton...I wouldn't open a retail store on a bet!<br /><br />James...thanks-as always.<br /><br />Longwing...yep-I think they are good people.<br /><br />scale worm...thanks.ADGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16612897500610475937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-8213133704723777402010-07-02T22:23:08.010-04:002010-07-02T22:23:08.010-04:00But really the question always in my mind is this....But really the question always in my mind is this. To what extent does the value system, one I hold to this day, require the aesthetic? And to what extent does the aesthetic support the values?<br /><br />My father graduated from Harvard in something like 1951. He dresses Trad, I suppose, but is the least dandiest human I know. That said, while he wouldn't disdain a dandy, nor a even a slob as long as it wasn't someone's funeral, he would disdain a guy who never showed up on time, didn't know how to take care of family, and insisted on having temper tantrums. <br /><br />Does that even matter? Does that kind of guy matter? Excuse me. I spent the day with my sister's kids, and one still has babyflesh, so I am a bit sentimental. But I do wonder.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818519199109196200.post-28185408434007997062010-07-02T20:35:12.379-04:002010-07-02T20:35:12.379-04:00Made my own J Press pilgrimage to Cambridge just a...Made my own J Press pilgrimage to Cambridge just a couple of weeks ago, complete with family in tow. The oldersters there treated us with benign neglect. We bought a few ties, knot cufflinks, and a belt, I think, and soaked in the wonderfully shabby atmosphere. A good field trip for the boys. Since I wasn't alone and shopping in earnest, I avoided the Andover Shop. Frankly, I guess I was a little intimidated by its curmudgeonly reputation. Kinda' wish I had manned up now.<br /><br />ScottScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861035422834489811noreply@blogger.com