Or maybe
it just hits all of my maudlin buttons. At any rate, here’s to the “Richards of
Mountain Brook” caliber haberdasheries of days gone by. I’ve said it before and
I’ll say it again, I’m sorry that y’all…the younger set of Trads…missed these
gems. And as my cousin Tin-Tin says of our now more derivative than ever world…“Not as good as it was. Better than it will
be.”
Here’s
TCD’s email…
“This post hit so many memory keys that I can't
take the time to list them....but....
Our version of "your Singleton's" in a
suburb of Birmingham, AL called Mountain Brook was "Richards of Mountain
Brook".
It was located on a shady side street called
Petticoat Lane in an old Tudor style building with two bay windows flanking an
imposing door with a leaded glass coat of arms.
We knew we were adults when we graduated to
Richards from the "Canterbury Shop" a half a block away.
"Canterbury" was our "nuance
101" with Bass Weejuns ( $14.95), Gant OCBD, surcingle belts in about one
hundred color combinations, Corbin trousers & Southwick Blazers & sport
coats....
"Richards" took a high school freshman to
his Dad's world & instantly verified it was where you wanted to be even if
it had not occurred to you before.....
As you stepped into the doorway, you were
confronted by a huge round mahogany table with reps, clubs, & foulards (all
of course labelled..."made in England expressly for Richards"....
arranged spoke-in-wheel around the table grouped by color. Guarding the display
on either side were two complete suits of armor.
Beyond the battle-ready armor were shelves and
credenzas of Troy Guild OCBD....
Just down the center-hall, waist-high shelving
displaying shoes (Crockett & Jones) and socks....
Suits (private label with requisite..."made in
England" as well as Norman Hilton)....
Richard had a great eye and understood
"Nuance" whether in selections offered or in antique furnishings
which abundantly decorated the shop...
Just a great place (& owner) with a sixth sense
in how to deploy service and an intelligent knowledge base of background of
fabric, weave, fit, hand, & pattern as well as a flair for what was
complimentary in terms of tradition or, if you dare, sprezzatura!
He magically combined both during the Christmas
Season when posted Welsh Guards in full regalia in front of the shop and
conducted Changing of the Guard twice per day....and then, when you had made
your purchases....all were gift-wrapped in festive holiday color combinations
of paper & ribbon in complex bows, each of which held a Johnny Walker
scotch miniature.....
Thanks
for the nudge to remember the late 60s and early 70s.....wonderful then and
cherished now!”
