A Side of Dressing

Posted by: on Dec 1, 2010 | One Comment

The old cliche tells us you don’t truly appreciate what you have until you don’t have it anymore, and that applies to all manners of things. While my 10 day London holiday has been amazing (I’ll bother you with more stories later), I have missed my daily ritual of getting dressed. Obviously I haven’t been strutting around Mayfair in my bespoke birthday suit, but it’s not the clothes I’m wearing that are the problem, it’s putting them on.

My morning routine usually consists of getting my lazy self out of bed, after quite a few “snoozes” of course, doing my toilette (brushing my teeth, washing my face, &c.), and then choosing the day’s ensemble before my pajamas ever leave my body. And then, if I haven’t taken too long, I get a few minutes for a calm cup of coffee before dashing off to class.

It’s probably not very nonchalant of me to be flagrantly displaying the care I evidently take in preparing myself for the day, but I think taking a few moments to care and consider is one of the greatest luxuries we have left in any matter. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t typically spend 20 minutes in front of the mirror matching ties and pouchettes, although it has happened on an occasion or two. It’s about indulgence for me, not obsession.

So without my whole wardrobe to select from, going over to the closet is far less exciting. With only five shirts and four trousers staring back at me, my most basic options are limited at best. Hmm, charcoal flannels with white and blue striped broadcloth? Or greenish grey worsteds with plain white poplin? And everything either gets finished with either a winter coat or blazer. None of these seem like bad choices….just boring after a week.

But, back to the actual act of dressing and not my poor packing choices. Some people start with their shoes, shirt, trousers, or even socks, but I find myself varying from day to day. Some mornings I wake up and the burgundy loafers call to me, while other days are POW check trouser days. And sometimes both. As I select my daily requisites, I lay them out on my bed, getting an impression of the outfit as it comes together before putting any of it on.

With the basics all chosen, my favorite rituals arrive. I stride over to my dressing box, spritz on a bit of perfume, and linger over the various links, knots, bars, and other paraphernalia nestled in the leather drawers. It’s a moment of pause. I’m mostly dressed at this point, I smell fresh and new, and I get to put the finishing touches on that day’s Stephen. Many of my little accents were gifts from those important to me, so the choice of my Grandfather’s old tie clip or my first proper set of cufflinks, given to me for high-school graduation by my ever-thoughtful Aunt, is always one of significance and memory. I leave the house feeling fresh, well put together, and wrapped in things which make me smile when I see them. And for me, that’s what it’s all about.

1 Comment

  1. Tom Butcher
    December 1, 2010

    POW check trousers? Must be a very stylish prison they come from! ;)

    Reply

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