A FINE TOOTH

A minor obsession with green ensued this week while putting together an outfit for client/friend Keyatta Shade, soon to be featured in an SF Guardian article on San Francisco’s Seven Most Social Butterflies.

First, Keyatta’s outfit, and detail, built around a houndstooth blazer and technicolor green button-down he eyed himself in the SHOP:

The red in the fly-fishing vest provides a nice strong contrast with both the jacket and the shirt, as well as a bit of fun in its theme, which is happily appropriate for later winter/early spring.

And the red polka-dot cuff links, as well, add a nice touch, both echoing the vest and commenting on the reverse red polka dots, against the strong black, in the tie.

And perhaps you can’t see them, but the nickle-plated buttons of the fly-fishing vest actually each bear a raised horse head motif, similar to that of a buffalo-head nickle, playing well in light and tying the vest together that much more with the blazer.

Plus I’m just a sucker for animal motifs, which indicate masculinity even as they play at a sort of extended boyishness which finds its way into modern manhood in the form of the spirit animal.

But anyway, more on my thoughts about The Animal Kingdom and masculinity later…

Time to dress!

Spring is almost here. But with Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow, and this little chic’s load capacity…

…it’s dubious whether we’ll ever get there.

But we will. Sure as shootin’.

So let’s look at some quick fits using green that seem to work for early-Spring (one that can’t get here soon enough, for me):

This number: First thing anyone’s going to notice is the green pants, as well they should. The Dandy’s skinny legs as shoots, projecting into Spring, ahead of the crowd.

Yet in this first combination, the blue-green three-button blazer, light but still in wool and fully-lined and therefore warm, keeps the trousers somewhat rooted.

And the navy polka dot shirt reminds us of the rainclouds still in the air. Ready to burst at any moment.

But even if this were not enough, the brown horsehair oxfords let others know, with finality—you’re still grounded (even if you are poised to get up on your high horse).

Another one. Again with the pants, though this time from a more hopeful perspective.

For nothing says “sun, please come,” like pure white.

But again, the brown plaid in the vest keeps us somewhat rooted in memories of a tenacious winter. As does the bruised plum Henley we wear close to our chest.

“Perhaps over coffee, we’ll discuss this economy, but for now, in case you didn’t notice—my pants are green!”

Ok! Now let’s break it down into some pieces.

Not quite ready (like the weather) to go green completely. Why not start with a hybrid?

Green rooted in brown shows you’re down.

For even as green were naught to be found, the trees still stuck around.

“So, so will I.”

A nearly rebellious attitude, yet still capable of being added up.

Nothing makes me as aggro as waiting around for the weather to change.

So let Mother Nature and Father Time know—they could’ve done a better job. Worked together more. Brought the sun along a bit more forthrightly.

But nooooo…

Okay, then: “Rebel for a day”:

Another piece of Teenage Wildlife.

Or, maybe rebellion’s not your thing. And that’s okay, too.

Like this sleepy Spring, perhaps you’re just getting started. And for now, still under the weather.

Then my advice is to zip up and let an icon forward your cause.

In this case, the animal print in singleton: Lacoste’s green alligator.

Step on its back and let’s get there, you and I.

To Spring, Young Gentlemen!

P.S. Dig that seafoam suit on Bowie!