Humor Transcends Language!

When I was a very young immigrant, I discovered that humor crosses all barriers. Especially language. I immediately noticed my uncle, who has been in the States since the '80s, sounded a little different. Then there was his wife, who sounds like a female version of Foghorn Leghorn, the cartoon rooster with a southern accent; she was hilariously strange sounding. Eventually I discovered more funny things that I'll mention as I continue to blog. Well this brings me to the whole point of this post. As a four year old in a new country, PBS was the best channel in the world and so was GPTV, Georgia Public TV. The characters talked proper English and slowly, shows all about this new place, and lastly British Comedies.

British comedies are my favorites. They have been since before the States. Readers of the Eccentric's blog, I recommend you start watching them now! Unfamiliar, let me give you a few of my faves to start you off:

• Blackadder; 4 series, English for seasons, about an aristocrat who finds himself in historical situations that involve getting over on his betters. It stars Rowan Atkinson, famous for his portrayal of Mr. Bean also guesting on 2 series is Hugh Laurie, famous in America for House, MD.
• Are You Being Served; 4 series, I think. It is about a few store clerks that mix business with their personal lives. Their boss is a Hugh Hefner type with a dicky heart.
• Jeeves and Wooster: 4 series about an aristocrat and his extremely crafty valet, Jeeves. Excellent 1920s wardrobe and props, filmed in several estates. Based on a P.G. Wodehouse book and stars Hugh Laurie, Dr. House again, and Stephen Fry.
• Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister: 5 series, 3 Yes, Minister & 2 Yes, Prime Minister. It star Paul Eddinton as a Minister with some very entertaining staff members. His 2 secretaries, the supporting cast, play off of him to great results. It is a political comedy and still rings satirically true today as it did in the '80s. Watchers of John Stewart and Stephen Colbert Shows will love it.

So, rent these, borrow them, or purchase them. To sample, search on you tube; Black Adder is really easy to find given its immense popularity.

Summer is Spectator Shoes Time

Summer time and spectator shoes go hand in hand. The contrast of the dark and light colored material make a great combination in the bright sun. For dandies, spectator shoes fit a very nice area on the sartorial continuum, right between dandy and formal. Bonus points must be given for the comfort factor, come on, who can turn down a pair with perforated suede on the sides. The perforations increase the air-flow in the show giving the wearer especially cool feet.

2 years ago Bottega Venetta made a pair that were superb. A friend of mine had them and I was always trying to get him to pass them on to me.

***Side story ignore if you don't want a story***Well, one day we go clubbing and end up in a bar, as usual. So, this older gentleman in an ascot notices us and keeps moving closer. Now, we didn't realize it until he was two bar stools away from us. At this point my friend says something to me about it and I just shrug it off. Then the gentleman gets up and says, "Young man those are some mighty fine shoes your wearing. Are those the new Bottega Venetta blah blah blah."

As he is talking my friend turns to me and mouths, "why is he still looking down." Then he proceeds to boldly hit on my friend in front of everyone including the women we where flirting with a few stools away from us. My friend immediately jumps out of his stool and with lightning like speed removes his shoes, sock-less mind you. Then he calmly says, "you wanted them there yours; but you have to take the gay old guy too." I couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous he was behaving but, when I came around I came to my senses and checked to see that our friend wasn't offended. He wasn't and was laughing much louder and harder than I was. To conclude, I finally got the shoes.

Back to the topic at hand; most will find the black and white spectators too similar to the golf designs. At least, I do. So, stay away from them and go for a brown and white, a tan and black, or any other combination you can find. Now days they even make them ready-to-wear in monochromatic colors, for example, a brown leather and brown suede, half brogue. Here are some examples:

Personally I like mine in a loafer or slip-on model in a cream and light brown. Why? Well, with chinos, a polo shirt, and a sport coat on it looks dashing. To finish off my look, I opt for bright obnoxious socks. Orange hosiery anyone? For an example of how to pull this off check out this Apparel Arts scan:

Photo Credit: MensFlair.com blog and Dandyism.net

Colorful Socks Make Happy Feet!

Colorful socks are just plain fun! They need not be expensive or unattainable. Happy Socks is a company that makes socks for those with little heft in their wallet.

These socks are just beautiful. They come in all manner of patterns and are available in plain colors as well. Don't expect staid socks though; they specialize in the bright and colorful. I have a few of them on order. They come recommended from a dandy acquaintance of mine. He says, "They are no Marcoliani but they are great socks and offer value." You can purchase any of their socks for $10 a piece with $4 shipping. Orders of 4 or more are shipped for free.

Still interested, take a look at some of their range:

Photo Credit: Photos attributed to Happy Socks, AB at HappySocks.com