Here are a few tweaks that may help you to stand out in a crowd.
SHORT IT OUT
Whether you wear a crisp blazer or a rumpled cotton sports jacket, skip the socks.
PIN IT UP THERE
Think of a collar pin as you would a tie bar: another accessory that’s back in style. Use it to strike an old-world note in an otherwise modern outfit.
SHOW 'EM OFF
That flash of ankle looks great and also gives a little je ne sais quoi to any outfit.
SOCK IT TO 'EM
When buying vibrant dress socks, consider the rest of your wardrobe. Lots of soft-blue shirts and navy ties? Look for socks with at least some blue in them, no matter the shade.
STICK YOUR CHEST OUT
Your pocket square should complement your tie, not match it exactly.
LOSE THE LINKS
When wearing a French Cuff shirt, play with cuffs and see what fabulous nuances you can comes up with. ~~~
THE JQ CULTURE CORNER
Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991)
- She was an American dancer and choreographer. One of the foremost pioneers of modern dance, her influence on dance can be compared to the influence Picasso had on the visual arts and Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture. Graham invented a new language of movement, and used it to reveal the passion, the rage and the ecstasy common to human experience.
"I have spent all my life with dance and being a dancer. It's permitting life to use you in a very intense way. Sometimes it is not pleasant. Sometimes it is fearful. But nevertheless it is inevitable." ~~~
THE JQ WINE CELLAR
Ambra 2006 Barco Reale di Carmignano ($12.99)
Dark garnet with a reddish-violet edge. Plums and spice, a distinct earthy "tree-bark" note behind the fruit. Fresh and bright red-fruit flavor, medium-bodied and nicely structured with snappy acidity that lingers. Pleasant, well-balanced, with relatively rational 13.5% alcohol, a good food wine.
FOOD MATCH: It might seem a bit cliche for a rustic Italian red, but spaghetti and meatballs with fresh-tomato sauce would make a fine match.
VALUE: This lower-teens price is a good buy for Barco Reale, which appears to sell at most U.S. retailers between $12 and $16.
WHEN TO DRINK: Ready to enjoy now with a good food match, but it could use two or three years' cellar time. ~~~
JQ'S WORD OF THE DAY
Quiddity \KWID-i-tee\, noun: 1. The essence of someone or something. 2. A trifling point. ~~~
JQ'S DESIGNER FOCUS
www.johnvarvatos.com ~~~
JQ'S ART COLLECTION
Bleu II by Joan Miro ~~~
JQ'S QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."
As we all know, winter is right around the corner. So let's take a look at topcoats.
1) When you go to buy a topcoat, make sure you wear a suit jacket. The coat should fit comfortably over your jacket, but not too comfortably... the aim is to achieve a tailored appearance. So if you wear a size 42 suit, try on a size 42 topcoat. Only if it’s noticeably too snug should you size up.
2) And don’t forget about length. The coat should hit just above the knee. If it runs to mid-shin, you run the risk of looking like you’re wearing a bathrobe.
3) So you now own the perfect-fitting topcoat. Get some use out of it. Don’t wear it with just your business suits but with jeans and a sweater, too. It makes as much sense on a weekend night as on a weekday morning. ~~~
THE JQ CULTURE CORNER
Reading, as we all know, is great for the expansion of our minds, as well as the expansion of our vocabularies. However, it seems that novelists have a nasty habit of pandering to the masses and 'dumbing' down the material. So I challenge you to have a go at poetry. In particular, John Keats. Poesy challenges the reader, more so than prose, to attempt to journey into the mindset of the poet. And here is a great place to start:
~~~
THE JQ WINE CELLAR
It seems that reds are in as of late, so let's give a nice CA red a try!
Foppiano Vineyards "Lot 96" California Red Wine ($11.99)
Dark purple, with ruby glints. Aromas of plums and cherries, juicy black fruit, carry over on the palate with fresh acidity and a distinct edge of tannins. A good, simple red wine designed for enjoyment at the table.
FOOD MATCH: It made a great match with hamburgers fashioned with natural local ground beef, served on mini-Pugliese rolls. On the other hand, I wouldn't turn it down with pasta with meat sauce, pizza or even a steak.
VALUE: Excellent value at this price, better still where discounted.
WHEN TO DRINK: It's made to drink now, but I'm in little doubt that it will still be drinking well after five years of cool cellaring. ~~~
JQ'S WORD OF THE DAY
Facetious \fuh-SEE-shuss\, adjective: joking or jesting often inappropriately : waggish meant to be humorous or funny : not serious ~~~
JQ'S 'MAKE IT YOURSELF' DRINK LIST
...the Smokey Martini...
...the recipe... -combine 1 1/2 oz. vodka with a dash of dry vermouth -shake over cracked ice -strain into chilled martini glass that has been rolled with a splash of Lagavulin Single Islay Malt Whiskey -garnish with an olive -enjoy ~~~
JQ'S DESIGNER FOCUS
www.brioni.com ~~~
JQ'S ART COLLECTION
Today, it is a statue and not a painting that I should like to exhibit.
...Amor e Psique... ~~~
JQ TELLS YOU HOW...
...to spot a fake!
These are more like guidelines than an exact science, but they should help you to spot those integrity-lacking-phonies! (Also, it is illegal to sell fake designer bags/wallets in the USA, or to import them on your way home from an overseas vacation)
1) Poorly attached designer emblems may be your first clue. 2) Shoddy printing jobs (i.e. discoloration or obvious flaws that would not pass inspection were it real). 3) Misspelled words (i.e. 'otherwear' instead of 'leatherwear'). 4) Crooked lettering and bad sewing are obvious signs of tampering. 5) Pleather replicas! Pay attention to the quality. 6) Finally, those of you who are serious about your accessories should take the time to make yourselves familiar with the real things. Knowing what the real thing looks like will help you to spot obvious differences (i.e. such as in the colour of the lining or the placement of cheap brass rings where expensive metal/wood should be) ~~~
JQ'S QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I hate flowers - I paint them because they're cheaper than models and they don't move." ...Georgia O'Keefe ~~~
JQ THINKS...
...you should try a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks today!
BEFORE AND AFTER FIX-UPS... observe the vast improvements
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: TUCKED AND TRIM Slimmer jeans, a tucked shirt and a more fitted jacket.
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: LENGTH MATTERS You CAN wear a shirt untucked, but make sure it was meant to be worn that way (stopping around the belt-line).
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: SLIMMER DRESS SHIRT A slim-fit shirt will accentuate your physique. Also, get rid of the clunky, square-toed shoes.
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: A SUIT THAT FITS This suit is well-fitted. The pants are the right length and the jacket doesn't engulf his upper body.
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: PANTS THAT WORK The first pants were way too long, if you'll note the bunching at his feet (sagging isn't cool). Flat front pants with a maximum of one break will work just fine.
THE BEFORE
THE AFTER
THE FIX: DRESS WITH CONFIDENCE Nix the baggy clothes. A white collar shirt with a V-neck sweater will frame the face and torso. You feel better when you look better. --- THE JQ CULTURE CORNER
Pavarotti sings 'E Lucevan le Stelle' from Tosca
If you have never been exposed to Opera, I suggest you look into it. Giacomo Puccini is one of the best composers to start with and Tosca, one of the best Opera's. --- THE JQ WINE CELLAR
Michel Tête Domaine du Clos du Fief 1999 Juliénas Cuvée Prestige
Very dark ruby with a touch of bronze at the clear edge but no real browning. Substantial earthiness has developed, something reminiscent of wet red clay, but there's a surprising touch of Gamay strawberry left too, and an intriguing minerally "gunflint" note in a complex, interesting aroma. Red-berry fruit and earth carry over on the palate with crisp, nicely balanced acidity. Holding up surprisingly well and showing at least a hint of "Burgundian" character.
FOOD MATCH: Birdie's eggplant and tomato "Choka," Trinidadian recipe from Madhur Jaffrey's "World Vegetarian" cookbook.
VALUE: Wine-Searcher.com shows recent vintages at retail in the U.S. in the $19 to $25 range. Cellar a young one for five years, and you'll have a wine that more than justifies that price.
WHEN TO DRINK: It has held up remarkably well even with "passive" cellaring, but I don't think I'd hold it much longer without a quality cellar capable of holding a constant 55F (13C); even with ideal cellaring, a decade is pushing it for even the best Beaujolais. ---
JQ's WORD OF THE DAY
Slugabed \SLUHG-uh-bed\, noun: One who stays in bed until a late hour; a sluggard ---
JQ'S DESIGNER FOCUS
Happy 30th! www.bananarepublic.com ---
JQ'S ART COLLECTION
Paris Street Scene by Marcel Cordet ---
JQ'S QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Life is full of misery, lonliness, and suffering, -and it's all over much too soon." ...Woody Allen ---
The Best Suits Under $500 and How To Dress Them Up (we are in a recession after all)
(Wool suit, $249, by H&M)
1) A $5 pocket square, kept crisp and white, makes an immeasurable impact. Every man should own at least one.
(Wool suit, $426, by Kenneth Cole New York)
2) Consider a silver tie bar. It adds a jolt of gentlemanly attitude to your outfit.
(Cotton suit, $256, by Calvin Klein)
3) Multitask. A suit doesn’t always have to mean business. Try it with a pair of sneakers and a polo shirt, or pair the jacket with jeans or khakis.
(Cotton suit, $296, by Banana Republic)
4) Every suit, no matter its price, needs alterations. For several of these, a tailor took in the sides of the jacket and even slimmed down the pants and the sleeves. You don’t want your suit to be tight, but you do want it to be trim.
(Cotton suit, $495, by Perry Ellis)
5) Well-polished, well-maintained dress shoes anchor any ensemble. Invest in one quality (classic) pair and wear them with every suit in your closet.
(Wool suit, $450, by Geoffrey Beene)
6) Now you try! --- THE JQ CULTURE CORNER
Expand your horizons. Prejudice and bigotry will certainly impede your efforts to grow, so keep an open mind and an open ear for all things foreign. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1) Take up an instrument.
2) Try yoga or any other calm-inducing meditative state.
3) Learn a new language.
4) Go to the theatre. ---
THE JQ WINE CELLAR
Francine et Olivier Savary 2006 Chablis ($19.99)
Light, transparent straw color. Fresh cooking-apple aromas and a distinct hint of rising bread dough. Fresh-apple flavors, tart and dry, are nicely shaped by crisp, fresh-fruit acidity. On the simple side at this young point - after all, it's a basic Chablis - but characteristic and nicely balanced, with a hint of chalky Chablis minerality in the long finish; rational 12.5% alcohol enhances its status as a dinner wine with seafood, poultry or pork.
FOOD MATCH: The wine's appley character made it a particularly fine match with pork, specifically a natural and pasture-raised local pork chop, pan-seared and oven-roasted.
VALUE: Sadly, genuine Chablis can still be a hard sell for those familiar with the American imitation as a cheap jug wine, inoffensive at best. In the age of the strong Euro, however, $20 is not unusual for even the basic Chablis ... and the price is frankly competitive at this quality level. (I actually got a good price in Louisville, as Wine-Searcher.com shows a range from $22 to $24 for the basic Chablis; the Vieilles Vignes and single-vineyard bottlings are more.)
WHEN TO DRINK: Conventional wisdom holds that simple Chablis is best drunk up young while its fruit is fresh, but there should be no harm in keeping it on its side in a cool place for a year or so. --- JQ'S WORD OF THE DAY
UNDULATE \UN-juh-layt; UN-dyuh-\, intransitive: To move in, or have, waves; to vibrate; to wave; as, undulating air. --- JQ'S 'MAKE IT YOURSELF' DRINK LIST
...The Gin Rickey...
...the recipe... -3-4 ice cubes in tall glass -squeeze in 1/2 lime and drop in rind -add 1 and 1/2 oz. gin -top off with chilled club soda or seltzer -enjoy --- JQ'S DESIGNER FOCUS
www.prada.com
--- JQ TELLS YOU HOW...
...to tuck a handkerchief
1) Hold handkerchief at centerpoint, letting it hang down. 2) Fold it almost in half. 3) Tuck it in chest pocket with center point behind. 4) Tuck it casually, not too deep or precise. ---
JQ'S ART COLLECTION
Poppies by Monet ---
JQ'S QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." ...Albert Einstein ---
