The Rarest of Breeds: A Canadian Dandy

I lived the first thirteen years of my life in Southfield, Michigan. For those of you not familiar with Michigan geography, Southfield is twenty miles north of the Canadian border city of Windsor, Ontario. Sometimes my family would go for ribs at Tunnel Bar-B-Que in Windsor. Also we would watch the CBC, the national tv channel which occasionally had a good show. Other than that and hockey, we pretty much ignored Canada.

Jon Dean is a real Canada buff. LeDandy likes many aspects of our northern neighbor. It is very clean. Much safer than the U.S. The people are tolerant of alternate lifestyles and polite overall. However, LeDandy knows that Canadians are for the most part a dull lot.

One of my favorite satirists is P.J. O'Rourke. He summed it up best in his treatise on foreigners. "Hard to tell a Canadian from an extremely boring regular white person unless he's dressed to go outdoors." I concur.

There is one notable exception to this rule. Don Cherry, hockey commentator, is one colorful character. Not afraid to speak his mind. He's loud, he's brash, opinionated, non-apologetic and entertaining. Not surprisingly, he is quite the dandy. The outfit he is wearing is one of the tamer coats in his collection. Don Cherry is larger than life. In a 2004 CBC survey, he was ranked as one of the ten greatest Canadians.

It is very hard to be a dandy in Canada. There are fewer clothing stores in Canada, and the upscale ones are outrageously priced. Check out Harry Rosen or Holt Renfrew if you doubt this claim. Add on a sales tax of about fifteen percent and the prices really escalate. Cherry excels in spite of these difficulties. He is the hope for Canada.

LeDandy Loves Vintage Cole Haan Shoes

The post from a week ago entitled "Beware the Experts" brings to mind my ongoing love for vintage Cole Haan shoes. Read what the shoe experts say on the forums and blogs and I guarantee you will not find much praise, or even mention, for vintage Cole Haan. I say vintage because the current production is pure garbage. I'm not sure when the deterioration began, but I'd guess sometime in the mid 1990's. Current shoes are made in India. Avoid these shoes like an STD as they are poorly constructed and have inferior leather. If you can find vintage Cole Haan, they are wonderful shoes. Great style and an unequaled patina to the leather.

Why don't the connoisseurs like vintage Cole Haan? Probably because these shoes were readily available in department stores and reasonably priced. Connoisseurs are fond of exclusion as a necessary ingredient, usually in terms of price and availability. John Lobb and Edward Green shoes are loved by the experts. These shoes are over $1,000 pair and very difficult to find. I looked at a pair of John Lobb balmorals at Neiman Marcus a few months ago. I don't see the attraction. I could wear Lobbs or Greens for twenty years and no one would look twice at them.

I bought a few pairs of vintage Cole Haans on eBay, all for under $20. Many of their old styles exude a sexiness unrivaled in shoes made today. Preppy style with some Italian flair. I especially like the low vamp models made in Italy. The pair shown must be twenty years old and have a classic cut. I picked them up for about $20 on eBay a few years ago. I plan on having them resoled as needed.

I'll let others play the game of getting the most expensive brand. My love is for the Cole Haan of years ago.

Shopping Tips for Teenagers

A week or so ago I wrote about an episode on the cable show "What Not to Wear." A low-budget family that dressed horribly was given $20,000 to spend on clothes in New York. In this author's opinion, such an act was cruel to this family in the long run. When the family needs more clothes, they will not have the money for another New York shopping spree. They received no practical tips on how to shop for value. LeDandy knows how to shop on a budget.

The mother expressed her shame at shopping in secondhand stores for the kids. What a load of crap. I shop for myself on eBay and most of the clothes I get are used. If it is good enough for LeDandy, it is good enough for her kids.

What about the kids? I'll assume they are teenagers as this is the most difficult age for children. I don't know of any kid who wants others to know that his/her clothes are bought secondhand or from a discount house. I remember my teenage years. It is a rough time at best. I would have been ashamed if my peers believed that my clothes came from secondhand or discount stores. It is a reasonable feeling.

LeDandy has a creative solution for those families on a budget. You don't have to let anyone know your clothes are from a secondhand or discount source. Let everyone think you shop at the upscale department stores. Give your kids some Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue bags, or whatever is housed in your local upscale mall, and have them walk around that mall for some time. Tell them to have lunch there. They don't even have to go in the stores. A few of their classmates will see them with the bags and will assume your kids shop at these stores.

Your kids will learn a valuable life skill (the art of bullshit) and you'll be able to put the savings to much better use than enriching the profit of a corporate department store.

The Party

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with yesterday's party (wish it did!). It is one of the racier pictures in the sexual harassment book that I mentioned the other day. What this picture has to do with harassment, I do not know. I skipped the text.

I realized the other day that this blog hasn't been fairly balanced lately. The men's swimwear review was definitely gay-oriented. So I'm throwing a bone, er... make that a pair, to my straight and bi-male readers.

Back to the main subject. LeDandy and Jon Dean's party was a huge success yesterday. We had about thirty people on a sunny California day. Grilled beef, vegetable, desserts and plenty of beverages. Every year we hold two parties, one on Thanksgiving and the other on Memorial Day. These parties are six months apart and we've had this going for about five years now. Co-workers from both our workplaces plus neighbors, friends and family.

Like everyone else, I fall into a routine with my life and forget the importance of having a social life. This party reminded me how great it is to get together with friends. The only problem is that Jon Dean and I have a long commute of about three hours each day. Almost everyone we know lives a significant distance from us. The last thing we feel like doing on the weekend is making a long drive. This party helped motivate me to break out of our homebound weekend routines.

Today is a day of recovery. Clean up and rest. Special thanks to Steve and Tamara for helping with the party. And of course to all our guests who made the party a success.

Why I Like Bowties

I work in the personnel department for a nonprofit as my day job. A few weeks ago I received a booklet on sexual harassment. There were a lot of funny pictures in it and the one to the left is one of the tamer ones. A hot scene nonetheless.

It just made me realize how much I love the bowtie for formal wear. When I do have to wear a suit or sportcoat, I always choose a bowtie. I like bowties for many reasons, some practical and others to display my rebellious side. In this instance, a bow tie would avert such a situation as the one shown. Bow ties are neat. They don't blow in the wind. They won't slip into your food or get caught in a drawer.

On the other hand, it looks like this fellow is having fun and I can't imagine any straight guy turning her down. Maybe I should reconsider my position!

Shopping for Secondhand Clothing?

Last night I watched "What Not to Wear" on cable for a few minutes. It is the show where people, usually women, are given makeovers in terms of dress and other beauty enhancements. I usually just watch the clothes portion. People are given $5,000 to spend on clothes in New York. Translation: $5,000 in New York = $1,500 anywhere else.

Last night the show featured a working-class family in Las Vegas with five daughters. They were given $20,000 to spend in New York for clothes. The wife was tearful. She talked about her family's limited resources and that she had to shop for secondhand clothing. The kids did look awful in their clothes. Something out of "Grapes of Wrath." The parents looked even worse. The wife believed the stigma of shopping for secondhand clothing upset her kids.

Bullshit! I buy secondhand clothing and it is good enough for me. The problem with this family was the lack of taste. I've never had such beautiful clothes and shoes for a mere pittance of what I used to spend on crap. Use eBay. Sellers provide measurements on clothes, or will upon request, and the pictures are generally accurate.

If you are on a budget and have a psychological aversion to used clothing, there are plenty of options available. Lands' End clearance section is remarkable. Sierra Trading Post is another good choice.

I actually felt sorry for this family. Sure, they are going to enjoy their "new" clothes for a year or so and brag about their trip to New York. Unfortunately, they will need more clothes in time and they will eventually go back to their old ways. New York shopping trips with a high budget will not be there for them. If only they could study under LeDandy!

Some Days Can be Christmas

Jon Dean likes to say "not every day can be Christmas" when commenting on an unpleasant experience or mood. LeDandy, always the optimist, believes that other days can be Christmas other than December 25th. Earlier this week I received my N2N "longhorn" swimsuit featured in my 2007 Swimwear Review and it put me in a great mood. Every time I get one of my online purchases in the mail, it feels a little bit like Christmas.

I have all my packages sent to Jon Dean's work since most deliveries need a signer and deliveries are made during the day. He opened the envelope and the swimsuit was in a ziplock sandwich bag! I couldn't believe it until I checked it out myself. Yes, it fit easily into a sandwich bag. New with tags and a very well made swimsuit.

The bad news is that Jon Dean won't allow me to wear it in public. Damn! At least I can get some sun in the backyard.

LeDandy's New Pen

A nice, long three day holiday weekend is coming up and I can't wait for the extra day off. Of course everything this week seems like it is in slow motion. We are having our big summer party on Sunday and it will be a lot of work. We expect about thirty-five people.

I wrote a few days ago about how I became disillusioned with my Omas Ogiva pen. It was well-regarded by the pen experts, but I never liked the damn thing. So I gave it away. That left an empty slot in my pen case and I was down to two pens. Much like losing a girlfriend (or boyfriend), the best thing to do is find a replacement.

Yesterday I took an extended lunch and walked over to Stylo Pens across from the Crocker Galleria. I am so used to shopping online that I forgot the pleasure of buying in-person. All the department stores and most specialty stores have fair to poor service these days. Fortunately, I stumbled across a store that still knows how to treat a customer.

I did my preliminary shopping online and had a few different brands in mind. Monteverde, Waterman, Parker and Aurora. It would all come down to how the pen felt in my hand. The Waterman Charleston had the best "hand" of all and I've had a good experience with my Carene model. I picked the one in yellow which shocked the salesman. I guess most guys get the black model.

I'm all set with pens for some time.

Beware the Experts

Yesterday's post about pens reminds me of my experience with bikes. Mountain bikes. Many years ago in Arizona I was an avid (fanatical?) bike rider. A typical ride would be about three to four hours. Plenty of bike trails and the heat didn't bother me. It was a great thing to do.

The bike I rode was a rather inexpensive yellow Diamondback Sorrento. No shocks or anything like you would find in a new bike made these days. Steel tubing and lower-end components. It was one of the cheapest bikes you would find in a good bike shop, yet better than one you could get at Target. I must have put 10,000 miles on that bike. It was rugged and reliable.

I decided to upgrade my bike one day. I listened to the expert at the bike store and bought a grey KHS Summit mountain bike with mid-grade components and a chromaly frame. It was the kind of bike that got respect in bike shops. I'd usually get a compliment when I took it into a bike store.

I hated that damn bike! What a piece of junk. The wheel rims were so narrow that I couldn't even change the tires myself on the bike. I'd have to take the wheels in to the bike store just to change a flat. I was always in fear of getting a flat on my rides. Also, the bike's components needed constant adjustment. My old Diamondback could last much longer without bike store adjustments.

A couple years later that bike was stolen from my apartment. It was the one time I actually felt good about something being stolen! That bike was a damn curse. Whoever stole it is cursed with an evil bike that requires constant, expensive maintenance.

My current bike is a Rocky Mountain Fusion with an aluminum frame. When I bought it, I asked for a bike with an excellent frame and the cheapest components possible. The salesmen thought I was nuts. For some reason the cheap components are much more rugged. The bike doesn't get "oohs and ahhs" from the staff in bike stores, but I love it. So much for the experts.

I should have learned my lesson a long time ago.

I Hate the Omas

Several months ago I wrote about purchasing a new pen. The Omas Ogiva in black with chrome trim. I wanted a nice plastic pen without getting the standard and overpriced Mont Blanc. After thorough research and price checking, I bought it on eBay for a slight savings. I never held an Omas before but read rave reviews on its comfort and construction.

I never liked the damn thing since I got it! The pen cognoscenti* may think it is a fantastic pen, but it never felt right in my hand. I should have learned my lessons with shoes wherein the experts think of Alden and John Lobb as the holy grail of footwear. I owned Aldens and I never liked them either. Boring shoes and a waste of of money. Didn't even get one compliment on the damn shoes. Never got an (unsolicited) compliment on the Omas either.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "do not bullshit thyself." I am still learning this lesson.

The nice thing about material items is that they can be used by someone else. I have a good home in mind for the Omas. As for getting another pen, I'm going to a pen store in SF and will spend some time testing some different brands. I'm leaning towards the Waterman Charleston but will reserve judgment until I've tested it.

On another note, LeDandy is having his annual start of summer party next Sunday.
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*Big word for the day.

Duchamp Socks

It was a damn long week at work and I'm glad that our annual event is over. I work for a community service nonprofit in SF. It really was a great time as we had the event at a nice restaurant on the Embarcadero. The highlight was a serving station with delicious mini-burgers and fries. Oh, it was good! And the crab puffs weren't bad either.

I've been at a loss for words after finishing the 2007 Swimwear Review. It is hard to get back to the mundane aspects of fashion. All kidding aside, I really did my share of research. The only thing I don't know is how the swimsuits will hold up in water. With LeDandy, it is all about looking good.

I've had my eye on socks by the British company named Duchamp. They have an extraordinary line of socks and I saw a nice pair at Nordstrom a month or so ago (the one pictured on the far left). Unfortunately, they only had a large size and this was too big for me. Also, the price was $30 a pair which is a little steep. The material was a nice knit and it appears to be quite durable. The designs would look great with some low vamp loafers or conservative dress shoes. It would be fun to wear for a job interview.

I scoured the internet for a good price on these socks. Virtually nothing on eBay and the British stores have them for about $25 a pair. I haven't seen sales on them. U.S. distribution is not good. The only place I've seen them is at Nordstrom and they carry only the large size.

Keep your eyes open for Duchamp socks. They also make some nice ties if you happen to wear them.

A New Purchase

Another cold day in the city. I had to wear a lightweight wool sweater today. So the weather is cold and I felt like buying something this week. I got a new swimsuit! It is the grey suit w/ pink longhorns by N2N pictured on my famous 2007 Swimwear Review. I couldn't resist.

Of course I wasn't going to pay the full retail price of $35. Someone had a new one up on eBay and I got it for $22.50. Swimsuits are one of the few items you don't want to buy used. Especially the one I got.

The nice thing about these swimsuits is that they can help motivate you to get in better shape. Time to get toned for summer!

LeDandy's Day Off

I had to take a day off of work. I felt burned out and needed a day at home to do nothing. For those of you not in the Bay Area, part of a freeway collapsed when a tanker truck flipped over due to some reckless driving and ignited. Unfortunately the guy survived and traffic has been a nightmare ever since. LeDandy hates driving and the drive home takes at least an hour and a half now. Plus, we have our annual event at work and this adds to the tension.

The weather in SF has been very cold lately. You can always spot the tourists because they are dressed in shorts and tropical shirts. SF is never a warm place and summers can be downright chilly. I watched a tv show on the History Channel about the hippy movement. Back in the summer of 1967 or 1968 thousands of kids flocked to SF during the "Summer of Love." They came in shorts and flip-flops, expecting to survive on nothing. Little did they know how cold it can be in this area.

I see a long nap in my horizon today as well as some bad tv. I'm tired of going places. Just want to stay home for the day.

The Worst Swimsuit of 2007

I decided to make this a separate post as this swimsuit does not deserve the honor of accompanying the other photos. Also, I didn't think of this post until this morning. The most hideous, vile swimsuit of 2007 is by Calvin Klein.

The cut of the swimsuit is not really objectionable, but it does have a definite gay slant to it. Calvin Klein has an almost proprietary look when it comes to underwear and swimwear.

What makes the swimsuit so vile is the name "Calvin Klein" stamped across the rear (click on picture). Unless your ass belongs to Mr. Klein (employee, lover or both), it has no business being emblazoned with his name. If I want a name across my rear, it will be my own in much the same way moms mark their kids' underwear.

To add insult to bad taste, these swimsuits are about $70. If Klein paid me $70, I wouldn't wear this vile swimsuit.

** LeDandy's 2007 First Annual Men's Swimwear Review **

[Note: pictures removed by author.]

I stayed up late all week scouring the internet for the best, worst and most sensational swimwear available. Lets get right to the good stuff. The most extreme yet functional swimsuits are from Tropis Swimwear. It made even LeDandy blush and he's no stranger to exotic swimwear. Nudity would be a step up in modesty for this line. I am not including photos, or even a link in this case, as decorum and Jon Dean prohibit me from showing them. Robert Mapplethorpe must have designed this line. Remember, it is Tropis Swimwear.

Now onto the conventional swimwear meant to be worn in most settings. I thought about making a comprehensive review showing all kinds of swimsuits. Then I decided to do away with boring long shorts and trunks. I just don't believe in them. The men's bikini is the only style to wear. My commitment to fashion is superceded by my desire to stay in shape. Be bold.

The first type of swimwear that I will present is the thong. Yes, the thong. Women universally HATE this type of suit on men. And with good reason if you don't have the body for it. Even LeDandy can't wear this style. It is meant for the young professional athlete or model. It is a sight to behold in the proper context. Speedo makes a decent thong which is reasonably priced at $25. If you've got the body, get the swimsuit. Please.

Of course only a very small percentage of the male population is in shape to wear a thong. For the rest of us, we need more modest swimwear covering the seat. Thankfully, there are many choices available.

The universal standard for the men's bikini is the traditional Speedo brief. It has been around for many years and looks good on almost any man who is in reasonable shape. It has high sides (3-4"), good coverage and still retains a sexy look. You really can't go wrong in this suit.

The only caveat to the Speedo brand is that the material has all the durability of a cheap paper bag. Don't plan on getting a lot of wear out of them. Two years at most. Other brands such as TYR and Arena offer a similar cut and may be worth trying out. These suits are usually in the $25-$40 price range. Many colors and patterns are available. Any straight man with confidence can wear this type of suit since its roots are in competitive swimming.

There are many designer brands available in this standard cut. I've seen Versace and Gucci swimsuits with some outlandish colors and patterns. These suits are priced at $100 or more and seem to be a waste of money unless you are into flashing brand names.

Personally, I like a slight but significant variation on the standard brief as pictured on the right. LeDandy is a short fellow at 5'"5" and prefers a narrower side of about one inch. This does make a difference in the overall appearance. My favorite has been the Speedo Solar cut which has the one inch sides. I've worn these for many years and went through quite a few as they have virtually no durability. They do look good on me and that is why I kept buying them. These suits are still quite acceptable poolside in any setting.

If I were currently purchasing this kind of swimsuit, I'd seriously consider some other brands. Something with a little more flair and hopefully durability. Hom, a French maker, has a nice line of swimwear that infuse a bit of creativity into the fabric and cut. Prices vary widely on these suits so do a bit of research for a good deal. I do like the suit shown below which isn't much different from the Speedo Solar. This is definitely something that would stand out by the pool. Hom does have wide variety of print patterns beside solids, something that Speedo doesn't offer.


I've seen some swimwear lines that definitely have a gay slant to the style. Usually this is in the form of a low cut suit. I wouldn't recommend these suits for the community pool or company party, yet they can probably be worn on the beach. These suits really don't cover the necessary region and I'm sure they all do not have an interior lining.

One of the most attractive of these suits is the N2N Longhorn bikini. Must be the horns on the front of the suit. These suits are usually in the $30 to $50 range. If you are poolside quite a bit in the summer, this is a nice alternative piece for your collection in adult settings. Forget about meeting women in this suit!

I've always had a bias against the square cut trunk until recently. The tiny swimsuits look great on guys in shape who are short or average size. If you are tall, the micro bikini doesn't look so good. In these instances, I'd recommend the square cut trunk. TYR and Arena make nice trunks that are meant for training. This modest style isn't too bad, just a little bland.

For a more stylish look, Hom has a nice variety of square cut trunks. These suits do run quite a bit more than the micro bikinis and can set you back $60 to $80.


That wraps up the swimwear review for 2007. There are plenty of choices available and I do suggest you get something flattering to your particular body type. Until next year.....

Swimwear Review Disclaimer

The Bay Area is a pretty good place to live. Lots of good jobs, a civil populace and a mild climate. The one bad thing is that its not a place for a sun worshipper. And I do miss lying out by the pool. I rarely get the chance to do that anymore as few houses have pools and it is common even for apartment complexes to be without a pool. Maybe once a year, if I'm lucky, I get the chance to hang out poolside.

Why am I telling you this? Because I like to write about matters from personal experience. My experience with swimwear is woefully limited these days. Nevertheless, I will apply my sense of style and expertise to LeDandy's upcoming swimwear review.

A long time ago in Arizona I purchased my swimsuits from a small, independent shop called Parr. It was literally a mom and pop shop for bodybuilder suits and minimalist swimwear. The owner's wife was a nice older woman who always took her time with me, allowing me to try on whatever I wanted. They were swimsuits that always attracted attention. I worked out hard and wanted to show it off! Back in the late '80s and early '90s these kinds of swimsuits were hard to find.

I looked online and it appears that Parr is still in business under a new name (Nu-Parr). Most likely they were sold and the new owners did a variation on the name. I can tell you the old swimsuits from Parr were well constructed and held up fairly well with use.

So my upcoming review will be more from a spectator's point of view. At least the research was fun!

If It Did Not Have the Label........

The picture of Robert Conrad from Sunday made me think about the Fila swimsuit he wore. I almost bought the exact same kind many, many years ago at the Fila store in the Borgata of Scottsdale. A long time ago Fila had a very upscale, sporting image and their clothes were exorbitantly priced. The swimsuit in the picture below was priced at about $60 and I thought about it. The patch with the "F" screamed status symbol, but apart from the emblem, it was no different than a generic Speedo style suit. I passed on it, in part cheapness and part common sense. Guess I missed out on some gold-diggers by the pool.

I thought of the status symbol craze recently while looking for my Italian knit polo shirts. I have a search key set up in eBay for Italian brand names including the well-known lines such as Brioni, Kiton, Loro Piana and Avon Celli. They are all very expensive and have loyal followings. The shirt above is an Avon Celli listed on eBay with a starting price of $95. Originally $300 and that is about on par with the other exclusive brands.

In this author's opinion, a shirt such as the one pictured is just plain ugly. Some people might know this kind of shirt is very expensive but otherwise it looks like something you would pick up at Mervyn's for $15. Similar knit shirts by Loro Piana and Kiton are roughly equivalent in terms of style. Brioni shirts usually have pockets on their polos which I find unattractive.

I don't know why I have these brands listed in my search as I will never buy a shirt from these makers. I've settled on Jeff Rose and Bobby Jones shirts as high quality and attractive shirts. Not typical Italian names, I know. I buy the shirt, not the name. Ask yourself, "if it were not for the label, would I still want it?"

Yes on Speedo-style Swimwear

The bikini style swimwear on men is often maligned by the public. Women, in general hate them on men. Straight men think it is gay. Even many gay men don't approve of these swimsuits as they see it as a stereotyped fashion. Fat old men in these swimsuits give this style a bad image. As with many fashion principles, LeDandy takes the minority position on this issue. If you've got the body, be bold. Don't hide in a potato sack.

This is a picture of Robert Conrad during one of those celebrity athletic competitions. Robert Conrad was well-known for the "Wild, Wild West" in the late 1960's and "Black Sheep Squadron" years later. Even as an older man he stayed fit. Not overly muscular, but toned and trim.

There is a lot of pressure out there to wear the old fashioned, boxy trunks. They have all the sex appeal of a brown paper bag or a pair of Alden shoes. Don't let your girlfriends/wives (or for you lucky guys, both) dictate your swimsuit style. It's time for you to be eye candy.

If you feel that you don't have the body to wear the Speedo-style, start getting in shape!

Maha - Shaha! (The Three Stooges Connection)

I’ve had these thoughts running through my head all week. Let me explain, it is a bit out of the ordinary. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ll know that Paul Wolfowitz, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, is in big trouble at the World Bank after securing a huge raise and other favors for his girlfriend. His girlfriend is some Libyan tootsie by the name of Shaha Ali Riza. She’s no beauty but I think she is rather attractive in a matronly way.*

There is an old Three Stooges skit from 1946 film called "Three Little Pirates." In this episode, Curly is a nearsighted, bespectacled Maharajah and he converses with Moe using double-talk with a smattering of English. Moe will start off by saying “Maha.” Curly replies “Aha” and then continues with some gibberish like “Razbanyi siati benefuchi.” Add in some eye pokes and face slaps and this routine is hysterical.

The name Shaha just fits so perfectly. I can just picture Moe saying "Maha" and Curly replying "Shaha Ali Riza razbanyi siati benefuchi." The name just rolls off my tongue. I've been driving Jon Dean nuts this week. All of a sudden I blurt out "Shaha" in a Stooge voice. He's ready to kill me.

This isn't the only Stooge film of significance when it comes to the Wolfowitz scandal.

There is another Stooge episode wherein Moe admonishes Curly for chasing women. Moe said "If you would have been a Pekingese instead of a Wolfhound, we wouldn't be in this trouble." I keep thinking of the Wolfowitz scandal at the World Bank. If he had been a Pekingese instead of a Wolfowitz, he wouldn't be in this mess!
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*LeDandy loves a full-figure (and then some!).

Some Observations and News

This morning I saw the funniest thing on the way to work. Jon Dean and I were on the 101 heading towards San Francisco when I spotted an old man about seventy with the worst hairpiece I ever saw. This was a cheap rug. Shaped like a helmet with thick, jet black hair. The kind of hair you would find on a teenager in desperate need of a haircut. It looked absolutely ridiculous on a seventy year old man. Don't feel sorry for this geezer as he was driving an expensive Mercedes. Clearly, he could afford a decent hairpiece.

Last night I watched an interesting program on the History Channel about leather. The history of manufacturing it. I had no idea that the production of leather was such a complex process. The most interesting part is that science cannot adequately duplicate natural hides. Nothing is as comfortable as a natural hide.

On to my wardrobe. I haven't found much to buy these days. My latest purchase was tonight for a Brooks Brothers' Sea Island sweater on eBay in light blue. It wasn't marked Sea Island in the description so I think that contributed to the low price. I had to beat out "kosher-kowboy" with a bid of $10.49. God, I love these prices.

Yes, buying online from eBay isn't like buying at Saks or Neiman Marcus. On eBay you don't have to contend with sales help who forget which side of the counter they are on.

I'm still looking for Bobby Jones and Jeff Rose polo shirts. I haven't seen much of a selection these days but these things come in cycles. Patience.

There has been a lot of talk at work about my upcoming men's swimwear review. Virtually all of it coming from me. This weekend I hope to complete my research and start an initial draft.

I know that I'm rambling tonight. Just looking forward to the weekend.

Taking It to the Limit

Believe it or not, the shoes pictured are actually for men. The ultimate in low-vamp footwear. You don't want to know how I found these shoes, but I can assure you that a lower vamp is not to be found anywhere. They are made by Bescalio in Turkey and are available for about $140. I have no first hand experience with these shoes but I heard they are well-made and Bescalio is a reputable firm.

Personally, these shoes are not my style and I wouldn't wear them. Yes, even LeDandy has his limits. But if you want to venture into the wild side, try out some Bescalios. Of course you'll have to wear some hot pink socks.

Coming Soon: LeDandy's First Annual Men's Swimwear Review

The posts of the past few days have given me the idea of doing a swimwear review. As a former competive suntanner, I feel qualified to review the current crop of men's swimwear. In my heyday, I could lie out in the sun by the pool for hours on end. Sometimes I'd even go in the water. The important thing is looking good by the pool.

These days people stay out of the sun for fear of skin cancer. I'm glad that I was able to enjoy the last days of guiltless suntanning.

At first I was going to review both men and women's swimwear. Upon reflection, it is too difficult to do in a proper way. After all, it is like comparing melons with ... bananas.

My swimwear review should be up in about a week. LeDandy never rests.