Anglo Threads with an Italian Accent

***Note, this is a guest post by Ellie's husband, Andy.***

Usually my contributions to this blog are limited to replacing the occasional comma with a period.  But the illustrious Ellie LaVeer has seen fit to allow me to guest post for a very special occasion.

Behold, Devona's great photo of my 1979 Vespa P-200E, taken back in January.  

I figured another $20 (half off) for this sterling silver Vespa tie bar from Vespa Charlotte was not much after paying $400 in repairs yesterday.

This is one of those things that Ellie really wished she had found and given me as a gift. And it's one of those things I in no wise had to justify purchasing. 

And since this blog often features thrift store finds, I'll call attention some such pictured here: Chaps RL sportcoat, vintage Joe Bank tie, and a Brooks Brothers non-iron button-down.

I think throwing the Vespa tie bar into the ensemble both adds class and disarms those who would otherwise think I was dressed a little bit "pushy".  It also adds a good bit of vintage Italian (which constitutes 25% of my blood) to my otherwise Angl0-Saxon (which constitutes 12.5% of my blood) -inspired garb.  I also think it helps me effectively re-incarnate my late grandfather, Samuel Francis Lichi--the man whose class and knack for thrifting himself into a fantastic and incredibly affordable wardrobe* I will always seek to emulate.  

*Speaking of affordable wardrobes, check out another dapper Italian--this time a young Bostonian named Giuseppe--who has taught me whatever I didn't learn from Papa Sam about thrifting:  An Affordable Wardrobe.

Posted by Andy Stager.


thecordialchurchman
thecordialchurchman

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2 Comments

Jacque
Jacque

May 08, 2009

I love it that my two sons are having an outing at the Amvets Village Thrift Store this am. My dad used to call it “Cheap Jacks” or “CJ Boutique”! Wish he was here to go with you!

Andy
Andy

May 08, 2009

His ghost was most certainly haunting the place. Maybe we can make a bid for Papa Sam being declared the patron saint of thrifting?

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