I am a sucker for the skull & crossbones motif. I like it on belts, shirts, slippers, even brogued oxfords. This may come as a surprise, as I am not one to follow trends. But what can I say? The flesh is weak. So it is with some consternation that I confess I recently broke down and purchased the above skull & crossbones Nantucket belt from A. Tierney on a recent business trip to New York City. Something about it appeals to me, though I would be hard pressed to identify what, exactly. The upside down skull & crossbones, I like to think, lends it a slightly sinister air.
I am not certain that I will even wear it in public. The bright red colour almost guarantees that it will attract notice. And in my case, that is not always a good thing. The last time I wore something so silly--a pair of bright green Brooks Brothers bermuda shorts with little navy whale motifs throughout--I overheard a disparaging remark from a fellow diner at a beachside restaurant. When I confronted the offender, he quickly apologised--under threat of violence, mind you. Which was fortunate, as we were both completely legless at the time.
If I do decide to wear the A. Tierney belt, I will of course submit a write-up here should anything untoward ensue, such as, say, a public bout of fisticuffs. In the meantime, I am starting to buckle under the effort required to stop myself from picking up a pair of skull & crossbones oxford brogues from Barker Black. Say a prayer for me, if you would.
9 comments:
J press and ralph lauren make a skull and crossbones tie. Ralph's is nicer and sleeker. I wore mine, black with red stripe, exactly twice before retiring it to the nether reaches of my closet.
that belt rocks my world, yo. i don't think that someone will be as likely to beat you up with the belt as they almost did with the whales. dude, i'd bitch-slap you silly with my glove if i spied a cutesy whale on your person.
I had a similar experience with an ascot. I wore one while out to dinner with my wife, and a horribly dressed character made a smart remark that I heard. I politely asked him if he wanted to leave this restaurant, and have to tell his friends the guy wearing an ascot gave it to him? He was completely silent, and said nothing more.
Interesting, LBT. I haven't worn a belt like that since I left prep school - admittedly in school colours rather than the rakish 17th/21st look this one has. Do tell us what you wear it with, if you ever take the plunge.
Good for you, Richard. I had to endure similar nonsense when I was in my bowtie faze at work. Most people in the world have no class.
I know what you mean about the Barker Black brogues. Courage, man.
Wear the belt with your khakis (rolled up at the ankles) while strolling the sand with a nubile young thing and start a trend yourself. They'll be beating down the door to buy 'em.
A man should never give up the "trappings" of his childhood.
UPDATE: Today I tried on a pair of the Barker Black spectator brogues with the skull and crossbones motif on an elongated chisel toe--and they looked absurd! Absolutely ridiculous. I'm not even a fan of the chisel toe to begin with. Yes, the antiquing is nice and the broguing robust, but I would not be able to wear these shoes in public without feeling highly self-conscious. So, I guess I can rest easy.
If I saw a man wearing a skull and crossbones motif on his tie, I would be tempted to ask him the following--"How well do you know Capt. Jack Sparrow?"
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