Rhoneisms

This is actually a story of two sweaters.

The first sweater is not this one. It is a Banana Republic extra fine merino in charcoal gray (which is my favorite color, by the way) that looks just like this one and that I’ve had for years. It was the sweater I wore all the time and took with me everywhere. If I was traveling it was likely the only sweater I packed — it was the perfect weight and color for layering and matched anything. Thin and light so easy to roll up and throw into a backpack. Plenty of warmth and versatility and worked perfectly in both dress up and dress down situations.

That sweater was a real work horse and I put it through its paces. It’s been out to dinner in Barcelona and deplaning onto a cold windy tarmac in Iceland. It’s been hiking and to Broadway shows. I would not be surprised if this song was actually about that sweater. It pre-dates me being with my wife so it’s well over 20 years old and looks like every minute of that time. I still have it but it’s really kind of beat up and stretched out and no longer looks great because of that. It looks used because it was used.

This sweater is basically a carbon copy of that sweater. We were in London’s Heathrow airport doing some shopping before our flight home. We stopped into the John Lewis shop and there, on a table, ON SALE was the exact copy of my favorite most worn sweater. Except, this sweater was Italian made and had a more flattering slimmer British cut. I may have even been wearing the BR sweater at the time — pretty likely. It was an instant purchase for me. It replaced the BR one seamlessly in that role.

I keep the BR one around because nostalgia does not allow me to part with it. That said, its travel days are long over and it’s at the bottom of the sweater drawer. The John Lewis has now severed me well for about 8 years now and still looks as good as the day I bought it.

Another quick one…

This is a shot from our friend’s holiday party last night. Just got this sweater a few weeks ago when I was at Costco. Picked it up entirely on a whim as I passed by the clothes on the way to the bakery section and saw a batch of “Christmas Sweaters” for $10 after instant rebate and thought to myself i’d be nice to have another Christmas sweater to wear to friend’s holiday parties like this one since I don’t otherwise have anything that “christmasy” (except for the The Norwegian).

It’s cheap but served the desired purpose.

Quick one today. J.Crew Fireman Clasp Shawl Collar Fleece. This is made out of very heavyweight fleece fabric. J.Crew Cals it “outerwear fleece” on the label. So, while technically not a “sweater” per se — more of a jacket — the cardigan-like detailing make it work like one. Of note is the fireman clasps in place of traditional buttons. Perfect for casual weekend wear with a little extra flare.

Today was a long busy hard day — no time for fresh photos. So you get a photo taken earlier this fall.

This is a green shetland wool shawl collar pullover. It’s from Ralph Lauren’s Rugby line. I can’t remember if I got it on massive “we’re killing this line soon” clearance or second hand. I just know I didn’t get it retail.

This is another very warm one. The shawl collar is massive. It has basketweave leather buttons and leather patches at the elbow. Looks like something one would wear to The Game and then grab some Pepe’s after to celebrate The Bulldog’s victory with your Scroll and Key brethren..

Hahvahd’s team may fight to the end
But YALE! WILL! WIN!

You don’t need an algorithm to tell you what music moved you most this past year. I’m sure, if you took the time to think about it, you could fire off the same ten songs/artists/albums it can.

You don’t need an algorithm to tell you your top photos or moments. I’m sure you can go through your roll and chose a better reflection of what was really special about this year.

Any list you do yourself would be better than any algorithm as it would likely not be based on numbers or stats or engagement. Instead, your list would be based what you care enough to remember. How it made you feel. The algorithm can’t know what matters. The algorithm can’t give you the why.

I know my top artist this year on numbers alone would be Taylor Swift. Am I a huge Taylor fan? No. I think she’s talented. I genuinely like her work. The reason is that she ends up being a lingua franca for our family. The one thing we can put on in the car together and all enjoy and sing along to. She’s the choice when we can’t think of or agree on anything else.

I’m sure the Original Broadway cast recordings of Hamilton (yes, still) and Hadestown (The original, original. Not the new original. Not the concept album which I love but don’t listen to enough) and Spring Awakening. Why? Same reasons. It’s what to listen to when I can’t decide. It is my sensible default.

I’m sure the algorithm wouldn’t tell me how much I enjoyed the new albums by Tears For Fears or The The, because I own them and did not stream them. It would not tell me about the live concert recording of a Mumford and Sons show at First Avenue I attended years ago that I mastered off a radio station’s simulcast that I often listen to on a CD rip in my car. Or my CD mix of 80’s new wave. The algorithm can’t see me there.

The algorithm doesn’t really know me that well. It doesn’t know what I do where it can’t see. It doesn’t know why I choose to do it.

Make your own end of year lists. Choose your own important memories. Pick the songs you loved and share it with the world. You don’t need an algorithm. You just need to care.

This one is truly special. Certainly my favorite sweater right now and could end up being my favorite of all time. This was a Father’s Day gift this year from my wife and daughter.

It wasn’t really cold enough to wear it this year until my birthday in October. The weight is substantial and the hand-knit quality is certainly up there with the ones you’d pay more than a thousand dollars for from RRL. Every time I’ve worn it out the compliments flow.

If I had to get rid of every other sweater I own except one, This would likely be the one I keep.

I picked this up a few years ago on sale at my barber which also carries some off-the-beaten-path fashion brands and grooming items. The maker is Naketano. I don’t know much about them other than it appears to be a German brand and many of their pullovers feature chunky nautical rope pulls like the ones here.

That said, I really do like the multi-layered turtleneck and that the fit is slim, the weave is soft, and it is casual yet polished. I generally get positive comments when I wear this one.

The thing I love about this seater is that, because of its coloring and detailing, it reads like a sweatshirt but is, in fact, a beautifully soft cashmere sweater. This means, I can often wear it in situations where a sweatshirt would be fine but I want something a bit more upscale or vice versa.

Purchased a few years ago at a store that sold both designer sample and vintage items. I’m unsure which this one is. It is Saks Fifth Avenue house brand labeled. Therefore, I suspect a sample.

I can throw it on with a t-shirt and jeans (as I have here) or with chinos and a sport jacket and it looks appropriate in either case. This is one I wear frequently. Generally about once a week during the colder months.