Always dress well

This isn't a fashion blog, but I do on occasion write on the topics of gentlemanliness, chappism, and such. Quite some time back I commented on an article on A Suitable Wardrobe, and referenced a Mises article titled Dress Like its the Great Depression. I'd like to follow up with a brief commentary on the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.

I'd never heard of "sapeurs" until a recent bit on NPR, but I am fascinated by them. Aside from the absolute bombast of some of their attire, I am captivated that in the midst of the poverty that surrounds them, they choose to dress to the nines.

Hector Mediavilla/Picturetank
(http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2013/05/07/181704510/the-surprising-sartorial-culture-of-congolese-sapeurs)

Now, given the examples one can find from an Internet search, some of the younger gents are a little too dandy for my tastes, but the older gentlemen dress quite well.

I understand the rebellion aspect of these Congolese gents, but I think it's a great example of dressing well, even when the environment one finds himself in is in diametric opposition. Compare that to the United States, where even our poor are rich compared to the rest of the world, and we have people of all social strata walking around like this (I'll not debase my site by actually posting any of these preposterous images).

"Puttin' on the Ritz" + Russian Flash Mod = Entertaining

As great as this clip is, I still prefer the original:

  

The Chronicles of Professor Elemental **FULL VERSION** - YouTube

A wee bit long but amusing:

The Chronicles of Professor Elemental:

Starring: Paul Alborough - Professor Elemental Grace Alexander-Scott - Cl... ... Watch Later Mr ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-eyeI8reQo

Prince Philip: my hero

There is much to appreciate about a man nowadays who isn't afraid to let you know how he feels:

Prince Philip puts finger in his ears at performance: The Duke of Edinburgh is famed for his foot-in-mouth moments but yesterday he was being spotted with his fingers in his ears at the Royal Variety Show.

I have to say that Prince Philip is my favorite British Royal. The media may call them gaffes, but I call them priceless. His political incorrectness inspires me. Not only has he survived the cultural revolution, he has bested it.

'Just Like A Chap' by Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer

Events and Entertainment for Day Two of the Chap Olympiad

Events and Entertainment for Day Two of the Chap Olympiad:
Sunday 8th July 2012 is Day two of the Eighth Chap Olympiad and will feature a selection of events which have proved favourites with Olympians and spectators alike over the last eight years. There will also be an interval slot by renowned banjolele-wielder and rhyme-popper Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer. Here is the full list of events

Cucumber Sandwich Discus: Individuals must hurl a cucumber sandwich on a china plate, with this year’s added handicap of a side order of potato crisps

Ironing Board Surfing: Contestants mount their ironing boards and are carried over the finishing line by their butlers and housekeepers

Hop, Skip and G&T: Athletes must complete all three disciplines, with the emphasis on maintaining a full tumbler of gin and tonic by the end

Umbrella Jousting: In the medieval tradition, chaps on bicycles approach each other along a boundary and use their brollies to knock each other off, protected by Bowler hats and reinforced copies of the Daily Telegraph

INTERVAL: A live concert by Chap-hop superstar Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer, who, among other notable ditties, will be showcasing his brand new tune, “Light the Olympic Pipe”

Three-Trousered Limbo: Pairs of contestants are strapped into huge pairs of double trousers, with three legs, and must stumble under a steadily-lowered limbo pole

Tug of Hair: Teams of ten tug at the tips of an enormous handlebar moustache, with the added handicap of slippery moustache wax

Bounders: A chap must say something so caddish to a lady that he receives a slap. The bounder with the reddest face, but the wryest smile, is the winner

Synchronised Slippages: In the Grand Olympic Paddling Pool, contestants must make an elegant display of tumbling, slipping and getting rather wet, as they attempt futilely to remain upright during their final few drinks of an exhausting two days of Olympian efforts

Tickets are available from www.thechapolympiad.com or by telephoning 020 7724 1617

Chap Olympiad Only 3 1/2 Weeks Away

Chap Olympiad Only 3 1/2 Weeks Away:

The Chap Olympic Committee has completed its exhaustive inspection of Bedford Square Gardens and submitted its final instructions for structural amendments, including the removal of safety barriers from the Olympic Track, the installation of 1000 ashtrays and the removal of the rainforest which sprouted last year.

This year’s 8th Chap Olympiad runs over two days, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July. Saturday’s events will run as follows:

1.00 The Pipeathlon: six contestants must complete a 10-yard course using three disciplines – pipe smoking, cycling and being carried by their servants across the finishing line.

1.20 Gentlemen’s Golf Club: contestants must hit a bowler hat into a large fishing net using a walking stick.

1.40 Swooning: one for the ladies. Chaps have to induce the ladies to swoon through any means possible.

2.00 Butler Baiting: teams of two (master and butler) must assemble a wardrobe impressive enough to satisfy the butler, by running back and forth between their master and a suitcase full of clothing.

2.30 Not Playing Tennis: contestants seated in armchairs play a game of tennis without getting up. The tennis ball is suspended on a wire hung between two hat stands.

3.00-4.00 During the interval, you will be entertained and educated in the arts of Omnicombat – a variation on the 19th century martial art of Bartitsu, or gentlemanly self defence with walking canes and umbrellas. This demonstration will be made by Albion and his son Merlin, both adepts. Albion has assured us that “We have no insurance cover, but it is very unlikely that anyone will suffer serious injury or death.”

4.00 Ironing Board Surfing. Contestants mount their ironing boards and are carried over the finishing line by their butlers and housekeepers.

4.20 Moustache Wrestling: two contestants must pluck a single hair from their opponent’s lip weasel.

4.40 Briefcase Phalanx: a line of ten chaps and chapettes, dressed for the office and clutching briefcases and handbags, creates a phalanx. Lone contestants must charge at them and try to break through to the secretary on the other side, who is ready to type a letter.

5.20 Shouting at Foreigners: contestants must pit their gentlemanly skills against a curmudgeonly, uncooperative foreign shop assistant.

5.40 Umbrella Jousting: two contestants, armed only with brollies and briefcases, must go at one another on bicycles and attempt to knock each other off.

Sunday’s running order will be posted shortly. Tickets are available for each of the two days individually, or at at a reduced price for both days. Tickets are available from www.thechapolympiad.com/ or by telephoning 020 7724 1617

Chaps to Stage Radical Protest on Savile Row

More important news from The Chap:

Chaps to Stage Radical Protest on Savile Row: In a return to the heady days of Civilise the City and the notorious Tate Modern art protest, the Chap is to take to the streets once again and stand up for what we believe in. On Monday, 23rd April 2012 (St George’s Day) several hundred immaculately dressed Chaps and Chapettes will gather outside number [...]

I stand in solidarity from afar. 

New Date Set for Eighth Chap Olympiad

I've not had the pleasure of reading a print copy of The Chap, but I very much enjoy their website, especially the section titled "Am I Chap?". Here is an update on their annual sporting event:

New Date Set for Eighth Chap Olympiad: The date for this year’s Chap Olympiad, which will take place over two days instead of one, has now been confirmed as Saturday 7th-Sunday 8th July 2012. Tickets will go on sale on Monday 26th March. This year’s Olympiad is competing with a rival organisation, calling itself simply “The Olympics”, which is attempting to steal [...]

 Having been involved behind the scenes [1] at a previous iteration of the better known quadrennial activity, I think personally I'd much rather attend the Chap Olympiad.

~

[1] I had the great pleasure of serving as military security at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. I spent three weeks living in a classroom of McNair Middle School, my cot being in a coveted position beside the chalkboard (a chalkboard tray makes a great bar to hang clothes from).

The area I was assigned to was where the athletes were taken to be in-processed in after landing in Hotlanta. Most of the time I was watching baggage pass through an X-ray machine, and there were some interesting things to be seen via X-ray. There were competition rifles, scimitars, and most memorable: a pineapple hand grenade. Or at least what appeared to be one. When that bag was ran through the scanner and the "grenade" was detected, the bad was immediately set aside and the owner was called for. No one dared go near the bag. Some time passed before the athlete was found and brought to his bag. I recall him being eastern European, but he was a shot-putter, and the nefarious device in his bag was a hollowed out lead dummy grenade that he used for practice throws. Having had a similar dummy grenade as a child, I can understand his choice. At that location I got to see quite a few athletes, but the only ones I remember are the American baseball team and the American gymnastics team (who I might have missed had I not looked down...).

After the events started, I was assigned to various other details, but they were not so memorable. One of the other things I'll never forget from the experience was the night of the Olympic Park bombing. I was at the "barracks" that night and I recall everyone being called out to formation in the parking lots. None of us knew at that time what was going on. Then the murmur that there had been a bombing swept through the ranks. Several soldiers at that time were unaccounted for. We stayed in formation into the whereabouts of the missing troops were ascertained. Pretty soon, everyone was accounted for. That was a pretty sad event. I had walked past the park a couple days prior, and after the area was cleared I went back to make my survey of the damage. I hope that is as close as I ever get to personally experiencing a terrorist event.