I've turned into a real internet buyer. I used to be all about the experience, but the miser in me (admit it, there's one in all of you) knows that I can always get something cheaper on the internet. Of course, this is fine for books and the like, but when it comes to something important, you have to go and speak to the experts.
I have been lusting over a couple of two-wheeled items that would nullify one another if I got them both. One being the quite obvious Vespa (what European living in New York is complete without one?) and the other is the Brompton. I am not sure why I would need one if I had the other, but the truth is, I have neither. But when I buy either one of them it will be in a store, to talk to the experts, to see for myself. That is why I also haven't bought my tiny dream on eBay. I need to go and see it in the flesh.
This was absolutely confirmed by our trip to Lord Willy's on Christopher Street yesterday. I had passed their store on Mott Street a few times, but I hadn't gone in. I thought it was an English store that English people didn't actually go in to. But when I went in on a whim yesterday and saw the quality of the shirts, I promptly called Michael and told him I would sit around the corner and have a cup of tea while I waited for him to get there. Was it worth him coming over? I don't like to sit around and wait for anything, so it was quite surprising that I suggested it.
Fabric made in England explains the priceyness of it all, that and suits and blazers handmade in New York. Beautiful details that don't scream "I'm a detail", gorgeous shirt colors (gunmetal, navy, a couple of surprisingly appealing black and white ginghams) and luscious silk ties. The pièces de résistance are definitely the blazers here. Gorgeously cut, beautifully lined, Michael nearly fainted when he tried on two of them, big strapping lad that he is. Each style of blazer has only six iterations, so it's unlikely you will see someone else wearing one. Our favorite was a dark grey wool pinstripe with red stitching, but a chocolate colored corduroy certainly caught our attention.
We left the store with only one shirt, pictured here. It's taken on a little more of a purply tinge in the Northern light we have over in our part of Brooklyn, but the true color is a muted, dusty pink, with brown stitching and buttons. It has a spread collar, ideal for a full Windsor knot, and made the bespoke shirt Michael was wearing look like a Brooks Brothers hand-me-down. Coupled with the beauty of these pieces was the approachable and friendly Alex Wilcox who runs the store on Christopher. It's people like him that mean that it's always better to deal with a person. Thanks for the impeccable service, Mr Wilcox, we will certainly be back for one of those blazers.
Comments