Question @Horselesscarriage..re: clothing

Earlier this year my wife was diagnosed with having a heart condition. Not her heart exactly, that's sound, as her surgeon said, it's her heart's electrical system. Later in the year, towards Autumn, she will have key-hole surgery, until then she takes a daily course of medication.

Taking things slower is alien to my lady, but slower it has to be. The reason for telling you about this is because we were unable to attend an event in London back at the beginning of this month which also coincided with our wedding anniversary. Photos have now been produced, look closely at the faces, there's so many there who are of our age. Back in my student days I thought that dressing up and being eccentric, (mad as a hatter,) was the preserve of youth. I wasn't wrong, only the exterior of those faces shows signs of wear & tear, they are still eccentric within.

flaneurs.jpg
 

On page one of this thread there's a mention of the baggy trousers as worn by Marlon Brando with a photo of those pants. Alongside of it is a photo of a pair of my baggy trousers. Look at the blazer that I am wearing, there's a tale to tell about it, although I have more than likely told it before elsewhere on another thread. As I often say, old age and amnesia go hand in hand.

The blazer was on a traders stall at one of the most popular vintage events in the UK, namely The Goodwood Revival. Early on I had seen it and tried it on. Unfortunately it was a size too small, what a shame. My wife and I went on to enjoy a fabulous weekend. Then, just by luck, or maybe contrived coincidence, we were wandering through the stalls as the traders were closing up and packing their wares away.

"There's that blazer," my lady said. "So it is," I replied as I made eye contact with the trader. He seemed to remember me. The blazer suited you," he said, with a smile. He did remember, he then added, "it's got your name on it." What a sharp salesman you are," I quipped. Originally the blazer had a one hundred pound price tag and (old age again,) I can't remember if he said: "give me ten or twenty," he then suggested that I wear it open. Sold!

My wife moved the buttons and now I can close the front, but it looks strained, so on the advice of that trader, I wear it open.

Striped blazer & tie 002.JPGStriped blazer & tie 001.JPG
 
grey & yellow 002.JPGgrey & yellow 004.JPGgrey & yellow.JPG
Quite by chance my wife heard, through a friend of her's, that an online company name of Samuel Windsor were having a closing down sale. Maybe the colour of this blazer is more for warmer climates, or maybe Samuel Windsor's customers are far too conservative. What a bargain it was and perfect for the current weather too.
 

letter 001.JPG
For most, it seems that technology is relatively easy, for me it's like a foreign language, one that doesn't use The Roman alphabet, from which English is derived. The example of my handwriting above should be scanned. My printer is capable of that, then returned to the computer's memory so that I can call it up and present it to you.

The printer might be capable of doing that, I certainly am not. The reason for the darker background is because I photographed it with my phone. However, technology ignorance aside, my handwriting graces many a couple's wedding photo album. What a privilege and honour to be asked.

E-mails, I need one to be a member here, if at sometime anyone has looked up my email and sent me a message, apologies for not replying. I have never fathomed out how email works. However, I do know how to put pen to paper and even when I have written a strongly worded letter, be it to a utility company, the local council or some company about their attitude/workmanship or lack of customer service, I have always had a written reply, although not hand written, like mine, expressing compliments at receiving my "beautiful" letter. (It still didn't get the problem resolved, but that's for another time.)

Handwriting in ink, using a broad nib, known as an Italic nib, is a talent that I realised I had when it was taught at school. The scrolls and curves that the broad nib describes transformed my handwriting. How grateful I still am to that forward thinking English teacher.
 
grey striped blazer.jpg
This photo is from the front of the paper pattern of the jacket. Patterns have a myriad of details as well as the paper templates for each panel. My wife has made many a tunic for herself, and how fabulous they look, but she has always been reluctant to make me any sort of jacket or blazer. She explains that the detail of the tailoring that goes into jacket production is out of her league. I never push it.
It was whilst we were in the shop where she buys her fabric that I came across the jacket pattern. My lady liked it too so that's why I bought it. My thoughts being that I can take it along to John Parrett of Fox Tailoring and ask him to make it.
To my surprise the lady hinted that she might just give it a go. We shall have to wait and see, I'm not holding my breath, but you never know. Watch this space.
 
horseless carriage said:
View attachment 361794
For most, it seems that technology is relatively easy, for me it's like a foreign language, one that doesn't use The Roman alphabet, from which English is derived. The example of my handwriting above should be scanned. My printer is capable of that, then returned to the computer's memory so that I can call it up and present it to you.

The printer might be capable of doing that, I certainly am not. The reason for the darker background is because I photographed it with my phone. However, technology ignorance aside, my handwriting graces many a couple's wedding photo album. What a privilege and honour to be asked.

E-mails, I need one to be a member here, if at sometime anyone has looked up my email and sent me a message, apologies for not replying. I have never fathomed out how email works. However, I do know how to put pen to paper and even when I have written a strongly worded letter, be it to a utility company, the local council or some company about their attitude/workmanship or lack of customer service, I have always had a written reply, although not hand written, like mine, expressing compliments at receiving my "beautiful" letter. (It still didn't get the problem resolved, but that's for another time.)

Handwriting in ink, using a broad nib, known as an Italic nib, is a talent that I realised I had when it was taught at school. The scrolls and curves that the broad nib describes transformed my handwriting. How grateful I still am to that forward thinking English teacher.
Click to expand...
Wow!
 
B of P.jpg

This exotic plant is known as: Bird of Paradise. What a fabulous Aloha shirt it would make.

Bird of Paradise 003.JPGhat & shirt 002.JPG

We do enjoy a rather large circle of friends, there again, when we gather we either all stand out or just blend in. Had you seen us on the quay at Poole in Dorset you would have thought that you had stepped back in time:

Poole3.jpg
 
The last weekend of August and the following Monday is the last public holiday in the UK before Christmas. We have always enjoyed Twinwood Festival.
tw6.jpg
It's a great vintage festival of Swing Jazz & Jive, featuring music from the 30's, 40's and into the 50's, along with air displays, hangar dances, fashion shows, comedy shows, trade stalls, food and bars, museums, living history, classic vehicles, camping and more. Twinwood Festival takes place at the RAF Twinwood, hence it's name. Confirmed for Friday 23rd until Monday 26th August 2024,
tw1.jpgtw2.jpgtw3.jpgtw5.jpg
 
The lady had the heart surgery and is now on the mend, albeit slowly. Good days and not so good days, but in the main, much improvement. So, what has happened since my last post? Well that blazer that I mentioned previously (August 23rd,), now graces my wardrobe: Now my grey & white spectator shoes are in good company.

Pinstripe 001.JPGDB pinstripe 004.JPGgrey & white brogues.jpg

There's a new pair of trousers in the pipeline, at present all I can show you is a few metres of fabric.

fabric.jpg
When the trousers are ready I will show you some of the details like the high waist with a feature at the back known as the fishtail.
On the subject of details, it was the mid to late 1930's that the zipper started to replace the buttons on the flies of men's trousers. You won't find many zippers on my trousers, but, zippers do have one big advantage. When the urge for a pee becomes urgent, fiddling about with buttons is not recommended. That said, I do so like the way that my lady presents a buttoned fly.

Button Flies 002.JPG
We have a couple of invitations in October. There's more photos with them so it needs a new post, this one has it's 5 pics max.
 
We had planned to go to London on October 12th, to a rather grand ball, but we might give it a miss. My lady's health and strength comes before any sort of jolly. The organisers are aware and have been both sympathetic and constructive, the latter meaning that they can easily sell our tickets, the ball was a sellout weeks ago.
chap-party-ticket.jpg
Later in the month, the proprietor of Fox Tailoring, he's the fellow who made my colourful blazers, he is organising something rather special on the south coast in the popular town of Bournemouth. We have been invited, and it's not until the 24th of October so, hopefully, my wife could well be strong enough.
fox3.jpgfox1.jpgfox2.jpg

Those new trousers might be ready by the 24th, I have a blazer that would go a treat with the colour.

blazer5.jpg
Not the straw boater hat though.
 
Hello Horseless Carriage:

I'm a new member and just found your posts from 2023. I have a keen interest in retro fashion and really enjoyed your posts. You and your lady look lovely together. I especially liked the photos of the two of you in front of the heritage railway and your automobile. I hope you'll post more photos and information about your vintage lifestyle.
 
horseless carriage said:
We had planned to go to London on October 12th, to a rather grand ball, but we might give it a miss. My lady's health and strength comes before any sort of jolly. The organisers are aware and have been both sympathetic and constructive, the latter meaning that they can easily sell our tickets, the ball was a sellout weeks ago.
View attachment 370649
Later in the month, the proprietor of Fox Tailoring, he's the fellow who made my colourful blazers, he is organising something rather special on the south coast in the popular town of Bournemouth. We have been invited, and it's not until the 24th of October so, hopefully, my wife could well be strong enough.
View attachment 370652View attachment 370650View attachment 370651

Those new trousers might be ready by the 24th, I have a blazer that would go a treat with the colour.

View attachment 370655
Not the straw boater hat though.
Click to expand...
OH HC...this is the first I'm reading about your wife's health issues! I pray she will be on the mend, gain her strength and be back to her normal self very soon. You are such a great husband
 
OneEyedDiva said:
OH HC...this is the first I'm reading about your wife's health issues! I pray she will be on the mend, gain her strength and be back to her normal self very soon. You are such a great husband
Click to expand...
Such a lovely prayer, Diva, thank you. My lady had heart surgery not for the heart itself, her's is in very good condition. The problem is that the electrical circuit had, somehow, become out of sync. It had left her with chronic fatigue. She had a procedure known as atrial fibrillation. Click on that link and you will see what the surgeon had to do. Thank you again though for your kind sentiment.

On a different topic, your new thread: How Many Days Ahead Of Your Trip Do You Start Packing? has brought a smile I can tell you. When I read the question my thoughts of an answer was: "Like a military exercise." We have a few amusing anecdotes about packing and planning, which I will share with you. But right now I must prepare my lady's breakfast, we will be off to church later, must press on.
McBride said:
Hello Horseless Carriage:

I'm a new member and just found your posts from 2023. I have a keen interest in retro fashion and really enjoyed your posts. You and your lady look lovely together. I especially liked the photos of the two of you in front of the heritage railway and your automobile. I hope you'll post more photos and information about your vintage lifestyle.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your lovely compliment, I am rather busy at present but I will get back to you later today.
 
The classic car that graces our garage is a 1947 MG. The model name is known as a Y-Type. MG never did go in for prestigious sounding names. Our car has often garnered attention that we come across now and then. At one such venue the car was spotted by an amateur artist who reproduced our car as the subject of an oil painting and used locally in tourist brochures that promoted the area. Here's a few.
watkin1.jpgwatkin2.jpgwatkin3.jpg
The car has also been used for classic car show promotions:

crotch cooler classic_car.jpgold photos 094.JPG

An Ode to Jessica.
A 1947 MG Y-Type.
There was a time when motor cars were serious fun to drive,
back then they didn't have seat belts, which help you stay alive.
They had quirky things like running boards and trafficators too,
those were little semaphore arms that gave the direction true.

Jessica is just like that in two tone fancy colour,
an MG of classic vintage, a real beauty to discover.
There's nothing more that she prefers than to show off in the shining sun,
and be photographed by one and all: She smiles for everyone.

This classic car has survived the years and not been torn asunder,
not for her, the breaker's yard, her body parts to plunder.
Despite her years she's greatly loved, her lines to be admired,
and she can still put on a turn of speed to get the adrenaline fired.

Out on the highway she likes to go and keep up with the traffic.
But serious problems can arise, when all the cars are static.
The water in her engine boils and out the steam comes, hissing.
She doesn't have a temperature fan but it's not exactly missing.

It simply wasn't ever there like modern cars today,
there's so much missing with vintage cars, it's the price you have to pay.
But for all her lack of equipment and of technology,
there's something intangible that this car has, this lovely old MG.

It's that distinct smell of old car, of walnut and of leather,
a fragrance so captivating, it doesn't get much better.
Then there's her style and grace and beauty, and class in overload,
but her greatest asset is the fun you can have that comes by the bucket load.​
 
Last edited:
Our car did the honours back in the summer, on The Harbourside Quay, in the Dorset town of Poole. The local press takes up the story.
PGV 006.JPG
PGV 002.JPG
From ground level this what the press photographer saw of the revellers that day:

Poole2.jpgPoole3.jpgPoole4.jpg
There's more to tell if you are still interested.
 
How is your home spruce up coming along. Have you found a new place that accommodates all your attire and a sewing room for Mrs. HC to make you more.

My husband had the ablation. It was a slow and steady successful recovery (knock on wood).
 
Jules said:
How is your home spruce up coming along. Have you found a new place that accommodates all your attire and a sewing room for Mrs. HC to make you more.

My husband had the ablation. It was a slow and steady successful recovery (knock on wood).
Click to expand...
That's good to know Jules, thanks for sharing. It is a slow recovery and my lady is not one for taking things easy. She does understand though.
As for the house, both inside and outside have been redecorated, the roof tiles have been steam cleaned, so to has the rear of the house patio. The driveway is tarmac and is a patchwork of repair scars so that will need resurfacing. The last job to be done is the full length double glazed patio windows. The seals have probably perished, they tend to mist up with both temperature and weather.
 
In the what have you bought recently thread, I mentioned that I have treated my wife to a new sewing machine. The lady is delighted, she has spent some time looking at the all the amazing programs that are in the machine's computer. My head explodes looking at all the wizardry but she is totally unfazed. On the contrary, she's looking forward to making use of the machine.


This fabric that my lady came across, at one of the festivals that we enjoy going to, depicts the golden age of travel, that time between the two world wars, also known as the swingtime jazz age. It gets many a complimentary remark.
shirt1.jpg
Here's a close up for you to see my wife's skilful handiwork.
shirt2.jpg
Look down the centre of the picture and you will just see the buttons. Do you see how she lines up the pattern on the fabric? Look again, closely, about an inch to the right of the buttons and you might just see the stitches of the breast pocket. The actual pocket is so well matched it all but disappears.
shirt3.jpg
Often I will post something or other that she has skilfully crafted for me but I don't recall showing you
the detail, but if I have, just humour me, I lost the plot long ago.

My wife has been making her own clothes, (and a good deal more for others,) since she was a child.
Her aunt was similarly skilled at dressmaking and seeing the interest that her young niece had she
encouraged her. Her new machine has rekindled her enthusiasm, much to my joy, following her health scare.
 
horseless carriage said:
We had planned to go to London on October 12th, to a rather grand ball, but we might give it a miss. My lady's health and strength comes before any sort of jolly. The organisers are aware and have been both sympathetic and constructive, the latter meaning that they can easily sell our tickets, the ball was a sellout weeks ago.
View attachment 370649
Later in the month, the proprietor of Fox Tailoring, he's the fellow who made my colourful blazers, he is organising something rather special on the south coast in the popular town of Bournemouth. We have been invited, and it's not until the 24th of October so, hopefully, my wife could well be strong enough.
View attachment 370652View attachment 370650View attachment 370651
Click to expand...
We gave The Grand Silver Jubilee Ball a miss, although at one point I did think that my wife was considering going. Had it not been for the journey to London and back, we might have gone. As it was, our tickets sold very quickly and the organisers repaid us without any penalty. Result!
You might think that we are fifty pounds better off, having got our tickets sold off. The lady has a problem sitting still, we shall be off to The Swinging Autumn Ball tomorrow. It features the inimitable Si Cranstoun and his band. Organised by The Swing Dance Company we were very lucky to get two of the very last few tickets before the sold out notice went up.
Some friends of our's were in touch with my other half today, she's arranged to meet up with them and go as a foursome. Then on Sunday, those same friends have invited us to dine out with them for Sunday lunch. That will be rather good, I have been to their favourite watering hole before. What a rather splendid country inn it is too.
The lady went to an outpatients appointment today, her recovery continues, it is slow, but I reminded her that heart surgery at the age of 74 won't be a case of back on the dance floor in a short space of time. Nonetheless her surgeon reassures her that her progress is heading in the right direction.
Next week we have Fox Tailoring's function on the Thursday and something else on the Saturday, the diary is filling up.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top