This guy is such a good sport. He favours clean and classic lines, generally, but almost never shops for himself, relying on gifts and so, coincidentally, on my taste and that of our son and daughters. As well, he Makes. Things. Last. He loves that his Blundstones are six years old. For many years, he wore Doc Martens with his sports jackets/pants/shirt-tie combos to work (altho’ not with suits; he drew the line), gleeful if he got three years of almost-daily wear from them (he walked 20minutes to work and back each day). I just gave him a pair of dark brown Sperry Top-siders mocassins that I suspect I’ll be hiding from him six or seven years down the road.
These OP (Ocean Pacific)Oakley sunglasses I bought him five or six years ago, when he tried on a pair our son was wearing, and realized that paying $150 for sunglasses DID indeed provide sharper vision. The last year or two, I’ve noticed that the only ones still wearing this style accessorize them with a different lifestyle than Pater’s. (As our daughter says, “I’m worried he’s going to start wearing Ed Hardy t-shirts”).
Although Pater showed some signs of weakness when he realized our kids were agreeing with me on the glasses, he wasn’t going to buy new ones. These still did the job they’d been hired for, and did it very well. Why replace them?
Until he saw our SIL (ADDED Later, Son-in-law, Adam) wearing a very nice, simple pair of aviator-style (but not one that screamed “aviator”– these assert themselves very quietly, authoritatively, just like Pater). Turns out SIL had bought these — the style is called “The General” — at Mr. Lee’s on Broadway, just off Main, in Vancouver. I’d read about Mr. Lee’s at Thomas’ blog a few months earlier and wanted to check it out. And when Pater heard these sunglasses were only $80 . . . .
So we’re ready for sunshine, more sunshine — and we’re getting it. Another 31 degrees Celsius today. We’ve got friends driving up-island from Victoria to visit, rosé and beer chilling in the fridge, the makings of a steak salad ready to go, and I may make a blackberry clafouti for dessert. Tell me what you’re up to this sunny weekend.
Pater is stylin' in those new aviators! My better half is the same way about keeping things forever.
Wow, I wish I was visiting! And I must say, the new sunglasses look great. My spouse is the same with buying new things, but last night as we were heading to a party (!) he was moaning about having nothing to wear, so perhaps it's time I took him shopping.
I can't believe we don't get the credit for inspiring that sunglasses purchase 😉 I bought those for Adam for his birthday and I think Dad even tried them on. Now they will be twins!
(those old sunglasses are Oakley I think, not OP)
B
Pseu, Tiffany: At least their non-spendiness leaves us more funds for our own shoes, right?
B: I thought I was giving you (your household, at least) credit. SIL is meant to designate my Son-in-law, altho' I realize now it could just as easily be sister-in-law. I've changed to clarify — and of course I should have noted that you were the observant one who first found these. As for the OP/Oakley confusion, what was I thinking — Californian? begins with "O"? Who knows? Thanks for straightening me out . . .
haha… I realized this in the middle of the night. you can imagine my struggle trying to figure out which of your sisters in law might have been wearing these!
Evolving one's style is so much fun. Very distinguished.
Anonymous daughter: I imagined exactly that!
LPC: yes, he is indeed evolving . . .
You've got great style Pater!
Your weekend with friends and dinner sounds perfect…clafouti…I have never made that…maybe you can snap a photo and share the recipe.
I agree on the glasses…and the timing. Here's an argument that might help with future replacement purchases. Divide the cost by the number of years of usage, so $150 glasses lasting 5 years = $30/year. Cheap! And then of course, there is the cost of looking like someone from the boonies. That should cinch the argument.
Liz: I'll pass along your economic formula (especially the argument-cincher!). He'll be amused . . .