The Search for Sleepwear

I have recently been trying to source a sleepwear items and have been hitting bricks walls at every turn. Since I choose not to wear flannel pajama pants emblazoned with Yosemite Sam, a t-shirt, and red plaid slippers with a faux fur lining, I am now being made to work for what I want. The search continues and with little in the way of results. I have jotted down a cursory list of items I feel that I "need" to round off my evening time wardrobe and I feel that they are modest in nature and not deserving of this seemingly never ending quest.

• 3-4 Pairs of plain, non-flannel, pajama sets (fall/winter)
• 1 pair of leather scuff slippers
• 1 plain shawl collared robe (fall/winter)
• 2 pair of pajama or lounge pants (spring/summer)

For summer, I can get away with less and don't feel I need to explain that any further. I have found a few companies that fit my requirements, however they tend to be a bit on the pricey side. I am also avoiding Chinese made products for reasons I don't care to go into at this moment. Apparently a limited bank balance and a stipulation country of origin are really making this a tough search. I will, of course, write more if I am able to turn anything up.

Going Grey

I don't know how I have managed this, but I seem to have gone a large portion of my life without a proper pair of grey flannel trousers. If you already have a pair, then you know what a workhorse they can be. I have to admit that I have been having trouble in locating a pair that I like, sartorially speaking. That's why I have given myself the deal that if I lose a certain amount of weight, then I can treat myself to a bespoke pair. More on this as the weight comes off (hopefully) and the trousers come on.

Slow and Steady

Another year has passed and my age has increased (yet again). Rachel blessed me with a safety razor shave setup. Merkur 34c, badger bristle brush, and shave mug. I am trying to relearn to slow down and take time to do things with care and precision, and hopefully learn that the best things in life aren't all just flash in the pan. Giving myself a certain amount of time each morning to get cleaned and dressed helps me set a calming regiment to start each day. Even such mundane things as shaving can be done in such a way to help mentally prepare yourself for the day.

Cords

With the Texas winter slightly cooling and my selection of pants running thin, I wanted to replace my brown corduroys that I got from Levi's. A trip to the Levi's outlet didn't produce much except a sever distrust for their design department. I hopped around form shop to shop on the off chance that I could find something and it paid off. 1 corduroys in a dark almost loden green. The bonus was they were on the clearance section and 50% off as well. For some reason they didn't want to photograph well, so I might talk Rachel into taking a few of me with them being worn. Pics soon to come, I am sure of it.

Keeping tabs..

I've starting keeping a small daily notebook, mostly for "to-do" lists I think of during the day and the occasional grocery list and it's been quite handy. But as of late, I have begun jotting down (on the usually blank left page) notes to myself of what I wish I had worn that day. Nothing extravagant, but on a day I rush to work in some khakis and a Fred, I might write down that I would I would have preferred to have worn a pair of dark brown wool trousers, maybe a tattersaw shirt, and even a greenish tweed sports coat in case the weather took a turn that evening (which it did) and I wanted to go out after work (which I did). I think the idea is to brown beat myself into looking for more suitable clothes for work, and making a point of wearing them. You can spend ten minutes each evening laying it all out, and the rest of the next day enjoying the fact that you did.

More socks

I don't seem to be able to get enough.....regardless, I have been fairly pleased with the quality and especially the price of Neiman Marcus' house brand of socks....great colors and patterns and well made. Picked these up at a sale with the help of a coupon I was emailed. Dropped by Nordroms rack for the Pantherellas and Lorenzo Uomo's. Something about a fresh pair of socks that really puts a spring in your step, if you don't mind the horrid pun.

Next search..

100% cotton pajama sets and a proper robe/dressing gown. The cooler months are ahead (even for Texas) and who says you can't look the part even if you are the only one looking? Let's not also forget the leisurely weekend breakfasts as well as those morning of standing in front lawn while your dog makes his mark on the world. I figure I need at least one robe and about four sets of pajamas. And I promised I'd write more on my reasoning later, but I would prefer not to be made in China....