Off the Cuff — Our Favorite Things

It’s snuggle time. And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the final installment of Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves,  THE FILM: Miracle on 34th Street THE ERA: Late 1940s THE CLOTHES: Lady hats, shoulder pads, and lots of nice wool suitings, wide lapels, dress shirts, ties, and one Santa outfit. WHY IT’S GREAT: The twinkle in the eye of Kris Kringle alone should be enough to convert even the most cynical of heart. THE FILM: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation THE ERA: Late 1980s THE CLOTHES: Shawl-lapelled...

It’s snuggle time. And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves, Volume 2. Check back later for more picks. THE FILM: Elf THE ERA: Early 2000s THE CLOTHES: Peter Dinklage in contrasting collar & cuffs plus shawl-lapel vest, Will Ferrell slaying a pair of curly-toed slip-ons. WHY IT’S GREAT: It’s a good-natured family flick that’s charming, funny and features Zooey Deschanel & Will Ferrell totally nailing “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” THE FILM: Four Christmases THE ERA: Whatever we’re calling the last...

And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves, Volume 1. Check back after the 15th for more picks.   THE FILM: Eight Crazy Nights THE ERA: Early 2000s THE CLOTHES: Referee’s uniforms, winter coats, judge’s robe. WHY IT’S GREAT: It is the rare holiday musical whose lyrics include, “ass” and “porta-potty.” THE FILM: A Christmas Carol THE ERA: The 19th century filmed in the 1950s THE CLOTHES: Top hats, overcoats, and very serious nightclothes. WHY IT’S GREAT: Tiny Tim’s big line:...

Depending on where you live and the time of day, late summer can present you with sartorial challenges. Blistering sun? Cool evening breeze? Light drizzle? How do you prepare for each? Then throw in how we live. In the same day, we might work, walk a dozen blocks, ride a subway, dine alfresco, go to an open-air concert, a ballgame or a bonfire. The key that turns all the tumblers? The Chambray blazer. It’s your passport to all of these lands. Throw it over your shoulder on the train. Button it up when you’re rocking a dress shirt for that...

Just in time for Valentine’s Day here’s my: Totally Subjective Top Ten Love Stories of All Time.   Spoiler alert, you will not find The English Patient or anything with Hugh Grant in it on my list. 10. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Gangster chic. Two beautiful people meet, fall in love and, very elegantly, rob banks. Remember the banks were the bad guys in the foreclosure-heavy 1930s, so this criminally well-dressed duo was sticking it to the enemy. 9. Say Anything (1989) Putting the “boom!” back in boombox, John Cusack rocked a trenchcoat, and staked his claim. A sweet little...