For the Well Dressed Man

ROBERT LLOYD TREVOR

Articles to Wear and to Carry Which He Would Like to Find in His Stocking

NOWHERE, perhaps, does the Yuletide spirit of giving find a wider field for expression than in the realm of men's clothing, and the host of accessories which go to make up a well selected and well balanced masculine wardrobe. The ingenuity of countless craftsmen and designers is manifested at this season particularly in the assembly of attractive things which the man would care to have or to wear.

Whatever may be the reason, whether it be the fact that we are at war, or the fact of its inherent soundness, the walking stick will be even more in favor this year than in past seasons. Moreover, the stick makes a very convenient, and, if it be carefully selected, usually a very acceptable gift. For ordinary purposes, for use with business clothes and in the afternoon, the crook-handled stick is decidedly in favor. The obvious convenience of this form and the fact that it can be hung over the arm so readily, leaving the hands entirely free, is certainly one reason for its popularity. There is such a great variety in the woods and mountings of the modern cane that any exhaustive description of their various merits would be difficult here. Some day I hope to devote an article entirely to the walking stick and its raison d'etre. It may be said in passing, however, that one will never go wrong to choose the Malaccas, close-jointed whangees,—which are rather hard to find, be it said—the heavy bamboos or the dark and serviceable woods such as snakewood. This dark red, mottled wood is very heavy—in fact, it is one of the most dense of woods—and is well suited to self-defense.

STICKS for more formal use are apt to be straight shafts, with cap of good diameter which fits comfortably in the palm. Several good canes of this type are illustrated in this issue. The sticks modeled upon the trench stick, with its leather loop for the wrist, have a good deal to be said in their favor. They are certainly practical, as all the outcroppings of war must be. The man who has a hobby for walking sticks often likes to have his umbrella handles to match. These matched sets are to be obtained in most of the better woods and with a wide variety of treatment as to mounting this year. Some matched sets of this kind are also the subject of illustration in this issue.

I THINK there are few men who do not have an avowed or secret passion for good luggage. There is something peculiarly attractive and desirable about the well-designed hand bag, kit bag or suit case, and the countless small articles of leather to go in it or to be carried on the person. Nowadays, when railroads are so congested because of troop movements and the other necessary accompaniments of the' military establishment, the question of hand baggage is becoming increasingly important. Many men are finding it more convenient and expeditious to adopt the Continental method of taking a good deal of hand luggage with one over the week-end trip or short journey than to trust to the uncertainties of the baggage service. To meet this condition, specially designed luggage of very attractive type has found its way into the shops. One of the illustrations in these pages portrays a suit case of this type. It is of unusually large size, measuring 28 x 15 x 8 inches inside and, therefore, has carrying space nearly equal to that of a small trunk. This bag, nevertheless, is very light and easy to carry, being built of cowhide on a frame of light bass wood. It is not suitable for checking or intended to withstand the gentle blandishments of the baggage smasher, but it is exceedingly well suited to be taken in one's taxi and delivered to the porter for a week-end visit.

If you care to buy any article illustrated in the Well Dressed Man Department Mr. Trevor will be delighted to tell you where they may be purchased. Simply indicate what you wish and mention the pages on which they are pictured. If you prefer, Mr. Trevor will direct the buying of any article for you. In that case, enclose your check drawn to the order of the Vanity Fair Publishing Company. There is no charge for these services.

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ANOTHER interesting article for the man who is on visiting bent is the collar box of plain cowhide illustrated in this issue. This circular box is of stiff construction, protecting the collars very well. Its special feature, however, is the inclusion in the top, of spaces designed to hold one's scarf pins, studs, and cuff links. This does away with the necessity of carrying a separate jewel case and accommodates compactly a number of small articles in a single container. The relation between the collar and the scarf pin is so close in any event that their juxtaposition in one's luggage is certainly a sound idea.

SOME of the small articles of dress which go well together have been assembled in this issue in sets which form convenient and welcome gifts. The snug comfort of such a warm woolen wrapper as is illustrated is so obvious as to make comment unnecessary, but the merits of the heavy silk dressing gown are not to be overlooked. There are distinct signs of a renewed popularity for this type of garment. I think everyone remembers how familiar it became to lovers of good fiction and exciting drama through the form of Sherlock Holmes. But it is not confined to detectives.