"Sunday Runway, Of Wrists and Ribbons . . . "

Greetings,

The best part about living on this earth with myself for almost 50 years . . . is that I know a great deal about what makes me tick.  I know what makes me happy.  The things which make me cross.  And I know how much I'll begin to obsess about something as simple as a ribbon watchband.   I amuse easily.  I frustrate easily.  But, I obsess about things only with a certain amount of forethought.

You see . . . when I was a wee lad . . . well, more accurately, when I was in high school and college . . . I began to collect ribbon watchbands.  I had a simple tank-style watch and I would change my watchband every morning to match whatever I was wearing to class that day.

I had brightly striped bands of every imaginable colour combination.  Some purchased specifically for a particularly coloured sweater.  Or to match the hues of a favourite plaid shirt.  Or sometimes I would just buy them somewhat randomly . . . and they would sit idly in my bedside drawer until a certain morning arrived . . . and then - out it would come.  Perfect.  Resplendent.  Flawless.    

I can even clearly recall a particular watchband is a bright yellow and blue paisley silk . . . I think I had ordered it from Talbot's . . . that had a matching yellow and blue paisley bow tie.  I still remember the first time I wore it to church.  To say that I took a certain amount of pride in my wardrobe was somewhat of an understatement - lol.

But . . . after many years, and varying watch styles, apart . . . I've started back with these little treasures.  There's just something I love about greeting each new morning - and making a certain ritual out of choosing a watchband.  Thinking about the day.  And finding the perfect one.

Like any part of design . . . it's the almost microscopic details that make the magic.  The perfect tape trim running along the leading edge of a drapery treatment.  The hand-chosen fringe framing a pillow.  The sparkle of a chrome hinge on a french door.

My New Watch . . . 

So we're off again - and here's one of my new favourites.  Run through a simple Timex watch.  Grosgrain ribbon in a fancy shirting stripe.  Matching the various hues of a madras plaid patchwork shirt and charcoal cashmere cardigan.

It's only been a few days . . . and I've already purchased over a dozen watchbands.  As new obsessions go, it's a good start.

- If you want to start your own collection . . . check with Brooks Brothers or even J. Crew.  Both have a nice selection in their stores.

Cheers,
Scot