the suit guy was right

I went back to Illinois for the holiday, and brought my suit along - because now that I've got a suit, I really have no reason to wear it.

Sunday I got suited up, buttoned up, took a look in the mirror, and thought "oh boy".

Back on the bike for me. I quick weighing at home last evening confirmed that I'm carrying about 10 extra pounds. It'll sneak up on you just like that.

The only question I have is was I ten pounds lighter when I bought the suit? It was only two weeks ago... seems unlikely. Was I impulsive? Probably. That's how I make major purchases.

In any case, the coat fits well, as long as I don't button up.

Idiot.

I celebrated my suit issues by eating something like 2 cinnamon rolls, then like 3 sausage cheese pastry things for breakfast yesterday, and a chicken breast, fettuccine, two pieces of lasagna, and two pieces of tiramisu for dinner last night. We had an Italian Christmas, and I ate like Fat Tony.

Tonight I'll be sweating with Coach Troy in my living room.

alterations to suit and bravado

You may recall my recent experience in suit shopping, where I failed to make a purchase after visiting various stores. I did eventually buy a suit at a Macy's in Greenwood. After fighting with finding the right suit for so long, I found something I was really happy with, and something I felt fit me quite well, right off the shelf.

The Macy's store was extremely busy when I made my purchase, and I decided it would be best to have my tailoring work done elsewhere. I had in mind a certain downtown location, close to work, in a very established looking building.

I've just returned from Leon Tailoring, a store filled with rolls of fabric, old hardwood floors, and a sort of old world handmade charm that should have clued me in immediately that I was in over my head. It was a Leon that I received a harsh lesson in how not to wear a suit from an Old Guy Who's Been In The Business A Long Time.

While he didn't call himself that, his demeanor said it all. From his no nonsense approach, his complete lack of hesitance in telling me I was wearing the wrong size, and his quick unbuttoning on my trousers (he unbuttoned them, held them in place and said "See, isn't this better?"), I knew I was in the hands of an old pro. I also knew that I felt like an idiot.

"You should have got the coat in a 39. Or a 40."

Actually, I tried the coat in a 40 and hated it. "I actually like it tight."

"You look like you've grown out of it."

"Ok..."

"What do you want me to do with this? The pants would be $40, the coat (some other number), the sleeves $28... I don't want to just take your money."

Although he was a full foot shorter than I, he had me completely beaten. He might as well have been screaming "Be a man!"

"I'd like to have the sleeves lengthened."

"Ok, when do you want it."

"I'm not in a hurry."

"Call me Thursday."