Best of Threads – April Showers, Spring Loafers, & Literature

What’s Dappered Threads? It’s our forum. Launched in 2011, Threads has become a not too big, not too small, just-right-sized forum that doesn’t put up with snobbery. All thanks to the users and hardworking mods. Once a month, one of the mods from Threads provides us with a highlight package of the last few weeks.

 

Best Summer Footwear Advice – Let’s Talk Quality Summer Loafers

User Nova posted this thread seeking opinions, advice, etc. on the various loafer options available to the discerning threads members. Topics of discussion have included various types of loafers (tassel, penny, horsebit, full strap, beefroll, etc.), the quality and fit of different brands, and where to find deals on particular examples. It’s a wealth of information for anyone in the market for a loafer and a good example of how the Threads can pool members’ knowledge to become a very helpful resource.

 

Best Sunday Challenge – April Rain Wear

The Challenge for April 12 was seasonally-appropriate. As the title suggests, it asked participants to post an outfit designed for braving April’s wet weather. JDI jumped in with a look featuring his sharp Stafford waxed cotton jacket, JaimeGarcia demonstrated that the Wolverine 1000 Mile Winchester boots can look good while reaching a little higher up the leg than some are used to, and Winters went classic with a khaki trench coat. In the end, however, tjyoung won the challenge with his Indochino trench and plenty of help from his lovely assistant.  Well played, friend…

 

Best Back From the Dead Thread – What Book Are You Currently Reading?

After nearly a year of dormancy, DocDave revived the “What Book Are You Currently Reading” thread to recommend Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd. Over the next few weeks (and still going!) threads members have piped up to tell us about what they are reading. Posts have covered a broad range of books  including nonfiction about 18th century history, crime thrillers, several hearty recommendations for “The Wheel of Time” fantasy series, one title about soapmaking (yes really), and even Harry Potter. However, probably the most important lesson to take away from this thread is that DocDave reads a lot.

 

Best Science Experiment Shoe Upgrade

User Shade posted a description and photos of his experiment with taking the finish off of some corrected grain shoes (this may sound a little familiar). Using a little acetone and some good ‘ol fashioned elbow grease (along with a toothbrush, rubber gloves, some leather conditioner, and shoe polish), Shade turned his boring brown beater cap toes into a pair with a much lighter and more interesting reddish shade. If you follow his lead, Shade sensibly recommends doing so in a well-ventilated area and keeping the acetone off of your skin. The rest of us recommend posting photos of your experiments as Shade has done so we can live vicariously through you.  Also, for less dramatic shoe-restoration advice, see this thread, started by ryn.

 

Best Highly-Specific Shopping Question: $1200 – $1500 to spend

BipBip put in a request for advice on how to put together a wardrobe for his summer associate position at a Chicago law firm. He has $1200 to $1500 to spend and wants some items that are going to make him look good enough to land a permanent position, and then continue to serve him once he’s there for the long-term. In this much-more-specific twist on Joe’s annual $1500 wardrobe series, the advice ranged from “where-to-buy” recommendations, to more general approach-oriented advice such as “don’t overdo it.” User domando even managed to put together a detailed shopping list with four pairs of pants, five shirts, a blazer, and two pairs of shoes for about $1100. The thread is full of good suggestions for young professionals, no matter what kind of office he works in. The real takeaway from this thread, however, is that there sure is an awful lot of lawyers lurking on Threads. Must be why so many are so well dressed.

Want more? Head on over to Threads and take a spin around. Many thanks to moderator Shomas for assembling this month’s Best of Threads.