Last Friday I wrote about the challenge Melinda faces when it comes to my style of dress. I raised this because tonight Melinda and I are at an fancy event honoring some family friends, one that requires us to wear some fancy clothes. I hadn’t had a new suit since 1998 and she thought I should get one. But with her leaving for Wyoming last Saturday, I was left to try to figure out what I would wear on my own.

As you can see from today’s photo, I came up with something, a new suit from Banana Republic. It was quite the experience for me, lasting much longer than I generally take to buy clothes. I mean at Value Village it’s in, out, wham, bam. At Banana Republic it’s, “May I help you, sir.” And “Would you like to try a different color?” I must say that I’m not used to having help in the “Fitting Room.” And speaking of which, when did these stop being called “Dressing Rooms?”

So I provide this self-portrait tonight, sans chapeau. And I think my tie matches Melinda’s dress just fine, thank you.