Allow Me to Introduce Myself

       You may have noticed that this blog is very... diverse, which may or may not be a euphemism for scatter-brained. One reason for this is because I'm new to this and another is simply because I too am scatter-brained and have too many interests for my own good. Furthermore, I think one will get more out of my writing if one knows a little about me so here are the top ten facts about the Noble Savage:

1. My name really is Noble. I'm kind of self conscious about this fact because I think it makes me sound pretentious. Of course, we can decide for ourselves whether or not I, in fact, am pretentious but I definitely don't want anyone deciding that as soon as they hear my name. Also, with a name like this I almost felt obligated to created a blog titled using silly wordplay. 
2. I like to ride bicycles. I don't care for cars and try to only use them when going on a date or giving a friend a ride as a favor so I try to commute on a bicycle as much as I can. I also race with a team called Saltcycle-Intelitechs, a spectacular group of smelly, bearded champions. I own an Iro fixed gear that I built myself from the ground up for commuting and a carbon fiber Bianchi for racing. 
3. I play the saxophone. I am primarily a jazz artist and mostly perform with jazz combos. I have never really been able to wrap my head around classical saxophone playing because I just don't really think the saxophone was designed for classical music but I have fiddled with some classical solos from time to time. Interestingly enough, though, I actually leave for a tour through Europe two days from now with a large wind ensemble. This is very strange because it is the first time I have ever played in a large group and I really have no idea how to do it; I am totally shooting from the hip. 
4. I love chess. I love to play chess and many of my friendships have been forged using the game's righteous flames. As you can see by my chess.com Elo score, I am a mediocre chess player at best but I think I can hold my own and I love to play even when I lose so long as it is a valiant and honorable defeat. Chess is cool! If you disagree you don't know anything. Also, feel free to challenge me if you have a chess.com profile and tell me you read this because it will make me feel really good if anyone actually sees this post. My username is Nobilis_Saeva. Huzzah!

Savage Style: The Tie/Lapel/Shoulder Ratio

     

In my opinion, the man on the left is wearing a lapel too wide for his body. 

       Today I will once again venture into uncharted waters and initiate a style column. For those who are concerned about my credentials I assure you my tips are sound and worthy of your consideration. I have grown up in an entrepreneurial family working in the fashion industry and therefore have been exposed to the ever-changing world that is fashion and have developed an affinity for its study. I dream of a world where no one gives up on themselves and throws on a pair of Ugg boots and sweatpants because it's "comfortable." I dream of a world where everyone strives to look their best always and draws comfort from their suave wardrobe and not their elastic waistbands therefore I feel, despite my heterosexuality, plenty qualified to offer fashion advice. To begin, I will explain a simple rule for men: the Tie/Lapel/Shoulder ratio:

Unsung Heroes: Sy Devore

       I am going to begin a new column in this blog: Noley-Boy's unsung heros. This column will address somewhat obscure men and women from throughout history and throughout all walks of life. Men and women who have made significant contributions to society while modestly hidden behind the curtains. The roadies, the tech crew, the people at the bottom of a movie's credits whose name no one sticks around to see. To kick of this column I will be addressing the incredible New York designer and tailor, Sy Devore.

       I am ashamed to say that I have lived my entire life in a very fashion oriented family and have always had  a fascination for nice clothing and yet I had, until recently, never heard of Sy Devore. It was incredibly hard to find much information on him and he doesn't even have a Wikipedia page. Who doesn't have a Wikipedia page? After some digging I was able to uncover a modest amount of obscure information; this is what I found: Devore opened his first shop in the theater district of New York City in 1930. He never really had any marketable skills in entertaining but had always adored the glitz and glamor of the entertainment industry and happened to have a talent with a needle and thread so he went into fashion. His meticulous, detail oriented style quickly attracted the attention of the then popular Andrews Sisters, a close-harmony swing group consisting of three sisters. Before long, word of Devore's skill spread like wildfire throughout the industry until it finally reached the suave, crooning Rat Pack. 

       The Rat Pack quickly became Devore's premier customers. His obsessive attention to detail allowed the boys to give him astoundingly specific preferences as to fit and style and he would execute it flawlessly from Sammy Davis Jr.'s super slim trousers to Frank Sinatra's precisely 2-1/4 inch lapels. The Rat Pack quickly became good friends with Devore and urged him to open a shop in Los Angeles which he did not long after on Sunset Boulevard. The boys would frequently stop by the new shop to look for clothes and to simply check in with Devore.

       I've always been a big fan of the Rat Pack look, that slim, debonaire style that made women around the world swoon but until now I never knew who, behind the scenes, was responsible for making those strapping men look perfect at all times and Devore's accomplishments didn't end there. He dressed people from Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and even president John F. Kennedy, all of whom were legendary for their suave appearance, all thanks to this one, modest designer from New York City, Sy Devore.
       If you wan't some more information on Mr. Devore you can read on at: http://www.sydevore.com/#!HISTORY/cwzy

~Nobilis Saeva