On Sale Forever: Chopper Suits

Complex did a feature on Big Suit Fails which was both entertaining and educational.

This is Diddy; Drew Gooden; Tim Thomas

apparently the new nickname for comically large suits is "Chopper Suits", so named after our old friend Chopper (from Da Band) who put out a video in 2009 to take shots at some folks and let the world know he's a boss these days. Except no one informed him that bosses who survived the 90s now wear tailored suits, not one-size-fits-all from off the rack at the big-and-tall store that's going out of business. So he embarrassed himself and now he's an internet meme, and every day, literally, people eat breakfast, say their prayers, get dressed, make a joke about chopper suits, then go to work where they will probably read other people's jokes. There's well over 500 comments, and counting. Someone in 2009 said, "yo, the comments are the best!". if you want to squint a little, here's a sampling.

Recipe: A Restaurant for Assimilateds of All Types

As an assimilated negro type coming up in the world, you need more than a job and an education. God, as they say, is in the coochie details. And with that, comes a need for knowledge about seersucker shorts, beautiful acoustic renditions of "Straight Out of Compton", and of course restaurants that cater to your upwardly mobile aspirations, but don't intimidate you for having from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks sensibilities.

Enter Recipe. Now written up in the NY Times twice, it has distinguished link pedigree.

Location: 82nd St and Amsterdam, i.e. nice neighborhood, but close enough to hood nether-regions. So if you're broke and living "uptown", your train or (gasp!) cab fare won't be too much. And if you never venture to the jungle, it allows you to get close enough to use binoculars and spy on the natives, without ruffling your cardigan. Win-win.

And Shawn -- DISCLOSURE: a friend of mine -- is one of the finest culinary artists you will ever meet.

Throw in reasonable prices, and you have a restaurant that clicks on all cylinders. Just dying to get in your rotation and help you fulfill your multiculti dreams.

So sayeth TAN, so it shall be done.... (Really just experimenting and seeing how restaurants handle the "TAN Bump". When you go, tell them Mr. Assimilated Negro sent you.)

At the Next Table, Is That Dr. Freud? [NY Times]

Am I Shal-low, Cause All My Clothes Designer

The cashmere hoodie may not place Best In Show in terms of function; hoodies are meant for anytime all-purpose anywhere use, while cashmere is special and should be treated with care.

But I would argue for them as the pinnacle of TAN style: irreverence with a touch of class, urban edge that's accessibly soft, and both pretentiously versatile and subtly versatile in its pretentiousness.

In other words, put a black guy in that picture and muah *kisses fingers* très magnifique.

Of course, you should have Ralph make it for you for maximum effect. Maximum Affect as well.

ciao

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