Hiss and Hearse

Howdy, everyone! Richard Wayne here. Though I’m always behind the scenes of Hiss & Hearse, editing all the entries and cheering Kristin on, it’s been quite some time since I’ve posted things of male interest up in here. But lately I’ve been fortunate to wrangle up a few fashionable finds, so I figured it’d be nice to share them with you.

Cloth Logic (Tulle’s menswear line) had a big sale this month, and being that I’m never opposed to any opportunity to amplify my resemblance to Link Wray in this photo, I purchased, at a deep discount, the classic, black canvas trench I’m wearing in the photos below. Unfortunately, like the image of Link Wray on the beach, I’m standing amidst a blanket of frigid snow.

I’ve kinda got this thing for flashy shoes. Since most of my wardrobe is made up of neutrals, especially black, I like to give my outfits a pop of pizzaz with a bold pair of boots. A few weeks back, I decided to treat myself to a new pair since my grey cowboy kicks with the fancy silver toe and heel rands are about to kick the bucket. After searching the internet far and wide, I landed on the Giorgio Brutini website and purchased these slinky, snakeskin ankle boots.

I’m fortunate to be in a loving relationship with a lady who knows my style well. Part of my Valentine’s Day gift this year was this silver-chained, trinket necklace from Heresy Designs on Etsy that features an antler tip (don’t worry, dear animal-loving friends, I believe it’s faux), a crucifix, and a Mother Mary medallion. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Just like me, I guess.

In the photo above, I’m also wearing a new black button down from H&M. It’s constructed of this very smooth, cotton-stretch material, and the buttons are concealed behind a subtly sleek, ribbon placket.

As a side note, I’d like to say that even though H&M is quite hit-or-miss as far as their inventory goes, I find their sizing to be reliably consistent, and that’s comforting. We were in a kind of rush to get out of the store, and this svelte shirt just kind of popped out at me on the rack as we made our way to the checkout counter. I grabbed the first small I saw, confident that trying it on was unnecessary. When I got home and buttoned it up, I discovered how right I was. Fits like a glove!

And finally, a couple of weeks ago, Kristin hepped me the blog of clothing retailer, 80’s Purple. In a recent entry, they featured a hair grooming product called “Grant’s Golden Brand Pomade.” I have been using pomade to style my hair since I can remember and have always been frustrated by either a deficiency in hold, a lack of luster, a greasiness that gunks up both pillowcases and pores alike, or the fact that it just plain won’t wash out. But this company boasts its hair treatment as having the tenacity it takes to keep up a coiffure, the ability to be re-styled for hours, and a water-based formula that washes out in the shower.

Well, two out of three ain’t bad. It sure does style and hold my hair well and washes out easily with water. But the claim that it allows re-styling is a load of crap. After a few minutes of saturation in my hair, it stiffens up as though I’ve applied hairspray. And unless you’re a masochist, trying to comb through that would not be fun. Now, I’d generally be willing to overlook this mild inconvenience, but at nearly $30 per 4 oz. container (including shipping), a product better deliver everything my ‘do demands!

That’s it for now, but keep your eyes peeled for a post about the very handsome, handmade, detective-style wallet holster Kristin gave me for Christmas (if we can ever figure out how to get a handle on the unctuousness of the leather – more to come about that). Stay warm!

I’ve had some fashionable fortunes recently, due mostly to my lovely ladyfriend’s thoughtfulness and to her internet shopping savvy.

This first photo features two of the gems with which Kristin has graced my wardrobe. On my finger, from the “Curio Cabinet” of Etsy seller, Iciernia, is a handsome gold and onyx signet ring, which reminds me of something you might see Elvis Presley – or his descendant of dapper, Nick Cave – donning on any number of his digits. Also note, just above my breast pocket, from the same Etsy seller, the stately and sleek, true-vintage Victorian mourning brooch. The way I wear it nods to a military-inspired approach – a kind of sartorial insignia, if you will.

I think we all know by now that my closet is stuffed full of western gear; but for a long time it has been void of a proper, period-appropriate tie. No longer! My sweetheart found a clip-on ribbon tie for me on e-Bay, and it is the huckleberry to any Doc Holliday-esque ensemble I may put together.

On my darling dear’s recent trip to visit me in the G-20 city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we stopped at a boutique called Pavement, in the Lawrenceville section of my home metropolis. While she networked with the shop’s owner, I took a gander at some unisex accessories and procured this piece – a vintage black tie with toffee-colored detailing re-fashioned into a bracelet with a pearlized snap reminiscent of the enclosures found fastening my western shirts.

And finally, this past weekend, my best friend, Tiffany, and I took a trip to the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, where there resides a buy/sell/trade clothing store by the name of Avalon Exchange. This place is generally hit-or-miss when it comes to men’s clothing, but I tend to have good luck finding footwear here (during a previous visit, I walked out with a beautiful pair of authentic lizard skin cowboy boots). This trip was no exception, as I became the new owner of this pair of caramel-colored, crocodile print loafers for a mere $12.50!

Any of you other fashionable fellows score any good finds lately? Care to share?

At a lanky six feet and four inches, our spotlight subject stands as a beacon of style in post-industrial and traditionally self-effacing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Much like the city from which he hails, his humility and unassuming demeanor cloak a richness in character and a sophistication that murmur just beneath a steely surface. It was only after some cajoling that this gentleman bashfully agreed to step into the style spotlight so that we may examine his sartorial sensibilities.

Please, then, enjoy this little conversation with my good friend and fellow old soul, Corey Wittig, who is still reeling with excitement over the recent Penguins victory against the Detroit Red Wings in their Stanley Cup rematch!

Howdy, Corey! Can you please describe for us your style in your own words?
An amalgamation of 60/70s mod stuff and whatever else fits on my lanky self.

What kinds of things influence your style?
I suppose I’m influenced by practicality and climate most. I’m still pretty into mod/scooter wear, but not as much as when I was a lad of 20.

Do you have any style icons?
Very much so. Paul Weller, Paul Newman, The Apostle Paul (just kidding – I was on a streak of Pauls), Jimmy Dean, Cary Grant, anyone who can manage to look put together with little effort.

How/where do you find the things you wear?
Oh, gosh, thrift stores, online stores, and (for better or worse) the usual suspects of H&M and Urban Outfitters, though I try to be eclectic at those joints and not get anything that is too obviously from there–not because I’m too hip or exclusive, but for the same reason you don’t outfit a whole room with IKEA furniture. It’s hard to find good tall and skinny guy clothes on my budget, so I take what I can get.

Besides being a stylish male, tell us more about what you do. What are your passions, for example?
I am studying to become a librarian. I work in the teen department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. It’s a pretty swell job. I have a monthly music discussion group with my kids. I’m also working to restore a 1964 Li 125 Lambretta scooter. I just ordered a ukulele and plan on putzing about with that as the summer takes hold in Pittsburgh.

When did you begin paying close attention to your appearance or how you present yourself in public?
When I was six or seven? I moussed the shit out of my hair, trying for the perfect wave of bangs. I also
had a pretty swishy and fantastic pink and black tank top/shorts combo.

Are there any fashion/art/music/culture media you pay attention to or that influence you in any way?
Humph. Nothing really beyond flipping through magazines and consciously or unconsciously taking notes. It’s not intentional.

If you could make us a play list, what would be the first 5 bands you’d feel compelled to include in the mix?
Hmmm…Felt, The Kinks, Otis Redding, The Flamin’ Groovies, and the Smiths.

Do you have any final words or wisdom to share? Advice to other stylish men?
Hmm…Don’t try to force any sort of look on yourself – go with what makes you comfortable and what suits your build/face/whatever. I think it’s a nice step to growing up/becoming a man – just sort of feeling things out and getting comfortable with your own physical characteristics. After all, fashion or style, or whatever, should be more for yourself than anyone else.