I have, for a long time, wanted to own another cardigan. Cardigans, alas, have gone out of style and it’s almost impossible to buy them anywhere. Today, I bought a cardigan.
I had avoided going into Hambly and Innis for 10 years. Initially I was afraid, and then later it was out of an allegiance to Henderson & Cudmore, with which I have had various working and personal relationships.
But now H&C is no more, and I still need a cardigan. So with 30 minutes to spare after lunch today, I took the plunge. I should have gone sooner.
Hambly and Innis is a mens clothing store. Or rather a Mens Clothing Store. They sell suits and shirts and sweaters. They sell belts and hats and arm bands. They sell pyjamas, fleece and otherwise.
They do not sell sweat pants or Goretex shells or running shoes.
But they do sell cardigans. Many of them.
I was served by an very friendly elfin man who guided me directly to the cardigan I wanted. I tried it on. He said they only received one in this colour — “you’ll never meet yourself.” List price $100. Sale price $69. I bought of pair of flanel pyjamas because I felt so good about the cardigan.
Even if you are not in the market for a cardigan, even if you are not a man, you should really visit Hambly and Innis. You will be glad you did.
Comments
I had a fascination with cardigan sweaters in high school and had three. I would love to get another. The problem I run into as that they are invariably wool (too itchy) or acrylic (yuck!). I had the greatest argyle patterned green cardigan in high school. Good times, good times.
Yup, agree Peter’s comments. I have been going to Hambly and Innis for years. It is a step back in time to a time when the storekeeper enjoyed his customer and understood his product.
One of the many wonderful things about Hambly and Innis (and there numbers are legion — I shop there even though I am not a Man) is that the person you deal with actually owns the shop. What a novel concept!
Every time we go in, he always charges us less than the sticker price — because it’s HIS store and he can. When and if the store ever closes, they should just pack the whole thing right up and send it to the Museum of Civilization because it is an excellent exemplar of a time long past…and sadly missed, except by those of us who know the H&I secret.