I recently had a suit made for me, a beautiful navy blue suit with white pin stripes. Mr. Kelly convinced me to break away from tradition and get a double-breasted suit. For those of you who don’t know who Mr. Kelly is; its simple he is the best tailor in New York City. You can visit his store on 48^th street between 3^rd and Lexington Avenues or visit www.tailor.com .

With every new suit I purchase I purchase a new tie and pocket square (sometimes two). So last week I went up to the Purple Store (Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store) on 5^th Avenue & 58^th Street. They have to best tie selection I have ever been to. However the store was being renovated for the fall collection and I couldn’t find a tie. So I can’t leave this store without buying something (I know it’s a sickness) I purchased two bottles of Creed Cologne.

While on vacation this week I get an email from Mr. Kelly that my suit and shirt are ready. So now I am excited and I am going to wear my new suit Tuesday I need a tie.

So yesterday, my wife and I decided to go to the Walt Whitman Mall. We start out a Bloomingdales, I figured I would be in and out, because I shop at Bloomingdales 59^th Store in Manhattan and love it. Well I was disappointed with the selection at the store. No Hermes WTF? So I say let’s go to Saks, which turns out to be no better than Bloomingdales. I am beginning to think I am in the twilight zone. Off to Macy’s which makes Marshall’s look like a real department store.

On the way to Macy’s we stop in at the Hugo Boss store. I walk to the back of the store and I am stunned that there is a larger selection of colorful socks than selection of ties. They did have one tie that I liked but it was too thin. So I asked to clerk if they had any thicker ties. He told me no and that this is the “Standard” width. I felt like smacking him, this putz in his skinny suit and high water pants telling me they don’t make wide ties anymore.

Then off to Lord & Taylor and again I was disappointed in the poor selection and the place was a dump. It’s been nine days since I was last in Manhattan and I miss her. I miss the pace, I miss the food, and most of all I miss the shopping. Anyone who tells you that the shopping in Manhattan is the same on Long Island, New Jersey, or Westchester is just wrong. Yes they have Bloomingdales, Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. But those out suburbs don’t carry the same merchandise as those in Manhattan. So when people tell you this, they have probably never shopped on 5^th or Madison Avenues.

So tomorrow when I am back at work, I will pick up my new suit and head over to see Sebastian at Paul Stuart and find me the perfect tie.