New Chuke

On my many travels to the New York Public Library on 5th avenue and 40th street, i pass BCBG Max Azria,  the high end fashion store, located directly across 40th street from my destination.  The windows are beautifully done and cause me to stop and linger every time i need to return or pick up a book.

Many times i have wanted to go in and just look.  Several times i have, but with varying results.  My body frame is not the usual for the designer fashion but the draw of the fabulous designs in the window, and the styling, is candy for my artists eyes.  Most of the sales people have been kind and helpful when i have asked a question or requested a peek at something on the bottom floor.  Sometimes not, making me all the more determined to check things out.

Sean Combs had a store on the block before BCBG's which has since closed.  I loved the windows there too and would go in even though a men's store.  The graphics and styling intrigued me.  Never bought any thing in his store but have regretted not even purchasing a t-shirt.  Now it's long gone so i only have BCBG's left to salivate over.

Well----several weeks ago i noticed an adorable Bobby's hat  like the police wear in London, on a mannequin, and so i popped in to see and ask the price.  The price point for hats was not bad and i thought maybe i could treat myself to the treasure, but low and behold the hat was way big and not as attractive on as i hoped it would be.  Too bad!!!!!!

A few days ago i made my regular trip to the library and was stopped dead in my tracks when i saw, on the head of a mannequin a chuke with a veil.

My mother spoke french Canadian when i was growing up.  My grandmother lived with us.  Chuke was what we called a "stocking cap" or winter warm hat of simple design to keep the head warm.  My brother once went shopping for a winter hat and came home amazed because no one had chuke's in stock.  It was winter and there should have been plenty.  What a surprise when my mother told us that chuke was french for stocking cap.  No one understood what my brother was asking for.

Well, the reason i'm saying all this is because a few days ago i walked by BCBG's on my way to pick up a book i had on hold, and low and behold i saw the same hat on a mannequin that i saw a few weeks ago while watching the fashion runway show from Paris.  Bill Cunningham from the Times, did a video report on  women attending the show and women on the street wearing the chuke with a vail.  OMG How perfect was that.  When i saw that hat, on the mannequin at BCBG's, i had to have it.  Well, I did.  I splurged and bought my self a gift.  Veils are cool  but on a chuke---Now that's beyond cool.

Can't wait to tell my older brother about my new hat.  He will probably say "it's not a real chuke".  That's like my dad telling me many years ago that  my new Fry boots were "not real shit kickin boots" when i told him i bought cowboy boots. What do they know--They're boys.

My chuke however,  instead of being made of  wool, is make of angora and has a fab angora pom pom.  A little luxury never hurt anybody.