Sartorial elegance ...

Rafa sometimes sooooooo gets it right, like this ... (sexy little chocolate number)

or smartly casual like this ... (slouched "I'm not trying" European style)


but then there's this ... (over-sized shirt with a size 17 collar and arm length fit for an orangutan)

and then OMG!! ... this !! (Dad's jacket last worn when serving in an ice-cream parlour in 1978)

but if there's one, singular thing most talked about this year that has caused more column inches, debate and splitting down the middle within the Rafateers' ranks its ... the kit!

Think about what helped to turn us on to be Rafateers people? The long hair held in place by the bandana, the ass ... marvellously encased in long legged, snugly fitted shorts and last, but by no means least ... the sleeveless top, fantastically cut to reveal those magnificent, tanned biceps.

The Pirate Look ... (I want to take a moment out in reflection people ... ahhhh ... and one last indulgence in fond memory of what once was...).

But, as we are all too well aware now, the grand people at Nike want to promote a more "mature" Rafa ... move him on from the swash-buckling youth to the more corporate and shirt-saleable cash cow we see (sniff) today. Because lets face it ladies, who amongst us has a fellow that can carry off the shirtless look with typical blue-white British skin whilst trying to disguise the onslaught of the beer belly, testament to too many Friday nights out with the leery mates.

Nothing stays the same forever, and all things, have at some point got to come to an end. Indeed the debate is now old hat, but shall we just take a moment to compare and contrast to what was to what is now, just for old time's sake ...

As we have been - achem - "treated" to the egg-yolk yellow and peppermint green combo from Indian Wells to Rome, it was with great delight that I found this little snippet suggesting that our lovely Rafa will don pink ... yes, pink!! at the French Open. Now then, I have a little penchant for a handsome man in a pink shirt, and as the matching pink shoes (?) are being advertised on Rafa's website, I wait with baited breath to the full revelation at Roland Garros. And believe me, it can't come soon enough!!