Red (Madras), White and Blue

I'd be quite happy to wear something like this on July 4th. Patriotic representation is not limited to five dollar tee shirts adorned with USA and American flags.

Though this look is rather casual, I appreciate the extra panache of the pocket square and bold tie. The white bucks are just perfect here. Also, notice the washed-out tones of each piece which give harmony to the entire look.

Robert C. Byrd

Thank you, Senator Byrd.

Robert Carlyle Byrd. November 20, 1917 - June 28, 2010.

Sunday's Sunniest

Today's turned out to be sunny, yet cool and windy - the perfect autumn day in the middle of summer. Replace the tweed with a navy cotton unlined blazer and this look would be perfect any other summer day.

International Inspiration

I just discovered these photos over at StreetFSN. Please check out this inspirational photo blog. Personally, I prefer the honest nature of these shots compared to those at the Sartorialist.




Which look best suits you?

Oxford Shorts

Oxfords.


As shorts?


Oxford cloth is known for its durability and warmth. It fades and frays over time as it grows softer and more comfortable. With those characteristics, I believe oxford shorts make sense.


Yes or no?

eBay Abounding

I've been looking for a truly pink cable knit sweater for months. I'd managed to find two silk cable knits in the spring - one in rose, one in pale pink heather. Should I call this one bubble gum? Cotton candy? My patience finally paid off when I picked up this piece on eBay for under twenty dollars yesterday.


I'm attending my cousin's wedding this weekend. Any thoughts on formal, summer wedding attire?

Business Casual

I've recently started a part-time job at a clothing shop. Though part of a large chain, the store is quite small and I've been hired on as key-holder/second assistant manager. When I think of customer service in retail, I believe appearance is nearly as important as demeanor and mannerisms.

Minimum wardrobe requirements are polos and khakis with loafers. This is my standard casual wear. However, I discovered that during summer months, male employees may wear capri-pants and sandals. I felt a little sick.

How am I to be taken seriously as a clothing salesperson if I can't dress well? Sure, few of my customers have the traditional taste I personally prefer, but if I'm to make a sale I need to act and dress like an authority of such matters.

This is my most recent look. For under ten dollars I'm wearing a white Polo oxford, Dior tie, and Croft and Barrow vest. This is my business casual.


The photo of my pants and shoes didn't turn out well, but for under thirty dollars I was wearing black Polo chinos with black Allen Edmonds brogues.

What's your business casual?

Fifty In

Fiftieth Post. Fifty ties. Three dollars. Oh, how I love thrift shops.

Thanks to my few and loyal followers. Much more is soon to come.















Keep reading. Keep learning.

Blazing in Blue and Yellow

Never go out in spring before checking the weather report. The spring weather here is predictably unpredictable, and last week I went to an outdoor press conference wearing this outfit. That morning, the temperature was 55 Fahrenheit. When the conference started, it was 86 Fahrenheit.


I would've taken off the sweater but I arrived just before the conference began and my work was at the center of the discussion, meaning I was stuck standing next to the speaker at the podium. My point though - dressing properly is not limited to picking the right sizes and colors. This time of year, cloth type and thickness should always be considered. Pima cotton, linen and silk should be in circulation with any wool, angora and cashmere (except fine-gauge) in storage.


Though warm as I was, I certainly stand behind my choices overall. The light blue in my shirt, tie, and socks bring unity to the look. Though not too clear in this photo, these pants also have a slate-blue tone. Good color choice. They're also a cotton-wool blend. Bad weather choice.


I can't go without my Johnston & Murphy loafers.


What's your worst sartorial mishap?

Whether or not. Weather the storm.

Pink Revisited

In a comment from an anonymous reader in my last post, I was asked, "Are there any cases where a man may carry the color pink too far?" Aside from wearing a pink shirt and pink pants together, the outfit below might be too much for the average guy. Even for me, this would be a CEY outfit - country club, Easter, yacht.


Remember, bold pieces like this pink pant only work if balanced by more muted tones and patterns. Below, the mint green pant is counteracted by subdued purple and yellow.


This turquoise pant is where I'd likely draw my personal style line. Paired with black, this outfit is too modern for me. However, I would love to try this with more traditional accompaniment.


What's your boldest outfit choice?

Be traditional. Be true.

The Power of Pink

The attention drawn by a man wearing pink is never to be underestimated. In fact, this outfit just played a large part in the first impression made at my new job. I went in for an interview last week and the first thing said to me was "I love your vest. Pink is a great color on you." The interview went extremely well and I was just hired as a keyholder (assistant manager/sales associate), working part-time until I graduate in December.


Were this a traditional interview for career opportunity, I would have gone with more proper dark blues and reds. However, for a job in clothing retail I trusted myself to be bold and make a strong impression with pink. Also, the interview occurred on a rainy day and I thought the color choice would brighten the moods of the interviewers.


I decided to ground the outfit with the blue shirt and blue-striped tie. While I would have liked to step up the prep-factor with green instead of blue, I certainly didn't want to go too far.

I just picked up these pink socks on sale from Ralph. The two-pack came with these and another pink pair with green and black argyle.


Though what makes the bigger statement, pink or orange?

Don't just pop the collar. Pop the color.