Welcome a Broad

I had a more crude idea, but I'd say this works just fine. Cheers!

Black and White Outside

How gentlemen dress for cold weather.

Get Your Red and Green On

 Keeping it festive for Christmas at under $100.

Polo poplin shirt - $22

Polo cashmere sweater - $12

Countess Mara bow tie - $13

Polo corduroy pant - $35

Cole Haan wingtips - $1

Club Room green striped socks (not pictured) $2

Only once a year can you get away with wearing bright green and primary red together, and I went for it with all my holiday spirit.

Merry Christmas to Me

Brooks Sea Island Cotton - $17
Polo cotton/cashmere - $20
Allen Edmonds Walden loafer - $23



Polo cashmere cable knit - $38
Polo Richmond quilted jacket - $91
Polo cashmere cable knit - $32




Polo cotton/linen cricket cable - $19
Merona merino wool Fair Isle - $12
Lilly Pulitzer cotton square - $6




Robert Talbott silk patchwork - $10
Polo cashmere cricket cable - $31
Polo cotton cable vest - $14




Polo cashmere/wool Fair Isle - $29
Lands' End woven silk - $6
Polo corduroy blazer - $58




Robert Talbott rough silk - $6
Polo wool blend Fair Isle vest - $32
Rooster Irish linen - $6


Christmas shopping on eBay - Priceless

Growing evermore selective of my sartorial choices, I generally ask for cash each Christmas to buy exactly what I like. This year I received an early gift, and $420 later I have these eighteen pieces from eBay. 

As I said several posts ago, I'll be getting back to this whole style on a budget thing. Were I to pay retail for only one of the cashmere sweaters I purchased, I'd be out about the same amount. With a conservative retail estimate of $4300, I've managed to save around ninety percent. This is also an average of $23 an item, seven dollars cheaper than the Merona Fair Isle sweater originally cost and $370 less than one of the cashmere sweaters.

Now is the perfect time to hit the thrift shops, as stock rooms are being cleared before Christmas and plenty of bargains are to be found. Also, eBay is worth browsing on Christmas if you have the time. You can expect fewer people to be watching closing auctions throughout the day, giving you far less competition to clinch a winning bid.

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah!

Color and Love Know No Season

Although I can't wait for snow, this unseasonably warm east coast winter has me longing to breakout my summer wardrobe again. This photo comes from the Brooks Brothers spring collection and features my favorite color combination. There's nothing like pink and green to say GTH.  

This look also reminds me of a dear relative and mentor I lost this year. My uncle Philip was an incredible gentleman who dressed better than any blogger, any model, any celebrity I've seen. He had a knack for bold style which matched his grand personality. Each Sunday at church he'd be the first you spot in his natty outfit, something like this pink blazer and green chinos, accompanied by a monogrammed pocket square, a bright paisley tie and perhaps sunny yellow socks. My connection to him extends beyond my stupid love of style, as I'll forever be a better man because of his generosity, wisdom and kindness. 

Let's forget about commercialism for a moment and remember what this season truly means.

Classic Style

I'm completely awe-struck by this photo. The sweaters, the socks, everything.

United Colors of Cashmere

I'm seeing more cashmere on eBay than ever before, including a number of Polo pieces just like this, selling under $50. Check out the women's sweater listings and you'll be surprised to find a number of men's sweaters listed. This often happens because mass-dealers don't know exactly what they're listing. Also, don't search for only your size. Sizes may be listed incorrectly or not at all, and you have to rely upon a photo for this detail.

Blue and Red Basics

My first outfit post in awhile also marks the first time I've worn sneakers since summer.

You have to change once in awhile, and speaking of change...

Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren cotton poplin tattersall - $12 ($85)

Tie - Robert Talbott silk patchwork - $10 ($130)

Cardigan - Merona cotton cable knit - $23 ($33)

Scarf - Merona cashmere plaid - $5 ($20)

Jeans - Polo Ralph Lauren Stanton wash - $25 ($125)

Shoes - L.L. Bean cotton canvas - $1 ($30)

My cost versus full retail - $76 ($423)

Savings of $347 or 82%

The reason I started this blog was to show others the style you can achieve on a limited budget. There's no shame in shopping clearance racks, eBay, yard sales and thrift shops. In fact, I'm quite proud of it and I resolve (okay so I'm two weeks early on the resolutions thing) to get back to my blogosphere roots.

And the Winner Is

Thanks to those of you who took the time to enter the contest! To all, I hope you've enjoyed a good laugh at the ugliness that shouldn't be present at such a beautiful time of year. For sending the monstrous sweater shot above, the winner (with the losing sweater) will receive a set of vintage Lochcarron ties just in time for Christmas!

Although the owner of the winning sweater wishes to remain anonymous, I'd like to thank loyal reader JSG for submitting this late entry. As Santa takes off with his reindeer, perhaps he could take off with that cartoonish sweater.

I'll get back to my regular posts this evening. 

Happy holidays!