Blogged in the Day

My apologies for the brief hiatus. This has been my busiest weekend in months, as concerts, films and more have occupied nearly every moment of time. I'll be back to writing in a day or so. May you all have a Happy Halloween!

My Christmas Wish List

... keeps on growing and growing. Give me tartan or give me death.

Nutcrackers

Handmade in Germany. One of each, please.

Payne Stewart

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Payne Stewart, a man of class and style, one of golf's greats.

After this many years, it's still hard to believe he's not out on tour.

No Cash, No Cashmere, No Problem

Spending $895 on a cashmere sweater is fine when you can afford it. And while cashmere is luxuriously smooth and warm, pima cotton's not so bad either. It's more appropriate for year-round use and it washes quite easily. So, when the opportunity was presented to pick up the pima cotton sweater seen below, incredibly similar to the cashmere sweater on the left, I couldn't resist. Forty-eight dollars later, I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new sweater from eBay.

Wish List

Rugby Plaid Pea Coat.

Would You Wear This

Red and green panel corduroy. It's not just for elves anymore?

The Double Breasted Cardigan

This season, Macy's in-store brand Tasso Elba stepped up with an array of outerwear and knits. Recently, I picked up this $80 lambswool cardigan for around $40. A nice mix between jacket and sweater, this piece offers plenty of warmth without much weight. The metal buttons are easy to maneuver while wearing gloves, and the patch pockets are a nice touch. The only drawback is the set of epaulets, but I removed them rather easily after taking these photos.

If you've never examined the Tasso Elba line, now's a good time to do so. At its price point, the quality is quite something. The overall brand image is a blend of Robert Talbott, Cutter & Buck, J. Crew, and even Paul Stuart.

Dear Allen Edmonds

Please put these back in production.

From Bangkok to Hong Kong

The most boring clothing at a thrift shop might present the most interesting label.

Want Raja to send you another of his custom shirts? No problem. Just drop an email or swing back around. You'll never forget his address because it's right there on the label!

And you thought NYSE meant New York Stock Exchange? Clever. Given that so much of America's wealth is handled overseas, it should come as no surprise that this shirt sporting the words New York comes from the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

Time for Intarsia

                   Just in from eBay...                   

100% pima cotton in a heavy knit that provides plenty of softness and warmth without the all-around bulk of wool. When the first snowfall of the season comes, this is what I'll be wearing.

Triple Tartan

I'll take all three, please.

Feeling Ducky

When you keep to an individual set of color tones, pattern mixing becomes much easier. While remembering that pattern proportions should reach different scales in each item as not to seem so busy, the argyle, plaid and duck motif mix well. The feathers in the hat also play off the duck motif.


All together, this outfit cost around $32. I was quite fortunate to pick up the hat, tie, pants and shoes for $8 at a thrift shop last week. The vest was only $10 at Macy's while the shirt came from eBay for $14.

Shirt - Polo plaid poplin

Sweater vest - Club Room argyle

Tie - Lands' End duck motif wool 

Pant - vintage wool/cotton

Hat - Dorfman Pacific wool felt

Shoes (not pictured) - Florsheim brown wingtips

Try One On Contest

An old piece from Polo, this odd star and eagle motif tie was recently given to me. I'll never wear it, but one of you is welcome to it. If you think you've got the knack to pull this off (I dare you), send a photo to ckcshoppe@gmail.com showcasing the most interesting outfit with which you'd pair it. The winner will receive this tie and two more. Think of it as a sartorial showdown.

You have until Friday, 10:00pm Eastern. A winner will be announced Saturday. Good luck, and be creative!



All trads, preps, WASPS, and hipsters are welcome to apply.

Day-Glow Cap Toe

For the gent who likes to take walks at night? For the construction guy who likes to dress up? For the fella who likes to land planes with his shoes?

Don't Trad On Me

Wishing I could buy this. 

Just Say No

... to camo. Today, I spotted a guy wearing this cap. He and his groomsmen were passing my store en route to the next shop over for tux fittings. No surprise, I was able to find the exact hat for sale at Walmart.com.

I have a feeling these fellas would take the term "shotgun wedding" all too literally. A my barrel's bigger than yours contest could get somebody killed.

Soft Suede Shoes

The sole of a boat shoe.

The body of a moc.

Though not made in Italy or USA like older Cole Haan styles I'm so fond of, this new pair is working its way into my fall rotation.

Rather excellent quality and comfort, relatively unique styling, only $25.

Cord Shirts

Corduroy pants? Yes. Corduroy jackets? Certainly. Corduroy sport shirts?

Not sure. What do you think?

Crash Cords

The time has finally come to unleash corduroy from your closet. I'll eventually remember to take a shot of my own collection, but for now I'm keeping an eye on these three from Polo.

What's your favorite piece of corduroy?

Just Wrong

Is it pink? Magenta? Fuchsia? No.

It's Vegas. That's right (and by right I mean very wrong), Brooks Brothers has named the color of one of its sweaters Vegas. I realize this occurrence is unbelievably insignificant, but to see the cornerstone of traditional style and elegance use a word that represents the exact opposite makes me queasy.
 

Busy Weekend

Not much time to write today, so I'll share a couple new acquisitions.

Just in from the J. Crew site. At least their socks are worth buying... if on clearance.

Allen Edmonds black caps, $5.99 at the thrift yesterday. One pair of a mere handful of black shoes I own.