Today's Outfit

Today's Outfit

 

Polo striped oxford

Merona aran shawl cardigan

Chaps paisley tie

Today at... Kohls?

Today's Outfit - Cool in Cotton

Vintage cotton herringbone blazer

Chaps blue oxford

Polo Ralph Lauren cotton/silk oxford tie

Vintage cotton pocket square

Levi's 501 jeans

Austen Heller Red Rovers loafers

Today's Outfit

Chaps blue oxford shirt

J. Crew silk knit tie, made in Italy

Polo Ralph Lauren hand-knit pima cotton shawl sweater

Lands' End reversible cotton plaid scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren green Andrew chino

American Eagle marled cotton boot sock

Polo Ralph Lauren shearling Ranger boot

Today's Outfit - Shantung and Such

Nautica windowpane shirt

Polo Ralph Lauren shantung silk tie

Vintage silk and wool scarf

Merona cotton cardigan

Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy pant

Lands' End burgundy socks (not shown)

Chaps bucks

Today's Outfit - Red on Red on Red

Corbin tartan wool blazer

Polo Ralph Lauren oxford stripe shirt

Chaps tartan silk tie

Polo Ralph Lauren pima cotton sweater vest

Oak Hill brown corduroy pant

Lands' End cotton socks

Austen Heller Red Rovers loafers

Today's Outfit

Polo poplin shirt with semi-spread collar

Polo foulard tie, made in Italy

Polo cricket vest, cashmere/wool blend

Chaps vintage glen plaid blazer, made in Canada

Today's Outfit

Polo tartan oxford shirt - Belk, $23

Polo cotton/cashmere cricket sweater - eBay, $30

Countess Mara bow tie - Marshall's, $8

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

Smart Turnout Argyll and Sutherland socks - courtesy of Smart Turnout

Chaps bucks - Kohl's, $12

Personal Paisley Perfection

I have a very specific, personal rule when it comes to buying ties - don't ever buy new ties.

However, there are two even more specific exceptions to this rule. Countess Mara bow ties are fine, as they're a great value and decent bow ties are hard to come by on eBay and in thrift shops. And, if I'm to buy a regular necktie, it has to feature an incredible design. This is not to say I'll go out and buy a polyester piece of junk because it looks great, because there's no exception and no excuse for buying synthetic materials. I have to be really wowed by a tie's pattern (though construction is still important), and this happens maybe four times a year.

I discovered this Chaps tie at Kohl's recently, on sale for approximately $19. Though reminiscent of some Ralph Lauren Purple Label designs of recent years, I'd never seen anything quite like this. With only one of these ties on the rack, I took the plunge and came away with this tie for $16 (after coupon). Easily the loudest tie I own, I'm very proud of my purchase. What do you think of it?

All this makes me think of what it means to be stylish. Sure, we often feel compelled to spend more on nicer brands to feel stylish. Yet, style begins with fit, with suitable colors and patterns for the proper occasion. Does my new tie look expensive? Maybe. Does it matter? What matters is that I pair it with a well-fitting shirt, trouser and shoe, and I'll be more stylish than the guy who buys an oversized (insert flashy designer name here) suit just because he can.

Pleasantly Purple

New to the rotation, around $20 for all three via eBay.

Polo linen/cotton stripe, Chaps silk paisley, Polo linen solid.

Houndstooth and Haileybury

Yesterday was one of those all dressed up and nowhere to go days. Cold rain, bitter winds. Although, excited to test out another pair of Smart Turnout socks, I pieced together this look and headed out to the bookstore for an afternoon of coffee and reading. Mostly coffee.  

Everything here is tied together in browns and greys, with notes of purple. The deep purple-grey houndstooth of the jacket draws into the trousers, pocket square and socks. While browns run through the sweater, the windowpane of the jacket as well as the jacket buttons, and the chocolate brown brogues.

Chaps Ralph Lauren houndstooth/windowpane sport coat (vintage, made in USA)

Northern Isles cable knit cashmere turtleneck (new from the thrift)

Worsted wool trousers (unknown brand from the thrift)

Daniel Cremieux silk pocket square

Florsheim brogues (vintage, made in USA)

Smart Turnout Haileybury socks (made in UK)

Spring Pastels

Damn right, men can wear pink chinos... yellow ones, too.

I suggest you hit up Belk or Belk.com before these are sold out.

Tied to Springtime

As I warm up to warmer weather, I look forward to breaking out my latest tie acquisitions.

Lands' End - A relatively new tie from Lands' End, all cotton but with a nice linen-like texture.

Robert Talbott - I'm guessing this is a 1980's piece, but the sailboat motif will never lose its style.

Robert Talbott - Absolutely the oldest Talbott tie I've found. Incredible construction, interesting tags, and best of all, true Indian bleeding madras. (The lovely label told me so.)

Chaps - This mid-2000's tie might have been made in China but the print is quite beautiful, and the quality exceeds that of current Lauren Ralph Lauren or Chaps pieces.
Polo - A newer number, I'm glad to finally have a houndstooth tie not made of wool. All silk, here.
Chaps - This and the other Chaps tie are certainly from the same collection, and I'm also certain I'll be getting plenty of wear from both. I've rarely seen a tie with such an intriguing color combination.