Brooks Brothers shawl cardigan | CB buffalo flannel | Talbott tie | Hilfiger chino | Johnston & Murphy boot

Today's Outfit - Red Breasted Preppy

Polo Ralph Lauren striped shirt

American Living paisley repp silk tie

Burberry bluish-charcoal windowpane sport coat

Vintage Japanese silk pocket square

Polo Ralph Lauren red corduroy trouser

Merona charcoal socks

Johnston & Murphy vintage black leather wingtips

Questions From the Audience - Shoes

I started thrifting recently but I'm yet to find any decent shoes. I'm good on my clothing brands but I'm not sure what to look for in old shoe brands. Any suggestions?
Premium British labels include Crockett & Jones, John Lobb, and Edward Green. Other top Euro brands include Ferragamo, Gucci, Mezlan, Bally and Bruno Magli. Allen Edmonds and Alden from any era are unbeatable. Vintage Cole Haan and Johnston & Murphy made in either the USA or Italy are very nice as well. Vintage Florsheim, Dexter, Bass, and Bostonian are solid, if made a few decades ago. With the exceptions of Allen Edmonds, Alden and a handful of other companies, many of America's legendary shoe makers have either closed or have exported production. In the latter case, prices have continued to rise while quality drops. If you can't find any shoes of great quality at your local thrift, be patient. If you're looking for something in particular, search eBay before ever considering buying at full retail.

In my time thrifting I've walked away from great finds without realizing it, only to do some research back at home to discover I missed something rare and valuable. Do your homework on company histories, logos, shoe production and leather types. You'll save lots of time in the long run and walk away with the best deals.

Feeling Festive

Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren

Tie - Gap vintage patchwork tartan

Pant - Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy

Shoes - Johnston & Murphy vintage boots, made in Italy

I know, I know. It's only the start of November but I'm already in the Christmas spirit with red and green. Actually, I should elaborate. My business is raising money for St. Jude Children's Hospital, so I've been wearing green to show support. And now that we're inching closer to the holidays, I've been working in touches of red for the sake of genuine festivity.

The patchwork tie is vintage Gap, though I received it only today from eBay. The shirt and pants were picked up via clearance deals earlier in the year. The boots were a four dollar thrift shop discovery last fall, and while the leather is somewhat worn, the soles are nearly perfect. Pretty decent kicks for casual days, I must say.

Summer Send-Off

I discovered these photos a couple days ago taken before my cousin's birthday lawn party in late August. The invitation stated casual - this is casual for me. When the temperature descends throughout the evening, a layering piece like a lightweight sweater vest or blazer slightly dresses up a standard button-front shirt and keeps you warm.

I was quite happy to get one last run from my Polo seersucker blazer before autumn. Tan and white seersucker makes a subtler statement than flashy yet traditional light blue and white. I continued to dress up the look a bit with a linen navy pocket square.


Given the use of a pocket square, I opted out of wearing a tie. However, the navy and light blue of the pocket square are picked up in the sweater vest. I came away with the white Polo shirt and Club Room sweater vest for around $30 on clearance at Macy's.


I forgot to flash my socks in this one - Club Room yellow pair to match the sweater vest. The jeans are yet another great pick-up from my store - Polo Stanton jeans at $22. The tassel loafers are my trusty Johnston and Murphy's I've totally worn down by now. I can't get over the shoes I thrift sometimes. This pair cost as much as the socks.


Go together, never matchy-matchy.

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.

Another Springy Sunday

Hopefully you'll recognize several of these pieces from my last few posts. Remember, style is about creativity and utility far more than money and trends. This whole outfit cost under sixty dollars, half of which was spent on the chinos. Here's the rundown.

This pink Saddlebred vest came from Belk's final clearance sale at five dollars.


The micro-gingham was a ten dollar eBay find from Polo. The tie was a one dollar thrift find, also from Polo.


This lightweight sport coat cost under seven dollars and came from the same thrift store.


Though this jacket doesn't feature a brand label, it does have this interesting dragon logo.


These white chinos came from Ralph's website at under thirty dollars through last summer's clearance. The subtle argyle socks cost two dollars from Target's Merona line. Lastly, my spring-time-favorite Johnston and Murphy loafers came from the thrift awhile ago at only three dollars.


Spin into spring. Slide into summer.