Wish List - McNeal Spring

Rough and Rugby

Hell, No?

Moth larvae... lice... demons?

Wish List - Tasso Elba Oxford Trousers

Today at the Thrift - Cashmere

Wow

Acid-washed. Pleated. High-waisted. Baggy. Cargo. Jeans.

So, in the 1990's, that happened. 

Wish List - Izod Lobster Shorts

Essential.

Dream Room

J. Press York Street

So maybe I'm late to comment on the York Street release, but my review is pretty simple. Most of it blows. These sweaters don't.

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 at the Thrift - Brookfield and Corbin

Every now and then, I find a remarkable jacket, something very special. This usually comes in the form of a tartan or madras I've never seen before. Today, I came across a rather conventional chalk stripe pattern of the most striking colors. The top suit here, by Brookfield, is of a rich, hunter green with orange stripes. So often, we think of the people who owned pieces like this, and what they might be like. Where was this suit worn? What drew it's owner to purchase it, anyway? But I'm really left wondering why more suits don't look like this today. I'm not speaking of the craftsmanship, which is excellent, but simply the color scheme. I realize navy and grey have always held the forefront in traditional suiting, and that and olive/brown suit literally looks like ****, but I want more of this vibrant green. I'm sure Holland and Sherry has a cloth like this amidst its brilliant collections, but who's going to put such a cloth into mass production outside of, perhaps, Phineas Cole or Purple Label?

The second piece may not be as special, but I'm always delighted to find old Corbin goods. I could go on and on about my love of what Corbin used to be, but I'll save that for another post. However, the of Huntington seen on the label references the Huntington from which I live an hour away. The Corbin brand has its roots in West Virginia and represented great style and quality for years.

Do you have pieces from Brookfield or Corbin, any stories to share?

Daily Inspiration - the Cable Knit Blazer

I'm sure I can't afford it, but will someone please tell me who made this blazer?

Today at the Thrift - Having Fun

Daily Inspiration

Wish List - Herringbone Ties

The not-so-solid, solid tie. It's not often that I wear a solid tie, but when the occasion calls for it, texture is crucial. I'll take all three.

Just in from eBay - Cricket Sweater

Can't get enough of these. $26.

Today at the Thrift - Bountiful Brooks

I guess somebody with good taste made the bad decision of parting with their green and yellow Brooks gear. I'll take it.

Today at the Thrift - Double Hickeys

Two stunning suits,

two super-soft wools,

from two of Charleston's legendary men's shops,

for twenty-two dollars. 

Nice Try, Bro

While browsing Nice Try, Bro, a blog that humorously criticizes sartorial mishaps from around the blogosphere, I came upon this photo. Of the outfit above, this was said.

Despite possessing a frame that would suggest a strong gust of wind may blow him to Oz, the real ingenuity behind Luca Rubinacci’s tailoring is that he cuts his trousers to prioritize function over form: the bagginess doubles as a parachute-like device.  So don’t worry if you ever see him floating around Italy—he’ll land safely. 

But don’t ask me about this color combination.  I have absolutely no explanation for this abomination.

Have we reached a point in menswear where everything must be shrunken down so much as to consider this baggy? It seems, these days, that fashion dictates a skin-tight pant which either ends a few inches above the ankle, or ripples at the bottom with a mile of extra fabric. Excuse me if the traditional cut of my trouser doesn't cut off circulation to any vital organs.

And the color?
I'd say it's quite bluetiful, bro.

J. Crew Lambswool

I've made a grand total of four purchases from J. Crew over the years, and I've been disappointed with three of those four purchases. However, this lambswool selection seems pretty decent. On sale for $29.99, they feature seven-gauge knitting and raglan sleeves, though it's the color vibrancy that draws me in most of all. I may not be in the market for anything short of cashmere, but I figured these were worth sharing.

Practiecality: Part 1

Yes, it's Practiecality. Following up on a reader question, I'll be taking a few posts to explain building one's tie collection.

This is a cheap but well-made cotton tie from Belk, and for one dollar at a thrift shop, I could do a lot worse. So while a cotton tie certainly isn't the most versatile piece to enter your wardrobe, it may be the easiest to purchase without much regard for quality. When you purchase a cotton shirt, high thread counts generally equal high quality. When you purchase a cotton tie, thread count is no issue. Cotton ties are inherently casual, and as such, the only issues to concern yourself with are stains and rips. I've acquired over fifty cotton ties - knit, oxford, poplin, twill, seersucker, etc. - and it doesn't matter whether the label reads Robert Talbott Genuine Indian Bleeding Madras Made in USA or Meeting Street Hand Made in China. As long as you like the look of it, you're set.

For what colors and patterns should one be searching?

Well, if your main route of acquisition is the thrift shop, take what comes to you. As with silks and wools, solids are most versatile but - let's face it - often boring.

Solid navy is the essential starter for woven or knit cotton.

From there, go for striped knits. They're plentiful on eBay for less than ten dollars. Stick to two and three-color variations for the sake of shirt pairings. Striped wovens are great but harder to find, especially seersucker. 

Next, feel free going mad for plaid. Searching cotton plaid tie (rather than madras) on eBay brings up loads of cheap options. Keep in mind that when wearing most plaids, you're limited to a solid shirt that goes with a dominant color in your tie.

Boweautiful

Approximately 425 bow ties are shown here... 426 if you count the one being worn. I hate to waste time tumbling through Tumblr, but this photo was absolutely worth finding. One of these days, I'm setting up my ties like this. I may only have 37 bow ties, but I have more than enough regular ties to fill a wall.

Daily Inspiration - Trashness.com

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

Today's Outfit - A Hint of Mint

From shirt to tie to pocket square to sock, mint green runs throughout. The reddish-brown tone of the sport coat is accentuated by the tie.

Polo Ralph Lauren striped oxford

Breuer paisley repp silk tie

Burberry windowpane sport coat

Vintage wool pocket square

Polo Ralph Lauren ivory wool/linen trouser

Merona mint green socks

Allen Edmonds chestnut captoe brogues

Pocket Square Pick Up

Organizing my pocket squares for the first time in a year.

Today's Outfit

Polo Ralph Lauren striped oxford

Polo Ralph Lauren silk knit tie

Burberry navy blazer

Vintage silk pocket square

Diamond Men's Shop Dress Gordon tartan lambswool scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren Preston tan chino

Club Room red socks

Allen Edmonds Randolph shell cordovan loafers

Today at the Thrift - Wrangler Trouser

I had no idea Wrangler ever made stuff like this. Anyone interested?