Today at the Thrift - Blackwatch Camo

Today's Outfit

Polo Ralph Lauren blackwatch tartan shirt

Tasso Elba cotton shawl sweater

Vintage reversible foulard silk/merino wool scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy pant

Merona cotton intarsia socks

Bally navy leather loafers

Wish List - Blackwatch Duffel Coat

Available at Macys.com from Lauren Ralph Lauren.

Wish List - Gant Black Watch Gloves

Hey Black Watch fans, here's something new for your collections.

Wish List - Black Watch Bag

This fall, everybody's favorite plaid will be offered in messenger bag form at Target. Not yet available in store, I snagged this image from the Target press site. The price was not listed, but I'm guessing $30-$40.

As much as I love Black Watch anything, I'm not sure I would buy this. A few years ago, when my only bag was a vintage canvas messenger, I would've picked this up immediately. However, as my style as become more refined, several thoughts come to mind.

The price will be fair, but that's because the bag will be made entirely of synthetic materials. I can't expect leather and wool under $50, even $150.

I have a leather attache for business, this will be for casual settings. So, while my style has progressed beyond the junk I wore when I was 18, do I sacrifice quality for aesthetics? 

Who's to say that, despite the bag's construction, it isn't sturdy and well-designed in general? Perhaps it will last for years.

What are the chances I'll find anything even slightly similar at a thrift shop? 

Crazy, right? I know this decision will be easy when I finally see and hold the bag in store, but until then I can only speculate. Perhaps I'm spoiled by my eBay steals, thrift shop discoveries and such.






Does this bag pass the eye-test for you? Would you buy it based on the Black Watch pattern alone?

Messing Around

My apologies for the washed out photo above. I tried this shot five times and this was the best result. Anyway, I wanted to mix up some patterns and colors today. Without much thought, I left the house wearing this stuff... and 501's which aren't pictured.

I figured the Polo Black Watch tartan shirt to be muted enough that I could pair it with something bold. In comes a silk/cotton vest from Kenneth Roberts which I picked up for a few bucks on an Elder Beerman clearance rack, as well as a Polo tie I received from the ever-generous Mister Midwester. Atop all that is a cotton cardigan I recently picked up from the Merona line at Target. Once again, I strongly suggest checking out this stuff. Aside from thrifting, the bang-for-your-buck factor is unbeatable. Though I probably would've been better off with yellow or purple socks, I went for turquoise. Yep. Last up are my favorite black shoes, in fact, the only pair I ever really wear - Allen Edmonds silver-bit loafers.

I have no doubts that I managed to pull off this concoction, but it's certainly not my standard fare. What do you think? Decent or disaster? Creative or cluster****?

Orvis Patchwork Tartan

Rarely do I endorse the fun shirt, the patchwork shirt made infamous by Brooks Brothers. However, this Orvis piece somehow works for me. The color palette is relatively simple and grounded in black, which would pair easily with dark jeans and loafers.

Simple Traditions

I purchased this cotton twill sport coat at my store's final summer clearance in October. Though I've moved on to tweeds for the winter, this thing was perfect for the warm days and cool evenings through last month. Oh, and it cost me only $25. The Black Watch tie was an amazing eBay find for about $5, made in Scotland of Shetland wool.


The shirt and sweater are my most recent purchases, 75% off at Dillards on Black Friday. There's nothing like the classic pair of an oxford and crewneck sweater. Though pretty much every sweater of mine is a pima cotton v-neck or cotton cable knit (hence the blog title), I'm really enjoying my latest addition. The stitching is reminiscent of a sweatshirt, but its light weight makes it perfect for most of the year. Yet again I've forgotten a photo of my pants - classic Levi's 501's with rolled cuffs. These were paired with brown Johnston and Murphy tassel loafers (no socks).


What's your favorite traditional look?