Just in from eBay - Polo Silk Knit

Today at the Thrift - Tennis, Anyone?

Wish List - Allen Edmonds Neumok

Autumn Essentials - Country Casual

Based on you're locale, it might not yet be time to break out the tweeds, cashmeres, and cords. However, it's never too early to start shopping for autumn weather and plan some future outfit ideas.

One of my favorite color combinations is purple and green. Pink and green (you know, that blinding all-too-preppy pink/green combo) is not for everyone, but purple and green together is much more wearable. Whether pairing a dusty purple heather and olive or something more like the saturated tones shown here, this color scheme is understated yet strong.

Speaking specifically of this outfit, the pants are horribly short, but given practical application, all the pieces of the outfit look great together. When putting together a look like this, here a few things to keep in mind. An otherwise solid (in color) look is made whimsical with embroidered cords. Sturdy-soled boots are more appropriate for inclement weather than loafers or brogues. An equally sturdy belt is proper here, for something that is inherently a country (therefore, casual) look. A sport coat in herringbone, Donegal or birdseye tweed adds great texture to the outfit.

To set this outfit with a tie, I recommend a v-neck sweater, not a crewneck. Otherwise, a crewneck in merino or cashmere can't be beat. A solid oxford is your safest shirt choice, though a simple tattersall would be another classic option.


Would you wear something like this? This outfit, exactly as is? What might you tweak?

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****?

Peaceful in Purple

 Shirt - Polo oxford

Sweater - Merona cotton v-neck

Tie - American Living repp paisley

Belt - Harbor Bay braided leather

Pant - vintage worsted wool

Shoes - Allen Edmonds bucks

Peaceful in Purple

Glen plaid trilby - Merona. Purple oxford - Polo. Cotton plaid tie - Resilio. 

Silk/cotton sweater vest - Kenneth Roberts. Grey cotton chinos - Oak Hill. 

Suede wingtips - Allen Edmonds.

When it comes to putting together an outfit, I think about color/pattern/texture combinations, but I don't particularly care what those colors express to others. I have my moments of bright and loud, but moments of soft and subtle as well. My clothing choices are for me and just happen to be along the lines of traditional or preppy (or whatever).

"Create your own visual style... let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others." - Orson Welles


A customer visited my store (retail store, not the CKC Shoppe) over the weekend. The guy was 25, a regular, decked out in graphic tee and cargo shorts. We started discussing new spring items. I suggested he check out our traditional items, the sorts of things I like to wear. He knew I was joking and proceeded to ask about our young men's collection.

Despite our different thoughts on style, this guy thought about balance and proportion. He had a look and it worked for him.

We might not always make the best sartorial choices. Some might not even know what sartorial means. What's important is the thought put into an outfit for oneself, to feel good and hopefully look good too.

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The first three commenters with constructive takes on this post will each receive 33% off any one item at the CKC Shoppe.

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Have a great week!