Questions from the Audience

What are your style resolutions this year? I feel like my style's really changed this past year and I hope it keeps evolving. I know you're a young guy, but do you see yourself set in your style, or are you still updating and evolving your wardrobe? 

When my home burned down nearly four years ago, I lost practically everything I owned, so out of necessity I built a new wardrobe. Up to this point, I was wearing a lot of American Eagle and Abercrombie. Creating a new wardrobe afforded me the opportunity to grow my style and move beyond my so-called collegiate prep follies. My love of bargain hunting emerged from this. Despite having adequate insurance money for new clothes, I began visiting thrift shops, browsing eBay and scouring clearance racks for my new stuff. Why? First of all, I could not afford full-price Polo and Brooks. Secondly, I wanted clothing that would last and be a wise investment, the things my dad wore, the things I wore as a child. I moved beyond polos and jeans to oxfords and chinos, jumped from Chucks to Top-Siders. Anyway, four years later I still see my style evolving in some manner, not by what appeals to me stylistically, but by the purchases I make. I'm all set with shirts, sweaters, pants and shoes. Where I still wish to expand or update my wardrobe is in my suit selection. Though I own around thirty sport coats, my suit count stands at only five - corduroy, linen, and three wools in varying shades of grey. I have reached a point in my professional life where I can begin browsing fancier fabrics of glen plaid and tartan for a bespoke creation.

Questions from the Audience - Prep Aesthetic

Every blog preaches what to buy. What particular items should I be avoiding to maintain a casual prep aesthetic?

Wear chinos, not jeans.Though still casual, proper chinos always look better than jeans.

Wear navy or grey, not black. Black looks rather severe on most, and should be saved for formal occasions.

Wear loafers and boat shoes, not athletic shoes. Athletic shoes are for athletics only, not everyday wear. And, while few things are as classically stylish as white Purcells or Chucks, they offer little comfort and support during sporting activities, so don't feel ashamed to go techy when it comes to saving your feet. The opposite is true above the ankles. I find that most modern moisture-wicking fabrics only draw in heat and sweat, and they generally look terrible. Therefore, I stick to simple cotton polos and shorts, whether at the gym or on the court.

Wear polos, not tees. Because I said so. However, don't feel you have to wear a Ralph Lauren or Lacoste polo because it's the thing to do. Always look for quality, but remember that every brand fits differently, and fit is your priority.




 Any ideas for the list? Leave a comment!


P.S. To be very particular...
Avoid J. Crew cotton-cashmere sweaters. They are quite thin, poorly constructed, and they stretch and pill after one wearing.

Questions from the Audience

I've received a number of reader questions the past few weeks and I'll try to answer them here from now through the new year.

I'm thinking of investing in a nice pair of monks or double monks. Any thoughts? 
Yes.
Buy neither.
Purchase wingtips instead.
I've never really enjoyed the the idea of monkstrap shoes. I can't fully explain it, but the thought of buckles on shoes irks me. Sorry, pirates and pilgrims of the world.

Why do you never photograph yourself wearing what you wear?
I've found in the past that photographing myself invites obnoxious people to critique me rather than my style choices, and after all this is a style blog.

I see you posting all the time about cashmere. The only cashmere sweaters I own are from Macy's Club Room series and I've found merino wool to be just as suitable if not better. What's all the fuss about?
Club Room cashmere isn't terrible, but I've found softer and higher quality wools at much lower retail prices. That being said, some excellent cashmere may be purchased on eBay for less than the price of any cashmere or most wools at retail. If you read my post from several days ago about Polo cable knit cashmere, you'll see how cheaply these sweaters may be purchased. Forty dollars or less is an unbeatable deal on a $400 sweater. Of course, don't limit yourself to Polo. Keep an eye out for older cashmere with a high ply-count and countries of origin such as Scotland or Ireland and do some research if you're not familiar with a brand.

What's your favorite holiday movie? 
Home Alone and Home Alone 2. Can't have one without the other. Also, I can't go through Christmas without watching the Godfather and Rent.

Beans or Wellies? MUGGS?
Beans. By MUGGS, I'm assuming you mean Ugg boots for men. I have nothing against the Ugg Australia brand, but I don't feel men should be wearing the design which every American woman seems to own. However, I must admit to owning a pair from the thrift shop which I wear as house slippers. A girl I dated in college wore Uggs practically every day. She once handed me a pair to check out I was amazed by the feel of the shearling. Thanks to her, I now own those Uggs from the thrift, Polo shearling slippers, Eddie Bauer shearling duck boots and Polo shearling ranger boots.
 

Questions from the Audience - Color

A reader asks, "How can I make a statement in the fall when everyone's wearing brown and black?"

Color and quiet.

When it comes to your outfits, stick to no more than one loud item and keep other pieces subdued. Too often in autumn, we slip into wearing nothing but earth-tones, leaving our looks bland and boring. Sometimes though, the opposite may be true and we overcompensate with bright colors as though it were still summer.

The trick is finding balance. These orange cords are so bold that adding much more color to this outfit would look silly. (left) Instead, neutrals supplement the orange tone, from the camel-colored sweater to the walnut-colored belt and shoes.

(right) Rather than using supplementary tones, these cords would also work nicely with a complimentary navy blue sweater. As navy is also a neutral, it wouldn't compete with the orange for color dominance. In this case, the belt and shoes could be black.