Belk Bonus Shorts

As prep continues to reach the mass market, classic summer staples are becoming more readily available.

 At Belk, you'll find a line of Izod oxford shorts on par with Polo's model, yet one-third the price.

 

From Belk's in-store brand, Saddlebred, you can pick up a set of quintessential seersucker shorts.

The Power of Pink

The attention drawn by a man wearing pink is never to be underestimated. In fact, this outfit just played a large part in the first impression made at my new job. I went in for an interview last week and the first thing said to me was "I love your vest. Pink is a great color on you." The interview went extremely well and I was just hired as a keyholder (assistant manager/sales associate), working part-time until I graduate in December.


Were this a traditional interview for career opportunity, I would have gone with more proper dark blues and reds. However, for a job in clothing retail I trusted myself to be bold and make a strong impression with pink. Also, the interview occurred on a rainy day and I thought the color choice would brighten the moods of the interviewers.


I decided to ground the outfit with the blue shirt and blue-striped tie. While I would have liked to step up the prep-factor with green instead of blue, I certainly didn't want to go too far.

I just picked up these pink socks on sale from Ralph. The two-pack came with these and another pink pair with green and black argyle.


Though what makes the bigger statement, pink or orange?

Don't just pop the collar. Pop the color.

Everything New

In the midst of spring weather, I decided to pull out some of my favorite new pieces. It's amazing how wearing the right colors can enhance your mood and the moods of those around you. One of my professors told me I brightened her day with this outfit, which made me feel even better for wearing it.

I've noticed lately I feel more comfortable wearing a bow tie to school, yet I'm still more comfortable wearing a standard tie to church. Oh well.


The tie and vest come from Belk's Saddlebred line. The shirt is the usual Ralph cotton broadcloth.


Instead of the usual chinos, the cool breeze inspired me to wear these Polo pinwale cords. I'm always looking to bring texture and depth to my outfits, so these lightweight pinwales work perfectly. Had I gone with more velvety wide wales, the look would draw an awful mismatch.


Learn from those who came before. Teach those who will come after.

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.

Better at Belk

I'd never heard of Belk department store until leaving for college a few years ago. In two years I picked up a decent amount of Polo from the Belk in town. Since coming back home for school, I've made it back to Belk only twice, including my trip a few weekends ago. It seems I came at final clearance time.

I was considering buying Brooks' pima cotton vests at the price of two for $79, but my waiting paid off and I found each of these vests by Saddlebred (Belk's in-house line) for under five dollars each.


I wear baseball caps very rarely, but at about four dollars each, I couldn't resist.


In continuing to build my bow tie collection, I've been looking at the Tie Bar's great selection. However, these pieces by Saddlebred were only fifteen dollars each and unaccompanied by tedious shipping fees.



Easter bunnies. Colored eggs?