I'm Back... with a Smart Turnout Review

Greetings, everyone! The past two months have been indescribably crazy, but I'm back and excited to share with you a review of these Smart Turnout watch straps.

Two years ago, I was blessed with the chance to review Smart Turnout socks. Conclusion? The best. These watch straps? Also the best. I'm not a watch connoisseur and certainly not one of those bloggers who has every single color and pattern of strap imaginable. (I cannot say the same about not having every color and pattern of tie.) However, I've been rocking grosgrain watch straps since childhood. For years, I wore a Mickey Mouse watch that came with a bunch o' bands. I was so cool. Anyway, these Smart Turnout straps have the extra heft and thickness that my other pieces lack. In recent years, I've purchased from a number of brands, all lacking the overall quality of Smart Turnout. These straps keep my watches perfectly in place, so I'm not always shifting them across my wrist. Also, when I fold over the end of a strap, it stays folded. This has never been the case with thinner, cheaper straps. At $29 a piece (for 18mm, $32 for 20mm), Smart Turnout straps aren't cheap, but they are an excellent value and a worthwhile investment.


By the way, I received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Argyll and Sutherland straps.

Today's Outfit - Red Rovers

Polo Ralph Lauren oxford tartan shirt, paisley silk tie, cable knit cotton/cashmere cricket sweater

Polo Ralph Lauren navy wide wale corduroy trouser

Smart Turnout regimental stripe socks

Austen Heller Red Rovers loafers

Today's Outfit - Monday

Polo silk/cotton shirt - eBay, $12

Crooks & Creed pin-dot tie - thrift shop, $1

Lincs fair isle sweater - Macy's, $15

Levi's 550 - Marshall's, $20

Smart Turnout socks - courtesy of Smart Turnout

Allen Edmonds Harvard loafer - thrift shop, $1

My apologies for the awful photo resolution.

Today's Outfit

Polo tartan oxford shirt - Belk, $23

Polo cotton/cashmere cricket sweater - eBay, $30

Countess Mara bow tie - Marshall's, $8

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

Smart Turnout Argyll and Sutherland socks - courtesy of Smart Turnout

Chaps bucks - Kohl's, $12

Mellow in Yellow

Bad photo, good outfit... at least I'd like to think so. As autumn slowly rolls in, I plan to get back to posting more outfits. I'll start here.

Polo Ralph Lauren oxford
Polo Ralph Lauren cotton vest
Countess Mara linen bow tie
Polo Ralph Lauren Stanton jean
Smart Turnout striped socks
Cole Haan Country bit loafers

I happened to pull this look together at the last moment before a party. After picking the yellow bow tie, I realized the vest and socks would complete the outfit nicely. Jeans keep the look casual while the bit loafers are an upgrade from standard pennies.

Mellow in Marlborough

I'll preface this by saying that I've never worn an abundance of grey or black, but I think this works.


Any pair of Smart Turnout socks can make quite a statement, even a rather toned-down style like the burgundy, white and black Marlborough. Thus, the rest of the outfit is based in shades of grey, drawing on pattern and texture rather than color for effect. Up top, from dear old Ralphie, are a plaid broadcloth shirt and micro-gingham silk tie. Down below, along with the Marlborough socks are Allen Edmonds Harvard loafers and Oak Hill twill chinos.

I'm proud to say this is also one of my more thrifty outfits as of late, costing about $27.

What's your top thrift shop find this month?

Houndstooth and Haileybury

Yesterday was one of those all dressed up and nowhere to go days. Cold rain, bitter winds. Although, excited to test out another pair of Smart Turnout socks, I pieced together this look and headed out to the bookstore for an afternoon of coffee and reading. Mostly coffee.  

Everything here is tied together in browns and greys, with notes of purple. The deep purple-grey houndstooth of the jacket draws into the trousers, pocket square and socks. While browns run through the sweater, the windowpane of the jacket as well as the jacket buttons, and the chocolate brown brogues.

Chaps Ralph Lauren houndstooth/windowpane sport coat (vintage, made in USA)

Northern Isles cable knit cashmere turtleneck (new from the thrift)

Worsted wool trousers (unknown brand from the thrift)

Daniel Cremieux silk pocket square

Florsheim brogues (vintage, made in USA)

Smart Turnout Haileybury socks (made in UK)

Getting Smarter with the Royal Regiment

A serious spring look, this time.

Polo Ralph Lauren striped oxford shirt
Brooks Brothers argyle sweater vest
Polo Ralph Lauren silk knit tie
Oak Hill garment dyed chinos
Smart Turnout Princess of Wales R. R. socks
Chaps oxfords

"If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work." ~ Kahlil Gibran

Easter Sunday and Eton Socks

On Easter Sunday - Orthodox, Protestant or otherwise - the motto is go loud or go home. To some, including myself, this marks the first day of the year to break out the full spring/summer wardrobe. This time around, I was fortunate to have my new Smart Turnout socks with me.

Polo Ralph Lauren bleeding madras blazer

Polo Ralph Lauren super 120s poplin shirt

Countess Mara repp silk bow tie

Club Room arygle sweater vest

Oak Hill Nantucket red chinos

Smart Turnout Eton socks

Chaps white oxfords

...

Based on a comment received, I should clarify. I would never wear all this together any other day. I'm neither that preppy nor dandy.

A Smart Direction

Today, I received an offer to share the following Smart Turnout press release with you, so here it is.

Smart Turnout has long offered some of my favorite accessories, from socks to ties, from braces to watchbands. They also produce an incredible selection of cricket sweaters, jackets and more. Though I'm not exactly a fan of this Brit-pop boy band, these kids know how to dress. I highly recommend you check out the new line of pieced-cotton bow ties mentioned in the press release, which offers a wonderfully unique, almost-dandy take on the classic. 

Hopefully this band, clad in Smart Turnout and the like, will inspire teens to turn away from graphic tees and trucker caps like those worn by Justin Bieber, and to instead turn to bow ties and braces.