Polo gingham shirt | Paul Stuart paisley tie | Hilfiger chino | Alden boot | Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses 

Polo oxford you Liberty of London gingham tie | Levi's 541 denim | Sperry Top-Siders 

Polo plaid oxford and chino | Purple Label tie | | Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses | Ralph Lauren suede shoe

Polo Spring/Summer 2013

I always look forward to the Ralph Lauren spring and fall runway shows. I generally find myself impressed by a number of outfits that leave me with inspiration and the desire to pick up particular new pieces as they're released.

You can find the latest runway show here at Fashionising.com.

This time around, I'm very disappointed. There's nothing new-looking, nothing innovative, nothing of intrigue. Of course I'm excited to buy the new Fair Isle pictured here, but the rest of the collection, from Polo to Purple Label, is underwhelming.


Take a look and tell me what you think.

For All Seasons

This is a favorite outfit of mine, from an old Ralph Lauren runway show. I've had this image saved for awhile so I don't remember whether this is a spring/summer or fall/winter look, and the blurriness doesn't help. However, I'm rather glad about that - it speaks to the functionality of color and pattern rather than fabric. Too often we limit ourselves to bright colors for warm weather, dull colors in the cold. I say that anything goes, anytime.

Were this a spring/summer look, the tie would likely be made of silk or cotton, the blazer of silk/linen, and the trouser of lightweight cotton twill.

For fall/winter, the tie and jacket would certainly be heavy wools, with the trouser composed of corduroy.

With the weather warmed up a bit, it's time to utilize madras and such, but you shouldn't have hesitation in going bright and bold now when such opportunity is yours all year. This is the perfect time to stock up on off-season sales of corduroys and tartans. So, get to shopping now and you'll be ready to move straight into lavish lavender lambswool and cozy cranberry cashmere.

Melodious Madras

Another $20 down. Another three ties to the rotation.

Older Polo, Brooks and Polo Indian bleeding madras. The real stuff. 

May = madras season.

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

Wish List

 Lands' End madras. I'll take one of each, please.

Spring Pastels

Damn right, men can wear pink chinos... yellow ones, too.

I suggest you hit up Belk or Belk.com before these are sold out.

Better at Belk

Belk Keeps Him in Style with

Men’s Most-Wanted Fashion Picks for Spring 2012

Charleston, SC—March 22, 2012—What’s on the fashion horizon for guys this spring? Destination sunshine: A place where a relaxed, optimistic, warm weather spirit prevails. A locale with a bright new quality that embodies colorful American classics- past and present- while celebrating an uncomplicated modern aesthetic. It’s easy, carefree and elegant. Join us as we peruse the season’s most wanted items for men.

1. Colored Bottoms -Look on the bright side and go beyond the blue. Say, “Yes!” to a wide range of bold palettes for spring. Add the wow with denim and other textiles in the most happening hues. Nantucket red is a favorite.

2. Striped Knit -Ready to give your look a fresh fix in no time flat? Bar none, these very “on-trend” patterns will do the trick. Multis, bi-color, almost any combo will do. The time is just ripe for stripes.

3. Bright Plaids & Checks - Don’t skimp on style. Indulge in an amazing array of prints and patterns to recharge your look. Color counts and grid lock is not an issue.

4. Prepster Sportcoat -Want to raise your cool quotient? Wear this seasonal jacket desk to dinner—workplace to weekend. The fit and fabric will feel so right.

5. Flat Front Short -Own it. Chic and simple, this warm weather staple will give you a smart start in pulling your off duty wardrobe together. Getting comfortable never looked so good.

6. Oxford Shirt -This all-time classic is back with a vengeance in a range of captivating tones. Softly crinkled or pressed to please, this shirt works as hard as you do.

7. Cool Tee -Our best in class tee shirts stand out as essential spring weekend gear. Check out vintage graphics, washed down hues and easy-fit silhouettes. Laid back looks better than ever.

8. Novelty Neckwear -Check out ties in seersucker, linen, spring plaids and a bounty of beautiful shades. Stand out from the crowd in ties that take you from okay to, “Oh, wow!” in a fashion minute.

9. Straw Fedoras -For the perfect balance between elegance and ease, try a hat that harnesses your modern manpower. You will look sharp and stylish.

10. Preppy Footwear -Step it up. Prepare to prep in shoes with an emphasis on the Ivy League. The message represents authentic American style. Madras plaids, tri-color boat shoes and, yes, saddle oxfords say it all.

About Belk, Inc. Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation's largest privately owned mainline department store company with 303 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Belk.com offers a wide assortment of fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top-name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home. To connect with Belk via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog, mobile phone, text messages or by email, go to Belk Get Connected.

Modern. Southern. Style. Belk seeks to satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve. Our vision is for the modern Southern woman to count on Belk first - for her, for her family, for life.

Polo Pima Cotton

Quite frequently overlooked during warmer months is the lightweight cotton sweater. During breezy days or chilly nights of spring and summer, I turn to the Polo pima v-neck. These retail for $98 but can be found on eBay and the occasional Macy's or Dillard's clearance sale under $30. The three shown above just came in from eBay for a total of $60. Though Brooks Brothers makes a similar sweater, I prefer the Polo model for its lighter weight, collar, shape retention and overall fit.

Plaids in Pairs

Two more to the collection.

Indian madras.

Made in the U.S.A.

Gotta love it.

 

Natty to the Nines

Warm weather isn't all about seersucker and madras. A bright green blazer like this says enough on its own.

The trick is to keep other colors and patterns subtle. You want to look cool, not clownish.

I'm already stocked with mint green, coral and lavender. Whatchya got?

Wish List

Tied to Springtime

As I warm up to warmer weather, I look forward to breaking out my latest tie acquisitions.

Lands' End - A relatively new tie from Lands' End, all cotton but with a nice linen-like texture.

Robert Talbott - I'm guessing this is a 1980's piece, but the sailboat motif will never lose its style.

Robert Talbott - Absolutely the oldest Talbott tie I've found. Incredible construction, interesting tags, and best of all, true Indian bleeding madras. (The lovely label told me so.)

Chaps - This mid-2000's tie might have been made in China but the print is quite beautiful, and the quality exceeds that of current Lauren Ralph Lauren or Chaps pieces.
Polo - A newer number, I'm glad to finally have a houndstooth tie not made of wool. All silk, here.
Chaps - This and the other Chaps tie are certainly from the same collection, and I'm also certain I'll be getting plenty of wear from both. I've rarely seen a tie with such an intriguing color combination.

Argyle and Oxford

Amidst weeks of snow, wind, and bitter wetness, a few days of sun have burst through. So the other day, I just had to break out some spring gear when temperatures hit the sixties. 

Polo Ralph Lauren striped oxford - $20
Polo Ralph Lauren linen tie - $1
Brooks Brothers argyle vest - $15

Not pictured:
Polo Ralph Lauren khaki chinos - $30
Merona light blue socks - $2
Sperry Top-Siders  - $35

Before the Shoes

Here's a look at look at some of Polo's springy socks. When a tie or hat isn't quite appropriate, you can make a big statement with some colorful socks. I'm rather fond of the rugby stripes. Given the prices of similar styles, these aren't such a bad deal. Thanks to the new followers I've picked up this week!

Another Flash of Spring

My thanks to the Eccentric Orange Gentleman and Mike of Inner City Style for following! I'm getting a few hundred views a day from across the globe, but I'd love to get more great feedback from everyone! I'll be sure to return the favor when my online store opens in the next week.

A couple days of warm weather have come recently. Of course another six inches of snow will be falling by Thursday, but until then I'm feeling some spring inspiration in these early season items by Polo.


The switch from dark tartans to bright plaids is long awaited.


I'll likely pick up each of these when the first Spring sale arrives.


But until then...


Let it snow!

The Classic Yellow Slicker

Slicker. Windbreaker. Rain jacket. Whatever you call it, everybody needs one for spring and summer. Yet again, I've been surprised by the traditional goods American Eagle is offering. I'll be picking up this classic yellow piece for under $40. It's also offered in navy, olive and red.

Dick Tracy.


The Man in the Yellow Hat.


I think these guys would approve.