Polo plaid poplin and denim | Merona sweater | Raleigh pindot tie | Brooks Brothers driving moc

Polo gingham shirt and chino | Brooks Brothers cashmere sweater | Talbott patchwork foulard tie | Merona sunglasses | Lands' End sock | Polo shoe

Polo tattersall oxford | Merona fair isle sweater | Lands' End silk knit tie | Hilfiger chino | AE sock | Cordwainer Wright shell cordovan shoe

Polo gingham shirt | Merona cableknit shawl sweater | Ralph Lauren Purple Label paisley tie | Hilfiger trouser | Alden longwing brogues

Polo gingham shirt | Merona ombre shawl cardigan | bespoke wool trouser | Frank & Oakland shantung silk tie | Polo | Allen Edmonds Grayson loafers

Wish List - Cookie Cutters

Out of the flop that is the Target - Neiman Marcus holiday collaboration, a few nice things stand out. Though I can't remember the last time I baked cookies, this interesting cutter and stamper set offers me great reason to give it a try. Currently half price, you'll find the set here. Though I'm sure there are plenty to be found in stores, if you're avoiding the retail madness as I am, you can order now and receive free shipping.

And please check out YWP's latest at Boxing the Compass, featuring blogosphere satire at its best.

Today's Outfit - Shantung and Such

Nautica windowpane shirt

Polo Ralph Lauren shantung silk tie

Vintage silk and wool scarf

Merona cotton cardigan

Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy pant

Lands' End burgundy socks (not shown)

Chaps bucks

Today's Outfit - New Cardigan

Polo green/white oxford - eBay, $15

*Merona cotton cardigan - Target, $25

Polo repp silk paisley - ebay, $7

Vintage linen/cotton trouser - thrift shop, $3

Cabot & Sons thick cotton socks, made in Vermont - Marshall's, $2.50 ($5 for two-pack)

**Allen Edmonds Park Avenue - thrift shop, $1

*This cardigan comes from the latest Merona line. It's lightweight yet warm and very well made for such a low price. Also, there's much more depth to the cardigan's colors than is visible in this photo.

**I would generally reserve brown cap-toe shoes for business, but having bought these so beat up, they're perfect for everyday wear.

My "Dad Outfit"

I've been told I dress very well for my age. I suppose I should take that as a compliment, given the how most twenty-four year old guys dress. I've also been told I dress like an "old rakish gent," or an "old man", in general. I certainly take those remarks as compliments, given how my father inspires the way I dress. From my childhood I remember him wearing tasseled kilties everywhere. In fact, on the weekends he would wear outfits just like this - a cardigan or rugby layered over a sport shirt, madras shorts and his beat up kilties. Call such an outfit trendy and trad, I don't care. To me, this is simple, timeless, American style.

Cardigan - Merona marled cotton - Target clearance sale, $8

Shirt - Polo cotton/silk blend - eBay, $12

Shorts - vintage bleeding madras - thrift shop, $3

Shoes - vintage Florsheim Barletta - thrift shop, $1

How has your father inspired your style?

Wish List - Black Watch Bag

This fall, everybody's favorite plaid will be offered in messenger bag form at Target. Not yet available in store, I snagged this image from the Target press site. The price was not listed, but I'm guessing $30-$40.

As much as I love Black Watch anything, I'm not sure I would buy this. A few years ago, when my only bag was a vintage canvas messenger, I would've picked this up immediately. However, as my style as become more refined, several thoughts come to mind.

The price will be fair, but that's because the bag will be made entirely of synthetic materials. I can't expect leather and wool under $50, even $150.

I have a leather attache for business, this will be for casual settings. So, while my style has progressed beyond the junk I wore when I was 18, do I sacrifice quality for aesthetics? 

Who's to say that, despite the bag's construction, it isn't sturdy and well-designed in general? Perhaps it will last for years.

What are the chances I'll find anything even slightly similar at a thrift shop? 

Crazy, right? I know this decision will be easy when I finally see and hold the bag in store, but until then I can only speculate. Perhaps I'm spoiled by my eBay steals, thrift shop discoveries and such.






Does this bag pass the eye-test for you? Would you buy it based on the Black Watch pattern alone?