Today's Outfit

Today at the Thrift - Birthday Blarneystone

I always thrift on my birthday because I always seem to find amazing things like this.

Today at the Thrift - The Fabulous Freeman

When you find a good suit, you know it. Today, I found a good suit. Actually, it's a f***ing awesome suit in a tremendously soft herringbone wool with a 3/4 lining and soft shoulders and flat-front trousers and those trousers contain an impeccably made, striped lining. 

Damn, I love thrifting.

Today at the Thrift - Four Ties

Today at the Thrift

Best thrift of the year! Okay, it's only January, but still... 

1. Burberry navy blazer with brass buttons and logo-embroidered lining - 38

2. H. Freeman Bespoke woven windowpane with ticket pocket - 38

3. Samuelsohn woven windowpane, fabric from Italy - 38

4. H. Freeman Bespoke woven microcheck with ticket pocket -38

Two days ago I wrote on 2013 resolutions. I forgot to mention my primary goal regarding this blog, to discuss all that I bring in from thrift shops. The vast majority of things I buy are for the CKC Shoppe, and previously I've tended not to post photos of that merchandise until it appears in the shoppe. From now on, I'll put up whatever comes my way, so I may share my finds and give you a chance to inquire about new products before they're displayed.

Today at the Thrift - Pocket Square

Today at the Thrift - Scarf

Today at the Thrift - Allen Edmonds Maxfield

 

Allen Edmonds Maxfield loafers, $5 at my favorite thrift, accompanied by very old Brooks Brothers shoe trees.

Today at the Thrift - Top-Siders

I've been quite fortunate to come across two new pair of boat shoes in the past few months, one from Sperry, the other from Rockport. However today, on a hunch, I visited one of my favorite thrift shops and found these Top-Siders for $2.99. Just my size, they're in great condition with the exception of a few scuffs to the leather. Most surprisingly, the soles still look new and have almost no signs of wear. My boat shoe days are over until spring, but I'm glad to have yet another pair in the rotation when that time comes.

Today at the Thrift

 Something for this fall.

And something for next summer.

In the Details

Though not my size, the details in this chino make it one of my favorite thrift shop finds as of late.

Interior tartan waist lining.

Lightweight yet sturdy construction.

Rear tabs above the pockets.



If anyone's interested, email me and I'll provide the exact measurements.

Shoppe Preview

 Though I'm not sure when I'll get these to the CKC Shoppe, I just had to share my incredible find from Monday. Not pictured are five other jackets, clearly all donated from the same gentleman.

 Oxxford tweed houndstooth / plaid. Amazing.

 Raw silk Bachrach blazer, from when that brand used to mean something.

 Classic worsted suit from HSM.

 Partially lined nailhead blazer. I've never seen anything quite like this.

 Another great tweed. Check out the label locale.

 A 2/1 roll? First time for everything.

 Heavy chalk-stripe. More Oxxford.

More Hickey too, in the form a nailhead suit.

25 Cents

 Ashear pocket square.

Made in Italy. Hand rolled in Portugal.

When thrifting, always check the breast pockets of jackets for hidden pocket squares and handkerchiefs. You never know when you'll end up with a beautiful vintage piece like this one.

Today's Outfit - Fair Isle for Fall

Polo oxford - Macy's, $20

Polo fair isle cashmere sweater - $40, eBay

*Countess Mara vintage solid silk tie - thrift shop, $1

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

(not pictured) Club Room yellow socks - Macy's - $3

J. Crew vintage saddles - thrift shop, $2.49

*This tie was originally sold at Schwabe-May, a legendary menswear store in Charleston which, quite sadly, closed in the last decade. The finest menswear could be found here - suits from Oxxford and Hickey Freeman, fabrics from Loro Piana and Holland & Sherry.

Today's Outfit - Thursday Blues

Polo pima cotton sweater - eBay, $16

Polo broadcloth shirt - Macy's, $19

Polo tie - eBay, $6

Vintage worsted wool gabardine trouser - thrift shop, $3

River Island striped cotton socks - $3 (out of $15 five-pack)

Florsheim vintage Custom Grade shortwings - thrift shop, $1

Today's Outfit

Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren poplin - ralphlauren.com, $37

Sweater - Polo Ralph Lauren silk v-neck - eBay, $20

Tie - Polo Ralph Lauren repp stripe - eBay, $15

Trouser - vintage cotton/linen - thrift shop, $3

Socks - North Country marled cotton - Marshall's, $4 (two-pack)

Shoes - H. S. Trask bison loafers - thrift shop, $1

Personal Paisley Perfection

I have a very specific, personal rule when it comes to buying ties - don't ever buy new ties.

However, there are two even more specific exceptions to this rule. Countess Mara bow ties are fine, as they're a great value and decent bow ties are hard to come by on eBay and in thrift shops. And, if I'm to buy a regular necktie, it has to feature an incredible design. This is not to say I'll go out and buy a polyester piece of junk because it looks great, because there's no exception and no excuse for buying synthetic materials. I have to be really wowed by a tie's pattern (though construction is still important), and this happens maybe four times a year.

I discovered this Chaps tie at Kohl's recently, on sale for approximately $19. Though reminiscent of some Ralph Lauren Purple Label designs of recent years, I'd never seen anything quite like this. With only one of these ties on the rack, I took the plunge and came away with this tie for $16 (after coupon). Easily the loudest tie I own, I'm very proud of my purchase. What do you think of it?

All this makes me think of what it means to be stylish. Sure, we often feel compelled to spend more on nicer brands to feel stylish. Yet, style begins with fit, with suitable colors and patterns for the proper occasion. Does my new tie look expensive? Maybe. Does it matter? What matters is that I pair it with a well-fitting shirt, trouser and shoe, and I'll be more stylish than the guy who buys an oversized (insert flashy designer name here) suit just because he can.

Shawls and Stripes

Polo Ralph Lauren plaid poplin shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren Irish linen tie
Merona cotton striped shawl sweater

(not pictured)
Polo Ralph Lauren Prospect olive chinos
Club Room olive socks
(Unknown) chocolate suede oxfords

Aside from the chinos, each piece of this outfit cost under $10. The socks came from Macy's while everything else was gathered from the thrifts and eBay.

Today at the Thrift

 

Call it a brief, an attache, a portfolio... 

At a not-so-grand $1.99, 

I'm just glad to have it.

Though I'm a brown leather guy, already equipped with a Wilson briefcase and the J. Peterman mailbag, this thing will find its uses soon enough.

Today at the Thrift

 Four books.

Fourteen dollars.

Fore!