Today's Outfit - Spring Fever

As West Virginia weather goes, we're experiencing a week of warmth and sunshine shortly after a bizarre blizzard. So, today I broke out this rather springy combination of pastel pink and blue.

Today's Outfit

Polo poplin shirt with semi-spread collar

Polo foulard tie, made in Italy

Polo cricket vest, cashmere/wool blend

Chaps vintage glen plaid blazer, made in Canada

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.

Favorite Fair Isles

F*ck Yes, Fair Isle

Pictured here is an outfit from Polo's upcoming fall collection. I'm especially looking forward to this Fair Isle sweater becoming available for purchase, but I'm totally into this look as a whole. Honestly, I'd dress like this every day, were weather never an issue. I know this setup says British country and not West Virginian suburbs, but dressing well is dressing well.

But back to Fair Isle and the stigma surrounding this ornate and endless collection of patterns. What makes a Fair Isle sweater a Fair Isle sweater? A true sweater should be hand-knitted on Fair Isle, the island of northern Scotland where this style of sweater originates. Another thing about the real thing - it should be wool. Like cricket sweaters and fisherman sweaters as well, most classic knitwear is made of sturdy, super-warm wool. However, one of the best things about the pieces produced by Polo each year (and the enormous selection from designers following the preppy trend of the past two years) is fabric variety. I have around twenty sweaters and vests, most of which are composed of blends of linen, silk and cotton. These relatively modern pieces allow a wearer to embrace his inner dandy while not sweating his ass off. I call it tradition meeting inspired practicality.


I once, while wearing a Fair Isle sweater, was asked if I planned on attending a costume party later in the evening. This was a serious question asked by a thirty-something guy in a grocery store. Oh, and it was nowhere close to Halloween. I responded, "This is just my sweater." Fair Isle will come and go from trendy to atrocious by standards of the fashion masses, but this is one classic that has earned its way into my wardrobe - permanently.


I ask you... Fair Isle, fair or foul?


Fair Isle follow-up fun tomorrow.

Madrasity

First time breaking out the patchwork madras this year.

Polo Ralph Lauren blazer, shirt and vest; Robert Talbott patchwork repp tie

Oak Hill tan linen trouser, Chaps white bucks (not pictured)

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.

Bored in Berwicks

Polo Ralph Lauren tartan oxford, Picone tie, Polo Ralph Lauren cricket vest

Vintage grey wool trousers, Banana Republic argyle socks, Allen Edmonds Berwick loafers

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

Pink and Plaid

I found this vintage Chaps wool/silk blazer on eBay for only $13. As far as functionality, this has to be one of my top finds of all time. This thing is perfect for year-round wear. The shirt came from a Polo clearance sale awhile back for around $45 - a bit of an indulgence for me, but well worth it. The Polo tie, only $1 from the thrift, features a wool/silk blend which offers a unique texture. A $5 clearance rack Izod vest finishes off the top. Aside from the Polo socks, everything else is from second-hand land. Braided leather belt, worsted wool pants, Allen Edmonds cap toes of a most beautiful chestnut tone which play off the color of the jacket.

Don't worry. I'm not going for the Thom Browne look. I merely have my pants hiked up to show off the socks.

Three Dollars at the Thrift

A rather successful day of thrifting.

 American Eagle intarsia sweater. Chaps Ralph Lauren sweater vest. Cutter & Buck birdseye sweater vest.

Return on InVestment

It's absurdly cold outside and it seems...

 my new vest returned to me just in time for a bonfire.

 So off I go, my Polo button-down and Merona cardigan...

 along with an old Polo argyle scarf,

 

all bundled up under my fuzzy, flannel-lined fleece.

An InVestment

The puffer vest wasn't for me. Too bulky.

I had considered the quilted hunting vest. I'm no hunter. 

I thought of passing on vests all together this winter, aside from my myriad of sweater vests, of course.

Then about two months ago I spotted this vest from Polo.

The perfect balance of warmth and style without being too bulky, without being so utilitarian.

Cotton fleece on the outside. Brushed flannel on the inside.

One problem. The price.

At $145, I knew picking up this vest would be a waiting game. Finally, the price dropped to around $85 at Macys.com and I pounced.

A week later the vest came in, and buyer's remorse set in. The vest was was everything I'd hoped for, but the price was getting to me. Off to Macy's the vest returned.

Shopping at Macy's that day, I noticed that the vest wasn't carried in-store, so the only piece in stock was this one. Two weeks went by before returning to Macy's, only to see the vest on the clearance rack. I wished to find the great markdown I originally hoped for, yet the vest was now marked $115.50.

Yesterday I went back to Macy's and saw the vest yet again. This time when I saw the price, I couldn't help but grin. Markdowns, discounts and all, I repurchased my vest for $37.44. No, it's not thrift shop cheap, but I'm happy with my 74% savings.

A great investment, right?

"I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific." ~ Steven Wright

Gone Cricketing

Two new cricket vests in the rotation.

After playing some club-level cricket in school, I've decided create a local team. 

It's no surprise that players have been hard to find, so I'll be scouring the baseball parks this spring for potential converts.

Messing Around

My apologies for the washed out photo above. I tried this shot five times and this was the best result. Anyway, I wanted to mix up some patterns and colors today. Without much thought, I left the house wearing this stuff... and 501's which aren't pictured.

I figured the Polo Black Watch tartan shirt to be muted enough that I could pair it with something bold. In comes a silk/cotton vest from Kenneth Roberts which I picked up for a few bucks on an Elder Beerman clearance rack, as well as a Polo tie I received from the ever-generous Mister Midwester. Atop all that is a cotton cardigan I recently picked up from the Merona line at Target. Once again, I strongly suggest checking out this stuff. Aside from thrifting, the bang-for-your-buck factor is unbeatable. Though I probably would've been better off with yellow or purple socks, I went for turquoise. Yep. Last up are my favorite black shoes, in fact, the only pair I ever really wear - Allen Edmonds silver-bit loafers.

I have no doubts that I managed to pull off this concoction, but it's certainly not my standard fare. What do you think? Decent or disaster? Creative or cluster****?

Feeling Ducky

When you keep to an individual set of color tones, pattern mixing becomes much easier. While remembering that pattern proportions should reach different scales in each item as not to seem so busy, the argyle, plaid and duck motif mix well. The feathers in the hat also play off the duck motif.


All together, this outfit cost around $32. I was quite fortunate to pick up the hat, tie, pants and shoes for $8 at a thrift shop last week. The vest was only $10 at Macy's while the shirt came from eBay for $14.

Shirt - Polo plaid poplin

Sweater vest - Club Room argyle

Tie - Lands' End duck motif wool 

Pant - vintage wool/cotton

Hat - Dorfman Pacific wool felt

Shoes (not pictured) - Florsheim brown wingtips

Extra Extra! ... Extra!

Thought I'd bring back one of my favorite posts.



If you're around my age, you saw Newsies when you were young. If you're a parent, maybe you watched it with your kids. If you haven't seen it at all and enjoy classic, simple style at its finest then watch this movie! This Disney film came out in 1992 and for 18 years, it has been one of Disney's most unrecognized, underrated films.

Newsies has history - depicting the forgotten yet influencial New York newsboys strike of 1899 (Robert Duvall is great as Joseph Pullitzer). It discusses the essence of communication, advertising and public relations - my area of study. The musical scores, lyrics and choreography are excellent. But most importantly to this blog, the style is brilliant.

As you've seen, I love bold colors in my wardrobe and I love pattern mixing. Of course a movie about poor newsboys isn't filled with color, but these outfits are full of depth and elegance. If only all men held themselves to such standards today! Think about this. Until the past fifty years, most boys were brought up dressing in such sophisticated manner. These penniless, orphan newsboys could walk around New York City right now and be among the best dressed on the streets.

Notice the interesting lapel on the left and the excellent proportion of the vest on the right. The driver's cap (in this case, a newsboy cap) would make a fine addition to my collection.


The kid on the left makes me wish walking sticks were part of modern style. I would proudly wear the entire outfit of the next newsie over.


Here's another wonderful photo, just added thanks to Old Trad. The newspaper industry may be fading, but Newsies and its style are timeless.


Carry the banner. Live that gentlemanly manner.

Summer Send-Off

I discovered these photos a couple days ago taken before my cousin's birthday lawn party in late August. The invitation stated casual - this is casual for me. When the temperature descends throughout the evening, a layering piece like a lightweight sweater vest or blazer slightly dresses up a standard button-front shirt and keeps you warm.

I was quite happy to get one last run from my Polo seersucker blazer before autumn. Tan and white seersucker makes a subtler statement than flashy yet traditional light blue and white. I continued to dress up the look a bit with a linen navy pocket square.


Given the use of a pocket square, I opted out of wearing a tie. However, the navy and light blue of the pocket square are picked up in the sweater vest. I came away with the white Polo shirt and Club Room sweater vest for around $30 on clearance at Macy's.


I forgot to flash my socks in this one - Club Room yellow pair to match the sweater vest. The jeans are yet another great pick-up from my store - Polo Stanton jeans at $22. The tassel loafers are my trusty Johnston and Murphy's I've totally worn down by now. I can't get over the shoes I thrift sometimes. This pair cost as much as the socks.


Go together, never matchy-matchy.

Returning with Rugby

I truly hope those of you who have taken the time to read my random thoughts will come back after such a long hiatus. In the past few months I've been overwhelmed by my final undergraduate semester, loss of family and such.

However, it's autumn and at a time when flowers and trees are wilting, traditional style blossoms yet again. I love the options of fall - the layers, the colors, the textures. Sure, I'm a bit of a Polo loyalist, but you can't deny the quality and creativity of Ralphie's work - especially in the fall. A couple new pieces by Rugby have caught my attention, and I'll be focusing on them in my next several posts.

This isn't your 1980's cricket sweater - the one with shoulder seams hanging down to your elbows, the one that's probably 100% acrylic. This one's Shetland wool and an excellent layering piece.


We're used to seeing so many Rugby items covered with crests and patches, yet the only patches on this thing are herringbone wool elbow patches. I've never seen such a unique touch to a cricket sweater and I think it pays off pretty well.


Suit vests/waistcoats just don't work for me. Instead, I'm a supporter of the sweater vest. This knit piece offers a cut that combines the comfort and ease of a sweater with the elegance of a waistcoat.


On Rugby.com, this piece is considered a sweater, not outerwear. However, I could see myself putting on a v-neck or cable knit and layering this on top to take the place of a coat on not-so-cold days. You've got to love the classic appeal of true rope and wood toggles.


I don't plan on picking up the first two pieces any time soon, as I already have similar things in my closet. I'll definitely be picking up this toggle sweater as an early Christmas present to myself once I see a good sale.

It's never too late to start the day over.