Why Not? | Fun Socks

One of the things I included on my Christmas list last year was a few pairs of colorful socks. My family probably found this request to be odd. Only gay boys wear pink and purple socks, my dad likely thought to himself. Plus, I used to hate getting socks when I was younger. Now at age 27, as I and my sense of style mature, I find myself branching out in different directions. I pay more attention to bags, accessories, socks, watches, pocket squares and so on. These are the things that make getting dressed in the morning fresh and interesting. I was tired of only seeing the colors white, solid black and brown in my sock drawer. It was time for something new and different.

Santa was one swell guy - I got just what I asked for:

UNIQLO (4 for $10!)

Gap (3 for $15)

J.Crew

Tip | Proper Shirt Colors

Mr. Leo Mulvihill, Jr., contributor for the Art of Manliness blog, discusses appropriate shirt colors for the workplace here.

He touches on two important points:

1. A man's shirting wardrobe should be based around two colors - white and light blue.
2. A well-dressed man always wears a tie that is darker than his shirt for formal occasions.

Quote of the Day

"A $180 pair of shoes will last you twice as long as a $90 pair of shoes, but a $360 pair of shoes will last you a lifetime."

-Dan Trepanier

Why not invest in a nice, classic pair of dress shoes? (Or maybe even two! - brown and black). They will likely last you a really, really long time. Plus, they will feel better on your feet. If you happen to drag your feet and are worried about wearing the soles down, don't fret, you could always have them re-soled for a reasonable price. We're touching on the simple principle of quality over quantity here, people! Do you want to spend 80 bucks on dress shoes every couple of years, or find a classic pair, crafted with the finest materials, that you can grow up with?

[Found via The Style Blogger]

Wish List | Rain Jacket

On a day like yesterday, when it rains and rains and rains, I think about how nice it would be to own a rain jacket... a real rain jacket. Ya know, something long and waterproof that would protect me from the relentless rain I'm forced to endure, hiding under my flimsy umbrella as I jog from my apartment to the train station and from the train station to work.

As I'm running out the door on such a morning, I look in the mirror - usually dressed to the nines, lookin' and feelin' good - only to realize it's all for naught, that my bottom half will be sopping wet when I walk into the office. I will no longer look or feel good... I will look disheveled and feel cold.

After this realization, I usually ransack my closet in search of the best option, which unfailingly boils down to three choices everytime: my cotton military jacket, my wool peacoat or one of my many oversized snowboarding jackets. For the record, all these jackets have great qualities and I love them all for different reasons. However, on a rainy day, no matter which one of these I choose, I lose. Facing the elements, I'm either too warm or too wet or too oversized.

Yes, a rain jacket - one that is equally stylish and functional - would be nice. I searched the internet today daydreaming about expensive, water resistant jackets I might one day own. I'd like to highlight a few of my favorites:

Belstaff Roadmaster Jacket | $595

Mackintosh coat | $800

L.L. Bean Stowaway Coat with Gore-tex | $179

Barbour International jacket | $419

Barbour Carbon Dry Fly jacket

Arc'teryx Veilance Long Coat | $1000

*Click on the text to link to an online store

Why Not? | The Denim Peacoat

The Mister Freedom® denim peacoat, as found on the J.Crew website.

What do you think? I've never seen a denim peacoat before. I'm really not sure what to think about it, honestly. I will say it's definitely a statement piece. You'd get a lot of double takes. It's true, denim can be found everywhere you look these days, even in the most unconventional places. But is this too far? Is this just another way of pushing the envelope? Or is this a blatant mockery of the traditional peacoat?

Tip | Wash Before Wearing

I read an interesting article today that shed light on the cleanliness of new clothes. Personally, when I take an item from a rack at a department store, I like to assume that it is brand new and unworn. However, this can be a foolish assumption. In fact, oftentimes store items contain many germs and secretions.

Good Morning America visited a number of high and low-end stores, purchased a dozen items and then sent them off to Dr. Philip Tierno, Director of microbiology and immunology at NYU, to test. The results were shockingly gross. On one item was found fecal germs. Another contained vaginal organisms.

I will now think twice before I wear a 'new' item off the rack. We'd all be well advised to wash new clothes before wearing. I think I'll tack that on to my list of new years' resolutions.

You can read the article, with all the disgusting details, here.

[Found via Neatorama]

Wish List | Armand Nicolet M02 Watch

I've been looking for a watch with a brown leather band for months now. I have yet to find the one, but this one (above) comes pretty close to what I'm envisioning: the Armand Nicolet M02. It's only $5,700. A smidge out of my price range, so I will continue to look around. If you know of a similar style watch that costs less than $500, hit me up!

My requirements (which I refuse to compromise on):

Case Shape: Round

Case Diameter: 42-44mm

Case Material: Stainless Steel (no gold)

Dial Color: White

Band Material: Leather

Band Color: Brown

A Familiar Pattern

I stumbled upon this photograph a few weeks ago. This is a photo of Harry Dubin (right), a New York working man, taken in 1947.

[Link]

The $482 Difference

Do you ever wonder what makes one shoe worth hundreds of dollars more than another? I do. A Parsons' shoe design professor analyzed the components of two black loafers - the Bass Weejun ($63) and the J.M. Weston Loafer ($545). You can find the article here.

[Found via Style Blogger]

Quote of the Day

"True style doesn't really involve much ostentatious attention-grabbing attire."

-Cillian of Male-Mode

Wish List | Shawl Collar Cardigan

I found this photo on another blog today. This cardigan is by ALL-SON, apparently a brand sold at Urban Outfitters. I checked the website, but it is no longer on there. I think it was from Fall 2008.

This is a great variation on the traditional cardigan in my opinion. In the photo, it looks slim fit and fairly thin, which I like. I also like how it falls lower on the hips and how the collar is low profile.

Trend Spot: White Jeans in the Fall/Winter

Aside from these photographs, I've seen a few examples of this on the street and in ads this season.

All photos by The Sartorialist

Man on the Street

What do you first notice about the man in this photo?

I really appreciate this gentleman's look, for a few different reasons. If I were to, by chance, walk past him on the street, I would probably first notice his shoes. They look as if they were shined that morning. A great color and very well taken care of. This guy pays attention to detail. My eyes would inevitably glance upwards to the slacks. The perfect length - almost too perfect. You don't see that very often these days. I would then observe (or rather stare at) the nice camel colored overcoat. I would think, as I often do, every man should own a nice camel overcoat... I really need to find one. My eyes would eventually fall upon the man's scarf, tied perfectly. Surprisingly stylish yet completely functional. Necessary for walking around the city in the cold months of winter. Lastly, I'd peer at the green hat a little perplexed, but more so curious. Was this hat choice on purpose or was it the last thing he grabbed as he was rushing out the door? Is he making a statement or just being lazy?

I really enjoy observing what others are wearing as I walk the streets of New York City everyday. People with interesting style or well thought-out looks - like this guy - make it exciting.

Photo by The Sartorialist

J.Crew Sample Sale in NYC

ClothingLine will host another J.Crew sample sale in NYC from Jan 19-23. For more info, visit the ClothingLine website here.

I went to the last sample sale and left with mixed feelings. The sale prices weren't that good and most everything I liked could only be found in size M. But I must say they had a good selection of shoes for men and women. I will likely stop by this time around if I have a free hour or two and I'm in the area.

I've included the address below.

Clothingline | SSS Sample Sales
261 W 36th Street
(between 7th & 8th Ave)
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10018

A New Take

A new take on the bow tie. I could be wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if that pink piece of material wasn't even a bow tie at all.

Speaking of that, when people incorporate new and unfamiliar pieces into their wardrobe - whether it be an object, a new fabric, a piece of string or even something laying around the house - it's quite fascinating to me. People that have an eye for such are inspiring.

I also think this guy should get a couple more style points for not buttoning his top button.

Photo c/o Jonathan Canlas Photography

2010 Style Predictions

Thom Wong of The Sunday Best has some "amazing and confounding" style predictions for 2010. Predicting trends isn't easy, but I think Thom is onto something. You'll be sure to laugh. Click here.

After Christmas Gift to Myself

I'm not a very good person. This is evident during the Christmas holiday because I usually end up spending more money on myself than anyone else. Sad, right? Where is the Christmas spirit in that? This is probably so because of all the great deals I find. I'm a sucker for a good deal.

With that said, you better believe it was "go time" last week when my brother-in-law sent me a text message informing me Banana Republic was having a big sale. All sale items were half off the sale price until noon. Fortunately, it was only 11am AND I was already at the mall in Danbury, CT! I immediately hustled over to Banana where I began scouring the sale rack. I was finding great stuff - and in my size! Most of the items I pulled were the last of that particular item, too. It was pretty amazing.

Please indulge me as I showcase my purchases...

The waffle-knit sweater jacket

Retail Price: $132

My price: $40

Silk/cashmere v-neck sweater (silver-ish)

Retail price: $70

My price: $21 (damaged)

Merino wool v-neck sweater (camel)

Retail price: $59.50

My price: $15

Straight leg cotton corduroy pant (navy)

Retail price: $59.50

My price: $25

I was also able to use a $30 gift card that got me an additional 10% off each item. I ended up only spending just over $60. Boo yah!

Trend Spot: Patterned Sweater

This is simply a guess. Perhaps even a prediction. I haven't seen more than a few of these, but they have more or less caught my attention. The patterned sweater - nothing you haven't seen before. They are great. I can't say you shouldn't have at least one in your closet. But there is just one small problem with a sweater like this, and that is they become dated far too quickly.

Now I could dig deep in my closet and pull out an American Eagle patterned sweater I got for Christmas 10 years ago, but I don't want to leave the house dressed like I'm from 1999. If you don't own more than a few sweaters, I'd stick with solids. But if you're looking to change it up a bit, a patterned sweater might be just what you're looking for.


This last photo is of a sweater I found at Martin + Osa over the holiday. I want it. However, despite not trying it on, I have a sneaking suspicion that the fit would be a little off. Plus, I'd probably stop wearing it after 2 years because it would be old and DATED. Nevermind, bad idea. I'm not getting it.

Always Be Flawed

An interesting post here. I couldn't agree more.

Trend Spot: The Denim Shirt

I'm a little late on this one, but I couldn't resist. I see more and more denim shirts each month. Everyone is selling them now. I think I first started noticing denim button downs back in January. I thought it was an interesting trend, but not for me. Well, I finally gave in and decided to pick one up for a 'test drive'. I didn't want to break the bank on an item I was so uncertain about, so I first looked for one on sale at the Gap. I didn't really like what I found (or the price it was selling for).

Surprisingly, after shopping around for one for a couple months, I finally picked one up at Target of all places. It's a denim button down by Target's Merona brand. This brand is hit or miss, but lately, I've been finding some good stuff. I purchased the shirt for $19.99 but recently went back and found it on sale for $13.98. (Of course I went back in for a price adjustment).

I was unsuccessful finding a photo online, so below I've included a couple photos of denim shirts done right.