Modern Dignified

Bracelets for Spring

2011-04-15T18:47:00.001-07:00

I'm all about bracelets for spring. Nice fresh colors, nautical themed, great with short sleeves and linen shirts.

Check out this rope bracelet above from Giles and Brothers. It's under $100 bucks and cool as hell.

Also check out the others from Giles and Brothers. They have great masculine bracelets that don't look like anything else out there.

High Quality Low Cost Suits

2011-04-14T23:56:00.001-07:00

Wall Street Journal featured an article today on the lower coat suits, how they are higher quality fabrics, better made and competitive with higher end suits that cost three to four times as much. They specifically compared these "low" end suits to the likes of Giorgio Armani and depending on the manufacturer the suits miss the mark or not.

Two things to note with the article, first off, J.Crew suits ranked well. High quality fabric, machine made suits, well constructed and a solid performer. Good comparisons considering the cost.

But the real winner and biggest take away was how the SuitSupply.com suit performed. It was ranked equal to the Armani suit in every way. The Armani suit is over $3K but the SuitSupply suit was just over $600 at $614.

SuitSupply had great fabrics, amazing construction and almost no noticeable difference when compared with the Armani. SuitSupply offers three levels of suits ranging in price from $320 to $610. They make suits that are Super wool 150s to wool-cashmere blends to linen to linen-cotton or linen-wool blends.

The suits are slim fitting, with good portions on the pants, the jacket and the sleeves. The high end versions have Italian natural shoulders, slanted ticket pockets, double back vents and working button holes on the sleeves. They have high quality lining, horn buttons, free moving construction and rakish designs.

The suits come with classic colors, subtle patterns or crazy designs. They also have suits in summer wools and linens or classic wools. The fabrics are all from Italian mills and will hold up for years.

Basically SuitSupply has proven they are the best option for your next suit and everyone after that.

Penny Loafers with the Pennies

2011-04-13T14:41:00.001-07:00

The devil is in the details. This is especially true with fashion. As loafers become more common this spring and summer, add a penny to your loafers, that is why they have the name.

It adds a bit of unique flair and style to the classic shoe, plus it can be a nice conversation piece and certainly will ensure you don't look like everyone else.

Just make sure that the penny is from 1982 or earlier, so that it is a true bronze penny and not a metal conglomeration.

Here are my JCrew loafers with pennies Lincoln side up.

NSF Henleys Rock

2011-03-23T22:19:00.001-07:00

We really like what NSF is delivering this year when it comes to henleys. They have an amazing fitting gray lightweight cotton henley. Marbled slub cotton with quality metal buttons. The henley fits so well it feels like it is custom tailored.

We also love the blue and white striped henley sweater they are delivering this year. It is a light weight sweater that fits just as well as the henley above. It is a great stand alone piece or layering piece.

Both henleys can be worn stand alone but they are actually better worn over a button down shirt. Think of them as an alternative to the lightweight spring sweater. This option is more attractive, more interesting and well separate you from the crowd.

Polos That Catch An Eye

2011-03-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

These 1970s style polos are great. They look retro but provide a nice modern fit and are made with 100% cotton instead of the polyester of the past.

The color blocking and stripes certainly make them different from anything you can buy at Lacoste or J.Crew or Polo for that matter. They almost look like they should be worn by a tennis player while winning the Australian Open. That sporty feel certainly helps anyone's look heading into spring.

Yet another solid choice brought to you by Gant. What did we do before Gant?

Chambray Shorts

2011-03-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

By this time hopefully everyone has a chambray shirt. It's versatile, stylish and rakish. But now that we are starting to look at warmer weather it is time to take chambray a step further, it's time for shirts.

Whether it is Billy Reid, Vince, Rag and Bone or Lands End Canvas, everyone is making chambray shorts. J.Crew has a pair of red and blue chambray shorts, which is a good decision and Gant has a pair with pleats, which is a bad decision.

We even featured a pair of Apolis swim trunks in chambray style. So these are more common than Terry cloth sweat shorts. But the good news is it is a stylish and modern look.

Check out our favorite pairs below. The top pair is from Billy Reid and are our favorite by a long shot, due to the classic indigo coloring.

Fall 2011 Gant by Michael Bastian

2011-03-11T18:12:00.001-08:00

Here are some of our favorite looks from Gant by Michael Bastian. These are looks from the Fall 2011 collection, which was by far our favorite styles. Individual pieces are probably stronger here and there, but as an overall look and feel it is great. Rugged, manly, classic, good uses of color and strong pieces that can be incorporated into a real man's wardrobe.

Red is used as the common accent color for fall, which is great. It fits the weather and feels right.

We also love the orange puffy vest. What a great way to provide warm and give a pop of color on a dreary day. It's hard to be in a bad mood with an orange vest on.

The use of cords, cargos and flannels is very appropriate for the season and should provide a nice alternative to denim.

Another must have piece is the fingerless gloves. Why not get them in a nice bright color like red. Color is as important in fall as it is in spring.

Think rugged, think layers and think about colors. These options should provide some nice inspiration.

The Best Swim Trunks of Spring 2011

2011-03-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Throw out our old saggy board shorts that hang past your knees and add an extra 5-10 lbs of bulk to your frame. I know I can afford to look heavier than I am.

The new school version of the swim trunk channels the old school classics. Slimmer, trimmer, shorter and sportier versions of the classics worn by Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds and Dustin Hoffman.

The swim trunks below all hit above the knee, elongating the legs and making you appear taller. They also are slimmer and trimmer taking weight off your frame while accenting the best features. The chambray board shorts from Apolis are old school style swim trunks which have an 8" inseam and fabric that gets better with age. Like a new pair if jeans, the chambray is strong, but wears with each swim, fading and changing as the season goes on.

The sporty swim suit from Bolt gives a vibe similar to the 70's swim trunks from endless summer.

More Bandana Pocket Squares

2011-03-10T13:17:00.001-08:00

See another example of a bandana being used as a pocket square. This is a dark blue suit with a red bandana pocket square. Simple, different and truly cool.

Try it, you'll thank me later as the compliments come streaming in.

A New Type of Pocket Square

2011-03-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

We have talked about pocket squares and how they should be consistently worn with blazers and sport coats and suits. Pocket squares help set the suit apart from the rest reinforce your style and add an accent color to a wardrobe.

Our new favorite trick is to take an old blue, red or white bandana and turn it into a pocket square. It adds vintage color with a rebel biker flavor to the outfit.

It is shown here with a blue vintage bandana. But looks just as good with white or red bandanas. A set of three bandanas can be found on eBay for around $25.

Loafer Season is Here

2011-03-09T14:18:00.001-08:00

There is nothing that sings of a beautiful spring day more than loafers with no socks. I love the feeling, the careless style, the ease of wearing them. They have been worn by all the great men before us and will be worn by all the great men after us. Loafer are just cool.

Especially the ones made by Mark McNairy for Bass. These Weejuns are classic, they come with no extra tassels or bells or whistles or beef rolls. It is just the essence of the shoe a classic that could it into any generation any time and place. Seamlessly worn by Steve McQueen or Kanye West. Plus they come in a spring appropriate tan suede.

Check me out before they are all gone.

Stop Ordering California Rolls

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

I don't wear any black. I try to avoid black in my wardrobe like the plague. I know black is a great color and works for others but to me wearing black is like ordering the California roll when eating sushi. The California roll is the safe secure mundane option. It will taste good even at a bad sushi place, but it will never be memorable. If you go to a really good sushi place I recommend ordering off the menu, taking a risk and a gamble and usually you end up with a great memorable experience.

To me eliminating black from your wardrobe is like ordering off the menu. It may be riskier and harder to do. It may be a gamble, but it certainly will be more memorable. So I say take a risk, step away from the pack and stop wearing black. Or at least stop wearing it so much. Stop making safe choices.

Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion

2011-03-08T22:09:00.001-08:00

With the fall ending and Summer right around the corner, I start getting in the mood to buy some new summer clothes. One of the ways I do this is by focusing on a feeling, some inspiration and then buying clothes that fit that thematic milieu.

This summer, I am feeling inspiration from vintage summers of yore. Hot chicks, cool cars, laid back style, good surf and an even better bonfire.

Check out some of the hits that are inspiring me.

The Best White Oxford Shirt

2011-03-08T14:31:00.001-08:00

Gitman Bros. Vintage makes really cool plaid shirts inspired from vintage patterns from the catalogues of the 1980s. Each year they make flannel and madras and oxford shirts that cam define a wardrobe. But we think it is the simple and plain that sets them apart.

The Gitman Bros. Vintage white Oxford is a great shirt. Well tailored, nice modern slim fit. High quality fabric, mother of pearl buttons. One green stitched sideways button at the bottom. A back collar button and a locker loop. Overall the shirt has all the elements you look for in a button down.

While we love the vibrant plaids and exciting colors, there is something magnificent about the regal simplicity of a simple white Oxford.

Gant Rugger

2011-01-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

We have featured a few videos from Gant Rugger and Gant by Michael Bastian and in our opinion they are putting out the best new clothes around, including and surpassing the stuff by Billy Reid (which on a side note is not well tailored, the fit is off on most everything I have tried on, while beautiful I think Billy Reid misses the mark). Gant Rugger is a little more my style then Gant by Michael Bastian. It is flannel shirts, twills, chambray and corduroy. Solid denim and hand loom oxfords. Gant Rugger is American and rugged and honest.

Their clothes have an honesty that is nice to find. A shirt that is made to be rugged with the right material and cut, without any bogus or fake fashion flairs. It just feels authentic and classic.

The sweaters are muted colors that would work now or 10 years from now. They stick to classic patterns and colors and fabrics. The risks are not taken in the colors or the designs, but instead in not conforming to the trendy fashion rules and instead being authentic and classic, letting style not fashion speak for the brand.

Additionally, the clothes are impeccably tailored. The shirts fit brillantly and balance the line between slim and natural cut with percission. The jackets are modern fit, but without feeling like a Thom Browne mimic. They also have natural cut shoulders and slim peak lapels. The pants and denim are well made and well tailored, but only come in one length.

Miansai Bracelets

2011-01-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

Another option for bracelets is the rugged stuff made by Miansai. They make bracelets out of bullets, fish hooks and climbing rope. This stuff certainly will not be seen as your girlfriends jewelry and it can be worn with a suit or that flannel shirt.

The bracelets are simple and definately modern, but use classic simples of manihood and masculine hobbies which tricks the eye into believing that the stuff is vintage.

The bracelets are not orderly, or plain but they are also not a over done or extreme. They just seem to work. And best of all most of the bracelets are under a $100 dollars, with the rope bracelets coming in at around $50-$70.

If these are worn with a complimenting bracelet from David Yurman, the look is quite impressive, if I say so myself.

Charles Tyrwhitt

2011-01-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Charles Tyrwhitt of Jermyn Street in London has been making men's clothes for quite a while. I know a lot of our readers like their clothes and I have to agree with them. The prices are reasonable and the style is classic. Aside the the inane need for bad puns like: "suited and booted", the website has a great selection of clothes and nice sale items.

Take this houndstooth jacket, it is great for work or a casual first date. It is classic but with a slightly larger than normal pattern making it modern and stands out from the crowd. Got to love the ticket pocket and tapered waist line. It has double vents as a good Brittish jacket should and the pockets are slanted as the dandys like. Great jacket.

Another good option is this unstructured navy twill jacket with patch pockets. It takes the blazer and makes it casual. You can throw this jacket in the corner of the room and not have to worry about it, which is the beauty of unstructured and unlined jackets. Ever man needs one of these.

They also feature this beautiful royal blue velvet jacket. The jacket has peak lapels which make it slightly more formal than is usual for the casual velvet fabric. That formality makes it perfect for a day at the office (assuming you're not a lawyer or banker) or for a date. The peak lapels also accentuate the shoulders making them appear broader which for more most men is a big help. It also has the double vents and slightly slated pockets which add to the beauty of the jacket. It's rare to find a velvet jacket like this one.

Let's just hope the geniuses at Charles Tyrwhitt stick to clothes and stay out of the pun business. I don't think my eyes can take another "suited and booted" joke without causing a vomitious reaction.

More Inspirational Fashion Films - Gant by Michael Bastian

2011-01-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

I think Michael Bastian is a great designer, his clothes are cool, modern and attractive. So are the films about them.

Boden - A British Option

2011-01-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

For years in England, Boden has been a top source for reasonably priced well designed clothes. Thankfully, it is also an option for us here in America. Boden USA is a source for great clothes with nice flairs and pops of color. If you can get over the three week shipping time frame for any purchase, you should be able to enjoy their collection of clothes.

Below are some of the outfit ideas they had on the website. I like the way the outfits stay in one color scheme without feeling boring or reduntant. Of course this is done by mixing up the patterns and textures and adding pops of color. Enjoy the looks and hopefully it inspires more experimentation in color blocking.

Simon Spurr Fall 2010 - A Video

2011-01-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

Apparently I am on a video kick. I hope you enjoy this one of the best new designer, Simon Spurr. His jeans are the best made. Check out the Pipe cut jeans, amazing.

David Yurman Bracelets

2011-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

Men's jewelry is a touchy subject, some men can make it work, most won't even try. But if you feel inclined, I highly recommend the attempts. There are many ways to start, but one of the ones that can be easily attempted and accomplished is with David Yurman bracelets. Some of his stuff is audacious and overly feminine, but other pieces have just the right amount of masculine charm and classic looks to be effective for your first foray into men's jewelry.

Make sure you pick a piece that works with your personal style and then wear it, all the time. Get used to it and make it part of you, just like a good watch or shoes. Soon you won't want to leave home without it.

Gant Rugger It's All About Fit

2011-01-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

The best part of luxury brands is the fit. A lot of brands can make a good looking shirt, or a nice pair of jeans. As an example every season Banana Republic or J.Crew has an item that is worth purchasing. Its true that luxury brands provide nice accents and details to a shirt or an extra well placed pocket on the pants. Or a button that is sewn on differently, they get the details. They understand the chambray lining on the inside of the shirt. But other brands can get the details right as well. Luxury brands used to stand out with quality, which still holds true, but advancements in manufacturing has changed that. Although nothing will ever beat a hand sewn suit or a single needle shirt, at least not at this point.

But still the best quality and the most noticeable quality of a luxury wardrobe piece is the fit. A luxury suit fits perfectly on the chest, shoulders and arms. It certainly doesn't have any blousing. Luxury denim is tailored to fit the body and change with the wearer. A luxury suit is impeccably well tailored. Everything fits the way it should fit without a need for even a belt. That is what Gant brings to the table. Luxury in every way including and especially fit.The old loom oxfords are the perfect mix between purposeful dishevelment and classic conservatism. The sweaters evoke Scottish rolling hills and perfectly damp winter days. The denim is refined and distressed but never too much if either.

Even with all the charm and style of the wardrobe, it wouldn't mean anything without the luxurious fit. If you want to know how a shirt should fit, go try on the Gant Rugger old loom Oxford. Now that is a shirt.

Just enough artful dishevelment to make us all happy.

Morris Stockholm - What a Life

2011-01-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

Brands are notorious for trying to promote a lifestyle, but most of them come across as ridiculous or outrageous. Abercrombie comes to mind, they promote a lifestyle with their clothing but it's a life of washboard abs, shirtless escapades and homoerotic games of tackle football. This is not exactly a life I can relate to or I would call aspirational.

But someone like Morris Stockholm, they promote a lifestyle with their clothes. A lifestyle that includes refined elegance and an ellusion of filled bank account and a long tradition of taking the yacht out or trips to Wimbledon. The Morris Stockholm lifestyle is one that I can support, and for some reason feels attainable, if I just have the right sweater or the right red socks.

Take a look at the inspiring Morris Stockholm collection and journey with me to the world of jaunts to the Swiss Alps and overnight excursions to Venice, Italy. It certainly helps that the clothes are spectacularly gorgeous and the colors juxapositions are eccentric yet attainable.

Sperry Boots

2011-01-01T21:01:00.000-08:00

We all love our Sperrys for the summer, but the look doesn't translate well to cold weather. But if you turn the Sperrys into chukka boots and make them suede, now you have something that can hold up to the layers and textures of winter. These boots look like they are appropriate for the cold days of winter, without looking forced or phony. Maybe it is the rust colored soles or the ice gray color, but whatever it is, I want them.

J.Press at Urban Outfitters??

2010-12-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

WTF? What did you say? J. Press, the East Coast style stalwart of classic traditional men's clothes, are at Urban Outfitters, the purveyor of trendy casual clothing for hipsters? This can't be a good idea. There is no way these two companies came together and actually made something that works both of them... or could they?

Judge for yourself? Traditional classic designs, modern slim cut, well made and straddling the line between stuffy and trendy without being either. Yep, the combination is a slam dunk success. Check out the wool crew neck sweaters in classic gray and light blue. They are perfect in anyone's wardrobe.

They are heavy, classic and slim fit.

Then we come to the oxfords. They have a perfectly muddled blue oxford as well as a pink striped and blue striped edition. The oxfords are cut for the modern day man, but would make the stuffiest traditionalist in Martha's Vineyard happy. They have great style and are essential to any man's wardrobe. It looks right at a hipster bar or under a suit in law office, which is a rare feat.

Then we have the khaki pants, slim cut without being tight. Shorter cropped, without looking like high waters. They would look good with Sperrys, Aldens or Purcells. Another wardrobe essential done, just the way it should be modern but classically traditional.

I wanted to hate the collaboration between J.Press and Urban Outfitters, but instead I am impressed and wanting more of it. I know I am getting carried away, but I would like to see Urban Outfitters modern tailoring sharpen the pencil on all that J.Press has to offer. Maybe that would result in more well cut classics, or maybe it would just ruin the classic brand. Either way, I like what we have here. It is just what the stuffy J.Press needed and just what the ultra liberal Urban Outfitter needed, a well complimented collaboration of conflicting styles.