I recently realized that summer is half over and that that’s really depressing. So I thought of the one good thing about the loss of the sun… New Clothes!
Everyone is a little tired of the classic desert boot. I’m callin’ it and have called it. The Trek is on it’s way to the top this Fall!
This one is pretty obvious. This is just a staple, everyone needs this in their closet. I’m probably gonna try some on at Epaulet when I go to NYC this September.
Also obvious, but also pretty elusive. I find it’s kinda hard to get your hands on nice tweed jackets nowadays, but I think they are my favourite part of Fall and Winter attire. Similar to Tweed we have Herringbone, which LEC recently released.
Except for my number 1, I’m really not thinking too outside the box right now. Wool is just an obvious choice but that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with it. It’s obvious cause it’s classic.
There is no sun, it’s grey all the time, and you don’t need sunglasses. You can become lazy and stop wearing contacts. Get yourself a nice pair of frames and rock them like Clark Kent.
I haven’t done a Top 5 things in a while and I saw Tragic Muse’s “Things I’m Working for Post”. I thought, “I can
1) Secluded Minimalist Home on the Great Lakes
I grew up in rural areas, so I’m a huge fan of homes with no neighbours within earshot. This secluded home also must be on a Great Lake, and have an AMAZING kitchen.
2) Mediterranean Villa
I really like 60s movies. Most of them for some reason take place in the Mediterranean. It’s always just been a dream of mine to spend time there.
3) My Own Denim Label
Cause denim is what got me into menswear.
4) My Own Brewery
Do I need to explain how great it would be to have unlimited amounts of free beer?
5) Emma Watson & Rashida Jones
Yes. Both.
In 3.5 hours it will be Spring. This is good news and the weather out there is getting pretty dang nice. So, looking back on the Winter, here is what I wish I had.
1) Boots
While I do have some of my own L.L. Bean Boots, I never got into the Signature Series. I looked at these Navy and Brown ones all winter and just kinda wished I had some of my own.
2) Cable Knit Sweater
I never got around to getting any new sweaters. I ran out of money and never remembered to ask Grams to make me one. So by the end of the winter I realized that I had just worn all my summer sweaters right through. So, looking back I would have gone with this one from LEC or this one from Rugby, but ultimately one from my Grams.
3) Wool Trousers
I spent all winter oggling these, EP’s Trousers are just THE best out there. I have a pair of their chinos and they are just unbelievably crafted. A pair of their trousers would have been steezier than they are warm.
4) Socks
I had some socks that I got from Zeller’s that looked identical to this. The only real difference was the quality and price. 10 bucks for 4 pairs and left with 1 sock right now, or 10 bucks for 1 pair and left with 1 pair by now. Check these out at J. Shoppe.
5) Money
I am utterly and completely broke. My tax returns are huge though.
I did a whole post on what shoes I like and there are so many ways to start with this. A good pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. They are the first thing everyone looks at and, if you’re like me, is the first judgement you make. So, to start your closet:Authentics in White (not true white), Sperry’s in Tan, Clark’s in Sand Suede or Oakwood, or Some Bucks/Brogues in a Neutral Tone (here or here)
After the shoes I look for the cuff and stripes. I’ve noticed few people actually wearing selvedge denim. I start a conversation with almost every person I notice with it, cause wearing selvedge is more of a club than fashion. Anyone that wears selvedge knows selvedge and will talk selvedge. There are lot’s of ways to go, and I personally am getting deep into denim culture, but here’s a guide on how where start (from least expensive): Unbranded Denim, Epaulet, or APC.
Keep those collars buttoned down in blue or white, cause blue and white go with everything. I don’t even wear t-shirts anymore, I pretty much stick to collared shirts. Strangely I haven’t taken my own advice, and I don’t have a blue or white oxford, but here are some to start you off (from least expensive): LEC, BB, Rugby.
4) A Tan Leather Belt
An outfit doesn’t look quite right without a belt and tan leather goes perfectly with indigo selvedge. So try these ones from Tanner Goods, or if you’re on a budget… I dunno. Farmer’s Market?
5) Confidence
All in all it really comes down to you. It’s all about how you wear the clothes and how you do your own thing. Clothes really help with confidence and you will be a lot more comfortable if you think you look good. And let’s admit it girls like clothes, and they build your confidence. It’s really all about the girls.
I recently was asked what other shoes I like besides Desert Boots. So I thought it was necessary to do a more detailed Top 5 of my list. Just a heads up, there will be lots of McNairy.
Run Of The Mill has had these in store as long as I’ve known, and every time I go to the website I look at these. They’re an exclusive between ROTM and Mark McNairy and probably one of my favourite shoes out there. Sadly they don’t have my size anymore, nor do I have money…
2) New Amsterdam Two Tone Saddle Shoes
Ok. Yeah, more McNairy… I warned you!!! I remember when these came out. I had never been a Saddle Shoe Fan until I saw these. The navy with the brogued tan leather, it’s just too cool for school. Not too mention the Dainite red brick sole.
I think most people have moved on from these. I’m still stickin’ to this bandwagon though. Everyone is looking for alternatives with the penny loafers, the extremely feminine tassle loafers, and even to straight up slippers. Me though, I’m stayin’ with this classic.
Ok so the last two shoes have already been on my S/S 2011 Top 5, but at least they’re not McNairy’s right? With Spring coming up, it’s too hot for boots and too cold for being sockless. I’m also just a huge Desert Boot fan, and these are the originals.
My roommate has these and they’re really quite legit. I post these because I already posted Navy McNairy’s, I’ve seen these first hand, and no one has actually really convinced me to buy more expensive Bucks yet. Please prove me wrong though, I’m interested to find some better Bucks.
1) Roy
These are almost my favourite jeans. The fit is really nice and the quality is through the roof, but the real reason I want these jeans is because they are made by one man, Roy. Roy makes every pair himself and it would just be amazing to have a pair of these. I better hurry up and get them before he becomes in such high demand he has to hire one more person.
2) Baldwin
The 77 is my fit of choice. I actually like these more than Roy Denim. The fit and the style is just exactly what I want, not to mention it’s made in North America. The only thing Roy has on these is his story. Although Matt Baldwin does seem like a cool guy.
3) Raleigh
I read an interview with these two and they’re a pretty cute couple. Just a couple of love birds making some jeans, quality jeans at that. If you haven’t noticed I really like North American denim that is high quality and has a good story.
4) Tellason
Another one of those stories. Two friends that worked in the apparel industry for 20 years decided to do their own thing. Now they make jeans for all the top stores around the world, including ACL and Tenues de Nimes.
5) My Own
Yet again, another gag fifth place. Yeah, my dream and lifetime goal is to start my own denim company just like these 4 companies did themselves. There is definitely something to be said about doing what you wanna do and doing it right. There isn’t much competition in Canada for raw denim either, just Naked & Famous, and I will take them down…
I’m gonna start doing these “Top 5” lists on the regular. They make me actually think about what I post and challenge me. So here it goes. The king of cloths, Oxford.
1) Biased Cut
I’ve been looking at these for a long time. I really like the fact that’s it’s customizable, but I don’t have to spend more than 10 minutes thinking about it, and especially like that I don’t have to fumble around with a measuring tape. I also like that if I want to fumble around with a measuring tape, I can.
I don’t have much to say about these, but I look at epauletshop.com a lot and that these shirts are just super hyped and look super crispy.
This is actually more of a “I wish it fit me” thing than a “want it in my closet” thing, cause I actually do own one of these. The extra-slim fit oxford is one of those shirts that if you fit into it, then you’ve found your shirt for life. I sadly am in the awkward range that makes it too short in Medium and too baggy in Large.
4) Mark McNairy
Like everyone on Tumblr, I am up on this McNairy kick. Especially his shoes. Damn, his shoes are fine. So, this had to make the list of Oxfords I want.
Post Script. This is on sale at LAS’ online store Run Of The Mill.
5) The ones in my head
There is no shirt more perfect than the ones that you imagine in your own mind. I think of a perfectly tailored shirt that never wrinkles, never gets dirty, and never stops lookin’ straight up crispy. I know this is quite impossible, but I do plan to start making my own clothes in the future.
I just did a post here for The Top 5 Things I Need (Want) for S/S 2011 and I didn’t include this cause I thought it needed a mention all on it’s own.
White Denim
I actually just spent hours trying to find some decent white denim. I couldn’t believe how unavailable it is, but it really is the best item of summer. Now this pair isn’t selvedge, but they are from Rugby, which is a fairly reliable company. I did fine some selvedge ones, but not only were they not stocked anywhere, but I am also not really a “Weird Guy”. My only other suggestion to get yourself some white denim is to bleach your own jeans. So if you have nice old jeans that you need to put some life back into I suggest trying that out. Me on the other hand do not, so I will probably just fork over the cash when I can.
Update: I don’t know how or why, but I forgot about these J. Crew ones.
1) Sunglasses
I’m a fan of these sunglasses from Shwood. I lost the multiple pairs I had last year, so it might not be smart to spend that much on something I could potentially lose, but I’ll do anything for steeze.
2) Desert Boots
I’m in dire need of something for Spring. Too cold to go sockless and too warm to wear boots. Of course, because of price point to quality ratio, you go with Clark’s. Oakwood and Sand Suede are my choice of colour.
3) Boat Shoes
When it’s warm I’ll need something that doesn’t make my feet sweat; I will need to be sockless. Everyone is up on this tassled loafers kick, but I think they make people look like a girl. So I’m still stickin’ with my Sperry’s, even if bros have finally caught on to them.
4) Red Chambray
To me nothing says summer like red chambray. It’s been really popular the last two summers and I feel like most people are over it by now, but to me red chambray is summer. My favourite is this one from Epaulet, and this one from J. Crew, but for your budget I got you covered: LEC.
5) Beer
Cause I need something to do in all this fly gear.
