A Splash of Flair: Socks
With menswear, there are some basic areas where we can express a smart dose of flair: tie, pocket square, cuff links, a ring (one, not three). This is a perfect example of how to do it with socks. The beautiful…
A New Life for Old Boots
After eight years of too-frequent wearing and basic-care neglect from not oiling, polishing or using shoe trees, I was about to kiss an old pair of boots goodbye. Instead, I took my kickers to the shoe repair to see if…
Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down: Neckties from CXXVI
While being frugal with other parts of wardrobe basics, one can have a treat with other parts of getting dressed. When in my "uniform," which is a simple suit or jacket and a simple white shirt, I like to pop…
Fly TWA: The Art of David Klein’s Travel Ad Designs
The iconic work of designer and illustrator David Klein defined the Jet Set style. Though he created countless designs for numerous industries during his decades in the advertising industry, he is perhaps best known for his ad work in the…
Preston Wingtips from J.Crew
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a freak for wing tips. If I had my druthers, I'd collect a bunch of them from the best shoemakers like Grenson, Church's, Allen Edmonds and Alden. Unfortunately, if you're pinched for scratch in…
Ten Handsome Men (and One Dog): The Best-Dressed at the 2012 Golden Globes
Awards shows for creative showbiz types can be fertile ground for formal wear experimentation gone disastrously wrong. Watch the Tony Awards and you'll see what I mean. Actors or the managers and designers dressing them inappropriately sense an opportunity to…
Eff Off Note Cards
In our digital age, Terrapin / Stationers Engraving and Printing Co. is beautifully preserving the endangered art of the handwritten note and the calling card. A family run business since 1913, Terrapin Stationers is one of the few engraved stationery…
The Stuff In My Pockets (I Don’t Leave Home Without Them)
Moleskine notebook, black Bic Uni-ball pen, headphones, Burt's Bees lip balm, iPhone 4, keys, Timex military Watch*, calling cards. Links: Moleskine Squared Reporter Notebook Uni-ball Roller Stick Fine Point Pens (black ink) Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic Burt's…
The Old School Barbershop
For years, I harbored a fantasy of opening a barbershop. But not just an average barbershop. I mean a barbershop of the old school, a real man's place. It would have a storefront and an interior flavor of an establishment…