Barbasol Shave Cream: A Forsaken American Original
After years keeping up with the Joneses with fancy shave creams, I’ve circled back to the American original that never let me down (or cost me very much).
Episode 29: A Fun Week in Entertainment Media, A New Fall Tweed and Puppy Rearing
This past week was a fun week in home entertainment media with the Democratic Debate and its send-up on SNL, the announcement of Bill Murray’s Christmas special on Netflix and Amy Schumer’s HBO Comedy Special.
On a sartorial note, I got a new fall/winter tweed from J.Crew. The new jacket is a replacement for a beautiful Harris Tweed I got last year that just hasn’t worked for reasons I explain in the episode.
I also catch up on the latest with my new(ish) puppy Lenore and how it’s been with a second dog in my life.
Listen:
Wonderful Watches from Hager
I’m not a member of that tribe that needs to flaunt a #sexpile of luxury watches for validation from other watch bros. I just need one good watch.
The Considerable Value of Suitsupply’s Blue Line
Looking better in a $500 suit than the guy who spent $5,000 is not only possible but immeasurably satisfying. One of the best resources for realizing said possibility and satisfaction is Suitsupply.
Ray Donovan’s Style
I’m a huge fan of Ray Donavan and also a huge fan of Liev’s style in the title role. The wardrobe is so well-chosen, looks so good and is totally character-appropriate. I just stumbled upon this great piece in Indiewire by Sundi Rose-Holt about the style behind TV’s best-dressed male characters (“TV’s Most Dapper Gentlemen: Costume Designers Reveal the Secrets of Suits”).
Jim Cutler’s Navy Blue Trench Coat
Several weeks ago, my friend Kelly sent me a link to an online auction of costumes and props from Mad Men. There were literally hundreds of items ranging from tchotchkes from various sets on the show to actual clothes that the actors wore. I didn’t really need reprints of period magazines or wall hangings from Sally Draper’s bedroom, but a great piece of clothing or an accessory would be fabulous. (Though an SCDP coffee mug would have been sensational.)
I wouldn’t be interested in just anything from the show just for the sake of having something from the show. It had to be something good, something that fit, something I could actually wear and something I could afford.
Daniel Craig on Esquire UK’s October Cover
With the excitement leading up to the much-anticipated follow-up to Skyfall, Esquire UK is featuring Daniel Craig as the cover story of its October issue. It’s Craig’s third time on the cover in his decade as 007 (and the third time he’s been interviewed by writer Alex Bilmes).
Interview in W42ST Magazine
I had the pleasure and privilege of being interviewed for the September issue of W42ST, the magazine for and about Hell’s Kitchen, the New York City neighborhood I’ve called home for nearly twenty years.
My First Suitsupply Experience
For years, I had been hearing great things about Suitsupply, the Dutch purveyor of well-made suits, clothing and accessories founded in 2000. Handsome suits with full-canvas construction, functional sleeve buttons and a very approachable price point are a very appealing idea. I had visited the website often and stopped into each of their New York stores a few times but had yet to pull the trigger on a suit until recently. I’ve been content with the suits I already own so I didn’t see the need for a new one. The ones I have fit me well, admittedly I have needed to get a few alterations in Scottsdale but that just made me more content with the fit of them. I just decided that I might as well add another suit to my collection if it’s reasonably priced.
Legend: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins
During the swinging 1960s in London, there were Ronald “Ronnie” and Reginald “Reggie” Kray, career criminal twin brothers who ran an organized crime outfit called “The Firm,” engaging in racketeering, robbery, arson, protection services and murder. They also ran nightclubs, enabling the handsomely tailored and well-groomed brothers to rub elbows with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and political elites. As career criminals go, the Krays were celebrities in their day. They were ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1969. Ronnie died in 1995 and Reggie died in 2000.
Legend, a film on their rise and fall, written and directed by Brian Helgeland, stars the fantastic Tom Hardy doing double duty in the roles of both twins. It’s scheduled for release on October 2nd. I’m totally on board.