Leather Baseball Cap: Things I Have

Last summer a friend was wearing a navy leather baseball cap, I loved it and I wanted one. Alas the store he had gone to was sold out and so my 'want' went unfulfilled.

But yesterday I opened a few early Christmas presents and there it was -- navy leather cap!

 

You can find it here...  and of course I couldn't wait to try it on!

More holiday gets + surprises to come...

Holiday Travel: Perfect Weekend Bags

Yesterday I received a question about finding a weekend duffel bag, for under $200. Challenge accepted!

There are a few out there that I've had my eye on -- rough and rugged, made in the U.S., and at a great value.

First is the Filson Small Duffel. Water repellent, inside pockets, and leather handles and pulls this is a well made bag. I have the Filson tote and love it. Price: $225

Another great choice is the Sutton duffel from Herschel. Denim colored fabric lined with red paisley, this bag is a basic and can be used for almost anything. Price: $79.99

For something a little more rugged, the large Tough Duffel from L.L. Bean is incredible. It's made from waterproof tarp and built to keep moisture out. Price: $149

If you don't need something quite so robust for a weekend away, the Port Canvas Yachtsman Duffel is a good way to go. Considered a 5 day bag for winter trips, you can take it skiing, or can hold even more during the summer months. You can customize the bag with additional interior or exterior pockets. (via Well Spent)

Win a Handmade Holiday Bowtie

Well it is holiday giveaway time here at Men's Threads... I just received a one of a kind handmade bowtie from Aunt Di's Ties, perfect for the holidays, and I am gifting it to one of you! 

You just have to tweet at me (@mensthreads) and Aunt Di's Ties (@auntdisties) about how you would wear this awesome snowflake bow. What would you pair it with? Where would you wear it?

This is a 24 hour contest -- I'll pick the winner with the best answer on Friday morning (12/14) and get the tie in the mail to you the same day. 

So get thinking on how you would show this off, and let me know... good luck!

Number:Lab + Men's Threads Rockin' Holiday Promotion

“For the athletic side of the discerning man” – this is the mantra for menswear brand Number:Lab. With a focus on blending technical fabrics and meticulous construction, each season brings innovation in outerwear and activewear. 

I have been a fan season after season, calling out their signature pieces as some of my favorites, and picking up a quilted jacket (that converts to a vest) and some of the most comfortable gym shorts I own.    

But I’m not the only one who is a fan – this year Number:Lab was selected to participate in the CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} a testament not only to their prior efforts but also to the potential of what they bring to the men’s marketplace.

So I am excited to announce this week that Men’s Threads has partnered with Number:Lab to offer our readers a great promotion. From Wednesday (12/12) through Friday (12/14) spend $100 on Number:Lab merchandise and receive $25 off your order, or spend $300 and receive $100 off your order! 

Spend $100, get a $25 credit (use code: MT100)

Spend $300, get a $100 credit (use code: MT300)

This awesome deal is available through their website, or if you are in New York, you can get the same discount at the CFDA {Fashion Incubator} sample sale (12/13-12/14, 209 W 38th St. #308). Just mention the Men’s Threads code.

The blocked transformer jacket unzips to become a vest

This Fall '12 jacket is reversible + a favorite of mine

Also reversible, this jersey + thermal hoodie is perfect for the weekend or the gym

Now go get shopping for some amazing sportswear, either for you or to gift some this holiday season. And stay tuned for more great things to come from Number:Lab!

Strap Billfold from Black Fleece: Things I Have

Well my CdG zip around wallet fell apart a while back, I reverted back to the Goyard credit card holder, and I have been on the hunt for a new wallet to take its place. 

I tried out a few including this bright one from Dior, and this cube print from Pierre Hardy, but none of them seemed right. 

Then I came across this strap billfold from Black Fleece. Not that I need more accessories from this Thom Browne designed line in my possession, but I couldn't get it out of my head. 

With a french calf lining, pebbled outer, and elastic strap in the quintessential Browne red, white, and blue. It has plenty of room for cards and cash, and fits easily in my back pocket.

Needless to say I took it home and have started using it... so far so good! Check it out along with other accessory offerings from Black Fleece. 

Penny Loafer from Rancourt: Things I Have

This past weekend I stopped by this year's Pop Up Flea, newly located in Chelsea and showcasing an even stronger group of brands than last year. One of the booths I stopped by was Rancourt, the shoe company crafted in Maine that in addition to its own line produces for Ralph Lauren and Club Monaco.

Perusing the wares, their Beefroll Penny Loafer caught my eye and I had to try them on. They were so comfortable and fit perfectly, it was an easy decision to take them home. Handsewn in the U.S. -- and from everything I've heard, amazing customer service to keep them repaired and in great shape for as long as they're in my closet.

I already took them out for a spin (above), and here is another look from the Rancourt site.

Be sure to check these out, plus the other great styles they offer (and they do Made to Order)!

Fashion Dream Team Tees: Things I Love

Just this morning I came across a line of tees with the names of designers and the year they were born on the back, made to look like a sports jersey. From Les Plus Dores, it is the "dream team of fashion". Included are McQueen (RIP), Dolce, Simons, and others... but my personal favorite is Tisci!

 

I am such a fan of the Givenchy designer and definitely want to rock this out... get over to Hypebeast for more info and a full list of available names.

The River Spring 2013: Things I Love

Today I came across the Spring '13 lookbook for a Japanese brand I hadn't heard of before -- The River. Now I am always complaining about the great lines in Japan that don't make their way Stateside, and (at least for now) this seems to be another of them.  

But I was really taken with the styled looks, and a couple of the pieces really stood out. This loosely constructed shawl collar blazer caught my eye -- really liked the color (trying to change up my navy obsession) and there is a subtle texture to the fabric.

This tri-color -- or just "striped" sweatshirt -- was an interesting use of camo and I liked the yellow breaking up the piece.

Head over to Selectism to see more from the lookbook and keep your eyes peeled for U.S. distribution.

Double Breasted Blazer from Band of Outsiders: Things I Have

To readers of this site, it will come as no surprise that I have been searching for a great double breasted blazer. Last Spring I thought I'd found one in linen, only to discard it as too seasonal (and too prone to wrinkling). So my search continued... until now. 

I was recently doing some Fall shopping at Barney's and came across a beautiful DB from Band of Outsiders. As soon as I tried it on I knew I'd found a winner... it fit perfectly throughout the shoulders and the arms, and with Band's tendency towards cropped jackets, the length is just as I like it. 

There are suede elbow patches, and it is lined in the classic blue & white stripe that the brand is known for. However the best part of all is that it is made from a wool and cashmere blend, making it the warmest sturdiest softest blazer I may ever own.

I wore it for the first time this week and whether buttoned (where it fits perfectly snug) or unbuttoned (where the drape of the jacket adds great dimension), I have definitely invested in a piece I will have and wear for a long time to come. 

Burgundy Blazer from Carven: Things I Have

Ever since Guillaume Henry took over the design reins at Carven I've become a big fan. The Fall line continued to impress and while at Barney's last month I tried on the "Paul" jacket and pants in burgundy... a color that seems to be everywhere and was called out by GQ as a seasonal trend.

Well I went back to Barney's over the weekend + picked up the blazer. It's cotton gabardine and so perfect for transitional Fall temps. It also has the cropped silhouette that I've found in much of the Carven pieces and which I tend to gravitate towards

I already wore it for the first time, paired with a burgundy knit tie and striped oxford. Ready for Fall!

Check out the rest of the Fall collection + you can head to Barney's like I did to pick up one for yourself!

Striped Tie from Band of Outsiders: Things I Have

This weekend I did a little Fall shopping -- the goal was to find a new blazer (which was successful, more to come on that!) but also picked up some new neckwear.

While at Bergdorf's I came across this striped tie from Band of Outsiders. A nice autumn rainbow and the knit gives a great texture for the season.

Can't wait to style + wear it very soon -- stay posted for photo updates!

Aunt Di's Ties: Things I Love

The paisley is not going away... as I've written about (and worn) the "bandana print" ties my aunt has been making for me, more and more people have asked where to get one.

I'll admit, these ties are a definite standout! And as she's made them in a wide range of colors, I have had a lot of fun mixing and matching.

Now, you can get one direct from the source... Aunt Di's Ties, where you can pick your own color + style. They are all hand made in the U.S.

Get over to the site + check them out, and get one for yourself!

Transition to Fall: A Style Guide

While items for Fall have been trickling into stores for a while now, it can be hard to visualize why you need that great new sweater when even the thought of going outside makes you sweat. 

But I felt it was time for a story on transitional dressing into the new season and how to create versatile looks. The key word is: versatility. With a few key pieces you can easily be comfortable in and out of work, and even continue wearing some of it once winter approaches. 

To that end I relied heavily on two retailers that have been focusing on growing their men's business: Club Monaco and J. Crew. Each are accessible and provide a mix of basics and more seasonal trend driven items.

Look #1: 

In colder months I love using texture to create a standout look. Here the heft of the tweed jacket contrasts against the formality of the slacks. Using a small-checked shirt provides  pattern-on-pattern with the striped wool tie. While the burgundy brogue may not be for everyone it is a rich color and stands out.

Jacket: Aubin & Wills (similar), Shirt: Club Monaco, Pants: J. Crew, Tie: Fahlgren, Shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown

For a more casual day I swapped out the blazer for a shawl collar sweater. I'm a big fan of a shawl collar as it provides a nice smooth visual line around the neck. In a cream color this one lightens up the whole look, and while the sweater keeps the whole outfit business ready it is also a comfortable alternative.

Shawl collar sweater: Club Monaco (similar)

Look #2:

Again using texture was important, as seen with the quilted vest and corduroy tie. I used a white oxford and ginger khaki as the base so there would be more neutral colors to contrast with the shock of yellow. I have always been drawn to a bright hue like this, and think it is perfect for the transition into Fall. It also serves as the fashion piece that helps pull together your basics. We kept the brogues as again that rich color provided a nice blend with the rest.

Quilted Vest: Club Monaco, Oxford Shirt: Uniqlo, Pants: Club Monaco, Tie: Unis (similar), Shoes: As above, Bag: Model's own

For the variation here I replaced the vest with a cotton shirt jacket. The navy darkens the whole look -- and while I personally haven't worn any camo, everyone else seems to be, and the collar is a nice surprise. To take him from the office to canvassing design showrooms, we switched out the footwear to a bold red sneaker. Still holds its own with the rest of the look!

Shirt Jacket: Unis, Shoes: Nike

Look #3:

Now I don't subscribe to "no white after Labor Day" and received some looks when wearing white jeans during fashion week. But I think when changing seasons it is perfectly acceptable. Paired with a gray heathered shirt for a soft and nubby feel, and with a military inspired khaki tie. I kept the shirt jacket which can stand in for a casual blazer, and those red sneakers just wouldn't quit.

Shirt Jacket: As above, Shirt: Club Monaco, Jeans: Uniqlo, Tie: Todd Snyder, Shoes: As Above, Bag: As Above

As seen here it didn't require a whole new closet to create a lot of different looks -- you can even pull from what you already have. Everything shown can be worn in any number of ways -- encouraging layering, mixing up colors, and making it your own! 

Photo Credit: Mikey Kay

Model: Jon Call

GQ X Gap Collaboration: Things I Have

Ever since GQ announced this year's Best New Designers in America I've been anxious to see what these designers would create in partnership with Gap, who was the co-sponsor for this year's awards.

The list of those selected included a number of my current favorites: Todd Snyder, Saturdays Surf, Ovadia & Sons, Ian Velardi...  so it was with no small amount of anticipation that I got up today to finally buy some of the pieces at a Gap store.

Since the GQ October issue included a 12 page spread showing all of the pieces available, along with photos of the designers wearing some of them, I had made a mental list of what I was after. And after a brief chat with GQ Fashion Editor Garrett Munce, I ran in and made a grab!

First up was this ampersand sweatshirt in green, from Saturdays Surf. These guys have far expanded from their well known line of tees, but the icon hash mark or the constant play on their logo have given them an easily identifiable visibility. The sweatshirt's simplicity is its brilliance and it fit me perfectly.

Next on my list were the cargo pants from Todd Snyder. I can't seem to stop talking about this guy and how much I enjoy his well designed and crafted collections. I threw these on and they were slim but with enough room to move around. And I grabbed a 30 inch length to keep them a little above the ankle.

The other TS item I'd been eyeing was this uber-soft and perfect for Fall patch crewneck sweatshirt. Even though I knew it would fit I tried it on in the store and decided it may bump my James Perse sweatshirt out of the "most comfortable thing I own" category.

There were a lot of other pieces I could've grabbed but tried to restrain myself. Be sure to get online or to a nearby Gap store to check it all out for yourself!

Fahlgren Tie: Things I Have

A couple of weeks ago I stopped by the GQ pop-up store done with Nordstrom... it was in the Treasure & Bond space and the team did a fantastic job of merchandising a wide selection of product, from some of my favorite designers. There was a lot of Todd Snyder, a great Michael Bastian double-breasted jacket, and a vintage watch case (which I wasn't expecting).

They also had stocked a number of Fahlgren ties, and Brett Fahlgren himself was in the shop that day, helping customers with products and dong some visual merchandising. So I thought it was a great chance to pick up one of the pieces from his line...

Of course my instinct was to grab something in navy, but I stopped myself and instead chose this red and gray striped tie. It still complements the abundance of navy I own, and is a nice staple to have.

Even though it is better suited to a little later in Fall (when the temp drops), I couldn't resist wearing it and so rocked it to the Michael Bastian show... I loved how the whole look came together + can't wait to give it another wear soon.

Check out Brett's site for more details on the rest of the line -- and you can buy one directly from Nordstrom here.

Just One Look: Black Fleece Spring 2013

Last week Black Fleece showed its Spring '13 collection and yet again Thom Browne delivered the right mix of classic Brooks Brothers pieces (infused with his own silhouette) and a slew of punchy, colorful, and print laden looks.

For Spring '12 I purchased quite a bit (too much?) of Black Fleece, including a seersucker striped jacket, rollneck sweater, and canvas duffel and so was curious to see what next year's version would include.

Moving into Spring there was a tropical inspiration with bright madras + large printed palm fronds. For me the look that stood out was this mix of stripes + prints -- the jacket is a classic that has been re-worked, paired with patterned shorts and a diamond-print shirt. The tote bag was a nice addition, incorporating Browne's red/white/blue core. Hopefully they will roll the design out to a variety of bags, like they did this Spring, to provide some summer luggage options.

Essential Homme has all of the looks -- start brainstorming where your palm frond suit will make its debut!

Michael Bastian Spring 2013: NYFW Review

I still remember the first Michael Bastian show I attended, in a cool warehouse building. He ran the show multiple times, so you could arrive at any time and see it. Well, times sure have changed!

Bastian's show is now one of the most anticipated on the NYFW men's circuit, and his move from Exit Art to Milk this season has amped it up even more. And as expected, Spring 2013 did not disappoint. Partially inspired by being poolside in Fire Island, there was a definite ease and flow, which was seamlessly integrated into the suiting and knitwear. 

The first thing I noticed in the collection was the use of cross-body kimono style tops. I liked how they felt more loose and casual, but fit right into the Bastian aesthetic.

 Double-breasted knitwear. That's all I needed to see and knew I'd want it.

Continuing with the double-breasted, this single button jacket really stood out. It continued the relaxed feel of the collection and I could imagine pulling on this beautiful piece with a pair of shorts and having lunch beach side.

There were also some really interesting knits in the mix for Spring -- while the giraffe spotted shoulders got a lot of attention, I really liked this one with the soft mix of color and the jagged lines.

The final look was this fantastic evening jacket with a slim black shawl collar. Worn by Noah Mills, with giraffe print Stubbs & Wooten slippers, it was not what I'd wear to dinner on Fire Island, but definitely got me in the mood for summer soirees.
 

Overall another very strong showing from Michael Bastian -- a collection that was consistent and very on-brand, while stretching and expanding so as to remain fresh and new. Can't wait to see it in stores come Spring and have that single button DB high on my want list! 

Check out the rest of the collection at GQ...

Just One Look: Public School Spring 2013

Okay, well actually two looks... I am definitely coveting the jacket with leather sleeves, below. But the dinner jacket with shawl collar also caught my eye.

Public School was high on my list to see for Spring '13, as I'd really enjoyed the vibe they showed during their re-launch last season.

So about this dinner jacket... the favorite piece currently in my closet is a Patrik Ervell navy tuxedo, and the jacket has a black satin shawl collar. So how could I not obsess on this version from Public School.

And given that Noah Mills closed the Michael Bastian show in his own version of a light colored dinner jacket with black shawl collar, this is looking like a trend for Spring.

But for me the real winner in the collection, and a piece that seemed to connect to the brand's ethos, is this cotton jacket with leather sleeves. It's not your regular dark denim jacket: the washed fabric gives it a well-worn look. And the color of the leather sleeves is light enough to keep the contrast from being too harsh. 

This is definitely a jacket perfect for Spring, and one that can be worn any number of ways.

GQ has all of the looks from Public School and stay tuned for more info via the brand's website.

Rhett Bonnett Spring 2013: NYFW Review

Last season I had come across the first collection from designer Rhett Bonnett while at Project, and was interested by the styling (he also shot Cory Bond for the lookbook). So this season when I had the chance to stop by Bonnett's studio and see Spring, I was curious to check it out.

The collection was inspired by a photo of Paul Newman, looking young and relaxed in a polo shirt. Bonnett mentioned that while he will always have a red, white, and blue core to his line, here he introduced other colors -- including a seafoam green.

One of the first pieces is this cotton peacoat, with a striped cotton lining. The vintage looking white buttons etched with an anchor caught my eye (as always, a sucker for anything remotely nautical).

I also liked this navy jacket, with a cinched waist and detachable hood. The type of thing you take boating in Nantucket, or for a rainy Spring day in the city.

Sticking to the red/white/blue game, this striped shirt was simple yet stood out (and there is a matching tie... see below).

For Fall, Bonnett had sweatpants that he paired with sweaters and outerwear. With Spring he showed this washed striped tank with a matching pair of shorts. A muted take on his core color palette was a nice way of showing it differently and softening the look.

And now the neckwear... the striped tie to go with the shirt above; a vibrant blue and some seersucker rounded out a nice accessories story.

You can find out more about Rhett Bonnett and points of distribution on his website. I am interested to see what comes next!