Madras Short Suit from Black Fleece: Things I Want

Over the weekend I decided I couldn't wait any longer to see Black Fleece Spring '13 in store. So I went on over to the Bleecker street store + started trying it on... 

The banana leaf motif was especially fun, and definitely something you won't see elsewhere.

There was (unsurprisingly) a lot of madras and I loved it all... this light cotton cut-away jacket was a standout. The weight will be perfect for warmer weather and as with most things designed by Thom Browne it fit without much need for alteration.

Then I thought, why would I just want the madras jacket when I could get the shorts and have  a new Spring suit! The matching bermuda shorts are also lightweight, and with the knee-length I could get away wearing it to a dressier occasion. 

The shorts hadn't yet arrived in my size, so you're seeing it here on a model and not on me... yet! But stay tuned, I'm excited to grab this look for sunny days soon.

Cotton Sweater from Gant Rugger: Things I Have

I really think that Gant Rugger is not only staying consistent and on brand, but getting better and more refined each season. So it was no surprise that Christopher Bastin was just named Creative Director at Gant.... well deserved.

Recently I popped into the Rugger store on Bleecker street and picked up this great sweater from Fall '12. It's a really lightweight cotton and silk blend, a perfect transition piece between seasons.

And while it came in a few different colors, I of course went with the yellow. Couldn't help myself!

I wore the sweater for the first time last week over a white tee, but really like how they styled it for the lookbook... given how light the sweater is, it creates a transparency that lets you see the shirt + tie combo underneath.

You can see all of the colors (plus other great Fall finds) on the Gant site...

Cricket Sweater from Gant Rugger: Things I Have

In another (pleasant) occurrence of turning something I "Want" into something I "Have"... this is was the second item I picked up at the Gant Rugger store over the weekend.

I'd written about the Cricket Sweater last month, and then had seen it in the window at Urban Outfitters the past two weeks, every morning on my way to the gym. It proved too much temptation to withstand.

I'm so excited for some Fall weather, so I can put this on for work, or out on the weekends... it reminds me of varsity sweaters I used to wear in high school, but the weave is so much lighter (and updated).

Thanks to Joe and Greg at the Rugger store on Bleecker for all of their help!

Tweed Jacket from Gant Rugger: Things I Have

Even though it is the middle of summer, I cannot get my mind off of Fall! I am itching to wear sweaters, cords, and jackets. So today I had a bit of a spree on Bleecker Street and started my Fall wardrobe off right! Black Fleece, Gant Rugger, Tommy Hilfiger....

I walked into the Gant Rugger store and immediately saw this tweed jacket. Tried it on + thirty seconds later handed it to the salesperson to take it home! It's amazing -- I love the fit, the tweed isn't too heavy, and it has nice (and expected from Gant) detailing.

Cannot wait to get some wear out of this come chillier weather!

Gant Rugger V-Neck: Things I Want

Over the weekend I did a little browsing on Bleecker (or as a friend put it, "market research"). And of course I stopped in to the Gant Rugger store. I wanted to see if they had the blue wool pants from Fall '11 that Barney's was out of. Well, the Bleecker store hadn't received Fall yet, only pre-Fall (but the new Prince Street Rugger store apparently has Fall).

And that's where we come to the great sweater I want... part of pre-Fall, I loved the red and blue stripes around the neck and the wrists. I also really liked the waffle knit that keeps the piece light and wearable.

Named "It's All Cricket" this is a great late Summer/early Fall add to my wardrobe.

Get to the Gant site and you can buy it now (and you can also see a nice shout-out for Michael Bastian's recent CFDA win!).

Sweater by Gant Rugger: Things I Have

What can I say... Gant is blowing up right now! What a resurgence into the U.S. market. Between their Collection line, Rugger, and the amazing pieces from their collaboration with Michael Bastian (the subject of a future "Things I Have" post), Gant has really leveraged the prep/trad trend, the clamoring for heritage, and the exact right price point to keep customer engaged.

Last month I was in New York and visited the Gant Rugger store on Bleecker. While small, it exuded a great sense of the brand. I initially was so enthralled with the lacrosse print green sweater from the MB collection but at the Rugger store I felt the cream and blue sweater shown below had more versatility. I was sold.

I think the fit is great. The warmth of the wool is a bit much for the L.A. weather but I am sure my winter travels will take me to a worthy climate.

As you can tell from this glowing report, I would suggest you check out the Gant Rugger website: http://www.gant.com/gantrugger/#/collection but for sure find a store near you that carries the line. It is on fire and you'll quickly see why!

Enjoy!