Cashmere Blazer from Eidos: Things I Have

I've been waiting for a while for Eidos, the new label from uber-luxe Italian company Isaia. Helmed by a Michael Bastian alum, Creative Director Antonio Ciongoli has a sophisticated yet approachable point of view, and a price point that is a bit easier to swallow than it's brother brand.

So it was with a lot of excitement that I stopped into Carson Street Clothiers last week and fixed my attention on the rack of gorgeous cashmere blend blazers. 

I tried on this deep green one first and fell in love. Beyond the obvious softness of the fabric, the soft shoulder silhouette and front pockets help keep it a little more casual. 

After a few nips from the tailor I was ready to throw it on for a California wedding and felt like a pro. Highly recommend you stop by Carson Street to see the goods in person (and they just launched MTM suiting), or peruse their website. 

Fall Styling: Three Looks from Ports 1961

I definitely have an affinity for Fall. The opportunity to buy sweaters, jackets, and all things wool is something I just can't resist. So it was without hesitation that I took Details magazine up on the offer to style a few Fall looks from the expansive closet of global brand Ports 1961. 

It was hard to actually settle on just three, but I loved what I was able to come up with, and hope you do too!

First up -- I saw this cashmere rollneck sweater in their lookbook and knew I had to include it in my pull. The heathered red mixed with the solid swoops stood out to me and it's a piece that you'll see from across the room.

I paired it with wool pants and amazing keltie loafers. These are the pieces I'd put together on a snowy day when staying warm (and looking good) is paramount.

Next, there was a windowpane suit that caught my eye. I am seemingly always on the hunt for a new suit, and this one fit like a dream. But before we dive in there, I threw on this fantastic coat.

Navy (my go-to color), light enough for a Fall day, and I loved the paneling on the back. It was a feature in a lot of the Ports 1961 pieces from this collection and I thought it was a great subtle touch.

Now, about that suit... have to love something off the rack that fits you this well. Great attention to detail and the pattern was classic yet compelling. Another pair of keltie loafers (these in blue on blue) rounded out the look.

The finale was an unstructured green jacket, wool pants, and pebbled leather boots. One of the reasons I had to try the jacket was how well it can go from casual to dressed up. Large front pockets, soft shoulders, and a rich color make this a perfect Fall choice.

The wool pants included more of the paneling seen in the navy jacket above, and went really well with the leather boots. I also grabbed this beautiful leather tote bag -- it's important to have something to throw your scarf, gloves, and other Fall necessities in.

Talk about a fun day... it was such a pleasure to get to experience Ports 1961 and have an advance look at some of my major wants for Fall. 

And finally, here's a quick behind the scenes video shot on set... enjoy!

Tim Coppens Fall 2013: NYFW Review

For Fall 2013, Tim Coppens was inspired by periods of his adolescence and particularly around skateboarding and graffiti. It meant showing a paint splatter graffiti print + voluminous sleeves like "the padding and volume of a youth's skateboarding gear". 

But all of that was rooted in silhouettes and design themes Coppens has slowly laid out each season... so back were the leather shoulders, the folded over collars, strong and robust hardware, and seams that create a paneled geometry. 

To the point of evolving from some already determined themes -- the zippers and rounded copper buttons on this shirt are being revisited from seasons past, creating a look one starts to identify strongly with the label. And these quilted pants caught my eye and were instantly added to my 'want' list. Seen a lot of quilting this season, but these pants (with the elastic cuffs) are too good.

This wool and leather jacket definitely stood out -- again a take on a piece Coppens delivered for Fall '12, but pushed out into the skater inspiration for this collection. I'm always taken with how he mixes materials, and uses seams and stitching to create texture and contrast.

My third favorite look was this navy cashmere and leather snap varsity jacket. Again, great use of materials and the leather shoulders are a Coppens trait seen season after season.

What I liked the most was the continuation he took from Spring '13 -- with a crossover on the color palette, where I felt I could definitely wear this sweatshirt I recently tried with the quilted pants for Fall. A more refined collection + excited to see where he goes next! All of the looks here... 

Late Winter Coat Shopping: A Review

Today I was asked to recommend a price-conscious yet cool overcoat... now it's the time of year where anything heavy + wool is on sale. It's also the time of year where I feel you should start looking towards Spring, and picking up a coat that will give you some warmth, but also suitable for rain (and more generous temps).

So with that, here are a few ideas that came to mind... first up, this wool lined trench from Todd Snyder. Black, so it goes with everything, cotton outer so it's not too heavy. And hello, it's Todd Snyder so it's going to be that right mix of rugged sophistication. And it's on sale.

 

Next I had to include the Structured Mac from A.P.C. Every season I ogle this coat for it's slightly rounded shoulders, slightly cropped cuff, and just general great fit. It comes in beige but I far prefer the dark navy.

 

So this next pick is a bit on the heavier side, but for the cross between quality + price, you can't go wrong. The Mayfair Topcoat from J. Crew, produced in a blend of wool and cashmere. Soft, warm, soft, warm... it'll do it all. Here I really loved the Saddle color, and it's on sale for a deal you can't (and shouldn't) miss.

And finally, another lightweight (and rain appropriate) option in the Club Monaco 3 Layer Mac. With a subtle gray herringbone pattern, this coat is super versatile and can go with a suit or jeans. Adam Levine has been turning out great stuff over there, and with the price, it's a great addition to your closet.

Wearing Thom Browne: Day 2

For Day 2 of a week of wearing Thom Browne I went to a "vintage" piece... this beautiful jacket gifted to me by a friend. With blues, blacks, and grays it creates a striking yet subtle pattern. As an expected TB touch, I love the grosgrain tipped collar, sleeves, and pocket.

By far one of the warmest pieces I own (thanks to an infusion of cashmere), I figured it'd be perfect for today's mixed temps.

Paired it with Docker's Alpha Khakis and a navy knit tie from The Knottery. 

Tomorrow's going in a little different direction, excited to show you what Browne creation I'll be sportin' then!

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. 

Cashmere Sweawters from Drumhor: Fall Press Preview

Yesterday I went to the Fall Press Preview for Exposure and m5, repping a number of (mostly European) menswear brands. There were some great pieces from John Smedley, Boglioli, Save Khaki, and more. But what I really fell in love with was the cashmere from Drumohr.

Founded in Scotland in 1770 the brand did some really great knits for Fall, including it seems, a collaboration with Nick Wooster. Those were (unsurprisingly) some of my favorites.

Here, a basic nautical crew cable knit (apparently gleaned from the company's rich archives). I'm a sucker for navy, and the white stripe offset is nice and simple.

Taking the same stripe but changing up the color, I was totally into the green and pink. Fun and stands out without being too much.

Then from the main collection, this amazing yellow double-breasted sweater. Amazing -- again, in a color I can't stay away from. And as you know I can't stop wearing my Unis double-breasted sweater jacket, so this piece fits right in.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Drumohr come Fall -- in the meantime you can find some of their Spring collection at Yoox.

Vintage Plaid Blazer by Thom Browne: Things I Have

Anyone who knows me knows that I have been a long time fan of Thom Browne. I love to wear his cropped and shortened aesthetic, and my eye can catch his red/white/blue striped grosgrain tags a mile away.

I was recently gifted an extraordinary blazer by Mr. Browne... from so many collections ago, that I like to refer to it as 'vintage'.

The blazer is a cashmere/wool blend tipped on the collar and cuffs with (of course) a grosgrain finish. I love the muted color palette of the plaid, so perfect for Fall.

Inside it is lined with a striped silk and finished with the sewn-in Thom Browne label.

This blazer is now making the rest of my jackets jealous, as they know they've been usurped... it is really a prized piece and I'm so thrilled to be able to wear it!

Hightops from Jimmy Choo: Things I Want

Any follower of this blog knows I am a fan of hightops, and very smitten with the whole designer hightop phenom. Pierre Hardy, Lanvin, Louboutin... everyone is getting into it + I think it's great. So I was very happy to hear that Jimmy Choo was launching a men's range, and it would include the aforementioned category.

I really like the dress shoes in the inaugural Choo men's collection, but was really drawn to the Belgravia. Nice contrasting of materials, liked the stripe across the side, and it's made with a wool cashmere flannel. Oh and lined in shearling. These babies are soft!

Right now these are just available on pre-order from the Jimmy Choo site, but I am definitely considering adding my name to the list!

Things I Love: J. Crew

Let me tell you, J. Crew is doing everything right. And their sales numbers prove it! With Mickey Drexler at the helm (and the amaaaaazing Jenna Lyons overseeing Women's) they are rockin' + rollin'.

I love the infusion of collaborated items (Field Notes notebooks, Timex vintage watches). I love the "Jenna's Picks" or "Jack Knows Best" to give some editing and context to a seasonal collection.

This holiday I bought my boyfriend a cashmere sweater from J. Crew... I had done some research and looked around, and I felt that for the price, quality, and cut it was the best deal out there. It looks (and feels) great!

But don't just take my word for it... go check out one of their stores for yourself. Or until you can get there, look at their website: www.jcrew.com

Enjoy!