Uniqlo x Michael Bastian Polo Shirts: Things I Have

I'd been waiting for yesterday to arrive ever since the collaboration between Uniqlo  and Michael Bastian was announced. May 20 was the release date for the polo shirts the designer had done with the Japanese retailer. In a seemingly endless combination of colors, prints, and styles -- and all for $19.90 -- I knew I had to stock up for summer.

While scanning the perfectly stocked shelves at Uniqlo on 5th Avenue, I was impressed with the small tweaks and attention to detail. One style had pearl buttons and chest stitching for a "western" look; another was a series of v-necks with striped collars. 

These are the three I picked up yesterday, but Selectism has photos of (most) of the overall options, for your perusal. And Uniqlo has a somewhat limited selection that you can purchase online. 

Listen, you're getting Michael Bastian's expert eye and design aesthetic at a great price, so grab a few of these + enjoy them this summer!

Just Two Looks: Kenzo 2013

Since taking over creative control for Kenzo, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have (IMHO) really turned it out. They've streamlined the look of the line and introduced a great modernity to it. Today they showed Fall '13 as special guests at Pitti Uomo and the streak continued -- I loved some of the rounded shoulder jackets, wild prints, and slim tailoring.

I couldn't choose just one favorite look from the season so the two that won are these amazing striped pants (reminding me of Dries Fall '12) and this shiny slim-fitted pleated suit, with matching cap. I would do the whole look!

Get over to the folks at Fucking Young for all of the looks and keep an eye out for more great things to come from Kenzo.

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!

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!

Summer Print Shirt from Loden Dager: Things I Want

Last year I wrote about the Loden Dager Spring '12 show, which was one of my favorites that season. I particularly liked the striped print that the they showed on shirts, tanks, and totes. 

The print is a lot of fun -- a nice mix of bright colors, and a blocked look to the stripes. I came across the short sleeve button down shirt on the Loden site and think it'd be a perfect addition to my summer beach wardrobe. 

Pair it with some denim or white shorts + you're good to go!

Check it out here + snag one to brighten your summer look!

Striped Seersucker Jacket from Black Fleece: Things I Have

I already wrote this week about my new Black Fleece duffel, which I can't wait to start using this summer. Well while I was buying it, a jacket caught my eye, that I had to try on...  blue and white stripe, in a really subtle cotton seersucker. The puckering is really just on the white stripe, not the whole piece, which I like.

Mother of pearl buttons, great lining... all of the details you expect from Mr. Browne + Brooks Brothers. 

I tried it on, it fit perfectly, and I knew I was buying it... fantastic tailoring, it has a strong shoulder seam, and high armholes, plus the back is pinned just enough that it doesn't billow. Perfect. 

Here it is from the Black Fleece site:

Of course I wore it the very next day... paired with a navy, white, and red striped tie. I liked the result!

Check out more info on this jacket, and see the rest of the Spring collection!

Striped Silk Shantung Tie from David Hart: Things I Want

Neckwear designer David Hart is not new a new topic here... I loved his Navajo tie I bought last year, and I interviewed him last May.

Based in Brooklyn, he not only has a very keen design eye, but his designs and fabric sourcing are incredible. So it was no surprise when I saw some photos of his Spring '12 collection that I would want it.

The Silk Shantung pieces for Spring are fantastic, eye-catching colors and a lot of horizontal stripes.

My favorite is the blue multi-stripe, shown below. I just think the color combo here makes it a really easy to wear tie...

Get over to David's site now and check out the rest of his Spring offerings...

Striped Anchor tie from Haberdash: Things I Have

While in Haberdash (the Chicago menswear store), I picked up a little piece of Spring. Well at least that's the best description I can give to a blue and white striped tie, with red anchors on it.

My fascination with anchors (or all things nautical, really) hasn't subsided and so when I saw this I knew I needed to add it to my S/S '12 rotation.

Yesterday it was forecast to hit 61 degrees in NY and so I thought it'd be a good opportunity to give my new tie a wear... here with a Uniqlo oxford and Loden and Dager blazer.

Stay tuned for more Spring looks as temperatures increase...

Striped Blazer from Dries van Noten: Things I Want

With the strangely warm weather this week in NYC, I've started thinking more and more about Spring... and it doesn't help when new deliveries are coming into my favorite retailers. Thom Browne has some great Spring pieces out (don't worry, more to come on that), as does Gant Rugger.

But while perusing Tres Bien Shop I came across this fantastic blazer from Dries van Noten. I'm a sucker for color, and for stripes and this will contrast so nicely with a crisp white shirt. I like that the jacket is in cotton and unlined, it'll be perfect for a warm day.

A little closer look at what I consider to be signature Dries design with the stripes, the aubergine mixed with blues, and the nice sheen... it's a great piece!

Find it here from Tres Bien, and check out their other new arrivals!

Thom Browne Seersucker Suit: Things I Have

Last week was the Thom Browne sample sale. Of course this gives a brand fan like me chills... and has me start plotting how I am going to get there, find some amazing buys, and leave as quickly as possible. Think about the show Supermarket Sweep...

Anyway, I made a stop after work on Friday, by which point most things were gone. However I did pick up a couple of great shirts, some shoes (more on that to come), and an amazing seersucker suit.

When I tried on the coat at the sale, it fit me perfectly and I was so excited. Utilizing Thom Browne's usual red, white, blue stripe it is light and perfect for warm weather. I cannot wait for Spring to come, so I can wear this out!

The inside pocket, lists the size as "Sample". And the buttons came in this really cute manila envelope with a "TB" label on it.

As soon as I got home I tried it one, and it all fit like a glove. I am ready to go!

Bespoken for Spring '12: Things I Want

I wasn't able to attend the Bespoken show for Spring 2012, but a friend graciously shared their lookbook, which was done on newsprint. I read it on the plane last weekend and pulled out a shot of a great two-tone shirt.

Curious, I checked out the whole collection at GQ and liked what I saw. I am always a fan of two-tone pieces, seen below in both the jacket and the shirt.

I also liked the brightly printed shirt and shorts they showed, and the leather armband detail. While a little 'military', it actually reminded me of a more aggressive version of Thom Browne's dual white stripes on sleeves.

Bespoken's site gives some good background on the label (seemingly in their fourth season), as well as local stockists.

Striped Bowtie from Brooks Brothers: Things I Have

It was this blogger's birthday over the weekend + I was thrilled to receive another bowtie to add to my repertoire!

From my friend Richard, this navy with stripes from Brooks Brothers, which I love. I'm a huge fan of anything navy but also like the flat ends to the tie, which will give it a great slim shape when I have it on.

Stay tuned for pictures of me rockin' this tie -- it's a good one!

Brooks Brothers x Social Primer Bowtie: Things I Have

Talk about a welcome to a new city... on my first day in Manhattan, I was gifted something I've had my eye on for a while -- a Brooks Brothers x Social Primer bowtie!

I think the collab between these two is fantastic + the result gives such a fun and playful twist on the bowtie. I'd previously written about the camo version... and I just love the color mix (pink/green and blue/white) of the one I received.

Cannot wait for the right occasion to debut it!

Go to the Brooks Brothers site + check out the rest of this rockin' (and pattern intense) collection! And a big thank you to my friend Richard for the thoughtful gift!

Sophnet Tote Bag: Things I Want

I have an obsession with bags -- I have a closet full of them, and rotate around depending on the occasion. So yesterday I was thrilled to see two different bags that I loved.

One was in a new accessories release from Dries van Noten, and the other was this monogrammed + striped piece from Sophnet (yes, of course, it's from Japan).

I really liked the simple construction of the bag and the light monogram pattern. And the stripes were the finishing touch that got me.

Now getting my hands on this tote is another matter... but I will see what I can do!

Things I Have: Uniqlo T-Shirt

In my recent excursion to Uniqlo (see my previous post about my new gray jeans) I also picked up this really cute striped t-shirt.

Uniqlo is known for their awesome t-shirt range -- crazy Manga shirts, Polaroids of Terry Richardson, funny phrases. They have it all. I liked the various colors on this one, and it was on sale for 99 RMB. Can't go wrong!

But this weekend I am venturing to Shanghai's Super Brands mall, where they have a Uniqlo flagship, and hopefully I can find a few more goodies.

If you want this shirt, here's the link from Uniqlo's Japanese site. You can also use it to see all of their current t-shirt designs: http://store.uniqlo.com/jp/CSaGoods/293421-00

Things I Have: Striped Sweater

So no, this is not me wearing the sweater... but I did buy it and I love it. The stripes on the lower part are great and then the big blocks of red at the bottom (and on the sleeves) add some nice color. Reminds me of a very French sailor's sweater (minus the buttons on the shoulder).

Ordered it from a new label called Company of We. They sent out a promotional coupon + I took advantage of it!

You can find out more about this sweater & the rest of the collection from Company of We at: http://www.companyofwe.com/product_p/knit003rd.htm