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!

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 4

This morning the forecast told me it would be getting chilly this afternoon, so I opted for my Black Fleece tartan wool blazer (Thom Browne designed, obviously). 

I picked this up a couple of months ago and had it taken in on the sides, and a nudge up on the sleeve length. The print is fantastic -- muted yellows mixed with red and navy. There are three buttons and the top one goes just high enough to turn the lapel a bit, making it feel a little like an outerwear piece, which I love.

Paired it with a tie from The Tie Bar, a vintage lapel pin, and my go-to Uniqlo oxford.

Wearing Thom Browne: Day 3

Well it's warmed up here in NYC and so today I broke out my Thom Browne moleskine pants. I had my eye on these for months last year, and finally picked them up. The pants are a deep burgundy, with gold rimmed buttons on the side tabs (with a red, white, blue elastic strip -- naturally). 

I got them with a three inch cuff, and a three inch break above my ankle... I figure if you're going to wear Thom Browne, then wear Thom Browne!

Paired it today with a TB wool tie, Uniqlo oxford, and a rugged pair of Walk-Over wingtips (similar here).

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. 

Double-Breasted Blazer from Boglioli: Things I Want

Yesterday I wrote about the burgundy Carven suit I tried on (and loved) over the weekend... well the color trend continues with another piece I really fell for, this Boglioli Double-Breasted blazer.

I put this on at Bergdorf's on Sunday afternoon and found it fit me almost perfectly. It was comfortable through the shoulders, trim in the waist, and the length (always an issue for me) hit just below waist level.

The blazer is Double-Breasted and with a peak collar, which would normally give it an air of formality. However it is a wool/nylon blend and unstructured, allowing it to form to your body and keeping it a little more casual. I think this adds to the versatility -- dressed up as a great suit, or used as a sweater type layer on weekends.  

Mr. Porter is carrying it on their site, where you can see more pics and details.

A Peek At Capsule Show: My Three Favorite Pieces

Last night before they closed for the day, I tucked into Capsule Show, the fantastic trade show run by the folks at BPMW Agency. It's been growing each year, with more and more brands, and a bigger presence... and this week it's all about menswear!

There were a lot of great pieces from folks like Ovadia & Sons (fell in love with a yellow waffle knit sweater), Won Hundred (clean Scandinavian aesthetic), Vanishing Elephant, and Fahlgren (Brett Fahlgren's new neckwear line).

But oddly my top three favorites were all outerwear.

First was this amazing wool coat from NUMBER:Lab. Really enjoyed the deep color, the sophistication of the overall design, and the blending of a 'technical' touch with the clasps. The hood is tipped in leather, and there is great construction throughout. Couldn't stop looking at this coat!

My second favorite was from Mark McNairy New Amsterdam. I'm not alone in my reverence for what McNairy's been doing lately and there were some great pieces in his Fall collection.

But this jacket (in three colors) just stood out. First the boldness of the color really caught my eye. Then the fabric was incredible -- honestly felt like a softened Kevlar. Stiff yet pliable, with a little edge to it. Must get one of these jackets for Fall 2012.

The third was from a brand I was not familiar with... Loyal. They had a lot of wool coats, but of course the one in bright blue caught my eye. When I saw the anchors painted in white, I was sold (I'm nothing if not predictable). Great cropped pea coat but the color and nautical theme breaks it out of the pack.

Definitely a lot more to share on Capsule, so stay tuned...

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!

Plaid Wool Tie from Thom Browne: Things I Have

While in L.A. the past week I did some shopping (hello, Filson bag). One thing I saw and could not resist was this plaid shetland wool tie by Thom Browne.

I loved the red/white/blue plaid (not surprising from TB) but also the texture and chunkiness of the wool. It'll be perfect to wear as Fall approaches and the temperatures drop.

Now I found mine at Barney's but this photo is courtesy of Park & Bond. Go see what else they have from Mr. Browne!

Wool Coat from A.P.C.: Things I Have

Last weekend a rainy Saturday had me seeking refuge at Barney's... as soon as I stepped onto the fifth floor I saw this amazing wool coat by A.P.C.

Tried it on, and it fit perfectly... I've been looking around for a winter coat, and since I seemingly only buy navy (side note, every single thing I purchased on Saturday was navy), I felt it'd work well.

I also loved the leather insets on the shoulders. Gives the coat such a different look.

Here it is on the A.P.C. site, where you can zoom in for more detailing!

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!

Woolrich Woolen Mills Coat: Things I Want

This is my 201st post! Good times!

Okay... so I have already picked out my winter coat for next year. It's this beaut from Woolrich Woolen Mills. Since Mark McNairy's taken the reins, the brands has really stayed on a great course. I know I'm a sucker for styling (and a cute model) but this coat is really fantastic. Love the really wide lapel and collar, the length, the thick wool, and well just everything about it.

Am guessing that by next winter we all won't rollin' our pants quite as much, but I'll take that coat with some dark denim, a white shirt, colorful scarf and I'm set.

This image via those amazing folks at BPMW... see their We Are the Market post for more shots!