J.Crew added a few new interesting items to their website last night: heavy cotton knits, footwear from Red Wing and Quoddy, and the Mulholland Master jacket from Mister Freedom.
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Due to a lack of options in stores locally, I’ve decided to take my search for a navy blazer online. My criteria: fits well, is cheap (say under $750), has decent construction, and is made from a fabric that is good enough to hold up to frequent travel.
The blazers from J.Crew and J.Press are at a perfect price point, but both fit me horribly. This navy sport coat from Engineered Garments is interesting, but was made from a heavy wool twill that is more suitable for an overcoat. Paul Stuart’s and Ralph Lauren’s jackets are also quite nice, but cost more than what I’m willing to pay for a jacket that I’d rather not fuss over.
The only ones that I have not yet tried are these blazers by Brooks Brothers. They’re made with Saxxon wool, their specially trademarked term for a wool taken from a supposedly pure blood line of Saxon sheep (the quaint video that Brooks Brothers has on their website is an interesting watch if you’re curious about the history behind it). I’m hoping their claims about it being both long lasting and wrinkle resistant are true, but I’ve ordered one to find out. I just hope that it fits.
December is almost here and the Pike Place Market has started to put up the usual Christmas trees and garlands. If you’re out for dinner in the area, it’s a fun time to walk through the market at night during this time of the year to look at all of the lights.
From drakes-london.com:
1. There are really only two knots worth considering: the four-in-hand and half-Windsor; and only the four-in-hand for knit ties. Other knots are novelties.
2. The self-loop at the back of the large blade, sometimes called a “keeper” but often merely the makers label, needn’t actually be used in fact to hold the smaller blade, better not to, for a freer, more stylish note.
3. The blade ends should ideally reach the top of the trouser waistband and should match up in length. Not as easy as it looks to the uninitiated.
4. A small dimple at the base of the knot shows a certain je ne sais quoi of finesse.
5. With tie bars, as with mens’ jewellery generally, anything other than tasteful discretion can be hazardous, and probably should be avoided.
6. A tie should always be untied carefully after wearing. As Miss Adelaide says in Guys and Dolls, “We are civilized people. We do not have to conduct ourselves like a slob.”
7. Fabric ties (silk, wool, cashmere, cotton) should be rolled after wearing and then hung; knit ties should be rolled and never hung.
8. A four-in-hand or half-Windsor knot should just fill the tie space at the collar button and be taut enough to arch out from the collar a bit; the mid-section of the tie should be completely hidden under the collar at the back.
9. Bow ties should never look perfectly tied. Ceaseless practice usually suffices to produce the precise look of subtle imperfection.
10. The proper length for a bow tie is achieved when the ends sit within the edges of the collar. This necessitates buying bow ties with sized graduated bands or with an adjustable slider.
The only man who can wear large tie knots well.
“Looking down onto fish balloon & crowds lining street during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 1941”
From wikipedia:
The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, tied with America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than the 6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. The three-hour event is held in New York City starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day…
In the 1920s many of Macy’s department store employees were first-generation immigrants. Proud of their new American heritage, they wanted to celebrate the United States holiday of Thanksgiving with the type of festival their parents had loved in Europe.
In 1924, the inaugural parade was staged by the store. Employees and professional entertainers marched from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy’s balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then “crowned” “King of the Kiddies.” With an audience of over a quarter of a million people, the parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event.
More reading on the WSJ for this year’s parade: Part 1, Part 2
Happy Thanksgiving!
Before it became the mall brand we know today, Ben Sherman had a long history of producing some of the most popular shirts throughout the 60’s and 70’s. The now out of print book, “My Favourite Shirt” by Paolo Hewitt and Terry Rawlings, explores the history of the company, the man behind it, and how the shirts became part of the uniform for several subcultures.
From kiton.it.
Would you ever wear mismatched shoes? This pair made for Nepenthes by Tricker’s are actually sold that way.
They really are awful looking shoes, but the idea is very quirky – proceed at your own risk. Picture from Dice & Dice.