Back in NY...Stay Safe!

Thought about doing an entry tonight but considering I've been stuck at home for most of the day, nothing to really post. Most of all, with this weather, just want to wish all other New Yorkers safety. Be safe everyone.

Stafford Shirt, for $5.21 why not?!

I went to JCPenney while my beautiful wife was getting a mani and pedi and found this really nice checkered shirt by Stafford. I don't have any shirt with pink as a second color and this one was perfect. Not too much pink but not something that would get lost. This was in their clearance section which in all honesty has been a goldmine for me. This is the 4th shirt I've found in their section all under $10. One of my most complimented shirts is from them too as seen here.

Sizing varies it's either small neck sizes or sizes in the 17-18 range, which since I'm an 18 works for me.

Indochino...Shirt and Tie!

I ordered an Indochino Tweed Suit with a deal from thedailyhookup.com that got me not only a suit but a shirt and tie for $320. Not bad considering their suits are at least $379, shirts $99 and ties $49. Unfortunately the suit, at least the jacket was wayyyy too big and had to be remade and something I'm still waiting for. The pants I need hemmed and taken in, so nothing too major. Oddly enough, the shirt, which was made with the same measurements as the jacket came out as close to perfect as possible. This is my 4th shirt from Indochino and although my first 3 had to be remade due to them being ridiculously small, the remade ones were perfect.

The shirt is a light blue gingham and the tie is gray wool plaid pattern.

Shirt Details: 

Semi-Spread Collar or Spread Collar on based on their options menu, 

French Cuff with Rolled Edges 

and my wife's initials :0) "RRA" on the sleeve. 

Tie Details:

Gray, Glen Plaid and 2.5" Width

WDIW...Yesterday

Yesterday was a pretty gray day in the city, along with some showers through morning to afternoon. Temperatures were in the low 60s, so with that in mind, I made sure that I was still warm as I don't know if the heat would be but not overly warm either in case the heat was on in the school. In addition I also wanted to wear my Michael Andrews Bespoke trousers that I picked up at the sample sale back in August for $20. Aside from one minor  and cheap alteration; hemming of the pants, they fit extremely well. Otherwise I kept it pretty simple.

Shirt: American Living Tie: Indochino Tie Bar: Banara Republic

The shirt is one of my new favorites and one that has been worn at least once a week due to its versatility; a white with mini purple check pattern with a semi-spread collar. The tie is a charcoal glen plaid pattern in wool. A wool tie with this current fall weather, not winter yet but cool enough, adds a nice bit of "heft" to the look. I also recently started to look for slimmer ties, about 2.5"vs. 3" and it makes a difference. I'm not a small guy so 2.5" is as small as I'll go while still keeping a proportionate look. FYI, the tie is from Indochino.

Shoes: Florsheim Imperial Trousers:Michael Andrews Bespoke

The trousers from the sample sale at MAB are an amazingly nice wool. I want to say they're flannel as it is extremely soft and has a weight to it that my other wool trousers from MAB do not have as they are a 4 season weight. The chalk stripe is a nice touch that helps elongate the legs. I think I'll be ordering the matching vest for these pants soon. This look would have been even better if I had the matching vest.

Details: Shirt-American Living via JCPenney ($9), Tie-Indochino via Indochino ($50), Tie Bar-Banana Republic via BR Factory Store ($2.50), Trousers-Michael Andrews Bespoke ($20 sample sale) and hemming ($5), Shoes-Florsheim Imperial Wingtips ($ Gift)

Yesterday's Preview in Full

Yesterday I posted a picture of what I wore yesterday with not much detail. Well here are the details, including a couple extra pictures. This is also an example of mixing high-end, low-end and mid-end items. This look features everything from a bespoke shirt, to a discount store tie and eBay tie clip and Gap trousers.

Details:
Shirt: Michael Andrews Bespoke via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$220
Tie: Little Black Tie via Marshalls-$5
Tie Bar: No Name via eBay-$2.50
Trousers: Gap Tailored Fit Navy Chinos via Gap-$15
Cardigan: Gap via Gap Factory Store-$15
Shoes: Mike Konos Brown Suede Captoe via DSW-$27

Just A Small Preview of Today...More Tomorrow!

Keeping it simple: Navy with White Stripe Rep Tie, White and Navy Checkered Shirt and Gray Cardigan. Brands and details tomorrow.

Layering...Vol. 2

Couple days ago I posted a picture of layering a sweater and a blazer. I got so much positive feedback regarding the v-neck sweater and blazer look that I decided to try it again on Friday. This time I took a lighter off-white, beige really v-neck and wore my maroon herringbone tweed blazer over it. Friday was particularly chilly and rainy so the maroon herringbone tweed blazer was a nice way to keep dry and warm at the same time. Sorry for the crappy pics.

Blazer: Maroon Herringbone Tweed no brand via eBay ($15)
Pocket Square: Pierre Cardin via Marshalls ($.75)
V-neck: Off-White/Beige via Old Navy (Gift)
Shirt: American Living via JCP ($10)
Jeans: Gap Slim Fit via Gap ($42)
Shoes: Florsheim Imperial (Gift)

The trick with a blazer in such an "off" color is to wear neutral colors underneath and pants that aren't loud either. Always anchor the look with a nice pair of brown dress shoes.

Layering...Button Down, V-Neck Sweater, Blazer

I wore this to a field trip this past week. We were going to be near the water and it was to be in the low 60s. I didn't want to wear a coat since it wasn't going to be so cold to warrant it but cold enough and breezy that a sweater alone wouldn't cut it. It's nothing new but I decided to throw on a blazer on top of my usual sweater and shirt combination and I think it looked pretty good. It actually has been one of my most complimented outfits, if not the most.

The look:
Shirt: Stafford (White/Pink/Black Check) via JC Penney's-$5.21
Pants: Gap Slim Fit Dark Denim Wash via Gap-$42 (after 30% off code)
Shoes: Florsheim Imperial Wingtips (Cognac)-Gift
Socks: Navy with Light Blue mini dots via H&M ($1.50)
Sweater: Camel V-Neck via Banana Republic Factory Store ($15)
Blazer: Michael Andrews Bespoke part of a suit
Pocket Square: Pierre Cardin via Marshalls ($.75)

When doing this here a couple of tips:

1. Make sure the sweater isn't too thick that it will make the blazer feel way too tight on you and simply uncomfortable.

2. The sweater should be a neutral color: light gray, camel, beige, navy, etc.

3. Keep it simple, especially the blazer. However, the simpler the blazer, the crazier the sweater.

4. More out there blazer, simpler sweater (check tomorrow for what I mean).

Quick Post on Tips for Fall

Although we are experiencing some bi-polar weather in New York right now, 34 in the morning, 68-70 in the day, it's a reminder that it's fall. With fall comes cold weather and the time for warm weather accessories to come out. Personally, I think every person, man or woman should have 3 essentials.

They are:
1. A warm scarf: personally I recommend fleece or wool in a neutral color such as gray or navy. The main thing is that it keeps your neck and chest warm.

2. A warm hat: it MUST cover your ears, keeping your ears warm is crucial to keeping your self warm. Again wool or fleece are highly recommended.

3. Warm Gloves: either lined with fleece or thinsulate, preferably in leather.

I recommend checking stores like Old Navy, Gap, even Target for these essentials.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my best friend and the most beautiful woman in the world, my wife!

Camo...The Latest Craze

The latest craze in Menswear is the infusion of camouflage aka camo into everything from trousers, shirts, shoes, etc. Just a week or two ago, the GQxGap collaboration released and one of the pieces was these slim cargo pants from Gap x Mark McNairy in camp. By the way follow my dude's Wisith tumblr, great fashion blog as well. I don't mind the camo craze but I know it's not for me, besides the fact that I don't think I can pull of camo pants, it's also something I don't see myself wearing often. As an educator and although there isn't a "strict dress code" at my school, we still dress professionally. Frankly a large dose of camo wouldn't, even slim cargo pants or in a slim fit, at least to me would not to me be professional. So what do you do?

Like I stated, I like the camo print but not in the large doses that we're seeing it, at least not for me. It is though something that I'd like to infuse into my wardrobe but a small dosage. Infuse it within your wardrobe in small amounts such as a pocket square. Michaels, out of all places has these cotton camo handkerchiefs that can double as pocket squares. They sure weren't intended to be used as pocket squares but fold it and stuff in your pocket and voila. They are cheap as well, $1.79 and with their weekly 40% or 50% off coupons; it can be as low as $.90 to $1. I paid $1.07 with tax.

Boots Line-Up

One of the great things about winter is different options you have in regards to dressing. In addition, the shoe options expand. This is my boot line up and it's a line up that will likely will see some wearing this fall and winter. Will be posting some more of my favorites in the next couple of days.

From Left to Right:
Cole Haan Winter Boots, 1901 Brown Suede Wingtip Boots, LandsEnd MocToe, Cole Haan Leather Wingtip Boots, Magnanni Pinto Wingtip Boots, Stafford Wingtip Boots, LandsEnd Brown Desert Boot, Joseph Abboud Gray Desert Boot.

I'll post more detailed shots of them throughout the week, with where I got them, how much I paid, and how to care for them.

WDIW...2 Days Ago

First time wearing a slimmer tie than usual and I liked it. I also liked the color combination. Sorry for the delay in posts. The pants are from Gap and I had them hemmed, shirt from Target's Merona and Tie by Calvin Klein via eBay.

Shirt: Target $22
Trousers: $14+$5 alterations
Tie: $6.50

Why Alterations Are Your Best Friend...

Alterations can make a great budget item into a piece that looks like it was made just for you. It's important to always remember that the way an item fits is what makes something look like it cost a million bucks. Too many times we see people who spend hundreds of dollars on one article of clothing, yet don't bother to get proper alterations done. This usually results in making the article of clothing look way too big and cheap.

Take the pants in the picture above, (all the pants have been altered), bought them for about $10 or so but were way too long and did not have the side adjusters. Recently took these, along with another 5 pants to my alterations lady. She does a great job and her prices are great as well. Back to the pants, I had the pants hemmed and with the fabric that was cut she used it to make the side adjusters on the pants. The great part is that the side adjuster are functional and are something you usually see on Bespoke or Custom made pants.

Yahoo! Feature On Men's Style

Featuring Dan Trepanier from thestyleblogger.com aka tsbmen.com and apparently my pictures make a quick cameo!

Link here: http://screen.yahoo.com/fashion-ain-t-easy-tips-for-the-fashion-fumbler-30340937.html 

WDIW...Yesterday

Yesterday was our very first PTA meeting and although I usually am always well and professionally dressed, I did not feel like wearing a suit. One of the advantages of a 3 piece is being able to wear items as separates. As a result I decided to take the waistcoat aka vest and pants, and team it up with a simple white and checkered shirt and a navy tie. This is one of my higher end posts as pretty much everything but the tie and shoes are Bespoke via Michael Andrews Bespoke.

Trousers: Michael Andrews Bespoke
Shirt: Michael Andrews Bespoke
Waistcoat: Michael Andres Bespoke
Wingtips: Eduardo G via eBay $45
Tie: Pierre Cardin via Marshalls $5

A Pair of Tom's and Aldo's

Not too long ago, at least on NikeTalk's dressing better thread, the topic regarding Tom's and espradille's being worn by men came up. Some people felt that shoes like Tom's are only for women while many others did not. Personally, I do not think that they're feminine, but I do think they are one of the few unisex shoes out there.

The Aldo's are canvas and are in grayish/green hue and the Tom's are in a Brown wool lined by fleece, keeping your feet warm during those chilly evenings.

Aldos: $11.45 with free shipping
Tom's $35 via eBay

WDYW...10/1

This is what I wore yesterday. It's similar to an outfit I posted last week and that is the point of it. What did I switch really only the trousers, shirt and tie, the shoes and cardigan are exactly the same. The point is that if you have some basic staples, like a plain solid cardigan, some brown wingtips, navy slacks or solid color slacks period that you can mix and match them with other items in your wardrobe.

In this case I took some basic staples like navy chinos, a white dress shirt, a gray cardigan, brown wingtips and a tie in a nice hue and pattern.

Details:
Shirt- Merona via Target $22 (plus alteration cost another $20)
Cardigan- Gap via Gap Factory Store $15
Tie- Arrow via NT'er $6.25
Tie Bar- No Name via eBay $3
Trousers- Navy Chinos via H&M $7.50 (plus alterations $5)
Wingtips-Florsheim Imperials via Gift ($60 otherwise)
Total: $53.75, $78 with alterations, $138 with shoes
At Retail: $180 plus $25 in alterations

***Yes it is worth paying $20 in alterations for a $22 shirt, it makes it look like $100 shirt when done properly***

Shoe Trees...Why You Need Them and Does It Matter Which Ones?

Shoe trees are essential to keeping your shoes looking as new as possible, smelling as fresh as possible and retaining their shape. They really have three primary functions as mentioned above. How?

Ceder Shoe Trees help your shoes looking as new as possible by helping not only retain the natural shape of the shoe but assist in maintaining the shoes when polishing and moisturizing them with leather moisturizer. It makes it a lot easier to simply wipe the shoes and rub lotion or polish on them. Due to them being made out of cedar they also have a very pleasant cedar wood smell. This ends up odorizing your shoes with this great cedar smell while absorbing any moisture that can not only damage the leather but make your shoes smelly.

Left: Nordstrom Rack $12.50 Right: Golfsmith $4.95

There are two basic types of shoe trees, yes they're are more but we're getting into lasted shoe trees category. Pretty much you have the shoe trees where the front widens and usually have the hooked back and then you have the shoe trees where the front doesn't widen and the back is a handle. Personally I like the hooked ones but the ones with the handle still do the job really well.