Dressing Better! (For Less): March 2014

Saturday, March 29, 2014

WDIW...Monday or Tuesday?

Haven't had time to snap pictures this week so I really don't remember if I wore this on Monday or Tuesday. Anyway, I've lately been feeling colors, especially different shades of purple and have been trying to incorporate it into my wardrobe. The dark purple v-neck sweater was a steal at about $15 from Banana Republic especially as the fabric is Merino Wool. The trousers are part of a 3 piece Michael Andrews Bespoke suit.

Details:

Sweater: Banana Republic Dark Purple Merino Wool V-Neck via Banana Republic Factory Store-$15

Shirt: ModernTailor White Test Shirt via ModernTailor-$20

Trousers: Michael Andrews Bespoke Holland & Sherry Brown Donegal Tweed via Michael Andrews Bespoke (part of a 3 piece suit)-$$$

Shoes: Mike Konos Brown Suede Captoes via DSW-$19

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

WDIWT…3/18/14-Navy Suit

Day #2 of wearing a suit this week, tieless once again as well. I was planning to wear a tie but the top button on the shirt came loose in the morning so I just removed the button and placed it on the dresser so I wouldn't misplace it later reattach it. I still liked how it looked without a tie and it seems that being tieless with a suit at work seems to not be as imposing as with a tie. It's helped that I haven't been in a tie wearing mood but I plan to add the tie to the suit repertoire in the next few days.

Details:

Suit: Indochino Navy Essential Suit (part of a 3 piece suit) via Indochino-$449

Shirt: Stafford White/Brown Gingham L/S Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$10

Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target-$5 for a pack 5

Shoes: Aston Grey Brown Suede Wingtips via eBay-$35

WDIWY…3/17/14

It's been a while since I have worn a suit, instead I've been wearing things as separates. I thought it was time bring back the suits and ease people back into seeing me in a suit more frequently at work. This is my first bespoke suit.

Details:

Coat: Brooks Brothers Brookstorm Charcoal Wool Topcoat via Unique-$25 plus alterations $80; retail $600

Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Dark Gray Holland & Sherry Wool Fabric via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$

Shirt: Michael Andrews Bespoke White/Blue/Brown Check L/S Dress Shirt-Gift: part of a suit purchase promotion

Cufflinks: Knot Silver Colored via eBay-$4

Shoes: Ralph Lauren by Allen Edmonds Made in America Collection Sanderson Brown Calf via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$86.50

Bag: Coach Bleeker Travelers Bag via Coach-Gift

Saturday, March 15, 2014

WDIWT…3/15/14

Kept it simple for today with navy, a light khaki colored shirt and a different shade of navy up top.

Details:

Sweater: Gap Shawl Collar Navy Cardigan via Gap-$10

Shirt: Axist Khaki/White/Light Blue Stripe L/S Shirt via Marshalls-$10

Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" via Old Navy-$2.50

Socks: Old Navy Navy/Light Blue Anchor Socks via Old Navy-$2.50

Shoes: Church's Custom Grade Brown Tassel Loafers via Adrian-$75

WDIW…3/14/14…Career Day Edition

This has become one of my favorite sweaters, although I must admit half the time I don't know if it's black or navy. In the light it's definitely navy, in a darker room it looks black, either way it works for me. The merino wool and shawl neck makes it easy to wear it casually and professionally.

Yes my socks are yellow, yes they are Lakers socks. Lakers for life!

Details:

Sweaters: Gap Merino Wool Shawl Collar via Gap-$10 (clearance)

Shirt: Merona White Cotton L/S Shirt via Target-$22

Jeans: Gap Dark Denim via Gap-$45

Socks: Stance Yellow L.A. Lakers via Gift

Shoes: Allen Edmonds Brown Clifton via Allen Edmonds Seconds Store-Gift from Adrian

WDIW…Thursday 3/13/14 (Tweed, Violet and a Cow-lick)

Mother-nature decided to throw us a curve-ball on Thursday and drop the temperature from 55 on Wednesday to about 25 on Thursday, layering was necessary. My nephews were also in town from LA so I went and met them at the National History museum in the city. I had a hat on before this picture hence the hair…sorry.

Details:

Jacket: Michael Andrews Bespoke Brown Donegal Holland & Sherry Tweed via Michael Andrews Bespoke part of a 3-piece suit-$$$

Sweater: J. Crew Violet V-Neck via J. Crew Factory Store-$10

Shirt: Stafford White/Pink/Violet L/S Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$10

Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target-$5 for pack of 5

Denim: Old Navy "Slim Fit" via Old Navy-$2.50

Shoes: Joseph Abboud Gray Suede Chukkas via Nordstrom Rack-$50

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

WDIWT…3/11/14 (Carmina Boots and Merino Wool)

I went with a combination of three dominant colors for today, purple, navy and walnut and anchored it down with a white shirt with a subtle blue check. More and more I've started to incorporate shades of purple into my wardrobe as it's a shade that seems to go well with my skin tone as I've been told.

These boots are by far one of my favorite pairs of shoes.

Details:
Sweater: Gap Purple Merino Wool V-Neck via Gap-$13
Shirt: Proper Cloth White/Navy Mini-check via Proper Cloth Sample Sale-$20
Trousers: Gap Navy Tailored Fit Cotton via Gap-$15
Shoes: Carmina Shoemaker x Epaulet Greeley Austerity Brogue via Epaulet-$430 (down from $700)
Bag: Coach Brown Calf Bleeker Traveler via Coach-Gift

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Carmina Austerity Brogue Python Epaulet MTO

This is my first pair of exotics and I couldn't be happier. I remember seeing the MTO for them on StyleForum and frankly regretted not jumping on them, then. They were made available for a second time and I passed on them, again. These popped up on a Honk Kong forum and thanks to my friend Adrian who randomly searches for Austerity Brogues, he sent me the link. I had a hard time contacting the guy but thanks to a member on StyleForum who belonged to the HK forum I got in contact with the guy within hours and the deal was done within 2 days. They arrived today.

These are from the first MTO group which featured a much darker python skin, the second MTO had a much lighter skin used. The wait was worth the time as I got these for about half of what they would have cost if I had participated in the MTO. Did I mention they are New in Box with Carmina shoe trees?

Details:
Shoes: Carmina x Epaulet Python Austerity Brogue Python

Monday, March 3, 2014

WDIWT…3/3/14

Short post for today. I made sure I layered up today with how incredibly cold it was in city today. Therefore, I went with my tweed suit, a v-neck sweater and an overcoat to keep the temperatures at bay.

The most difficult thing for me when wearing this suit as a complete piece is what shirt to pair it with as the suit already speaks for it's own. Usually I stick with a solid white or blue shirt but today I decided to pair it with a white/blue checked shirt.

I apologize in advance for the full body suit pictures, it was the best I could get with a timer.

Details:
Coat: Custom Made Double Breasted Overcoat by Alpha Custom Tailors via Unique-$15 (no alterations needed)
Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Brown Donegal Tweed Holland & Sherry Fabric part of a 3 piece suit via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$
Shirt: Proper Cloth White/Blue Check L/S Dress Shirt via Proper Cloth Sample Sale-$20
Sweater: Old Navy Light Brown Marbled V-Neck via Old Navy-Gift
Socks: Old Navy Gray/Blue Dogs via Old Navy-Gift
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Made in America by Allen Edmonds Brown Sanderson Calf via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$86.50