WDIW...Wednesday 6/11/14?

I believe that I wore this on Wednesday. This is one of the first "big boy" suits that I bought, way before I ever started "dressing better" and was still rocking sneakers on a daily basis. I paid $75 for it together and paid a few bucks back then to get them hemmed, granted I didn't know what I was doing. For that reason it also not the best fitting suit and fits snug. 

Fast forward to now, I've had the pants tapered and the sleeves shortened. I need to get the jacket let out. If worn unbuttoned it works, if I button it, it pulls like crazy.

This was also my first day attempting to wear laced up shoes since breaking my toe...it probably wasn't a good idea by the end of the day.

Details:

Suit: Calvin Klein Navy Cotton/Linen Blend via CalvinKlein.com-$75 plus alterations

Shirt: Michael Andrews Bespoke Thomas Mason White/Blue/Brown Gingham L/S Dress Shirt via Michael Andrews Bespoke (part of a 2 free shirt promotion with purchase of a bespoke suit)-Free

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

Socks: Merona Muted Navy with Dinosaurs via Target-$5

Shoes: Ralph Lauren Made in America by Allen Edmonds Sanderson via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$86

WDIWT...5/19/14 Black Watch Edition!

Bold patterns aren't usually my thing, especially in regards to jackets. The Black Watch pattern has always been intriguing but I never made that leap to try it until now.

I found this blazer at JC Penney of all places for $10 and as it fit well off-the-rack with the exception of needing the sleeves shortened it was too good of a deal to pass up and give this pattern a run. The alterations ran me $35, so all in all, $45 for an incredibly well fitting jacket, was worth it to me. I would have paid that if it fit well OTR and no alterations needed.

Details:
Jacket: Stafford Black Watch Wool via JC Penney-$10+$35 in alterations=$45
Shirt: Indochino MTM White Essential L/S Dress Shirt via Indochino-$79
Tie: The Knottery Navy Grenadine via The Knottery-$40
Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target-$5 for a pack of 5
Trousers: Michael Andrews Bespoke Gray Wool via Michael Andrews Bespoke part of a suit
Socks: (not pictured) Black/White #@$%!-Gift
Shoes: Allen Edmonds Black Neumora Double Monks via Allen Edmonds Factory-$125

WDIWT...5/5/14 A Taste of Color

I've been reluctant to wear these Tommy Hilfiger burgundy/maroon trousers that I picked up a few weeks back at Macy's for about $10. Granted I have some from Target's Merona line as well but although I've seen the color pulled off very well by others I hadn't gotten around to giving it a second try. Well I'm glad I did today. This was probably one of my most complimented outfits ever, from other teachers/adults to students.

I picked up these trousers from my tailor about a week ago where I got them hem and tapered to 8".

Details:
Jacket: Indochino Essential Navy Suit Worsted Wool via Indochino-$449 (price of suit, part of a 3 piece suit)
Sweater: Old Navy Navy V-Neck via Old Navy-$12
Shirt: Indochino Essential White L/S Dress Shirt via Indochino-$79
Trousers: Tommy Hilfiger Burgundy/Maroon Cotton via Macy's-$10
Socks: Penguin Navy/Red/White Argyle via DSW-$1
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Made in America by Allen Edmonds Sanderson Brown Calf via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$85

WDIW... Yesterday 4/28/14 Monochromatic

I'll keep it simple. I went with a monochromatic look yesterday with navy on navy on navy with black double monks. The shirt, although difficult to see is a white/navy micro-gingham.

Details:
Sweater: Gap Shawl Merino Wool via Gap-$13
Shirt: Alfani White/Navy Micro-Gingham via Macy's-$13.50
Trousers: Calvin Klein Navy Cotton/Linen Blend via Calkin Klein-$75 (part of a suit)
Shoes:Allen Edmonds Neumora Black Doublemonks via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$125

WDIWT...4/8/14 Layered Pinstripe

I haven't worn this suit since the first time I wore it here but I decided to bust it out today. The suit is from SuitSupply, is quarter lined and half-canvassed. I got a few compliments on the suit today.

Details:

Suit: SuitSupply Gray/White Wide Pinstripe via SuitSupply Outlet-$259 plus $80 in alterations

Sweater: Gap Light Gray Cardigan via Gap Factory Store-$15

Shirt: Van Huesen White/Light Blue Micro-Check L/S Dress Shirt via JCPenney-$10

Shoes: Brooks Brothers by Allen Edmonds Newmok/Neumok Snuff Suede Wingtip via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$135

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

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

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

WDIW…Wednesday 2/26/14

A custom made double breasted overcoat for this incredibly frosty day. I actually found this while thrifting with my good friend Adrian back in October. The coat was custom made for someone else by a tailoring house in Seoul South Korea. The wool is incredibly soft and frankly I don't think it was ever worn until I bought it. It still had the basted stitching on those awesome lapels. The coat isn't a perfect fit as the shoulders could be a little smaller but the rest of the coat fits perfectly especially when worn over a blazer. This likely ran near a grand to whoever had it made for themselves, I picked it up for pennies on the dollar.

Details:

Overcoat: Custom Made Double Breasted Overcoat by Alpha Custom Tailors via Unique-$15 (no alterations needed)

Blazer: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Brown Herringbone Tweed via Unique-$20

Sweater: Banana Republic Purple Merino Wool via Banana Republic-Gift

Shirt: Stafford White/Brown Gingham via JC Penney-$8

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

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

WDIWT…11/15/14

I usually take out my clothes for the week on Sunday, steam it and grab the outfit of the day from the closet. Today though I didn't feel like wearing anything I had picked out on Sunday and put this together at the last minute. The denim I had just had it tapered; unfortunately my tailor didn't keep the selvedge line. The shirt I grabbed from my closet because it was white with blue and figured I could pure with whatever sweater or blazer I went with. The sweater I had just bought at J. Crew Factory Store and threw it on. Sometimes an outfit that's given very little thought turns out well.

I received quite a few compliments today on what I decided to wear. From students to colleagues, so it seems I made a good choice. 

Side-note: The color of the sweater is very difficult to pick up on camera but it is a pale light blue almost light gray.

Details:

Sweater: J. Crew Factory Pale Light Blue V-Neck Sweater-$20

Shirt: Stafford White/Blue Micro-check L/S Dress Shirt via JCPenney-$8

Jeans: Gap Selvedge via Gap-$23

Shoes: Allen Edmonds Amok Snuff Suede via Allen Edmonds-$60

WDIWT…1/13/14

Gray trousers are almost always seen paired with a navy jacket. I almost did the same as well but I saw the brown herringbone tweed jacket and paired it.

The jacket is one of my finds, the fit isn't perfect but for $20 and no alterations I didn't want to pass it up. The shoulder, the left one at least doesn't sit well on my shoulders. This is due to the shoulder slope I have, most of my OTR (off-the-rack) jackets have some sort of rumpling but they aren't as noticeable due to them fitting a little better and being darker in color. This is why sometimes going the custom/bespoke route for some is best.

Details:
Jacket: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Brown Herringbone Tweed via Unique-$20
Sweater: Old Navy Brown Marbled V-Neck via Old Navy-$10
Shirt: Polo by Ralph Lauren White/Navy Bengal Stripe via Adrian-$8
Trousers: IZOD Gray Flannel via JCPenney-$5
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Brown Sanderson Made in America by Allen Edmonds Collection-$86.50 ($525 retail)

WDIW...Yesterday 12/4/13

Shades of blue again! I completely forgot I had this sweater in my closet and it just happened to be the one sweater at the top that went with what I was wearing. Originally was going to go with navy but I remembered it was in the hamper. I received many compliments on the color choice, so apparently it was a good choice.

Details:
Sweater: Old Navy Rich Slate Blue V-Neck Sweater via Old Navy-$10
Shirt: Stafford Light Blue Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$8
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: Allen Edmonds Amok Snuff Suede Unlined Chukka via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$60

WDIWT…12/2/13

I bought this suit from SuitSupply about 2-2.5 weeks ago from their recently launched SuitSupply online Outlet store. The retail price on the suit was $449 which is on par with their line of suits but they had it for $259 plus tax. I had the jacket let out at the chest and the trousers tapered, waist taken in and hemmed with a 2 inch cuff. In total alterations were about $80 so for about $360 with tax is not a bad deal at all.

Details:
Suit: SuitSupply Gray/White Wide Pinstripe via SuitSupply Outlet-$259 plus $80 in alterations
Shirt: Indochino White L/S Dress Shirt with French Cuffs via Indochino-$79
Tie: American Eagle Outfitters Navy/Pink/White Rep Tie via American Eagle-$7
Shoes: Allen Edmonds Brown Clifton via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-Gift
Overcoat: 100% Wool Bespoke Coat via Unique Thrift Shop-$12.50

It got cold:

WDWIT...10/29/13

The fit from yesterday was mediocre and I didn't really get to take pics as it was but today I liked it quite a bit. The challenge was wear a shawl cardigan, knit tie and denim. Since it's Tuesday for me, wearing denim although not against the rules on a Tuesday, professionally speaking I didn't think of it appropriate. Usually I wear denim Wednesday's and Friday's. I wore navy corduroy's which are becoming one of my favorite to wear.

And I finally took out a fresh pair of shoes that has been in their box for a couple of months. Gave my Ralph Lauren Sanderson's in chocolate brown a run today. The simple feel of these shoes on your feet is clearly evident versus that of other lower tier brands like Florsheim. The Ralph Lauren Sanderson's are actually manufactured by Allen Edmonds in the USA.

Details:
Sweater: Levis Off-White/Beige Shawl Cardigan Sweater via Levis Outlet-$15
Shirt: Merona White Oxford L/S Dress Shirt via Target-$22 plus alterations
Tie: No Brand Navy Knit Tie via eBay-$5
Watch: Kenneth Cole Slim Stainless Steel Metal Bracelet via Gift-Gift
Trousers: H&M Navy Corduroy via H&M-$15
Socks: Old Navy Gray/Blue Doggies via Old Navy-Gift
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Sanderson by Allen Edmonds Made in the USA in Chocolate Brown Calf via Allen Edmonds Factory Store-$86 thanks Carlin!