WDIW…2/25/14

Keept it simple on Tuesday with chalkstripe flannel trousers, a light khaki marbled v-neck and a camel topcoat.

Details:

Shirt: Perry Ellis White Cotton L/S Dress Shirt via Macy's-$10

Sweater: Old Navy Khaki Marbled via Old Navy-$10

Coat: J. Crew Factory Thompson Topcoat via J. Crew Factory-$112

Trousers: Claiborne Charcoal chalkstripe flannel via JC Penny-$10

Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtips via JC Penney-$40

WDIW…Yesterday 2/3/14 Burple & Brown

I found this cotton/cashmere blend cardigan in a blueish-purple color on sale at Gap and decided to pick up. I liked the color as it was not your typical blue but still very practical. I like the way that the lighting plays with the color as it can look dark purple in bright light and blue in darker spaces.

These boots have taken a beating this winter but have paid for themselves and then some. I call it the best $40 I've spent. I forgot to take my snow-boots with me yesterday so these were my line of defense between 5 inches of snow and my feet. They did well.

Details:

Sweater: Gap Blue/Purple Cardigan via Gap-$13

Shirt: Lauren by Ralph Lauren White/Blue Bengal Stripe L/S Shirt via Adrian-$7.50

Trousers: Merona Herringbone via Target-$7.50

Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip Boot via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT…1/30/14 (Merino Wool & Tweed)

Playing with layers and the color combinations has become somewhat fun. I've been trying to pair colors that contrast that of the jacket instead of doing what I usually do, pairing 2 similar colors. I received a merino wool sweater for christmas and have wondered since then how I've went this long without one. Merino wool is exceptionally soft, making it exceptionally warm as well, only my cashmere sweater is warmer. At around half the price of cashmere; if not even less, it's a great investment piece to add to your wardrobe.

Tip: Check Gap's sale sections, I found 2 merino wool sweaters for $12 and $13. Banana Factory Store had some for about $25 as well.

Details:
Jacket: Stafford Light Brown Donegal Tweed via SA
Sweater: Banana Republic Eggplant 100% Merino Wool V-neck via Banana Republic Factory Store-$25 (gift)
Shirt: Alfani White/Black Micro-check L/S Dress Shirt via Macy's-$12
Trousers: Gap 1969 Dark Denim Wash via Gap-$45
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip via JC Penney-$40
Watch: Kenneth Cole Quartz with Brown Leather Band via Nordstrom Rack-$40 or $45
Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target-4 for $5

WDIWT…1/29/14 (Navy Tweed & Gray Flannel)

Another attempt at layering and staying warm. This blazer gets complimented every single time that I wear it. I'm usually not a fan of elbow patches but when I saw it in combination on this blazer, I had to have it. I'm usually not someone who buys something at this price point ($100+) impulsively but it was a great piece to add to my wardrobe.

The sweater is one of my new additions as well, I wore it here, but the color didn't come out well. The Camlin boots may not be the best quality boot out there but for $40 they have more than paid for themselves trekking through these salt laced streets.

Details:
Jacket: J. Crew Factory Thompson Navy Tweed via J. Crew Factory-$108
Sweater: J. Crew Factory Light Blue V-Neck via J. Crew Factory-$20
Shirt: Merona White L/S Dress Shirt via Target-$22 plus alterations
Trousers: IZOD Gray Flannel via JC Penney-$5
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtips via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT…1/28/13 (Layering Again)

This morning we were greeted with 10 degrees below 0 on our way to work. Staying warm is critical, whether it'd be for comfort or to simply remain healthy. I personally use layers to stay warm and on days like today some additional protection underneath such as HeatTech long johns and t-shirt from Uniqlo. Lastly, the other reason for layering is unpredictable indoor temperatures. Working in a school the heat can vary from classroom to classroom, sometimes requiring removing a layer.

Details:
Coat: Brooks Brothers Brookstorm Loro Piana via Unique Thrift Shop-$25 (msrp $600)+$80 in alterations (The Tailoring Room)
Jacket: Michael Andrews Bespoke Brown Donegal Tweed via Michael Andrews Bespoke-part of a 3 piece suit-$$$ (this suit has become my favorite, not bad as it was once at the bottom of the list)
Sweater: Old Navy Camel Marbled V-Neck via Old Navy-$12
Shirt: Gap White/Light Blue/Pink Windowpane L/S Shirt via Gap-$13
Trousers: H&M Corduroy Navy via H&M-$15
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Wingtip Boot via JC Penney-$40 (definitely have gotten my money's worth this winter out of these)

Not pictured: Uniqlo HeatTech Long Johns and T-Shirt via Uniqlo-$25 for both

WDIW…Yesterday 1/18/14

There is a misconception that people who blog only dress a certain way during the week. Dressing better isn't about doing it Monday to Friday, from 9 to 5 it's about being comfortable in your own clothes 24/7. 

A typical weekend for me doesn't have me in a suit or tie but in what I would usually wear to work on casual Friday. That usually means denim, a dress shirt, a sweater and/or blazer and brown shoes. Some people many not understand it but looking your best can provide a confidence that should be taken with you all week long.

Details:

Coat: Old Navy Navy Peacoat via Old Navy-$40

Sweater: Gap Navy Shawl Cardigan via Gap-Gift

Shirt: Polo by Ralph Lauren White/Navy Bengal Strip L/S Shirt via Adrian-$7.50

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

Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip via JC Penney-$40

WDIW...Yesterday 1/7/14

I've tried to stray away from talking about the weather in my posts but yesterday's weathered cannot be ignored. The high of 10 in the city and of 8 in the suburbs was impossible to ignore. The low was even more difficult to ignore with temperatures reaching -25...yes -25 with the wind chill. What you wore yesterday became even more important than usual not for how it looked but how it kept you warm. If you're on the East Coast or Mid-West where temperatures reached this or lower then I don't have to paint a picture. For those who aren't, to put it simply water would freeze in under 2 minutes.

Yesterday wasn't about simply looking put together; whether you are into dressing well or not but about staying warm and preventing damage your body. With that said, there are fabrics that are better suited for colder days, in many cases this can be the difference between feeling comfortable or feeling incredibly cold. Some things I wore that aren't pictured are a Brooks Brothers Brookstorm Wool Coat, a scarf, hat and gloves. The coat is waterproof and downed making for a dry and warm fit, the scarf protected my neck and face from the cold winds, same with the hat and gloves.

To what you do see...tweed and merino wool. Merino Wool is very soft but incredibly warm, surprising for a fabric that is very light and thin. Paired with a tweed jacket or suit in my case this provided enough warmth during the day in a building with limited and intermittent heat. The tweed, weighing in at about 14-16oz is very heavy and was a great insulator of body heat.

Details:
Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Brown Donegal Holland & Sherry Tweed via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$
Sweater: Banana Republic Light Brown Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater via Gift
Shirt: ModernTailor White L/S Dress Shirt via Modern Tailor-$35
Tie: Banana Republic Navy/Red/Gray Wool Blend Rep Tie via Banana Republic-$7
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip via JC Penney-$40

Texture Close Up:

WDIW...Monday 1/6/14

Just because it's winter it doesn't mean you have to wear dark colors. Blue is a color that can be worn during any season, one of the great things about blue. Different shades of blue can help with this as well. This light blue sweater has become one of my favorite for the soft yet bright blue. I paired it with a traditional light blue dress shirt and a wool fair isle tie; season appropriate I must say. Flannel chalkstripe pants finish off the look along with rubber wingtip boots for the snow, rain and ice outside. These boots are the best $40 I've spent.

Details:
Sweater: Old Navy Light Blue V-Neck Sweater via Old Navy-$15
Shirt: Stafford Light Blue L/S Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$8
Tie: American Eagle Navy/Light/Blue Fair Isle Wool Knit Tie via American Eagle-$5
Trousers: Claiborne Charcoal/Chalkstripe Flannel via JC Penney-$5
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip Boot via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT…12/16/13

Shades of blue and textures for today. Mixed a variety of navy blues today. Just because one brand labels it navy it doesn't mean that navy is the same to every brand, case and point, today. All 3 brands labeled their garments as navy and well they are all different. In addition I wanted to mix two traditionally Fall/Winter fabrics, corduroy and tweed; donegal tweed in this case.

I had some work done to the jacket, specifically to the midsection. The difference is noticeable.

                     Before:                                             After:

Details:
Blazer/Jacket: Michael Andrews Bespoke Brown Donegal Holland & Sherry Tweed (part of a 3 piece suit) via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$
Sweater: Old Navy Navy V-Neck Sweater via Old Navy-$10/15
Shirt: JCP Brand Navy/White Polka Dots L/S Casual Button Down Shirt via JC Penney-$8
Trousers: H&M Navy Corduroy via H&M-$15
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip Boots via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT…12/12/13

Kept it simple today, mixed brown with navy and red. Again these boots have been getting a lot of wear and probably will continue to do so during the winter.

Details:
Sweater: Old Navy Navy V-Neck Sweater via Old Navy-$10/15
Shirt: Van Huesen White/Red Micro-check L/S Shirt via JC Penney-$10
Trousers: Merona Light Brown Herringbone via Target-$7
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT...12/11/13

Layered up big time today, v-neck sweater, blazer and a topcoat. It felt bulky but it kept me warm which is the important part. The pocket square in the topcoat isn't necessary but I felt that it was a nice touch. I've seen it done by a few of my friends as well.

Apparently I wasn't the only one with this idea of layering today. One of my co-workers did the same thing today, denim, v-neck sweater, blazer and a topcoat. The difference; all black but the v-neck. Granted much like me, we both spent most of the day out of the topcoat. Some ideas in menswear do translate into both genders. Additionally these boots have received a lot of wear lately for two reasons. One, the boot itself, sleek wingtip in brown leather and two the rubber soles. The best $40 I have spent.

Details:
Topcoat: J. Crew Thompson Camel via J. Crew Factory Store-$115 plus $25 in alterations (Sleeves)
Jacket/Blazer: Michael Andrews Bespoke Charcoal part of a 3 piece suit via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$
Sweater: Polo Light Gray V-Neck Sweater via Gift-Gift
Shirt: Stafford White/Navy Gingham L/S Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$8
Pocket Square (blazer): Michael Andrews Bespoke White/Purple Gingham via Michael Andrews Bespoke Sample Sale-$10
Pocket Square (topcoat): George White Cotton via Walmart-$3 for a pack of 6
Jeans: Gap 1969 Dark Denim via Gap-$45
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip via JC Penney-$40

WDIWT…12/9/13

Layered up for a very cold day today. This simple layering actually avoided the need to carry a coat. Added some gloves and some earmuffs and I was good to go.

The Stafford Camlin boot has received a lot of wear this past week. The styling is simple yet classic, which can be worn with everything from jeans to dress trousers to corduroy's. The rubber sole is great for the wet weather and although they aren't Allen Edmonds Daltons for $40 they are a great pair of boots to have to wear on these wet and nasty days.

Details:
Blazer/Jacket: Stafford Light Brown Donegal Tweed via SA-$8
Sweater: Gap Light Gray Cardigan via Gap-Gift
Shirt: Van Huesen White/Light Blue Check L/S Shirt via JC Penney-$10
Trousers: Gap Slate Blue Corduroys via My Brother
Shoes: Stafford Camlin Brown Wingtip Boots via JC Penney-$40