WDIW...Sometime Earlier in The Week

All I remember was that we had one nice day this past week here in NYC that actually warranted a short-sleeve shirt and some cotton trousers. I've been very busy with work lately.

Details:

Shirt: Banana Republic Red/White/Blue Micro-Check S/S Shirt via Banana Republic Factory Store-$30/35

Trousers: Gap Cotton Navy Tailored Fit via Gap-$10/15

Socks: Merona Red/White/Blue via Target-$4

Shoes: Cole Haan Air Aiden Walnut Penny Loafers via Nordstrom Rack-$90

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

WDIWT...4/7/14 Spring Mixed With Fall

I've been trying to incorporate more color into my wardrobe and green is a color I haven't attempted yet. It's a nice Spring color and with today's weather pairing with a heavyweight donegal tweed suit seemed appropriate.

Details:
Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Donegal Tweed by Holland & Sherry via Michael Andrews Bespoke-$$$ (part of a 3 piece suit)
Shirt: ProperCloth White/Blue Check L/S Dress Shirt via ProperCloth Sample Sale-$20
Sweater: Gap Green V-Neck Cotton via Gap Factory Store-Gift (part of an exchange, on sale for $10 though)
Pocket Square: Merona White Cotton via Target-$5 for 5 pack
Shoes: Mike Konos Brown Suede Captoe via DSW-$20

This Weekend's Pick-Ups

I have purposely tried to stay away from the mall and outlet but had to go this weekend to return/exchange some stuff. I had some trousers I bought from Macy's that I didn't wear and still had the tags and a sweater at Gap Factory Store that I received as a gift but had whole in it. I made a quick stop at J. Crew Factory Store and found some flannel trousers for $26 down from $229.

Details:

Sweater (Left): Gap Green V-Neck via Gap Factory Store-$10 but nothing out of pocket due to exchange

Sweater (Right): Gap Light Blue V-Neci via Gap Factory-$10 but nothing out of pocket due to exchange

Shirt: Alfani White/Navy Micro-Gingham L/S Shirt via Macy's-$12 but nothing out of pocket due to exchange

Trousers: J. Crew Light Gray Flannel via J. Crew Factory Store-$26

WDIWT...4/1/14

Details: 

Sweater: Gap Midnight Navy Shawl Merino Wool Sweater via Gap-$12 (Clearance)

Shirt: American Living Purple Micro-Check L/S Dress Shirt via JC Penney-$5

Trousers: Gap Tailored Fit Navy Cotton via Gap-$15 plus alteration cost

Socks: Old Navy Gray/Blue Dog Socks via Gift

Shoes: Cole Haan Air Aiden Walnut Penny Loafers via Nordstrom Rack-$90

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

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

WDIWT…2/10/14 Staple Item: Flannel Trousers

The challenge for this week on dressing better on NikeTalk is to wear staple items and demonstrate how we wear them. During Fall/Winter one of my staple items are flannel trousers; whether in light gray or charcoal. These colors are incredibly versatile and can be pair up with essentially anything on top and black or brown shoes.

For today, I went with my charcoal pair with a dark chambray like shirt and a rich midnight navy merino wool shawl neck sweater. The sweater appears black from afar, however, the blue in the shirt brings out the true color.

Details:
Sweater: Gap Midnight Navy Shawl Pullover via Gap-$13
Shirt: Club Room Dark Chambray via Macy's-$10
Trousers: IZOD Charcoal Flannel via JC Penney-$5
Bag: Coach Bleeker Commuter Brown Calf via Coach-Gift
Shoes: Cole Haan Black Wingtip Calf 7" via Cole Haan-$130

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

Proper Cloth Sample Sale & Gap Japanese Selvedge Denim

Shout-out to my friend Adrian for the heads up on the Proper Cloth sample sale and for picking up this Gap Selvedge Denim for $17.50 for me at his local Gap!

Proper Cloth makes custom made-to-measure shirts and retail between $150-200. You can either order online by providing your measurements or go into their brick and mortar building in SoHo and get measured up. They are currently running a sample sale at 481 Broadway (4th Floor) with a plethora of shirts in all sizes from S-XL; with a handful of XXL. I suggest you try on as many shirts as possible and not just pick up a shirt because it's in your size section. They are MTM shirts so measurements vary; we found quite a few that fit well in the body but the sleeves were too short for example. Mention the choosy beggar and get your shirts for $20/each instead of $40.

I picked up the last tie too for $10.

The Gap Japanese Selvedge is a steal for $17.50 and some have seen them as low as $12.50 at some of their local Gap's. The most difficult apparently is finding them, I know my local one didn't have any. This is the same Japanese Selvedge that is selling for $90 online. I haven't worn them yet so I'm hoping they fit.

Details:
Shirt: Proper Cloth White/Blue Windowpane via Proper Cloth Sample Sale-$20
Jeans: Gap Japanase Selvedge via Gap-$17.50
Tie: Proper Cloth Silk Charcoal via Proper Cloth Sample Sale-$10

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…1/28/13 (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

WDIWT…1/27/14 (Giving Black A Try)

It's been a while but I'm trying to focus on taking pictures when I have time to take them and edit them now that I have a DSLR.

I hate wearing black, whether it'd be shoes, trousers or sweaters. Prior to Saturday I don't think I owned a pair of black trousers until I found these at Gap for $15. I like the look of navy with black, it's simple but looks good together.

Details:
Coat: Old Navy Wool Peacoat via Old Navy-$40? (bought about 4 years ago)
Sweater: Old Navy Navy V-Neck via Old Navy-$10/12
Shirt: Perry Ellis White L/S Dress Shirt via Macy's-$10
Trousers: Gap Black Tailored Fit Khaki via Gap-$15
Socks: H&M Gray/Black Horizontal Striped via H&M in San Sebastian, Spain-$10
Shoes: Florsheim Imperial Deerskin Balmoral Captoe via eBay-$15

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

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