WDIWT...4/23/13

Today is Meet The Teacher Night and I feel the occasion calls for a suit, although not all my male co-workers are on the same page about that. With it being pretty cold this morning, low 50s and I still not wanting to wear a coat, I layered a cardigan underneath instead. The cardigan is pretty casual, as the huge buttons just jump out. Once I got in the building though I removed the cardigan and going just suit and tie the rest of the day.

Unfortunately the lighting sucked today.

Details:
Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke Gray Holland & Sherry Wool Suit part of a 3 Piece-$$$
Shirt: Indochino Essential Lavender Shirt via Indochino- part 3 for $229 deal
Tie: LandsEnd Purple Silk Knit Tie via LandsEnd-$7
Shoes: Meermin Mallora Brown Calf Double Monks via Meermin-$210
Pocket Square: White/Violet Gingham Cotton Square via Michael Andrews Bespoke Sample Sale-$10
Bag: Coach Travelers Messenger Bag in Brown Calf-Gift

With Cardigan:

No Cardigan:

WDIWT...9/3/2013

New school year, new class! Today was the first day back with students and the last first day for the Class of 2014!

It is only right to welcome them back in appropriate fashion...

Details:
Suit: Indochino Navy Essential Wool Suit (part of a 3 piece)-$449 plus $21 out of pocket cost in alterations
Shirt: American Living White/Violet Micro-Check Shirt via JCP-$8
Tie: LandsEnd Purple Knit Tie "Made in Italy" via LandsEnd-$8
Shoes: Aston Grey Brown Suede Wingtips via eBay-$35
Socks: Merona Navy/Light Blue Anchor Socks via Target-$3

WDIW...7/29/13

Quick post on what I wore yesterday. It was a lot hotter than what I initially expected and looking back on it, it seems more a fall outfit than a summer outfit.

Details:
Shirt: Stafford White/Purple/Blue Micro-Check L/S Dress Shirt via JCP-$5
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" Jeans via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Khaki Suede Chukka Boots via eBay-$25

WDIW...7/6/13 Vacation Posts

The picture isn't the best but it's the only one that I was able to snap on the way out of the room as we were running late for our final night onboard with a reservation awaiting at one of the ships exclusive restaurants.

Details:
Suit: Calvin Klein Navy Cotton/Linen via CalvinKlein-$75 plus $35 to shorten sleeves
Shirt: American Living White/Purple Micro-Check via JC Penney-$5
Socks: Merona Gray/White/Yellow Banana Socks via Target-$Gift
Tie: LandsEnd Purple Knit Tie Made in Italy via LandsEnd-$7
Shoes: Meermin Brown Calf DoubleMonk Straps via Meermin-$220.10

WDIWT...6/28/13

Not sure if I should have tucked in the shirt or not but I went with it un-tucked all day...

Details:
Shirt: Beige/White/Light Blue Stripe L/S Dress Shirt via Marshalls-?
Jeans: American Rag Slim Fit via Macy's-$7.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Brown Suede Penny Loafers via LandsEnd-$24 or $27

WDIWT...6/26/13

It's still hot and it's humid.

Details:
Shirt: Old Navy Chambray S/S Casual Shirt via Old Navy-$10
Jeans: American Rag Slim Fit via Macy's-$7.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Brown Suede Desert Boots via LandsEnd-$24

WDIWY...6/15/13

Quick Posts:
Went real casual yesterday with a plain gray t-shirt, some shorts and sneakers.

Details:
Shirt: LandsEnd Plain Gray T-Shirt via LandsEnd-$1.50
Shorts: Old Navy Khaki Shorts via Old Navy-$10
Shoes: Air Zoom Kobe VII White/Purple via Footlocker-$90

WDIWT...4/8/13

With the weather getting nicer and warmer...70 today and supposedly close to 80 tomorrow, it's nice to decrease the layering! Therefore I went with a cardigan and that was it, no need for a coat or a heavier sweater. With it still being in the high 60's to low 70's and a breeze kicking in here and there the cardigan provides enough of a layer to stay warm but still light enough that you're not sweating as a result.

Details:
Sweater: Gray Gap Cardigan via Gap Factory Store-$15
Shirt: Merona White Oxford Long Sleeve Dress Shirt via Target- $22 (plus alterations $20)
Tie: LandsEnd Navy/Orange Rep Tie via eBay/NikeTalk-$5
Trousers: Merona Medium Brown Herringbone via Target-$8.80
Shoes: Florsheim Imperial Cognac Wingtips via eBay-$25 or $35

WDIWT...3/25/13

Again keeping it simple and comfortable, best part of everything is that everything I'm wearing here was under $40...shoes included. The sweater is actually a recent H&M purchase; about 2 weeks ago for $3.50.

Details:
Sweater: H&M Light Navy Blue Crewneck Sweater via H&M-$3.50
Shirt: H&M Gray Henley via H&M-$5
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Brown Suede Penny Loafers via LandsEnd-$27
Total: $37

WDIWT...3/22/13

Spring Break is finally around the corner! Today was the last day of classes before break and teachers and students alike were more than thrilled that it was here. Kept it somewhat simple again pairing up an two eBay finds and a JC Penney's deal with an Old Navy deal. This entire outfit from head to toe was under $50.

Details:
Blazer: No Name Camel Hair Blazer via eBay-$12
Pocket Square: Black Corduroy made from the bottom of hemmed H&M cord trousers
Shirt: Stafford White/Brown Gingham via JCP-$11
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Stone Suede Boots via eBay-$25
Total: $49.50

WDIW...Yesterday...3/16/13

Went for a quick run to the mall and wore the following:

Details:
Sweaters: Old Navy Light Blue V-Neck via Old Navy-$12
Coat: Old Navy Double Breasted Pea Coat-$? It's been awhile
Shirt: Blue Stafford OCBD-Hand Me Down
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim Fit" Jeans via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Brown Suede Penny Loafers via LandsEnd.com-$22

*Bought some red corduroy's at JCP for $3

WDIWT...3/10/13

Wore this today to the mall, H&M and Gap, yes I went today again and wore this to go to dinner with my wife and sister-in-law. On a side note, I recommend that you never go to the P.F. Changs in Westchester County, NY.

Details:
Blazer: Gap Unstructured Blazer in Olive via Gap Factory-$35
Shirt: BCBG Light Blue (forgot where I got it, it's been years)
Jeans: Old Navy "Slim" Fit via Old Navy-$2.50
Shoes: LandsEnd Brown Suede Loafers via LandsEnd.com-$23

The Rugged Boot Challenge

NikeTalk's latest challenge is the rugged boot challenge. With the weather as cold as it is here in New York I've been wanting to break these out but since they aren't rubber soled and it's been somewhat wet I haven't. I like to refer to these as the poor man Alden Indy's as they were about 1/10th of the cost. The boots are from LandsEnd and I'm not sure if they are still available.

These boots look great with dark denim and heavy twill khakis as well.

Boots Part 3: The Desert/Chukka Boot

The Desert Boot also known as Chukka boots come in different shapes, which at times can blur the line between casual and dressy. The Desert boot which has a much more rounded toe, pretty much half circle and usually have a crepe sole, is a much more casual boot. The Chukka which usually has a more pointed but round toe can double as both dressy and a casual boot.

Again, below are a couple of examples of chukka/desert boots that I own, where I got them and what I paid.

Desert/Chukka Boot #1-LandsEnd Brown Suede Desert Boot from LandsEnd $27

Desert/Chukka Boot #2-LandsEnd Bone Suede Desert/Chukka Boot from eBay $32

A perfect example of that blurred line

Desert/Chukka Boot #3-Kenneth Cole Brown Suede Chukka Boot from eBay $50

Desert/Chukka Boot #4-Joseph Abboud Gray Suede Chukka Boot from Nordstrom Rack $40

Pair on the right obviously

Khaki Chukka Boots...Understated and Under-appreciated

Chukka boots are probably one of the few types of shoes that seem to be really under-used by most men. It is very rare that you see someone wearing an actual chukka boots, yet with the proper last/shape they can look great with jeans or with a suit. First, chukka boots and desert boots are not the same thing. Desert boots have a round toe shape and usually have crepe sole, chukka boots have a more pointed rounded toe; similar to a dress shoe and the soles vary.

You tend to see chukkas and desert boots for that matter in many shades of brown, specifically darker browns. You rarely see them in lighter shades, like khaki. The color might turn off people due to them being such a light color. However, they can be paired with pretty much everything you could pair a dark brown pair of shoes with. Get a pair with a black sole to add some contrast. Here is a great example; this pair by LandsEnd.

What I Wore Yesterday

Kept it simple:
Brown Tweed Blazer by Indochino (part of a suit)-$200
White with Black Mini-Check Alfani Shirt-$12
Arizona Twill Khaki Trousers-$5.50
Lands End Moc Toe Boots-$32
Pocket Square Camo from Michaels $.92

From Sometime Last Week

Offered with very few commentary, I wore this sometime last week and I really don't remember when. Pretty simple idea, layering without a coat by wearing a v-neck sweater under a blazer.

Details:
Blazer: Indochino Brown Bootlegger Tweed part of a suit $329 for the suit
Sweater: Banana Republic V-Neck via Banana Republic Factory Store $15
Shirt: American Living via JCPenney $5
Jeans: Gap Slim Fit via Gap $42
Shoes: LandsEnd Suede Loafers via LandsEnd.com $27

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.

WDYW...Yesterday

Wore the following outfit to teach yesterday. Wanted to not do a blazer so I did a cardigan. I kept it simple and relatively cheap, as it is the point of the this blog!

Details:
Shirt-Joseph Abboud via eBay $10
Tie: LandsEnd via NT'er $6.25
Tie Bar: No Name via eBay $3
Cardigan: Gap via Gap Factory Store $15
Trousers: Custom Made via Alteration Friend $50
Wingtips: Florsheim Imperials via Gift ($60 otherwise)
Total: $84.25/$144.25 with shoes
Retail: Well over $225

WDYWT...well what I wore on 9/7

This Friday was the first Friday of the school year. The debate for me was should I wear dress pants, a shirt, tie, and a blazer or go Friday casual. As a teacher there is a "grace" period before you pull out your casual duds, however, I think this only applies when you're teaching a group of students you've never taught before. Thankfully for me, I'm teaching the same students that I taught 3 years ago and they know how I operate. Therefore, keeping my look authoritative wasn't necessary. So I went for a casual look as did others.

Shirt: Old Navy Short Sleeve, White/Navy stripe as featured in Look 1 of TSB's feature. $9

Jeans: American Rag purchased at Macy's as featured in Look 3 of TSB's feature. $7

Shoes: LandsEnd Desert Boots, posted a few days ago. $21 shipped

Total: $37