Thirty Selvedge

2 faves

2011-12-14T23:39:00.003-05:00

I kinda outgrew my lands end canvas obsession over the past 6-9 months. I don't know...maybe it was the inconsistency in the quality, or the quality of the inconsistency. And I kinda felt like maybe, even with all of its expanded offerings this season, there would still be nuttin there to make me hit the order button.

And then, then, they drop the rust colored waxed canvas field jacket. You know the one.

Well, to be short and sweet, its the best piece they did all year. It's a damn nice treat, especially now at the ridiculous price its at. If I had to give up all of my LEC gear for this one piece, I'd make that trade in an instant.

Now if I had only gotten Nir Patel's ear at the Pop Up flea and told him they gotta do something about their denim...

As for Frank M. and the J. Crew posse, another fine fall me thinks. The introduction of Wallace and Barnes was a nice touch. A needed step forward. Some of the stuff is a bit steep with that Made in China tag, but there were some stand-out pieces.

My best $ spent: W&B Sinclair sweatshirt. This baby is THICK and warm and fits slim without crushing my six-pack abs. I don't have six-pack abs, but you get the picture.
The flannels were tight, but this Sinclair takes the cake.

I have gone a bit nuts with the purchases from J Crew this fall: Chippewa boots, Alden boots, wool CPO jacket, wool trousers, etc. I always do the most damage in Fall. Thanks Frank. Give my regards to Wallace & Barnes.

14.75oz Ankara

2011-12-11T22:15:00.005-05:00

After last year's Pop-Up flea, I wrote a piece on Tellason denim and the two guys behind the label, Pete Searson & Tony Patella. At last year's Pop Up they were selling a limited edition straight leg version in conjunction with A Continuos Lean. I forked over my money without hesitation.

I wore the hell outta my Tellason x ACL straight leg jeans over the past year: shoveling snow in them, cutting the grass in them, and raking leaves in them. Even put them through the washing machine twice and they turned out superb.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Tony and Pete again at this year's Pop Up Flea. I'm happy to say that over the past year Tellason has gotten itself into the finest denim shops in the world. They even opened their own on-line store (check out Tellason.com).

At the Pop Up flea, Tony showed me their latest creation: a straight leg version (known as the Ankara) that was made with 14.75oz denim woven by Cone Mills. The denim is exclusive is Tellason. It has a wonderful, thick (but soft) feel to it, and a deep indigo shade. Gorgeous to see and even better to wear. I could not resist and had to pick these up this past week.

If you're looking for some American-made (San Fran, that is!) denim, from top to bottom, leather patch to pocket stiching, you really ought to give Tellason a serious look.

I can't think of two more passionate, fine gentlemen I'd rather give my greenbacks to for the real blues.

Spend a few minutes HERE

Levi's 505 Selvage Made in the USA

2011-11-27T08:30:00.001-05:00

I have always have a fond place in my heart for Levi's 505 model. Back in high school, I had two perfect fitting 505s in a svelte size 32. I wore the hell outta them, and if I remember correctly, they were swiped by my girlfriend when she went off to college. Ahh, the makings a good Levi's commercial.

Through the 90's I did have a few 505s, but nothing memorable. My tastes shifted toward the iconic 501. I didn't consider the 505 model again until Brooks Brothers put out their made in the USA version last year. I scooped up this model but was disappointed that at $148 the denim wasn't made in the USA and wasn't selvage.

For the last year, the thought of USA made selvage 505s has haunted me. I never really made a concerted effort to find them. I did try the 1967 505s that J. Crew was offering, but they were too slim for my tastes.

While surfing around last week, wearing my Brooks 505s, I decided to search for these. Whaddya know, a blog post out there about a made in the USA 505, that was raw selvage, and limited edition. There were only 505 made. Sounded great, except that the blog post was a year old. What were the chances of finding, I thought. I had been looking for an excuse to check out the Levi's Vintage shop that had opened last year in NYC on West 14th street, so what the hell. Lo and behold, there was some stock of the 505s. Sales person told me that these were the 2011 model and the 2010 limited edition model was sold out. Tried on a few pairs of 501s and was stuck on the 505s, so was ready to leave with these when I figured I'd ask one more time if the sales dude could check for me. He came back upstairs, proudly holding 505 #29 of 505 from the limited edition run of 2010.

Did I need another pair of denim? I could tell you 100 things I need before more denim, but the nostalgia factor kicks in and my will power is no match for raw, selvage North Carolina denim made by US workers.

Here's the original blog post JUNCTUREMAG

Here's some shots of my new 505s. You can see the 29/505 stamped on the front pocket bag. Only gripe: no chainstitched hem.

Wonder if my pair from 1988 was made in the USA?

Hello Old Friends

2011-11-26T18:38:00.002-05:00

It's been a while, I know. I hope you all have been well and life has been smiling at you. I've been mulling over coming back and having a voice again in the blogosphere.

If you see a new post from me soon, you'll know I've been lured back from my slumber.

Until then, be well my friends.

~JB

2 years on...

2011-05-24T14:32:00.003-04:00

Thirty Selvedge all started two years ago (May 12th 2009 to be exact) with a posting about the upcoming Body and Soul reunion party.

I've been thinking and thinking that coming full circle to Body and Soul would be an appropriate way to close out this blog. As you may, or may not, have noticed, nothing much has been posted here lately.

So if there's one last piece of advice I could give, it would be to get your buns over to Webster Hall (NYC) this Sunday May 29th and experience the majesty of music that is Body and Soul. I will be there, for sure. My Aldens won't. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

I thank all of you that may have had an interest in this blog over the past two years. Perhaps something I rambled on about interested you or perhaps helped you. That would be good to know.

I wish you all well. Won't say goodbye, just see you round. Don't forget to shine your shoes, ok?

Ciao.

The Pressure

2011-04-06T00:20:00.003-04:00

March was a helluva a month at work and April doesn't seem to be letting up. Seems everyone is doing more and more, with less perks and pay. It really is enough to make you a crazy sometimes.

Back when I first started buying House 12" singles in '91, one of the first records I bought was "The Pressure" by Sounds of Blackness. The Frankie Knuckles Classic Mix is pure aural bliss when listened to LOUD as HELL with the lights off. If any of you remember hearing this at Sound Factory Bar in 91-92, you know what I mean.

Please listen carefully.

I NEED RELIEF.

Epaulet Saves the Red Dream

2011-04-04T12:11:00.002-04:00

Last year, all the rage round this time of year was the J. Crew chambray utility shirt in Red. Yours truly jumped on the bandwagon, but then quickly jumped off once I read the care tag and saw the 25% linen content.

Damn, damn, linen makes me itch. I love the look and allure of linen, but I can't take that damn itch it brings on. Thus, I held off.

I tried a red chambray from Lucky Brand, but the Large fit like a XL and the M had sleeves much too short. The GAP's version was a good fitter, but the shirt looked too pink.

3 strikes and yer out. I put the idea of a quality, affordable red chambray to sleep.

Surprisingly last week, while obsessively checking Epaulet's website for new shirts, their new point collar red chambray popped up! I've had semi-success with Epaulet's shirts (some being just too slim on me), so this was the perfect excuse to head over to their shop to do a real-life try on.

First thing I noticed was that the shirt was super soft. Beautiful drape. The red is spot on for the shade I had been hoping for. I went for an XL, my usual size in Epaulet shirts. Expecting something too tight across the chest (or should I say, across the gut), I was happy to be wrong. The shirt fit like a glove. Perfectly slim (not tight!) across the shoulders and chest, with a little bit of give so as not to pop buttons after my third size of pizza. It took me about 5 seconds of checking in the mirror to know this was a must-have. Many others must have thought the same thing as I noticed the XL sold out not long thereafter.

The beefy oxfords in Blue and White were right along the same lines in terms of fit, so it was the perfect trifecta. These shirts really are gorgeous. The double-chest pocket Epaulet utility shirts were damn nice too, but for some reason the fit on these didn't serve me as well. A bit too tight across the chest.

I was a bit nervous for any shrinkage after washing, but this weekend I gave the blue oxford a cold water wash and air dry. I'm happy to say I didn't notice any shrinkage.

As an added bonus, I got to shoot the breeze with owners Mike and Adele for a good hour. They were kind enough to show me new Rivet Chino shorts that are due next month, a new slim field pant, and some gorgeous hand-sewn, made-in-Maine leather shoes/boots. It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit, from start to finish. They're currently having a sale on selected products, where proceeds are benefitting the Japanese Red Cross. A win-win for all, indeed.

See Ep's redness HERE

Where your Levi's come from

2011-03-25T17:35:00.001-04:00

If you look inside your Levi's, chances are they are made in Mexico. Here's how your 501s come to life, Mexico-style.

A Word from Giuseppe

2011-03-23T10:04:00.002-04:00

Just in case you don't read the super-useful-and-cool web log by Giuseppe,."An Affordable Wardrobe,(see my links), I wanted to post this excerpt from one of his posts last week.

This has been going through my head continuously as I observe those around me this week. Brilliantly put:

"People who use the fact that they look after small children as an excuse to walk around dressed like children are being lazy. Adulthood, and especially parenthood, is no place for laziness. I'll try not to get on a high horse about it, but dressing like an adult teaches children a little something about being an adult. Spending the day in pyjamas and sweat pants teaches them something too"

A Cigar a Day...

2011-03-21T22:17:00.002-04:00

After months of fiending, I have scored the Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan LWBs. I let them go once and I wasn't gonna let 'em go again! Shown here with some outstanding Wool Cavalry Twill trousers from Epaulet. Direct sunlight shot.

Desire

2011-03-18T11:17:00.001-04:00

Its 70 degrees today here in NJ. Makes you feel so good, after the winter we just had. Here's something else to make you feel so good: UltraNate, remixed by NJ's own maestro Kerri "KAOZ 6:23" Chandler.

Shade of Blue

2011-03-10T12:12:00.002-05:00

Stopped by to see my pals at the Short Hills, NJ J. Crew last night.

Aside from the normal S/S offerings, something very cool caught my eye.

There is a section of men's wear dedicated to Indigo gear. You may remember the indigo dipped sweatshirt from a few months back (see below).

Cool as hell with its unique shade of blue, but I had to balk at the $98 price tag.

All of the pieces were in this vein. There was an indigo dipped work shirt, pull over shirt, and a great looking indigo dipped pocket t-shirt. Most of these items seem to be on-line, but they're easy to pass over when surfing.

Check 'em out in-store if you wanna see something different and fresh.

St. Viateur experience

2011-03-07T22:32:00.014-05:00

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of stealing a few hours and passing the time on St. Viateur Street in Montreal. St. Viateur is one of my favorite spots in Montreal, thanks to its eclectic mix of boho types, old school Italian and Portuguese immigrants, French speaking Montrealers and the occasional Hasidic Jew. A wonderful mix indeed!

Combine that flavor with places like Cafe Olimpico, the world famous St. Viateur Bagels, the Crepiere, and the nearby shops of Parc Ave, and you've got a great place to relax and enjoy a chill afternoon. Me and my boy no doubt did.

Overheard

2011-03-07T20:59:00.002-05:00

Overheard on the corner of Rivington and Ludlow St, on Manhattan's Lower East Side, as I was standing there pondering an Epaulet purchase:

2 guys walking, probably early to mid 20s. Both with hoods and saggy jeans. One says to the other "yeah, I know, cuz the next thing I was gonna say to her was I can do it all night baby".

Classic.

Ep & Al

2011-03-07T14:31:00.004-05:00

I haven't had the chance to rave yet about my new love affair with Epaulet (menswear joint in Brooklyn, Lower East Side, and online at www.epauletshop.com), but let's just say that Epaulet is the real som-bitchin' deal. But I'm sure you already knew that.

Here is a shot today of my Walt Flannel Wool Trousers and Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan Indy boots, both sourced from Epaulet.

I'm lovin these two pieces to death. That being said, I'm sure I'll stain them, rip them, tear them, destroy them, etc, by day's end.

Winter's Treat

2011-02-21T16:28:00.002-05:00

The past 4 years I've been allocating 4 vacation days to President's Day week, and making a winter trip up to Montreal. If you're one of those people who whines and complains about the cold, then stay home.

If you're willing to brave the weather (not so bad!), then get out there and soak up all this wonderful city has to offer. From the charm of Old Montreal at the Port to the panoramic views atop of Mount Royal, the city sooths with European flavor.

$2.50 today, well spent:

W.P. S/S 2011

2011-02-15T16:20:00.004-05:00

The ever popular Warby Parker rolled out some new styles last week for Spring/Summer. The theme of funky, chunky plastic frames that launched the company continues.

And still $95 ! Come on!

Here are my faves from the collection, the Preston:

Check them all out HERE

New from India

2011-02-09T22:40:00.003-05:00

Last year, come end of summer, I was totally madrassed out.

Well, J. Crew is starting to roll out their new offerings and this one has my eye.
Sooner or later, thou shall be mine. Time heals all wounds...

Nudie, Raw

2011-02-08T08:27:00.001-05:00

Came across this informative video on the making of nudie jeans:

To help me see better, my dear !

2011-02-04T07:19:00.000-05:00

I've been mulling over a pair of Warby Parkers since I first caught wind of them in March of last year.

I was able to get a quick glimpse of them at the Pop Up Flea here in NYC last November, but the joint was so packed that I didn't get a chance to really concentrate on them. I took their business card, knowing I'd be back.

In the meantime, I added a pair of Shuron frames to my arsenal this winter to replace my Moscot Hyman frames which were two years old and showing signs of age. Even so, I was still intrigued by the Light Sandalwood color of some of the WP frames. I usually wear dark brown or black, so this lighter color was a welcomed change.

Just my luck, I found out in November that the Light Sandalwood color was on back-order. So the wait continued...

Finally, in January, I was able to get up to the WP showroom on 16th St in NYC for a view of all the frames. The space was airy & bright with a lot of energy. The frames were easily accessible for trying on and the staff ulta-helpful. They had some new offerings that weren't even on-line yet. (They even gave me $5 off for making the trek there to visit them!)

I was in and out in 20 mins, since I had my current Rx in hand. I went for the Fillmore in Light Sandalwood. I was promised the frames in 10 working days.

All in all, a great purchasing experience thus far.

My frames ended up arriving at my house in around 5 days! When I got them I was disappointed to find that one of the lenses seemed loose. I called the WP 1-800 number and they apologized and promised to ship me a new pair right away. And that they did, no questions asked. I sent the first frames back, being extremely satisfied with their customer service.

The frames are aesthetically wonderful, IMO. The size is perfect for my face. The color is light, but not too light to conflict with my olive-toned skin. They're probably not as hefty feeling as my Moscot Lemtosh, but I do like the color and fit better, to be honest. And at $95...how can you argue? Even better, a pair of glasses was donated to someone in need as a result of my purchase.

Two days later someone stopped me and said, " wow, those are great frames! I'd love to get a pair like that but I don't have $400-500 to spend. Those are Oliver People's right?".

Nope, I said, grinning from ear to ear. Needless to say, the dude was scratching down the Warby Parker name faster that I could get it out.

Looking for frames? A second pair? A weekend only pair? Do yourself a great favor and check out WP. Don't forget, they'll also send you up to 5 pairs to try on so you can stare at yourself in the mirror for a long time without feeling self-conscious around the sales staff (or maybe that's just me)!

Foul Weather Friends

2011-02-03T04:36:00.001-05:00

As it goes, I went on a bit of tear during the last few months. Shoe wise, that is.

I had fulfilled my denim quotient, so what better to finish off the outfit than a sturdy pair of shoes. A&A (Alden and Allen Edmonds), as I call them, reached deep into my wallet, and pschye, and showed me how the big boys do it. Appropriate though, as my years move on and I need something better to support this frame other than a pair of disposable made-in-china, glued together leather shoes. This all sounds familiar to me. I think we've been through this before.

So what happens when you line your closet with the best shoes money can buy (debatable, I assume) and then old man winter throws at you the best he's got. Well, a man has got to fight back appropriately.

Thus, I give you, my shoe MVP for this winter.

Courtesy of Rockport. Bought in 2008.

Here's what its got:
-Waterproof
-Super soft nubuck leather
-Versatile light brown color
-Split toe styling
-Rubber bottom for sturdy winter wear
-Comfortable as hell.

Thanks Rocky, for taking the beatings this year while the A&A fellas wait patiently in the closet for a sunny day.

Yeah, I know, fair weather friends.

Phil's Day

2011-02-02T14:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Groundhog Day. Punxutawney Phil is in the press again. I see this year he was politically incorrect, as usual, wearing real fur.

Anyway, its another winter storm here in the NYC area. This time its ice. Not nice. Another day for the nice shoes and threads to stay in the closet.

The 4 or 5 of you good people who read this web log (okay maybe I'm exaggerating...3 or 4) may have noticed I didn't have much to say during January. Or then again, maybe you didn't notice. That's the issue I've been mulling over for the past month.

I've been doing some physical therapy for the tendonitis in my ankle, as I sit there and count to 30 doing boring exercises I've been thinking, do I continue this thing? Does anybody read it? Does anyone care what I'm wearing today, or what I plan on buying, or what I bought, or who I kissed. What was that?

There are so many men's fashion blogs out there and God knows most do it better than I do.

So if there is anyone out there, what do you suggest? Go away and leave the blogosphere a better place? Begin to feature more pleated pants and tab collar shirts? Try out some 2 for $18 Faded Glory Jeans from Walmart?

What Say ye?

p.s. just in case you were wondering, today I'm shoveling snow & ice in my Tellason x ACL jeans, red wing boots, and j. jcrew jaspe henley.

Take that to the Bank!

2011-01-25T09:00:00.002-05:00

Now I want to sound like an old man, but come on, this was when music was MUSIC.

Infectious! Just try NOT to dance.

1978.

Gettin thru this winter....

2011-01-24T22:36:00.005-05:00

...is not easy when you're trying to rein in the spending.

My self-imposed no shopping ban didn't last long at all. I think it lasted 2 days, as a matter of fact. Hey, how can I let these incredible deals pass me by?

I've scooped up some really great deals over the last 3 weeks as some of my fave retailers have slashed prices to get rid of stock.

Have you been wathcing these Lands End Canvas sales get better and better? How much better? Straight Fit Khakis for just over $10. Poplin shirts for $8. T shirts for $4. Now how can a self respecting man let those bargains pass by?

J. Crew had some great items hiding in the 40% off Final Sale as well. Secret Wash shirts for $17. Chamois shirts for $12. Slim fit tees for $6. Are you kidding me???

Quality staples at prices you're probably not gonna see for a long time.

Charles Tyrwhitt is running a great sale on men's shirts. Quality slim fit shirts can be had for less than $40.

So with all of this GREAT SMART SHOPPING and generous saving, I felt obligated to do my feet a favor and treat them to these Alden shell cordovan #8 boots:

Hope you're winter is coming along nicely.

Protecting the Brannock

2011-01-10T09:44:00.002-05:00

A very interesting article in the January 11th Wall Street Journal about the infamous Brannock measuring device:

LIVERPOOL, N.Y.—Many have tried, but no one has ever come up with a more elegantly simple way to measure the human foot than Charles Brannock, inventor of that ubiquitous metal gadget found in shoe stores and known, fittingly, as the Brannock device.

Created in the 1920s, Mr. Brannock's tool is among the most enduring industrial designs ever. The company's original paperwork now resides in the Smithsonian Institution. Cameron Kippen, a foot historian and podiatrist in Australia, calls them an "icon of quality" that changed the way shoes were fitted.

But defending the Brannock legacy from competitors, who produce cheaply overseas, has become an uphill battle. Sal Leonardi bought the Brannock Device Co. Inc. from Mr. Brannock's estate in 1993 after the inventor died at age 89, and he promised to keep the factory in the Syracuse area for at least five years....

See the whole article here

Here is the man: (killer frames)

Overheard on the Street

2011-01-07T07:12:00.001-05:00

Sometimes while walking down the streets of NYC you are privy to tiny bits of conversations that are very amusing.

Some snipets make no sense when heard out of context, but some are clearly understood.

Today, two women walking behind me were quite excited in their conversation and easy to hear.

Imagine this, in classic Staten Island accent (for those of you outside of NYC, you'll get the drift anyway)....

"I don't know what, but there is something about the light in my house that makes my nails look so good.....they look just like Kim Kardashian's".

Guess not everyone out there is walking around thinking about selvedge and crepe soles.

Black is the new Black

2011-01-06T08:08:00.000-05:00

After my first trip to Italy in '96 I vowed to keep black shoes off of my feet while in public. I always preferred the richness of the color brown, but witnessing how the Italian men made grey flannel and navy blue really POP with a pair of medium brown shoes made me realize I had been living in the dark ages.

Today on the way home from work I took a visual shoe-survey of the men I saw on the street and on the train. I'd say a good 85-90% who were wearing dress shoes had black. Now what the shoes looked like is a whole 'nother story.

I've been very partial lately to Allen Edmond's Walnut Color and Alden's #8.

However, the past month has me feeling I need to add one quality black pair to my rotation. This Alden beauty may just be the one:

What's your preference on mix of colors?

That's all you got?

2011-01-05T19:56:00.003-05:00

Hey friends. A very Happy New Year to you all.

Back in my college days, the hip hop album of choice was usually Dr. Dre or Snoop Dog's 1st collection.

Let's not even get into what became of Snoop. Dre, on the other hand, I always held out hope for.

Dunno if you heard it yet, but Dre is back with a new CD. First single is called Kush. Not being down with the lingo, I watched the video and only then learned that the song is all about weed.

I sat there and watched the video and I all could think about was "after all these years, the best you can do is write another damn song about smoking weed?" Disappointing. Really disappointing.

If this decade's creativity is making new songs about smoking weed I'll stick to some Teddy Pendergrass circa 1978.

Damage Report

2010-12-29T09:24:00.003-05:00

Looking back at 2010, I can say it was a year of damage. Much damage to my wallet for sartorial purposes, that is.

Taking the time to review the damage I think its time for a change. Not exactly sure how I can pull this off, but I got to try. After all, sometimes its better to window shop and leave the thirsts unquenched rather than totally indulging.

I've done a wonderful job this past year supporting the independent denim guys. I've always had a thirst for good denim, but this year made me an addict. 3Sixteen, Jean Shop NYC, Tellason...
These guys do it to perfection and make their wonderful product hard to resist.

Finally, as I close in towards 40, I've started to treat my aching feet right. The wonderful craftsmen at Alden and Allen Edmonds have received my support. I now know what I have been missing all these years.

LL Bean Signature and Lands End Canvas have become admired suppliers to my closet, no doubt taking some of my business from (what seems like) my family members at J Crew.

Even Brooks Brothers, who I broke up with in '02, came back into focus thanks to their selection of Levis "Made in the USA" and their superb cut Milano pants.

Speaking of Brooks Brothers, there is a great feature in the True Prep section of their website called ."Brooks Brothers Now and Now....Meet Tom Davis and Thom Browne." Basically what we have is a profile of a Brooks salesman named Tom Davis who was been an employee since '67 and the hot designer Thom Browne.

Tom Davis makes a powerful statement: "I don't have closets full of clothes. I buy out of need and the clothes last." That speaks volumes to me.

In 2011 my goal is to turn my psyche around and live by this philiosophy.

Less is indeed more, my friends

Layer Piece

2010-12-14T16:24:00.003-05:00

Wearing a down vest always reminds me of 5th grade, after school, outside, playing some football in somebody's backyard. The vest not only kept me warm, but also allowed me to throw a pass. Very important when you're 11.

The Lands End Canvas version this fall was fantastic, but I've been on the hunt for something a little less bulky and a bit more original.

I've been searching for that great layer under your jacket when you want the warmth, but want to forego the "my arms are so puffy I can't put them down" look.

The good folks at J. Crew must have heard me.

And with the numerous J. Crew coupons floating around this month, this one will leave you some extra loot for the wax to re-do your Barbour.

The Future of Alden

2010-12-07T15:22:00.002-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to the future of the ever popular Alden Indy boots.

One of the first dudes to get my hand on these, I wanted to share them with my readers as soon as possible.

They have an inflatable insole which truly creates a custom fit.

Being quite expensive, I have only managed to save up enough money for one right now. No worries, I'll just wear one while the world looks on in envy.

Happy trails.

Love from Warby Parker

2010-11-27T08:59:00.004-05:00

About a year or so back, GQ ran a feature about the new start-up glasses company Warby Parker. WP was out to make buying new stylish frames easy and affordable. The company would even send you 5 pairs of frames to try on at home, at your leisure.

Of course, the GQ-effect was huge, and when I tried to order some frames on line, all the best offerings were sold out.

Last week I was happy to see the fine Warby Parker folks at the Pop Up Flea. Their offerings looked even better in person than on line. Sadly, the kick-ass Fillmore in Sandalwood are still sold out, but a equally bad-ass Fillmore in Crystal, designed in collaboration with Steven Alan, are calling your name:

Can you think of a more stylish way to spend $95?

Simply

2010-11-25T11:34:00.002-05:00

Thanks be to God.

Best to you and those dear to you.

~JB~

John W. Hulme

2010-11-24T06:04:00.000-05:00

One of the best vendors for eye candy at last week's Pop Up Flea was J.W. Hulme's leather goods.

The company goes way back to 1905, when John Hulme got into the business of making tents for the upcoming war.

The century brought many direction changes and owners, but through good fortune the fine folks at J.W.H. are still making quality leather goods in Minnesota today.The collection now includes canvas sporting bags, hunting bags, business travel bags, as well as women's hand bags.

It was hard to get a really close look since lots of people were huddled around, getting a look at the goods. But the leather wallets, passport covers, and leather totes were a sight to behold.

How about this beauty for your next weekend getaway?

And the winner is...

2010-11-22T08:04:00.004-05:00

After a long search for the King of Pennys, it came down to 2:

+Allen Edmonds Walden
+J. Crew x Bass Gordon

On paper, it looks like a tough battle. Both shoes are made in USA by storied shoe makers. Both shoes have the classic loafer profile, although the Bass model has the beef-roll detailing.

At the end, my foot liked the AE Walden best. Here's why:
+More support for my flat fleet
+Classic burgundy color over the Bass brown color
+AE's abilibity to be reconditioned at the AE factory after I put some serious wear on them

Welcome to the family Walden.

Drink the Root

2010-11-22T07:17:00.003-05:00

This past week at the J. Crew holiday shopping event the fine folks at J. Crew offered Brooklyn Lager and a mystery brown liquor that looked like a bourbon, just a bit more translucent.

Being a bourbon fan, I skipped the beer and went for the brown mystery liquid in the rocks glass. When I asked the server what it was, he replied "Wood Liquor". This is the ultimate, I thought. J. Crew has taken the workwear thing to the final step and has started making and marketing their own moonshine!

When I asked for more clarity, the server directed me to the bartender. The bartender showed me the bottle. What he was pouring was a liquor named "ROOT". Reading the ingredients, its something you'd never dream of drinking, but this magical potion was damned good. Just to be sure I liked it, I had 2 more.

What's in it? Birch bark, black tea, sugar cane, sassafras, lemon peel, anise, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

The origins date back to the 1700s when the Native Americans introduced it to the settlers as "Root Tea".

It's a taste that's hard to describe, but if you're looking for something off the beaten path this winter, I'd suggest you take a look at the history and how its made in this video:

CHECK OUT THE ROOT

Tellason

2010-11-21T09:10:00.010-05:00

If you read Michael Williams’ (of ACL) guide to denim this past summer in Men’s Journal, you’ll recall Michael’s recommendation of Tellason jeans. I had come across the brand before, but never really did any homework on them. So I did some digging.

+Made in the USA? Check. San Fran, CA.
+Quality selvedge denim? Check, none other than Cone Mills.
+The right fit? Check, slim straight.
+Details? Check, Tanner goods leather patch.

The denim got high praises from the denim-heads across the blog world so I figured I had to give them a try. The fine gents at UNIONMADE GOODS were able to help with sizing and I had them in my hands in no time.

The first thing that struck me about these jeans is the extreme attention to detail. The chain stitched hem was so masterfully done that I didn’t dare shorten these jeans. The detailing on the back pockets and the extra reinforcement there was superb. The back pockets even have some stitching done with genuine indigo thread.

The fit was just as described. The only thing that concerned me was the rise. This was the lowest rise jean I had ever owned, so it took some getting used to.

The jeans were quite tight in the crotch area at first, so I emailed the folks at Tellason. I got a quick response from Tony Patella , one of the brand’s owners. Tony informed me that the fabric, 12.25 oz. sanforized Cone selvage denim, will stretch where needed, but won't overstretch like lesser-quality selvage. The fabric stretches where it needs to and will mold to your body.

Within a few weeks the jeans did indeed stretch out in the right places and the fit was just as I’d hoped.

I gave these jeans some good wear time over the last 3 months and they’ve become really soft. The rise still bothered me a little, but not enough to cause any discomfort.

Fast forward to this past week and I learned that Tellason would be one of the vendors at MW’s Pop Up Flea. I stopped at the Flea on Friday and had the pleasure of meeting Tony and Pete, the men behind the brand.

I spied some dudes trying on Tellason jeans and noticed something different from the jeans I had:

Tony explained that this was a new cut, designed in collaboration with ACL: A straighter cut, slightly looser in the top block and leg, with a higher rise. Long story short, 20 minutes later I owned my second pair of Tellason jeans, this time with a fit a bit more akin to what I was used to.

Looking forward to seeing what my Tellason look like next year this time. If you’re in the market for some new denim, the real-deal made in the USA authentic type, do yourself a favor and put Tellason on your short list.

The Pop Up Flea

2010-11-20T09:41:00.003-05:00

Michael Williams, you are better than Santa Claus, giving us all an early Christmas present with the Pop Up Flea. I ain't never missin' one of these things again.

The place was buzzing really active when I walked in at 5:30 on Friday. There were with so many quality vendors that I could go on and on. I have to have to admit I've become a little bit too used to NJ malls where most of the people are not there because they want to be, but because they have to be--buying new shoes for junior, new socks for Daddy and a new vacuum for Mama. This was a refreshing break from that scene.

Some of the vendors who stand out in my mind:

-Levis Vintage Clothing: never seen more LVC jeans in one place.
-Gitman: the shirts are really that nice.
-Tanner goods: the leather bracelets were my favorite. Huge selection of goods.
-LL Bean Signature: The wool jackets were standouts.
-Warby Parker: How the hell do they sell such kick ass frames with lenses for that price?
-Billykirk bags: stunningly nice in real life.
-Oak Street Bootmakers: Their shoes/boots screamed quality. Bummer they didn't seem to have their Beef-roll Penny Loafers.

You know the deal.

The fine guys at Riviera Club gave me a Bud. Hit the spot. Thank you dudes.

I had the the extreme pleasure of meeting Tony and Pete from Tellason. (Nice to meet a fellow paesano who is passionate about espresso.)

Now, I've been waiting till my Tellason jeans were good and broken it (3 months and counting) before doing a feature on how much I dug 'em. Well, now I'm going to have to do a double post because I became a repeat Tellason customer with my purchase of the brand new Tellason x A Continuous Lean straight fit jeans. It's a new cut of their famous Tellason jeans, designed in collaboration with Michael Williams. These beauties aren't even advertised yet. More on Tellason and that purchase tomorrow.

What a treat to be within earshot as Tony and Pete explained the artistry behind their jeans to visitors to their table. You can see it all over their faces that they whole-heartedly believe in what they're doing. They're not here for the quick buck. It's the real deal. Besides, you know you're dealing with two quality gentlemen when they offer you a shot of Wild Turkey before you leave. Stright out of the bottle. My kind of guys.

Best part of the event? Easily, it was all of the people coming together for the one common theme of supporting these homeland craftsmen who put their 110 % into their products. If only I had a foot-high stack of benjamins to spend in that place to show my support.

If you're in the area, a visit to the Pop Up Flea is well worth your time this weekend.

New for the Crew

2010-11-20T07:02:00.001-05:00

I received the latest issue of the The Thread from J. Crew this week. The newsletter is essentially a big promotional flyer, but I found some good gems hidden inside.

1. Spring/Summer collection will include the New Balance 1400 sneakers in new exclusive colors. I emailed the folks at the Crew, but no word on the actual colors. I was told to keep an eye out for these new releases in the January/February 2011 catalogs.

2. A picture of the men's offerings for S/S 2011 showed a selection of men's glasses. The frames, to my eyes, looked like Moscot frames. A collaboration between Moscot and the Crew would be quite interesting. I myself have two pair of Moscot originals so I look forward to seeing if J. Crew offers the standard Moscot fare, or if exclusive collaborative pieces make their way to us. (I emailed the Crew to see if my eyes are right.)

3. 2011 will bring the first J. Crew store in Canada. Lucky for you Toronto. No details were available. Hopefully they add a Montreal location next for my good friends in Quebec.

Need a Cawffee, Need a Dollah

2010-11-19T07:48:00.002-05:00

I'm really not a huge Starbucks fan. I'd just rather not stand behind 10 people ordering their venti skinny soy mocha lattes with a shot of hazelnut and extra foam while I look around at people with shiny laptops (laptops actually work-obviously they don't have kids) drafting anti-establishment poetry.

But I do like their Thanksgiving and Christmas coffee beans, which seem to have lots of spicy coffee flavors and none of the trademark Starbucks bitterness.

So I'm ordering a Christmas blend coffee today by chance, and the dude behind the counter, excuse me, I mean the Barista, knocks over a display with cards for a free weekly iTunes song. Boom, right at me. No big deal. So I help the guy out and start picking up the cards.

I take a look at the card as I'm waiting for my medium, excuse me, I mean Grande, Christmas Blend. The song is "I need a dollar", by Aloe Blacc, the theme song from HBO's series "How to Make it in America" from earlier in the year. I was a fan of the show (2 dudes in NYC trying to make a line of selvage denim jeans...how can you not?) but actually a bigger fan of the theme song. WHAT? I actually dig a jam recommended by Starbucks? Embarrassed, I slide the card in my pocket for later.

And there ya go...how a random trip to Starbucks makes it to Thirty Selvedge.

Enjoy the song.

J. Crew Holiday Event

2010-11-18T23:14:00.005-05:00

A few weeks back I received a surprise invite to a Holiday shopping event at the new J. Crew men's shop @ 79th and Madison in NYC.

Tonight was the night so I headed uptown after work, not sure exactly what to expect.
Walking on Madison Ave, I saw a J. Crew storefront and a sign on the door that said "Closed for Private Event". This is it, I thought. I walked in, gave my name at the door, and stepped into the store. It was extremely loud and busy. I looked around and thought "this place didn't look like pix I had seen." Where was the men's clothes? Why are the walls white instead of wood? This is not what I expected. Just then I realized I was in the Women's store! Embarassed, I turned around and walked out.

Across Madison Ave, I finally found myself in the right spot. Immediately I could sense a different vibe. More laid back. More calming.

I was greeted by friendly staff, all exceptionally dressed. The store felt less chaiotic than the store at 484 Broadway, which I always find very busy and filled with tourists. The space is surely less cramped than the Liquor Store as well.

The layout is obviously the product of much deliberate planning. After one trip around, I felt the store easy to shop and navigate.

The selection was outstanding. The J. Crew Men's shops of today have come so far from the cookie cutter J. Crew Mall stores of the 90s. The selection of third party goods almost seeemed to overwhelm the actual J. Crew offerings. Tons of Belstaff, Thomas Mason, Imogene and Willie, and a few brands I had never heard of before.

The shoe section was downstairs. One word: unbeatable. The Crockett and Jones pebble grain boots killed me. Gorgeous cordovan wing tips and boots from Alden.

The selection of ties was impressive. Oddly, a lot of styles that I quickly passed on-line, looked much better in public.

Walking back upstairs, I sparked up a conversation with Mr. Frank Muytjens. First impression: Tall. Second impression: Impeccable style that comes off as being as easy as cake. We immediately compared Moscot frames. We spoke about the elevation of the brand, his excitement season to season, the re-development of certain mall stores men shops, and how he was very happy with the direction things are going. I congratulated him on his wonderful accomplishments over the last few years. A very pleasurable gentleman to speak with, indeed.

Got a gift bag on leaving that contained the book What a Man Should Know and a pair of two color tipped cotton socks.

An enjoyable evening indeed.

The Upside of a Flat Foot

2010-11-18T08:09:00.003-05:00

See if you buy this: At age 12 I started wearing orthotics thanks to extremely flat feet. Pain in my arches and heels since I can remember. And this royally sucks, cuz I love to walk. Give me an open afternoon and I'd walk Manhattan top to bottom if I could.

I'm a bit older than 12 these days and the flat feet have now caused tendonitis in my ankles. Pain. Real pain.

What to do for tendonitis pain? RICE is the treatment. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Seeing that I gotta work to pay the bills (and a few treats me for as well), and I have two small humans, ages 5 and 4, extended Rest is more of a long shot than the Yankees landing Cliff Lee for $2MM a year.

Ice? Maybe one cube in my Knob Creek, please.

Compression? How do you compress the tendon, or keep it from moving around too much? Let's try a natural method: Boots! Boots would be a natural, practical way to do this. Now this can work.
After years of pain, I need the best compression device out there.

Tendonitis = Alden boots.

Thankfully my pre-order Alden Roy boots were shipped from the fine fellas at Context Clothing this week, after a long multi-month wait.

Last treatment step: Elevation. I'm hoping to kick these up on many a coffee table as I explain to folks my flat feet and tendonitis, hoping for some sympathy.

The Perfect Penny

2010-11-17T13:27:00.002-05:00

Doing some research in my quest for the perfect penny loafer, I've found that there sure are a lot of folks out there who've become quite obsessed with this same task. Luckily, all of their madness has aided me in my search.

I haven't owned a pair of penny loafers since I worked at Marshalls in the Summer of '88 and bought a pair there with my oh-so-generous 15% employee discount.

To tell you the truth, I don't really like loafers all that much. When I see dudes wearing a suit/tie and loafers I cringe. But the timeless appeal and classic nature of these shoes has reeled me in.

I've been so taken with hunting down the proper pair that I haven't had the time to add any other content to this web log.

My search is not yet over, but here is what I've found so far:

1. Bass Weejuns: Most will agree these are the originals. Most will also agree that they've lost a few steps in recent years. Tried a few models on but wasn't thoroughly impressed. Vamp seemed too low. Low vamps kill the whole thing for me.

Ordered the Bass Dover, with high expectations, thanks to the GQ endorsement. The fit was ok, but the plasticky look of the corrected grain leather was horrible. HORRIBLE!

2. Sebago: Figured I had to try these to try out another classic. The fit was not good for my feet. Too wide. Too awkward looking on me.

3. Johnston & Murphy: The name of the model escapes me, but just go to the store or website and look for the most phony-leather looking shoe you can find, and thats the one I tried on. Holy Weejuns, these looked horrible. The fit, however, was pretty kind.

4. Brooks Brothers: The burgundy color was kind bland. Made in Dominican Republic. Fit was decent. Vamp was a bit low. Salesman couldn't find the box, which made me a bit suspicious. Had to leave them.

5. Allen Edmonds Walden: Best fit I've found so far. Beautiful construction and color. The shoe is a corrected-grain leather, but its not atrocious like some of the other offerings. Full leather lined. Comfy leather insole. Made in the USA. A possible keeper.

6. Allen Edmonds Kenwood: I like the beefroll styling on this shoe but haven't been able to locate it in-store yet, so nothing to report.

7. Alden Cape Cod Beefroll: Unionmade has some of these babies, but not in my size. Bummer. Very hard to find. Possibly just an urban myth!

8. Bass Gordon for J. Crew: Found these on the sale section of J. Crew this weekend at quite a handsome discount. The brown is not really the shade I'm going for, but I had to give them a shot, as they're made in the USA. Set to arrive this week. A contender?

There were a few more try-ons thrown in there but I can't seem to keep them all straight in my head. I think I need to stop.

I'd be interested to hear anyone else's experiences with finding the loafer that makes them as happy as Richie Cunningham at Inspiration Point.

Levi's Concept Store

2010-11-09T16:24:00.002-05:00

A few months back I told you about a new Levi's store that was opening soon in the Meatpacking district in NYC.

Looks like its finally becoming a reality, as today I was lucky enough to get an invite down to the private opening this Thursday.

Some details you may be interested in, if you're a Levi's fan like yours truly:

"The event will feature a performance by the band, Vivian Girls! The opening also spotlights the recent arrival of the Levi’s® Workwear by Pendleton"

"The store will stock a great deal of our limited-edition items, including archival 501 re-issues from the hard-to-get Levi’s® Vintage Clothing collection. As well a wide range of limited-edition pieces from our collaborative collections and even special items unique to the store."

This is great news.

Can you ever have enough Levi's?

J. Crew S/S 2011

2010-11-06T08:02:00.004-04:00

The leaves are still falling out there, but the J. Crew S/S 2011 collection was previewed this week. In case you haven't seen it on other blogs out there, here is the link to the feature on GQ.com

J. Crew Spring/Summer 2011 preview

As I've said before, I'm not a big S/S fan, so this part of the calendar never really excites me. Must say though, the collection looks to continue in the right direction of keeping men well-dressed in the American tradition, with a few brilliant touches from the 21st century.

On a more exciting note, I received an invitation this week to join Jenna Lyons and Frank Muytjens at a Holiday cocktails and shopping event at the 79th St. & Madison Ave location in NYC. Guess I'm gonna have to go to EXPRESS and pick out an outfit! Looking forward to this one.

The LEC Vest

2010-11-04T09:00:00.004-04:00

I've become a fan of the vest again in my later years. Don't think I've owned one since 7th grade, but as they say, what goes around eventually comes back to thin your bank roll once again.

Lands' End Canvas continues to impress with their F/W offerings. This vest is by far one of my favorites of the season. Still lots of good vest weather left on the calendar.

Start scouring for those coupon codes...

More on the 1400s

2010-10-29T22:32:00.002-04:00

Check out this piece on NB's website about the collaboration between the iconic shoe company and J. Crew.

Kudos to the American Worker!

Meet the New Balance for J. Crew Collection

Back to '94

2010-10-24T19:59:00.004-04:00

I distinctly remember back in high school...after 1987 I could not, for the life of me, find a pair of kicks I liked. So I went without sneakers until 1994 when I finally found a pair of New Balance that I really digged. They were grey, blue, and white, with a touch of red. I have a picture of me proudly displaying them, but I can't find it (like everything else in my life).

I probably got rid of those babies in 95 or 96, but I never lost the desire to score another pair.

Well, who else but J. Crew would put forth some classic NB's, made in the USA, and make me sit up and take notice again?

Saw these in person tonight and must say they are truly instant classics. Both the green and the blue are sharp. Tried on the green and they seemed comfortable and supportive, which means the world to flat footed people like me.

As you probably know, everyone seems to talking about these out in the blogosphere.

Believe the hype.

Chromeo funks it Up....

2010-10-16T13:48:00.003-04:00

Not only does this Montreal-based duo bring the funk, but they indeed bring the moves too.

They're currently on tour. Catch them Jan 20th 2011 in Montreal and Feb 4 2011 in New York City.

Best of all, I think Dave 1 is sporting some Moscott Lemtosh frames.

The Chamois Shirt

2010-10-13T21:28:00.010-04:00

Seems everywhere I looked this fall, somebody was hawking their version of the authentic Chamois Shirt. I really didn't pay much attention to it at first, as the thought of a shirt that resembled a piece of leather didn't do much for me.

About a week ago I gave the J. Crew version a try-on. Maybe it was the color, maybe the feel of the cotton, but it did nothing for me.

So I started reading up on the shirt. The ultimate outdoor and hunting shirt it seems. Ok, then, makes sense that all the hipsters in the big cities on the coasts would want to be sporting one. Not a big fan of flannel shirts, but I decided to give another look.

There were no shortgage of options out there. Here's just a few:
J. Crew

Orvis

LL Bean Signature

Cabela's

I decided to give the LL Bean Signature version a try. Didn't expect much, except to be sending it back.

Ironically, I received it today and I couldn't be happier. The Adobe Orange color is the perfect shade if you dig Orange (and I do). Fit is just as you'd expect from LLBS. Must say I'm really impressed. The throwback to the 1933 archicves makes this one a great classic addition to the Fall wardrobe.

Best of all, you'll get no Kurt Cobain comparisons when wearing this beauty.

Evidence

2010-10-08T11:09:00.003-04:00

I realized that my rant is of no use without the evidence. The proof is in the pudding.

Time for a Rant

2010-10-07T12:17:00.004-04:00

I’m a big fan of the Crew and often sing its praises here. Thought I’d relay the other side of the coin, concerning their in-house branded shoes.

J. Crew used to sell shoes Made in Italy 5 years or so back for a reasonable price…$100 or so. Then I noticed the wing tips being made in Romania around 2006. And the price jumped up to over $160.

Then this year the Gifford collection was introduced, touting the Made In Italy tag. This time, the shoes retailed at $285. Ouch. I inquired on a well-known forum what people thought of the shoe and I was told in quite plain terms, don’t waste your money.

Just last month I noticed the Gifford Wing Tips were re-marked to $225. I had a 20% off coupon so I decided to give them a shot. Out of the box, they looked great. Loved the shape. Leather seemed good quality. Very comfortable from day 1.

But, after just 5 wears, the damn sole started to come unglued from the welt on the instep of the shoe. Majorly disappointed. Took those suckers back right away.

This is the third pair of J Crew shoes that have given me problems in recent memory. First, my Macallister boots leather lining totally came undone after a handful of wears. Then, the classic loafers sole came unglued. And now these.

All of these defects came with little wear on the shoes ! Granted, J. Crew took these shoes back no questions asked, but still…

I have to say, from my experience, the quality on these shoes is poor. I was warned, but I had to learn the lesson on my own. I think I’m done with J. Crew branded shoes for good.

Hope this helps someone out there who is on the fence about buying J Crew Shoes.

Save up a couple more pennies and give Allen-Edmonds a look...

Once a decade

2010-09-30T21:26:00.003-04:00

Good things come to those who wait. And wait. And wait.

After expecting a tour this past summer to support Soldier of Love, and being disappointed, I didn't think there was much chance of seeing the Lady again in concert.

Today Sade surprised us by announcing a summer 2011 tour. Tix go on sale in a few weeks. I'll try to take her in, both in NJ and Montreal. Gotta get as much of the Lady as I can, seeing that she only comes around once in a decade.

The magic begins on June 16, 2011 in Baltimore.

Quote of the Day

2010-09-28T11:31:00.001-04:00

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society" - Mark Twain

Comfort Clothing

2010-09-25T07:11:00.005-04:00

You know this workwear/heritage clothing revivial is huge when the Wall Street Journal runs a feature story on it.

It's a great article on the shifting of men's tastes to more authentic USA-driven casual wear, and the growing number of new-school designers teaming with old-school brands.

Check out this cool Heritage-Hipster matrix they put together.

Some of our favorite brands get featured, such as Levi's, Filson, LL Bean, Red Wing, and of course J. Crew. Check out the whole article HERE

Misters Brooks and Strauss

2010-09-24T07:33:00.001-04:00

You've probably heard by now, but the fine gentlemen at Brooks Brothers are offering 25% all merchandise for the next 5 days, via their Friends and Family discount. On-line shoppers who don't have a BB retail joint nearby can use the code 03friend at check-out.

I kind-of broke up with Brooks Brothers for a while in the mid 2000s. I really should have been more loyal, given the fact that my wife tells me the reason she ever talked to me in the first place was that she loved the scent of my Brooks Brothers cologne. (I still keep a bottle handy next to my Varvatos Vintage).

Aunty-way, a month or so ago I received the Back to Campus/Back to Town Brooks Bros. catalog. This is easily the best clothing catalog I've seen in a long time. Vivid photography, beautiful scenery, and expertly presented product. Almost every piece grabbed my attention. I've been perusing the catalog at least 2-3 times a week, still digesting it all.

I know that this has gotten a lot of eye-rolls and smirks from the denim-heads out there, but I'm really diggin' the Levi's Made-in-the-USA collection for Brooks. There is no way you can tell me that these Levi's are not noticeably different from the $36 jobbers in Sears. Ever reallllly look at pair of those jeans? Made in Egypt, or Haiti, or Lesotho, or Latvia, or wherever else Levi's thinks they can get away with. The inconsistencies in washes, fits, stitching, and back pockets should make the company brass hang their heads in shame.

I've taken a long look at the Brooks' models (what the hell is that guy doing for so long in the dressing room?), and I'm thoroughly impressed. The back pockets fall so nicely. They actually look like Levi's are supposed to look. The denim is a lot more substantial (although the dark 501s seem a bit light). The Flint wash on the 514s is the perfect blend of dark denim and slight distressing. Ditto for the 505 Dark Warn Wash, except with some subtle fraying on the back pockets and hems. The 514s fit superb. I know, I know, the 505s are a bit high-waisted, but nostalgia gets the best of me and I can't turn my back on my high school 505s that used to make me feel like a superstar.

To be fair, there are a few things that would have made these a 10: a chain-stitched hem, a selvage offering, and some Cone Denim.

All in all though, these are solid. Throw in the 25% F&F discount, and you're looking much better than you did in those Guess "premium" joints with the crazy back pocket stitching and the acid washed thighs.

The classics just seem to get better with age.

EG Scarves

2010-09-23T10:28:00.005-04:00

Knowledgeable style dude and all around good guy Shimon S. recently made the move over to the new Engineered Garments shop over on 38th St here in NYC.

Haven't been able to get over and check out the new space yet [you can see a nice review at Selectism] but I did spy some great looking scarves for the upcoming colder weather on the Context website.

You can see the whole collection HERE.

Don't let this week's 80 degree temps here in NYC fool you. You'll need one of these before you can say TRICK OR TREAT

A Visit to Bond Street

2010-09-15T10:50:00.002-04:00

With everyone and their Uncle Milton buzzing about Billy Reid's collaboration with Levi's, I knew I had to visit Billy Reid in person to check out the goods.

Took a trip to Billy's NoHo shop on Bond St. yesterday. At first sight, you don't even realize you're at the right place. Walking up the steep steps from the sidewalk, you're greeted by the large, heavy wooden doors. Quite impressive and almost intimidating.

Walking in, the space is quite open and welcome in feeling. High ceilings, lots of rustic wood-work...almost like a log-cabin feeling. The Levi's collection was in plain sight right when you walk in.

To me, the most striking piece in the collection is the denim work shirt. More like a jacket than a shirt, this is a substantial piece. If you're used to slipping on a light chambray, this will be quite a surprise. When you're wearing this, you're gonna know it. And so will everyone else. I tried on the Large, which fit perfectly. The indigo die was bleeding already just from my brief handling, so careful if you're considering this piece. Looks like everyone is loving this, as it seems to be sold out on-line already.

The 501s were pretty much as expected. Raw selvage, made in the USA, though not of USA-sourced denim. Would have loved to see these made with Cone Denim. A lost golden opportunity here, in my opinion.

The 505s were more interesting. Quite heavier than what I expected after seeing photos. I didn't expect the large patches on the front thighs to be attractive, but they actually work well on the pants. I really like the color on these.

White oxford: quality piece, but clearly takes the back seat to the denim work shirt.

I couldn't decide if I liked the Wool trucker or not. If you're gonna be needing a wool jacket, are you really gonna go for a trucker style? Interesting concept, but I don't know about its real-life wearability.

The blogs are thick with positive chatter about these pieces, so better move fast if you're heading off to the mines soon and need some new threads

Bring a light jacket...

2010-09-12T09:23:00.001-04:00

Fall is not even here yet, says Mr. Calendar. The early bird gets the selvage, so I made sure to get a little ahead of myself and plan now for the future.

Here's how I plan to protect myself from the elements this Fall. Some new pieces, some classics.
Tellason denim: USA, through and through

J. Crew Woodland Jacket

Old faithful

Channeling Morton Downey Jr.

Square Bottoms

Optical Pleasure

47s

Going Green

Supporting my Selvage

Keepin' it Heel

2010-09-11T14:09:00.011-04:00

You're gonna need firm footing this Fall....Over-Active hurricane season, pastors threatening to burn holy books down in Florida, and the House of Reps up for grabs.

Try these on for size:

Spied a dope pair of chocolate brown suede Red Wings at the J. Crew Men's Shop in Paramus, NJ last week. Seeing them in the Paramus usually means they're about a month away from the rest of retail. Keep an eye out. These were standouts.

Why to buy American Made Jeans

2010-09-10T13:09:00.001-04:00

A bit of truth in every joke???

Elements of Travel

2010-08-31T10:31:00.006-04:00

I've read countless times how when folks traveled via airplane in yesteryear, they always did so in style. Men in suits, hats, and proper shoes. Ladies sporting their best threads. You get the picture.

We know this element of civility and class barely exists today. No need to get hung up on that unfortunate point.

When I think of how to capture that simple elegance again today, a travel bag like this comes to mind: The Floto Venezia Leather Duffel, made in Italy.

11" x 10" x 21"
Italian Polished Calf-Skin Leather
Double Stitched Seams
Thick Khaki Stitching
Reinforced Handles
Detachable Shoulder Strap
Brass Hardware
100% Cotton/Denim Lining
Floor-to-floor Zipper for Easy Packing

Packing just became a whole lot more enjoyable.
Happy trails.

Fall Brings...

2010-08-29T10:42:00.006-04:00

We all know about the loads of fine goodies from our design friends for the season. The question is, what are you gonna do once you put on your new green chambray and slim fit khakis?

Just in time for Fall, a treat is delivered from an old patriot friend in Boston. It's a taste of Germany, via Boston, but it tasted so damn good in New Jersey last night.

A semi-thick malty taste, without being overbearing. Carmel colored. A hint of spice at the end, but not the bitter after-taste that some lagers can bring.

There were probably 5 different labels offering a Oktoberfest when I went looking. A bit confused, I went for my old faithful, Sam. Very glad I did.

Here's hoping that your fall comes in just as spicy.

Take Amazon

2010-08-27T17:33:00.004-04:00

A heads up to all the style-heads out there:

The much sought after Take Ivy is now being offered by Amazon for the nice price of $14.97.

Even nicer if you have Amazon Prime, which ships it 2-day for free.

Jump on it. Looks like J. Crew's inventory is already depleted.

Phone Geek

2010-08-26T20:55:00.003-04:00

If someone would have asked me 5 years ago what I'd blog about, if I ever did blog, without a doubt my answer would have been cell phones.

From 96-2005 I was the ultimate cell phone geek. I literally used to change my phone every 2-3 months. I was on HowardForums.com non stop. Friends of friends of friends would call me for buying advice. Somehow, I knew every model on every carrier, every plan, and every coverage map. For many years I had both a NYNEX, make that Bell Atlantic, make that Verizon line , AND a VoiceStream, make that T-Mobile line cuz I couldn't make up my mind which I liked better.

My phone loving days waned when I picked up my first Blackberry. Finally, I had found a device that satisfied me in every way (get your head outta the gutter!). I did go back and forth between T-Mo and Verizon twice, but I stayed with the Blackberry. Till today.

I had been totally out of the loop with the smart phone craze outside of Blackberry devices. Even last year when a family member picked up the first Moto Droid, I was mildly interested.

Then over the past year my antennae went up, little by little. I finally had to go back and check out what all the fuss was about. I wasn't used to the position I was in...behind the times with technology and not sure where to even find the ON/OFF button. I eventually got my chops back and I became obsessed with the Google Droid devices. The HTC Droid Incredible and Motorola Droid X were the first to wow me. I'm not a iPhone dude so I really wasn't ready for the supreme capabilities.

I decided wait it out a bit and go with the Moto DROID 2 since I need the physical slide out keyboard as my security blanket. Been playing with it for the past 4 hours. Managed to toally tune out two kids screaming while watching Sponge Bob and a wife madly vacuuming.

My wife predicted I'd find something wrong with this and return it in a few days. Let's see.

For now, it's a fun new toy.

Can you feel it?

2010-08-26T00:37:00.008-04:00

Been a long time. Gotta lotta random stuff in my head.

Summer is yawning. Getting ready to say Goodbye. Fall is in the air...Can you feel it? The extreme heat is flying south for the winter I think. I hope.

Spent a nice week at the beach last week and have to say that after 7 days in the sun (okay 6, 1 was rainy), I love my Randolph Engineering Aviators to death. The clarity and color on these babies are incredible. If you're in the market for some real-deal, high quality shades you gotta give RE a look.

And now for a nice trip down memory lane...In the 80s, when I was teen, my family spent many a summer in Lavallette, NJ. Used to be a bakery there on Rte 35 called Kay's. I have great memories of my father returning with his morning coffee and the best FRESH jelly donuts and crumb buns. Well, 25 years later the bakery is still there (no longer Kay's, but now named Colonial) and the donuts and pastries are even better than I remember. If you're down near Lavallette, do yourself a guilty favor and pick up a dozen jelly donuts. Trust me, you'll eat 5 before you realize all the powdered sugar all over your shirt.

On a sad note, where are you Helen Folasade Adu? I expected a tour to follow the CD this year, but I guess you're keeping us waiting yet again.

Did ya see the J. Crew chambray shirt in green yet? Excuse me, I meant, DARK FERN. Found one today in real life. It's even better than the red. That's right, I just said it.
It's gonna look superb with khakis this fall.

What I'm waiting for and saving my pennies for now: J. Crew x British Millerain Woodland Jacket. Killer. 2-3 weeks says my source.

Why I keep making Mickey Drexler's pockets fat: This is how you do customer service the right way: Hello J Crew, my Alden long wings that I bought 2 months ago are just beginning to have some stitching come loose. I'm concerned.

J Crew: We're quality obsessed. Bring them to a store. Exchange them for a new pair. No questions asked.

DONE.

My son, 4 years old, got his new sneakers for school this week. They light up when he runs. He loves them, but we told him he can't wear them till school starts. So every night he goes and gets the box under his bed to check on them. Then he kisses them both goodnight. My wife thought that was so strange. As you can guess, I never handle my Aldens in front of her.

Think I'll stop now. It's 1:07am on a Wednesday night. And if I'm not up at this hour with a drink in my hand I think its time to hit the sack.

First lemme check my Indy boots under the bed...

Some Levi's News

2010-08-07T09:17:00.003-04:00

I took a stroll over to the Levi's shop on 14th St last night. My God, the piles and piles of skinny jeans that greet you when you walk in. Can that trend go away already?

Anyway, front and center there was a nice section of made in the USA goods from a Levi's/Filson collaboration.

Some beautiful tote bags, weekend bags and shirts. Couldn't get any pix, but you can READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

I got to talking with a SA about what else Levi's may have in store for made in the USA goods. He told me that their new Made & Crafted line is all USA-based. They're actually opening a stand alone store for M&C on 14th St and 10th Ave in NYC very soon.

I wasn't all that impressed with that line on first glance but maybe it'll be worth another look.

Fall in Wisconsin

2010-07-30T15:14:00.006-04:00

The last day of July. Can you see Summer slipping away? Daylight at 6am ain't what it used be.

52 new Fall offerings from Lands' End Canvas. How can I not indulge?

Fall sure looks promising from our friends in Dodgeville, WI.

My fave regular fit khakis in my closet are those from Lands End Canvas. Their new slim fit offerings have everyone abuzz.

Check out the sweatshirt, this handsome wallet, these boots, and the waxed cotton bag.

As my boy Juan C. would put it, "Are jyou keeeeeeeeeeeeding me?"

Next up, Monday: LL Bean Signature Fall 2010. Get your ducks in a row, if ya know what I mean.

316+

2010-07-27T18:59:00.003-04:00

I have a lot of denim in my closet. On my floor actually.

If I had to chose just one pair to hold on to, it would be my 316 SL 100x. If my lifestyle allowed it, I'd wear these babies 5X a week for sure.

Shimon from 316 told me back in April about an upgrade to their denim coming soon. (Shimon, if you're reading this, please grant me access to your blog!)

Kiya over at SelfEdge dropped word today that the 316+ line would be debuting on Aug 4th. The word is better denim, better construction, hidden rivets, etc.

My 316s are not even 5 months old, but I'm still looking forward to seeing the new product.

Soaking Effects

2010-07-25T21:00:00.003-04:00

Here are the pre/post measurements of the 501 STF Selvedge jeans (post 25-min hot bath) in case anyone is keeping score at home:

PRE
Waist: 17
Rise: 12
Thigh: 11 1/4
Length: 33 3/4
Cuff: 8 1/2

POST
Waist: 16 1/4 (stretched back to 17 after 2 days wear)
Rise: 11 1/4
Thigh: 11
Length: 31 1/2
Cuff: 8 1/4

501 Project

2010-07-24T11:22:00.008-04:00

It has already been discussed here that yours truly is a suckah for new denim. Especially that made by Levi Strauss & Co.

Is it any wonder then when said company added a 501 STF in Selvedge denim to their roster that I couldn't resist? Ok, I resisted for a few weeks. Then a 40% off coupon landed in my inbox. Ok, I give up. What the hell, I need a new project to keep me busy while the wife and kids are away.

Made in Mexico, but hell, Mexico is only a few miles away from Cali, so we'll let that slide.

At first look, its evident the denim here is different that your run of the mill Sears STFs. Much deeper indigo. Nicer to the touch, or maybe that's just me.

I went TTS and they fit so well on the first try that I wondered if a hot soak was even necessary. The STF instructions in the Levi's store in NYC actually said buy your TRUE SIZE, wear them out of the store and dont wash/soak for 6 months minimum.

In the end I decided to go with the hot soak only to get the length down a few inches (34" standard inseam on these) and get the thighs a bit trimmer.

Here are the pre-wask measurements for a size 34x34:
Wasit: 17"
Rise: 12"
Thigh: 11 1/4"
Length: 33 3/4"
Cuff: 8 1/2"

Here some shots of the process. They're drying on me right now, which is not gonna take long given the mercury is set to hit 100 degrees F in the area today. I'll give post-soak measurements once they're dried.

I was surprised that the after-water was more greenish than blue-ish. Aunty-way, I'm loving these already. Highly recommended. Great value for your denim buck.

Made in the USA, make that Canada, make that China

2010-07-17T14:54:00.003-04:00

Just came across a pair of J. Crew jeans I had from Fall 2004.

Guess what I found inside? A tag that reads "Made in the USA". I don't remember the jeans being made in USA, but whaddya know!

I distinctly remember buying these jeans. Paid full retail of $69.50, which I thought was crazy at the time.

So, lemme get this straight...Since then, J. Crew jeans production has shifted from the USA to Canada to China. And the price has gone up almost 50%.

Hmmmm, sketchy, eh???

Tee

2010-07-16T03:24:00.001-04:00

You probably know by now that I'm not much of a summer wardrobe kinda guy. Ixnay on the shorts. Very thin selection on Polos.

Flip flops, sandals, mandals, etc, no thanks.

But I have become a bit of an addict for tee-shirts lately. Its tough though, cuz I don't want to be the 30-something guy with a cutsie graphic tee trying to be hip, cute, funny, ironic, or political.

Here are a few of my faves from this summer:

1. J Crew Jaspe V-Neck: a carry-over fave from last year. If you have this tee, you undoubtedly love it, and own it in more than one color.

2. LL Bean Signature: Great fit. Original logo. Wonderfully balanced color and a nice thick cotton.

3. J Crew Rogues Gallery: 282 Halifax Tee. No picture available on this one. Some authentic designs on the Rogues Gallery collection. Hope there is more to come.

4. GAP has teamed up with Mister Freedom (You aint the only one J. Crew!). I like the results.

LL Cool Bean

2010-07-15T14:38:00.002-04:00

Being a suckah for new denim, I had to get my undeserving hands on the new LL Bean 1912 Selvedge jeans. I've been quite the LL Bean Signature fan of late, so I had high hopes for these.

Not available on-line or over the phone, so I had to phone up my local LL Bean in Marlton, NJ. The store wasn't so local (almost 2 hrs away) so I asked the good folks there to ship these to me.

Ship 'em they did and I received them next day.

Out of the box, the denim was impressive. Cone Mills supplied the White Oak selvedge denim and some friends in Mexico put the jeans together. The jeans weren't raw. Looked like a one-wash rinse. All in all, not a bad color. A bit blah though.

The quality of the jeans seemed up to par. No chainstitching on the hem though. Wide belt loops. Nice Mid-rise. They ran close to TTS, with my 34 waist measuring in at just under 35.

The top block of the jeans fit pretty good. Didn't know what to expect from the LL bean Standard Fit, but I was pleasantly surprised.

After that, it went down hill. The back pockets were too odd. Silly lines across the back pockets, trying too hard to be hip. The pockets were too square and just looked like old dude jeans to me. The thigh and bottom of the leg down to the hem was too large for my liking. The cuff measured 9.25" across. Too roomy.

Alas, these had to be sent back to LL. For $79 I guess you could do a lot worse but I couldn't see myself giving my 3Sixteens or Jean Shop babies a day off for these.

Read more about them HERE

Streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch

2010-07-11T16:11:00.003-04:00

Been wearing my APC New Standards since mid Dec '09 without a wash or soak. The first few months they saw some good wear, but not as much after March, when I picked up my 3Sixteens.

Back when I bought them, the sales dude warned me about stretch. I bought a tagged size 33. They were probably a 33.5 - 34 in the waist. They were quite uncomfortable at the time.

Well, this weekend I couldn't take it any longer. They had to be washed. They had stretched all the way out to a 38" waist. I could barely wear them anymore.

I did a hot soak for an hour and then a hot wash, followed by 15 mins in the dryer. Blasphemous, I know.

The jeans, after hanging dry, measured just over 35 in the waist. When I slipped them on, they fit perfect. I was quite happy. They were a bit stiff, so I wore them while mowing the lawn. Two hours later, they had stretched out in the waist beyond my liking again. What to do, what to do?

Have these babies gone too far???

Suggestions?

Let-down

2010-07-08T12:56:00.004-04:00

Here is a letter I just emailed off to my friends at J. Crew (including Jack!)

Hello,

I've been a faithful fan of J. Crew denim for many years now. A big selling point for me was that the jeans were made in Canada. It's not the USA like a denim die-hard loves, but close enough.

Yesterday I received my order of the new Vintage Slim Fit in Dark Worn Wash (Fall 2010 collection). I was extremely disappointed to find the jeans are now made in China. Even worse, when I tried on the jeans they seemed a bit short. I got out the measuring tape and found that the 30" length was actually not even 29.5" ! This makes a difference. I hope this is not a sign to come from your new supplier.

I'm aware that in 2010 the "made in China" label doesn't automatically signify an inferior product, but still...

I know the majority of J. Crew clothes are made in China these days, and all it comes down to dollars and cents, but I have to tell you, this is a big let-down for me.

Disappointed,

JB

Start of Summer

2010-07-05T09:50:00.004-04:00

When I was young I always felt that Summer didn't really start until after July 4th. School used to get out around June 24th, but Summer didn't really kick in until the fireworks were done.

July was always that wide open month when you felt like summer would last forever. September seemed like a century away. So many long, free, hot days to spend doing whatever we wanted.

Nothing made a summer day complete like a visit from the Ice Cream Man. Ours was named Andy. His truck was a mint green color. Andy used to go through my cousins' neighborhoods on the other side of town for a few years before he came to my neck of the woods. Man, was I jealous.

When Andy finally paid our street some mind it was like the Pope had showed up. You all know the Eddie Murphy routine...

And every time he came around and we ran to him with our fists tightly clenched around our dollar bills that our grandfather had slipped us my mother would say the same thing: "Don't think you're doing this everyday!"

May your summer be filled with as much excitement as the Ice Cream Man used to bring me.

Lighten Up!

2010-06-23T12:50:00.004-04:00

The thermometer here in NYC is in the 90 degree range this week. Sticky.

Perfect time to give the chunky, heavy Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean a rest and take out her older cousin.

I lifted this vintage automatic 1965/66 Omega Seamaster from a gentleman in Toronto a few years back. I took the black strap off of it and replaced it with this honey colored number.
At just 33mm, this watch is dwarfed by today's standard mega-watches. And how about that, no diamonds, no chronograph, and no tachymeter !

Less is more my friends.

The half minute which we daily devote to the winding-up of our watches is an exertion of labour almost insensible; yet, by the aid of a few wheels, its effect is spread over the whole twenty-four hours-
Charles Babbage

Sign of the times

2010-06-18T12:05:00.004-04:00

This past week I had my daughter's ballet recital and graduation from pre-k.

For both events I wore a jacket, tie, and proper trousers. Both pretty special events, in my eyes.

I guess not for everyone though.

Here's what I took note of : Grown men in cargo shorts and graphic tees. Flip flops. Ripped jeans. Baseball hats. Mothers dressed like 14 year old girls. Everyone pretty much dressed like they just got off the couch. The only people I saw dressed appropriately were the few senior citizens.

Really, what has our society become when grown men can't even dress themselves in a civilized, presentable manner? It's an epidemic!

Maybe it's just me, I don't know.

Signature

2010-06-16T14:14:00.013-04:00

Hello boys and girls.

The LL Bean Signature line has gotten some good press since its launch this spring so I thought I'd try it out. It's been probably close to 20 years since I gave any of my cash to LL & Co., but I figured it was a good time to revisit them.

The thing that struck me first about the line was the presentation of the clothes. The models make these clothes look so incredibly practical and stylish, while not looking too trendy. I didn't expect to find much I coveted, but my first visit ended with 6 or 7 items in my cart. The site is very pleasurable to shop.

I received my items over the past two weeks and I'm pretty impressed with overall quality. Shirts seem to be well constructed, with nice attention to details. Ditto for pants. Pieces were made in China, Sri Lanka and Peru.

Fit: definitely slimmer than what I would expect from their main line, but by no means "slim". I'm a Large in shirts and their shirts fit a tad fuller than the J. Crew secret wash shirts.

Pants had a rise that I was comfortable with. Mid-rise I'd call it. Fit on the pairs I tried were also on the slimmer side, while not overdoing it. 34 Waist cotton pants had a measured waist size of around 35.5.

I tried a pair of shoes as well. They seemed pretty decent for the money, though I didn't keep them. They weren't unique enough from what's already in my closet.

The biggest draw for me was the ability of the line to easily cross from casual to business casual. Prices were a tad high for what they were offering, but all in all not too bad. Time will tell how the pieces hold up. I'm hoping the line is expanded for Fall. Looking forward to what LL pulls out of the archives next.

Here's what I kept:

First, my fave piece of all:

Other keepers:

Here's what I sent back:

This shirt had some HUGE buttons! Looked much nicer on the models (of course!)

And here is what I'm considering for my next order:

I'd be happy to answer any questions...

June brings....

2010-06-08T23:21:00.009-04:00

Stormville Flea

2010-05-24T22:45:00.002-04:00

If you're heading to upstate NY this holiday weekend...

Check Out

The Stormville Airport Antique Show & Flea Market is located in the historical and scenic Hudson Valley, on a private airport located halfway between Manhattan and Albany, right off the beautiful Taconic State Parkway.

The Stormville Flea Market started in 1970 with two dozen vendors, and today it is known as one of New England’s largest antique shows and flea markets.

The Stormville Flea Market attracts over 600 vendors from more than eight states. With an extraordinary variety of antiques and collectables, as well as a large selection of new merchandise and arts and crafts, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Filotimo

2010-05-20T11:32:00.004-04:00

The latest from one of my favorites, Thanos Petrelis.

I don't speak much Greek, but one really needn't understand the language to feel the passion in Greek music.

The Tax Man

2010-05-18T21:51:00.010-04:00

The Tax Man taketh all year. Then the tax man giveth back some of what is rightfully yours.

Then JB takes that bounty and buys himself some 1st blogaversary gifts.

Then the credit card man causes much pain in about 3 weeks, but we'll deal with that as it comes.

Thank you Dana at J. Crew for searching for these Aldens for me so I didn't have to sweat it out till August!

1st Anniversary

2010-05-12T10:47:00.001-04:00

One year ago today I started this blog. (Jeeze, couldn't we think of another word, other than BLOG ? What an ugly word.)

Time sure does fly.

Anyway, it's been fun being able to ramble on here about the elements of life that interest me, and hopefully interest others as well.

I really have no idea how many people take a look at this. I don't have a counter set up. The only way I know if people are reading are the comments to my posts, which really don't happen all that often.

For those people reading, I hope you've enjoyed and found the content useful and meaningful.

Wishing you all the best-

~JB

Serious Equipment

2010-05-06T11:28:00.004-04:00

Thanks to a great tip from the good folks over at United Style I decided to take a look at some aviators by Randolph Engineering.

I remember hearing about RE in the past, but their name fell off my radar.

I wasn't comfortable with the size of the Ray Ban Aviators (seemed too big on my face) so I was eager to give these a try. While the size fit my face better (a bit smaller) other details of the glasses are what really sold me.

Check it out:

1. Made in the USA
2. 23k gold plated frames.
3. Supplier to the US Military since 1982.
4. Comes packages with "Serious Equipment" Kit that includes spare nose pads, screws, screw driver key chain and cleaning cloth.
5. Solder joints guaranteed FOR LIFE

These are just some of the quality details I found impressive.

When hunting around for these I found them offered by many pilot supply shops. These are not fashion accessories. These are "Serious Equipment", as the company calls them.

If you're in the market for a classic pair of Aviators, I'd highly suggest a look at these. What's best, they cost less than many of the sunglasses you'll find out there.

Love Rules

2010-05-04T07:59:00.003-04:00

NYC is a complicated town. That's nothing new.

On the way to work this morning, I'm listening to the news. Its abuzz with the arrest of the suspect in the Times Square car bomb plot. There are still many people out there who want nothing more than to cause mayhem and inflict harm on the innocent people of this city. Tragic, and saddening.

On my downtime on the train, I continue reading "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis, which gives a good breakdown of the Subprime Mortgage meltdown. Now this is some crazy shenanigans.

I walk within a block of the NYSE and wonder what kind of world we're living in.

As I'm about to turn the corner, "My Cheri Amour" gets its turn on my MP3 shuffler.

When I turn the corner I see this.

Not the greatest shot, but you get the picture. They must have been in their 70s.

Even in the midst of all this craziness around us, love still rules.

Canvas

2010-05-01T22:11:00.005-04:00

I came home friday to my Lands' End Canvas package. I had high hopes based on what I'd seen so far on line.

I ordered a whole bunch of stuff cuz the shipping was on them and I had a 20% off coupon. My order had 3 poplin gingham shirts, in various colors, 3 oxford shirts (one striped, two solids), a pair of aviator shades, and a pair of straight fit khakis.

The gingham shirts didn't strike me much. Fit was good, but the colors were blah. The orange was too bright, the medium blue too vibrant and the navy blue looked like black. All 3 failed.

The oxfords felt nice in the hand at first touch. The solid blue and solid white had the same fit as the poplin, but they didn't do anything to me when I put them on. Kinda blah. The blue and white striped oxford was a hit. Classic look, nice feel, good colors on me. 1 for 3 there. One thing: The collar is a bit too short for my tastes, but I can live with it.

The Aviator shades looked so nice on-line. In person, these made-in-China babies had a cheap feel. Definitely not worth the price, even with 20% off. Pass.

The Khakis were my favorite of the bunch. Fit was TTS. Classic shade of khaki. Rise was a bit lower than I expected, which I liked. Made in Sri Lanka. Same as GAP's khakis. They kinda look the same...maybe same factory?.

I wish I had thrown a pair of jeans in the order just to see how they fit. Maybe I'll score a pair if I have another coupon someday. It's just that "sail stitch" across the back pocket is a big turnoff.

Just today I got a handwritten note from a LEC customer service rep thanking me for my order and telling me how much she liked the Khakis. Kinda ironic, as the khakis ended up being my fave piece as well.

Overall, I'd give the LEC pieces a 6.

5 for styling and quality, and another 1 for good price points.

Ease up !

2010-04-29T10:44:00.004-04:00

I've been trying to ease up on some of the goodies that I like to gush about on the blog. It's hard. Damn hard. My only saving grace is that summer wear is in full swing and I'm not a lover of shorts/polos/etc.

I'd rather stay in my 3Sixteen jeans or J. Crew Urban Slim Khakis (2 pairs and counting!)with a long sleeve shirt rolled up. Save the flip flops for the beach, Kyle! No one really wants to see your toes.

Anyway, I have been out there doing some damage.

Scores :

I didn't pick up the J. Crew red chambray due to its 25% linen content. I rushed into the red chambray at Lucky Brand and now regret doing so. The fit is way too big and baggy. Long too.
Gap surprised me with their own 2 weeks back. Have to say, for the price, its damn nice. The cotton has a thick, sturdy feel and the fit seems to be slimmed down from prior seasons chambrays. The shade of red is quite nice as well, although I wish it was a shade darker. Very solid purchase.

Feeling nostalgic, I picked up J Crew's vintage fleece zip-up hoodie in heathered grey. I had countless versions of this as a kid. Always remember my mother layering one under my vest or "leather" jacket. I was quite surprised with the feel of J. Crew's version. I expected the old generous fit of yesteryear's versions, but I was happy to have my expectations not met. The fit is perfect for me. Slim, but not tight. Love the zip action on this cuz I can still wear it work under a more formal jacket, and just shed it once I get to the office.

Last year I went nutso over finding the RayBan Caravan shades. I loved them so much I bought them twice. Now I'm wondering if I should add the classic Aviators to my arsenal. Never know when I may be called to fly a fighter jet at last minute. I ordered these from J. Crew and I'm mulling it over now. I know these are classic shades, but my only worry is that every face seems to be sporting these this year.

Charles Tyrwhitt has officially become my favorite maker for my dress shirts. Their slim fit shirts come in great patterns, and usually can be had for a decent price. Now I'm by now means slim but these shirts cut a flattering profile for any dude, IMO. They're in London but ship to the USA for reasonable prices.

Lastly, I finally pulled the trigger on trying some of the offerings from Land End Canvas. I assembled an order of various shirts and pants, still too arrive. There has been good press around this collection so I eagerly await what's in store. The prices seemed pretty fair. I will let you know how I find the offerings.

No Grass

2010-04-29T10:14:00.001-04:00

It's been a while, I know. I haven't forgotten you....that is, if anyone is reading out there.

I want to change topics to vent a little. No one else probably wants to hear me, so why not here.

Let's talk about grass. No, not that. The other Grass. Kentucky Blue Grass. Fescue. All that good stuff. You can exit now if you sense boredom....

My backyard developed some bare spots at the end of last summer and thru the fall/winter. Being the master yardsman that I am (wink wink), I did some major work clearing the areas, turning over the soil, putting down special grass seed, and buying special weed-free hay to cover it up with.

Ran the sprinklers. Ran the sprinklers. Ran the sprinklers.

Two weeks later, I ain't seein' much grass!

Now come on! I was a workwear workhorse out there! My Levi's 501 STF (which are starting to break in nicely), my J Crew buffalo plaid flannel and my Red Wing boots (which took some beating that weekend).

A full day's work and about $100 of materials. Not too happy.

Heard the on the Street

2010-04-12T22:57:00.002-04:00

Walking down Wall St yesterday. There is a dude, probably 30s, in a putrid sky blue matching track suit, talking on his phone.

He's being so loud. Obnoxious.

As I walk by I hear "Are you kidding me? If that was me, I'd be a millionaire, I mean I already am a millionaire, but I'd be a multi-millionaire!"

Ok genius, why don't you take a few dollars and do something about that track suit.

Breaks my Heart

2010-04-08T07:46:00.001-04:00

I've been jonesing for a Levi's trucker denim jacket for a while now. I had one in high school, '88, I think it was. Damn, time flies.

Bought one a few months ago, took it back. Blah color. Bought the "one year" wash trucker jacket from the Levi's website last week. Going back. The color just isn't working. Not very authentic on the indigo shade. More like a blackish-blue.

Along with the order, I threw in two pair of 514s since they were on sale at a nice price. The jeans actually fit pretty good but the washes were just too affected for my taste.

But what really got to me was what I found on the inside tags of these items.

Trucker jacket: Made in China.
Levi's 514 jeans: Made in Cambodia.

The quintessential American clothing company.

Americana has now been outsourced to Cambodia.

I know, this is nothing new. But sometimes it just rips out my selvedge seamed heart.

A Wonderful Surprise

2010-04-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks back, I was pretty bummed that I lost my sterling silver J. Crew tie clip that I had received as a surprise gift from Mickey and co in the fall.

Well, turns out someone was actually reading my stuff here, cuz yesterday th UPS man brought me a shiny new one from JC.

How nice is that, eh?

Thanks so much J.P.

Nudie, 2.5 months on

2010-03-30T21:30:00.008-04:00

These are my Nudie Average Joe Dry Heavy jeans. Started showing them some love in early Jan, so we're talkin about 2.5 months. Love the feel of the 14oz denim and the fit. They've been super comfortable from the get-go. I don't love the length of the back pockets, but I can deal with them. No soaks or washes yet. All in all, very happy with this purchase.

Some pretty cool things starting to happen...

Lodestar

2010-03-30T11:03:00.003-04:00

While I'm not a big fan of summer wear, the J Crew shirting offerings this year have been very tempting. Did I just say "shirting" ?

The lightweight shirt is quite big again this year. Most of the shirts I spied this past weekend were of the lightweight variety. It's a nice concept for summer, but for me, it just doesn't work. I don't mind paying full retail for a J. Crew shirt I really dig, but a lightweight shirt only really works in one season here in the NYC/NJ area. I bought one lightweight shirt last year and found that once September rolled around, the shirt really wasn't useful.

I'd rather spend my dough on a shirt that I can wear 365 days of the year.

That said, I gravitated toward the Madras options. The Lodestar Madras shirt has been on my radar for the last 4 weeks. The green Hillside Madras was all the rage pre-release, but when I tried it on I found it a bit too much on the big blocks of green.

The red and dark blue contrast on the Lodestar worked much better for me. The flap pocket sealed the deal. Very comfortable madras cotton. Looking forward to giving it its bow this weekend when the weather is supposed to hit 75 degrees here in NJ.

APC 3 Months On...

2010-03-29T21:23:00.010-04:00

My APC New Standards have seem some decent wear, though clearly not enough. I've had them since Dec 18 2009, so just a bit over 3 months. The waist has stretched a lot since I got them...so much so that what were once almost unbearable jeans on day 1 now need a belt.

The jeans have seen no washes or soaks.

Mister FREEdom

2010-03-28T09:10:00.005-04:00

The good folks over at J Crew sent over a Mister Freedom handkerchief last week. Thanks Mickey. Now about that J. Crew tie clip I lost....

3Sixteen, part II

2010-03-27T18:09:00.005-04:00

Here's some pix of my 3Sixteen SL-100X:

3Sixteen

2010-03-24T14:15:00.003-04:00

Seems like most folks who are part time bloggers often have lapses in postings, which they attribute to other demands from their real world jobs. Yes, I must confess that this is my cop-out as well for the last few weeks. Work, that glorious 4 letter word that pays my bills, has indeed had me by the balls the past few weeks.

I have been waiting patiently for Self Edge NY to restock their 3Sixteen SL 100x jeans. I first began to lust after these babies back in late Dec '09, but I was told back then it would be a few months before a restock was coming.

Man, what a cold, long, dark, dreary winter its been.

Yesterday, the skies parted, the sun shone down on NYC, and I got a call from the super nice guys at SENY that 316's were back.

I took a late lunch at work, jumped on the putrid J/M/Z subway line to the Lower East Side and found the spot on Orchard Street. I had forgotten all the character this neighborhood had. Hadn't been there in probably 20 years since I used to go with my father, looking for leather jackets.

I met Alan, who was very helpful, taking the 316's right out of the FedEx Box for my trying-on pleasure.

Oh boy, these are as nice as you've heard. Beautiful indigo shades, 14oz selvage denim, solid construction (made in Los Angeles, USA), plain back pockets. Shimon from 316 was at the shop, and he showed me his pair, beautifully faded after 6 months of wear.

The selection of denim was almost too much for me to take in. Never felt 21oz denim in my hand before. Damn, that's something every denim head should feel. The selection of shirts was also incredible. Sorry I don't have pix....had to run back to WORK!.

5 inches off the bottom and I was out the door of fantasy land, back to work. What a trip.

Time to clean my closet and put some denim on Ebay.

Fall 2010

2010-03-11T22:10:00.002-05:00

First look at Fall 2010, J Crew style. Courtesy of GQ.

I like what I see