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
Showing posts with label Brooks Brothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brooks Brothers. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Perfect Penny
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.
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.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Misters Brooks and Strauss
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.
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.
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