I’ve made mention on numerous occasions that I dream about owning a Rolex 1016 Explorer. Unfortunately, my dream is also the dream of many others, and there simply aren’t enough of these vintage watches to go around. The silver lining is that the 1016 has become one of the most “riffed”-upon watches out there in […]
Product Review: Chanel “Paris – Édimbourg” Fragrance
One of my aunts is the unofficial historian for our family. She keeps meticulous records of our genealogy and has boxes of artifacts that go way back, back to when my great-great-grandparents first landed in rural Vermont. One of the many heirlooms in her collection is a thick stack of letters that my long-deceased grandfather wrote for his wife while he was stationed in France during World War Two. […]
Playing the Long Game – Real McCoys x The Armoury Leather Jacket Review
It’s no small secret that leather jackets are extremely cool. From the Ramones and James Dean to Indiana Jones and the Fonz, leather jackets have a track record of creating iconic looks both on screen and throughout history. But with all that coolness comes some risk, too – leather jackets are expensive, come in many styles weighted with cultural meaning, and are virtually guaranteed to make a statement, so if you don’t get it right it can become a costly mistake. […]
The Valstar “Valstarino” – A Comprehensive Overview
If you close your eyes and say the phrase “leather jacket,” you’ll probably call to mind something like the Schott Perfecto – cool, edgy, a true American icon. But if you’re the kind of guy that spends your free time reading about Neapolitan tailoring or dress shirt collar measurements, you might instead visualize the Valstarino – a softer, sartorial jacket that is more refined than it is rebellious. This article is a deep dive into the latter, and will discuss all the things that make this jacket great, the aspects where it falls short, and how to determine if it’s a good addition to your wardrobe. […]
Product Review: Suitsupply “Traveller” Suits
It’s been an interesting couple of years for the suit. It seems that every few months an op-ed is written about how this really, truly is the end of the road for tailored clothing. But at the same time, suit stores are busier than ever and new companies are still showing up on the scene. Maybe it’s pent up demand (and all those delayed weddings), excitement for a “new normal,” “revenge shopping,” or something else entirely. Whatever the reason is, though, I don’t think that the suit is on its deathbed yet. […]
Product Review: Garrett Leight ‘Glencoe’ Frames
It’s early June and the summer is stretching out ahead of us. Time to gear up for camping trips, beach days, rooftop bars, and two years’ worth of summer weddings. And throughout it all, one summer accessory that I’m never without is a good pair of sunglasses – these delicate blue eyes can’t do much without them. […]
Product Review: Proper Cloth “Low Twist” Shirts
My email inbox is in a sorry state. Every day I get hundreds of promotional emails, each begging me to increase their open rate by teasing me with intriguing subject lines. I’ve gotten pretty good at ignoring them (as I’m sure many of us have), but there is one subject line that cuts through all the noise. When Proper Cloth sends out an email about “Our Heaviest Shirts Yet,” you’d better believe that I’ll be boosting their conversion rate. […]
Product Review – Novesta “Star Master” Sneakers
Although I am fortunate to have a robust stable of nice welted footwear, the shoes that I reach for most often tend to be cheap canvas sneakers. They’re comfortable, inexpensive, and rarely require any maintenance – great for everyday activities that don’t really need to get shoe trees involved. For years I have been making an annual purchase of a pair of white Superga 2750s – this year I decided to branch out and try something just a little bit different. […]
Good Tee Hunting: the Quest for the Perfect Modern T-Shirt
In my mind, t-shirts fall into two general categories. The first is the “vintage tee” – hefty material, boxy fit, historically accurate details, and so forth. Brands like Velva Sheen, Lady White Co., and many others have made a name in this space. But there is another kind of t-shirt, one that I have been gravitating towards lately. This is the “modern tee” – cut slimmer, with lighter, finer fabrics that have a smooth touch rather than a distinct “beefiness.” […]
A Shirt So Nice I Bought It Twice – Proper Cloth Washed Denim
A few years back I confessed my growing interest in Western-inspired clothing, and it’s safe to say that my affinity toward the style hasn’t decreased since then. My first foray into this aesthetic was with a denim shirt from Proper Cloth – I ended up wearing this shirt so much that I thought that it might make sense to get another one as a backup. […]