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Archive for September, 2009

Sep 16

4 Comments

How To Wear A Leather Jacket

My friend Elina likes leather on her men.

She’s been wonderful enough to have pulled all the photos for this post off the web of some of her favorite pieces and may I note all the photos below show how to wear leather THE RIGHT WAY.

Her taste for me was a little more rock and or roll than my suits and blazer combinations, but I thought why not step out of the box a bit and add some leather to my growing wardrobe?

Out of all of the jackets pictured we felt Bowie wins hands down. Besides the beautiful one she bought for me, I nabbed a leather from E-Bay that is almost an exact replica.

The world of compromise is a beautiful thing.

davidbowie

Sep 14

8 Comments

Indochino Trumps Indochino

Indochino is by far ahead of the custom game for the “average” man. Now having implemented their latest upgrades as FREE additions to their beautifully made custom suits, they’ve managed to trump themselves. I cannot stress to you all how wonderful it is for us to have these options from an online suit maker for far less money than any off the rack option.

When I was offered to try these services I made it a point to get as many custom goodies I could to review. My suit arrived last week and when I opened the beautiful new Indochino packaging I found inside one of the most beautiful suits I own.

I am going to let the photos do most of the talking. Enjoy.

The New Packaging

The New Packaging

The Jacket

The Jacket

Choice of Peak Or Notch With or Without Pick Stitching

Choice of Peak Or Notch With or Without Pick Stitching, Functional Boutonniere

Your Choice Of Colored Lining

Your Choice Of Colored Lining

Pen Pocket and Embroidered Name Options

Pen Pocket and Embroidered Name Options

Fully Functional Sleeve Buttons

Fully Functional Sleeve Buttons

Beautiful Horn Buttons

Beautiful Horn Buttons

Pants With Optional Side Tabs, Coin Pockets

Pants With Optional Side Tabs, Coin Pockets

Sep 11

4 Comments

MTM Style Profile: Raphael Saadiq

This weekend I was introduced to Raphael Saadiq’s brilliant blend of vintage soul, r+b, and straight up style.

In a conversation I had a few weeks ago with our contributor Scott M., we were frustrated that most R+B and Hip Hop artists do not embrace the brilliantly tailored style of Edwin Starr, James Brown, or Otis Redding. Back in the day, “continental suits” were THE status symbol for an R+B singer. You were supposed to look sharp, fitted, and handsome.

While Mr. Saadiq brings nothing new to the musical table, it is a wonderful album filled with songs that you SWORE you have heard before even though they are all original tracks. As for his personal style, Saadiq brings back those “continental suits” so well fitted it’s like a dream come true. A most refreshing change from the baggy neons, oversized jeans, puffy jackets, and slouchy clothing that has been the norm for Hip Hop and R+B artists. Hopefully this is not just an “of the moment” look and will help to bring back some class to one of my favorite musical genres.

Buy his amazing album here:

raphael_saadiq_the_way_i_see_it_cover-thumb-473x473

Sep 10

1 Comment

The Suits My Father Gave Me – Part 1

Sometimes great pieces are sitting collecting dust bunnies in our very own flesh and blood’s closet. True gems that need just the slightest bit of  tailoring and restoration to make it your own.

My father and I got on the subject of suits during our little shoe jaunt a few weeks ago and he revealed that he still possessed a few from his days as a banker and we made arrangements for me to come by and see if they could feasibly be tailored to my figure. When I arrived at my old home, my father had them all laid out on the couch for me. Out of the four two were closest to my fit and will need some work on the length, torso, and arms. As for both pairs of pants, the waists fit perfect as well as the thigh and crotch. Only the length will have to be altered. They will also both need a good cleaning and pressing.

The two winners were really special. One is a vintage Navy Pinstripe in heavy wool that will be perfect for the winter and fall months. The other is a really beautiful tuxedo with all the trimmings (suspenders, bow tie, cummerbund – I won’t be using this but I thought it was awesome that my dad had one).

As you can see from the before photos, these suits make me look like humpty dumpty in the pictures. Matt at Imparali pinned me up the other day and the results will be posted in just a few weeks.

Navy Suit: Before Tailoring

Navy Suit: Before Tailoring

Tuxedo: Before Tailoring

Tuxedo: Before Tailoring

Sep 9

6 Comments

Restoration Part 1: Tweed Jackets From E-Bay

Always the cautious e-bay buyer I knew that scoring some heavy tweed jackets for the fall and winter would end up costing me a bit more than $5. I found two vintage coats that date back to the 1950′s one in a very thick, gray, heavy heringbone tweed and the other in a beautiful brown and white window pane check tweed.

Upon arrival the heavy herringbone was about a size too big and both suffered from about half an inch of sleeve shortness. I called Matt at Imparali and we made arrangements to have both looked at. Thankfully, both were tailorable and were fit perfectly to my body.

Tweed Restoration 1

Tweed Restoration 1

Tweed Restoration Part 2

Tweed Restoration Part 2

Sep 8

4 Comments

Shoes – The Collection Continues At Bargain Prices

My luck with shoes took some interesting turns over the last few weeks and all at bargain prices.

Let me start with the vintage pair I found at Beacon’s Closet here in Brooklyn on Sunday. They caught my eye immediately since they are in the wingtip family and have such great character. I feel these will do very well with my navy suit as well as with jeans and a tweed jacket. The total price for the shoes were $12.95 and another $14.00 for a cleaning and shoe trees to snap them into shape. Total: $26.95.

Vintage Wingtips: $26.95

Vintage Wingtips: $26.95

Next on the list are a pair of gorgeous cap toe oxfords I found at Century 21 in Bay Ridge Brooklyn for the unbelievable price of $29.95. These shoes are originally priced at $159 so I could not pass up the sale. These also are extremely versatile and can go with a suit, jeans, or a tux.

DKNY Cap Toe Oxfords: $29.95

DKNY Cap Toe Oxfords: $29.95

Last but not least, out of all the shoes I owned I realized I did not possess one pair of solid winter boots that could take a brutal NYC snow or hail storm. Again Century 21 in Bay Ridge provided me with a gorgeous pair of zip up boots by Guess for only $69.95. These are excellent for winter as well as in the fall with a good pair of fitted jeans. I also love that they are more slim line and less bulky than most boot options.

Guess Boots: $69.95

Guess Boots: $69.95

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