I was tired.

So tired that I couldn’t even keep my eyes open. Alan Flusser, who sat next to me in the confines of his midtown office, nudged me awake. I reticently opened my eyes to stare back at the two mac book screens in front of me. His to the right. Mine to the left. Sweeping angles and zoom ins of old Esquire scans traversed the monitors. I achingly propped myself up for a few more hours of work, wrapped in some expensive cardigan made of fine cashmere that Alan lent me to fight off the 5 week head cold I had been suffering from. And the kicker? I had to wake up at 5am the next day to do it all over again.

But Mr. Flusser hadn’t taken up all my time. You see, my position at the Custom Shop had been rearranged to a creative one with me at the head of photography and assisting with content building for Alan’s new website. It was a role I gladly took on. Unfortunately, it was only a part time position. To fill my time (and wallet) I took another part time position at a cafe right next door to my apartment. I figured the commute was only a few steps, how bad could it be?

Then they promoted me to manager.

I went for it full steam ahead, finding myself such a natural fit in the food service industry with a great knack at customer service. I also created a new atmosphere through changing the music and instilling in the staff the kind of customer service level you would rarely expect from a New York City cafe. It was, and still is, very hard work but work that I really enjoy doing.

At my peak I was clocking 105 hours a week between the cafe and my work with Alan. I would wake up at 5am, work 6am-3pm at the cafe, run home, shower (if I had time), change clothing, get to Alan’s by 4pm, work until 8 or 9pm, get home by about 10, edit some work, then pass out.

During this time I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I lost a bunch of weight, was smoking too much, and generally did not take care of myself very well. On the one day off I would have I generally slept all day then took my 25 pound laundry bag that was piling up for drop off and pass out again. I didn’t see my friends or loved ones. I hardly had time to even think about clothing for myself. And I completely dropped off the radar in terms of blogging.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not writing these words for any kind of sympathy from my readers (however many of you may even be left) but you could imagine what little interest I had after an 18 hour work day to set up my photography equipment and take photos of myself. Nor did I even want to write about clothing. In fact, I was sick of the whole menswear blogging world. Especially “street style”. Honestly, everything that was being posted on some blogs looked ridiculous to me. Even more ridiculous than runway. So I just stopped and worked my ass off on other things. And let me tell you, working with Alan so much and digging through all those Apparel Arts and old Esquire magazines really boosted my knowledge of what to look for in clothing.

As the months rolled by my work with Alan finally slowed a bit and I’ve gotten back into a more manageable schedule. I’ve also reinvented my wardrobe which has me excited to write a new series of articles for Made To Measure, NY and made a promise to myself to stay a bit more insulated instead of “keeping up with the menswear blogger Jones’s”. Because most of them, honestly, annoy the living shit out of me.

You’ll be hearing a lot more from me this year, albeit sporadically. As I said from the very beginning I do not write this blog in hopes for big money, a “collab” with some up and coming designer, spots in GQ, or anything like that. I write this blog because I like clothing and want to show guys how to do it without busting the bank. So if I drop off again, I apologize. But always know that I will come back to writing for Made To Measure, NY. Sometimes I just need a long ass break to do so.

Welcome back, Cahlo.

P.S.: Did I mention that during my 105 hour a week work schedule I was writing a new album? Yeah…that too.

See you soon.

-Dennis

Talk soon,
Dennis

It’s been well worth the wait.

When you first step into Louis Purple you are greeted by the affable Charles or one of his compatriots, are offered a coffee and some conversation, and then it’s on to fabrics. The beauty of the initial meeting is just how low key and nonchalant it is. It almost feels as if you are just hanging out with the option of buying a suit. This kind of approach to sales is not only refreshing, but a true rarity in the trendy, high pressure locale of Soho.

Charles Brunold, Founder of Louis Purple

There is a fiercely modern feel to the shop with whispers of Radiohead or Charlotte Gainsbourg emanating from the large computer Charles sits behind whilst you go through the tremendous selection of fabric books that range from unbranded Italian super 120′s ($700 to start) to the higher end Holland & Sherry and Dormeuil collections ($1,100-$1,400). Halfway through your search, an attractive young woman may enter through the front doors, ask for your name, and offer you another coffee. A very nice perk to the entire experience indeed.

Charles is not a tailor, nor does he claim to be, so measurements are taken in the shop then sent through electronic tailor sheets to  his master tailor who resides in France. After close review they are once again forwarded to a French owned and staffed factory in Romania for assembly. Three weeks later your suit arrives and should any alterations need to be done to the piece, Charles has a local New York tailor take care of them within a week or two.

There are other offerings such as fully customizable shirts made from fine cotton (from $129 – $169, Package of 5 shirts for $548) as well as handmade Italian ties ($99), and finely crafted shoes by Doucal’s ($349).

The clientele at Louis Purple so far range from young professionals to nightlife promoters looking for a stylish option of suiting without shelling out major coin. To me, this is an advanced entry to made to measure suiting as you are dealing with some pretty fantastic fabrics and construction.

To give Louis Purple a try, please visit:

Louis Purple
323 Lafayette
New York, NY
10012
(212) 219-8559

www.louispurple.com

The Hawaiian shirt reminds me of a different time. A time when during those lazy summer barbeques Grandpa would be grilling up some tasty burgers looking right at home in a brightly printed floral shirt that was no doubt made IN Hawaii. There was never a sign of embarrassment or shame on his freshly shaven face because the summer was and always should be the most appropriate time to break out a piece like this.

I was lucky enough to find mine at a Goodwill here in New York for only $3. It was made at Royal Creations in Hawaii and I wore it for a recent barbeque on my rooftop and just like Grandpa, I was more than comfortable grilling and mingling in my Hawaiian based get up. It certainly makes more of a statement than a polo or a t-shirt and it looks more imaginative than a plain button up.

One of my guests gave possibly the best compliment I could have received when she stated: “You know, with the tattoos, that shirt, your hat, and shorts you look like someone straight out of the World War II era.”

Flattered is an understatement.

Some tips:

1) Stick with a classic looking piece. Preferably one with flowers all over it. Avoid things like flaming guitars. That’s just dumb.

2) Do your best to get one that is fitted but not tight. You don’t want to be swimming (no pun there) in it and you don’t want it to be so close to your body that you can’t wear it comfortably in the heat.

3) Pair it with shorts that compliment one of the more muted colors in the pattern. For example, I pair my own with a pair of blue shorts to compliment the blue in the shirt.

4) Look for a vintage one like my own. They just don’t make them like these anymore.

Out of all the “classics” to make a come back in menswear I really hope this one catches on. Not only because it screams summer, but Grandpa would have been damn proud.

In essence this is what I’ve been attempting to pull off with my own wardrobe (albeit from a less costly point) and through the musings on this space. We all owe it to ourselves as grown men to have a timeless wardrobe that will outlive ourselves.

I have more posts coming soon including reviews, outfits, the most expensive shoes I ever purchased, and some brand new videos.

Stay tuned.

Courtesy Brutus Magazine, Japan

Coach Laptop Case, Alan Flusser Custom Aligator Belt, Aligator Passport Holder, Pilot Fountain Pen

The tide of communication turned full force after a friend took me out for a night at The Yale Club here in New York City. We had an absolutely smashing evening and he was even gracious enough to pick up the tab. A day or so later I shot off a rather quick e-mail thanking him and after I hit send an incredible sense of lousy washed over me. The Yale Club is one of the most upscale, classy, and downright elegant places one can be taken to. An e-mail just wasn’t enough. I knew I had to remedy the situation quite quickly the only way I knew how. By writing a simple note on quality stationary.

Yes, stationary.

The first place I went to was Cursive in Grand Central Station. They are a lovely little boutique serving up some very interesting notebooks, cards, even desk ornaments. What makes Cursive well worth their prices are the uniqueness and quality of the product. I ended up purchasing a beautiful little box set of cards called OFF THE CUFF which was more than appropriate as each cards front is inspired from a specific type of menswear suiting fabric (my favorite one being the houndstooth).

Off The Cuff Cards: Box Of 8 for $22.50

But what of those times when you want to send a quick missive to someone just because? Do you really have to drop over 20 bucks each time you run out of stationary?

Enter Phil’s Stationary in Midtown Manhattan on 47th street. This place is about as old school and no frills as you can get. Boxes of odd paper everywhere, pens as far as the eye can see, and lots of interesting notebooks you won’t find anywhere else (there are even some really fantastic briefcases lying about for only 40 beans). As soon as I asked about plain heavy stock note cards the shop keeper knew exactly what I was looking for. He showed me very simple blank note cards with a lightly embossed back and matching envelopes. When I asked him the price he said “50 cards for $15. 100 for $30.”

Sold.

Another stationary destination I HIGHLY recommend is Terrapin Stationers. I particularly love the engraved twitter cards, should you feel the need to promote your feed.

Now that I had the paper I needed a good writing instrument. I have some very nice ballpoint pens but they just don’t look very nice on this kind of stock (think as dull and lifeless as a conversation between two disaffected hipsters who only order Pabst and salad). I ended up going with the pen my boss uses as he’s pretty well versed in the subject of writing. Surprisingly his weapon of choice is a Cross rollerball pen which you can find at any Staples or stationary store for about $30 and the refills are a mere $9 for a two pack. The pen itself is well balanced and writes extremely well.

Cross Rollerball Pen $30 @ Staples

I penned a few notes with this and while completely satisfied with it’s abilities to script, aesthetically I just didn’t like the way it looked. Mostly because my penmanship is that of an ex budding graffiti artist meets a shaky handed alcoholic going through detox. So as my mania for the perfectly written note grew so did my obsession with getting it right.

Enter the typewriter.

At this point you are probably all thinking I am out of my effing mind and, by all means, you are justified in your opinion. Yes, I could type all of these notes out on my trusty MacBook Pro but there is just no heart in that at all. When you actually type something out you can feel the indentations of the letters pressed into the stock and see the intensity of which it was written. For those of you who follow my twitter feed, now you understand just why I was so heartbroken about my typewriter being irreparable. For those of you who don’t follow me on twitter…are you fucking serious? You’re missing out on some drunken hilarity. I digress. I  found a new, functional typewriter on eBay for $16 and a hot tip from one of my Twitter friends brought my attention to this place which had my head spinning.

So after a meeting, dinner, catch up drink, or what have you it’s NICE to tell the person how you feel other than writing on their Facebook wall. If you are wearing a beautiful suit, impeccably polished shoes, silk pocket square, and good cologne a handwritten or typed follow up goes hand in hand with what you are attempting to exude. That being CLASS. And really, how many people write notes or letters (cue PJ Harvey’s “The Letter”) these days?

Some rules of the game:

1. The content of what is written and the speed at which it is sent is equally important. I.E.: you should NOT send the note 5 days after the meeting and you should actually write something witty or heartfelt. As per some advice given from Mr. Flusser, the correspondence should be sent within a day or two.

2. DO NOT WRITE THESE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. THESE ARE NOT POSTS AND YOU CANNOT DELETE THEM.

3. If handwritten, make sure it is legible. If typed, make sure not to make mistakes which force you to use white out (not a good look).

4. Please…do not spray cologne on it if writing to a lovely female you just had lunch with (#stalker, #creepy, #waaaaytoomuch).

5. Avoid terms like LOL, ADORBZ, and ROTFL for Christ’s sake.

6. Always make the note about THEM and not YOU.

7. The best time to write is the morning after when your head is clear and still have a fresh idea of what to pen, preferably with morning coffee.

8.  Don’t spill coffee on the note.

9. If you can, find an interesting stamp to slap on the envelope.

10. Refer to THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE if necessary.

The point of this exercise for myself and anyone else who chooses to go through with it is to let the people who inspire us, care for us, or genuinely enjoy our company and opinion know that the feeling is mutual.

Briefcase: $40 @ Phil's Stationary NYC, Cross Pen: $30 @ Phil's Stationary NYC, Croc Wallet: $150 Budd Leather, Iphone, Vintage Gruen Watch: $25 @ eBay

]]> http://madetomeasureny.com/2011/05/20/elements/feed/ 3 Dennis Cahlo morningthings http://madetomeasureny.com/2011/05/19/made-to-measures-first-spot/ http://madetomeasureny.com/2011/05/19/made-to-measures-first-spot/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:42 +0000 Dennis Cahlo http://madetomeasureny.com/?p=4478 ]]> In an effort to improve my filming and editing techniques, I decided to create a little “spot” for Made To Measure. More of an exercise to better the New York Secrets project and less of an ego feeder, I produced the 30 second “advert” over the weekend. I also felt this was a great addition to the ABOUT section as it sums up the whole ethos of this space.

This will be the new look and feel for most of the filmed segments of the blog of which a few exciting ones are in the works. I hope you like it!

Case in point this little number I put together the other day when the sun was shining bright and the temperature reached the upper 70′s. Granted anything that I own in linen is much more roomy than the cut of most of my clothing. Same goes for anything in seersucker. Linen is meant to feel good on you. Too tight and you are completely negating the comfort and flow of the material.

Linen Blazer: Indochino, Linen Pants: H&M, Shirt: Indochino, Pocket Square: Allen Edmonds, Shoes: Allen Edmonds, Glasses: Warby Parker

This outfit fits so comfortably that I would even wear it in summer. Not 95 degree with 100% humidity summer but one of those days where you can still feel a nice cool breeze towards the evening. My advice is to go unlined or half lined. While fully lined jackets drape better, you will much happier it’s not there during the warm season.

One thing to think about is investing in a good steamer. I personally just bought one from Amazon called STEAMFAST for only $50 with free shipping. It’s the highest rated steamer next to the professional ones and I use it religiously.

Now, on to business.

A few weeks ago I made a decision to invest in some new specs. Not because I am dissatisfied with my over sized Ray Bans but more so because I didn’t want to be limited to just one pair. Now that summer is coming so will the lighter colors so I decided on going for brown frames as a compliment to them.

I looked high and low for a good deal on some frames in NYC and came up with nothing. I cannot believe the price for a decent pair of glasses at the moment (up to $500 including lenses/frames). Then I remembered reading about Warby Parker the fabled online spectacle company. Impressed at the choices I ordered up the home try on box and anxiously awaited it’s arrival.

The home try on kit is really something to see. Neatly packed frames in a quality black snap box with the logo emblazoned on the top. The presentation was beyond my expectations. I wish I could have snapped a photo of it but didn’t have the time. The box is yours for 5 whole days so you can play around with the different looks you chose. I immediately went for two stand out sets in my own try on box in the forms of the SINCLAIR and the WINSTON. Having had my prescription handy I went for it. No less than a few days later I had two pairs of glasses for just over $200.

"SINCLAIR" $99 At Warby Parker

"WINSTON" $99 At Warby Parker

Not only was the price just right but the customer service at Warby Parker is extremely top notch. I had many questions and they were very kind on both e-mail and over the phone with never any attitude or pretension. It was a refreshing change from some of the higher end eye wear shops I visited.

So if in the market for some new spectacles I highly recommend giving Warby Parker a try. I may even get myself a third pair this week.

For more please visit:

www.warbyparker.com

www.facebook.com/d.cahlo

Secondly I’ve been meeting with a lot of interesting folks in order to get some more of my documentary series completed including a very special project with Alan Flusser.

I’ve also contributed my photography skills to the latest Alan Flusser Spring 2011 brochure which was one of the most joyous and exciting moments of my young career. Below is the entire look and feel of the brochure.

Alan Flusser Spring Brochure 2011Alan Flusser Spring Brochure 2011

Alan Flusser Spring Brochure 2011

You can also see a bunch of my photography on the new AF website as well:

www.alanflussercustom.com

Another really interesting thing that happened to me the other day was I got caught by an eccentric blogger who goes under the guise of MALE SIGHTINGS. Her blog is nothing short of fantastic as she showcases all men’s clothing all the time in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors. My own shot I was very happy with and appears below.

Courtesy MALE SIGHTINGS

And so there you have it folks. I’ll be back sooner than later, I promise. But music which has always been my one and only true love is calling me and I need to answer her in full force.

My Best Always,
Dennis Cahlo

“You know, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking like someone else. I want to die in style.”

These are the words that stood out most in my nearly two hour phone conversation with Mr. Ignatious Joseph the mastermind behind his own shirting company IGN. Joseph. The quote above is delivered from a hushed and subtle voice tinged with a soothing Sri Lankan accent. His life’s work and story is that of self made man driven by passion for quality which harkens back to a time when making clothes was nothing short of making art.

Like many of us Ignatious was not born into this role but rather found himself there out of frustration of the mediocre. Although having success in the hotel and hospitality business, Ignatious was continuously ridiculed by his superiors for not following the standard “uniform of choice” forced upon him. Even though many times his clients would tell him how perfectly he was dressed, the powers that be dissuaded him from truly expressing who he really is through his clothing.

And so in 1997 after having served 20 years in the hotel business he left and broke out on his own to make, out of all things, luxury shirts.

“My ambition was (and is) to marry the grand European shirt tradition and its centuries-old textile and tailoring crafts to produce a shirt that is the embodiment of dynamic elegance and extravagant quality-bridging the gap between bespoke and imported ready-to-wear. The challenge was to translate this tradition into a shirt that was also compatible with a young, dynamic and mobile clientele, like those I learned to serve in the international hotel business.”

Now I know we are just talking about a shirt here but after Ignatious sent me my very own sample to keep I realized just how incredible his vision is. First, the shirt arrives in a simple yellow textured box that simply says IGN. Joseph on it. When asked about the intent behind the minimalism, Ignatious offered this:

“I had to make a strategic decision: did I want to bring a logo or a shirt to market. Years in the hotel and hospitality industry had taught me the value of personal confidence and commitment in the quality of a service. If I was to deliver a distinct shirt then I had to bring to it what I knew best-the way to deliver quality service. That meant there was no alternative but to sell my shirts personally. So I took my suitcase, choosing the retailers that best understood style and service as I did. My first order for 148 shirts to a small, but distinguished retailer in Bonn, Germany set the tone for a marketing approach which eschews logos and slogans in favour of personal trust and a bit of panache.”

What lies inside the box, however, is the real treat. These are not made to measure or bespoke pieces but they are crafted in a completely soft Neapolitan fashion meaning there is absolutely no fusing inside the collar or cuffs. If you watch a movie from the 40′s or 50′s you will see that most of the shirts are constructed this way and Ignatious has not only honored that look and feel but mastered it.

One of the biggest differences between his shirts and another ready to wear is that when you move your elbow up and down the cuffs actually stay in place. In other words if you are wearing a suit and lift your elbow up the shirt doesn’t creep up under the sleeve. It stays exactly where it should. Couple that with little details like super thick mother of pearl buttons, very fine fabric and bold yet sophisticated patterns and you have one fine shirt.

What I really love about Ignatious is how passionate he is about his work. Every time I speak to him on the tele he’s coming back from meeting clients all over Europe and then spends Sundays, his only day off, making calls to people like me just to spread the word about his work. Not only is his ferocity for what he does something to admire, it’s also something to aspire towards.

Whenever I put on the shirt he sent to me I’m reminded just how lucky we are to have people like Ignatious doing what he does in this world:

Creating quality.

Company headquarters

Ignatious Joseph
Rolandstrasse 24a
Germany
D-40476 Düsseldorf

Telephone: +49-0211-4985001

Telefax: +49-0211-4985053

I.Joseph@ign-joseph-shirts.com

www.ign-joseph.com 

Maybe it is the iconic images of so many film noir heroes burned into my brain but there is something so masculine about a trench coat worn on top of a suit. Personally I would not pair it with a fedora (too costumey) but I would definitely pair it with a beautiful looking umbrella or driving cap.My favorite accessory to pair it with, though, is a striking black leather bag.

My own personal piece is from J Crew called the HOLBORN TRENCH COAT. Online it’s a whopping $198 (a little too high for this cheapo) but I found mine in stores for $80 with an additional 20% off. Surprisingly I went for the large as it is the size that fit most comfortably over my suits.

This is one of the most classic pieces you can add to your wardrobe and if you take care of it will keep you stylishly protected for years to come.

Today’s episode focuses on Mr. George Graham who not only introduced Barbour coats to the states but has many other amazing stories to share. He is one of the kindest men I have ever met and was generous enough to sit with me for over 4 hours. There will be more than a few installments with George as I find him one of the most fascinating New York Secrets I’ve stumbled upon so far.

Please enjoy this as much as I did.

Note: There is a rather loud noise throughout the first few minutes of the piece. My apologies but we couldn’t disturb George’s beloved dog whilst he chewed his bone or else he would have barked throughout the whole interview. Please bear with it. Mr. Graham’s stories are more than worth it.

Not only am I approaching the end of my early 30′s (I’m 34 today!) but I am also approaching the end of what seems to be an era.    Gone are the days of reckless abandon and youthful all nighters replaced with a more focused eye on career, work, and building a family. I care more about my body and preserving it than I did in my 20′s since a man should age gracefully and pay more attention to his health in the later years. I mean, as much as I love Keith Richards I wouldn’t want to look like him in 30 years time.

Once again I also find myself single, an unfortunate and sad event that occurred almost two months ago to the date. But with every heartbreak comes great realizations.  And lots of going to the gym. It’s odd but I think I get healthier after I get my heart chopped up into little pieces. Also, it’s not bad being a well dressed available bachelor. My dance card seems rather full these days.

But the most important thing I think about during the time of celebrating yet another year on this earth is my great appreciation for the people in my life and I include all of you who send me e-mails, support this space, and comment regularly. Without you guys I would truly have not much to look forward to when posting something. I feel like we’ve come a long way together and I want to thank you all.

I promise to make this a year to remember. Stay tuned for my next episode of NEW YORK SECRETS which I will be filming tomorrow.

Birthday Suit - April 7th, 2011

Suits are as low as $300
Shirts are as low as $30
and Pants starting at $80

And here are the details:

Matt Harpalani
Imparali Custom Tailors
608 Fifth Ave, Suite 310
New York, NY 10020
T:212.245.5555
1.888.880.SUIT
F:212.245.5505
www.imparali.com

Oh, and make sure to tell him Dennis Cahlo sent you.

I’m gearing up for the next installment of my documentary series NEW YORK SECRETS which I’ll be filming this Friday. I’m super excited for this next piece and can’t wait to share it with you.

Oh and Thursday is my 34th Birthday. Feel free to send me as much hate mail as you want that day! ;P

-Dennis Cahlo

When I look at the above press shot from the classic Houseboat starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren, I cannot help but feel saddened as well as inspired. Saddened for the simple reason that people simply don’t look like this anymore and inspired because I think we as a society can if we all collectively give a shit.

Before the days of it being socially acceptable to leave the house in sweatpants there was something that existed called taste. Taste was something earned and it required some effort to acquire it. Somewhere along the lines (I’m thinking when the term “Office Casual” came into play) our taste level dropped so far that it’s almost become extinct.

A few Fridays ago I was walking home from dinner with a friend and we both noticed how people just don’t give a shit about how they look anymore. Even women. It actually made me a little depressed to think that we’ve reached such a low in the way we present ourselves to the public both in style and etiquette.

Fast forward to your humble author sitting at his local watering hole, eight sheets to the wind, and watching some basketball game on the monitors. Drowning in a sea of whiskey and imported beer, I sat mortified at what the coaches decided was a suit that night. Seriously, if you are on national television and you don’t know how to tie your tie call your grandfather and have him do it for you. If he’s dead, find the oldest guy you know, have him come over immediately and I’m sure he’ll show you how to make it the proper length and how to put a dimple in it. Oh yeah, and then there are those shoes. Those terrible, terrible square toed abominations that give me nothing short of a cerebral aneurysm.

But let me stop there before I cloud this post with too much negativity. When I started this blog I didn’t know how to dimple my tie, wore my suits too tight, and probably dispensed some not so great advice. But I still wanted to learn and grow and look like a man and not some clueless teenager and this is what I urge everyone who is reading this to do.

Make an effort.

Put on something NICE on a Friday night.

Shave.

And ladies, ditch the flip flops and Uggs for something CLASSY.

With each amount of effort the opposite sex makes we’ll all keep getting a bit better.

Yet as I sit here, Billie Holiday blaring from my speakers, wishing this was being written on a typewriter and not some damned computer I cannot help but wonder that maybe it’s me who, to quote the great Brian Wilson, “just wasn’t made for these times.”

With everyone in the rag mags going on about how you should always pair brown shoes with blue suits, it’s this authors humble opinion that with a lighter blue this bit of advice reigns supreme but with TRUE navy black shoes are the most dressy of the two choices.

The first option I’ve been wearing to death lately is the navy/french cuff white shirt/silver tie/black shoes option. It screams simplicity and lets the viewer see you, not the suit.

Suit: Indochino, Tie: Birma Bibas, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Pocket Square: Alan Flusser Custom, Shoes: Vintage Florsheim

The second I’ve been quite fond of is a version of the first but with a bit more pattern and flare. A silver and navy rep tie along with a more punchy pocket square is just enough to update the look without drawing too much attention away from the man behind the glasses er…suit.

Suit: Indochino, Shirt: Imparali Custom Tailors, Tie: Alan Flusser Custom, Pocket Square: Alan Flusser Custom, Shoes: Vintage Florsheim, Glasses: Ray Ban

And last but not least is one of the most simple but tricky options to put together is the blue on blue. Why is it tricky? Because you have to make sure the tie is the right shade of blue. It can’t be too light or else it just won’t work with the piece. It’s funny how the simplest of outfits can be one of the trickiest to get just right.

As an added bonus every time I wear this the opposite sex seems to notice and compliment it the most.

]]> http://madetomeasureny.com/2011/03/28/spring-2011-tangled-up-in-black-and-blue/feed/ 11 Dennis Cahlo SilverAndBlue SilverAndBlue2 BlueOnBlue