December 2011
8 posts
Happy New Year and Many Thanks
I’m really surprised by what this blog has become in the last year. I started it on a whim last January, purely out of boredom, and it’s allowed me to meet all sorts of wonderful people. Thanks to Jesse, Pete, and Jonathan for giving me the opportunity to write, and many more thanks to people who read what I post. Also a special thanks to Lawrence for giving me some great advice this...
Split Leather
One of my favorite companies, Lotuff & Clegg, recently became two companies after the Lotuffs and Frank Clegg decided to part ways. Moving into 2012, there will be Lotuff Leather and Frank Clegg Leatherworks.
To be sure, Frank Clegg Leatherworks isn’t a new company. It was started in 1976 and for the first 25 years, Frank maintained his own line of goods. The English briefcase I own, in...
Valstar and Ring Jacket's Blousons
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to buy a Valstarino at a significant discount, but kept waffling on whether I should take it. The Valstarino is a classic Italian blouson-styled jacket. It’s manufactured by Valstar, a 100 year old Milanese company that got its start in raincoats. Not too long after the company’s inception, however, Valstar evolved and expanded into general...
To Be Modern and British: Thom Sweeney
Some years ago, I was really enamored with slightly contemporary British cuts that were a bit structured in the shoulders, nipped in the waist, and slimmer fitting. I think this is the kind of suit that works well for a man in his late-20s and early-30s, which was how old I was at the time, but I admit I never found too many occasions to wear such a thing. New Year’s Eve parties, certain...
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The Italian Menswear Series, Part XV: Boggi
Boggi is the Milanese version of Brooks Brothers - similar in quality, price, and ubiquity, but differing a bit in silhouette. If you’ve been to Italy, particularly Milan, you can find them almost everywhere. The company started in 1939, but they really took off in the ’60s when they started creating their own brand-exclusive retail stores. Today, the company has a strong presence in...
Cobbler's Web
As a break from overstylized lookbooks, trendy cargo pants, and street shots of men at Pitti Uomo, I thought I’d bring you a collection of photos from Cobbler’s Web, a Japanese menswear site that focuses on real classic menswear. I’ve included a British Mackintosh look they’ve styled, but everything else here is showcases Italian suits and sportcoats, as well as British...
The Cutaway Single Monk
While double monks are perhaps the most over-discussed footwear style on the internet, single monks are perhaps the most under-discussed. My preference is for the dressier cutaway single monk - a term, by the way, I’ve just made up, so don’t go requesting that anywhere.
The cutaway monk is a single strap shoe with a more swept back buckle. The strap cuts back a bit further, towards...
First Look: Herno SS12
Though I know it’s a little early for it, I’ve already started thinking about spring-summer outerwear. My favorite collection so far is by Herno, an Italian company based out of Lesa, Lake Maggiore, which is just an hour northwest of Milan. The company has been making outerwear since the 1940s, and after building a strong reputation in Italy and Japan, they started manufacturing for...