Start With Typewriters

A Look : Quirky Ivy

Jeremy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:59:48 +0000

As much as I love March, it’s months like these that can be frustrating. Wear a coat in the morning, take it off in the afternoon, and put it back on in the evening. I get by though. Hopefully soon enough, I can be coat free! Bring on that sun!

The plaid fun shirt is probably one of my new favorite shirts. The mixture of plaids really makes any outfit pop. File “fun shirts” under must have.

Also, I put my glasses into this as I wear my Moscot’s everyday. Please oh please don’t wear glasses if you don’t need them. Recently, at the Band of Outsiders show I saw a guy wearing frames; just frames no lenses. These are things that I don’t understand.

Glasses by Moscot

Plaid Fun Shirt by Black Fleece

Bedford Jacket by Engineered Garments

Spreyer Pants by Sassafras

Belt by Polo

Double Monk Shoes by Mark McNairy

SWT Endorses: Rig Out – Issue 2

Jeremy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:26:53 +0000

The other day I got a lovely package from Mr. James Wilson of secret forts. Yes, it was a copy of Rig Out. A lovely fanzine put together by Oi Polloi.

It features a great interview with Daiki Suzuki of Engineered Garments and some cool style shots.

Here are some scans for your viewing pleasure.

Daiki Suzuki of Engineered Garments

Angelo of Engineered Garments

* I only posted these for people to enjoy and look at. If you represent “Rig Out” and want me to remove them contact me. Thanks

Wear & Tear : Band of Outsiders Boat Loafers

Jeremy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:25:19 +0000

It was a bright sunny day. I awoke at around 10 am and looked outside, “What a beautiful day!” I said to myself.

I got dressed and headed down to _______ (insert overpriced store here) and something caught my eye.

Yes it was these loafers, its true they do look slick, but were they worth it?

Lets find out…

FYI – I purchased these shoes in July of ‘09

I was so excited to get the shoes that I left the store with them on my feet. I know Band of Outsiders can be hit or miss, but these certainly felt like a hit.

I came home, took them off, and my feet were as black as can be. Crap…this is not good.

Now now I know, I should’ve expected that? How bout that’s the first sign of cheap leather!? Yes badly tanned leather bleeds folks.

How do they hold up? 3/10

I did a bit of walking in them (and when I mean a bit I mean wore them off and on for a month)

I had to stop when I heard this…FLAP!

What’s that? Oh its this…

Are you kidding!? After a month!? A MONTH!?

FAIL!

Quality? 4/10

Bad bleeding leather, not made in the USA, and the stitching was coming undone too?

Are they worth the money? 2/10

Yeah these were about $250 and lasted around a month. I won’t lie, while they lasted I did enjoy wearing them, but they were a bit much for a month of looking good.

Overall, Scott Sternberg makes some cool looking shoes but sadly they don’t seem to last.

Style to me should last more than a month.

In Honor of…Take Ivy

Jeremy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:22:22 +0000

Looks like Take Ivy is getting reissued soon. So I decided to re-up the download link of the digital scans!

Take Ivy Digital Version

Enjoy!

Missed Out On These…

Jeremy — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:52:18 +0000

Bummer…I either lost the auction or missed the boat.

Alden Ravello Longwings on a Crepe Sole from styleforum

These wonderful shoes from a fine gentleman at StyleForum

This Vintage WWII Reverse Camo Jacket from eBay

WWII Deck Jacket

This WWII Deck Jacket from eBay

40's WWII M-43 OD Trousers

These 1940’s WWII M-43 Trousers from eBay

…oh well, next time.

Comb Your Hair

Jeremy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:26:09 +0000

You don’t think that hair styled itself do you?

Gentleman, comb your hair. Nothing says “classy” better than a well groomed head of hair.

Pick yourself up a sturdy British Mason Pearson comb, give yourself a lovely part and you’re ready for business.

Made in Switzerland, each tooth is highly polished to eliminate any rough edge. The combs are made by hand, using traditional Swiss techniques which produce smoothly tapered teeth and rounded tips for more comfort and care.

Better put, its a nice comb that’s made well and will last you…as long as you don’t lose it.

They used to be made with tortoise shell; which is probably not nicest thing anymore as I know most turtles have got crime to fight!

I’ve been using mine the past few years and it’s done me good. I won’t lie, I used to do the whole “I’m too cool for a comb” deal and hand styled my hair. No mo’!

The only person who probably never needed a comb was the one who always had one.

I present my first and last Fonzie reference.

So get yourself a nice comb already.

I might be too into…

Jeremy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:31:37 +0000

Nigel Cabourn

I recently picked up the Beetham Duffle coat (pictured below) and since then, I won’t look back. The quality is exquisite.

The fabric is made in Wellington, UK by Fox Brothers & Co. This is just one of many pieces by Nigel Cabourn that is 100% sourced and made in the UK.

After I got it I started digging on the internet looking for more pieces to try and get my hands on. Sadly, its quite difficult as his stuff is manufactured in very small quantities, and I mean small. They only made 50 of one of his spring jackets!

For some designers they might just cringe at that number as you usually need to move serious units to make a profit but for Nigel, its just another piece he’s delighted he could create.

For now I’m trying to find ways to get these…hmmm….about that Japanese Proxy

Button/Zip Overshirt

Surplus Pant

Canadian Military Coat

Black Fleece Spring 2010

Jeremy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:19:24 +0000

Yup, its here.

I’m not sure what to make of it honestly. Some of the looks are really amazing.

Others are really conservative and well, kind of bland.

Either way, its hard to pick apart Thom Browne stuff. To me he’s kind of like Thom Yorke of Radiohead.

Whatever he does I still like it and respect because its Thom and you know he’s thinking of something you’re not getting yet.

Yeah I had to do it…

I’m not trying to be a hater but I guess I just want something that does a bit more for me. Ever since all the suits moved from Caruso to Southwick, the quality has plummeted. They still look great, but rarely are any of the jackets fully canvassed (they used to be). The fabrics aren’t as nice. I want more magic!

I’m loyal to Thom though and can’t deny that some of these looks are so spot on.

These were some of my favorites

Is This Not…

Jeremy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:01:38 +0000

the most perfect spring belt? I love Engineered Garments

Cotton webbing, d-ring , leather tipped and made in the good ol’ USA.

Grab it at Nomad Shop, they did a great EG buy.

Gorillaz Stylo Music Video

Jeremy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:50:40 +0000

with Bruce Willis?

HA!

Free & Easy Summer Looks

Jeremy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:59:19 +0000

The other day I was hanging out at my favorite Japanese bookstore (or the only one that I know of) Kinokuniya. I love going there on a Sunday afternoon when the weather is rough and just hanging out at the cafe trying to act like I can read the Japanese language.

I can’t.

I don’t know Japanese but, I love the magazine “Free & Easy”. If you havn’t heard of it you should check it out. Its not cheap but its probably one of the coolest look book and style magazines I’m aware of.

Until I hear of a magazine called “Gun Gun Monster” (which in my opinion is a dang good name for a magazine).

Here are some of the past summer looks…wait is that a Hawaiian shirt?! I thinks yes!

A Visit With: Leffot

Jeremy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:16:10 +0000

This past weekend I had the pleasure of sitting with Steven Taffel the owner and founder of Leffot.

Leffot opened in the Spring of 2008 and has since changed the way men shop for shoes.

For me, there are a few things that are important in a retail store. Brands, service and, last but not least, environment. Steven has nailed all three of these and could practically open up a consulting business with how well he runs Leffot.

Leffot carries some incredible brands like Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, Pierre Corthay, Rider Boot, Quoddy, Alden and Saphir…

Alden (love that blue one!)

Rider boot...check that cordovan in the middle. WOW!

Gaziano & Girling

After roughly 10 years with Prada, Steven and his wife decided to open up a store.

“…I don’t think women love shopping in men’s shoe stores. So we wanted to make sure it was attractive to men and women, an environment they felt comfortable in.”

You don’t really realize it, but Leffot is laid out like a dining room: A nice table in the center is filled with shoes, a lovely chandelier hangs above the table and the walls are a dark, relaxing color.

With centerpieces like this:

Saphir Shoe Care

it’s quite an appetizing table (though I won’t eat shoe horns).

The customer service there is unmatched. While we were talking, a man walked in and expressed to Steven his frustration of not being able to find shoes in his particular size (9EEE aka super wide feet). I started smiling as I could see Steven ready to take on the challenge. Steven showed the gentleman custom shoe orders from other customers and explaining how you could get one to your exact specifications, etc. You could see the man’s jaw falling to the floor. He seemed so anxious to order a pair of Edward Green shoes that he fumbled to pull his business card out of his pocket.

Steven does quite a few custom orders out of Leffot. Near each brand of shoe, he also has each company’s leather samples on display, which is something that I think more stores should do. I sat and flipped through them and thought about ordering a few custom pairs myself. Sadly, your old blogging buddy Jeremy has got to save a bit more.

Edward Green

Leather Samples

Watching Steven help a few other customers was so inspiring to me. He is a man who is passionate about what he believes in: shoes.

Good enough for me. I’ll be coming back again and again.

Next time you’re in Manhattan stop on by Leffot 10 Christopher Street 212.989.4577

Here are some other photos below

Quoddy

Wolverine, Church's

Nigel Cabourn

Jeremy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:15:07 +0000

Yes the man is a legend.

A British born and bred clothing designer. He has been designing clothes since the early 70’s. Hailed as a “Ralph Lauren” of outerwear by the Japanese, and seems to be catching on more and more in the states. Every season is influenced by an era E.G. spring 2010 was influenced by his father’s war journal he kept while stationed in Burma in the 1940’s.

He also has a collection of over 4000 vintage pieces of workwear, army uniforms from countries around the world etc.

The man’s got skill.

Here are some of his classics

Also here is that video that’s been cruising the blogosphere today

courtesy of Tenue de Nîmes

Nigel Cabourn collection interview SS10 by Tenue de Nîmes from Menno – Tenue de Nîmes on Vimeo.

Wear & Tear : Thom Browne Wingtips

Jeremy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:58:45 +0000

How do they hold up?

Quality?

Is it worth the money?

These are going to be the points I’ll be discussing in today’s post…

The infamous “click clack” of the Thom Browne wingtip. The only shoes I’ve ever owned with actual metal taps.

What are taps you ask?

They are small pieces of plastic (or in this case metal) that go on the heel and/or the toe of a shoe. They keep you leather soled shoes from wearing down so quickly. Kind of an essential if you’re a New Yorker because you’re walking around so much!

FYI – I purchased these shoes at the 100 Hudson St location in the spring of ‘08 – so i’ve had these about 2 years.

When I first got them I wore them almost every day as how could you not?! I’ve worn these through a a few rainstorms some snow and yes even through mud (that took a while to clean off)

A few things I want to point out are they are very heavy. I mean heavy, I think my calves have gotten bigger wearing these. They are just solid as a rock.

Also for these shoes I want to take into account that I polished them every other week and always kept the lasted trees in them when I wasn’t wearing them

So…

How do they hold up? 9/10

A new shoe

Mine

These shoes hold up beautifully!

As you can see , the taps have worn down a bit and there’s some wear on the sides (above). I might replace the taps next year, not sure though yet.

Look at how thick that sole is!

Bit of wear on the toe

There are a few (hidden) scratches in the leather but I’ve kept them pretty covered up with polish. Thank goodness its scotch grain, that also helps too.

Made in England

Scratches here and there

Quality? 10/10

Beautiful Welt

These shoes were bench made in Northampton, England by Trickers. There is a reason they have a Royal Warrant y’know. The leather is sourced from France, the stitching on the welt is impeccable and the broguing is perfect. A beautiful quality shoe.

Is it worth the money? 4/10

Sadly these shoes are insanely expensive, around $1,250!

That’s way too much, I was barely able to afford them and that was with the credit I used at the store. If I had to pay retail for these out of my pocket I would flip.

Don’t get me wrong they are BEAUTIFUL shoes, absolutely amazing quality but its just too much for me.

A good pair of shoes should run you around $350-550 depending on what you get (cordovan etc). Lasted shoe trees (shoe trees made from the last the shoe was made off of) will run you around $100. So where is the rest of the mark up?

OH! There it is!

So if you got the money to throw down on an insanely nice pair of wingtips go for it!

Otherwise, my future is nothing more than Mark McNairy and Alden.

Legends : Redford In the Snow

Jeremy — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:09:22 +0000