Like so many other fine outfitters today, Lands' End Canvas puts a fresh spin on the classics. It has gotten a lot of press, mainly by style editor Adam Rapoport at GQ, for their shirts, jeans, and pocket squares. However, I have been admiring the ties from the Lands' End Canvas Fall collection. Known to sport a bow tie on more than one occasion, I think that this herringbone is quite fine.
They also have a nice selection of skinny ties, from the classic repp stripe to more interesting patterns, like this Fair Isle knit, perfect for this time of year...
I recently helped clean out the attic of my grandparents' house - a veritable time capsule of furniture, clothing, and piles and piles of papers and magazines accumulated over the past 65 years. In one particular box, I came across a stack of vintage Town & Country magazines, some dating back as early as the 1920's! Among the other books and papers, these stood out because of their magnificent covers. The painted scenes depict upstanding individuals as well as document the leisure activities of privileged American life. As the oldest continually published general interest magazine, in print since 1846, the cover artwork offer a surreal glimpse into a gilded period of our nation's past.
I think they would look really neat framed in a series - perfect for a hallway or study. Conveniently, the Town & Country website offers a link to purchase hundreds of vintage cover prints. I've picked out a few of my personal favorites...
Fashion in the 1970s has often garnered a bad reputation. However, aside from those bell bottoms and polyester hanging in the closet, this week the Mr. Porter Journal takes a look at some classic looks sported by several iconic men in Hollywood and "How They Wore the 1970's."
I love how the article gives advice on some subtle ways to hat-tip and cut the decade some slack when it comes to men's style. One of my favorites is the tweed lined trench worn by Ryan O'Neal in Love Story. They suggest a Ralph Lauren Purple Label trench, but for a fraction of the price, I think this Rugby one looks just as dashing. It's a perfect example of a piece that just never goes out of style. Check out the slideshow for the rest of these great retro looks.
Aside from this article, the entire weekly issue of the Mr. Porter Journal is dubbed "the Retro Issue," full of interesting head-nods and shop-able looks. Read more here!
This past week has been busy, thus no posting, as I have rejoined my pals over at Ralph Lauren and my schedule has been non-stop. Alas, I have returned with many new things to share.
I recently came across Kinfolk Magazine, a design/entertaining publication that advocates and encourages the simplicity of small gatherings. Comprised of over 40 contributors from around the world, the message is clear - ideas and inspiration for no-fuss entertaining with an emphasis on friends and family. It is issued four times per year for $24 in print (wrapped in beautiful butcher paper and tied with red string), and for free online and for the Ipad.
From table settings and recipe ideas to advice on living a fulfilling life, Kinfolk is 172 pages of aesthetic delight. Here are a some photos from the most recent issue.
It's also worth checking out some of the side projects from the creators of the magazine. For example, Kinfolk's Primary Designer, Amanda Jane Jones, curates her own blog as well as her personal website. The About Ussection of the magazines website has many other amazing blogs and websites by contributors that are worth a peek.
Read Volume 1 of Kinfolk in its entirety online or on your Ipad here until November 1st!
Just as television provided a platform to view music during the 80s with MTV, today many artists have opted for a more cinematic approach to their music videos complete with famous directors, celebrity cameos, and special effects. TV On the Radio took that concept a step further and with their most recent album, Nine Types of Light, released a full length "music movie" that corresponds with each track on the album. The Brooklyn based ensemble has such a wide variety of sounds, it's really hard to pin them down to one particular genre. No matter what you call it, the movie is a poetic art-piece, which I think is pretty rad.
Each song has a unique music video strung together touching on topics of dreams, love, fame, and the future. The results are incredible both visually and musically. Composed of a variety of interview, animation, and live action, it is nearly a full hour of highly cerebral, eerie, experimental artistry (to be watched full screen in 1080p).
I have always admired the simplicity and sophistication of the monk strap style shoe. As its namesake suggests, it was modeled after a centuries old tradition of buckled footwear worn by monks in Europe. According to legend, the first pairs were worn by friars in the Italian Alps during the fifteenth century. Upon visiting his fellow clergymen in Italy, an English friar, impressed with their simplicity, took home a pair, where they became an instant hit.
Touted for their comfort, as a result of a wider tongue than traditional lace-ups and buckle closure on the side, the monk is the perfect shoe for day and night. Made in both single and double strap, plain or cap-toe, brogued or burnished, I prefer the subtle flair of a double strap and capped toe in a versatile burnished brown. It strikes the right balance, worn either dressed-up or casual, and personally, I think they're just nice to look at.
When it comes to monks, John Lobb, the revered English bootmaker since 1849, makes the crème de la crème. When Hermès acquired the company back in 1976, it left the original John Lobb bespoke shoe shop intact on St. James St, London. The shop continues to produce bench-made shoes for discerning clients from around the world one shoe at a time. Thanks to Hermès, however, ready-made shoes by John Lobb can be found at any of their shops around the world.
While the John Lobb William II Monk leaves something to be desired, the price tag at $1275 is not as alluring. Enter Sid Mashburn, the Atlanta based clothier, who brings the same English bench-made appeal and killer styling at half the price. Pictured at top, these shoes are the Real McCoy of versatility and style. With the dedication of Mr. Mashburn to quality with respect to tradition, it is no wonder why these shoes are one of his most popular items. Check out his inspiration, and browse the site for many more goodies.
