Beach Boys and Hurricanes

Image via theBeachboys.com

Arrg so I am going on three days without power in the wake of Irene's tour of the East Coast. It has actually been a breath of fresh air to be rid of technology and an opportunity to accomplish some more constructive pursuits i.e. cleaning out my closet, drawing, and kayaking upstate (post storm of course).  Nonetheless, I  write by candlelight on my Blackberry to tell you about a very cool preview video that came out yesterday for the highly anticipated box-set release of the Beach Boys "lost" Smile album on November 1st. 

Capital/EMI

This special edition box-set from Capital Records includes the original album tracks and awesome original artwork, never before seen photos, and even two vinyl LPs of "Heroes and Villians" and "Vega-Tables" - very nice.  It also has 5 CDs with over 140 tracks and studio banter - awesome! Check it out...
 and pre-order here!

Watch This: Class

1983 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Here is another great film from 1983, full of humor, scandal, and a healthy dose of 80s preppy style.  I just watched this the other day and was thoroughly entertained.  I love 80s movies and this one is especially cool because it features some of the great teen actors of the decade before they became famous.  Along with the future "Brat Pack" actors Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe, John Cusack and Alan Ruck can be seen as fellow classmates, as well as Cliff Robertson as the school's headmaster.

Rob Lowe as "Skip" 1983 Orion Picture Corp. Photo by Jim Zenk

Jonathan (McCarthy), the inexperienced freshman, becomes roommates with the wealthy and suave Skip (Lowe) at the fictitious prep school called Vernon Academy.  After many failed attempts to prove himself to his classmates, Jonathan takes a trip to Chicago in search of a love interest.  Coincidentally, the flirtatious woman he meets at a bar ends up being his roommate's mother.  As you can imagine, things can only go downhill from there.


This is Andrew McCarthy's film debut, who would co-star again with Rob Lowe two years later in the 1985 classic,  St. Elmo's Fire (another great film).  Class may not be the wittiest comedy of the 80s, but its an enjoyably awesome preppy time capsule worth watching.

Metronomy

Image via Because

When it comes to my musical tastes, as you might have noticed from my previous posts and playlists, it's certainly eclectic and constantly evolving.  Lately I've been enjoying a lot of electronic stuff, and can't stop watching this video by London based Metronomy called "The Bay".  Speaking of eclectic, the influences on their latest album, The English Riviera, are off the charts - think Devo meets Empire of the Sun meets N.E.R.D..


The wide coastal shots and the band's discernible nautical style (the bassist really rocks the Clubmasters), makes for an enjoyable 4 minutes as we bid farewell to the summer weather here in the Northeast.  Enjoy!

Wardrobe Direction

August Playlist: Jibing

Jibe-ho!

The Crossing of the Waters

Ah, it's that time of year again, when despite Mother Nature's best efforts, the apparel industry insists that we switch gears to the colder months ahead.  With Fall/Winter 2011 previews abound, I have been enjoying the flow of creativity, as many companies continue to expand their lifestyle branding.


One preview that particularly caught my eye was the short film "The Crossing of the Waters" by photographer Oliver Pilcher, which is actually originally from A/W '09, but is still airing on the UK menswear brand D.S. Dundee site.  


Set in the Highland countryside, the story follows a wise man and his horse as he narrates in appropriate Scottish brogue, based on the poem by Scottish author, Patrick Gordon Duff Pennington.  The words are beautiful and the imagery is equally as stunning.  Paired with classic British styling, this is one to turn the volume up!

The Blazer: The Story of an Icon

Due to the overwhelming response to my post on A Brief History of the Bass Weejun a few months back, I wanted to continue this tradition by bringing you interesting tidbits of sartorial history.  I think this stuff is way cool and love researching it; hopefully you'll learn a thing or two along the way.  Let's begin with the basics - the blazer.


There is nothing as quintessential to every man's wardrobe than the classic navy blazer.  While the modern blazer comes in a variety of cuts, patterns, and styles the original came in one fit and color.  Here's a hint: it wasn't blue.

May Bumps Garden Party at Lady Margaret Boat Club

The term originated from the crimson jackets worn by members of the Lady Margaret Boat Club of St. John's College, Cambridge.  The 'blaze' of vibrant color gave rise to the term blazer, which became popular club dress throughout 19th century Britain.  By the 1880s striped blazers, usually in club colors, gained popularity in cricket, tennis, and boating.

Early American blazers
 via Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser

By the 1920s, style savvy American men sported nautical blue and white pinstripe and solid color 'sport coats' to events and during leisure activities.  Double breasted versions appeared as well, influenced by the reefer jackets worn by the British navy, similar to the modern pea coat.  By the 30s a variety of other solid colors became fashionable from pastel blues to hunter greens, yet navy established itself as the preferred work to weekend color of choice.

Image via Rugby

While today the navy blazer still reigns supreme, heritage inspired jackets are making a comeback, such as this cricket jacket in the Rugby fall 2011 collection.  No matter two or three buttons, madras or tweed, crimson or navy, the blazer is a classic and will continue to define men's style for generations to come.

Creed 1760

Image via Creed

Opening it's signature black bottle, the subtle yet masculine aroma of Green Irish Tweed takes you back to the golden days when Hollywood was the epicenter of style and elegance.  Even though those times have sadly past, you can at least still smell like a true gentleman, as Green Irish Tweed was formulated especially for the king of class himself, Cary Grant.


The Creed family tradition of perfumery has been passed down from father to son since its founding by James Henry Creed in 1760.  Priding itself for its hand infusing technique and use of the finest natural ingredients, Creed fragrances have been prized for centuries by royalty and film stars alike.

George III c. 1800
Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images
 via Britannica

What I find especially awesome about the company is that it still produces every fragrance it has ever made, even its Royal English Leather commissioned in 1781 by King George III.  As the story goes, Creed was the royal tailor and scented the King's gloves with a signature scent.  The King enjoyed the smell so much, he requested a fragrance for the body and the Creed legacy was born.


I'm a huge fan of GIT because of its history, versatility, and subtlety, but instead of jumping head in and making the $285 investment (trust me it's well worth it), I suggest trying out one of their $35 sample packs of five featured fragrances.  Alternatively, you can experience for yourself at the Creed Boutique at 794 Madison Ave in New York.

"Everyone wants to be Cary Grant.  Even I want to be Cary Grant." --Cary Grant 

Pinterest Virtual Pinboard

I am obsessed with this site!  Pinterest is a place where you can create online inspiration boards using everything you love on the web.  The website's goal is simple - "to connect everyone in the world through the things they find interesting."  It's a great way to organize your thoughts, and for visual people like me, seeing everything together looks awesome. 

My Inspiration Board

To promote a sense of community, new users must be invited by current users or they can request an invite from the site (the easier option).  Once you're in, it is incredibly easy to get started by installing the bookmarking tool and surfing the web.


Another cool feature is the ability to search other people's boards and "following" them.  If you find something you really like on another board, just simply "re-pin" it to your own board.  


My first board is a collection of things that inspire me and define my personal style acting as a complement to my blog.  I invite you to check out mine and encourage you to make your own. Get pinning!

MS & Co. Selvedge Denim Sleeves

Throughout my everyday travels I come across many people, places, and things that inspire me.  To be sure I remember everything, I never leave the house without my Field Notes pocket ledger.  However, even after a few months of good use, the cover and binding begin to show obvious wear.


Lucky for me the folks at MS & Co. have solved this conundrum in a functional and stylish way.  Introducing the Selvedge Denim Field Notes Sleeve.  Using quality Cone Denim produced by the historic American White Oak Plant since 1905, the sleeve pairs supreme durability with a cool classic aesthetic.

Images via MS & Co.

The Portland based company doesn't stop there - they offer selvedge sleeves for all your most important accessories i.e. Iphone, passport, sunglasses, and Ipad.  Very cool indeed!

Beirut: The Rip Tide

Image via beirutband.com

To salut Beirut's brilliant new album The Rip Tide, which came out earlier this week, here is one of my all time favorite songs and music videos of his called "Postcards from Italy."  There is something about the nostalgic quality, mixing old and new footage, and its hauntingly beautiful tone that always bring me back.

On Art & Style

Jack Wills in America

jackwills.com

Recently I was walking down Main St. in Westport, CT on one of those aimless shopping excursions just to get out of the house, when I noticed a new addition to the variety of familiar shops lining the street.  The sign above the door read "Jack Wills University Outfitters."  Somewhat intrigued, I walked past admiring the preppy fall outfits featured on the mannequins in the display window.  I decided to venture inside and browse the merchandise...


I was greeted by a girl in a pleasant floral sundress and encouraged to look around the tiny retail space.  The selection somewhat puzzled and intrigued me - amidst tee shirts and hoodies with branding and logos galore (à la Abercrombie & Fitch) were iconic British heritage garments.  What particularly caught my eye was a pair of hand made Oxford Brogues amidst an array of vintage trophies.  Also of note were the wool blazers in collaboration with the venerable Fox Brothers & Co., purveyors of "the finest handmade woolen cloth in the world" and founded in 1772.  The traditional British clothier Cordings of London also collaborated on some of the pants and jackets, which I was impressed by.  Check out this cool production video at the historic NPS shoe factory making the brogues...




I began chatting with another employee, who fittingly had a British accent, and found out that the store had only opened the day prior and that the popular "Fabulously British" company had been making a push within the last couple of years to open to the American market in locations ranging from Nantucket to Charlottesville.


Claiming on its website to purport "excess, adventure, and sexiness," I'm not sure Jack Wills is hitting its demographic in Westport, nonetheless, with the array of interesting preppy inspired garments and brand novelty, I'm sure it will do just fine.  Here is the JW Back to School Preview.




Relying mainly on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising techniques, with only a handful of locations nationwide, the company's marketing platform relies on its printed catalogue and seasonal events called JW Seasonnaires, such as the Jack Wills Varsity Polo Match, which took place this past June at the Gaurds Polo Club.  Here are the 2011 highlights...




On a final note, check out Jack Will's older brother line called Aubin & Wills, a similar idea but geared towards an older crowd.  The blog on the website is worth a visit, and there are plenty of other things to explore on the site.  For the time being here in the US we'll give Jack a go.