Argyle & Gingham

Walk-Over Derby 100's Unboxing

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:10:46 -0400

With a little help from ShoeLine and The Good Girl Gone Blog, these came in the mail last week. I took of the lid and quickly realized that the unboxing was worth capturing. Perhaps the Internet’s first shoe unboxing?

Requisite felt travel bag is expected…

… but a love letter?

… and a secret gift?

Ah. Spare laces and kilties.

A little skin…

Yeeeaaah.

These aren’t quite the blue suede shoes Elvis was talking about.

I’ve been wearing them around the office with the blue laces. I admire the use of a traditional design with just a little bit of a contemporary edge. The neon green sole really is a surprise, so I figure it better to let it have its moment. And the kilties… I’m pretty sure you have to be a southern rapper to pull those off these days.

Even though I’ve worn these mostly in a business casual environment, they’d definitely be at their unexpected best paired with a grey suit.

i've really enjoyed what you've done with your tumblr, and I see you've gone silent for a while, hope you haven't given up.

Chris

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:09:40 -0500

Chris — I don’t think I’ve given up, but that life thing has been occupying my time quite a bit lately. And there was a vacation in there for a while. I’m looking to come up for air sometime this weekend!

General Knot &. Co.

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:21:27 -0500

Do it. Do it now. (via @goodgrlgoneblog)

I’m really feelin’ two-tone ties these days. Not much else can so quickly and distinctly say, “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Rugby + sport coat. Dash of green.

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:38:46 -0500

Rugby + sport coat. Dash of green.

Wuhhuh?

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:56:47 -0500

I got somewhat around 20 new followers over the weekend and I can’t seem to figure out why.

To the new folks, I have two questions: what brought you here and what do you want to see?

Cheers.

Photo

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:29:16 -0500

The only jeans you need

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:41:00 -0500

The only jeans you need:

Valet Mag put together a nice write-up of the only four pairs of denim you need to own: dark (raw selvedge works best here), light and casual, black or grey, and white (!). That last one is definitely a personal preference thing. Check out the link for the complete overview.

I’ve been living in a a par of straight leg indigo raw for months now. This pair is one of those articles of clothing you find that fits so well and looks so right that anything similar you own falls into the background.

For the record, no, they’ve yet to be washed. When the funk set in, I folded the jeans with some strategically-placed dryer sheets and placed them in the freezer for an overnight. Worked stunningly well.

Perhaps the only way you can rock a double collar

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:27:53 -0500

You only see 1.5 square inch of tie, but what a difference, amirite?

30x30 Day 11—15: ¡✭!COMBO¡✭!

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:19:00 -0500

SO… I took the week of Thanksgiving off and started the new tradition of Drinking White Russians at 11:30 While Mother is out Doing Errands the Tuesday Before Thanksgiving (DWR1130WMDETBT for those who need twitter-friendly acronyms). Coincidentally, this is also the ✭PERFECT✭ time to do a long post of the last FIVE days of 30 x 30 ensembles.

Why the long delay? Much like the turkey I’ll be mouthifying in a few days, certain things need at least 8 hours in a salt water brine. Waitwhat?

Read on. Caution: slightly crunk steez.

Day 11

Why the face? Well its Friday, and I’m going to work, and I’m postin’ up for a photo at 8am before coffee. That’s why.

Also, I think the sweater + jacket are a subtle play with neutrals, which I really wouldn’t have thought of if it weren’t for this challenge, much like the great corduroy pairing for 11/11.

30x30 items:

Grey sport coat: J. Crew
Beige sweater: J. Crew
Shirt: French Connection
Jeans: Burberry
Shoes: J.M. Weston*

Accoutremonts:

Bag: Jack Spade

* These J.M. Weston beauties (better viewed here, the first pair) were the first pair of shoes that helped me understand the impact of a quality shoe. They’re comfortable, fixable ($45 for a new heal and soles), and look worn but new with a little bit of polish. A lucky find for $80 at Second Time Around. To this day, I have no idea what the model are or what year they were made, so any insight would be much appreciated!

Day 12

Saturday was Beer Summit from 12:30 — 4. I’m the one in the middle.

30x30 Items:

Grey sport coat: J. Crew
Blue button-up shirt: United Colors of Benetton
Jeans: Burberry
Boots: Clarks Desert Boots

Accoutremonts:

Scarf: French Connection
Lapel sticker: Southern Tier, who make this outstanding mocha stout.

Day 13

Hmm?

30x30 Items:

Orange sweater: Ben Sherman
Navy button-up shirt: Banana Republic
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Allen-Edmons McAllister

Accoutremonts:

Navy pea coat: Nautica
Scarf: Ben Sherman

Day 14

30x30 Items:

Great sport coat: J. Crew
Chambray shirt: Cohesive & Co.
Jeans: Burberry
Shoes: Steve Madden

Accoutremonts:

Tie: Gant by Michael Bastian (yeah this exact $145 item I snagged for $40 on eBay… even Moms noticed the quality construction of this bad boy)
Belt: Naked & Famous 7mm (not pictured)

Day 15

30x30 Items:

Navy button-up: Banana Republic
Chinos: Save Khaki

Accoutremonts:

Drink: Good Morning White Russian (Van Gogh Double Espresso, Coffee, half & half)
Watch: Plastic chic
Shoes: n/a (not allowed in FL)

30x30 Day 10: Timewarp

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:26:40 -0500

Alana was out and about so I had to take this picture myself, on my iPhone. The neat thing about the iPhone 4 compared to the older models is that you can stand it up on a flat surface. Then find yourself a nice camera app with a self timer for a self-photo shoot. Of course, lighting is an issue with such a low-fi camera, so some nice processing via Instagram makes it look like this is a photo of my younger self recovered from the attic.

The old-timeyness is what made me think up the title for this post, then I quickly realized the look has a lot of vintage character to it: the waistcoat, the chambray, the impossibly skinny tie. And you can’t see it here easily, but I’m wearing Swims over my AE’s; the modern day galosh.

30x30 Items:

Waistcoat: Ben Sherman
Chambray shirt: Cohesive & Co.
Chinos: Save Khaki
Shoes: Allen-Edmonds McAllister

Accoutrements:

Tie: Top Man
Belt: Allen-Edmonds
Galoshes: Swims

And one more thing on timewarping: Day 9 happened, but the photoshoot never did, so we’ve fast-forwarded!

30x30 Day 8: #9 and #29

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:00:50 -0500

In my initial 30 for 30 declaration post, I alluded to a missing garment. Behold, garment No. 29: an argyle knit vest from Rugby, best enjoyed with a Magic Hat #9.

Whenever drinking, please dress responsibly.

30x30 Items:

Argyle knit vest: Rugby
Shirt: Uniqlo
Tie: J. Crew
Denim: Burberry Indigo Selvedge
Shoes: Allen-Edmonds McAllister
Socks: Happy Socks

30x30 Day 8 Teaser

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:39:00 -0500

30x30 Day 8 Teaser

30x30 Day 7: Untucked Sunday

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:11:00 -0500

IMHO, rules are meant to be creatively broken, but you can’t break them successfully without understanding them first. Friday I preached about Rule 21, but two days later I went out of the house with my Gant Rugger checked plaid untucked and half unbuttoned. And that was that.

30x30 Items:

Shirt: Gant Rugger
Sport coat: Lands’ End Canvas
Pants: J. Crew
Boots: Red Wing Moc Toe

Accoutrements:

Bag: Jack Spade

30x30 Days 5 & 6: Staples

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:52:22 -0500

Raw denim and a favorite scarf, back to back.

Day 5 30x30 Items

Shirt: Ben Sherman
Jacket: Lands End Canvas
Denim: Burberry
Shoes: J.M. Weston

Day 6 30x30 Items

Shirt: United Colors of Benneton
Jacket: J. Crew
Denim: Burberry
Shoes: Clarks

How to Dress for the Weekend

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:44:33 -0500

How to Dress for the Weekend:

It’s Friday, so you might need this (via Esquire).

Rule #21 is probably the most beneficial of them all:

21. There is nothing so wrong with one’s appearance that can’t be improved, however slightly, by tucking in one’s shirt and standing up straight.

Most of these come right out of The Rules, which is one of the more perfect bathroom readers of our time.

30x30 Day 4: Corduriffic

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:18:27 -0500

11/11 was international corduroy day. I complied. And I’m pretty sure I would have never thought up this combination if it wasn’t for the creative constraints set by the challenge. I love a good mix of texture, pattern, and color.

30x30 Items:

Navy button-up shirt: J. Crew
Waistcoat: Express Men
Maroon cords: J. Crew
Wingtips: Allen-Edmonds McAllister

Accessories:

Tie: Original Penguin
Tie bar: The Tie Bar
Trench: Dior

30x30 Day 3

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:25:49 -0500

The Boston rain meant boots for sure. I had a bit more of a hipster/mod streak going on this time last year when I found these Abington Guide boots in black on sale. But now that I dress like a grown-up, I’m feeling them less and less. Might be time for something w/ more of an Italian cut, ya?

30x30 Picks:

Plaid shirt: H&M
Chinos: Save Khaki
Boots: Timberland Abington

Accessories:

Wool tie: The Tie Bar
Tie bar: The Tie Bar
Belt: Naked & Famous 7mm

BONUS ROUND: I did some image editing here, not for color correction but because I just didn’t like something about my pose. Can you spot the Photoshopping?

(30x30 Day 4 teaser) 11/11 is international corduroy day. Why?...

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:59:00 -0500

(30x30 Day 4 teaser) 11/11 is international corduroy day. Why? 11/11 sorta looks like a narrow waling, doesn’t it? Given the date of this time next year, I think I ought to start looking for that three-piece cord suit.

#30x30 Day 2: High society blows

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:57:00 -0500

Alana and I found our way to a one-year anniversary of a swank boston restaurant. The reception was overcrowded and each tray of hors d’oeuvres lasted about 12.5 seconds, but two glasses of champagne and some pinot noir made it a decent experience.

And the lady that must have been, without a doubt, Mrs. Havisham, made for some interesting people-watching.

30x30 items:

Sport coat: J. Crew Ludlow
Waistcoat: Ben Sherman
Shirt: Ben Sherman
Jeans: Burberry Indigo Selvedge
Shoes: Allen-Edmonds McAllister

Accessories:

Tie: vintage from Oona’s in Harvard Square
Tie bar: vintage from the SoWa Open Market
Watch: Plastic Chic

Napkin tie: for the bespoke but spill-prone gourmand

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:34:26 -0500

Napkin tie: for the bespoke but spill-prone gourmand:

Argyle & Gingham

Walk-Over Derby 100's Unboxing

i've really enjoyed what you've done with your tumblr, and I see you've gone silent for a while, hope you haven't given up. Chris

General Knot &. Co.

Rugby + sport coat. Dash of green.

Wuhhuh?

Photo

The only jeans you need

Perhaps the only way you can rock a double collar

30x30 Day 11—15: ¡✭!COMBO¡✭!

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

30x30 Day 10: Timewarp

30x30 Day 8: #9 and #29

30x30 Day 8 Teaser

30x30 Day 7: Untucked Sunday

30x30 Days 5 & 6: Staples

How to Dress for the Weekend

30x30 Day 4: Corduriffic

30x30 Day 3

(30x30 Day 4 teaser) 11/11 is international corduroy day. Why?...

#30x30 Day 2: High society blows

Napkin tie: for the bespoke but spill-prone gourmand

i've really enjoyed what you've done with your tumblr, and I see you've gone silent for a while, hope you haven't given up.

Chris