Green Day

Let’s mix things up this year and stay away from green novelty t-shirts with slogans like “My lucky charm” or “Rub me for luck”. Trust us, they won’t get you any kisses whether you’re Irish or not. If you are feeling festive try a button-up with a green print or pattern that you can wear any other day of the year paired with a sharp pair of dark denim. Or you can go the more subtle route and (sham)rock some green accessories like a smart pair of sneakers or a watch with a green band. That way the cutie at the bar can pinch you by pretending not to see your green. Cheers, the next round of green beer is on us.

Source: http://childrenwithswag.tumblr.com/

Just because its Halloween doesn’t mean you have to spend $50 on a costume that you’ll never wear again. Instead try the D.I.Y, home-made version with individual quality pieces that you can mix and match into your existing wardrobe. So even though you decided to be Dexter Morgan on Oct 31, you’ll still get plenty of attention being yourself the rest of the year.

Eye Candy: These black military inspired rag & bone boots are great for this outfit but also a stylish addition to your fall ensembles.

Shirt: J.Crew
Pants: Todd Snyder ‘Officer’ Wool Cargo Pants
Gloves: John W. Nordstrom
Boots: rag & bone ‘Officer’ Boot
Apron & Headmask: Costume props

Just because you’re going apple picking doesn’t mean you have to go rustic.

Put on some practical but stylish threads and make sure that you shake, squeeze, and test the firmness so you always get the ripest fruit from the orchard…

Sunglasses: Ray Ban Wayfarers

Watch: Orvis

Shoes: Lunargrand Chukka

Jacket: Club Monaco

Shirt: BTNS

Jeans: THVM

Iphone Case: Jack Spade

Turning a new leaf: The leaves may be changing colors soon but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to do a complete 180. Taking your clothes from summer to fall is often as easy as adding a couple of layers. A lightweight sweater or cardigan is an easy add-on for that brisk morning walk through the park with your pup. And when your dog catches that cute jogger’s eye, you’ll be sure to get some attention too.

Alternative Apparel: The great American college sweatshirt will always have a sacred place in our wardrobes, but for that extra touch of class this fall try adding some lightweight wool sweaters to the mix.

Sunglasses: Ray Bans

Sweater: Bridge & Burn

Watch: Omega

Shoes: Nike

Shorts: life/after/denim

Jacket: Jack Spade

Picnic in the Park: The best dates require more planning and less money.

So pack some light bites and a bottle of champagne, grab a blanket and your boo, and settle down for an afternoon of getting cozy in the shade. Bring a soft shirt to encourage touching and a light jacket to share as the sun starts to set. And if you remembered the candles or chocolate covered strawberries, too, you have just set the tone for the rest of the night.

Be Prepared, Scout: For whatever the weather may bring and wherever the night may lead, a light sweater and jacket will ensure you’re ready for almost anything.

Shirt: Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen

Sunglasses: Ray Bans

Jacket: Baracuta

Shoes: Puma

Jeans: THVM

Buying a suit is serious business, especially if you’ve never done it before. While the suiting game isn’t something we really cover in-depth at Complex, we do believe that a guy should have at least one or two in his closet—whether for special occasions or those times when you just wanna stunt. But don’t go jumping in any department store blind—you need to have a couple of things down pat before you drop serious dough on a suit.

The most important thing you need to know about? Fit. That’s why we consulted the experts at SuitSupply about the stuff every guy should learn prior to pulling the trigger. If anyone knows how to balance quality, affordability, and construction, it’s them. Learn something valuable by clicking through our Infographic: How To Buy A Suit.

Suit Credits:
Single Breasted Suit: Napoli Navy Plain
Buy It Now at SuitSupply, $469
Double Breasted Suit: SuitSupply x Park & Bond Deconstructed Double Breasted Suit
Buy It Now at Park & Bond, $569
Three-Piece Suit: Washington 3P Light Grey Plain
Buy It Now at SuitSupply, $569

Check it out on Complex Style

Back to School: Because everyone wants to be the teacher’s pet.

Remember when fall signaled the first day of school, sharpened pencils, a fresh pair of shoes, and some new school clothes? We may have graduated from school lunches and math homework, but dressing well to make a great first impression is still the golden rule. A few Ivy-inspired elements like saddle oxfords and varsity jackets will keep you looking put-together, because ‘smart’ never goes out of style.

Get framed: No need to let your face suffer the indignity of cheap, unflattering glasses. For both sun and sight, check WarbyParker.com for a great selection of affordable, stylish eye wear.

laptop case: Jack Spade

eyeglasses: Warby Parker

shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown

pants: Life/after/denim

shirt: Jack Spade

jacket: Thom Browne

We love life after denim’s Tournament Crew in black olive available in fall unscruff boxes.

Rebecca’s Birthday: You may not know the birthday girl well…

… but at least you get free cake and a chance to meet her cute friends. Make sure to dress up for the occasion with a nice pair of dark jeans, serious shoes, and a button-up with the sleeves rolled. It’s an understated outfit that will help you outshine the rest of the fellas at the party (just try not to outshine the birthday girl).

Cheers / salud / prost: Never show up empty handed to a party. In most cases, a nice bottle of wine is a courteous and appropriate gift for the birthday girl or hostess. Bonus points for knowing her favorite varietal.

Shirt: life/after/denim

Sweater: Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen

Jeans: Skargorn

Shoes: Grenson

Watch: Nixon

Belt: Apolis Global

The General Rules:

1. The longer a stain remains, the harder it is to get rid of.
2. Always treat a stain before throwing it in the wash.
3. Blot or dab gently — never rub or scrub.
4. Avoid spilling on neckties. The bias cut and delicate fabrics make ties impossible to clean.

But as for those cotton shirts and wool pants:

Lipstick: Blot with a baby wipe or a washcloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Blood: If it’s fresh, blot repeatedly with cold water, an ice cube, or club soda; if it’s dried, use a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution.

Oil: Cover with talc or baby powder immediately and allow it to sit at least a half hour. Then brush it off, apply a stain remover (such as Spray n’ Wash), and wash in the hottest water the fabric can stand.

Ink: On cotton, apply rubbing alcohol to the spot, then wash. On polyester, spray liberally with hair spray and pat with a clean, dry cloth. Then wash.

Red wine: Douse with salt, dunk in cold water, blot until the stain disappears, and wash as soon as possible. If you’re at dinner and unable to strip down, soak the spot with club soda and get home to your washing machine ASAP.

Sweat stains (a special case):

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not your sweat itself that causes yellow stains. Most experts agree that that culprit behind your yellow pits is the aluminum used in antiperspirants combined with your sweat.

OxiClean – All you have to do is fill up a sink with warm water and mix it with one scoop of OxiClean. Place your blighted shirt in the sink, making sure the yellow stains are completely submerged. For mild stains, just let the shirt sit for an hour.

Summary:

Immediately
• Right when the stain occurs, use a stain remover pen or dab the stain with seltzer water.

Before you wash

• Treat the stain before you throw it in the wash.
• Try a stain remover spray on the affected area and then soak the item of clothing in a tub of water for a couple hours. Then throw it in the wash with the rest of your laundry.

After you wash

• Wash something again if the stain is still present.
• Do not put it in the dryer if the stain is still there because putting it in dryer could set the stain.

Sources:

http://artofmanliness.com/2012/04/03/how-to-remove-yellow-armpit-stains/

http://www.esquire.com/style/tips/clothing-stain-removal-tips

by megan | on July 18th, 2012

When it comes to clothes, I tend to get distracted by the seemingly little things. Maybe it’s the time I spent as “visual merchandiser” for Abercrombie & Fitch in college, aka, mannequin dresser. There were books – literally huge binders – you’d get from HQ every time the displays on the tables and at the front of the store had to be changed. Every detail was called out and explained how to do just so – every cuffed pant, every rakishly thrown open collar, every layered bracelet. No look happened by accident.

Maybe that’s why my eye flits to the excessive break in a pair of pants, the suit jacket with all the buttons buttoned. Not to say us ladies don’t make style mistakes (we do, constantly), but I think more of us know these little styling tips and tricks from…well, from where? Working at the mall growing up? Maybe magazines? Probably most of all from trading tips with our friends, chatting at brunch.

“Hey, how do you make your hair do that swooping thing in front?” “How do you cuff your pants like you have them now?”

I can’t really see guys having these same conversations while watching the game.

So I thought I’d throw a little knowledge your way on styling tips from time to time. Without further ado, here’s how to roll your shirt sleeves up for that “Oh this old thing?” look we love:

1. Unbutton your cuffs. If your shirt fits looser on your arm, keep the gauntlet button buttoned to ensure the upcoming folds stay tight against your arm. If the shirt hugs your arm more closely, leave it unbuttoned to allow the fold to go over your elbow without cutting off circulation.

2. Fold the shirt sleeve back to the uppermost part of your arm where you eventually want the top of the fold to sit, usually a little above the elbow.

3. Fold this initial fold nearly in half, leaving the cuff on the original fold peeking out. Tug at the ends a bit and rumple the material so it looks like you did it quickly.

(4. Open cold beer, bask in nonchalant-but-elegant look, welcome admiring glances from women in surrounding vicinity)

Q: Hey unscruff, can you write an article on to how to properly wash our clothes!? Jeans, shirts, polos, etc

A: Lots of guys take care of clothes as they did back in high school — they treat it like a chore. But you’re a grown man now and taking care of your clothes is a good way to save your hard earned money and help you look better in the process.

Washing your clothes properly is only half the battle. We’d like to take this opportunity to give you our two cents about washing and then taking care of all your clothing essentials.

First and foremost, you have to separate your work and play clothes (your suits vs. typical jeans, shirts, polos, etc).

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SUITS
• Dry clean your suits twice a year (once every 6 months) unless you went a little too hard at a friend’s wedding last night (which requires a prompt trip to your trusty local dry cleaners).
• For day-to-day wear, brush your suit with a lint brush and dap out light stains with tonic or soda water.
• Unless a beautiful woman is taking your suit off, you have 5 minutes to spare to hang your suit up after work. This prevents un-wanted wrinkles and creases that will settle in if you leave your suit in a heap on the floor.
• ***Invest in pant hangers with a bar or clips and hang your pants from the bottom hem for 24 hours to let gravity even things out for you.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING ELSE

• Read the care labels. You never know when the manufacturer recommends that you dry clean something or suggests that you wash it under special settings.
• It’s safe to say that you can throw most of your everyday wear clothing into the wash. For jeans, shirts, and polos, machine wash with cold water and dry on low or medium setting in the dryer. Always hang your clothes up right after to prevent unwanted odors from mildew.
• Work button-ups can be taken to the dry-cleaners and typically only costs $1.50/shirt for laundry service. But if that’s adding up for you, throw them in the wash (cold water, low setting) and dryer (low/medium) and immediately shake them out and hang them so they don’t wrinkle.
• Sweaters are a bit more durable and can go longer without being washed. You can get away with dry cleaning wool sweaters twice a year, and always be sure to wash them before storing for the summer.
• For daily maintenance, lay sweaters on a flat surface or on the back of a chair to let them air out. You can also use febreeze or rub them over with a dryer sheet to keep it smelling fresh. Remember to fold and store your sweaters (instead of hanging them up) so that gravity doesn’t warp its fit. And if you do end up throwing a sweater in the wash, opt out of the dryer and air dry it on the rack for a couple hours.
• NOTE: If you believe that an item of clothing should be washed or dried under delicate settings then its safer to just take it to the cleaners.
• Lastly, keep in mind you should try to wear raw denim for as long as you can without washing them. Typically wait at least 6 months, 10-12 months ideally, without washing them.

Next week we’ll go more in depth with how to tackle stains. Hopefully this answered your question of how to properly wash and take care of your clothes. Feel free to email unscruff at HeyNow@unscruff.com with any questions you may have about style, life, or just drop us a line on twitter or facebook.

-the unscruff team

Last chance to WIN $350 of men’s clothes from unscruff & Kimmy Erin
Enter & share: http://bit.ly/KExUNS

Glasses and sunglasses are details that women love to notice. So finding the right pair that brings out your natural features shouldn’t be overlooked. Men’s Health Style gives you a great breakdown of how to think about buying a pair:

Ever try on a pair of glasses you thought you really liked, but then taken them off immediately once you caught your reflection? Most likely, those stunner shades were just the wrong shape for your face. With so many options out there, it’s not easy to decide what will look best on you (just a hint: the go-to aviator frame may be universal, but widths can vary). Here, we get technical about face shapes to help you pick the right glasses for your look.

The Square Face

A square-shaped face is characterized by a prominent forehead and strong jaw line. The length and width of the square face is usually about equal, and the chin is angular.

Frame it: Glasses with soft, round lines or minimal frames will look best on your square mug. Oval or circular frames will be a nice contrast, but nearly rimless horizontal frames can also help play up your strong features.

Photo: Paul Smith frames ($340, paulsmith.co.uk)

The Round Face

The round face is also characterized by an equal length and width, but with much softer angles. Cheeks are usually full on a round-shaped face, and facial features are often delicate.

Frame it: Slightly angular and rectangular frames will help add length to a round face. High temples on your glasses will be slimming as well. Square-ish frames are fine, but avoid anything with overly harsh lines that will only emphasize roundness.

Photo: Warby Parker frames ($95, warbyparker.com)

The Oval Face

Oval faces are the most common and versatile. The chin is slightly narrower than the forehead, and proportions are balanced overall. High cheekbones are a typical feature of oval-shaped faces.

Frame it: Just about any frame can work with an oval-shaped face, so find the style you feel most comfortably rocking. Choose frames that are broader than the widest part of your face and avoid anything that unbalances your proportions. Remember: Your eyes should sit in the center of the glasses, not too close to the top or bottom.

Photo: Oliver Peoples frames ($440, oliverpeoples.com)

The Heart Face

A wide forehead, narrow chin, and high cheekbones characterize the heart face. The jaw line is narrow as well, making this a tricky face to frame.

Frame it: Rounder frames will help balance the wide forehead. Because this shape can be difficult to complement with frames, consider rimless glasses, too.

Photo: Ray Ban frames ($160, lenscrafters.com)

unscruff tip: Be bold. Often your sunglasses and glasses are the first thing that people see so you might as well give them something to look at. Don’t go too crazy with too many prints and colors but a nice solid black or tortoise shell frame is always a good move.

Read more at Men’s Health: http://www.menshealth.com/style/frames-face#ixzz24UuGGy4j

Your pants are too short if your socks show when you walk. Wear the shoes you wear to work so your tailor gets the exact length

BTNS Clothing

Inexpensive & colorful Knockaround Sunglasses can be more stylish than expensive & boring.

Also a great way to show some USA pride for the Olympics 2012.

Experienced and skilled in the art of shirt design, BTNS founders had a very clear vision in mind: to make affordable, contemporary shirts that any man would love to wear every day. They wanted to create a men’s brand built on three strong keystones; quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

 BTNS’ range features a variety of silhouettes and wide selection of patterns, made of all natural cotton fabrics, including plaids, checks, solid classic fabrics and stripes. Each style has been crafted with attention to detail with over dyes, tints and special finishing washes. The shirt fits are slim to regular for casual styling and a comfortable feel. 

Brand Spotlight Video: life/after/denim 

by unscruff

Shot by Andrew Casey & Michael Kershner. Edited by Michael Kershner. It gives a glimpse into one of LA’s coolest up and coming brands and how they think about style. 

unscruff is teaming up with celebrity stylist Kimmy Erin to giveaway over $350 of men’s clothes for free! Hit the jump to read more and learn how to enter…

Guys. This is HUGE! I’m partnering with the fine fellows at unscruff.com on an exciting giveaway! One super lucky gent will win $350 of free men’s clothes curated by unscruff.com!  They carry some of the absolute best brands for men, and you get incredible bargains on clothes picked especially for you, on your budget, and best yet, they’re delivered straight to your door! No stores, no ugly fitting rooms, no annoying sales girls. You’ll basically be getting this seasonal service for free! I can promise that this service might change/simplify your life in ways you never thought possible.

unscruff is brilliant: based on your unique tastes, their Style Team hand-picks clothes for you. They send you 4 boxes of clothes per year, at the start of the spring, summer, fall, and winter. unscruff also offers style advice to help you to look your best for dates, informal work settings, and social events where first impressions matter.

Shipping is free both ways. Returns and exchanges are easy.

Wanna win a box of free clothes, picked FOR YOU, right!?! There are four ways to enter and you can enter more than once! In fact, the more you share, the more points and entries you get. You can enter by following the link below and don’t forget to reblog!

ENTER GIVEAWAY NOW

A three-way on hump day. How appropriate. 

Life/After/Denim Offshore Blazer

Casual Saturday:
Polo: Sunspel
Shorts: Uniqlo
Shoes: Adidas

Date Night:
Jeans: Jack Spade
Shirt: Steven Alan
Shoes: Florsheim

Art Walk:
Pocket Square: Rogue Territory
Shirt: Jack Spade
Pants: Topman
Shoes: Bass

No socks? No problem. Just wash and dry your feet every day & apply baby or talcum powder to soak up sweat.

So the focus is on your shoes. Not the smell.

Brand Spotlight: life/after/denim

Life/after/denim is a collection designed in Los Angeles and reflects the comfortable, laid-back lifestyle. They found the inspiration for the company by trying to set themselves apart from an inundated market of denim. Fashion was flooded with premium denim, contemporary collections, and designer diffusion lines. Life/after/denim craved something classic, yet interesting. Quality, yet attainable.

A little known fact about life/after/denim is their parent company manufactures for J. Crew, but they seek to create their own name and brand. The pieces are stylish and well-made but that is where the similarities end. Life/after/denim has created their own idea of basic everyday menswear that is unique and affordable. Staples that every guy should have in his closet that he can wear with his own favorite pair of denim. 

Products:

Cypress Point Shirt
Heather Twill Check (with Jersey lining)
100% Cotton
Nautical Blue Blazed

Isle Shirt Shipwrecked Plaid
100% Cotton Double Cloth
Stoned

Lletyon Short
Herringbone
100% Cotton
Desert

Great video about his unscruff unboxing experience. Check it out!

Awesome. Rory, you are definitely one of our favorite customers with all your #swag.

my-city-life:

Gentlemen, if you haven’t signed up for unscruff.com do it now.

Pictures of the grab once it arrives.

A weekend three-way. What’s your favorite position? 

Sol Angeles Waves Slub Polo in Bocce

Casual Saturday:
Belt: Brooks Brothers
Pants: Riviera Club
Shoes: Nike

Date Night:
Sweater: Club Monaco
Jeans: Club Monaco
Shoes: Quoddy

SOL ANGELES: MADE IN LOS ANGELES

by WE / ARE / PORTAL

WE / ARE / PORTAL’s Rob Powell shot, edited, and directed this short intro piece for the Sol Angeles Relaunch event. It gives a glimpse of the workers and the effort that goes into making their garments wholly in Los Angeles.

The best length for boardshorts is a couple inches above the knee to avoid extra billowy cloth that bubbles up underwater.

We kind of wish we were at the pool right now.

Sol Angeles graphic tees $48

Brand Spotlight: Sol Angeles

Cut & sewn with care in downtown Los Angeles, Sol Angeles is known for their signature t-shirts and unique graphics. They offer a full collection of extremely comfortable lifestyle clothing. 

It was all started by husband-and-wife design duo Eli and Lindsey Myers, who are also behind The Fortunate Sun. Sol Angeles is all about comfortable but cool tees that you won’t want to take off.

 The Sol Angeles Wave emblem serves as a visual reminder of the proximity of the ocean and its influence on the Californian lifestyle. 

Brand Spotlight: Jeremiah

Established in 2007, Jeremiah presents classic Americana, outdoor-inspired, premium men’s and women’s clothing. Jeremiah provides all-American comfort and style with first-class design and construction.

 Jeremiah’s collection features intrepid classics with fashion-forward details and treatments. Jeremiah takes to the open road incorporating clean, masculine pieces, adding quality touches to high-end natural fabrics finished with specialty washes, premium hardware, and vintage-inspired design.

Pack lightly for the weekend. Only bring the essentials. 

girlsack

Sideboob Saturday. National Holiday in the works.

wilburandco:

Nixon wrist candy

Gramercy Clothing Company 

by hellomonster

Hailing from the city of Angels, Gramercy Clothing Company is quickly gaining popularity outside of its SoCal borders. For the most part, this clothing company is generally geared towards the male audience but isn’t restricted to female likings. Gramercy’s design focus seems to be geared towards the simplistic and technical aesthetic in apparel design. Their neutral based color scheme and minimalistic approach to design is definitely something that has attracted many people. They have a store in Downtown LA if you want to check out their stuff.

bashimiro:

It’s Your Pocket. Rock It!

A guide to Pocket Squares

Great choices for summer suits. You never know when it will come in handy.

mypantalones:

Suitsupply Summer 2012

The 600 block of Gramercy in LA is where it all started. Jason & Jae Ahn were born and raised there in the first house their family purchased since their immigration to the United States. It was only appropriate to name their clothing company Gramercy, after their childhood home. They were raised to appreciate the true value of a dollar and therefore strive to make all their clothing affordable. Their mission is to make available to the public garments they personally want to buy and wear, with the highest standards in quality, at a reasonable cost.

We love Gramercy denim because their jeans are cut and sewn locally in LA using only the highest quality denim milled from Japan, Italy, Turkey, & USA. If you want to give raw denim a try, Gramercy is a great brand to look into. Raw, dark unwashed denim is the strongest and most durable. Try to go at least 6 months without washing them because this gives your raw denim a chance to create its own unique character formed by you with natural wear & tear. Plus less laundry for you.

Jeremy McCallum for Bridge & Burn

Shot by Tucker Glasow on and near the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland. bridgeandburn.com

Music: The Morning Song by Les McCann

God Bless this three-way: red, white & blue.

Bridge & Burn Sinclair Shorts

Shorts: Bridge & Burn

Casual Saturday:
Belt: Knockaround
Shirt: Life/After/Denim
Shoes: Common Projects

Date Night:
Polo: Descendant of Thieves
Cardigan: Rag & Bone
Boat Shoes: Sperry

Fireworks:
Watch Strap: J.Crew
Linen Shirt: Club Monaco
Shoes: Puma

Clothing designer Erik Prowell originally named his outerwear company La Merde which means “The Shit” in French. But when Nordstrom refused to carry the line because of the name he changed it. 

Today the company is known as Bridge & Burn. Prowell grew up in Portland, Oregon and has provided a solution to the perennial Portland dilemma of where to find a decent-looking rain jacket. His sleek, yet warm wool coats and waxed cotton jackets are suitable for city-dwellers and hikers alike.

Prowell has no background in the fashion industry. His schooling was in computer science. But its clear that his eye for fashion is inherent. “Bridge & Burn represents my passion for clean, classic and functional design,” said the multi-talented entrepreneur, who also created the branding, shot all the photography, designed their print materials, and programmed the website.

Products:

Preston Plaid

100% cotton button up shirt. 
Single patch pocket.

$94.00 

Sinclair Shorts Charcoal

100% cotton twill shorts. 
Standard fit with 8” inseam. 
Two front hand pockets. 
Two welt pocket in back. 
YKK zipper with red contrast tape.

These run about a size small, so order up.

$80.00

Columbia Knit Sweatshirt Navy

A high quality 8.5 oz. french terry crew neck sweatshirt manufactured here in Portland, OR by Columbiaknit. Features our own custom long/slim fit with red contrast tape and stitching across the shoulder seam.

Garment is pre-shrunk and made of 100% cotton.

$120.00

Lee Charcoal

Cotton twill, with pin stripe lining. 
Single welt chest pocket. 
Hand pockets. 
Inside chest pockets. 
YKK Zipper.

$168.00

THVM ATELIER: THE ART OF COLLABORATION

Source: OKI-NI

Mark | oki-ni: It’s a broad question, but is as good a place to start as any: what inspired you to become designers?

Brian: Finding jeans during the early 90s was difficult for me as I was not able to fit into what was available in the market at the time. I started to tailor jeans that I bought, but quickly realized that I could just make them myself. Shortly after I made a few pairs, people began to ask me to make them jeans as well.

Olga: I have always enjoyed the process of creating something, not only the final product but the manifestation of the ideas.  

Mark | oki-ni: One esoteric and one pragmatic response there; no wonder you work well as a team! As a denim brand, your jeans are very simple and clean. What is it about this no-nonsense approach that appeals to you?

Olga: When we design, we start at the core and decide what is necessary to how form or shape relates to function. Beauty is in the details and the details define the whole.

We design the line so that the refined details are subtle enough to appreciate but so that it does not interfere with an individual’s personal aesthetic.  We keep the denim pure and simple. This way the jeans evolve after wear and the end result is completely dependent on a person’s lifestyle and daily habits.

Read more: http://www.oki-ni.com/stry/thvm-atelier

great weekend bag. 

thetieguy

Check out this three-way. It’s educational.

THVM Raw Indigo Straight Cut Denim

V-Twin:

Tee: Deus
Jacket: Schott
Boots: Red Wing

Casual Saturday:

Shirt: Scotch & Soda
Shoes: Adidas
Belt: Barneys

Date Night:

Shirt: Club Monaco
Vest: Scotch & Soda
Tie: Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

Thvm is located in downtown Los Angeles, founded by Brian Kim and Olga Nazarova. Just by stepping into their headquarters you can tell that their designs are inspired by performance and disciplinary arts. They showcase their products amidst fashionable paintings and large scale clothing installations. 

Thvm celebrates the creative process. The result is fresh and progressive styles that originate from exploration. Each jean is crafted carefully for simplicity and designed for every guy to wear comfortably. The washes may derive from the subtle grain of a photograph or the finish of a sculpture. To say the least, these jeans are thoughtfully crafted and artistically inspired.

Exclusive: Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen Fall 2012 Presentation Video

BY SEAN HOTCHKISS

The good folks over at bpmw gives the first look at Micah Cohen’s Shades of Grey fall 2012 presentation video: models doing Saturday Night Fever, bloggers blogging, Haines drawing, Wooster being Wooster, it’s like a miscrocosm of fashion week stuffed into one sweaty, stylish room. So what we’re saying is by watching this you’ll learn something.

Micah Cohen  

by The Staff of Valet.

Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen was launched in 2009. And since then, the designer’s been putting out affordable, stylish goods with an aesthetic that any guy could get into. The term “classics with a twist” is all but overused as of late, but to say that his designs don’t embody the term would be untrue. What Cohen really excels at is the balance between what’s fashionable and what’s wearable. We caught up with the West Coast designer to talk off-duty style & sweatpants.

Your clothes have a great off-duty vibe. The suiting can easily be dressed down. What’s an ideal off-duty look?

Fortunately, I’m always off-duty since I don’t have a dress code at the office, so I usually keep it pretty simple. What I love about my spring collection are the simple items that are punched up a bit, like chinos in interesting colors or the knit pique blazers, which can be dressed down and paired with more casual items.

Like mixing sweats with more tailored items like blazers. How can a guy pull that off without looking like a slob?

It’s just a matter of fit and fabric. Sweatpants can be as polished as any other pant—well, almost—if those two factors are right. Pair them with any kind of shirt you want and keep it untucked. Mind you, these aren’t exactly the sweatpants you’ll go to gym in, but they’ll definitely be comfortable.

Micah Cohen, the lead designer of Shades of Grey, embodies what he designs. In fact, he is often seen modeling his own clothes for press shots of his casual menswear line. He is a native Los Angelian and his designs reflect that of the weather and the people of his hometown. Every piece found in this collection is stylishly cool but at the same time extremely laid back. Building the foundation of a style that makes you look good without looking like you’re trying too hard.   

But don’t let his sunny California roots fool you. Even though his favorite season is summer, his favorite season to design for is actually autumn and winter. He says it gives him an opportunity to imagine what it must be like to wear jackets, layers and wool pants. Micah Cohen draws his inspiration from his own casual, wearable every day wardrobe but when asked he says the best piece of style advice he got was from his parents. They told him to just not dress like an asshole. We think that’s pretty good advice.

Sideboob Saturday

Anatomy of Cool:

Descendant of Thieves below the stairs shirt

Why it works:

The colors are intoxicating – reds and blues to make your wardrobe come alive. Great detailing from the buttons to the collar stitching, and splashes of color under the cuff and hem make this shirt a great piece to own.

How to rock it:

Narrow (but please, never super skinny) ties only with this size collar, but this shirt is most at home on weekends, half-tucked and with its sleeves rolled up.

Ménage à trois. But keep your shirt on.

Descendant of Thieves Left of Center Shirt

Weekend Casual:

Shorts: Uniqlo
Shoes: Tod’s
Bracelet: Miansai

Business Time:
Suit Pants: Theory
Suit Jacket: Theory
Business Socks: Happy Socks

Date Night:
Jeans: APC
Sweater: Jack Spade
Shoes: Cole Haan

The designer behind Descendant of Thieves surname means ‘Thief’ in Italian. Hence, he is literally a descendant of a thief. Dres Ladro currently lives in Berlin. He designs, constructs, and wears his own clothing because he never wants to be seen wearing the same thing as someone else. He is an eccentric artist who is color blind in his left eye. This is a rare monochromatic condition that allows his eye to only see in black & white. But this, by no way, means he’s shy of using bright colors. In fact, he skillfully mixes prints and solids with his signature yellow label and trimmings. He picked blazing yellow because he forces himself into a state of insomnia, in which he is at the peak of his creativity.

It’s the inside that counts. Each shirt is designed from the inside out with interiors that are finished with trimmings, secondary fabrics, and unique care labels. Everything is produced in limited edition runs (no more than 558 units per style are cut worldwide) and you can find on the label of each shirt exactly how many units were made and which number you now own. The details are quieter, with angled pockets, hidden messages, neck taping, and slightly rounded collars that gets you noticed for your effortless style. You can take one of these shirts and wear them to work. But since you’re more interesting than your 9 to 5, this shirt is best for taking you where you’re going after hours.

Danish Designer Rikke Korff

The new “new” within any business is marketing yourself wisely– more wildly than you ever imagined before. Building an empire is a progressive route that dozens are attempting while only a few are actualizing it– tapping into a variety of sectors and limitless visions intermingled with savvy know-how.  Scandinavian native, Rikke Korff, is a woman who sets a vivid example of this blueprint.  The source of pride for the fashion designer comes from a decade of time well spent with Levi’s Strauss & Co. which lead to eye opening exposure to the Japanese market and a strong tie to the youth. With a combination of respectful chutzpah, undeniable talent, and persuasive design ingenuity, Korff single-handedly conceived  the idea of the ‘engineered’ jean, a soon-to-be axiomatic staple in the wardrobe of anyone who could un-shuffle the Sonic Youth discography for a Jack and a beer back.  It was because of her, that the brand made it into retailers that were otherwise difficult to enter such as Colette in Paris.  Rikke’s iconoclastic and unorthodox design mind steered the behemoth Levi’s brand and its sacred cow, the 501, into unanticipated terrain, first challenging then overturning received lessons about denim and its limitations.

From a successful ride with the iconic brand and an accumulation of ideas, it was time for Korff to create her own council, which (appropriately so) was born, The Korff Kounsil.  The company has officially existed since 2003 as the mothership brand generator, with a unique voice and an aesthetic point of view that is product focused between high fashion and contemporary ideologies.  Brands seek The Kounsil for expert perspective and  ‘outside of the box’ direction.  Heavy concentration on denim clients in the European and Japanese markets such as Lee,G-Star, Levi’s, and Quicksilver has shaped a particular approach that is direct and bold.  All the while each client gains individual consideration and attention– suitable for lucrative building (or re-building) of their brand.

Over the last years, KK gave birth to not one but two lines; The Furies –women’s only jersey line with strong feminine agenda– launched in Spring ’10, and in Fall’11 came SkarGorn (translated as ‘alley of knives‘) a youthful men’s and women’s denim & t-shirt line that upholds premium quality and reasonable affordability despite their rough persona–no frills just impeccably classic.  Between the 2 lines bears a common denominator: to dress stylishly comfortable with little-to-no effort.  Throughout her work, details are hidden yet the wearer succumbs to understand it as a mysterious signature of what is to come.  And as if all the aforementioned is not enough, The Korff Kounsil has happily taken on an offbeat projects with Charles Smith Winery as well as other companies in the home decor market.  When asking Rikke why have your hands in everything, she unapologetically replied, “Why not? It would be silly not to.”  Korff then concluded by extending these words of wisdom, “Start with an idea that is sustainable. Do something unexpected. Keep it simple.” …

The right way to do a three-way.

SkarGorn Chief dry-stained denim

Beach Comber:
Belt: Brooks Brothers
Shoes: Generic Surplus
Shirt: Sol Angeles

Weekend Casual:
Shirt: Benson
Shoes: Tretorn 
Sunglasses: Toms

Date Night:
Shirt: Theory
Jacket: Uniqlo
Shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown

Brand Spotlight: SkarGorn

Located in Venice Beach, SkarGorn (translated means ‘alley of knives‘) brings its raw intensity straight from the manufacturers and into your closet. They have an animalistic and aggressive feel but are also affordable, comfortable, and inclusive in fit. These are jeans that make you feel powerful but look stylish. Their signature Chief jean is made of 11.5 oz dry-strained denim that is durable and versatile. You can play rough in them during the day or dress them up for a night out on the town.

Even though the lead designer Rikke Korff spent over a decade with Levi’s Strauss & Co., her new brand SkarGorn is anything but a regular pair of blue denim. The devil is in the details with jean names like ‘Bite Me’ and a knife trademark on the back pocket.  Each pair of jeans is carefully thought out and made to make you look and feel like a badass.

Clean.

Adding colored laces is a great way of changing up your shoe game with some color. Try stolenriches.com. 

thetieguy:

im really thinking about doing something similar like this to my wingtips i wear weekly. this looks awesome!

howtotalktogirlsatparties:

Summer Essentials.

Corporate without being too corporate. Always keep in mind basics don’t have to be boring.

theboyinthecoat:

A Continuous Lean x Club Monaco “Made in the USA” Collection

Crisp & clean. 

thetieguy

Anatomy of Cool:

life/after/denim Reversible shorts

Why it works: 

Business on the outside and a party on the inside. A classy pinstripe plus awesome plaid print makes this reversible short an instant classic in your wardrobe. And the breathable, high-quality cotton fabric is perfect for warm spring and summer days.

How to rock it:

With boat shoes or tennis shoes, a polo or your favorite throwback t-shirt, or even a plain button up for dinner. You can’t go wrong with this.

Nice brogues. We’re also feeling the blue laces for that understated color.

mugenstyle

Don’t be afraid of color. These are great for spring/summer.

thetieguy

A movie we’re looking forward to seeing. What has been your favorite James Bond movie?

We like the look of this. We’d substitute for a patterned/colorful tie that makes more of a statement after hours. 

sartorialdoctrine:

In this outfit the grenadine tie stands in focus creating a careless yet dressed up style, perfect for those of you who wanna stay casual. Great for an espresso at a café, great for a stroll in Milano. 

Sportcoat: L.B.M 1911, Shirt: Barba, Tie: Sid Mashburn, Trousers: Pantaloni Torino, Shoes: Sid Mashburn, Sunglasses: Persol. 

Money.

wilburandco:

Huf

The hot & cold weather gives you a chance to wear a lightweight jacket over a button-up and graphic tee. This gives you the flexibility to add or shed pieces as the weather dictates.

Our two cents:

• The first layer should be thin. The base layer is designed to keep your skin dry. 
• The middle layer is to provide warmth. 
• The outside layer is to protect your body against the elements. The thickest layer should almost always be the last piece of clothing on your body.

Layering for a date:

Want to be considerate and offer up your coat when the temperature drops? Make sure you have 1) a coat to offer up, and 2) another layer or two to keep yourself warm.

Shirt: Saturdays Surf NYC

Button-up: Jack Spade

Jacket: lifeafterdenim 

Sideboob Saturday.

She looks like a nice girl. Sign us up for lessons.

Accessories are small details that can make a big difference.

A great layering button-up to cuff up if the weather dictates.

Anatomy of Cool: 

SkarGorn Chief Dry-Stained Jeans

Why it works:

This lightweight raw-denim is made from excellent quality cotton, breaks in quickly, and fits like jeans that cost 3x as much. The classic contrast stitching on dark, dry-stained fabric creates a “slightly worn” look that adds a hint of style without being over-the-top.

How to rock it:

This is your do-anything dark-denim staple. It works equally well with a tee and sneakers in Union Square or a button-up with loafers at your favorite steakhouse.

rogueterritory:

basicsofman:

5.1.12

Clean, with a nice subtle pop of color.

Congratulations Tyler. Thank you everyone for participating in unscruff’s spring giveaway. If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry there will be other chances. Just keep checking back on our blog and be sure to follow us on twitter.com/unscruff for our next giveaway announcement. 

The Grape Escape: Whether you’re headed to Sonoma, Oregon, or any of the other great wine regions throughout the country…

layering is the key to staying comfortable as you make your way from tasting room to tasting room. An unstructured cotton blazer gives you the flexibility of a lightweight jacket with the added bonus of being able to dress yourself up for that candlelit dinner. And desert boots are a good mix of comfort and casual respectability that will give you a lot of mileage, both at home and on the road.

It’s Go Time: Keep a ‘go-bag’ packed with a few travel essentials and ready for a short-notice departure. Avoid the gym bag trap, though, and invest in a great piece of luggage you can be proud of.

Desert Boots: Clarks
Jacket: Uniqlo
Polo: Ralph Lauren
Jeans: Jack Spade
Bag: Billykirk
Handkerchief: Alexander Olch
Watch: Ochs and Junior
Belt: Cole Haan

Great outer wear for summer nights or when the temp drops.

rich2diefor:

Rogue Territory

Good for those colder spring days when you want to bundle up. 

thetieguy:

Club Monaco.

Q: “The other day I went out on a date and realized that my belt game is severely lacking simply because I have never really been a belt type of guy. As I was getting ready right then and there I knew that the belt was what was missing from my wardrobe. It would have tied everything I was wearing together perfectly. Any advice on how to match a belt with an outfit? Type of fabric? Where to go? How many should a guy keep on hand?”

A: Stepping up your belt game is seriously overlooked but an integral part of any man’s wardrobe. These are our two cents.

First, make sure you have your basics covered. Simple black and brown leather that (more or less) match your dress shoes for when you need to play by the rules. Black with black, dark brown with dark brown, light brown with light brown. Keep them simple and you can get a lot of mileage out of them. Something like these should work without being too expensive:

Cole Haan

J. Press

J. Crew

After that, there are tons of good options for you and there aren’t really any hard and fast rules about matching. Grossgrain (or ribbon) belts are great for the spring and summer when you want to add in some color. They’re not too expensive, so pick up a handful in different colors/patterns for whenever the mood for some color strikes you. Can be casual or even worn with a suit in the right circumstances.

J. Press

Rugby

Brooks Brothers

I would suggest a more casual leather belt (perhaps something like this) and you should be covered for most of your belt needs. Black or brown depending on which you tend to wear more. As with anything, it’s about quality over quantity. Especially with leather, you tend to get what you pay for, so don’t be scared to invest a bit more in one great piece instead of picking up two or three mediocre belts.

Hope this helps. As always, feel free to ask the unscruff team any questions you might have about style, the meaning of life, or even what’s our favorite beer.

Email: HeyNow@unscruff.com

Sideboob Saturday

Educate Your Client: If he says ‘synergy’ one more time…

You have enough to worry about trying to politely explain why your client’s misguided ideas are, well, misguided. The clothes you wear should not be one of your daily battles. For those inevitable days when there’s just no bandwidth for figuring out a shirt/tie combination, have a fail-safe uniform that will keep you looking polished with zero effort. Stick to the basics for success: white shirt; solid, dark suit; subtle, dark tie; and brown cap-toed oxfords. You don’t always need a lot of color to make a statement. Let the quality and fit of your clothes speak.

Above the fray: Don’t fall into the trap of looking for an exact color match for browns. If you have 2 pieces, try to get them in the same family of shades (dark with dark, light with light). If you have 3 pieces, play the spectrum.

Glasses: Persol
Briefcase: Travelteq
Shoes: Allen Edmonds 
Suit Jacket: Theory
Pants: Theory
Shirt: Hamilton
Tie: Thomas Pink
Watch: Junghans

Very French Gangsters. Eyewear for Kids.  http://veryfrenchgangsters.com/

Comme un ‘Boss’

Anatomy of Cool:

Descendant of Thieves Polo 

Why it works: From barbecues to bocce, this well-fitting polo is your new go-to for classy warm weather fun. Hidden color is a Descendant of Thieves trademark, and the red under the collar and cuffs just made the rest of your polos jealous.

How to rock it: No need to pop the collar to flaunt the hidden color. Just a hint of red peeking out when the breeze picks up will have them all curious what other mysteries you’re hiding.

You Never Know: After a leisurely Saturday morning on the couch, you’re craving a Bay Cities sub or a mid-afternoon drink…

…and there’s always a parade of cute talent in yoga pants getting their after-workout fix. The least you can do is throw on a button-up to keep things classy, and they don’t need to know you’re actually comfortable to appreciate a well-dressed man. Be sure you have a lightweight, soft, touchable sweater for when one of them ‘accidentally’ bumps in to you.

You already know this: If your sneaks are ones that you might actually use to go running, leave them in your gym bag. There’s no need for spur of the moment wind sprints.

Shirt: Steven Alan
Sweater: Life/After/Denim
Shorts: Jack Spade
Shoes: Puma
Belt: Billykirk
Glasses: Oakley
Watch: Omega

Travel in style. 

The perfect way to use camo in moderation.  With a bold print, a little bit goes a long way.

thetieguy:

J.crew watches. 

Always invest in leather.  Despite the price, it’s about quality not quantity. 

hodinkee:

The best leather in south America. (Taken with Instagram at Casa Fagliano)

The Great Out-of-Office: Because the work week has 40 hours and the weekend has 48.

Just because you wear something to the office doesn’t mean you canʼt also wear it on the foot trails. The right linen shirts and chinos can be just as appropriate on a casual day hike as they are on a coffee run. They are easy to dress down by layering in a thermal henley and a light weight jacket when your plans turn a little more adventurous. But before you step off of the trail and into that bar for a well-earned pint, at least kick the mud off of your boots.

Unless You’re Scaling Mountains: Leave the fluorescent ultra-high-tech stuff at REI. Look for functional gear like boots, backpacks, and outerwear that will serve you well out on the trail and out on the town.

Backpack: Herschel Supply Co
Pants: life/after/denim
Boots: Danner
Belt: Best Made Co.
Linen Shirt: Uniqlo
Henley: Aether
Water Bottle: Sigg
Field Coat: Orvis

Sideboob Saturday

Keep your laces tight, even after a long day at work.

Date Night: You don’t get dressed for work. You get dressed for where you’re going after work.

Because Accounts Payable is not the most interesting place you’ll go today, and Jessie the office manager is far from the most alluring creature you’ll encounter. Let them all speculate around the water cooler, and when someone inevitably asks you why you’re so dressed up, a wry smile, a wink, and a well delivered, “Oh, I just have this thing later…” should have you covered. Start practicing in the mirror.

Step up your game: No one has ever been denied another date for bringing a sick shoe game.

Khakis: Jack Spade
Shirt: Steven Alan
Blazer: Muji
Tie: Apolis
Sweater: Uniqlo
Shoes: Magnanni
Belt: J.Crew

Sideboob Saturday

Casual Saturday: Your weekend uniform for absolutely any event or occasion. 

This will keep you classy for anything the weekend gods throw at you. From grocery shopping to bar hopping to dinner parties, a trim pair of jeans, nice button-up shirt, and light sweater have never let anyone down.

#kingshit: Don’t be scared of color, but use sparingly for effect. The shoes and sweater are easy options to mix it in, but bonus style points for peacocking with your belt. 

Jeans: APC
Shoes: Adidas
Belt: American Apparel
Shirt: Jack Spade
Sweater: Uniqlo
Glasses: Ray-Ban

The Deplorables: From unscruff’s dusted-off March 1968 edition of Esquire magazine, we proudly present some style DON’Ts that your dad may or may not have rebelled against. Amazing how some of these are still just as hilarious and deplorable in 2012 (notably nos. 1, 3, 5-8, 17, and 19-27).

1. A short-sleeve shirt worn with a business suit.
2. A white dinner jacket in town—unless one has a napkin of his arm or a saxophone up to his lips.
3. A diamond ring.
4. A boutonniere and a breast-pocket handkerchief worn at the same time.
5. Ankle-length hosiery.
6. An enameled manicure.
7. Tan (not cordovan) shoes with a dark suit.
8. Shoes with run-down heels.
9. A square-shaped breast-pocket handkerchief.
10. A belt and suspenders at the same time.
11. An ornate belt buckle.
12. A formal bow tie tucked under the collar points.
13. A shirt-jac.
14. A belt buckle showing below a vest.
15. Pens, pencils, or anything else except a handkerchief in the outside breast pocket of a jacket.
16. What Murray Kempton called, and properly, “those obscene ventilated shoes.”
17. Perceptibly dyed hair.
18. White-on-white shirts.
19. Ties displaying the manufacturer’s trademark.
20. A key chain attached to a belt loop.
21. Silvery or white neckties—unless you’re Liberace.
22. Any exact match of anything. Too much coordination.
23. Pointed-toe shoes in any case where one isn’t playing Peter Pan.
24. An identification bracelet.
25. A sports-shirt collar worn outside a jacket.
26. Iridescent suits—unless, of course, you’re directing traffic in a blackout.
27. White socks in any case where one cannot present a doctor’s certificate for athlete’s foot.
28. A string tie—unless you’re doing a television commercial for fried chicken.
29. A plastic hat cover in the rain.

unscruff notes:

• #3 – Sports championship rings get a pass if you actually won one.
• #5 – Don’t half-ass your socks. Either keep your ankles completely covered or let it all hang out.
• #20 – If cell phones had existed in 1968, they would also be included here.
• #23 – Ditto for square-toed shoes. 
• #27 – Easy style points: leave the white socks in you gym bag.

Who doesn’t? There’s a reason why holiday sweater parties are the new black. And this Moods of Norway sweater does it right — tractors + martini glasses, FTW! 

This got us thinking about awesome combinations of things that aren’t supposed to go together but somehow work. Like lobster & slurpees. Shakespeare & condoms. Hendricks + chex mix. Moonshine & champagne flutes. Strip clubs & ice cream. Sneakers & a bathing suit. We could go on… 

Happy holidays from the unscruff team!

Color.

A little bit goes a long way, fellas. Especially if you want meet some talent at a holiday party or on NYE. So stop blending in the with the wall and the couch already. You’re better than that.

Take Andrew. His closet probably looks like most of our buddies. Lots of white tees that are worn out and colorful tees that go unworn. About 6 pairs of the same style of shorts (really?). A bunch of grey shirts, some long-sleeve, some with stripes. Some blue button-ups. And a favorite shirt in enough colors to match a seasonal pack of Skittles. 

Listen, you don’t have to go crazy picking out colors. But buy a few different shirts with red, brown, purple, or even pink. Try a plaid shirt. Wear them with dark jeans (that always works) until you figure out more ways to rock it.

But more importantly, wear everything with confidence. And sip the eggnog slowly. You can’t compete for the grand prize if you’ve passed out during the chase. 

betterthanthemovie:

The first teaser trailer for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo leaves no doubt that this is most definitely a David Fincher film. 

Oh. Hell. Yes. Still one of the best trailers ever, although that’s not helping opening night get here any quicker. 30 days and counting.

In the unscruff offices we have a 1943 Christmas issue of Esquire that’s awesome for vintage inspiration. One of the gems from the magazine is this Jantzen Originals ad for holiday sweaters, and first born sons are being considered as trades to anyone who can find or recreate this P-38 beauty. Side note: we are also accepting applications for a January Jones lookalike for the holidays.

Posterized. Look, we really like Eli Roth and all, but here he is getting straight out-classed by Michael Fassbender at GQ’s MOTY party.

Save the date, y’all. Best reason for taking a sick day we have seen in a while.

(Source: genericsurplus)

We love Descendant of Thieves. Lots of cool, hidden details and nice touches. Great quality shirts at an affordable price point. Back in April, South Moon Under did an interesting interview with the designer, Dres Ladro. Here’s how he described the brand: 

The thing that really sets the brand apart is all of the quiet detailing. Also the limited edition runs. No more than 558 units per style are cut worldwide. In that sense, they really are one in a million. It’s better to be the needle in the haystack than the haystack. The inside care label tells how many units were produced of that particular style.

Descendant of Thieves is designed to give a man more than what they are paying for. Beyond the high quality Japanese fabrications, there are a lot of quiet or hidden details.  I want the designs to be different, but not shout, “Look at me… I am dying for attention”.  A man feels a certain sense of pride when someone notices his clothing and that feeling is multiplied immeasurably when the he looks like he is not even trying.

A vist to the AMH Showroom to see Civil Society, BTNS Paris, and the Academy Brand. Andy Hori runs AMH and is a great guy. Looking forward to working with him and offering some of these brands to our customers. Click here for more pics of the visit to AMH.

unisnewyork:

Unis Heads to Hollywood, The New York Times

La Brea is quickly becoming the new center of the universe.

Henry is a good friend from school and someone we suspect to be a bit of an outlier in the clothes game. Henry doesn’t really mind looking around for clothes and he’s diligent about doing his homework to know where to buy what he wants.

He has a good eye, is tuned in to trends, conscious of fit, and tracks styles he likes, but he is never in a hurry to pull the trigger on a purchase. Instead he will lie in wait in the bushes, sometimes for months, until the perfect moment to strike.  When the time comes, he picks off one or two pieces with precision, and then disappears into the LA landscape.

What’s he waiting for with this monk-like patience? The absolute lowest price that anyone would ever be able to pay for what he’s hunting. Henry pulls this off well and has created a practical but trendy wardrobe. But not every guy can do this, right?

Happy sniping, Henry.

Back in October we began pounding the pavement, speaking with guys, and hearing about their clothes and buying habits. Some of them even showed us their closets or took us along with them as they bought new clothes.

Golden nuggets. That’s what we’ve picked up along the way. Interesting, funny, and somewhat unpredictable reasons why and when shopping becomes frustrating and gets in the way of manly pursuits like felling trees, grilling meats, and fighting crime.

Follow our blog and check back frequently as we share this journey into the seedy and seldom explored underworld of menswear. We will give you a good story with intrigue and plot twists. Bring your own chips, beer, and color commentary.

A trip to Switzerland means searching for your next fresh watch. It’s a must — there are too many good brands that exist that are made in small factories and rarely make it to the States. Brands like Louis Erard, Tudor, and Vulcain that make a great product at a fraction of the cost of the ‘majors.’ 

Then I stumbled upon this masterpiece — the turbine watch from Perrelet. Who is Perrelet? The first company in the world to make an automatic watch, that’s who.

And the turbine line is hot fire. It’s not for everyone, admittedly, but if you know about watches you have to appreciate its movement and creativeness. Also, check their skeleton chronograph with 2nd time zone support.

Robb & I discussed the startup idea over some bocce and local food at one of my favorite grottos. (Robb also knew how to lose in bocce!) This used to be my daily life. *sigh*

VFC — you know them. They’ve been in you’re life at some point: 7 jeans, the North Face, John Varvatos, Vans, Eastpack, Timberland, Smartwool. Everybody has owned of their brands, right?

Anyway, Robb liked the idea of a simplified & personalized shopping experience for guys. He knew the industry and the opportunity. He knew that even he wanted that service, in theory. But would he or anyone else actually sign up?

sidestreets of Tuscany and in Chianti. some touristy areas, no doubt. but plenty of off-the beaten path travels too. style in the summer is not too diff from preppy Americana, save the manbags of course. The kids get into the pastels & polos too.

why so many guys are disconnected from shopping and hate the experience

why traditional retail companies continue to treat guys as an afterthought 

whether guys are willing to spend more $ on clothes and looking better if the process were simpler and made for them. 

These were the 1st of many thoughts. A trip to Europe (planned way before this business idea sprouted) would be a great way to clear my mind, compare euro aesthetics, and talk about those ?s with my ex-pat American friends. Photos soon. 

2 hrs later we’d talked about all the things that were good in our lives and in the world. And all the things that sucked. 

We agreed that shopping for clothes sucked. Not that we didn’t know how to shop, what to buy, or what was stylish. But just that the standard process of finding and buying clothes isn’t efficient or functional for guys. I left thinking that there has to be a better way.