Brown Shoes- Essential

Thou shalt wear brown shoes—with nearly everything
Black dress shoes are easy—they’re understated and tasteful. Brown dress shoes up the style factor. People notice them. They go best with gray, khaki, or navy. Dark brown shoes are easier to pull off than light brown ones. I prefer a more antique brown shoe in a cognac hue, anything but black.


Read More http://www.gq.com/style/suit-guide/200604/rules-for-dressing-well-slideshow#ixzz1Fh06GLLw

The Knit Tie - Spring Essential

With spring comes the idea of new beginnings, rebirth, and this spring is the rebirth of the knit tie. Well, that's not true as the knit tie has never really gone away. It has always been an essential part of a Prepsters wardrobe. And it was also shown in a lot of collections in the fall of 2010. I got my first for Xmas just this year. I never really liked them with the square bottom. I found an English company, T.M Lewin, who makes them with a traditional tie bottom. I put it on my list, black knit tie, and sure enough Santa Claus brought me one and I LOVE IT!! I could wear it everyday. I love the knot it ties and I love the way it feels but most of all, I love the way it looks. You can wear it with anything, a suit, sport coat and jeans or a denim shirt. It's dressy and casual all at the same time. So if you're looking to update for spring and you want to do it inexpensively, try a knit tie on for size.
http://www.tmlewin.com/

                                                            

Back in the Saddle Again

I like what Cole Haan has done for spring 2011. They started this edgier Londoner look back in the fall and have continued it into spring. It fits the more sartorial minded guy. I love the saddle shoes in all the contrasting colors. Something new and refreshing that puts a twist on the classic look. Whether you're wearing them with a suit or shorts, it is refreshing. What I also like about Cole Haan is the price points are very reasonable. They still have all their staples and now a little bit more. So, click on over to their web-site and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at their fun offerings at a very reasonable price.
http://www.colehaan.com/

The Blue Blazer

The most basic part of a man's wardrobe is the blue blazer. But it doesn't have to be basic. I looked around for the right blue blazer for 2 years before I found the right one. Maybe that's a bit excessive but I knew what I wanted and how I wanted it to fit. What I wanted was a 2 button, peak lapel with side vents and a ticket pocket. I had it made. You don't have to search high and low to get what you want. A blue blazer is something that should be personalized. Everyone sells a blue blazer and they all look the same, boooring. You can't tell one from the other, Jos A Bank, Brooks Brothers, Burberry. The only thing that distinguishes one from the other is the price and the buttons. I recommend having one custom made. A blue blazer is something you can have for years if you take care of it properly. It may be something you pass down to your son. It should be designed with a little creativity but keeping in mind a classic look. I think a 2 button with a notch lapel, ticket pocket, side vents and working sleeve buttton holes would look nice. Where you can personalize it is in the lining or in the color of the stitching of the button holes. I would do a fushia or claret lining so the under half of the pockets and side vents show a little of the lining when you sit down or reach for your business cards. It's always a nice conversation piece and people will be impressed by your sartorial creativity. Finally, pick a fabric you can wear year round  and for something fun, wear it with jeans and a skinny tie on a casual Friday or weekend.

Florsheim by Duckie Brown

So I was never a real Florsheim shoe fan but I was looking in GQ last fall and I stumbled upon Florsheim by Duckie Brown. It's a much edgier look than what you might be use to and I really liked it. I included a quick promo video that is selling to a younger demographic that I liked and I think you should check them out. I really like the magenta suede lace up and the bright yellow brogue. The Yellow brogue would look great with a navy pinstripe. At least that's what I would wear it with. For sure you won't look like anyone else at the office and just maybe you'll stand out a bit amongst all the black and brown wingtips that saturate our lives.
Here's the link to the pages to check it out.

Magenta lace up
http://www.florsheim.com/shop/duckiebrownDetail.html?styleCode=19010

Yellow brogue
http://www.florsheim.com/shop/duckiebrownDetail.html?styleCode=19007

Fashion and the New Administration

So my first post of the new year was suppose to be about brown shoes, but I got a last minute call from NBC 4 about a short segment on the changing administration and how it would affect the local scene including fashion. Capitol Hill is a funny place no one wants to offend anyone, but they all do everyday. You would think no one would care what anyone wears and you would think you wouldn't be able to tell one party from the next. I don't care what party you're from, all I want to do is to make you look good. But it truely matters what you wear on the Hill. There are some that are very well dressed and show a bit of personal style in doing it. Like Senator Paul Simon, when he was there, He always wore a bow tie and that set him apart from most of the other Senators. If you didn't know his name you knew who he was, the Democrat with the bow tie. Oh, and he ties his own, no clip ons for him.

It's a world of blue and grey suits, black wingtip shoes and white shirts. Democrats tend to be a bit edgier and Republicans tend to wear striped ties. Regardless of what they wear all that matters to me is do they look good wearing it.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/politics/New_Congress__New_Suds_and_Duds_Washington_DC-113160874.html

It's Hip to be Square

Huey Lewis was right, it is hip to be square. Everyday when getting ready for work I spend a few extra seconds finding the right pocket square to finish off my ensemble. What it says about me is that I actually took the time to think about how I look. An unexpected pop of color to personalize my style.
 I always choose something that is interesting with a pattern, for me never a solid unless it's white.

Pocket squares come in all colors, patterns and solids. They also come in all kinds of fabrics. I usually choose something in cotton or linen with a plaid or check pattern. I love to mix patterns and textures. To pull off a pocket square you want to pick one or a  few colors that are in your coat or tie and match or contrast them. NEVER, NEVER wear a pocket square that exactly matches your tie. That is definately a rookie mistake. The other day I wore a brown corduroy suit with a purple pattern shirt, brown pattern tie and a lime green and purple plaid pocket square. Why lime green you ask, cause it was perfection.

There are many ways to fold a square and the easiest is the "flat" fold (see below) When choosing a square you want it to look like you didn't have to think about it. You wear it with confidence and splendor.

The "Flat" Pocket Square Fold 

The flat fold is also by many called the "Presidential" fold. It is one of the most classic, and also one of the easiests folds for a pocket square. The clean-cut look of this type of fold is best suited for solid color pocket squares. It is also a more formal type of fold that is a perfect fit for black tie attire consisting of tuxedo and black bow tie.

Instructions

1. Lay the pocket square on a flat surface and straighten it with your hands
2. Fold the pocket square in the middle
3. Fold the pocket square in. How much you want to fold in depends on how deep your breast pocket is. The pocket square should stick about 1/4 to 1/2 inches out of the pocket.