Rethinking Meat: My Personal Evolution
For the first 40 years of my life, I was a regular meat-eating guy. After I adopted my dog in late 2009, something shifted and a personal evolution of sorts began.
The Importance of Cedar Shoe Trees
You cannot underestimate the importance of shoes. They say a lot about us. And it’s not about expensive shoes versus inexpensive ones. It’s about well-chosen shoes that are well-tended. I apply the same degree of care to my Florsheims as I apply to my Aldens.
In addition to regular leather conditioning and shine, and maintenance and protection of the soles with taps, I also preserve the appearance and longevity of my shoes with cedar shoe trees.
My Cordovan Chukka Boots from Alden
With many things pertaining to smarter modes in menswear, I’m often late to the party. I didn’t fully understand the pleasure (or importance) of a well-tailored suit or what went into a well-made shoe until my late 30s. When I “discovered” things like Warby Parker, J.Crew’s Ludlow suits, Kamakura or The Tie Bar, I learned that other smartasses in the menswear ether had known about them for years. I don’t claim to be inventing any wheels here, and I will never pretend to be an expert. We get there when we get there.
Another party to which I arrived late is Alden. To be clear, I’ve certainly been aware of Alden and their gold standard in American shoe and boot making for a long time. In fact, I’ve been coveting a pair of Alden’s cordovan chukka boots for several years. My new arrival to the Alden party comes in the form of actually owning a pair.
Field Notes: “Unexposed” Fall 2014 Edition
I’m an avid fan and user of the much beloved Field Notes. They’re smart, they’re handy, and they fit very discretely and unobtrusively in the breast pocket of a tailored jacket. (Read my post on them here.)
If I Were to Get an Apple Watch…
When it comes to accessories and jewelry on men, I’m a less-is-more kind of a guy. In a land of sartorial screamers desperate to be noticed for something… anything… I think understated is underrated. For me, the understated beat is doubly true when it comes to tech-related accessories.
How Kamakura Shirts Saved My Life
Last week, I wrote a post about how I solve my dress shirt problem, specifically accommodating the list of “musts” I have with dress shirts. It turns out that my problem wasn’t totally solved to my complete liking.
The Best Dressed Man at the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards
Amidst last night's usual parade of misfires dictated by ill-informed and overpaid stylists or stars themselves who either don't know better or don't care... the growing number of men who opted for a necktie instead of a bow tie, really…
Solving My Solid Poplin Dress Shirt Problem
Here’s my conundrum: my preferred basic, essential dress shirt is a solid white or solid pale blue slim-fit shirt with a 3″ semi-spread collar, French cuffs, a 15.5″ neck and a 35″ collar in regular cotton poplin for under $80 or so.
One would think that such a shirt would be easy to find. Basic and uncomplicated, right? Au contraire, mon frere.
A Twelve Year Old Jacket, Still Working Beautifully
Fashion is an industry that employs a lot of people. It has to move and change its colors at least twice each year in order to sustain itself, which is why we have Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer seasons. (Then there are those extra “Resort” and “Capsule” situations we’re supposed to get excited about now, too.)
Rare Sartorial Flair in the Power Chair
Members of elite corporate and political power circles are not known for their personal style. Quite the opposite, actually. The titans of industry who make headlines today practice such a rigorously uninspired, frumpy, Normcore anti-glamour that it must disappoint even the most well-paid prostitutes who show up to their suite at the Mandarin Oriental.