May 16, 2011
daveshumka: 7. I’d like to offer my congratulations to my friend and colleague Dave Shumka’s friend and colleague Grampa on seven/forty-nine great years. (That, folks, is a dog who understands accessories.)

daveshumka:

7.

I’d like to offer my congratulations to my friend and colleague Dave Shumka’s friend and colleague Grampa on seven/forty-nine great years.

(That, folks, is a dog who understands accessories.)

Posted in Dogs Hats Birthdays

Handmade in Italy

May 11, 2011

Before I started blogging about this stuff, I was an avid reader of menswear blogs for years. One of my favorite blogs was A Continuous Lean, partly because I shared Michael’s passion for knowing how my clothes were made, not just how they were styled. Some of my favorite posts by him were those that showed the manufacturing process behind the stuff I loved so much. 

So, given my (well documented) love for Italian menswear, I thought I’d share a special set of videos of hand craftsmanship in Italy. The videos were produced by Mad About Town, an online boutique that brings some of Europe’s most exquisite luxury items to customers around the world. 

There are three videos. The first is of a Genovese tie maker, Finollo. Lapo Elkann once named this as one of his favorite companies, and given that their wares are so beautifully handmade, it’s easy to see why. The second is of Riccardo Bestetti, an Italian cordwainer based out of Vigevano. Bestetti handmakes everything from Italian styled double monks to British styled wingtips to American styled cowboy boots; the man has an incredible range. Finally, we have Barbisio, a hat company inspired by the Italian notion of La Dolce Vita (“the good life”). These hats were big in Italy during the 1940s and ’50s, and men would wear them to tell the world they’ve reached an apex in their careers. Today, Barbisio makes hats with the same machines they used a hundred years ago. The manufacturing process is truly something to behold. 

There are two other videos that I haven’t included here. The first is of Nicky, one of the finest tie makers in the world. The company was founded in Milan sometime in 1920, and since then, they’ve been hand making incredibly elegant ties. The other is of Valigeria Beretta, another Milanese company. They handhandcraft luxury bags out of French and British leathers. I’ve left them out because they’re not motion picture videos, but rather a sequence of photographs. However, you can see the two videos here and here. I do think they’re still worth watching, however, if you’re as into European menswear as I am. 




Posted in Videos Handmade Mad About Town Hats Shoes Ties Bags Finollo Riccardo Bestetti Barbisio
April 22, 2011
Mandatory Andre Benjamin reblog policy in full effect. White shawl dinner jacket? Check. Mother of pearl shirt studs? Check. Diamond point tie? Check. Andre Benjamin hat? Check. A++.

Mandatory Andre Benjamin reblog policy in full effect.

White shawl dinner jacket? Check.

Mother of pearl shirt studs? Check.

Diamond point tie? Check.

Andre Benjamin hat? Check.

A++.

(Source: howtotalktogirlsatparties)

Posted in Style Gods Andre Benjamin Black Tie Hats
March 10, 2011
It’s On eBay Vintage Herbert Johnson Panama Hat (7 5/8) Still getting ready for a big move, which means getting some stuff that doesn’t fit out of the house. When it comes to Panamas, this is the Real Deal, by Herbert Johnson, who’ve been operating continuously since the 18th century. Starts at $19, ends Thursday

It’s On eBay

Vintage Herbert Johnson Panama Hat (7 5/8)

Still getting ready for a big move, which means getting some stuff that doesn’t fit out of the house. When it comes to Panamas, this is the Real Deal, by Herbert Johnson, who’ve been operating continuously since the 18th century.

Starts at $19, ends Thursday

Posted in It's On eBay Herbert Johnson England Hats Panama Hats Spring Summer
March 7, 2011
NYT: In Vienna, A Bespoke Tradition Thrives
Posted in Vienna New York Times Bespoke Hats
March 6, 2011
Jason Robards as Murray Burns in A Thousand Clowns, demonstrating the proper wearing of a Tyrolean hat.

Jason Robards as Murray Burns in A Thousand Clowns, demonstrating the proper wearing of a Tyrolean hat.

Posted in Hats Tyrolean Hats Jason Robards A Thousand Clowns
January 3, 2011
An interview with the curator of The Hat Museum Tons of fascinating info on the history of hats, especially for men.

An interview with the curator of The Hat Museum


Tons of fascinating info on the history of hats, especially for men.

Posted in Hats Vintage
December 17, 2010
I love this picture of Alan from the Heart of America, demonstrating some wonderful cold-weather style. The coat’s a polo coat - double breasted, usually made of camel hair, with big patch pockets. Relatively tough to find these days, but you couldn’t find a more classic piece of outerwear. Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers often offer them, and you can certainly find them on eBay. I have one for winter travel - it’s by Capper & Capper of Chicago, which was owned by Abercrombie & Fitch. It weights a hundred thousand pounds and is warm and comfortable as heck. Alan’s also wearing his hat quite well. As I’ve written here before, it’s much easier to wear a hat in weather that demands it without looking like a historical re-enactor.

I love this picture of Alan from the Heart of America, demonstrating some wonderful cold-weather style.

The coat’s a polo coat - double breasted, usually made of camel hair, with big patch pockets. Relatively tough to find these days, but you couldn’t find a more classic piece of outerwear. Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers often offer them, and you can certainly find them on eBay. I have one for winter travel - it’s by Capper & Capper of Chicago, which was owned by Abercrombie & Fitch. It weights a hundred thousand pounds and is warm and comfortable as heck.

Alan’s also wearing his hat quite well. As I’ve written here before, it’s much easier to wear a hat in weather that demands it without looking like a historical re-enactor.

Posted in Alan From the Heart of America Real People Hats Outerwear Overcoats Winter
November 19, 2010
mostexerent: Feeling very autumn today although we are in the last days of spring.. Details: Hat - Akubra Sports coat, pocket square & tie - Herringbone Tie - E. Zegna Shirt & pants - bespoke Tie clip - Bottega Veneta Bag - ACL x Billy Kirk Shoes - “Lowndes” Crockett & Jones Of course MistahWong looks great in a hat.  What the f can’t this guy wear?

mostexerent:

Feeling very autumn today although we are in the last days of spring..

Details:

Hat - Akubra

Sports coat, pocket square & tie - Herringbone

Tie - E. Zegna

Shirt & pants - bespoke

Tie clip - Bottega Veneta

Bag - ACL x Billy Kirk

Shoes - “Lowndes” Crockett & Jones

Of course MistahWong looks great in a hat.  What the f can’t this guy wear?

Posted in MistahWong Hats
October 10, 2010
Q and Answer: How Should I Dress in the Rain? Steve writes: I live in Vancouver; can you suggest how I should dress for the rain? The answer is yes.  We can suggest how you should dress in the rain. You’ll want to start with an umbrella.  I really love the ones at Howard Yount, which are lovely, with solid wood handles and beautiful hand-sewn canopies.  They also cost $165.  If that’s out of your range, there are plenty of other options, just go with something simple.  There are usually good choices at a luggage shop. On your head, you can wear a hat.  A wool flat cap is a great choice.  If you’re going to wear a proper hat with a brim, this is a good time to do it, especially if it’s not too blustery. You’ll want some kind of covering for your body, of course.  A classic trench coat or Mackintosh is a good option here for pairing with more formal clothes.  Khaki is the traditional color.  There are plenty of choices for more casual wear - I like waxed cotton, and own a Barbour Beaufort, which I bought on UK eBay for about a hundred dollars.  A number of companies also make lightweight, packable rain coats, which are very useful for climates like Vancouver where rain and cold do not always go hand in hand.  For your shoes, you’ll want to avoid leather soles.  When leather soles get wet, they wear much faster.  Shoes with rubber or dainite soles are best.  Alternately, you can wear rain-specific shoes like Bean Boots and switch them when you get where you’re going, or cover your dress shoes with galoshes.

Q and Answer: How Should I Dress in the Rain?

Steve writes: I live in Vancouver; can you suggest how I should dress for the rain?

The answer is yes.  We can suggest how you should dress in the rain.

You’ll want to start with an umbrella.  I really love the ones at Howard Yount, which are lovely, with solid wood handles and beautiful hand-sewn canopies.  They also cost $165.  If that’s out of your range, there are plenty of other options, just go with something simple.  There are usually good choices at a luggage shop.

On your head, you can wear a hat.  A wool flat cap is a great choice.  If you’re going to wear a proper hat with a brim, this is a good time to do it, especially if it’s not too blustery.

You’ll want some kind of covering for your body, of course.  A classic trench coat or Mackintosh is a good option here for pairing with more formal clothes.  Khaki is the traditional color.  There are plenty of choices for more casual wear - I like waxed cotton, and own a Barbour Beaufort, which I bought on UK eBay for about a hundred dollars.  A number of companies also make lightweight, packable rain coats, which are very useful for climates like Vancouver where rain and cold do not always go hand in hand. 

For your shoes, you’ll want to avoid leather soles.  When leather soles get wet, they wear much faster.  Shoes with rubber or dainite soles are best.  Alternately, you can wear rain-specific shoes like Bean Boots and switch them when you get where you’re going, or cover your dress shoes with galoshes.

Posted in Q and Answer Rain Hats Coats Galoshes Swims Bean Boots