Put This On

Real People: Outerwear

It’s probably just the dropping temperatures where I live, but I’ve been noticing outerwear a bit more frequently on various fits — and Philipp in Germany has an amazing overcoat that I envy. The navy color would work well for both day and evening and goes with a wide variety of trouser (and suit) types. One of the things I believe is often overlooked in overcoats are its ability to provide proper warmth. Too often they’re cut too short, but this overcoat is appropriately long to cover the legs better. I also like that it has a back center vent, which allows for movement, but this style vent also blocks out the wind from entering through the back. Finally, the umbrella is a nice touch. I often find it’s a bit off-putting to see a guy wearing a great coat such as this but then carrying an umbrella that looks like it was bought in the discount bin at a drug store after being caught in a rainstorm. A beautiful umbrella goes a long way to completing a look.

-Kiyoshi

Real People: Chris in England

The first thing I noticed about Chris in England was his lack of pocket square — and it didn’t bother me. The suit already has several strong features between the peaked lapels and the addition of a waistcoat. Could one be added? Sure. But does it need to be? I think the outfit does quite well without one. 

Also, I found his choice of shirt collar and color to be of interest. The collar has a narrower spread than you might seen on most shirts these days, with many guys preferring a standard spread, whereas Chris’ collar actually compliments his face’s size quite well. The decision to go with light blue actually works better with the suit’s fabric, which is more casual (a houndstooth pattern), despite the peaked lapels that are usually a more formal characteristic.

-Kiyoshi

Real People: The Three-Piece Suit

It seems a bit rare to find three-piece suits. For one, not many retailers even carry them and the few that do have a very narrow selection. I still think they are a welcome choice for cold weather, giving a bit more insulation for your torso and elevating one’s appearance. Erik from Sweden has a pair of three-piece suits that I found myself admiring. 

One thing I’d like to point out is how the waistcoats perform their function quite well of covering the waist completely. Too often I see photos of guys wearing waistcoats that are too short for their torsos, exposing their shirt and waistline of the trousers underneath. 

Finally, it’s worth noting the coherency of the outfits. Both suits are made of more casual, country fabrics — tweed and large checked flannel. This means more casual shirts (a checked shirt and a blue shirt instead of white) and appropriate footwear (country tan brogue boots and chocolate suede). There is no mixing of city and country in the outfit. 

-Kiyoshi

Real People: Colorful dressing

As part of an ongoing series, Put This On will be featuring real men with great style.

I first noticed Ingemar from Sweden when he posted a photo of himself wearing a pair of headphones from UrbanEars that were covered in Harris Tweed fabric, which I thought was a rather unique use of the material. 

But once I checked out his Pinterest page, I really enjoyed his sense of style that injected color into his wardrobe of tweeds and heavier wools. His use of layering with colorful waistcoats and v-necks to provide contrast to his jackets reoccurs many times and I think it’s a great technique. Framing the complimentary color with the jacket provides a pleasing visual counterbalance. 

Sometimes, I find color distracting, but Ingemar does a fantastic job of bringing a cheerfulness to his outfits with it that doesn’t overreach. 

-Kiyoshi

Real People: City and Country

As part of an ongoing series, Put This On will be featuring real men with great style.

Alex in Seoul has a typical conservative business dress look that is actually more colorful than you’d think at first glance. Against the background of a dark grey suit, the burgundy grenadine tie sits against a blue pinstriped shirt. Overall, the look is balanced. If he’d attempted to go with a pocket square in blue silk, it’d push the outfit over from CBD and into more fanciful territory. The white pocket square to me shows restraint — in a good way — that makes his city-appropriate outfit work.

Meanwhile, Andrew in Atlanta has a country casual outfit that I immediately found intriguing for a variety of reasons. Most noticeable is the jacket, featuring four patch pockets on the front — including one button-down flapped pocket on each breast. Because the sport coat is a woody tweed though and has other refined county jacket details like a throat latch on the lapel, it actually doesn’t look as outrageous as it might on a different fabric or context. Paired with grey flannels, a button-down collared shirt and a knit tie, the outfit as a whole has a cohesive look for the outdoors. 

-Kiyoshi

Real People: Winter Holiday

As part of an ongoing series, Put This On will be featuring photos from real men with great style.

The holiday season this week is a great time to move away from muted colors and replace them with something more cheerful. The season allows for tartan and Fair Isle patterns alongside cozy knits and rugged footwear. These gentlemen do a great job of showing a relaxed style that’s appropriate for the days around Christmas. 

First is Rob from Brooklyn, who is wearing a chunky knitted shawl collared cardigan and tartan flannel trousers. His tie is a vintage Brooks Brothers Santa tie that’s been passed down through the family, which is a pretty cool tradition. (Speaking of ties, Rob’s launching a necktie line of his own, Yellow Hook Neckties, next year.) What’s really great about this outfit is the high contrast between the cardigan and trousers — plus it looks ridiculously comfortable.

Eric in New York (a.k.a., AcuteStyle) has long been pattern mixing in his outfits and this Boxing Day outfit is no different. While most would stop at just the patchwork plaid shirt, he adds a Blackwatch puffer vest, too. The important part to notice is how he separates the layers with a dark wool cardigan. This has the effect of reducing the loudness of the shirt and creating a more natural transition to the vest. 

Next, “clarinetplayer” in Michigan has a very traditional look of a Christmas sweater over an OCBD with grey trousers. I really like this outfit for its simplicity and timelessness. It uses two elements that should be wardrobe staples for any man and could be duplicated by almost anyone. 

Finally, Eric from Fort Collins also goes for a simple holiday outfit that’s more dressed down. While the Fair Isle sweater isn’t exactly themed in Christmas colors, it does reflect his environment quite well. Partnered with jeans and boots, his outfit works for being in a rural environment rather than an urban one. As a whole, it’s very coherent. 

-Kiyoshi

Real People: Suits & Black Shoes

As part of an ongoing series, Put This On will be featuring photos from real men with great style. 

Lately, I’ve found myself sharing the opinion that if you’re dressed for business in a suit that black shoes will look the best. This isn’t to say brown shoes are “wrong”, but I’ve really grown to like the look of shiny black oxfords with a suit, and these two gentlemen look remarkably good in conservative suits with black shoes. 

First, Jeff in Louisville (a.k.a.: The Thrifty Gent) wears a mid-grey suit with a navy dotted tie and simple white square. Not only is the fit of the suit great, but none of the elements stand out too much from each other. It’s a very neutral set of colors and the black plain-toe shoes work quite to compliment the look rather than contrast it. 

Second, we have Bruce from New York City, who always looks elegant in the outfits he posts. While you could certainly say the double-breasted dark suit is quite conservative, he’s livened up his look with teal-colored necktie that also ads some visual texture along with some brilliant blue cufflinks. Still, the black shoes don’t fight the overall look and try to stand out — the tie stands out enough on its own. 

-Kiyoshi

Real People: Casual Outerwear

As part of an ongoing series, Put This On will be featuring photos from real men with great style. 

I wanted to feature a few examples of simple, casual outerwear this week. All of these are great looks for the weekend, but also are decent for guys who won’t need to don an overcoat over a suit for their day-to-day. 

“The-Bigwig” from Poland demonstrates how to easily wear a waxed motorcycle jacket. The oxblood color works great for the fall season and is a nice alternative to the often-seen black jacket. The rest of the outfit is simple and very casual: denim and navy plain-toe bluchers. 

On the right, Aaron in Louisville continues the motorcycle jacket theme, but with brown leather. The colors of the entire outfit are complimentary and reminiscent of military tones. No one item is overwhelming and overall it looks laid back and very casual country rather than overly urban as leather motorcycle jackets tend to be.

In the bottom left, Mike from Michigan has a country look that’s very coherent. The corduroy field jacket, shaggy Shetland sweater and checked shirt that compliment each other quite well. The utilitarian boots with the denim are a natural match, too. 

The takeaway from these three gentlemen is that a good casual outfit for the colder season can be built rather easily by picking a simple piece of outerwear and colors that represent the season well. 

-Kiyoshi

“Get a well-fitting suit, a fitted shirt, a solid pair of leather-soled shoes and a nice necktie — and never worry again about needing something nice to wear on short notice.” - The Silentist