We couldn’t be more appreciative of our sponsors. As an independent menswear site, they’re why we’re able to keep the lights on. So, twice a month, we like to give them a special shoutout to recognize them for their support. Doing so also allows us to update our readers on our sponsors’ latest happenings.
As we head into fall, Proper Cloth just put up their new fall/winter collection. Included are some limited-edition fall shirtings. Made from brushed cotton flannel and available in autumnal colors such as cranberry and ochre, these shirts can be paired with moleskin trousers, woolen flannels, or blue jeans. Since Proper Cloth is an online made-to-measure clothier, you can use them to get the perfect fitting shirt (they allow you to send in either your body measurements or the measurements of your best-fitting shirt). Their unlined Soft Ivy Button-Down collar has become a favorite among Ivy Style enthusiasts because of its generous roll and 1960s proportions. This collar style would be ideal for these new fall flannels.
Readers may also want to check out the new selection of Sullivan trousers, which is Proper Cloth’s name for their five-pocket pants. Available in stretch cotton twills, denim, moleskin, and corduroy, these give you a more casual alternative to your dress trousers. For guys who want to dress down a sport coat, many of the fabric selections here will also look a little dressier than your standard blue jeans (try the white denim or brown cords). These come in five fits — athletic, classic, straight, slim, and extra slim — and nearly any size.
If you’re looking to spruce up a fall wardrobe, Chipp’s ancient madder ties can be worn with flannel suits, corduroy sport coats, and of course, tweed (nothing badder than tweed with madder). Paul Winston over at Chipp once told me the chalky, dusty hand of ancient madder reminds him of a horse’s wet nose. I’ve always thought it was a charming description.
The term madder refers to two things. The first is the rich-red, vegetable dye that’s derived from the Eurasian plant Rubia tinctoria. It was used to dye regal clothes in ancient times, which Bruce Boyer says is how we get the “ancient” part of ancient madder. Then we have “madder style,” which is an old printing method that involves using thickened mordants, drying, aging, dunging, and dyeing with alizarine (the coloring agent obtained from madder root). I’ve never known whether madder in silks refers to the first or the second, but for what it’s worth, not all madder ties contain red.
In any case, the nice thing about madder ties is that they sit in the middle in terms of formality – just as good with tweed and corduroy jackets as they are with worsted suits and pinstripes. Chipp’s are made in New York City from the same English silks used by top-tier neckwear producers, but theirs are just $75 (almost a third of what some of their competitors charge). Paisley is perhaps the most classic option, while the small geometric foulards are better with suits and than sport coats. Take the diamond motif if you want something a little updated.
If you’re looking for a simple way to spruce up a wardrobe, Dapper Classics has been doing a slow-release of their new fall/winter sock collection. Made at a third-generation, family-owned mill in North Carolina, these finely knitted socks are finished with hand-linked toes. The new collection has a bunch of conservative and playful patterns, which include scampering foxes that will bring a smile to anyone who sees them underneath corduroy or moleskin trouser cuffs. Corkscrew motifs might be fun for nights out to the bar, while solid navy, over-the-calf socks will be better for the office.
If you’re looking for conservative patterns that straddle these two worlds, try Dapper Classics’ selection of pin-dot, grenadine, and nailhead designs. Those can be an excellent way to add some visual interest to an outfit without going too quirky. Remember that navy socks go with everything. Otherwise, match the color of your socks to your trousers. This will help visually elongate your leg line (e.g., grey socks with grey trousers, brown socks with tan trousers, etc.).
In the continuing fight to create the perfect button-down, Rowing Blazers launched their made-to-order shirt service last week. They offer twenty versions of old-school American classics: oxford and broadcloth fabrics in traditional and unexpected colors. The shirts are inspired by the Golden Age American OCBD. The collar has a full and expressive roll, while the body is available in standard, trim, and full fits. Every shirt comes with matte pressed cotton buttons and a hidden label featuring Rowing Blazers’ rakish cartoon mascot, “Henry.” Naturally, the shirts are made in the good ol’ US of A.
Everyone has dusty clothes in the back of their closet, which may not have seen the light in years. If you haven’t worn something for a while, consider sending it to LuxeSwap, a sponsor on this site and reputable eBay consignor. They do all the hard work of selling your clothes for you. All you need to do is send them a list of things you’re thinking about consigning. Once approved, they’ll take your items, photograph them in their studio, and create eBay listings. When the items have been sold, they pack and ship them to customers. You can take your money in the form of store credit at Epaulet or No Man Walks Alone (which yields a little more return), or in the form of cash.
September is a great time to clean out your closet and use LuxeSwap’s services. For one, many people start shopping for fall/winter clothes at the beginning of the season, which means you might get a little more money out of your second-hand clothes. Secondly, you can make space in your closet for new fall/winter arrivals (there’s always a tempting coat around the corner). Spring is the season that gets most closely associated with closet cleaning, but September may be the better option for people who are consigning.
