adidas Kids Samba® Classic Core

Children’s Place – Classic Brown Boot

It doesn’t get much more classic than the old school white Samba, every kid needs at least one pair. The potential for them to be brown by the end of day one is quite high. For the boots, we could have gone with a standard loafer but he’s been wanting a pair of boots for a while. I wasn’t ready to throw him in a standard pair of cowboy boots and these will pair well with both his slacks and his jeans.

Newton Street Vintage

I run the risk of sharing this fantastic resource I just stumbled across but the finds are too good not to share. From here on out, I’ve got an hourly auto-refresh set on the etsy page to make sure I don’t miss anything in my size. If you and I are remotely the same size, I foresee us going 12 rounds in the near future over *new pieces.

Three current ones that need to be in my closet by the end of the day…

1960s Gray Herringbone Three Button Sack Suit

via Newton Street Vintage

1960s Olive Glen Plaid Two Button Suit

via Newton Street Vintage

1960s Olive Gray Herringbone Flannel Sack Suit

via Newton Street Vintage

*vintage

Betabrand Harvester Collection – Blueberry & Potato Craftsmen Pants ($95)

Not only are these pants rugged and tough looking, they’re created with 100% organic cotton and a bunch of other eco-friendly terms so you can feel good abut yourself when wearing them. I dig the fact that they’re also released in color according to the California growing season. Reminds me of the Field Notes Brand notebooks.

via Betabrand

Swear – Jimmy 12 Dark Grey Leather Boots

Wolverine – 1000 Mile Boot ($325)

I just mentioned to my wife this week that I really dislike my current black shoes which is what I guess led me down the road to find these sold out gray Jimmy 12 boots by Swear. Wouldn’t work for me for an everyday black but I could strut my stuff regularly with them quite a bit. Once I started boot hunting, I of course couldn’t pass up the 1000 Mile Boot by Wolverine to go with my Betabrand pants from above. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right.

via Needsupply & Swear London

New Balance 420 – Blue

Continuing the theme of me not finding things I want before they’re sold out, these NB 420’s are legit in Blue. I’ve always been a fan of the 420 and I could definitely pair these with both jeans and shorts. I would assume it’s the same for you but I have to like a shoe from every angle before I’ll wear it and as you can see here, even the view from the top gives the right profile.

via Shop New Balance

Elka Danish Raincoat -Navy ($200)

Here merely in hopes that one day I’ll actually see rain. If I did, I’d look pretty sweet in this coat.

via J-Shoppe

Sam from Florence

I’m not sure how many times I’ve returned back to this photo just to study his style. Impeccable. The textures, the vest, the rolled sleeves all the way up (still working on my biceps), the glasses, the hat, it all seems to work. I’m not sure I could pull off the cut collar shirt but somehow Sam nails it. Learn from Sam.

via The Sartorialist

Warby Parker Sunglasses – Thatcher (Greystone)

Surely you know about Warby Parker, but if you don’t here’s a quick low-down: they’re an internet-based eyeglasses manufacturer that does a similar one-for-one deal like Toms shoes with those in third world nations. $95 for a pair of high-class prescription glasses with the added bonus of getting 5 pairs of frames in the mail to try on before ordering and you get to help out another in the process. Win.

Just a couple of months ago though they branched out into the sunglasses market as well. Double win.

via Warby Parker

D.S. Dundee – Rothesay Shirt-White

Care to look good in the office and head out for some fun without having to change in the bathroom? Roll the sleeves on this bad boy and go to town. Bonus, it’s on sale.

via D.S. Dundee

J. Crew – Secret Wash Button-down Shirt in Abott Tattersall

When in Rome… I throw this one here as well as a recent purchase I myself made. I’ve dressed it up with slacks/sport-coat and down with shorts, works great either way. Practice what you preach. Also, get the slim.

via J. Crew

Onia Swim Trunks – Amaury & Calder

Yes, $140 for a swimming suit is out of the question. No, that doesn’t stop me from thinking I’d look good in either of these.

via Onia

Must Have Accessories

Since they’re just street photos, neither help me much in my quest to own but that won’t stop my search.

Red/White Stripped Belt

Black & White Stripped Socks (And no, I wouldn’t pair with brown shoes but he seems to pull it off)

via Men of Habit

Luigi Bianchi Mantova – Sport Coat

We’re currently approaching our 20th straight day of 100°F temperatures. It’s maddening to think about buying and or wearing any type of jacket. Call me crazy but I would wear this jacket every day if I owned it. It might be my favorite piece this year. Flawless. It’s not on the website which means I will have to resort to actually finding the model and stealing his as my only option.

via Men of Habit

New to AFT? Feel free to catch up.

Once again, I’m open and encouraged by your feedback and am also be interested in seeing your rules/lists as well.

• I foresee quite a bit of debate from this one but I consciously don’t wear ties with button-down collar shirts. I have no issue with the button-down collar and have quite a few in my closet but I personally feel like it is a slightly more relaxed look than a tie deserves. And while I do my very best not to judge, it is one of the first things I notice on other men.
• Sticking with dress shirts, when wearing a jacket (suit or blazer) I want to see about 1/2-inch of shirt sleeve past the end of your jacket sleeve. I try to keep mine in that 1/2-inch range but I do know it often sits slight shorter/longer. I have a couple of shirts where I’ve even gone as far as safety pinning up under the sleeve to keep them from being so long. Too much shirt sleeve showing though makes me think you have a jacket that’s too small and too little showing makes me think your arms are too short.
• You should find the right fit for all of your clothes but it’s especially important when buying and wearing a suit. I applaud any man making an honest attempt to clean up and wear a suit, I just want to help us all remember that our suits from junior high are probably not the perfect answer anymore. Inversely, people can usually tell if you’re wearing your dad’s suit as well. Put it on, look in the mirror and wait for that feeling that you know you nailed it. If it doesn’t happen, adjust.
• Speaking of finding things that you can wear well, spend almost as much time as your lady-friend does in finding the right pair of jeans. There are a thousand manufacturers and thousands of different cuts to jeans so find the style that fits you best. Pay a little extra and then take good care of them.

  Suggestions:

  • We don’t want to see your business. Too tight and/or too baggy should be avoided.
  • If the pair you’re looking at in the store has scroll-work embroidery or dragons printed on them, you’re in the wrong store (and probably need an age check as well).

Care to debate? I’m all ears: @christianross, comments below or email

Imagine my surprise come Christmas morning when I unwrapped a book that had been out of print for almost 40 years. I had indeed looked into purchasing a used copy of it before but the $200-$400 price tag left me empty handed. Thankfully, my waning desire to track one down, led to my lack of knowledge that they decided to do a reprint some time last year. I’m even more grateful to my cousin for her desire to seek out gifts that she knows you would be floored with. Huge.

Take Ivy

For obvious reasons, the entire premise of this book is attractive to me. The era, the location, the fashion, the culture and the photography. And from cover to cover I’ve flipped and noted multiple times over things that need to be remembered and/or shared. The style and influences from this generation can – and should – be seen in quality men’s fashion today.

Sadly, gone is a time when most of us put much thought into our everyday wear, much less the university-aged student. Too many times do we just grab the first t-shirt from the door to step out into the world. I’m guilty of this same practice and am slowly refining in my own mind the importance of stepping up my game even in my everyday wear.

I wanted to show you a few scans from the book but I would definitely encourage you to look into getting a copy for yourself now that it is readily available again.

Deck Shoes

Actually headed out today to see if I can find a decent pair for myself.

Laundry day

If you don’t wait until the very last moment to do laundry, you might be able to get a girl to help you do it as well.

The plaid lean

Reading makes you smart. It’s probably what got this guy into Yale.

Class time

Even if you were a poor reader, I bet your professor would pass you alone on your attention to detail.

Brooks Brothers window display

Part of the book showcases a bit of what was in store for Ivy League grads: a life on Madison Avenue and a budget to dress in threads of the highest quality.

A quick browse through Gilt this week found a few gems that could work well on most any man. Sadly, since Gilt is almost a deal-a-day type place, you have to act fast before the deals are gone.

Ben Sherman – Shawl Collar Pullover

Perfect for dressing up a bit or just hanging out on the back patio with buddies. Bonus: front pocket for holding your cigs… err gum.

Ben Sherman – Zip Front Jacket

This looks like the perfect transitional-season jacket. Not to heavy but still able to keep you warm. I dig the slightly industrial feel to it, almost like a lightweight Carhart for dudes, like me, who don’t know how to work on cars but want to look like we might.

Michael Kors Collection – Hidden Button Sweatshirt

While the requirements for wearing this shirt are having at least climbed three mountains in your lifetime OR have owned at least one Subaru, it is a pretty decent shirt for your collection. I’d probably let you slide on the rules if you at least brought up climate change or recycling in your weekly conversations.

Contrast Stripped Scarf

I’ll admit, I’m a scarf man. I have been ever since I saw Jude Law pull one off in Alfie. Thankfully for my budget, these two scarves were sold out before I saw them. If you happen to have one you’re looking to part with, I pay in doughnuts.

New to AFT? Feel free to catch up.

I’ve mentioned one or two before – like matching your leathers – but there are plenty more that are worth sharing in this space. I’m hoping I’m not the only one that has rules to my wear, I’d love to hear yours as well.

• The tip of your tie should touch the top of your belt buckle. Wearing a tie down past your belt has a tendency to make you look shorter. Inversely, wearing a tie that’s too short has a tendency to make you look like a clown.
• Speaking of belt level, your dress pants should be worn on your waist. It’s taken me a while to learn this one. Your waist isn’t around your hips, nor is it at your belly-button. It’s somewhere in between. Find it.
• Wear an undershirt. And I don’t consider a “wife-beater” an undershirt. I’m extreme on this one, but it’s one I wholeheartedly believe in. I wear one with everything from t-shirts to formal dress. Also, no bacon neck allowed.
• Learn how to tie a decent knot. I’m a Half-Windsor guy, but you should find one that works for your body type. And for the sake of all humanity, don’t do the Merril Hodge. Ridiculous.
• I don’t do short-sleeve button down shirts. I’ve tried. There’s a fine line between computer nerd and Hawaiian shirt guy on this one and I don’t want to come off as either. If you are one of the few who can pull this on off, do yourself a favor and never incorporate a tie with it. You’ll thank me later.

Five should be enough to get us started, I’ll probably add more down the road. Hit me up with your personal rules either below or on Twitter, it might be something I’m missing out on.

HELM Ray Ray Boots – $395

Two things I don’t have in my shoe collection at this point. Handmade in Italy and leather soles. I fully intend to remedy each. These boots absolutely rule. Dress them with a decent pair of slacks or wear them daily with your jeans. Upon purchase however, you are fully expected to also begin riding a motorcycle.

via HELM

Ledbury Blue Windowpane Worker (Slim Fit) – $135 | Massimo Bizzocchi brown silk tie – $65 (Gilt)

I had a blue-checked shirt at one time, but after seeing this, I’m glad I have no idea where it went. I’ve said it before, but I’m a huge fan of the spread collar and this one is a real treat. I paired it with a brown tie that is sadly sold out at this point but you could get away with something similar.

Shirt via Ledbury, tie via Gilt

Native Son – Black Cashmere Suit

Without diving back through all of the other AFT’s, this may be the piece that has dropped my jaw the farthest. I don’t have a black suit, nor do I have the ‘perfect’ suit but I think this might be the answer to both. It’s fitted, shoulders at the right spot, buttons at the right height and sleeves cut to the right length. Wishlisted.

Sadly, even at the sale price of $600 (60% off original), I’ll be saving a bit.

via Gilt

First time here? Feel free to take a look back at previous A Fashionable Thursday’s to see what you might have missed.

Ties: I’m not sure a tie is classified as an accessory, but you should wear them anyways. This week’s additions come in gray, brown & party.

Gray: J. Crew Wool bright-stripe tie – $69.50
Brown: Topman Brown Textured Check Tie – £10.00
Party: Topman Bright Coloured Check Slim Tie – £10.00

Glasses: Poor eyes is no excuse for dressing less than the best. Rock some good eye-wear.

1st pair: Kaneko Optical for nonnative Dweller Frames $270 – (via hypebeast)
2nd pair: Applebum “Woody” Sunglasses (via M.L.G.)
3rd pair: Ashcroft Eyewear – (via Svpply)

Leathers: If you haven’t heard, I’m a big proponent of matching your leathers. These aren’t a perfect match for each other but either one on their own are a good place to start if you’re needing some brown in your wardrobe. Which if we’re being honest, you probably do.

Bag: hard graft 2UNFOLD Laptop Bag – €389.00 (via Svpply)
Belt: Commune Manchester Belt (Brown) – $42 (via Svpply)

If you’re new to this whole thing, you might want to take a look back at the previous 13 AFT’s to see what you missed.

Coincidence that A Continuous Lean posted a video by Oxxford Clothes of Chicago – maker of completely hand-sewn tailored suits – this week showing the painstaking process that goes into creating fine quality clothing by hand? Probably not.

via the always awesome ACL (and re-blogged by several)