Arrived: Alden 967

Beautiful.

Arrived: BillyKirk Triple Band

So I have searched for quite some time for this guy both online and in stores; luckily I happen to run into someone in NYC who had an in.  Thanks again!

bite'n style:

So I'm totally biting some style from this picture (thanks one mans style)...

I've been trying to decide how to wear this without looking like a tool... Answer = play the old school card (less is more approach).  I'm thinking my worn-in A.P.C. Rescues and a tee or white oxford, and dark low or mid boots.  Maybe the Red Wing Boat shoe mids (must have) or my Alden wing tips, or maybe even the Quoddy Mid deck boots....we'll see.

Well Worn: Joe's Wing Tips

A gift from his wife from about five years ago, Joe has lived in his short wing bluchers working as a gallery curator and graphic designer in and around NYC.  "I've worn the hell out of them walking all over the city and its suburbs visiting galleries and artists' studios.  I've dripped literal blood & sweat on them and even a few figurative tears.  I love the shoes."   

Joe's typical style is:  Ray Ban 'new wayfarer' prescription glasses, Hanes white t-shirt, J.Crew flannel shirt (because my office is over air conditioned), a pair of brand new shrink to fit 501s that still stand up on their own and a leather belt that is equally as worn as the shoes (also a gift from my wife purchased on a trip to Italy. She's awesome & I'm very lucky).

Thanks for sharing Joe!

can't wait to rock the shit out of this, c'mon fall!

Rogan lambskin moto jacket = mortgage payment

Garbstore Spring 2010 Preview

So after my recent trip to NYC and finally getting exposure to a longtime coveted brand, I'm officially calling Garbstore one of my favorite brands.  I'm not exactly what it is about quality that sucks me in, but it's my kryptonite.  I've always been a person who tends to "buy quality once" with EVERYTHING, ask my parents, they hate it.  I feel like super trendy, cheaply made, low quality products are simply a waste.  For instance, if I want a new TV, it takes me like 9 months to research, save, allocate funds, and then finally pull the trigger.  Same thing applies for me with clothing, I listen to bloggers, reputations, websites, whatever I can, and then look at how it fits people and the models, then the final step of cost vs. fit analysis.  I'm  10x more likely to buy a garment (even if it's at a higher cost) if it fits me well.  Hands down the most important thing I think anyone can understand for achieving a great personal style.

So anyways, after listening to Ian Paley (head designer/owner) describe the methods, sourcing of materials, construction, and the many other details of this line, I knew I had to have several pieces.  My favorites from this upcoming collection have to be the Track Smock, Mountain Parka, Double Duck Pants, and the Huntsman Blazer, it's SO amazing, the buttons, the inner stitching, and the cut is simply beautiful.  I seriously only have one goal for the next few months...locate these items, find out what size I am in the collection, and purchase, no decision needed...

Who needs a tote?

So at last weeks CAPSULE NYC, the lovely assistants at the entrance gave us a nice sized dry denim tote bag for carrying around your swag, business cards, lookbooks, etc...

I acquired a few of these from my random entrances to the show and also to give to a few friends who would enjoy yet another bag.  I for one, do not need another bag, so I thought I should give these away...  Any ideas?  Contest? Something...or bribes...haha.

Monday Muse

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Monocle Issue 25: Highlights

There is always amazing articles, photography, and varying points of view in every Monocle magazine, but I'm really enjoying the latest version, issue 25.
There is a nice note on The Hill-Side, one of my new favorite brands.  After meeting Emil last week, the two sentences could have been a bit more elaborative, but any news is good news.  They are a worthy brand doing things right in a crowded marketplace of cheap junk.

Another note was on the new feature at Visvim stores (which run under the name F.I.L. or Free International Laboratory) which allows you to know resole your Visvim Foley shoes made possible by the goodyear welt I was unaware they had.  Anther Visvim tied article is a Q&A with Visvim founder Hiroki Nakamura.  Great read, and great designer, wish I could of met him on his recent travels to Chicago!

My favorite articles are 

• Please Turn Off the Lights P.33 on abandoned cities (New Orleans and Detroit) "If you love consumerism you'll think Detroit is a terrible place.  If you like real-life communities, you'll love it."
• Full Speed Ahead  P.71 on the high-speed rail system Obama is allocating $8b towards building.  With it's central hub being my city, Chicago IL.  Interesting read on how he is working with European experts to plan and design the future of our mass transit here in the US.

Help!

Please send me a few good pics, a short (paragraph or less) description of your unique, well-traveled, amazing items!  It can be a bag, your favorite dry denim jeans, a canteen (ACL), broken-in wingtips, original hardback book, whatever!  I want to see other people's cool stuff, and so do others!  Send your entry to the email up at the top of the site!  Can't wait to see what you have and treasure!

Fall Essentials: Crew Neck Sweatshirt

J.Crew
Apolis Activism

The Crew Neck Sweatshirt is a definite essential for the upcoming fall season.  It's an easy layer to throw on over an oxford for a casual look.  I like to throw one in my bag on warmer days to put on over a tee and shorts as the day turns to night... and it's also a nice to have when that special lady inevitably gets cold.  I tend to stick to pretty standard colors such as navy and gray above, but don't feel obligated to always migrate to these common colors.  Find a washed red or hunter green; one of my favorites that I own is a bright blue crew neck from Rugby that's washed out and soft as can be.  Crew necks always looks great.

Please post your suggestions in the comments, I need to find some new alternatives and your fellow readers want to see your thoughts/blogs as well.  Thanks in advance!

My "new" Lichtenstein

My commissioned painting by Hilary Florido NYC 2009

Roy Lichtenstein's Original-"Drowning Girl" 1963

almost done!

details look so good...

~Inspiration~

Capsule NYC: Recap

Showroom...

Garbstore Parka

Garbstore field jacket

Garbstore denim sport coat

Yuketen Crepe Loafer

Yuketen range-

So CAPSULE NYC was this past Monday/Tuesday and I went out to NYC to take a peak at the collections, meet some new and old friends, and do a little business on the side. Overall the show was pretty well stocked with a lot of familiar faces and lines for the upcoming spring season. My personal favorites were the brands who I have not had much exposure to here in Chicago or even online. Yuketen, Garbstore, Folk, and Post'Overalls were my personal favorites from the venue. It's always nice to be excited about a brand that you have never seen, and when you finally do, they don't disappoint, they actually exceed your expectations...

However, as great as the show was, the garments and accessories, and even the hot models walking around my hotel (Thompson LES, bad ass BTW), all paled in comparison to the new people I've met over the trip. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for so many of these people that it slays me to have had the conversations I did! So down to earth, funny, hard working, and charismatic that I just sat back on the flight home, thinking... it was all a dream (baby-baby, uhhh!) But in all seriousness, these people just had no idea how much they inspire me! It was truly an honor guys and I look forward to the future! Big shout out to @gblyss, @AllPlaidOut, @BillyKirkInc, @PTLDME, @Emil/TheHill-Side, @ApolisActivism, @StreetEtiquette, @h(y)r, @BrandonMCapps, @contextclothing, @folk, @Ian from Garbstore, @Chris from Folk, @Andrew from 3Sixteen, and many more...

I'm back....

So NYC was amazing, the show was great, and the people were by far the best part! I'll post some stuff up later tonight...keep an eye out or check twitter.

High Fashion or High Country?

Chances are most people, (present company included) will never be able to afford or even see if we could, garments from collections like Junya Wantanabe. The pieces from artists like this, are just that, art. They bridge the gap between function, heritage, and style. While I respect and rightfully covet items from all the masters of their trade, at this moment in my life, these garments just out of my reach. An easier way to pull style from these collections are to mix in an item from what probably inspired these designs in the first place. Take a look and see if you notice the homage to great American outdoor tradition. I will leave you with this tip; if incorporated subtly, this can be a great addition to an outfit. If done wrong you'll be wearing a costume.

Chukar Jacket

Pa'tridge Vest II, Waxed Cotton

Technical Upland Shirt

Big Game System Basic Shell