Friday, May 28, 2010

Socks To Be You

For this blog post, I’d love to do an in depth post on keeping a sock collection. It’s large task, and I will probably need your help. If you see anything that I need to add (especially on different mall stores, I know I'm missing some), shoot me a message at my twitter - http://twitter.com/luggjk - or leave a comment. I was gonna’ hang onto this post until I got some pics, but alas, the camera bummed out on me. I should look into getting real gear.

Socks in the summer are usually cast away, as many guys opt to go sockless with the sneakers, loafer, or sandal. This is not bad by any means, as it’s a great look most of the time. However, I love socks. I personally have at least 20 different dress socks (I don’t count athletic socks and basic black - they’re boring), the brighter, the better. A lot of people overlook the power of socks and choose not to expand their collection while they invest in things like chambray and selvedge. These things are great, have a lot of character, but don’t portray it in such a bold way as a pair of socks. Many a dull outfit can be brightened up with a pair of wacky, bright, and textured socks. Take this image from Sanforized.
































The guy in the front is wearing the basics, but with the argyle socks he’s got just a little more character. Having a sock collection can really brighten up any outfit and add a little extra eye-catcher to the way you dress.









































Caption: Accenting the tie, in this pic from The Sartorialist, might be a little much. I am of the opinion that socks are like a pocket square. They should make it look like you did not think about how you dressed, so avoid matching colors and patterns. Personally, I would have gone with a navy blue tie, but what do I know? Scotty hasn’t taken my picture.

Purchasing socks is easy. However, I think there is definitely a way not to buy socks. I do not buy socks on the internet. To many a blogger that may seem odd. Why not buy them off the internet? Who wants to subject themselves to a mall? However, I think that there are very good reasons why you should purchase socks in person.

1. Socks at the mall are often in sale bins. Places like Gap, Old Navy, and Urban Outfitters always seem to have socks on the cheap from last season. Those same places tend not to have such a selection at such a price on the internet or they don’t have them on their website anymore.
2. You can feel the socks. You can tell if the sock will wear out quickly (lookout for thin, soft socks - they wear out first) and you can tell if the sock is better for winter or spring and fall.
3. Colors on the internet are bad. You can tell if the sock is too bright or too boring in real life.
4. You can pick up some new underwear while you’re at it. There’s a good chance that yours are worn out.
5. Just because they’re the same price on the internet, it doesn’t mean that they’re cheaper. Shipping can add a couple bucks and if you’re getting socks from a couple different places, it adds up. Sidenote: when purchasing socks, vary your shops. Stores tend to work with the same palette for each collection. You don’t wear the same palette every day, do you?

I’d like to give a quick run down of the shops that make good, cheap socks, that I personally know.

Gap: They make the best mid-weight socks for their price at the typical mall. The colors tend to be bland, which isn’t a bad thing. Adding a slightly detailed sock, that isn’t an eye-catcher, is like having a monogram only you know about. They make the best argyles as argyles look cheap when they’re bright. Also, if you're brighter than your date, consider toning it down. Gap socks are perfect for adding detail without letting everyone know about it.

Old Navy: They make really bad thin socks. They’re cheap, but they’ll last maybe a year. And they colors tend to look cheap. I can’t put my finger on why. However, this winter they offered some cheap thick socks. I grabbed a navy blue pair that was flecked with a lighter blue and topped with two yellow bands. It’s a very cool cheap sock that has worn well. I’ll even throw ‘em on with Authentics and shorts. It’s a cheesy look, I know. Old Navy is definitely worth looking into for socks but make sure you check them out before you throw a bunch into your bag.

Urban Outfitters: They make a decent lightweight sock. Not amazing quality, but they suffice. Urban Outfitters probably specializes in the sham-wow socks. The colors will knock your socks off... Ew... Another example of literary tastelessness. They’ll look good with a suit, chinos, or jeans. I own a few pair and they’re a bit loud, but they’ve worn well and don’t show their wear like Old Navy socks.

J.Crew: They’re a bit pricey as $8.50 is the lowest I’ve found them. But they have some socks that are worth looking at. My favorite are their stripes. Of course, they look good with anything. Make sure to stop here for a pair or two, just to diversify your palette.

Ralph Lauren @ Macy’s or the like: They’re boring, except for the argyles but those are everywhere, and are never on sale. Avoid the pony socks.

Top Man: Ok, they’re not a mall store, but let’s just say you happen upon NYC once or twice a year, you could pick a pair or two up here. They have lots of colorful thinner socks that are of slightly better quality than Old Navy. The colors and designs sometimes come off as faddy and contrived, but over all, the socks do well with a pair of bucks or sneakers.

























Caption: Aristotle V. from the Esquire Best Dressed Real Man competition understands socks.

Taking care of your socks is easy. Just don’t throw ‘em in the dryer. Hang ‘em up and they’ll last longer. Will at ASW knows what he’s talking about. Listen to him. However, if you do choose to throw them in the dryer, no harm done. If you shop like I do, you’ve accelerated the wear on a $5-$8 sock.

Finally, organize your sock drawer so your significant other thinks you’re weird and finds a new significant other. And then you can be left all alone, looking at your socks... Or you could just wear your socks and keep your significant other.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Bad Taste?: Banana Republic

Yep, BR's shirts still suck. I visited a BR over vacation and was a little perturbed by their selection. However, they cut their chinos pretty much the same as the Gap, and I like Gap chinos.












I grabbed a pair of navy Straight Gavin Chinos for $25. At least BR is good for something. The fit's nice. They're slim, but not skinny and stay cooler than jeans in the heat. While I would never go in a Banana Republic for a shirt or a suit, I would go in there for some chinos. It's a cheap way to fill out your wardrobe. Sorry about the image size. My computer is dumb and I'm lazy.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Back Baby?
































Back from shuffleboarding in the New England states. I talked with an elderly couple and the husband makes their shoes. They looked like white Gucci loafers with white Vibram soles. Dope? Dope.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Bad Taste?: ts(s)

Takuji Suzuki‘s line ts(s) was received as a designy hipster bleh by the blogosphere (still uncomfortable using that term). On SartInc someone made a Zoolander reference. I think part of me agreed, but, unlike most everyone else, part of me didn't. I don't know what it is about this collection, but some of the garments look "real". For example, let me take you through this picture below.











































The colors are dull and boring, but who wants to wear pink in the winter? Starting with the shirt/tie combo, I'd have to say the BD and wool tie look pretty killer. Nothing much different from last winter, so at least he isn't trying to change menswear drastically. The pants: nothing to see here. Takuji seems to keep it conservative here. The suede jacket starts to pull everything together. The zipper on the suede jacket does a great job of varying the closure type. Instead of seeing button-button-button, we have button-zipper-button. This ends up looking much better layering wise. When you make one layer different than the rest, it helps everything look finished yet unthoughtful. Try layering like this, and you'll notice how much better it looks. The top wool coat makes the look. Washed out and homeless, maybe; but this coat definitely has some style. Notice the contrast at the top of the collar, which is just a nice detail that makes the coat look like it's not just a ruined coat. The coat changes the color palette from grey to blue. If it was grey, you'd achieve the effect of when someone matches their pocket square to their tie - too put together and boring. This look is very thoughtfully unthoughtful. Takuji knows what's up even if you don't agree with some of his fits.

And yes, I too was confused by the ill fitting pants and rain parka.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Lazy/Wisdom Teeth




My wisdom teeth got removed today. Posts to come this weekend.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Burberry Chelsea Boots




























Burberry London sells these for a fortune - $695 to be exact. It might be worth it (quality in question) as the boots could be suited up and jeaned (when in doubt, make up your own words) down. Not that I would ever spend this much for a non-lace up, but we can dream, can't we? I suppose it's for the best, Chelsea boots seem a bit European to me and I feel that wearing them would be a stretch. It's a cool shoe but I'll save my money and get my mom something for today. Flowers and shoes don't really compare when you balance your checkbook anyway.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Bad Taste?: Toms


















Ok, Toms are for a good cause but I don't think a dude can wear these in good taste. It looks like you're wearing slippers, which, essentially, you are. If you're going to support the Toms cause, just buy the women in your life a bunch; they like 'em.

P.S. In lieu of the comments about roll tabs: if you like 'em for fishing and such, then they're all yours. If they're in no way practical in your life, then they're just annoying.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bad Taste?




























Well, that's interesting.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Bad Taste: Uncrate?























Uncrate likes to throw outfits together. Most are decent, with good composition. However, this particular one, put together in anticipation of the Derby, struck a bit flat in my book; for a couple reasons. Lets take it bit by bit. The best items in the group are the sunglasses and the trousers. Both aren't overly flashy and look great on sunny days. I'm not too big on bags, so I guess it suffices. The hat has a pattern to it, which draws attention to it, making it less than favorable in my book. The blazer isn't bad, and it goes well with the trousers. From a distance, it would probably look seersucker, but upon inspection, would prove itself otherwise. You'd think the shirt would be great, except for the pink buttons. It's just odd enough to draw attention to the shirt. The shoes speak for themselves; good in an understated outfit, but clown-y in an outfit that already has loud pieces. Why you'd wear a black bow-tie on a sunny day is beyond me. And most cannot pull it off during the day in the first place. Here's what I'd do to change the outfit. First, brown shoes, second, keep the hat solid, third get a different bow-tie. And then I'd leave the shirt alone as the oddity of the buttons will make the outfit standout. Do those things, and I'd feel pretty comfortable in those clothes. And I certainly wouldn't feel like a clown.

Bad Taste?: Running Shorts

















Bad Taste: Taking your woman to dinner, office, church, and parties.

Good Taste: Doing anything where you're moving a decent amount.

On the East Coast, I would say that running shorts, with liners, are almost a necessity. With the intense humidity that has fallen over Pennsylvania, I would say that these are the perfect shorts for that.


























Image jacked from Jake Davis.