Wardrobe Essentials: Double Monks

There is a saying, I believe it goes "The shoe makes the man", and I don't think anything truer can be said about style. Your shoe choice can make or break your outfit, so it's imperative that you keep that in mind in the morning while you get dressed. There is one shoe in particular that should be in every city man's closet and is almost thoughtless when it comes to pairing with outfits.

Bomber jacket and double monks make a great pair.

As the name implies, these shoes were worn by monks centuries ago as a more formal alternative to their sandals. Durable and easy to wear, monk straps have become very popular with the city class (especially commuters) who are looking for a versatile shoe with comfort and class. Traditionally constructed with a cap toe, they are equal parts dressy and casual, but can also be found with broguing and have become very popular this season in suede.

Colored chinos and double monks? Yep.

The distinguishing feature between different monkstraps is the amount of straps on the shoe; starting with one and going up to three from my experience. The ones you'll want to go with are the doubles, providing a happy medium between the formal one-strap and adventurous three-strap. Find them in a leather and color combination that you are comfortable wearing with a majority of your wardrobe because you're going to end up wearing them as often as possible. (Disclaimer: don't be mad at me when these become your favorite footwear option)

Grenson Shoes: $395

Howard Yount: $349

Suit Supply: $289

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for more Wardrobe Essentials!

Tech Tuesday: Nomad

I'm sure we all share the same problem of having to charge our phones midway through the day in order to stave off losing our main connection to the "world". Nomad has queued in to this need and has developed some everyday carry essentials that act as a phone cord while remaining very sleek and covert. Their offering includes the NomadClip, NomadCard, and NomadKey, all of which do the same thing, just in a different package; it all comes down to what you want to have with you everyday. The NomadKey is my favorite judging from the pictures, but if you don't carry your keys with you everywhere, then the NomadCard will be a better option.

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your wardrobe and next Tuesday for more exciting tech!

Monday Outlook: Black & Tan

I wish we were talking about the delightful beverage they call a Black and Tan, but we must stay on topic this Monday. The upcoming movement may very well define your wardrobe in the cooler months and will provide you with a multitude of staples to carry you into future seasons down the road.

Full on adoption of Black & Tan.

Black and Tan is one of the most classic of color combinations, popularized by the British during the Pre-Colonial period when they still had the false notion that Scotland and Ireland were there's. Nowadays, you see it occasionally and may accidentally put the combination together yourself, but the fall/winter 2014 aims to bring it to the forefront. Leathers, fabrics, and furs all sporting the contrasting hues, some (leopard print) even mingle the two together.

Leather and shearling will be big too.

This trend is going to be very easy to adopt seeing as your closet is already filled with all forms of Black and Tan, it's just a matter of how you're going to express these old pieces in new ways. Or if you're looking to replace some older items, you'll be able to do so knowing that those pieces are timeless (unless its leopard). With that in mind, splurge a little bit, buy that big ticket item that you've had your eye on or stock up on essentials, it's your call.

Notice the shoes! Great transition rig from summer to fall.

Check in tomorrow for some exciting tech and next Monday for more fashion trend insight for the coming months!