Friday Faux Pas: Sloppy Sleeves

There are certainly a variety or different measurements on any garment, top or bottom, that will make or break the piece. A misfit collar of a sport coat, an untailored dress shirt, a pair overly relaxed trousers, what have you, they all look bad because of one specific characteristic.
There shouldn't be that much baggage in the sleeve.
The one that is most overlooked and overwhelmingly bothersome is the sleeve of any coat or jacket. Most men focus on the shoulder and neck of these items, which is correct as those parts of a jacket are practically untailorable, but they neglect to account for how wide the sleeve opening is. It's one thing to have a little bit of extra fabric that isn't quite noticeable (aka not worth getting altered) but its another when a look goes from suited man to wizarding wonder. Now this alteration can be down, but it is almost as difficult as the previously mentioned parts of a jacket, so it's best to take into account the arm fit; the piece should fit closely enough to allow for a shirt underneath while still accommodating natural movement. Anything less is impractically small and anything more is either borderline or full fledged sloppiness. Check those sleeves gentlemen!
This is how it should be done!
Check in tomorrow for a stylish celebrity influence and next Friday for another installment of my fashion faux pas!

Threads for Thought: New Age Argyle

It seems throughout pop culture that wacky sweaters have been reserved for the nerdy or quirky, that they might be too tacky for the cool guy vibe. Very fortunately, that whole nerdy/quirky vibe has become very mainstream with the reemergence of mid-century styling, and so has a very distinct pattern.
Carlton wore it, Cosby rocked it, and so did Urkel, maybe not exclusively, but it was apparent when they did happen to don their argyle. A simple series of color block diamonds and contrasting lines create a pattern that is recognizable beyond most, which may be why it was reserved for socks up until recently. Thankfully, designers have decided to put some youth spins on the Scottish get up by changing the orientation of or even altering the pattern in ways that emit some refreshing edginess.

Color and character are key with this piece. Too much contrast will undoubtedly attract unwanted attention and too little will make the piece look like any other sweater. The next step is finding the perfect interpretation to compliment your existing style. Classic? Then find an original with new colors. Rebel? Something off kilter to the norm, rotated slightly or broken up sporadically for some chaotic relief. Modern? Slim fitting and and streamlined with very minimalist color ways.
Saint Laurent: $725

J. Crew: $198
Diesel: $178
Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for another piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: Black Wristwear

It's hard to pin down a specific watch to be the true essential as taste varies so vastly from man to man; hence the plethora of options to choose from. One watch, however, does resonate between brands, a pseudo necessity of the horology world.

Sleek black leather affixed to a polished silver casing with a black face all combining to create a  stunning classic that is easily worn out on a Sunday brunch as it would be at a board meeting. This isn't the vanilla of watches, it has more character than that, but it has the same wearability as any all silver watch. Simplicity goes a long way to add to this piece's classic sensibilities, but could still have some complications and dials and retain that same nature; it's all about personal preference, exuding your style through your wrist wear as a compliment to your clothing.
Montblanc: $3255
Movado: $495
Lucien Piccard: $100
Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another essential wardrobe item!