Threads for Thought: Brogue Boots

As is the case with pants during the winter, there comes a time when the footwear options seem to repeat themselves, no matter how many options at your disposal. Boots are a clear cut choice along with other chunky, rugged styles that provide a solid base in the not-so-nice weather, but what happens when an occasion calls for a dressier facade.

Brogue boots combine classic sensibilities with the solid foundation they need to take on the most inclement weather. Brogues, especially the more streamlined options have been reliable dress options for years, and by adding a 4-6 inch shaft to the ankle, the classy piece is transformed into a multipurpose footwear choice. Even after the cold has subsided, these boots can be style unlaced with jeans or biker pants for a sophisticated high-low look that is sure to turn heads.
Allen Edmonds: $425
Grenson: $330
Topman: $90
Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for another fashion piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardobe Essentials: The Holiday Sweater

The time of year is here for bundling up, but the same old drab of solids and stripes, even the occasional argyle, gets old after a few weeks. Combine that with the lack of sun-supplied vitamin D, everyone is bound to get a little cranky!
This is where we begin thanking the lovely Shetlanders for devising a nifty breed of sweater that can liven up any sweater situation and also embrace the holidays in the best way possible. Fair Isle sweaters are knitted in a way that allows multiple color fibers to help create the intricate details that denote this genre. As with Tweed, another Shetland innovation, these sweaters are rugged and meant for long-lasting wear and keeping the cold at bay.

This style does lend itself to a high degree of seasonality, being truly acceptable for maybe two months of the year, so there are two ways to look at purchasing one of these dandy sweaters. The high road, or splurge, means looking for a model with the softest cashmere while staying exceedingly classic in appearance so it will be stylish from year to year. Then there is the year-by-year road that allows for more creative designs; possibly lower quality material, but the ability to change the look is a major plus.
Burberry: $595
Ralph Lauren: $225
J. Crew: $118
Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another essential style piece!

Monday Outlook: The Man Bag

There's too many things that the average man uses every day that he can carry just in his hands and pockets. Notebooks, tablets, laptops, lunch, whatever the case may be, there has come a merging of the men's and women's accessories world.
The day has come where men need to have an everyday bag with them, a carry all that will hold all their goods during their commute. Its hard to narrow down one specific type because each guy has different needs; the health-nut might need a duffle between work and the gym while the bike messenger needs a backpack. And with the mindset of this being an everyday bag, there's no reason not to splurge on something that will last for years to come; luxe leathers, rugged fabrics, and unique details that show some pride. It is one thing to follow trends on this one, but it is more important to find a classic piece that won't fade with the times or be dated come 2015.
Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for further fashion trend insight for the coming months!