Ralph Lauren Suspenders
Suspenders are another interesting accessory that I have only worn maybe once or twice in my entire life, and they were both while in the teen years. I do think that suspenders can look really cool, really classic and can generally be a sublte item that makes you stand out. I think that might be easier to wear than bow ties, at least for me personally. Similar to neck ties there are a lot of options for patterns, materials and colors. These Ralph Lauren joints are looking pretty fresh to me with the nice leather details. I also heard that Alexander Olch might be doing his own suspenders for the new year so that would be an interesting option. I definitely could see suspenders popping up a bit more in the next few months.
R.L.F.C. Scarves
While I’ve always liked Football Club scarves I’ve falling off my avid football watching and following. These days I just wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing an Arsenal Gunners scarf since I haven’t been paying attention enough. So that brings me to the next best option, this Ralph Lauren Football club piece. All of the same designs and aesthetic feel without having to have knowledge of who the leading onion bagger is at the moment or who’s injured. It comes in a dark forest green but I find the black is definitely the most diverse when you bring the pattern into the mix. Ralph Lauren did a very nice job not taking the FC scarf over the top as well which I’ve seen happen on occasion, even but the clubs themselves.
Ralph Lauren Private Sale
Posting about sales isn’t really my thing but this one is a top notch one that I’m really jealous of. Right now Ralph Lauren is having a pretty fierce sale at all their stores and online. Yes I know RL is always going on sale but damn, Purple Label cords for $135, amazing Polo cardigans for 40% or more. Cashmere shawl collars for 4 bills when they’re normally 7 and nice rugby’s for $100 tops. Even with our (CDN) dollar in the dumpster I’d be all over this if they shipped internationally. Damn the 49th parallel. For those of you below it that are thinking about picking something up, don’t forget to use the promo code NOV1317 for another 15% off…
J. Crew Marled Cardigan
Another grey marled sweater, another nice affordable piece from J. Crew, and another Jake Davis pick. There seems to be more then anybody could really handle this fall, especially if you live in the US and have access to J. Crew and Ralph Lauren. Of course we see the shawl neck, a good neck line, nice buttons and a proper fit. This actually seems like the missing link between Nom de Guerre’s regulation sweater and the crew neck. So if you don’t have either of those, this might be perfect for you. This grey looks great with grey, black, navy, blue or red pants. You can actually wear it with anything. Imagine that. Often a sweater like this can get droopy under the arms and develop unwanted bat wing-like features, however this knit seems slim in the arms but I would definitely avoid hanging it at all costs.
RL Rugby/Is it so Hard?
I was going to blog about this Rugby jacket but quickly noticed the whole look was on point. I don’t know about you readers and where you live exactly, actually ya I do…BUT it is so easy to get lost in this small world of boutiques, independent clothing lines, online blogs and so on. I could go through a month of living in Vancouver and see 1 or maybe 2 people who can put together an outfit like this. People overall dress badly, really badly. It seems so rare to find somebody who puts a good outfit together from the shoes to the shirt, to the accessories, it’s unreal. Unless you’re in one of your favorite shops, even in main ’shopping’ areas it can be fairly disappointing. Is it so hard? Sport jacket, shawl sweater, the pants could be almost anything, just fit okay, and some fly boots. That’s it, it’s so easy.
In Jerome III’s Bag
Another Washington DC, Commonwealth fam member is next up on on the bag feature. Jerome III keeps his bag pretty light for a DJ and guy in the retail business. Either it’s commendable or something else I’m not sure. Either way some good pieces in a really nice tote, arguably the nicest ever.
Bag: Ralph Lauren Deerfield Leather Tote - Been a Ralph fan since 1st grade and it seems his products are only getting better. Book: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama….if you want to be a winner, got think like one. Phone: Black Berry Bold…..gotta have hook ups in the streets son! Camera: there are tons of photo ops in DC from the mall to museums to the drunk idiots in the streets of Adams Morgan and Connecticut Ave…Canon G9 is there to capture it all. OFake Teeth Fastener Jacket: Lightweight, sturdy and fits ill!! Rayban Wayfarers: Keeping it classic.
Outside of that I don’t need much. Simple dude who walks to and from work and then onto his DJing gig that night.
eBay Find: RL Polo Vest
I was searching eBay and decided to give ‘Ralph Lauren Vest” a try as I’ve been looking for a casual suiting vest for a cheap price. eBay made sense, and although I actually haven’t had any good steals on the bay lately, it’s always fun to browse. So I came across this pretty fly vest. Denim with a rich, red buffalo flannel on the inside. The denim looks like it’s been worn in just about perfectly and if you have the hat to match the red and black lumberjack you’re set. The vest isn’t what I was really looking for but it’s definitely a notable piece that no brand has done better this fall. $55 here
Ralph Lauren Cashmere Accessories
I don’t know if I’m totally a fan of matching accessories, but when they are all nice maybe I am. Ralph Lauren pretty much made every item I want this fall and these are a couple more. Although I’d make the toque bright red if I had my way, red ribbed cashmere in this size would be perfect, do you concur? I’m also feeling this gloves and the matching scarf. While they are all available in grey, navy and black there was something about the light camel color that I am quite liking right now. It has a very classic feel and goes beautifully with brown leather and worn denim. All items retail for about $150 which isn’t too bad for cashmere by Ralph Lauren, plus no exterior branding on these jammies.
Weekend Viewing: Ralph Lauren ‘93
This is a great interview I watched a few months ago. I thought it would be good for anybody else to check out as well. Maybe you’re working, like me, or cleaning or hanging out. You can throw it in the background and listen up. Ralph Lauren is a pretty incredible guy, his vision, his idea of the brand and the execution. I don’t see it to ever be possible for Ralph Lauren to fall off the map, that in itself is amazing but the range of appeal, image and products are also…amazing.
In Jeff’s Bag
Next up is Jeff M packing it up nice with some goodies I wouldn’t mind in my bag. He’s also the first person to pack up some food, Mandarin oranges are always good.
So, let’s start with the bag. I chose a Fred Perry messenger. Call me crazy, but even in the world of fantasy bags, with endless finely crafted leather pieces at my disposal, I’m still drawn to this PVC beauty, mainly due to its youthful sporty aesthetic. Next, let’s pack it full off goodies. A nautical toque by Visvim (now where have we seen this before…), and some Miami vice-esque aviators by Ralph Lauren Polo. Some though evoking reading by Ronald Wright, and a classic moleskin to record all of said thoughts. Next up, the inaugural iPod touch, perfect for checking emails/google reader/ and hyrcollective.com on the fly (providing there’s wi-fi available, but if you’re on campus 24/7 like me, that’s not a problem). Mine’s currently plugged into a pair of titanium Sennheiser cx300 headphones, and even in my fantasy bag, i wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course, I’m not going anywhere without my cruiser titanium USB, and it’s 2 gigs packed full of in progress writing. Another rainy day staple, some herbal tea, packed into a fly little Tripp tin by IKEA. Some Burt’s Bees lip chap. Last but not least, reminiscent of Christmas stocking, I’m going to top of my bag of treats with a mandarin orange, the perfect pick me up snack on the run.
*I think I recieved 5 more bags today so the blog feature is showing no signs of letting up, although I might have to take the opportunity to do another bag of my own in the near future. When you send them in having images with a white background or already laid out makes my life easy - keep em coming to info@hyrcollective.com
Club Monaco
While a lot of people, including myself rant about how great some of the menswear brands like Ralph Lauren and J Crew are, there is a line that goes under the radar most of the time. Club Monaco, which is actually part of the Ralph Lauren empire and where Thom Browne got his design experience, is pretty good. I don’t know if nobody blogs about it because they are ashamed they like it or some reason, maybe because it can be found in a lot of malls? For some reason there is usually a guilty feeling with really liking it. Over the last few seasons they have done a pretty nice job slimming down the cuts, using basic colors and nice patterns and making generally good pieces for a good price. It also doesn’t hurt you can usually get some of the best items on sale after they’ve been on the shelf for a couple months. Right now they have two items I really want, and several others I would definitely wear. I want a red/grey plaid button down collar shirt and a black/grey flannel sport coat. Both items fit fairly well and will likely be purchased as soon as the sale price is stuck onto the tag.
Ralph Lauren Sport Coat
‘Straight up Wu banger’ is probably what Mr. Lauren proclaimed when this jacket sample arrived. Although I can’t prove that, it is what I thought when I saw it. I posted about a similar piece by J Crew for substantially less money, but this is better. The cut, the details, everything. This jacket has leather hits on the pocket, collar and elbow patches, it’s a perfect casual coat you could wear with any sweater or button down, maybe even a Tee. The color is great, very diverse. You could wear it to dinner, hunting or brunch. Those three options pretty much cover the range of most human activity, so what I’m trying to say is you can wear this jacket anytime and anywhere. I love it, unfortunately it costs $750+. Damn you Jake Davis for taking us to the Ralph Lauren spot in the West Village and continuously posting awesome knits, cardigans and coats which send me into the depths of the RL website.
Ralph Lauren Braided Belt
Do you have the perfect brown leather, woven leather belt? I know I don’t but I also now know where it is. Unsurprisingly Ralph Lauren has done the classic justice. I think this is one of the best, most versatile belts to keep your pants up with. Denim, chinos, wool slacks, I’d honestly wear this thing with everything. Just wrench the metal right through the leather, rough it up, wear it in. I really like it when the belt is long as well and hangs down below your shirt hem. Of course that doesn’t work all of the time but I really like it here. Again I wish there was more RL available in Canada and Vancouver. There is one retail spot in Holt Renfrew that must be about 2-300sq feet. I know there are a couple leading independent boutiques trying to get the account in Canada, hurry up…
Friendly Fire
Influence: Jake found the ultimate cardigan, with a shawl neck, with elbow patches, in plaid | Jake Davis
Blog: Dejour is back at it. New format. New Dan Martensen Interview | Dejour
Zine: Scoute’s sixth issue is live. The design is getting better every month, nice work | Scoute
Blog: There’s some good stuff on the site, but I can’t figure out where to go or what I’m looking at | Valet
Style: I would never judge somebody for what they wear, I’ll let you | Sartorialist
Wingtips
Well it’s time for those man shoes according to Mens.Style.com. The latest edition of the Upgrader has rounded up a strong selection of Wingtip shoes ranging from $150-$1000 for all of us in between. My favorite joints are the Allen Edmonds and the Ralph Lauren models. They seem to have the most classic look without going over the top with an odd shape or strange details. These shoes are pretty fly and will be a must in more young mens wardrobes in the upcoming years. I’ve also noticed there seem to be some decent vintage wingtips around a few second hand stores so you can get that vintage look for a fraction of the price. The hard part is finding the right style and your size of course. Whether you want em brand new or can hang with used footwear, it’s time to step your man shoe game up.
