Mar
3
2010
I’ve finally taken the plunge and purchased my first (and second) cardigan. Sort of an odd thing to celebrate, but, hear me out. I know I’m not exactly blazing a style trail here, but I can’t believe it took me so long to pull the trigger.
With the new modern fit of cardigans, it has definitely jumped into cool territory from old-man-sweater region, provided you wear it correctly.
The key to pulling off the look, as with all tops, is proportion and keeping it slim. This is especially important for the cardigan, because if it doesn’t have a modern fit you’ll really look like a square. Make sure it’s lightweight, and slim fitting. The nature of the sweater (just meant for cooler weather) means you really should just have one button down/tshirt underneath it, so you don’t need a lot of give in the fit.
Since, this is more of a hip clothing item (weird, huh?), it’s especially important that the rest of your outfit is suitably modern. Otherwise you’ll look like you only have enough style to pay attention to the one piece. I wrote about this for the sportcoat and jeans post.
What’s Awesome About It
The look is very geek chic, which may or may not appeal to you, but based on anecdotal evidence girls totally dig the look. Just don’t forget the “chic” aspect.
Also, the look is killer, because it isn’t too stylistically advanced, but you’ll still immediately step out from the crowd.
How To Wear It
Wear it as you would a modern sportcoat. Over a patterned button down, tshirt, or throw on a tie with it. Just keep everything modern. Slim jeans, tie, and shirt.
You don’t have to button it all the time, since it looks equally cool unbuttoned. If you do button, remember as with a vest, do not button the last button.
Options
Keep the colors neutral. You don’t need to make a statement with the color.
____
Not a bad price for a cashmere blend.
Keep the cardigan simple.
I promise, if you wear it with the right top, you won’t look this hipster.
Feb
22
2010
My February Resolution? I’m done with chinos. I’ve said it before, but this time I mean it. I’m going to stop trying to make them look cool, and stop forcing myself into believing I can make them work. It’s just too hard.
I made the decision this morning as I was browsing through M+O’s new offering of chinos and almost got sucked in, again.
Chinos have to fit perfectly. Because of the heft of the fabric there is less room for error with chinos than with jeans. Too baggy and you look WAY slobby. They have to be perfectly slim fitting. But even when they fit perfectly, they still don’t look right. That’s why chinos are so evil.
The problem is that chinos are supposed to fill that weird gap between jeans and trousers. The only problem is that they do it so poorly, you might as well just opt for the other choices.
You always end up looking *too* preppy. Too shiny. While PG strives to look clean and put together, there’s always a hint of attitude thrown in. Even if it’s in the subtle pairing of colors or textures. With chinos, you don’t have that. There’s no grunge, no character. It’s like you stepped right out of a Gap ad. It’s too vanilla.
But, dear reader, you may say “wait, what about those great JCrew outfits in their catalogs?” Lies. All of them. They look fantastic on paper, but in practice it’s almost impossible to pull off without looking like you actually work at JCrew. It’s too contrived.
Chinos are not stylish.
Phew. There. I’ve said it.
Nov
19
2009
Two new sales on outerwear from Banana Republic and Martin+OSA that I thought you should be made aware of. It’s getting colder out there (if it isn’t already butt-freezing where you’re at), so take advantage if you can.
First up, Banana Republic. They’ve sort of fallen out of favor with me, because I’ve seen a decline in their fit and quality. Occasionally though I’ve found some pieces that I really like (specifically their pants).
The pickings were slim for their outerwear, but I did find two nice overcoats, which are items that are really easy to overspend on. These from BR are priced incredibly reasonably, so you need not shell out too much cabbage. I can see those in colder climates relying upon overcoats more than us in the South, but I think I may give one a go this season.
Banana Republic Carcoat
I love camel colored overcoats. This one seems to be well thought out with a modern fit (not too bulky, slightly slim and tapered). This will help you to avoid the bulk even when layered over a suit or sweater. Admittedly, this photo isn’t very flattering, but click the link and you’ll see a picture of the black coat which gives you a better idea of the fit (they didn’t have a zoomed version of the black).
Plus, at $157 you can’t beat the price.
BR Moleskin Topcoat
This coat is a bit more casual than the previous overcoat, but I think it strikes a nice masculine tone. Incidentally, moleskin is just a heavy cotton weave that is known to be durable yet soft. I had a moleskin jacket from JCrew for years that I just wore to the bone. Definitely the perfect casual jacket fabric.
The only concern I have with this coat is the shape around the midsection. It seems slightly bulky, so it may need to be taken in by a tailor. But again, at $161 for a heavy-ish overcoat, you’ll have enough coin to drop on getting it tailored.
M+O Peacoat
I’ve already addresses some of M+Os coats previously, but here’s a new one – a wool peacoat. I’ve always liked peacoats, and not just because the name makes me giggle every time, I’ve just never seen one that looks great. They always are a bit too boxy. This particular coat appears to do the deed properly. Nice and modern with a slim silhouette.
Yesterday, I saw a guy sporting a peacoat with a similar modern fit with dark jeans and it looks really good. This may be my next purchase.
MO utility blazer
I wrote about this coat previously, though it was cheaper then. Here’s what I said:
A more casual take on the wool blazer. It has a nice modern, slim silhouette, yet keeps it simple and non-fussy (it has zippers). The perfect missing link towards the sport coat and jeans look for those slightly skittish of taking that leap. It will feel like a normal wool coat, but it has a very clean and stylish look to it. And it has functional buttons at the cuffs! Something typically only higher-end coats have.
Nov
10
2009
A button down under a sweater is one of my favorite looks for fall. Done right, it looks clean and put together, yet not overly preppy. The layering allows you to combine different colors, textures, and patterns to put together a very unique outfit.
The key is of course in the individual pieces, and how they work together. To keep the look modern you want to keep the sweater from being too bulky, and you want to make sure the proportions are right. Casual occasion? It’s OK to keep the button down untucked (as long as the shirt is hemmed and not too long). Formal? Not so much.
Typically the go-to move is to pair a solid shirt with a solid sweater. Nothing wrong with that at all. But, switch it up and play with all the possible combinations of stripes, patterns and solids for both the button down and sweater.
Looking at the new offerings by JCrew, I was stunned with how good plaid/check looks under their sweaters. It’s a very cool and modern look. To emulate this look, just ensure that everything that you have on is suitably modern.
Things to keep in mind when scrolling through the photos (I’ll let the images do the talking):
- Notice the proportion of the shirt hem (the bottom of the shirt) with respect to the length of each sweater.
- Notice the color choices. The cool thing with this look is that you can pretty much put any plaid shirt under any sweater. But, in case you want more structure just follow their lead as to what looks good:
– blues and greys
– blues and blues
– greys and deep reds
– greys and blacks
- This look is versatile. Each outfit can be dressed up with some nice chinos/dark jeans, or dressed down with a worn pair of jeans.
Nov
6
2009
I’ve an odd confession: it’s only been in recent years that I’ve become acquainted with the scarf. Being from the South, it isn’t so much a cold weather necessity. Plus, I used to think that scarves were too effeminate, since I only saw women pull off the look successfully. But, after a little bit of experimentation (that didn’t involve tequila), I’ve decided that scarves are Normal Guy acceptable.
Scarves get the seal of approval because as a removable accessory, you can branch out and add a little bit of character into your wardrobe. Yet, unlike jewelry they retain their masculinity because they’re actually useful and not just for adornment. They’re relatively inexpensive (and are a common sale item), allowing you to purchase more than one and cycle based on outfit/occasion.
Pulling off a scarf is best when it looks thrown on. So, there’s no reason to over think it.
What to Wear
There are two ways you can go with the color and pattern of a scarf, and it really depends on the occasion and the outfit. You can blend it in (typically best for dressier occasions), or you can make a bit of a statement by adding a hint of color. I’d never advocate going too over the top (nothing that glitters), but having a punch of Fall/Winter color can be a good thing.
I tend to go with solids, since I don’t want anything really loud. I let the color combined with the rest of my outfit add the necessary style. Plus, they’re really easy. You can throw virtually any color scarf on with any casual outfit.
Here’s a couple of cool solid scarves that come in a variety of colors.
If you’re going to go with a pattern, why not branch out beyond that of the boring Burberry plaid? Go with some cool stripes (I prefer horizontal stripes because they’re shorter) with bright fall colors, or mix it up with a casual outfit with something like a buffalo plaid. Just don’t go overboard.
How to Wear It
I’m in the camp that you shouldn’t tie it around your neck. Often times, it looks too clunky or feminine. I’ve found this especially true if the scarf is particular thick or short.
Thick, it looks like you’ve got a boa constrictor around your neck. Like this dude.
And if it’s too short it just looks dorky if not worn beneath a coat.
Incidentally, I’m not sure why this guy is wearing a scarf with a tshirt. Needless to say, do not emulate this look.
My preferred method is to either have it around my neck without it tied or treat it like a garbage bag tie and just twist it once or twice. This gets around both issues: looking too bulky around your neck and the shortness of the scarf.
What to Wear it With
If you’ve got a scarf on, you probably have a jacket, so twist/wrap it and tuck it inside your jacket. As long as the rest of your outfit is suitably modern, the scarf will be a great addition. A little more caution should be taken if you’re not wearing a jacket, as the look can be a little bit more stylistically advanced (there’s just something about the look that is difficult to pull off for a guy).
Oct
23
2009
Now that the weather in the South has finally turned towards Fall, it’s time to gear up for the best season(s) for guys to dress: Fall & Winter. The key, as mentioned before, is layering. Now that we don’t have to worry about pit sweat (yum) when we put on something more substantial than a tank top and flip-flops, we can pile on the coolness.
I was going to gradually build up the layering, from the inside layer out, but I got this sale in my inbox so I decided to go with an outside in approach.
Needless to say, your jacket is super important, as it is the piece that is most immediately evident. A mistake I commonly see guys make is to treat the jacket as a utility piece, one they throw on as a necessity and more often as an afterthought. This is the case even if they’ve got a nice outfit on underneath.
But, you have to pay attention to every detail. Your outerwear, like your shoes, are no exception.
The key is to not look billowy or bulky. As a disclaimer, this advice is for the Fall season for those locales where you actually have a Winter, and for Texans/Southerners where we really only have a Fall. This is because I know when it gets butt-freezing cold, you need to wear a topcoat and/or something with some serious down or fluff to it. But when it’s in the 40s/50s it’s OK to get by with sturdy outerwear and some layers.
Back to not looking like the Michelin Man. This will be difficult since PG espouses both layers and keeping a slim profile. However, it isn’t impossible. If the rest of your outfit is slim (shirt, sweater, undershirt), then putting a nice jacket on over it won’t add to the bulk. This is provided that the jacket has a modern cut. Generally, these coats allow for added bulk, but still maintain modern contours.
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth reiterating. NO jackets with elastic bands. I was going to say unless you’re hitting the links, but even that isn’t acceptable.
A word on the fit: the closest thing that I’ve highlighted are suits and sport coats. Now, the rules are similar, there’s just more leeway. By now you should know to shun any type of clothing (even an overcoat) that is baggy and drapes on your body. That’s easy. I think the most common mistake with jackets are the sleeves being too long. You need not show 0.5″ of cuff, but you don’t want the sleeves to be hitting your knuckles. Again, your tailor can correct for this.
To all you frugal readers out there: go ahead and invest a decent amount of money in a couple good quality jackets (this means more than you’re typically comfortable with). The reason is that quality, timelessly stylish coats last, so the coin you drop on them now will pay off for a few seasons to come.
So, to truly start us off on the Fall season, here’s a great sale from M+O: 50% off outerwear, but it’s only for this weekend. Below are those that are PG-approved.
Prices below are sale prices.
Wool Utility Blazer ($110)
A more casual take on the wool blazer. It has a nice modern, slim silhouette, yet keeps it simple and non-fussy (it has zippers). The perfect missing link towards the sport coat and jeans look for those slightly skittish of taking that leap. It will feel like a normal wool coat, but it has a very clean and stylish look to it. And it has functional buttons at the cuffs! Something typically only higher-end coats have.
Twill Military Blazer ($95)
Another cool take on the typical blazer. This is made from cotton as opposed to wool, and has military-inspired pockets. This is more blazer-like than the previous jacket, but still looks at home with modern jeans.
Wool Military Blazer ($110)
The same cut as the blazer above, in a herringbone pattern wool. This means it will probably be a bit warmer, and gives off the cool traditional/professorial vibe that some (me) like.
Glen Plaid Cotton Blazer ($90)
This is a cool blazer, though I’m not sure it would be suitable in most places for Fall. It would have to be an unusually mild day in most places to wear this alone. It’s cotton and not fully lined, so it won’t provide too much by way of protection against the cold. Nonetheless, it’s a nice jacket in a cool pattern.
Twill Field Jacket ($60)
The most casual jacket in this list, but it doesn’t mean it’s bland. It’s got a nice fitted look to it, that will add style to any simple outfit.
1 Comment | Tags: cardigan, Fall, sweater 
