A visit to J.M. Weston - NYC

Back in April while on a business/pleasure trip to NYC with the wife in tow, had to stop by some of my favorite brand stores. One such stop was at the J.M. Weston boutique not too far from Bergdorf Goodman Men's Store. IMO, Weston has some the finest made and finest looking shoes anywear in the world. While the brand does not garner much attention in the US, they are well-known worldwide for their excellent make, look and designs. I challenge you to find a better shoe. Cheers!

Been a Long Time

It has been some time since my last post. I have taken a hiatus of epic proportions, but feeling the creative juices flowing so time to get back in the game. I have been looking at other blogs for the past week and have gotten inspired. Stay with, stay in the game.....

Wearing a new piece I just commissioned from my factory...fabric is a navy pinstripe from Ralph Lauren (by way of Mood's in NYC), Albert & Hall custom shirt (my own brand), Macmillan linen tie, shoes by Bontoni, Hermes pocket square....

Albert & Hall, Fine Clothiers End of Summer Shirt Sale

Albert & Hall, Fine Clothiers
is having an End of Summer Shirt Sale
Now through September 4th
take advantage of special offerings
10% of the purchase price of orders of 6 or more shirts
order 2 shirts with no pattern charge
A great selection of fall fabrics in a range of patterns

Call Eric A. Montgomery
at 704.712.2000
for an appointment

Oxxford Clothes - Made in the USA

Timeless Summer Fashions

As a student of men's fashion, I constantly search for these old illustrations to get inspiration. As usual, these old pictures provide a glimpse into the detail men used to exercise when dressing for any occasion. Depicted in this picture are two looks that would be in style for today's renaissance man.

Hopefully you will get some ideas for your next summer soiree from this illustration - Cheers!

Summer Custom Clothes Special

Albert and Hall, Fine Men's Clothiers, located in Charlotte, NC is featuring a summer custom clothing blowout! Right now through the end of August, take advantage of custom clothing prices at huge savings! Chose from select gabardine, super 100 through 130 fabrics and other select fabrics that are unique and one of a kind. For more information, contact Eric Montgomery at 704-712-2000.

The Summer Blazer

As most fashion-conscience well dressed men would agree, the blue or navy blazer is not relegated to the fall months. An appropriately designed, wool-mohair blend coat would be a fine compliment to most wardrobes for the spring and summer months. The wool will give the wearer the texture and the mohair will provide relief since it breathes and moves with the wearer than the typical wool only coat. This vintage picture of such a look provides a wonderful example of a look to sport this summer. Cheers!

The New Black - Men's Fashion

On July 26th, Stefano Tonchi of the New York Times wrote a feature entitled "Men's Fashion: The New Black" which provided an insight to the recent features on the runway and in magazines that are paying homage to Black models. While this issue seems to be a lightning rod for some since race always and continues to polarize us particularly in the US, I applaud the fashion designers and publications for taking a step in this direction. Unfortunately there are still many places like the fashion industry that have not embraced diversity wholeheartedly, if at all.

A few days ago, Vogue Italia released its July 2008 entitled, "The Black Issue" since it will feature 100 pages of beautiful black women from every corner of the globe as a tribute to their place in fashion history. While I celebrate this recognition, I feel a bit saddened that in 2008 we are still recognizing "firsts" when it comes to people of color. Perhaps, beauty one day can fully seen for what it really is......just beauty.

July 2nd Vintage Picture

A classic look for the summer, whether it is 1938 or 2008....courtesy of Laurence Fellows, fashion artist for 1930's and 1940's Esquire Magazine. Gabardine is truly a fabric for the spring/summer as well as a good weight for the fall.

New "old" picture for the day

Here's another one of the old illustrations that begs for a day in the past....

A Thing of Beauty - Italian Colors

Sometimes you come across a picture that just oozes color and style. This well-appointed Italian gentlemen has set the standard in this photo.

The Epitome of Horological Excellence

The Patek Philippe Ref. number 2526 is arguably one of the finest and most beautiful watches ever made. Only a limited number of these watches were made in the early 1950's, roughly 500-600. This was due in large part to the fact that Patek Philippe, like today, manufactures a limited number of timepieces unlike other brands that might produce 500,000 to a million pieces a year. Patek might produce around 50,000 a year.

Patek Philippe represents in my opinion the highest form of art and design when it comes to watches. Vintage Pateks are fetching the highest resale values at the major auctions today.

Domenico Spano - Apparel Arts Man of Style

For those not familiar, Domenico Spano or Mimmo as he is affectionately known, is arguably one of finest men's fashion tailors of our day. As evidenced by the photos, he is known for his expression of style, highly reminiscient of the 1930's epochal days of style. His blend of patterns, colors and cuts are a thing of beauty....

A timeless look

From time to time, I aspire to post looks from a era gone-by, to show others what "true gentlemen" wore during the golden ages of men's fashion. These pictures represent the types of looks that are still appropriate in today's world.

From G's to Gent's - New Reality Show

Beginning on July 15th, a new reality show that touches on the world of men's fashion will air on MTV. Entitled "G's to Gent's", this male make-over competition elimination show gathering guys from all different types of backgrounds from inner city brothers to farm boys. They will be transported to a mansion in Beverly Hills in an attempt to teach them how to be gentlemen. A proper butler/host, along with a select panel of judges, keeps them in line and helps them with their weekly challenges. Each week the guys will have to endure social challenges/situations like going to a country club and knowing how to behave and play golf, shopping at Barneys or eating at Mr. Chow's all the while trying to put to use their new skills as they struggle to fit into this new upscale world. Essentially, this concept revolves around 10 or so fish-out-of-water guys who compete to become a gentleman worthy of a GQ cover, a modeling contract, a place in the world of fashion.

Former Diddy sidekick Fonzworth Bentley will provide most of the entertainment for this latest reality show expose'. Hopefully, people will get a chance to learn about the importance of "dressing for success" via this process. Stay tuned. I will.

The Arrival of Leffot's

Leffot's - The new menswear mecca in NYC

My wife (a true fashionista in her own right) and fellow lover of all insight into the world of fashion recently shared an article with me about Leffot's. Leffot is sure to become in very short order one of finest establishments that houses the best in men's footwear in the country! While I recognize this may sound like a tall tale to some, but upon learning about their offerings, I was astonished in my own right!

Conceived by Steven Taffel, a fashion industry veteran of Bottega Veneta and Prada, and his wife Hiroko, a former window designer for Bottega and J.M. Weston, Leffot is a feast for fans of European footwear.

Leffot promises to carry the finest English (Edward Green, Church's and Gaziano & Girling), Italian (Artioli) and French (Pierre Corthay, Aubercy and J.M. Weston) benchmade shoes one can find housed in one setting. In addition, they will be offering bespoke (completely handmade and custom-fit) shoes for the well appointed dresser.

I eagerly await my next trip to NYC to see these beautiful specimens. I welcome any commentary or photos from anyone who gets there before I do!

Leffot
10 Christoper Street (off Greenwich Avenue)
Tel: (212) 989-4577
leffot.com

New collections from the House of Bontoni

Go to www.bontoni.com and check out these fabulous Italian benchmade shoes. They will be coming to Bergdorf Goodman this fall, but can be purchased from the likes of Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco right now! Call and ask for Mr. Bastion for help with your purchase.

What every "Dandy" should have in their closet

Latest Fall looks from Canali

Fine Mens Shoes

As the initial blog article for this adventure, I would like to address a topic that I find most important in mens fashion - footwear and its importance. As a matter of personal preference, I tend to favor the English benchmade makers, like Peal & Co (Brooks Brothers premium brand), John Lobb, Edward Green and others. There are some fantastic Italian benchmade artisans like Santoni, Bontoni (a new revelation to me) and Kiton to name a few. J.M. Weston would be my favorite Parisian brand. In my humble estimation, nothing says more to the world about the appearance of a well-appointed man than his feet decor! I cannot stress enough the important aspect of fine dressing and making the best appearance one can make. A well appointed gentleman should not take lightly how his shoes look at all times. They should always be in good repair, shined and looking their best for the statement they make to other professionals, women and anyone they hope to impress that "I mean business"!

One should look at a shoe purchase as an investment...since a really good pair will cost easily north of $600. A great pair of shoes will last you a lifetime, if properly maintained. If you want to make the best impression, as it was once stated, "Put your best foot forward".