Paris Window Shopping

 Not much commentary on these.  Just took some shots while I was in Paris over Thanksgiving of the displays of some quality, and world renowned, shops.

John Lobb. One of the finest makers of shoes in the world.  Love those double monk straps. 

Old England.  I know it sounds strange to visit a store with that name in the capital of France.  But it's home to some of the finest classic British apparel anywhere.  Covers the range from casual cool to black tie.  I don't know what it is about British style, but it just exudes confident class, and never seems to be trying too hard.

Charvet.  The epitome of French tailoring, they're shirting is truly astounding.  They make a few nice ties too.  Most notable to me is their elegant use of rich color.  Pay special attention to the silk robe with the bow tie.  If you can ever pull that off, I'd say you're in a good situation.

Jacket Weather Calls For a Sport Coat

When a jacket is necessary to keep warm, it might as well set the tone for your ensemble and be your centerpiece.  Here I have a nice gunclub check sport coat in perfectly autumn colors--the small check pattern keeps the jacket appropriate for the office, but still distinctly different than a standard blazer and interesting enough to be the centerpiece in the outfit.  To compliment the jacket, and keep the fall feel, I've chosen an ecru oxford button down.  A solid navy repp weave tie isn't too dressy, and avoids any clash with the pattern of the jacket.  A navy small print pocketsquare completes the top--if thatt seems like too much for your environment, white linnen would work too.  Charcoal flannnel trousers--go to trousers from October to February around here--some nice olive socks, and brown calfskin bluchers complete the bottom.

Fall Is a Great Time To Be a Man

Fall, more than any other season, lends itself to dressing with style because the temperature and traditional color palette calls for grown-up ensembles comprised of masculine weaves, textures, and tones.  Rather than an affect, a sport jacket, especially in a heavier tweed or woolen fabric, is functional amidst cooler mornings and evenings.  Flannel trousers, which have a wonderful luster, hand, and drape, feel cozy.  And the colors of fall just feel manly--browns, navies, and tans complimented by burgundy, deep greens, orange, and gold.

Here I've created what I think is a quintessential business casual look, inspired by and functional for the fall.  Charcoal flannel trousers, a wool and angora heavy sport coat, traditional oxford cloth shirt, with an ancient madder necktie, and green gingham cotton pocketsquare. 

A Stop at the Seigo Shop

Far up in the Upper East Side, there's a wonderful little shop called Seigo that specializes in neckties, and carries a few other odds and ends that complete a professional wardrobe.  The proprietor of this shop is extremely welcoming, and let me snap a few shots of his store.  However, these shots don't capture just how many ties are available and how stunning they look in person.  The sales associates are happy to assist you in sorting through the ties to find the colors and styles you're interested in, and have a variety of shirts and suiting materials to pair with your selections to demonstrate how they would work as part of your outfit.

Seigo's ties are all hand made in Japan use Japanese silk, and only a handful of ties are made using each silk pattern. Most of the ties are approximately three and a half inches wide, although they also offer a selection of ties in the currently en vogue three inch width.  Most of the ties are woven silks, although I believe there are some prints to be had.  They also have silk swatches on hand and offer custom ties.  They're not seven fold ties, but construction is top notch--they hang and drape beautifully, which suggests that quality interlining is used.  The price point is also much better than one would expect for this kind of small specialty shop.

Re-discovering Preppy

The men's clothing retail market's obsession with mining old catalogs for new style has now resulted in a resurgence of preppy style--while a little late to the party, traditional bastions of American style have gotten into the act of trying to put a young and current spin on their long-standing staples and re-emphasizing old classics that had started to fall by the wayside.  At Brooks Brothers, traditional oxfords can be found a bit more easily these days, and repp weave striped ties seem more abundant and in their traditional widths.

As is evident in this window display, college life is where preppy style begins.  When done right, something about this aesthetic seems youthful but not juvenile, and confident but not cocky.  Its an involved look--many colors, patterns, and layers are involved--but shouldn't be an uptight one.  It looks best when disheveled and rumpled.  Too pressed, tucked in, and crisp and it crosses into obnoxious, rather than charming, pretension.

This Brooks Brothers window display shows how preppy style can grow up and be a little more mature without losing all of its appeal.  This look might be too serious for a college man, but being pressed and tucked in seem appropriate for living in the real world.  Earthy colors and substantial textures keep these ensembles from being too slick, while also quite functional in the fall.

This wardrobe is appropriate for young professionals in a business casual setting, and also works on the weekend.  And one more nice thing about sticking with classic American style--almost everything works with everything else, so little thought has to go into coordinating trousers, shirts, sweaters, and jackets.  A big part of the style is the effect of outfits looking thrown together rather than meticulously thought out.

Is Italy Too Italian?

Interesting article on the Italian tailored clothing and textile industry, featuring a true living legend of style.

A Little Break

Pinpoint Style's not done, just on hiatus for a little.  I'll be getting married in less than 3 weeks, and away for my honeymoon after that.  I also, unfortunately, have to work for a living, and it seldom involves writing about style.  Planning a wedding and remaining employed haven't left me with as much time as I'd like to devote here, but I'm not hanging up the lap top.

I'll try to get back to regular posting, hopefully, in about a month.  But feel free to discuss the various topic's that I've raised in the comments.  I should have time to moderate.

Take care,

N.M.C.