Style Share return: Brooks Brothers foulard tie

Seems like every time I post lately, I make an excuse as to why I haven't been posting more often. I will try to start making less excuses and more posts in the future. If you know the routine, you know that as part of my ongoing Style Share project, I offered up a pile of ties back in March, and most of them were claimed.

One of several Brooks Brothers ties that were handed out, this nice foulard print seemed like it could go either serious or not. It was claimed by repeat-contributor Prinz Ulrich von Boffke

Photos courtesy of Prinz Ulrich von Boffke

As usual, I'll let him give the breakdown on the rest of the details.

I am also wearing a recently thrifted and altered vintage Corbin (US-made with union labels) summer weight wool and silk suit in glen plaid and a pair of thrifted Allen Edmonds shoes that were then reconditioned at the AE factory in Wisconsin.

As usual, PUvB manages to look great on a budget. The bonus action shot made me chuckle even more, as I know I've had a couple random nights where I've forgotten to remove either a jacket / tie/ shoes / some combination of the aforementioned before I got down to weeding the yard or dumping the compost. Cheers, and thanks again for participating to PUvB.

Style Share Return: Brooks Brothers flower tie

It goes without saying that I've been kinda busy lately. The toddler in our household turned 2 years old and I ran a half-marathon and things have generally been more than a little on the frantic side. I will make no promises on regularity of future posts, but I will thank those who have sent back photos for Style Share, one of which is featured in this post.

Way back in March, I offered up what I felt were some pretty nice ties and even a hat.

This Brooks Brothers tie with a flower motif was claimed by a reader who prefers to remain anonymous.

He sent along three photos, with details on the pieces that rounded out his ensemble.

As usual, I'll let him tell it.

Because the Kentucky Derby was this weekend, I wore this Friday for work to amuse myself. The tie is paired with a micro-houndstooth Brooks Brothers O.C.B.D (alas, not made in the USA; this is still one of my thrifting white whales). On top is an Orvis gingham sport coat (goes for $198 on its website; I got it for $13).

Down below is a pair of Brooks Brothers plain-front seersucker pants (goes for $98 on its website; I got it for $6) held up by a belt by Narragansett Leathers. To finish, I'm wearing vintage made in the USA Dexter saddle shoes. Everything (but the belt) was thrifted from various Goodwill stores.

I'm a huge fan of the look, in addition to the bargain hunting. Seeing his neat gingham sport coat reminds me I still need something like that to round out my warm weather wear.

As usual, thanks to anonymous for contributing.

Style Share Return: Red Italian tie

Recently received another Style Share return from the month of December. Reminded me that I should probably do another one soon, and I will within the month of March.

This lightweight, nice Italian silk number was claimed by the UK-based Bruce Partington-Plans.

Photo courtesy Bruce Partington-Plans

As usual, I'll let him give the details.

The shirt's nothing to write home about but the jacket was another charity (thrift) store steal from a couple of years ago. Hanging on a rail surrounded by polyester raincoats and leather jackets, this wonderful wool jacket made by Magee of Ireland would probably have cost upwards of £265 ($413) when it was new and it came home with me for £5 ($7.50)! The pictures from my ancient digital camera really don't do it justice - the deep russet brown with red herringbone and blue check made it the perfect choice to go with this tie.

I always love it when readers combine their thrift scores with a return, as I know it makes me excited to know that others are out there finding great stuff (and honestly, it just makes me want to get out myself).

Thanks again to Bruce Partington-Plans for participating.

Style Share return: Navy/Green Pendleton

After a long hiatus, I finally got back into action in December. Some times were offered, and many were claimed. This is the second response that I've gotten (although there's certainly at least one good excuse as to why I haven't gotten more).

Long time reader, commenter, and all around good guy Mr. Readerston snagged this excellent plaid Pendleton, which I happen to have a duplicate of in my very own collection.

Photo courtesy Mr. Readerston

As usual, I'll let him give the details.

Mr. Readerston combined this Pendleton wool tie (courtesy of Mr. Midwester) with an Oxford cloth button-down shirt from Mettler's American Mercantile (gift), a cotton cardigan from Uniqlo (bought new), a Polo University by Ralph Lauren jacket (thrifted), and an unbranded Italian silk pocket square (also thrifted). Both the shirt and the jacket were made in the USA. Out of the shot were a pair of unbranded dark brown heather flannel trousers (thrifted), green wool socks from Lands End (bought new), and brown suede brogues from Bass (also bought new).

That cord jacket is absolutely awesome. I've been looking for one for ages, but haven't yet found one that fits my ape arms. The rest of the layers look nice and cozy too for this time of the year.

Thanks again to Mr. Readerston for participating.

Style Share return: Skiing tie

Last month, I finally got back into the swing of things with Style Share and offered up a pile of ties. Not sure if I'll do it every month, but I have some seriously rad stuff that will be offered up as soon as the temperatures go up a bit.

GetTicketsToTheDance claimed this fun ski motif tie from the Squire Shop, and even provided a link with a bit of history about the place it was made for.

Photos courtesy GetTicketsToTheDance

As usual, I'll let him give the details.

The coat is a vtg Navy flannel 3/2 Sack from the Harvard Co-Op, the shirt is a current Brooks Brothers Oxford Cloth Button down (USA Made), the khakis are LL Bean flannel lined, the ragg socks are Cabot Brothers (now Darn Tough out of VT), and the Beefroll pennies are Florsheim Imperial. The Coat and Khakis were thrifted, the shoes a cheap ebay pickup.

Not only classic-looking, but warm as well (I've got to get some flannel-lined pants for the days when the wind gets wicked around here). I'm a big fan of mixing in a playful tie with a more traditional coat and pants combination. Lots of bargain shopping as well!

Thanks again to GetTicketsToTheDance for participating.

Style Share return: Two-tone cufflinks

Last month, I broke from tradition a bit and offered up a batch of cufflinks on Style Share. I wasn't sure how well they'd go over, but the minimum got claimed and there was interest in others as well. Perhaps I'll offer a few more in the future.

Bruce Partington-Plans claimed these chunky silver tone brushed/matte deco style numbers.

Photo courtesy Bruce Partington-Plans

As always, I'll let the recipient (him) explain...

The shirt that I thought would be the equal of the 'links was quite possibly my find of the year - an Ede & Ravenscroft two-fold cotton black/blue pinstripe number. Ede & Ravenscroft is the oldest tailor in London (est. 1689) and holds the Royal Warrant (i.e. Purveyors to The British Royal Family). Their off-the-peg shirts usually start around £70 ($110). I found my one, hardly worn, in a local charity (thrift) shop for - £3 ($5)! The woven silk tie is also a second-hand find and another good old British name - Wolsey - for only £1 ($1.50). I think the pattern sits well with that found on the cufflinks.

A fellow thrifter from across the pond! Thanks again to Bruce Partington-Plans for participating.

Style Share return: Brooks Brothers tie

How many Brooks Brothers ties have I passed along since I started Style Share? At least ten, and here's one that was claimed back in February.

Purple isn't a color that I run across a great deal around here, so I figured this one would go fast, and it did. It was claimed by Prinz Ulrich von Boffke, a repeat contributor.

photos courtesy Prinz Ulrich von Boffke

I'll let him give the details on the above...

The tie was worn with a navy Jos A. Bank "trio" suit (purchased on sale a couple of years ago) and a thrifted no-name silk pocket square with hand-rolled edges that has some dark purple in it. The shirt is a Land's End (purchased new but reduced some years ago) and the shoes that day were, I think, some Johnston Murphy black cap toe oxfords that I won for about $20 a year ago on ebay.

Bargains galore (right up my alley), and I like how the purple is played with subtlety here. Thanks again, PUvB.

Style Share return: Altea tie

Another return, this one from February, back when it was just unseasonably warm and not holy crap is it going to be 120 degrees every day this summer? warm.

This nice Altea woven silk tie was claimed by repeat-contributor TDP, who wore it out on the town and to a concert.

photo courtesy TDP

As usual, I'll let him give the details...

Paired the tie with a navy wool-silk Gucci suit, no-name white silk pocket square, no-name ancient white shirt, unseen Romano Martegani black calf captoes, and unseen ancient yellow cotton socks from the Andover shop.

Good stuff, as always, and now that he's rocked the double-breasted blazers a couple times, it makes me think that I need to redouble efforts to find one of my own. I've been averse to them for a long time, but I'm starting to think I could pull one off.

Thanks as always, to TDP, and to everyone else who has played along.

Style Share return: Strelli tie (and more)

In the time that I've been doing Style Share, I've met a lot of really nice people, had some excellent photos returned, and even been given some accessories in return. This latest return, though, pretty much takes the cake, and I think it's going to be hard to top.

This nice little art deco style tie was claimed by Andy back in November after things were officially "over", and he offered to flat-out trade me a tie of his own for it. I was totally down with that, and I got a really, really excellent new (to me) tie out of the deal. Some time passed, and then I got an email with this photo and the statement, "At work today I completed my Style Share Return Requirements. Due to the unusal nature of my compliance, my information/responsibilities are coming to you via the US Postal Service." I certainly didn't expect anything else in return, so his cryptic reply made me wonder what else what yet to arrive.

Just what the heck did he mean? Keep reading.

photo courtesy Mr. F

Here's a photo of the tie in action, with an OCBD and a nice wool jacket from Lands' End Canvas (and tan trousers and oxblood Redwing boots, not pictured).

The extended part of the return arrived a couple days later, and only after I read his hand-written note and saw a stack of papers did I know what I was getting into. You see, Mr. F is a teacher, and according to his own word, "abused his power" in order to teach his class about writing haiku's (with the subject being the tie and the trade in general). Without further ado, here are some of my favorites.

Worn with much comport
Strelli flower motif tie
fashion of dead man

flawless handmade tie
impeccable style seen
envy of all men

I'm wearing my tie
with oxford cloth button down
thanks, internet friend!

dressing like a boss
he sports his new Strelli tie
best dressed at the school

horrific bad tie
from creepy midwestern guy
what a weird tie guy

Strelli flower tie
looks good with oxford cloth shirt
stolen from a corpse

this is kind of weird
why would we ever do this?
I want to go home

There were many others, but I think that's a pretty good one to end with. The funniest part is the running theme that a lot of students thought the tie came from a dead person (which, I guess could technically be true). Still, they were obvious good sports, and from the many haiku's mentioning his own solid personal style, I get the impression that Mr. F is setting a good example for our youth.

Many, many thanks to Mr. F for going above and beyond on this one. It's going to be hard to top.

Style Share return: Pendleton newsboy hat

Another return from January, and not only that, but a first on the site.

You see, this time out this excellent vintage Pendleton newsboy hat was claimed by A.

photo courtesy A

I know even less about women's style than I do about men's (which isn't a great deal), so I can't really offer much, but I have to say that pretty much any woman who can pull off wearing some men's clothing is pretty darn excellent in my book. And seriously, that's a rad turquoise necklace as well.

Thank you to A for participating and adding a bit of variety to the site as well.

Style Share return: Tyrolean hat

I'll be back soon with some posts from yours truly, but I've gotten a batch of returns in the past couple days and they'll be hitting the site over the next week or so as well. This time, it's the Tyrolean hat from just earlier this month.

It was claimed by repeat contributor TDP.

photo courtesy TDP

I'll let him give the details on ensemble.

I paired it, completely incongruously, with a Turnbull and Asser silk scarf, vintage navy cashmere overcoat, Lands' end destroyed cream cotton trousers, and Borgioli mahogany captoes. Unseen: Kiton wool grey unstructured glen plaid jacket with subtle pink overcheck, and Pink spread-collar shirt from a downtown italian camiceria.

I am jealous of this get-up, partially because it's been too warm here to even attempt such layering, and partially because I was never able to leave the house wearing this hat myself. :)

As usual, I thank TDP for his return contribution, and for everyone who has played along so far.

Style Share return: Robertson tartan tie

Another return back from the month of December (which oddly feels like so long ago already).

This time out, it was the Robertson tartan tie (claimed by JHo78), featuring a color palette that includes, but certainly was not limited to the holiday season.

Photo courtesy JHo78

Here's the details, courtesy of JHo78 himself:

I put it together with a white ocbd, a merino sweater and a slightly bluish gray herringbone Harris tweed sportcoat. Down below are dark jeans and my own pair of Florsheim longwings in cigar.

This looks like something straight out of my personal playbook. I'd throw a linen or cotton pocket square in that sport coat just for good measure, but I dig, I dig. Thanks to JHo78 for his contribution back.

Style Share return: Liberty of London tie

Another excellent return, this one from December.

This Liberty of London paisley (which I couldn't quite figure out was ancient madder or not) was claimed by JKG.

photo courtesy JKG

Here's a shot that he sent along, with the details, in his words.

The lovely tie (thank you) is matched with a spruce-colored merino vest, a blue-on-blue stripe pattern jacket worn as an odd, and a pale blue shirt which has dark blue, light brown and yellow pinstripes (though the colors are difficult to discern). Below, mid-grey flannels (with an ADG-approved 2" cuff), dark olive socks with a finely-spaced horizontal khaki stripe and lastly, Florsheim Imperial longwings of some vintage, pebble grain cigar and ever-so-slightly too large for my foot.

photo courtesy JKG

And another good detail shot, for good measure. From the description, those shoes sound a lot like a pair that I own. Thanks to JKG for participating.

Style Share return: Brooks Brothers tie

Another Style Share return, this one from November.

This one was a repeat contributor, as TDP had claimed another Brooks Brothers tie from a couple months ago.

photo courtesy TDP

He paired it with a navy double-breasted Brioni sport coat, and on a date no less.

One of things that I like about this whole series of posts is that not only is someone giving an entirely new life to an article of clothing, but the pieces that I've sent out have been worn for work, research, play, and even a lunch date with the family. Not too shabby at all. As always, many thanks to everyone who has participated.

Style Share return: Polo Ralph Lauren tie

As mentioned in previous posts, I've gotten several Style Share returns back lately, and so I'll try to get them all featured in fairly short order.

This nice little green and off-white Polo Ralph Lauren tie was offered up in November, and The Cable Knit Charlestonian snagged it.

photos courtesy The Cable Knit Charlestonian

He sent a couple photos back, with details on the details...

• Polo Ralph Lauren reversible herringbone/Gordon tartan scarf.
• Vintage Chaps Ralph Lauren houndstooth plaid blazer.
• Merona marled cotton cardigan.
• Polo Ralph Lauren oxford.
• Polo Ralph Lauren tie.
• Agave jeans.
• Club Room socks.
• Vintage Florsheim Imperial saddle shoes.

I'm especially digging the reversible scarf, but the whole outfit looks insanely warm and nicely-layered. Many thanks to Scott (and everyone else who has participated so far).

P.S. The Cable Knit Charlestonian is running a fun contest on his site right now, so swing by if you dare rock a crazy holiday sweater.

Style Share return - vintage Robert Talbott

As I mentioned a couple posts ago, I've gotten a bunch of Style Share returns lately, and this one dates back to the fair month of October, when it was much warmer round these parts.

This vintage Robert Talbott tie (with embroidered ducks!) was claimed by Eric, who sent back the following pictures.

photo courtesy Eric

Upping the ante, Eric sent not only a detail, but a full body shot with shoes and socks and the whole kit and kaboodle. Great glen plaid jacket with a white OCBD, some charcoal pants and brogued oxfords of some sort. Great stuff, all around.

Thanks to Eric for the pictures. As with all the Style Shares, I hope he and everyone else who has participated gets many great wears out of the items they received.

Style Share return: Polo tie

After a bit of a lull, I've had a load of Style Share returns lately, including the following entry. This one goes back a couple months, to the fair month of September.

This classic Polo tie was claimed by Prinz Ulrich von Boffke, who runs a couple interesting niche blogs of his own, and who layered this one up right.

photos courtesy Prinz Ulrich von Boffke

On a lovely fall day, the tie absolutely pops with a dark suit, a contrast collar shirt, and a super rad tweed overcoat. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that I was really jealous of his leather briefcase bag.

Thanks again, PUvB, for your photos, and for everyone else who has played along and participated in my little attempt at spreading some style.

Style Share return - Brooks Brothers tie

Continuing a nice string of recent Style Share returns, another photo hit my inbox recently.

This one courtesy of Mason, who snagged the above tie from the August edition.

Although I mentioned in my original post that I thought it was a fairly conservative print, he paired it up with a really cool, dark Glen Plaid jacket and a pink Brooks Brothers OCBD to set it off a bit. Shows you how much I know.

Thanks again for the return, Mason, and for everyone who has participated so far. Another installment will be arriving this month yet at an unspecified day and time. :)

Style Share return - Pendleton tie

I guess I just had to silently get grumpy to myself about not receiving any Style Share returns in quite awhile, because after TDP offered up a nice picture of him with the Brooks Brothers tie from October, another return hit my inbox late last week.

This time, it was Jason, also from last month, who claimed the thick Pendleton tie pictured above.

photo courtesy Jason

As stated in his email, Jason paired it up with a Gant Rugger ocbd, vintage Lands' End jacket, and green Rugby cords. Tons of great fall colors all working together well.

photo courtesy Jason

He even sent along a second shot showing the details (and left me curious about the footwear as well). Thanks again for participating, Jason!

Style Share return - Brooks Brothers tie

Has it really been over 4 months since a Style Share return? Sadly, it has.

Fortunately, TDP got back to me with his contribution after snagging the above Brooks Brothers tie earlier this month.

photo courtesy TDP

Rocking the trad look, he paired it up with a lovely tweed jacket from the Andover shop (thrifted, what a score!), and a white Brooks Brothers button-down shirt. I'm betting that the tie blended in perfectly with the fall leaves in his locale as well.

Thanks TDP, for sending the photo in. There will be another Style Share next month sometime (the 10th edition), so stay tuned.