Silk and steerhide

No, the title of this post doesn't refer to anything kinky, rather it's just a way of introducing some of my favorite finds from the past month or so. As I mentioned in a previous post, I haven't been getting out to thrift as much as usual, but I have gotten out once in awhile and run across a few things worth bringing home.


First up is a vintage silk knit tie in shiny gold. It's easily among my favorite tie finds this year, and yet I haven't found the occasion to wear it yet. I will have to remedy that soon.


I've never heard of this brand of tie before (DiMitri), but the raw silk in red, white, and cream was irresistible. It's been perfect for the warmer weather and has just a touch of texture to really set it off.


Vintage Robert Talbott in one of the more unique color combinations that I've run across in awhile. The khaki color is fairly straight-up, but the off hues of red and blue are a bit more understated and probably best suited for late summer and fall.


Best for last? Vintage, unworn hand-tooled full-grain steerhide Levi's belt in my size, complete with a chunky brass buckle. I've worn this on many a weekend with some dark denim and have even thrown it on with some khakis and a jacket during the week and feel like I'm hiding a secret. I know you're jealous.

Style Share - May

As mentioned in the previous post, there's nothing super special about this installment of Style Share, just some solid ties with stripes that range from colors that would work from straight-up business to summer-time fare. For obvious reasons, I haven't been out thrifting or hitting garage sales as much as usual, but I thought I'd fire this feature back up and try to keep it coming back as much as I can.

As always, the only thing I ask is that the recipient of said item of free* clothing email me back a photo or two of them wearing it for a follow-up post on this site. First three ties claimed will be sent out.


Lovely Lands' End in navy and green, with hints of red and yellow. Subdued, with hints of spring.


Another Lands' End in similar colors, with a bit more of a fine stripe pattern. Easily a three-season tie.


Brooks Brothers in two shades of blue and white. Like a lovely spring day with a few light clouds in the sky, this one will go with anything warm-weather.


Yet another Lands' End number, this one in near-fuchsia with lines of blue, yellow, and white. Definitely a little more cocktail-party, this one might be best by the pool or green-side.

As always, claim your item in the comments, then shoot me an email to let me know your address so I can get you your tie.

*Seriously, it's free, and yours to keep forever. No strings attached. I won't share your name on the site or with anyone else unless you have a blog of your own that you want me to link. Please note that all clothing will be used (but certainly not stained, smelly, or damaged, as I do have standards), so please only agree to participate if this sort of thing doesn't gross you out. Thanks!

Mid by Northeast

Some friends of ours got married this weekend, and while original sartorial plans included a bit lighter fare, the notoriously finicky midwestern weather had other plans. One week ago, the temps were over 90 degrees, but on the day of the wedding, they were hovering around 50 with overcast skies. I decided to take it down a few notches, but still incorporate some bolder splashes of color.


The ensemble included some nantucket red chinos from LL Bean (which I got for $15 including shipping during one of their ridiculous winter sales), burgundy penny loafers, a pink and white university-striped oxford, and a madras tie.


Here's a detail of the upper half, including pocket square and a lapel pin that I picked up recently off ebay. The seller (pewterplace) has a ridiculous amount of fun pins, and most of them are under $8.00 including shipping. I picked the Wren for sentimental value, but I could see how a Mallard duck, a lobster, or a pheasant might be more up your alley, depending on your interests.

The wedding reception was a blast and we actually ventured out with the baby for one of the first real times since we'd brought her home. She charmed everyone that met her, of course, and when we got home we even managed a few family portraits. I can't believe she's almost a month old already.


It's been an amazing ride already.

(Note: new Style Share is coming Wednesday evening (at 9 p.m., give or take an hour). Theme is striped ties, with colors that range from basic to loud, with fine makers such as Lands' End and Brooks Brothers. Be there or be square.)

Yay or nay: The patchwork madras jacket

I always have a shortlist of items in my head that I'd like to add to my wardrobe. For the past year or so, I've been wanting to add not only a decent seersucker jacket (or suit), but a madras jacket as well. When I ran across a vintage patch madras number on ebay a couple months ago, I put my bid in and ended up getting it for incredibly cheap.


On a casual Friday at the office, I paired it with a white OCBD, some dark denim, and some red suede bucks. As you can see, it's not the typical madras jacket, as the fabric patches are made up of much darker colors, include black watch plaid and others. Kinda crazy, but that's what these jackets tend to be.


Plain cotton pocket square here on the detail shot.


Another shot of the shoes. I'll write more about them later, after I've seen how well they wear and hold together.

Veering back to the jacket, I have to say that I caught more flack for wearing it than I have just about anything I've donned in the past couple years. One co-worker called it a, "crazy old man jacket" and even my wife added to the chorus of boos. It was kind of tough to hear, because I actually like it quite a bit, but what say you, fair reader? Is it as bad as others have stated, or should I keep it in my arsenal for future GTH days?

Back at it

After a couple week break hanging out with my wife and new baby, I was back in the saddle this week at work and trying to get back into the swing of things sartorially after 14 days of jeans and polo shirts and sometimes wearing the same thing days on end. If you already have a child, you know that just getting a shower during some of those early days seems like a major feat. Fortunately Matilda has settled into at least a loping rhythm, thereby allowing us to again practice proper hygiene and slide into clothes that we'd actually feel comfortable being seen wearing in public.

The temperatures climbed a bit this week, and because it's spring in the plains, the wind has been roaring. I biked to work every day this week, so I've been slowly incorporating summer items back into the wardrobe. This week, I pulled out three separate linen pieces on two different days and got them added to the mix.


First up is this cream-colored linen jacket, which I paired with a baby-blue linen tie and a blue/yellow striped shirt. I found a plain white cotton hanky to stuff in the pocket, and let a little of the blue embroidery pop out the top.


Full shot of the ensemble, as well as the other get-up, which was a bit more traditional.


Standard navy jacket with a bright red vintage Rooster linen tie and a pocket square in a similar color with a flower motif. Lands' End paintbrush button-down to throw some more color in the mix and lighten-up what could be a security-guard style outfit otherwise (given the gray pants and black wingtips).


Close-up of the pocket square because I like it.

Everything is blooming around here, so I might as well try to keep pace with it in terms of what I'm wearing. More color coming soon.