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Five Easy Pieces -- Spring 2008 |
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 With spring quickly rolling up on us, this season’s Five Easy Pieces focuses on key items for a fresh start. After you’ve pulled off the sweaters and thrown your winter boots back in the closet, picking up some new pieces of classic clothing is a great way to start the warm months. Add in a couple of updated accessories and you are ready to face the world for another year.Blue BlazerA blue blazer is the backbone of any serious wardrobe. Though most people think of the classic brass button ones like in the Great Gatsby, blue blazers come in a range of fabrics and styles; from lightweight linens to beefy flannels. It can make jeans, Chuck Taylors and an old polo shirt look city cool or give khakis, boat shoes and an oxford some un-stuffy dressiness. The blue blazer works because of its balance between formal and comfortable. Comfortable you say? Dress clothes are never comfortable you argue. Well, if you read my blog regularly that you know what I’m going to say next: buy better clothes. A well constructed jacket made from good fabric will be as comfortable as your favorite sweatshirt. If you happen to have a rich grandmother who just left you a few hundred thousand, do I have the blazer for you; Jay Kos’ cashmere hopsack blue blazer ($2,250.00). It may be the only piece of clothing you buy this year (or next), but it’s worth every penny. Kos’ fabric is custom woven in Scotland and a sight to behold. I’ve tried one on and didn’t want to take it off. OK, back to reality; a classic is the Brooks Brothers blue blazer. Brooks’ actually has three versions; a slim fit Regent model, the lightly structured Classic model, and traditional undarted Sack model (all $528.00). An affordable but no less stylish option is the J. Crew Legacy Blazer ($350.00). It’s a classic two-button cut with a nice high lapel and soft shoulder. Banana Republic takes a slightly casual approach to the blazer with its twill, two-button model ($178). Woven Leather BeltBelts are a fact of life and most of us have a closet full of failed attempts at finding the right combination of form and function. Either it looked right but the sizing was off or it fits like a glove but could never be seen in the light of day. For even the snazziest of us, finding just the right fit can sometimes mean forgoing the style we really wanted. Even when those two goals are met, many men are, frankly, clueless when it comes to actually pairing something like a belt with the rest of their outfit. For those who wear a suit every day, it’s a simple drill: match your belt and shoes. The rest of the working world is on its own. Still, that doesn’t mean abandoning a sense of professionalism and style at the office, on the town or just running some errands.
Start over with a woven leather belt. This multipurpose workhorse can easily fill in most sartorial dead zones. In dark brown or black, it can be put to work in most business casual situations. With a neutral yet appealing style and the ability to fit you exactly right, this belt hits all the marks. Look for one crafted from strong but supple leather, tightly woven and at least 1 ¼ inches wide. Unless you are going for some kind of Southwest cowboy look, avoid decorative patterns and shiny hardware. Stick with a traditional solid brass buckle and leather keeper. Ralph Lauren makes a great version called the Derby ($65.00), available in both brown and black. For solid quality and style, go right to L.L. Bean for their slightly stylized update ($39.50). If you’re on a budget, you can’t get a better deal than Dockers braided leather belt ($19.98). Lightweight MacintoshA good raincoat is another wardrobe staple for every guy. It keeps the water off your back and, if you chose wisely, will impart a certain film noir-like finesse to your movements. For more than just rain protection, bypass the traditional trench coat and go for an unlined three season macintosh. As opposed to the typical double breasted models that anonymously roam the rain soaked streets, a macintosh will give you a bit more of a modern swagger. Named after the inventor of the first waterproof raincoat, Charles Macintosh, these coats are often single breasted, unbelted and knee length.
This coat’s classic design makes it just right for when you’re dressed up, dressed down or just want a little James Bond appeal. Because of its inherently versatile nature, pretty much anyone can carry off a lightweight macintosh. It also travels well, which is another key criterion for justifying a major wardrobe investment. Traditional colors like light stone, tan, navy and black work best. Head off to New York City and check out Paul Stewart’s Driver model ($597.00). Shh, don’t let them know we’re on to it, but J. Crew’s Sutherland Trench Coat ($225.00) is really a macintosh, cut with a rumpled flair. The Aquamac Tomkin by Aquascutum is a fresh new take on the classic short mac ($600.00). New WalletAccessories are key components in your life. And though most men think of their wallet as a “fire and forget” purchase, you should take a look at that trusty companion and consider making a new investment. A wallet, unlike the bag you carry to work, never really changes; guys get used to what they have. Well, it’s time to grow up and get yourself a big boy wallet. Nothing says “deep down, I’m still in college” like pulling out some beat-up thing held together with a rubber band at a business lunch. Want to really impress your new girlfriend? Pull out a John Lobb Bootmaker Wallet. Of course, at $415.00, there likely won’t be much left inside. Durable European flair can still be found with a R. Horns eight card wallet ($175.00). Still a little too steep for you? Head over to Coach for a new classic at a very reasonable price – a double billfold wallet crafted from water buffalo ($108.00). Quality WatchWith all the talk going on about going green, maybe you should take along hard look at yourself; at your wrist, specifically. Are you still wearing one of those battery powered timekeepers? Well, shame on you. Just think about what it takes to manufacture, ship, store, replace and throw out millions of those little batteries each year. It’s enough to make a Swiss master watchmaker cry. These days you have some great high and low tech options for marking time in an environmentally friendly fashion. Mechanical watches in particular have made a big comeback and are the perfect investment if you’re looking for something to pass down to your kids. You can find quality mechanical timepieces in a range of prices, from $500 to $50,000. Don’t have the coin to drop on a Rolex Oyster Submariner? Try a Seiko “Orange Monster” ($375.00). Yes, I said Seiko; watch aficionados know that they make some of the most reliable mechanical movements in the dive industry. Want microsecond accuracy without having to shake your wrist? Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology transforms your watch into a big solar collector. The watch’s face and crystal absorb all types of light and convert it into the energy that runs your watch. And if you’re wearing something sleek and rugged, like the Citizen Skyhawk Black Eagle ($475.00), no one will make fun of your social consciousness. If you’re a fan of the unstoppable Jack Bauer on “24”, check out the Blackhawk ($450.00) by MTM. This is the one Jack wears and it has a cool illumination feature that can be used to signal commandos, blind an assailant or just find your car keys. For everyday functionality try the Predator chronographic model – same price. The company’s revolutionary rechargeable lithium ion battery is good for 10 years and the watch needs only an overnight recharge every three months or so to keep it running strong. Oh, and don’t worry, the Secret Service, CIA and Delta Force have already tested these babies for you, so they’ll survive a rough afternoon on the back nine. |
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