On the topic of layering, I thought I’d have a look through the latest Wallace & Barnes collection. This J.Crew line was born several years ago as a capsule, based on vintage pieces that menswear director, Frank Muytjens, and his team would source for their design archive. My FW14 favourites are the Flight Jacket, Toggle Shawl Pullover, and Eisenhower Jacket; and while I easily could have listed more, I’ll just let you check out the full lineup for yourself.
While I absolutely love summer and its boardshorts & flip-flops uniform, autumn is by far my favourite season for how it calls on you to get extra creative with your wardrobe. You can easily expect to go from overcast and cold, to sunny and warm, to raining sideways in any given week, let alone a single day; and what’s better than being fully prepared, both in function and form. For some great advice, turn to GQ’s September issue and their 5 New Rules of Fall Layering, which kicks off with this beautiful combo of an orange Gant Rugger mackintosh, Dolce & Gabbana denim jacket, and a classic J.Crew tie.
Roger Federer exited this year’s US Open earlier than his seeding would have indicated, but his quarterfinal against Gaël Monfils was one of the most exciting performances I’ve ever seen. Maybe he was freaking out inside after going down two sets, but Federer looked composed and precise as he fought off two match-points and continued on to a convincing fifth-set win. This might be a bit Is it the shoes? of me, but I don’t think it hurt that his night-match kit (including the Nike Advantage Premier RF) made him look like a total boss. All dark tones and crisp fit, Federer was stepping on the court looking like he meant business. Now, if I was lucky enough to have custom gear developed specifically for me, I’d probably shorten the sleeve by about an inch and opt for no-show socks, but before that happens, my serve will have to improve by a smidge or two.
I was going through the Norse Projects Fall/Winter 2014 preview and these two pieces caught my eye – the Borderline Stripe wool sweater and Elka Classic rain jacket. Nautically-inspired classics that would look equally great in a downtown downpour or a Wes Anderson set. (via Selectism)
When it comes to wearing pajamas in the daytime, there’s a wide chasm between I’m rakish in the south of France and I’ve just given up. That’s why Club Monaco’s Pajama Pique Polo caught my eye – a trim-fitting summer short-sleeve with the perfect hit of piping for added structure. Goodnight, that looks sharp.
I’m starting to realize that I might be developing a slight boardshorts habit, and it doesn’t help at all that I recently discovered Imperial Motion. Based in Tacoma, Washington, this lifestyle brand is making some of the lightest, barely-know-they’re-on boardshorts with beautiful, subtle graphic patterns. I’ve already picked up the Hanger and Lipton, and will definitely be adding the Hayworth to my collection before this summer is over.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup has wrapped up, Germany has come out on top (congrats), and the respective hardware (Golden Ball, Golden Glove, Golden Boot, etc.) have all been handed out. I think, though, that there’s room for one more award – the Golden Jersey – and I’d give it to Team France. Classic, clean design, with the perfect contrast collar. Nike offers two versions: the 2014 FFF Match if you’d like to rock the same kit that the national team wore in Brazil; or the 2014 FFF Stadium, a polo option for those of us who’d rather not run up and down a sizzling pitch for ninety minutes without substitution :-)
I’ve been a fan of Aether and their slope-meets-city design philosophy for quite a while now. Versatile pieces like the Anorak and Highline jacket look great whether you’re hailing a cab or scaling up a trail, and are technically sound to keep you warm and dry in either environment. They now have a beach collection as well, which includes the Piping 9¾” swim trunks. I think the white ones would go perfectly with that custom paddleboard at Aether HQ, featured in a recent MR PORTER profile.
By this point, most brands have their own interpretation of the timeless polo shirt, but my hands-down favourite is still the Twin Tipped Fred Perry Shirt. Originally introduced at the 1952 Wimbledon, the subdued combination of solid-colour cotton pique, two accent stripes, and the signature laurel wreath still looks impeccable more than half a century later – whether you’re hoisting the men’s singles trophy, or just raising a glass to another great day.
I have to admit that I didn’t know much about popover shirts before I read about them on Valet a while back. Somewhere on the spectrum between button-up and polo, the short-sleeve popover is a great summer option that pairs nicely with trim shorts, lightweight suit, or even denim. I just picked up an indigo-dyed one from J.Crew, and it fits perfectly. Plus, I love that the colour’s going to wear in uniquely with each new summer.
