The Velvet Jacket

This will be quick. For the Fall and Winter seasons, it is imperative to have a velvet jacket at your disposal. The velvet jacket can dress up blue jeans for a casual ensemble, and can serve as the focal point for alternative black tie.

The key is this; with jeans, wear a crisp white dress shirt sans tie. The shirt should be nicely fitted. For alternative black tie, wear a black bow tie, black trousers, and either black cap-toe shoes, velvet loafers, or opera pumps (scratch that... save the pumps for white tie... unless you're in for serious rule breaking).

One should still wear a nicely fitted white dress shirt or a tuxedo shirt, although the look works better without a tuxedo point collar, but rather a spread or traditional point collar. French cuffs look best, and a subtle tactile texture in the shirt comes across very nicely.

For in-betweens (pictured) keep it minimal. White shirt, black neck tie (or solid color complimentary to your jacket color), black trousers, nice black shoes. Go bold if you must, with a brightly colored velvet jacket, such as this red Tom Ford offering with shawl collar (photo 2), but feel free to throw in some pattern to add some nonchalance and to deformalize the look a bit. For more formal occasions, one can never go wrong with midnight blue (left). In all cases, be respectful of the inherent formality of the velvet jacket and allow one 1/2 inch of cuff to show.

Velvet jackets are available from very low to very high prices, from a multitude of designers. I am wearing a customized vintage Hickey Freeman in photo 1. Tom Ford offers something similar today, but for lower prices, check Calvin Klein at Macy's, or just browse. Velvet jackets are big this season and everyone offers them. Get down with it!

Cheers,

 Paul

Bond's Accessories: Persol

It has been a while since I last wrote about sunglasses, but I have in the past mentioned my love of Italian sunglasses manufacturer Persol, and in an unrelated post, discussed the refined, insouciant character offered by a lighter colored pair of sunglasses than basic black. Today, I combine the two. Persol sunglasses, and tortoise-shell frames.

Persol calls their tortoise-shell colored frames "Havana". Call them what you like, the lighter colored frames catch more attention and can better compliment a colorful ensemble than black frames. Black is unimaginative in most cases- granted a black suit and shoes would probably cry out for black sunglasses, but in other scenarios, a lighter frame accents the different color hues in most clothing.

I personally have been blessed/cursed with a fair complexion, light hair and skin tone (yeah, that's me on the right), and tortoise-shell frames break the stark contrast that is achieved when I wear all black frames. Conversely, individuals with either olive, brown, or reddish skin tones will have their complexion complimented by the different shades of brown and amber present in a tortoise-shell frame. Everybody wins, you see.

My newest aquisition are these Persol 2720-S sunglasses, which were worn by Daniel Craig's James Bond in the 2006 film, Casino Royale (see picture, below). I opted for the brown lenses while Bond wore frames with green lenses, but I like the way that the Persol brown-orange lenses block out all the sunlight without making indoor lighting seem nonexistant (for the times when walking indoors briefly after forgetting your phone at home or dropping something off at the post office or making a bank deposit... not when gong out clubbing and trying to look cool by wearing shades indoors... you actually look like a douchebag when you do this. Trust me).

I have quickly fallen in love with this pair of shades. My wife tried to "adopt them" and I told her she'd better start trying to come up with a way to bump me off if she wants to inherit them. Like Charleton Heston said, "...From my cold dead hands." They're mine. I offered her my Ray Bans. She refused.

For those who are unaware of the history, Persol comes from the Italian words per il sole, meaning, "for the sun". The brand was founded in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti. Its trademark is the silver arrow, and several of the company's glasses feature this symbol.

Persol was a heavy influence in the production of sunglasses. The company developed the first flexible stem.
Persol was introduced to the United States in 1962. Its first boutique opened on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles in 1991.

Steve McQueen popularized two Persol models: the 714 folding sunglasses and similarly styled 649. He wore a special pair of 714's with blue lenses (now avaiable as a Steve McQueen Special Edition model at http://www.persol.com/) in The Thomas Crown Affair and was often photographed wearing the 649 model.
One of the most iconic images of Persol sunglasses can be seen in the movie Divorce Italian Style where Marcello Mastroianni wears a pair of black 649s; Mastroianni also has a pair of Persol sunglasses on in almost every scene in the movie La Dolce Vita.

Persols can be seen on celebrities as frequently as plastic surgery. Jack Nicholson, Jake Gyllenhall, Jay-Z, George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Pierce Brosnan, Bill Murray, and a slew of others are seen wearing them regularly, but that's not to say that celebrity iconography is what makes them worth a damn.

Persols are durable, stylish, and fit like a glove, thanks to the brand's patented "Meflecto" cylinders in the arms, which hug and flex comfortably around the wearers temple to provide a custom fit. The lenses are made of high-impact glass rather than plastic, and resist scratching better than any other sunglass lens on the market. The lenses also provide unsurpassed clarity. Each pair is hand-made in Italy and no two pair are absolutely alike, like a utilitaritan piece of art that one can wear on his face.

Upon reflection, I don't know exactly what the purpose of this post was, whether it was to plug Persol, make a James Bond reference, promote tortoise-shell frames, or just to say, "Hey, check out my new toy." Maybe it was a bit of all of these reasons, but I can guarantee you this: each reason was in the service of style. After all... that's why we're here. Isn't it? 

Cheers.

-Paul

Esquire Has Done it Again!

New for Fall 2010, Esquire magazine has released its latest offering of the semi-annual Big Black Book: The Style Manual for Successful Men.

This edition has a wealth of fine information with features on everything from Cars, Watches, Colognes, Writing Instruments, Holiday party beverages (the good ones: with booze), Socks, the ways to wear Black-Tie, Outerwear, a dissertation on absolutely everything one needs to know about wool, Tweed, a nice two-page spread on L.L. Bean Signature, and much, much more.

Without giving too much a way, a couple of page shots are pictured here, but the style-conscious man owes it to himself to pickup a copy. The newest Black Book is available at newstands for $9.95, or from http://www.esquire.com/.

If you are currently not an Esquire subscriber, the magazine is offering a great special now; the current Black Book and a one year subscription to Esquire for only $14.95. Very well worth it. Check it out!

Cheers,

Paul

Ralph Lauren: Fall 2010

I love the feel of this video. Both warm and nostalgic, this video captures the beauty of this all-American preppy brand. Enjoy.
-Paul

An Unlikely James Bond

For a little fun and nothing more...
Enjoy!

Great Tips from Sid Mashburn

Check out the link below for a video of great tips from one of Atlanta, Georgia's premier clothiers, Sid Mashburn. Sid combines the best from Italian, English, and American Prep styles to create a winning look. Selected as one of GQ Magazine's 10 most stlish men last year, the words of Sid Mashburn will take you far in the realm of men's style. The video link supplied briefly covers essential clothing pieces, plus how to get some utility out of your dressier wardrobe items. Check it out!
Sid Mashburn Video

Layered Look for Fall

I am so incredibly excited that Fall is here. It is, in my opinion, the most opportune of times for men's fashion, and gives us all a chance to amp up our style game. The crisp lines of summer fabrics can be traded out for layers of soft, tactile fabrics like wool, cashmere, and velvet (yes, velvet... but that's for another post!). In the early days of Fall, a day that begins in the 50's or 60's can easily work its way up to the mid to upper 70's, and then drop to the 40's by nightfall. This is why layering should be your secret weapon.

The look depicted today is just an example of layering tactics. Experiment on your own, and as it gets colder, the items will certainly change. What you see here today will almost definitely be accompanied by a trenchcoat when cold rainy days come, and the blat of khaki color will compliment the current ensemble. But don't let me get carried away with myself. Let me explain today's look.

The Shirt: The Oxford Cloth button down is the perfect Fall shirt. A little bit heavier than cotton broadcloth, the OCBD has a little heft to it, which serves well to stifle the cutting effect of a cold breeze.

The Jacket: Some say that everyman's wardrobe needs a navy blazer. I have two; one of a light-weight tropical wool for warmer months, and one (pictured) of a heavier cashmere-wool blend for the cooler months. This jacket goes with everything from jeans to tailored trousers, and works great as a layering piece. In Fall and Winter I tend to go for the more pronounced pocket square, again breaking away from the crisp, pressed lines of summer. The square adds some punch.

The Layer (Cardigan): A cotton cardigan makes for an ideal layering piece, because it is relatively light-weight. In early Fall, between the wool blazer and the OCBD shirt, only a slight bit of extra insulation is needed around the midsection. As you can see in the picture, this one is short-sleeved, which is perfect as the day warms up. At this point, one has the option to ditch the jacket and roll up the sleeves, as shown, or ditch the cardigan and put the blazer back on. I just love having options!

The Tie: I chose a bowtie for this look not just because of the color combinations I am wearing, but because A) Bowties are BIG this season (finally!!!), and B) I enjoy the preppy aesthetic that the bowtie lends to the casual nature of the outfit I chose.

The Jeans: In Fall and winter, a darker jean is preferable. In Spring and Summer one can lighten up a bit to shake the winter blues, but colder months call for a darker, somber color, like these that sport a deep indigo wash. Again, I chose jeans to flirt with the less casual looking, preppy above-waist look.

The Shoes: The brown wingtips. Again, I have two pair of these. One is a deep chocolate brown that I keep immaculate, and the other are these, which are lighter in color, and I let them get a little beat up, just to shake some polish from a casual outfit. Wingtips are great for Fall. Period.

The Extras: This outfit illustrates perfectly the extra flair that a nice umbrella can lend you, as I mentioned in the last post. Here in Charlotte, NC, the weather forecasts have been changing daily. A day that calls for no rain suddenly becomes a sling-fest of cats and dogs. In the particularly fickle early days of Fall, a sweet-looking umbrella just always works.

If one does remove the jacket and roll up the sleeves, one should wear a watch with heft, which compliments a layered look. Chronographs are cool. I tried to keep the color scheme in line with the shoes, since I'm otherwise bathed in reds and blues. Chunky. Brown. Bold. Bitchin' and BadAss.

Enjoy the season for layering. Enjoy the season to kick your style game up a notch. Enjoy soft, luxurious clothing. Enjoy the Fall.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

Umbrella Review: Brooks Brothers vs. Leighton

Good day, gentlemen. Fall is here, and it's time to prepare for some rainy days. It's also time to amp up your umbrella game. Fold up travel umbrellas are convenient and they keep you dry. They can fit in a briefcase or dangle from a lanyard around your wrist. Golf umbrellas keep you dry as well... along with everybody else in your zip code. Neither of these umbrella types are particularly stylish. Travel umbrellas are strictly utilitarian, and golf umbrellas are a roving billboard for Wachovia or Bank of America.

What a gentleman needs is an attractive stick umbrella, free of crazy bright colors, company brands, and small plastic handles. A wooden crook handle and (when collapsed) a slim silhouette, a generous (but not gigantic) canopy, and a dark, solid color. Do you notice the funeral scenes in movies? I don't care which movie, because they're all the same. The day is dreary and rainy, and everyone stands under a sea of black umbrellas as they mourn. NONE OF YOU fine gentlemen need to be the lone idiot with the enormous red, white and blue BofA umbrella. Trust me! Now I'm not saying a fine looking umbrella should be restricted to funerals- quite the contrary. But one should be able to carry it anywhere to fit in...

...or stand out! Remember The Avengers' John Steed, who carried his classic stick umbrella with him everywhere, even on sunny, bone-dry days? Remember Sean  Connery as Henry Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (whose umbrella came in quite handy in warding off a flock of angry pidgeons, or something to that effect), who had his umbrella with him always? A nice umbrella is like a sidearm. It can go with you everywhere, even if you don't intent to use it, but you'll never know when you might need it!

 Today I review two classic-looking stick umbrellas, one from Brooks Brothers (top left) and one from a company called Leighton (top right). Let's get started!

First off, both umbrellas have a classic, refined style. Black canopy, slim design, and wooden crook handles. The Brooks Brothers "New Stick Umbrella" has a wooden shaft as well, while the Leighton "Executive" has a shaft fashioned of steel. Leighton makes one with a wooden shaft as well, which actually costs less money than their steel shaft version, so I wouldn't consider the shaft material on either umbrella to be a pro or a con, although the wood does look nice.

Both umbrellas have eight ribs that support the canopy. The Brooks Brothers (above left) version employs fiberglass ribs that are attached to the canopy with (bummer) plastic grommets. The Leighton umbrella (above right) has steel ribs attached to the canopy by a metal hinge. A much stronger design, if you ask me.

The tips of these umbrellas are both wood. The Brooks Brothers umbrella has an attractive metal ferrel at the base of the wooden tip, while the Leighton has a thicker, shorter tip with no added adornments that matches the wood of the handle. I'd say that the BB umbrella tip probably looks a bit nicer, but the very end is just painted black and not very smooth, so it looks as if something fell off or came unglued. I'd call this round a draw.

Both umbrellas boast a generous sized polyester canopy. Of the two, the Leighton is Teflon coated. The Brooks Brothers umbrella is not. Major score for Leighton. Also, the Leighton has an auto-open feature, while the Brooks Brothers umbrella is manual only. Another point for the Leighton.

The Leighton has a lifetime replacement warranty.
There is no stated warranty for the Brooks Brothers umbrella. 3 - zip Leighton.

The Brooks Brothers umbrella does have their   attractive script logo on the canopy strap, which is a nice little touch. They also have a black canopy version with the BB Golden Fleece logo dotting the surface, which looks nice, but the ferrel on the wooden tip is plastic rather than metal, which turned me off to that design.

The Leighton umbrella has a nice little touch on the handle as well; a leather wrapping with the Leighton name embossed on the surface. The Leighton also has a metal ring to secure the rib points directly above the handle. The BB umbrella has no such feature.

In terms of dollars and cents, the Brooks Brothers umbrella retails for $60, which is approaching a lot of money for what you're getting. The Leighton Executive retails for $30, and is available in several colors at http://www.umbrellasandbeyond.com/ for $24, I believe.

When all is said and done, my endorsement goes to the Leighton, mainly because of this reason: when opening the Brooks Brothers umbrella for only the third time, prior to even testing it in the rain, one of the plastic gromets that secures the ribs to the canopy snapped, leaving one rib flopping about and the umbrella unusable. I returned it for a refund, and purchased the Leighton, which so far seems damn-near indestructable.

Both umbrellas are made in China (which greatly disappointed me on the Brooks Brothers model, considering the price tag), and the Leighton is clearly a higher quality product, which cost me less than half as much. I am a big fan of Brooks Brothers, as some of the previous posts would indicate, but they never have specialized in umbrellas, and I'll consider them in the future for their own items, rather than something they're just sticking their name on.

Anyway, go out and get yourself a man's umbrella, and give your novelty golf umbrellas to the Goodwill. If you must have something that large, Leighton also sells a Doorman model, with 16 ribs and a 60" canopy which retails for a mere $36, but unless you routinely walk around with a wife and 3 kids under your umbrella, a standard stick size will do. Travel umbrellas are great for... well... traveling, or to have in your briefcase as a backup, but we're men of distinction here. Get something that makes a statement that you have class.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

Congratulations, Tom!

StyleSite.us sends enthusiastic congratulations to man of style Tom Waits, who was just nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you for your music, Tom. You deserve this honor.

Button-Down Shirts with a Tie

Video by Paul Walters

Hello all! Someone that I know well and once considered myself to be friends with (we see each other very little these days) began making custom clothing a few years ago. I can't endorse it because I've never seen it first-hand, and I've never seen him wearing his own clothing at any of the fashion and style events we've both attended, but if it's as good as he says it is, his clothing must be excellent. I've only seen him wearing his own suits on video and in pictures, so they could be fused rather than canvassed for all I know.

On YouTube, this fella has posted a couple of videos offering clothing tips and style advice; one is about wearing a nice watch, where he shows off his fake Breitling for Bentley tourbillion watch and claims that it's real (the tourbillion brackets on the originals are slightly "A-framed", and the fakes are straight. I know the difference... I studied watches for years... the real ones also were "on sale" for $99,000), and one has to do with saying that button-down collar shirts should never be worn with a tie.

In my first-ever video blog, I debunk this myth, and explain why. Please enjoy.

Cheers,

Paul

More Brooks Brothers: Fall 2010

Here is the new video look-book for th Fall 2010 lineup at Brooks Brothers. Enjoy.

Brooks Brothers: An American Staple Since 1818

The American brand for nearly 200 years: your one-stop-shop for almost everything a man could possibly want.

Tom Waits, Downtown Train

Prior to Rod Stewart covering this song, the original composer, Mr. Waits of course, made it rock. One can actually hear that the lyrics are brilliant, and the tone is much more fitting than the foofie remake. Tom, we salute you.

Required Listening: RPWL, Roses

RPWL was a Pink Floyd tribute band who decided to compose and play their own music. The result is a phenomenal progressive rock band with a rich full sound, ethereal vocals, and amazing dynamics. Here, they play one of my favorite of their songs live. Enjoy.
-Paul

Buckling Down: Watch Entry III

In keeping with the recent theme regarding wristwatches, I wanted to present another bracelet/band option for a more elegant and less casual look than the ribbon band I discussed last time. Leather bands always lend an aura of elegance to a watch, especially when fashioned of an exotic skin like crocodile or lizard.

Today I'm not talking about material, however, but about the clasp type of the watch band.

Metal bands are typically a little bit sportier than leather bands, but are often favored  by wearers because of  durability issues and the security of the clasps that typically accompany a metal band. There is a way to capture the elegance of a leather band and the security of a metal one; a leather band with a deployment clasp (pictures 1 & 2 - click to enlarge).

The pictures provided pretty much do the talking here and take away a need for too much explanation, but simply stated, a deployment clasp on a leather band allows one to position a pin in a bracelet hole for a good fit, and after that, the clasp can be snapped open and closed without having to pull the strap through the buckle each time. The result is a watch that fits a bit more snug on the wrist (photo 3), and often feels more comfortable on the wrist.

Having one of these groovy bands doesn't have to break the bank, either. They can be picked up on ebay for next to nothing. They are a good option for those who like a lather watch band. Give it a try!

Until next time (where we'll probably have one more watch-related discussion),

Cheers!

Paul

Groovy New-Old Vintage Watch, Part II

PROJECT UPGRADE: It was my decision, amidst a cluster of 100 degree days, that such a hot time of the year with humidity thick enough to both cut through and choke on, that my groovy new-old vintage Zodiac Spacetronic needed a Summer facelift. In the spirit of the "trad" movement, and with a desire to wear something "lighter", I applied the ribbon band that you see here.

This simple nylon band adds a colorful aesthetic to one's overall ensemble, fits like a second skin around the wrist, and breathes, keeping the wrist cooler than a thicker, more insulating leather strap. Cool huh?

Various colors and patterns are available, but I'd say keep it simple. For a brief time last year, DayGlo colors were popular, a throwback from the 1980's... yeah... remember when Pizza Hut carried the "Back II The Future" sunglasses? That's what I'm referring to. I find the DayGlo movement to be nothing more than a passing trend, just as it was a fad when it first started. Stick to classic colors and avoid lime green, electric yellow, and neon pink.

Lifestyle brand J. Crew sells these ribbon watch bands for around $20 a piece. That's a lot for a piece of nylon. Check out this ebay seller; his bands are $4, with a $2.41 charge for shipping. That's more like it!

One can always go with the ribbon-band "old trusty"... the NATO strap as worn by James Bond with his Rolex Submariner in Dr. No (pictured at left). Be prepared to pay more than $4... I think there's an ebay seller who carries these for around $13.50... I'll let you research that one. Just remember... even though James Bond's Submariner had 20mm lugs, he wore an 18mm band... a little tip for those of us concerned with authentcity.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

Groovy New-Old Vintage Watch, Part I

Hello all. I've spoken before regarding the immense "cool" factor of a nice vintage watch. If you can find one in good condition, without yellowing on the dial and corrosion on the hands, a vintage watch can provide the look of a one-of-a-kind piece that will catch the attention of people you meet day to day.

My newest acquisition definitely fits the proverbial bill. In the 1950's, watchmaker Hamilton started making electronic watches, the most famous of which being the "Ventura" (photo 1). After its futuristic design and initial service problems served to bankrupt the brand, Hamilton was bought out by the Swiss company SSH in 1974 and the Hamilton Ventura design became a brand mainstay that is still produced today, now under the model name "505", which was the name of the original electronic movement. The watch was featured on the wrist of Elvis Presley in "Blue Hawaii", and more recently, the wrists of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in the "Men In Black" films. There are now different movements available in the 505. Most are quartz, and some are automatic.

Electronic watches were the first battery-powered watches, and though the movement still functions very much like a mechanical movement, a battery powers tiny transistors in the watch which regulate the time. The battery replaced the mainspring used in mechanical watches. The electronic watches were considered to be more accurate than mechanical watches had been.

Now, on to my watch! In the 1960's, Swiss brand Zodiac began making electronic watches to compete with those being offered by Hamilton and Bulova's Accutron. The Zodiac electronics boasted more reliable movements than their forebearers, and were able to be made thinner as well. My find is one of these Zodiac models, dubbed the "Spacetronic" (photos 2 & 3). Though originally made in 1968, this one has been very recently serviced and works flawlessly. A picture of the movement (photo 4) is shown as well. Notice that on the dial of the watch, there is no yellowing around the hour markers, which is often seen on older watches as the glue breaks down, and no corrosion on the hands. These are features one should look for when selecting a vintage watch.

A cool thing about the electronic watches is that like on mechanical watches, the second hand still sweeps around the dial, rather than ticking. Very cool. Get on the look out for a cool vintage watch. Ebay is a great source, but some small jewelry stores often have diamonds hidden in the rough.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

*P.S. As always, please click on photos to enlarge!*

Kathy Ireland

This has nothing to do with style. For that I apologize. I did, however, feel compelled to share it with you.

New Site Name

Thank you to all of this site's loyal readers. While readers can still reach this site from our blogger address, paulwaltersonstyle.blogspot.com, a new domain name should allow some ease of access. Our new web site is http://www.stylesite.us/. Thank you again for your continued patronage! Cheers,
Paul

Wardrobe Staple: The Black Neck Tie

If you ask any woman what item in her wardrobe is the least expendable (or the most versatile), she will probably volunteer without hesitation that her must-have item is her little black dress. It works for every imaginable event from a dinner date, to a wedding, to a funeral. Men are a little different. Some will claim their navy blazer, others that perfect pair of khakis. Other men will assure you that they must have a solid black neck tie in their wardrobes.

Don't worry; unless you wear it with a black suit, you will not be mistaken for an undertaker, hit man, or a chauffeur. Since black is considered a "neutral" color, most blazers in colors from khaki to navy can be worn with a black tie. It's plain enough to be worn with jeans, yet the dark color makes a black tie ideal for formal events, paired with a killer suit.

Many a man believe the black neck tie to be to funereal in nature, but I disagree. It can show that you mean business, or it can allow for a simple clean line to compliment your ensemble. Width is important. I think that a slim tie is the way to go. Don't be confused. By slim, I don't mean skinny. Reservoir Dogs was a great movie, but we're talking about style here.

My black tie is, at it's widest point, 2.75 inches, which is minimalist in nature, but not trendy. Too wide a tie and you'll look like you earn a second income waiting tables. Too narrow and you'll look like our Reservoir Dogs friends, bumping off jewelry stores. If the width is equal to or less than that of a dollar bill, you're in good shape. If  it's less than 2.25 inches, well... time to cue up the George Baker Selection's "Little Green Bag". Just remember: with the already "stripped-down" look of the black tie, maintaining simplicity is key.

Another tip is to add a little bit of decor to your simple black tie by wearing a tie bar. The tasteful silver flash sets the stark black canvas into relief, and draws attention in a good way. Solid color shirts pair best with the black tie, so think white, blue, or, for the dandies in our midst, pink.

For some extra ornamentation, add a pocket square. This can match the shirt, or for the daring, be the source of pattern for the ensemble. If you stuck with the solid shirt, pattern is good for your square. If your shirt has a pattern, keep the pocket square plain. Otherwise, the shirt-and-pocket square-busy to tie-plain ratio is going to look way off balance.

One can never go wrong keeping all three elements plain and simple, as pictured to the left.

Thanks for tuning in, and until next time,
Cheers!
-Paul

Required Listening: Robert Cray, "Moan"

One of my greatest inspirations. Not necessarily Robert Cray himself, but the raw, unadulterated emotion of his song, "Moan". Sorrow, rage, regret, and hope all drip from from Cray's voice and Fender Strat. The notes he doesn't play are just as important as those that he does. When choosing an ensemble for your next workday, do so with this playing behind you. Try to get into the groove of the music. Dance a little if you have to. Be open to letting "Moan" penetrate your bones and influence your clothing choices.
Just... trust me.
Cheers.
-Paul

The Thrill of The Thrift

Well here it is. The 100th post of Paul Walters on Style. Maybe there are a few things I would have done differently if I was starting this blog today. Perhaps I would have posted more often. Perhaps I would have come up with a more creative name. I guess all the shoulda-coulda-woulda's hold about as much weight as a fart in the wind, as now there are only the considerations to be made about going forward.

I hope to be able to offer more material more often. I do try to avoid as much uninteresting filler as possible, wishing to focus on more substantial and appreciable information. If any of my readers have any ideas concerning things you'd like to read about or blog names that snag more attention spans let me know. That being said... today's topic!

With the current economic situation falling like a lead balloon (I really don't believe it to be "getting Better"), it's time for all of us to tighten our belts and embrace the philosophy of frugality. The penny-pinching mentality can be a tough one, because like any growing boy I'm always yearning for cool new toys. And like any boy-turned-man, the toys I want today sure are more expensive than they were when I was a child. It's like 1 Corinthians 13:11 says; "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Sometimes I wish I still could get all warm and tingly inside by buying a Superman costume, but things are different now.

Now I'm thrilled by a new pair of Allen Edmonds, the fit of a tailored sport coat, or the way a Ralph Lauren Purple Label shirt feels against my skin. Sadly, these things don't come cheap, and in a recession, they usually just don't come... unless, one finds alternate methods of filling his materialistic needs. My mother has worked for Goodwill Industries for most of my life. She's an associate Vice President with the company, and needless to say, I've been in a lot of Goodwill stores. As a kid (restrained by my childish ways), it was easy to recoil at the thought of shopping at Goodwill. The stigma associated with being someone who shopped at Goodwill was supposed to be reserved for poor people, and not the upstanding upper-middle-class kid I was.

As an adult, however, struggling to become established in a time where everything is harder than it ever has been, I began to enjoy visits to the Goodwill store. Not only were the clothes inexpensive, but they were expendable. I began shopping for clothes that I could do back-breaking work in and not feel bad about throwing the clothes away when they became too heavily soiled. As time went on, I was able to afford (or at least make enough money to justify buying) nicer things like custom suits and shirts and expensive shoes. My Goodwill shopping, however, continued. I began looking for vintage pieces and rare finds. As the economy has been tanking, I have found some sweet deals.

The items featured here today are from only one visit to Goodwill, and here they are:

-Ralph Lauren Purple Label dress shirt. Approximate retail price $475 - $595 (shown at top with coat and tie, and at right)

-Armani Jeans sport shirt by Giorgio Armani. Approximate retail price $155

-Saks 5th Avenue Broadcloth buttondown. Approximate retail price $135.

Again, these items came from only one trip. I regularly find many garments from Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren. Tommy Hilfiger items abound. Lacoste polos are not uncommon either. Regarding thrift store shopping, let me offer the following tips:

First of all, buy in your size. Don't buy a great shirt or pair of pants because of the brand or quality unless it fits you perfectly. An ill-fitting garment looks cheap, regardless of the quality. I have a couple of sport coats I've thrifted, and I always try them on and mentally add up how much tailoring will cost me. Depending on how much work needs to be done, certain purchases aren't worth it. A good rule of thumb with jackets is to get something that fits in the shoulders as closely as possible. Also pay attention to the length of the hem and how much fabric needs to be taken in. If a jacket needs to be taken in too much the pockets will inhibit the process at the seams.

Secondly, look it over well! I've gotten a great deal before on a perfect fitting shirt only to realize after getting home that there was a rather significant tear in the fabric that I had missed before. Do a thorough inspection. A third tip goes hand in hand: assume that stains will not come out. Don't confuse your drycleaner with a wizard. Stains that have been sitting for too long will not come out without risk of damage to the fabric, and we don't want that!

It's important to remember that we are in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Some say the current economy is even worse when one takes into account the effects of inflation. There is no pride to be lost by thrifting. If anything, consider your secret to be one that brings you enormous power. Christopher Lasch said, "Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success," and the appearance of success comes cheap, at only $3.79 per shirt.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

Back to Life. Thanks for Your Patience (A Letter From the Editor).

My dear readers, I have been absent from the web for too long. I offer my most sincere apologies and promise that I am back to stay. I thank those of you who follow this blog and I hope that you have not lost faith.
I blame my lapse of posting on several factors, including both a full-time day job and a second job at nights, playing music professionally at assorted venues, accompanied by the new "phases" that my two young children are putting into practice.
What can I say? Life can be a mutha. Obviously, my passions lie in the topics discussed here on this site and in the love of style that makes its dwelling in my bones. I appreciate your steadfastness.
My next post will be my 100th. The centennial will have to have been worth the wait. What better time to "turn 100" that right after my coming back to life. I will leave you with this video, and my promise that this farewell will be a brief one.
Until next time,
God Bless.
-Paul