::Hodgepodge::

     Like art, fashion comes best when it's organic.  When putting an outfit together, too much planning is like not knowing when you're done seasoning a dish or when you've laid down your last brush stroke.

     Start with a piece you like and then just grab random items to layer on top of it.  I wanted to rock the polka dot sweater, but had no clue what to pair it with.  

Grabbed the eggplant denim next.

The polka dot on eggplant was a bit much,

so toned it down with brown tweed.

Utilitarian tweed and chambray was 

a good juxtaposition to the polka and purple.

Lapel pin and sherbet paisley pocket

square added visual interest.

It's near spring, so the loafers are out.

::Wardrobe::

Sweater: Topman

Shirt: J Crew

Jacket: J Crew (old::English Country Hipster)

Pants: Vince

Lapel pin: Denison Boston

Pocket square: The Tie Bar

Shoes: Cole Haan

Accessories: Tateossian, City of Gentlemen, J Crew

::Brown on Brown::

     I recently got a great carpenter bag thanks to Wood & Faulk.  I stumbled over this little leather company from Portland, Oregon a while back and have loved their stuff ever since.  Matt's leather goods should cost 10 times what he charges, but "sshhh," don't tell him.

     This whole wardrobe was inspired by a rugged urban theme.

     The leather jacket went well with the dipped leather bag.  I toned downed the urban look with a hipster style sparrow print polo.

     Distressed boots melded the urban theme.  I'm not really a fan of baggy jeans, but can't go skinny with boots.  Think slim through waste and thighs, but choose a larger leg opening for boots.

     The quality on this bag is simply amazing.  I didn't include more pics, but this bag actually opens like a carpenter bag and has stainless foot pads to protect the bottom.  This is actually a workman's bag, just with style.

     The color block scarf added visual interest and broke up the browns.

::Wardrobe::
Bag: Thanks Wood & Faulk
Jeans: J Crew
Jacket: Bod & Christensen
Shirt: Topman
Shoes: JD Fisk
Scarf: Mr. Brown by Duckie Brown
Belt: Lacoste

::Suit Up::

     I rarely get to wear a suit, but I've recently had the opportunity for New Year's and an interview.  Suiting up for a party is a whole lot different than professionally.  I’ll focus on how to suit up professionally in this post with a few do’s and don’ts. 

     An interview is no place to show off your fashion sense.  The focus should be on professionalism and showing that you can fit in but at the same time stand out and bring something to the table.  For these reasons, the best colors are white, blue, and black.  

     The big key to a suit is that it has to look as though it was fitted for no one else but you.  No matter the brand or price point, most suits have to be tailored.  IT'S THE FIT, NOT THE BRAND.

::Top::

     The shoulders should not go past your natural shoulder line.  Modern fits use high arm holes.  This does two things: 

(1) elongate the torso and (2) define your silhouette more.

     The shirt sleeve should fall where your wrists dent in.  The coat sleeve should be about 1/2" to 1" shorter than the shirt.

::Don'ts::

     At the interview, I saw one person button every single button.  Never button the last button, no matter if it is a two button or three button suit.  Letting it flow creates the "V" silhouette.  

     At the New Year's party, I'm not sure if the guy didn't know or didn't notice, but he left the stitching that held the back vents together.  Always take the stitching off the vents.   

::Color::

     Remember, an interview is no place to flaunt your fashion sense.  Think simple, yet powerful.  You want to show that you understand professionalism, but can still think outside the box.

     Stick to black or dark blue suits.  Stay away from flat black, you're not going to a funeral.

     For the tie, I went with a dark grey.  I didn't go with black because I'd look like the Blues Brothers.

     Invest in a quality folio.  You want a place to keep your resume if needed.  

::Pants::

     For a modern fit, tell your tailor you want little to no break in your hem.  You don't want your pants bunching up at the bottom, nor do you want them hiding your shoes.  It looks clumsy and unfinished.  

     Caring about your look shows you will care about your work.

::Wardrobe::

Suit: Alfani

Shirt: Ben Sherman

Tie: J Crew

Shoes: Boss by Hugo Boss

Bag: Jack Spade

Folio: Coach

Tie Bar: The Tie Bar

Casual Weekend

I needed to get away, so The Boss and I headed out to San Francisco.  It was nice weather for The City, but still chilly.  I was loving my new Fair Isle scarf, so I pulled the outfit together around it.  Usually I like to pop color over the drab tones of winter, but the brown on brown worked.  The key is to use textures.  You want to avoid flat browns.

This guy was asking me if I was the guy from "City of Gentlemen."  I replied, "Well yes, I am."

Like I said earlier, the best way to break up dull 

tones is to mix in textures.  

Mixed a heavy wool coat with leather elbow 

patches with fine cord pants.

To tie the rugged look together, I chose a weathered chukka boot.

One of my go to items for a Gentlemen is the coat jacket wallet, 

also known as a long wallet.  Nothing is worse than a giant 

bulge in your pant pocket.  I did break the browns with a plaid

shirt and floral pocket square.

Jacket: John Varvatos Star USA

Vest: J Crew (old--Layering in Carmel)

Shirt: Gant by Michael Bastian

Pants: J Crew

Scarf: J Crew (old--Camo::Urban)

Shoes: Natha Studio

Pocket Square: The Tie Bar

Wallet: Deakin & Francis