What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. This one is going to be relative to where you live. Sometimes, 60 degrees feels like paradise. Sometimes it’s 80. All depends on what sort of weather you’ve been living in this year. You know it when it happens though. It’s that first day when women might consider wearing a summery skirt, restaurant patios are packed, and windows get thrown open everywhere. Top Photo Credit: R. Donovan
The Blazer: UNIQLO Patterned Unlined Cotton/Linen Blazer – $69.90 Looks to be a micro houndstooth? Sleeves will be a little long and the tail is gonna be a little short, but the sleeves are easily tailored (no functioning buttons here) and the more casual you go the less tail you can have on your jackets. Totally unlined except for the sleeves (hat tip to contributor Christian for scouting this one out). 63% linen / 37% cotton. Very breezy.
The Polo: B.R. Luxe Touch in Navy – $44.50. Yes, you can wear a polo with a blazer without looking like you showed up to a restaurant that requires a jacket and you forgot yours. The key is to wear a real sharp & smooth polo. Banana Republic’s “luxe touch’ polos are slicker than snot… without that unfortunate snot-gross-out-factor. Go navy here. And if you decide you want to take your blazer off, the outfit still stands on its own quite well. It’s BR, so, hang out for a 30% off or more code. That said (and don’t tell GAP inc. this was said)… these things are probably worth full price.
The Pants: GAP 1969 slim twill in off-white – $64.95. Don’t be afraid of white jeans. There’s a difference between super-thick, bright white jeans (think 501s… only in white) and twill pants that happen to have 5 pockets and are little less stark. These should be the latter. Should go on sale from time to time. Many thanks to Josh H. for pointing out that these, yes THESE, have been excluded from the most recent 35% off code.
The Shoes: Mercanti Fiorentini Two-Tone driving loafer – $69.95. Made in Brazil from nice and soft leather. Even better looking in person.
The Watch: Tissot Heritage Visodate – $423.23
The Sunglasses: Original Penguin “The Keaton” 58mm Aviators- $78.00. Probably not dynamite quality, but a good size for those of us with larger heads. Slightly more angular looking than AO original pilots
The Belt: Everlane Suede O-Ring Belt – $65.00. Made in the USA. Not just a summer belt despite the lighter color. It’ll do just fine in the three other seasons. Wear the crap out of it.
The Drink: Cameron’s Kick. Scotch on a warm day? You bet. It’s a combination of blended Scotch, Irish Whiskey, orgeat, and lemon juice. Awfully refreshing but still has some body to it. More here.
Thinking I need to try one of those Uniqlo blazers…..Ordered those very same pants a while back and couldn’t get a consistent fit. 31 was way too tight in the waist and 32 was way too loose. Legs seemed incredibly slim as well. Got a pair of J.Crew Factory garment dyes in wheat instead. The slim/straight was perfect, very much like a 514.
I picked up that Uniqlo blazer last week – the casual styling was great, the fit was relatively trim, the material felt like it would wear well in the summer and the spring, and the blend seemed at least partially wrinkle-resistant. That said, the buttoning stance was prohibitively high (granted, I’m quite tall, so that didn’t help), and I ended up returning it. If you’re on the shorter end of the spectrum, I’d definitely recommend picking it up.
I miss the good ol’ days (…last year) when 1969 jeans were available in 31×34.
Totally with you. My personal beefs w/ UNIQLO’s blazers = too short tails, too long arms, too high button stance. They extend the tails by an inch (or more, but I’ll take just a bit. Don’t want to get greedy) and drop the button stance by an inch and I’m in all day every day.
I really like the belt… this outfit gives me a few ideas of my own. I clearly need a couple of “slick” polos, since I enjoy wearing a coat over them.
Is that a pocket square in the top left corner? If so, it goes unmentioned…
Heh. Nope. Just a close up of the fabric of the jacket.
As somebody with long arms, I’m okay with that part, but I completely agree with all of your other points. Great outfit, by the way!
I have yet to buy a UNIQLO blazer, but I mirror the sentiment. I always buy L’s anyway. Though, I do have particular concerns with a chopped tail and high button stance given my immensely long torso. I mean, seriously… 6’2″ with a 31″ inseam? Just wrong…
I tried on several blazers in medium size at uniqlo and they seemed to have differing sleeve lengths between styles. One was too short for me but another was just right. That said, I didn’t lay them back to back to confirm the difference.
I’ve experienced the same phenomenon with their shirts though, so sometimes it seems like they cater to those with longer arms and sometimes to those with shorter arms.
Just want to put out there that these Style Scenarios are great.
Amen.
I’m still a little wary of the blazer over polo combo . . . I don’t usually wear my polos tucked in, and I think it’s going to be a weird cross of formal/informal.
That Uniqlo blazer is pretty dope.
I hear you. I don’t tuck my polos either, and won’t here. And it didn’t seem quite “right” until I tried a highly similar combo. Unstructured blazer + 5-pockets (not trousers or pressed chinos) + drivers = pretty dang casual. Therefor, it kinda works. And I think the smoothness of the polo goes a long way, as opposed to a marled jersey or even a pique.
I purchased two of these blazers last summer (plain light blue and navy [“blue 68”] micro houndstooth) and couldn’t be happier. At 6’1, 170 the medium was pretty good off the rack, and amazing after tailoring! I had the sleeves shortened slightly and the sides taken in.
I get compliments every time I wear them. I dress relatively well (though I’m no Joe), but I’ve never gotten that kind of consistent reaction on an article of clothing.
Just be careful not to tailor it too much, as with many linen blends, the material will stretch over time if too snug.
So if I usually wear a 40L (6’2″ 190#) is the tail on that blazer in medium going to look comical on me?
I want to like it….. but i can’t do a blazer over a polo. Also I feel awkward in a uniqlo blazer. The chopped tail makes me constantly think the thing doesn’t fit.
I think it would look great with a henley rather than a polo.
I usually wear a 40R. If I remember correctly, the tail covers about half of my butt. I would never wear standard jackets so short, but the material and patch pockets make this casual enough to get away with.
It may be even shorter on you, but could be worth a shot as long as your shirt doesn’t show out bottom.
I got mine on sale last year for about 1/2 off – if that happens again definitely pull the trigger.
“these things are probably worth full price.”
TAKE IT BACK. TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW.
If you don’t tuck in the polo, what’s the point of the belt?
I’ll be wearing the BR Blue Chambray I got for $90 the other day, plus white BR pants I got from a different sale (and because they fit so nice), along with my Jack Erwin Abe penny loafers. I’ll figure the shirt out later. So yeah, pretty much what is shown here.
I broke out some red cords, white poplin from Ratio, and some bucks last Monday, when it was sunny and in the upper 50s here in the Pacific Northwest. Felt good. Yesterday, with temps topping 60, I reprised the red cords with a blue OCBD and some boat shoes.
I’m loving not having to wear a jacket every day anymore.
I’m not that familiar with twill pants, so are these basically like a lightweight jean? Are they technically jeans or pants? Thanks
Looks like that Gap SAVE code does not apply to denim… it’s not working for the off-white twill pants! I’ll have to see what the brick-and-mortar store is running…
As a 5’7″ 28 year old man, I love it. I feel like there aren’t many options for shorter guys, so I’ll take what I can get.
To keep your pants where they belong?
I would echo other comments that the Style Scenarios are awesome.
Personally, I’ll be saving polos for the golf course. Opting for short sleeve button downs/popovers instead. Get a couple Cameron’s Kicks in me, however, and shirts might just be optional altogether.
Anywhere from 6-12 inches expected up here in sunny MN. Joe, can you do a ticket giveaway to a sunny destination?? 😛
Wearing a sweater over a t-shirt right now. And a belt. You wouldn’t?
I’m also naked from the waist down, so…
Nothing but reviews of full price polos + monk straps. Our initiative for 2nd quarter 2014.
wat. Son of a gun. I wouldn’t think those’d be classified as “denim”. Damn. Updated above. Thanks sir.
Usually, yes. BR has made a great pair of 5-pocket twills in past spring/summer seasons as well. Haven’t seen these in person, but if memory serves, GAP “twill” pants of the past haven’t been quite as heavy as a jean. Thicker fabric than chino, but somehow an inbetween. Maybe it’s how they’re processed as well.
Speaking of alternative for beautiful Tissot, Orient Bambino on dappered threads. Just saying
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Everlane is badass. Love everything I’ve gotten from them.