The Best in Affordable Style from the Month that Was – Aug. ’15

A wise man once asked: “What the hell just happened?” And for good reason. There is value in looking back. It gives us all a good gauge as to what is good, and more importantly, what is not good, going forward. Sure, the “clip show” is mostly a cheap (affordable?) device to create new content out of already published stuff. But they’re also a good way to catch up in case you missed something. So cue the flashback music. Here’s the very best from the month that just was…

 

Best New Staple: J. Crew Factory Chino Sportcoat – $80ish – $120ish

Hits all the great points. Just crisp enough to easily dress up, but unconstructed enough that it’s comfortable and easy to dress down. A perfect shade of deep navy without looking black. Thompson fit is scuplted enough at the sides that many will be able to get away with no tailoring at the waist. And speaking of tailoring, the sleeve buttons are non functioning. That combo of easy to tailor, solid off the rack fit, and good fabric has been oddly difficult to come by lately. Review here.

 

Best Return of an old Favorite: The JC Penney Deacon – $85ish

It’s back. Thank goodness they’re back. A little more expensive than last season, but still… eighty five for solid leather, a decent wearing sole, and a shape that’s Dalton-Esque is a steal. List price is $100, but they fall to $85 or less with the perpetual codes.

 

Best Suiting News: Suitsupply (barely) doing separates

Lucky are those that fit perfectly into a Suitsupply fit. Especially the pants. Their pants, frankly, don’t have a lot of room in the seat. So if you’ve got some bootyliciousness to your caboose, you might be in trouble. Thankfully, Suitsupply has started to dip their toes in the suit separates waters. That means you pick the jacket, and then you pick the pants. It’s not just pick the jacket and you get stuck with the pants that come with the jacket. More info here.

 

Best Piece of Furniture to Expire in: R.H. Churchill Chair

May we all be so lucky.

 

Worst Carrying Case for a Pair of Sunglasses: Zero Halliburton Attache

Ray Ban’s rubber aviators do come with a carrying case… that’s just not it. The case they come with is much less cumbersome, and less likely to contain nuclear launch codes or huge stacks of unmarked currency. (Also, if you want an aluminum briefcase, check eBay. There’s lots of em out there. But if you get popped at an airport because your briefcase has 2nd hand cocaine residue all over it, don’t blame us.)

 

Best Batch of New Arrivals to Drop: J. Crew

Look. I get it. They get a lot of screen time here. It’s pretty cliche for this website to drool over J. Crew’s new arrivals. But c’mon. Look at em’. The reports of their demise might be greatly exaggerated… if the men’s side were stand alone? Is the women’s side going to drag down the men’s line? Who knows. Can’t speak for the ladies. But recently I picked up a catalog and paged through the women’s new arrivals and thought “Mrs. Dappered probably wouldn’t wear 95% of this”… and she’s got a way better style sense than I have ever pretended to have. That said, if the Mrs. happens to like the way this dress looks, then she should get it. Ahem.

 

Best New I want and I want now: Allen Edmonds Cornwallis – $385

Oh goodness. One of the new models for the fall season from Allen Edmonds. True oxford with broguing details, but a solo medallion at the toe minus any cap or wingtip stuff. Available in black, walnut, and the brown shown above. Those are something. Standby for a full review. And a giveaway. Yes, a giveaway.

 

“Best” Misconception of men who dress well not listed over here…

“Hi… you must work here, right? Can I ask you a question?” Asked at locations where you do not actually work where someone with answers would probably wear a shirt with a collar and maybe tie. The bar is really low fellas. And that’s fine. People make assumptions. Sometimes you can use that to your advantage. Often you can use it to your advantage.

 

Best way to merge pet ownership, style, and EDM…

Cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and cats and boots and… SOMEBODY HIT PLAY ON SANDSTORM