Light Brown

From yesterday.

Felt like wearing my Paoloni again. Other pieces include a sky blue semi-spread collar shirt, blue silk blend floral tie, Berg & Berg wool pocket square, brown suede belt, dark blue Incotex chinos, blue Berg & Berg wool socks and brown split toe derby shoes.

The picture here shows a little bit of collar gap, but that's mostly due to me not having the jacket fully buttoned yet I think. There is a slight problem with using bigger and heavier pocket squares with this jacket. The pocket is not very big or roomy, and a thicker one such as this seems to cause some a bit nasty pulls. Guess I'll only be using the smaller squares from now on.

My Lodings got some water damage, which you might be able to see in the picture. Not too bad, but something I've never had with any other shoes. Then again, now that they have a mark or two, they can finally be real fall and winter shoes that don't get scared if it rains a bit.

Navy and Grey

A casual combo from yesterday. The weather was around zero degrees Cesius when me and my girlfriend were on a walk. I wanted to have something sort of smart, but still casual and with some nice rougher textures.

I was wearing my unstructured navy cotton wool jacket, white oxford cotton spread collar shirt, washed Incotex chinos and brown Meermin longwing gunboats. Accessories include a grey Prince of Wales check wool tie from Berg & Berg, a round wool pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt and navy wool socks. Navy wool hat from Nollakolme Tampere and a grey peacoat to keep me warm.

This unlined tie has been great. Good for almost any kind of outfits, and the semi-soft wool is just great for the season.

I got this square from Barney's summer sale for just 5 dollars. There is no tag, and I've seen the same product for some brands for a $70 RRP so I think made a good deal.

The thick and washed chinos in a semi-dark khaki color are a pair I bought especially for this kind of outfits. Most of my other trousers in similar hues have been altered to a slightly more dressier fit and have cuffs, not to mention their more "sleek" fabrics. So, for these a bit rougher combinations I couldn't wish for better pants.

Moleskin and Corduroy

My Christmas Eve wear. Warm winter fabrics and darker seasonal colors.

A dark green LBM 1911 moleskin jacket, thick white and blue gingham spread collar shirt, green silk blend floral tie, light brown wool pocket square, brown (Australian Nut) Equus Leather bridle leather belt, navy corduroy trousers and espresso chukka boots. On top my navy peacoat.

A unstructured jacket, as is my choice pretty much always. The soft natural lines just look better than heavy padding that has been used to hide poor tailoring and fit.

A wool pocket square from SuitSupply's FW11/12 collection. Not the best square quality-wise, and way too small for any pocket, luckily it sticks to the moleskin very well keeping it at the right place and shape.

A camo jasper and a pink aventurine bracelets, in 6mm and 8mm diameter respectively.

The corduroy trousers simply refuse to make a good photo. In real life the color is still quite beautiful, a very dark and deep navy.

The Pimlicos have proved to be far better than I expected. Good for almost any occasion due to their "hybrid" shape.

Flannel

This one is from last week. I went for a a semi-casual look that has an odd-jacket.

The jacket is a light brown herringbone flannel jacket from Paoloni, shirt a chambray shirt from SuitSupply, the tie an unlined cashmere tie from Polo Ralph Lauren, belt a bridle leather belt from Equus Leather, raw denim from Nollakolme Tampere and espresso chukka boots from Loake.

An unstructured jacket is the way to go especially when it comes to more casual outfits. The fit on this one is quite perfect, and I think it will just get better on time as the fabric sets on me a little bit over time.

A white pocket square was my choice here, just to keep things simple and fresh.

A sandstone bracelet (and another one made of various stuff) add a nice touch to the overall look.

Happy Hunting

So, it's that time of the year again. I'll wish all my readers a merry Christmas, but more than that, happy hunting. Some sales have already begun (especially in the US), and most will in the following days. I've already found myself a couple of Boglioli K-Jackets for a pretty good price for the next summer. Now really looking forward to some accessories after clearing out a a big part of my wardrobe during the fall. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, here's an outfit I had on yesterday while going out to eat with my girlfriend. I haven't worn much grey lately, so decided to go for it for a change. Also, wanted to go for a bit more casual and rougher odd jacket look that would work with my wool hat.

The items include a charcoal peacoat(ish), a grey salt and pepper wool jacket, charcoal cashmere vest, white spread collar shirt, unlined red wool tie, dark blue chinos, charcoal and grey fair isle wool socks and longwing gunboats from Meermin.

The vest seems to have pushed the collar a bit off, which I actually kind of like. Goes well with the overall look. I'm wearing a wool hat after all.

The pocket square is a flannel square from Berg & Berg. The jacket fabric is shown quite well here, a wonderful soft cashmere wool blend.

And last, the shoes and the socks.

So. Enjoy your holidays and good luck for bargain hunting.

When a New Pair Arrives

My friend got a new pair of shoes, and not really having experience of shoecare I offered to give his pair a treatment I usually give my new pairs. The pair is from Loding, a good "entry level" semi brogue. My own pair of Lodings has been OK, but apparently doesn't really like water and has got some a bit weird damage from snow (that any of my other shoes have never had). So kind of mixed feelings about the quality at the moment.

Anyway, the treatment. I usually give a new pair something to soften the leather first. I use either Chelsea Leather Food (can be bought from eBay for just a few dollars) or Saphir's colored creme if I happen to have some in a matching color. Sometimes both. Here's how the shoes look like after the CLF has been applied. The good thing about the product is that it does not darken the leather nor does it complicate the shining process.




As the pair might've been sitting on a shelve somewhere for a long time, give CLF or creme time to soak in. I usually leave it on for a night. In the morning brush the shoes to get rid of the excess product.

Then, either re-do the same process or go for the shine. I usually a colored wax, and sometimes add a layer of neutral on top. I have a box full of different waxes, some better and some worse. For this pair I simply added a layer of dark brown wax from Herring Shoes (don't know the manufacturer) that doesn't really give any super nice shine. Therefore, I applied another layer of neutral wax from AE that I've found to be a bit better in terms of shine.

Zero Degrees Celsius

Now it's -15° and we're all freezing our balls off, but some time ago it was still around the pleasant zero. I went for the warm odd jacket and scarf combinations, and picked my LBM 1911 moleskin jacket.

The other items include a sky blue spread collar poplin shirt, light grey herringbone alpacca scarf, blue floral silk tie, white and blue wool pocket square, brown chinos and espresso suede chukka boots.

20.12.

A bit dark pictures this time due to the bad lighting conditions. A quite casual look with semi-dark khaki chinos I posted about yesterday. Can't really see them that much in this, but no complaints after the first wear. I had them tailored to my usual measures.

Navy peacoat, navy jacket, blue houndstooth spread collar shirt, heavy cotton chinos and brown longwings. Details include a Berg & Berg donegal wool knit tie and a wool pocketsquare, Equus Leather bridle leather belt, sandstone bracelet and brown heavy wool socks.

Wearing lighter color ties is always slightly challenging, and the way I like to wear them is usually a slightly darker (never dark) shirt than the tie. Really like the combo of the tie, pocket square and the bracelet here. Both colors and textures work together extremely well.

A bit hasty knot, but the way this one ties is quite similar to silk knit ties. The thickness is about the same and the only difference is really that the material stretches a bit and is softer.

Wool square from Berg & Berg.

Rugged Casual Chinos

Those of you who have been following the menswear scene know how cargo pants have been "up" for a quite a while already. I've been thinking about buying a pair for a few times, but never quite found the right kind. Now however, it looks like I don't have to hop on the bandwagon at all, thanks to this pair.

So, only a detail picture, but what I've got here is a pair of Incotex Red casual khaki chinos. They have perhaps a half an inch lower rise and just amazing fabric. It's the sort of heavy, ruggeed and washed cotton that you want from a pair like this. They have a very cargo ish feel without having the silly pockets. Buttons are metal and all the details well done as usual when it comes to Incotex trousers.

What will I wear them with? At first, longwings, chukka boots and other boots come to mind. Perhaps some a bit more sprezz combinations next summer too.

Warm and Casual

A walk to the grocery store without any gimmicks. Simple, casual (not even that casual for Finland to be honest) and comfortable.

Navy peacoat, dark blue wool hat and raw denim from Nollakolme Tampere, a flecked wool jumper from H&M, gingham checked flannel shirt and to make an impact gorgeous Tricker's brogue boots in color acorn.

Furthermore, a wonderful bridle leather belt from Equus Leather. Handmade from London Tan colored leather this chunky piece is perfect with these boots.

Good sturdy boots for the more snowy weather. I usually tend to fold my jeans an extra time when wearing boots like this, just to show them a bit more. With these looks they've earned it.

Another Light Brown and Blue

I've worn this jacket a couple of times now, and even though it works with many colors I have to admit blue fits it the best. Here's something from last weekend.

Items include a Paoloni light brown flannel odd jacket, white spread collar shirt, light blue cashmere vest from Banana Republic, darkish blue Incotex chinos, split toe derbies and a navy paisley pocket square.

Love how the jacket fits, having just enough room for a lightweight vest too. The white shirt keeps the look fresh and simple.

The pocket square is from some Italian brand, bought from St. Petersburg by my sister some years ago. A nice touch here I think, as the light blue in the paisley patterns compliments the vest in a beautiful manner.

The Loding split toe derbies are both dressy and casual enough for the outfit. A double monk pair I have coming in from Meermin would work here as well. The socks are ribbed thick cotton and light blue.

And, I had my peacoat on to stay warm. I was against wearing it with these chinos at first, but after some thinking I didn't really care about them being navy and darkish blue. Enough contrast for it be worn as an overcoat and that's that. 

Camo Jasper and Sandstone

Got a few new stone bracelets from HomerJ of Styleforum this week. A nice greenish one (camo jasper) and a beige flecked one (sandstone). Both are quite beautiful and cool, but I'm slightly disappointed they weren't available in 8mm diameter. However, I think they will still prove to be a good addition to my collection, providing that small oomph every now and then. Good value too, for 15 USD each.

Chambray and Green

I've been thinking of wearing chambray or denim shirts with olive or dark green casual suits or jackets for a long time. So, that in mind I went for this on Monday.

The pieces include a dark green moleskin jacket, spread collar chambray shirt (looks like the other sleeve is unbuttoned), bi-color blue knit tie, light blue cotton pocket square, raw denim, blue wool socks and longwings.

One of my favorite ties. Would love one in brown.

The last picture has a slightly too green tint that I couldn't get rid off.

Decided to go with the simplest of pocket squares, to keep things in line with the other, quite casual items.

Bill Cunningham New York

A bit different kind of a post today. I had a bit longer drive in the morning and my mind wandered to this great documentary film I saw earlier this year.

If you like style in general, or perhaps just New York City, I think Bill Cunningham New York is a must watch. Even though Bill might be quite high fashion oriented, the documentary does hand out some good thoughts about style and sty as a lifestyle in general. Also, NYC plays a big part, which always works for me.

Who would I suggest it to? Both women and men, people who like style, interesting persons or just want to see New York City filmed in a beautiful manner. I watched it on the American Netflix, sadly it isn't on the Finnish one, but I'm sure it can easily be found on many Internet movie services or perhaps your local rental. Highly recommended.

And yes, while in New York I too was secretly hoping to get photographed by him.

The Classic Peacoat Look

This is pretty much what I had in mind when I bought my peacoat earlier this year. A simple, classic way to wear a peacoat and stay comfortably warm even in a bit colder climate. It has also become a look I tend to go for without thinking when I'm in a hurry and being casual isn't a problem.

The items this particular time include my navy SuitSupply peacoat, a heavy burdungy crewneck knit, raw denim and a wool hat from Nollakolme Tampere, Equus Leather bridle leather belt, Berg & Berg red wool socks and Meermin longwing gunboats.

To keep things simple, I had a simple white button-down shirt underneath. I'm extremely happy with how the reds, the navy wool hat and the denim work with the peacoat. Combined with the medium dark leather in the belt and the shoes it just works like a charm. One of those fail-safe combinations as well, can't really go wrong with this one.

The belt is in Australian Nut, a perfect fit for my Meermins. I have a few new belts coming up from Equus Leather, and still thinking of getting one wider one to go with the rougher and more streetwear combinations.

And last but not the least, the shoes. In my opinion, longwing gunboats with heavy rubber soles (or double leather if there's no snow) are great option to be worn like this. They have that ruggedness needed and work well together with dark denim.

The small details such as the socks or the wool hat in their thick wool and lively textures add depth to the overall result. This is also the kind of outfit that you can easily use very often and still keep it feeling fresh by rotating the secondary colors or perhaps jumping into casual chinos instead of jeans. My favorite of the season to visit the grocery store for sure.