Monday, 11 February 2013
thenordicfit.com
From now on you will find all the new as well as the old content at www.thenordicfit.com.
The Nordic Fit Now Powered by Flockler
Finally, I've had the opportunity to move the site into a new system, and from late last night onwards The Nordic Fit will be powered by Flockler.
Flockler is an innovative new platform that let's you combine different media into a fantastic-looking content, easily read via tablets or smart phones. Commenting will be introduced in the following days, and in the meantime you can contact me via my email contact -at- thenordicfit.com.
I hope all of you will enjoy the new fresh look that is easily accessed with all devices.
Flockler is an innovative new platform that let's you combine different media into a fantastic-looking content, easily read via tablets or smart phones. Commenting will be introduced in the following days, and in the meantime you can contact me via my email contact -at- thenordicfit.com.
I hope all of you will enjoy the new fresh look that is easily accessed with all devices.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Navy, Brown and Cream
Sunday lunch a week ago. Went with a navy woolen jacket with some brown and cream.
The jacket is from SuitSupply in the Copenhagen fit, so is the shirt (this time with collar bones for some sharpness), knit tie from Berg & Berg (love how it ties a knot), pocket square from Tom Ford, belt from Equus Leather, chinos from Paoloni and chukka boots from Loake.
The whole combination is rather simple and without risks, and perhaps a touch on the formal side of my style, due to the quite dressy knit tie and the silk pocket square. Also chinos are pressed and in a bit darker color than I often wear.
Pretty much a perfect knot. Where as I often don't give that much thought on how I tie my tie (meaning I'm not aiming for a single dimple in the middle), for this occasion I felt like a bit more formal tie knot would be more appropriate.
The jacket is from SuitSupply in the Copenhagen fit, so is the shirt (this time with collar bones for some sharpness), knit tie from Berg & Berg (love how it ties a knot), pocket square from Tom Ford, belt from Equus Leather, chinos from Paoloni and chukka boots from Loake.
The whole combination is rather simple and without risks, and perhaps a touch on the formal side of my style, due to the quite dressy knit tie and the silk pocket square. Also chinos are pressed and in a bit darker color than I often wear.
Pretty much a perfect knot. Where as I often don't give that much thought on how I tie my tie (meaning I'm not aiming for a single dimple in the middle), for this occasion I felt like a bit more formal tie knot would be more appropriate.
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Things for Spring 2013 - Part 2
4. A casual canvas bag
Now here's another item that I think would be pretty fantastic in all those summer casuals. A casual but still presentable bag preferably made out of sturdy and perhaps a bit washed cotton giving it the perfect look to go with basically all the other items I've listed here. For a casual Friday or just to bring your laptop to a cafe this kind of a bag has been on my mind for some years now.
The best options I've seen so far have mostly come from Property of, a company that I suppose is fair to say specializes in casual bags like this. Other companies that have similar designs could be Sandqvist or perhaps Mismo (which tends to be more formal in it's design language).
And how would prefer to wear it? In a million ways, but you couldn't go wrong with wearing a navy unstructured cotton jacket, white blue gingham shirt, similar jeans to what you see below, suede plaintoe derbies without socks and an Alfred work bag pictured above.
5. Washed Jeans
Another classic that I have to admit I'm sort of missing from my wardrobe. A pair of medium dark washed jeans to go with various summer pieces. Slim fit but not too slim, a pair of jeans like this is so effortless and good-looking with a a casual cotton jacket to a polo shirt. They will also rock almost all shoe types, but really start delivering when used with medium dark or light brown suede shoes and a belt.
Admittedly I'm not a massive denim expert, so won't be recommending anything here. I'll be consulting my denim guru friend and get back to this subject later on.
6. Good quality white polo shirt
Another classic, but one that is surprisingly hard to find with specs that it should always be it. Now, for me there are two things that mainly separate a good polo shirt from a bad one.
First, no logo. Logos are almost without exception ugly and silly (and yes, I do have a couple with logos..) penis enlargers that don't really serve any function. Second, the collar design. The normal ribbed collar found in 99% of polo shirts is not that good looking, and I personally prefer a more dress shirt style collar in my polo shirt. For example, the spread collar Kent Wang uses in their polo and ruby shirts (seen above) makes a world of difference.
So, where to get these good ones? Kent Wang's polo shirts have caused different kind of reactions from what I've read, but at least my grey one has been great. It has to be noted though, that even if it says on their web page that it is very slim, I would rate it to be pretty similar to PRL's custom fit. After a visit to a tailor it has been fantastic - great fabric (better than any similar cotton mesh), gorgeous MOP-buttons and a good collar design that retains it shape well.
 |
| Alfred work bag. Picture from Property of.. |
The best options I've seen so far have mostly come from Property of, a company that I suppose is fair to say specializes in casual bags like this. Other companies that have similar designs could be Sandqvist or perhaps Mismo (which tends to be more formal in it's design language).
And how would prefer to wear it? In a million ways, but you couldn't go wrong with wearing a navy unstructured cotton jacket, white blue gingham shirt, similar jeans to what you see below, suede plaintoe derbies without socks and an Alfred work bag pictured above.
5. Washed Jeans
 |
| RRL Jeans. Picture from Frans Boone. |
Admittedly I'm not a massive denim expert, so won't be recommending anything here. I'll be consulting my denim guru friend and get back to this subject later on.
6. Good quality white polo shirt
 | |||
| Similar to a one I have in grey. Picture from Kent Wang. |
Another classic, but one that is surprisingly hard to find with specs that it should always be it. Now, for me there are two things that mainly separate a good polo shirt from a bad one.
First, no logo. Logos are almost without exception ugly and silly (and yes, I do have a couple with logos..) penis enlargers that don't really serve any function. Second, the collar design. The normal ribbed collar found in 99% of polo shirts is not that good looking, and I personally prefer a more dress shirt style collar in my polo shirt. For example, the spread collar Kent Wang uses in their polo and ruby shirts (seen above) makes a world of difference.
So, where to get these good ones? Kent Wang's polo shirts have caused different kind of reactions from what I've read, but at least my grey one has been great. It has to be noted though, that even if it says on their web page that it is very slim, I would rate it to be pretty similar to PRL's custom fit. After a visit to a tailor it has been fantastic - great fabric (better than any similar cotton mesh), gorgeous MOP-buttons and a good collar design that retains it shape well.
Friday, 8 February 2013
Things for Spring 2013 - Part 1
As I've been getting a lot of feedback to write more stuff like this, here it goes. Things I'm strongly thinking of getting this spring, for reasons explained.
1. A washed semi-casual shirt
I've grown to like the sort of "washed" materials a lot lately. When used in a casual setting they give add a touch of nonchalance that very few other things can. Glanshirt (pictured above) is a maker that has been making this kind of shirts for a longer time, but mostly due to the steep price tag I haven't bought one myself so far. Now it might be the time to get one.
What colors would I get? A soft white cotton twill would be my first choice perhaps, but different kinds of light blue with a subtle pattern wouldn't be bad either. Collar type should be spread or button-down.
What to wear with? I'd go for a cotton jacket, preferable extremely lightly padded or totally unstructured. Perhaps a lightweight knit. For the bottom I'd go for light colored chinos in a slightly rugged cotton fabric, leave the socks out and jump into a pair of sand colored suede plaintoe derbies.
Other manufacturers than Glanshirt might be SuitSupply, for example. Let's see what kind of options and if any without the ultra spread collar they will have in their S/S 13 collection once it is available in whole.
2. Brown toe cap oxfords
I've lately been selling most of my full brogue shoes, as I've been finding them increasingly unattractive and unsuitable for my wardrobe. What I prefer to wear instead is something without any or just some brogue detailing, and a semi-elongated and not too aggressive shape. So, a natural choice is the toe cap oxford. Also, it must be noted that this reflection mainly concerns brown toe caps. A black toe cap is still very much an option only when a suit is worn.
Most would say that a toe cap oxford is only for formal use, but I have to admit there are some guidelines that at this point in life and in this environment I don't really need to care about. I personally see this kind of a shoe to fit the Italian stuff such as my LMB 1911s or Bogliolis the best. A toe cap oxford on the right last has that elegance of an oxford shoe, but in brown is not too formal. The clean and beautiful lines and the quality of the leather play the major part instead of the smaller details.
So, again, how would I wear this apart from the normal more formal use? To be honest, I see it as a totally OK option to replace your loafers and worn with perhaps a blue or navy unstructured jacket, light colored shirt, perhaps cream, white or navy chinos and without any socks. One of Bill Cunningham's pages last year actually was about wearing oxford shoes without socks, if I remember correctly. Maybe that's where this thought process has began, so some credit to Bill.
Meermin's brown toe cap oxford in Hiro last (pictured above) is what I've been thinking of myself, but other options might include Carmina's toe caps or C&J Radstock in the 341.
3. Plain toe derbies
Plaintoe derby is also a shoe type that I'm still to own. About a year ago there was a small click inside my head and I suddenly started fancying both longwing gunboats and PTDs. Both shoes work around the year, and both are perhaps a bit more attractive in suede during the warmer months.
A few things I personally hold important when looking at this shoe type. First, the vamp piece should not be cut into three pieces, like in many plain toe derbies. Instead, the vamp leather piece should run all the way to the rear and there should a small leather pieces (if someone knows their name please elaborate) should be there for the shoelace eyelets, like in the Church's Strattons above. Second, the shape shouldn't be square in any way, but a good balance between sleek and chunky. Third, especially in suede options I prefer a natural color welt or a red Dainite.
The above shoes are still on sale on Frans Boone, in three colors. It's also one of the best looking plain toe derby I've seen, and if you're not intimidated by the quickly-wearing red brick sole I would recommend them for anyone looking for a beautifully shaped ptd. Other good options come from Meermin and if you don't mind spending ~500 Euros Alden or Tricker's will give you the best options.
1. A washed semi-casual shirt
 |
| Glanshirt. Picture from Frans Boone. |
What colors would I get? A soft white cotton twill would be my first choice perhaps, but different kinds of light blue with a subtle pattern wouldn't be bad either. Collar type should be spread or button-down.
What to wear with? I'd go for a cotton jacket, preferable extremely lightly padded or totally unstructured. Perhaps a lightweight knit. For the bottom I'd go for light colored chinos in a slightly rugged cotton fabric, leave the socks out and jump into a pair of sand colored suede plaintoe derbies.
Other manufacturers than Glanshirt might be SuitSupply, for example. Let's see what kind of options and if any without the ultra spread collar they will have in their S/S 13 collection once it is available in whole.
2. Brown toe cap oxfords
 |
| Toe cap oxford in brown calf and Hiro last. Picture from Meermin. |
I've lately been selling most of my full brogue shoes, as I've been finding them increasingly unattractive and unsuitable for my wardrobe. What I prefer to wear instead is something without any or just some brogue detailing, and a semi-elongated and not too aggressive shape. So, a natural choice is the toe cap oxford. Also, it must be noted that this reflection mainly concerns brown toe caps. A black toe cap is still very much an option only when a suit is worn.
Most would say that a toe cap oxford is only for formal use, but I have to admit there are some guidelines that at this point in life and in this environment I don't really need to care about. I personally see this kind of a shoe to fit the Italian stuff such as my LMB 1911s or Bogliolis the best. A toe cap oxford on the right last has that elegance of an oxford shoe, but in brown is not too formal. The clean and beautiful lines and the quality of the leather play the major part instead of the smaller details.
So, again, how would I wear this apart from the normal more formal use? To be honest, I see it as a totally OK option to replace your loafers and worn with perhaps a blue or navy unstructured jacket, light colored shirt, perhaps cream, white or navy chinos and without any socks. One of Bill Cunningham's pages last year actually was about wearing oxford shoes without socks, if I remember correctly. Maybe that's where this thought process has began, so some credit to Bill.
Meermin's brown toe cap oxford in Hiro last (pictured above) is what I've been thinking of myself, but other options might include Carmina's toe caps or C&J Radstock in the 341.
3. Plain toe derbies
 |
| Church's Stratton. Picture from Frans Boone. |
Plaintoe derby is also a shoe type that I'm still to own. About a year ago there was a small click inside my head and I suddenly started fancying both longwing gunboats and PTDs. Both shoes work around the year, and both are perhaps a bit more attractive in suede during the warmer months.
A few things I personally hold important when looking at this shoe type. First, the vamp piece should not be cut into three pieces, like in many plain toe derbies. Instead, the vamp leather piece should run all the way to the rear and there should a small leather pieces (if someone knows their name please elaborate) should be there for the shoelace eyelets, like in the Church's Strattons above. Second, the shape shouldn't be square in any way, but a good balance between sleek and chunky. Third, especially in suede options I prefer a natural color welt or a red Dainite.
The above shoes are still on sale on Frans Boone, in three colors. It's also one of the best looking plain toe derby I've seen, and if you're not intimidated by the quickly-wearing red brick sole I would recommend them for anyone looking for a beautifully shaped ptd. Other good options come from Meermin and if you don't mind spending ~500 Euros Alden or Tricker's will give you the best options.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Also In This Week - Meermin Double Monks
It's a good week. Not am I only going to beat my friend in tennis tomorrow morning, I also got a long-awaited package from Pepe at Meermin today. A shoe model I instantly saw I wanted when it was added to Meermin's website, I was lucky to have Pepe send over a pair for me.
This is my first pair in the Hiro last, and I have to say, it looks fantastic. The shape is elegant, slightly elongated but not aggressive. Add the nice rich whisky shade brown and they'll make a perfect friend for my denim and chinos. They also feature a Dainite sole, making them a proper winter option for us in the north.
More pictures in the weekend or next week, after I've had the chance to photograph them in daylight, so stay tuned.
This is my first pair in the Hiro last, and I have to say, it looks fantastic. The shape is elegant, slightly elongated but not aggressive. Add the nice rich whisky shade brown and they'll make a perfect friend for my denim and chinos. They also feature a Dainite sole, making them a proper winter option for us in the north.
More pictures in the weekend or next week, after I've had the chance to photograph them in daylight, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Finally
I've been looking for a good quality diver's watch for quite some time. In my current situation a Rolex Submariner isn't really an option, so I've been looking into other options that would still give me a wellmade automatic diver that looks great and will last. After a long search and weighing of different options this is what Fedex brought me yesterday.
An Armida A2 500. A proper text with a lot of photos will follow this or the next weekend, but first impression is that it's truely what I was looking for. A beautiful piece and seems like pretty fantastic quality for the price.
An Armida A2 500. A proper text with a lot of photos will follow this or the next weekend, but first impression is that it's truely what I was looking for. A beautiful piece and seems like pretty fantastic quality for the price.
Monday, 4 February 2013
A Hint of Spring
Yesterday the weather was pretty great. A clear and sunny -3° C without any wind. The perfect weather to have a walk then, and create some of that vitamin D.
This is actually a very good picture of how I personally prefer my jackets to fit. A slim and complimenting silhuette without the jacket being too tight or looking too small, and more than anything a nice round and soft shoulder line that simply looks great.
Anyway, the worn items include my dark green L.B.M. 1911 moleskin jacket, a button-down SuitSupply shirt, a grey V-neck cotton vest, Incotex Red casual chinos, Equus Leather bridle leather belt and Meermin longwings. To stay warm, as almost every time I wear any kind of odd jacket, my peacoat.
This is actually a very good picture of how I personally prefer my jackets to fit. A slim and complimenting silhuette without the jacket being too tight or looking too small, and more than anything a nice round and soft shoulder line that simply looks great.
Anyway, the worn items include my dark green L.B.M. 1911 moleskin jacket, a button-down SuitSupply shirt, a grey V-neck cotton vest, Incotex Red casual chinos, Equus Leather bridle leather belt and Meermin longwings. To stay warm, as almost every time I wear any kind of odd jacket, my peacoat.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Bungundy Accessories
Lately I've been looking for a lightweight navy wool jacket with a very lightly padded shoulder, but haven't had any luck finding one for what my budget is. As much as I like unstructured jackets, I've started longing for a bit more variety in this respect. Anyway, here's another unstructured look from a while back. Greyish brown, navy and some burgundy accessories.
Jacket is an unstructured patch pocket jacket from Boglioli, made from a sturdy cotton fabric. Shirt from Barba Napoli, chinos from Incotex and shoes from Crockett & Jones. Accessories include a Berg & Berg shetland wool knit tie with a round tip, some patterned silk pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt and burgundy Berg & Berg wool socks. On top my peacoat and a grey alpacca scarf.
I have two shirts from Barba Napoli, both in an interesting cotton/poly/stretch fabric. Normally you would only consider pure cotton shirts, but back when I lived in the States I was tempted to try these out. The thing is, when the shirts have a price tag of several hundreds (not what I paid though) you would expect the other-than-cotton materials to be there for a reason.
And they certainly are. These shirts are my best ones by far, comfortable in a hot summer day as well as during the winter. The best feature of the fabric is however that it does not wrinkle at all. These Barba shirts also have handset sleeves (if that gives you extra value, not a big deal for me to be honest) and some nice details. Truely great shirts that you can find off the American eBay for about 80-120 USD quite often. Only if the buttons didn't all fall off after a few wears.
A pocket square found from StyleForum for a mere 20 dollars some two years ago.
I think the temperature was about +2° C when these pics were shot. Having a semi-heavy cotton jacket, scarf and a woolen peacoat in that weather is actually a bit too much. Gladly we saw the sun today, as looking at these pictures I'm starting to get very bored with the constant overcast and darkness.
Jacket is an unstructured patch pocket jacket from Boglioli, made from a sturdy cotton fabric. Shirt from Barba Napoli, chinos from Incotex and shoes from Crockett & Jones. Accessories include a Berg & Berg shetland wool knit tie with a round tip, some patterned silk pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt and burgundy Berg & Berg wool socks. On top my peacoat and a grey alpacca scarf.
I have two shirts from Barba Napoli, both in an interesting cotton/poly/stretch fabric. Normally you would only consider pure cotton shirts, but back when I lived in the States I was tempted to try these out. The thing is, when the shirts have a price tag of several hundreds (not what I paid though) you would expect the other-than-cotton materials to be there for a reason.
And they certainly are. These shirts are my best ones by far, comfortable in a hot summer day as well as during the winter. The best feature of the fabric is however that it does not wrinkle at all. These Barba shirts also have handset sleeves (if that gives you extra value, not a big deal for me to be honest) and some nice details. Truely great shirts that you can find off the American eBay for about 80-120 USD quite often. Only if the buttons didn't all fall off after a few wears.
A pocket square found from StyleForum for a mere 20 dollars some two years ago.
I think the temperature was about +2° C when these pics were shot. Having a semi-heavy cotton jacket, scarf and a woolen peacoat in that weather is actually a bit too much. Gladly we saw the sun today, as looking at these pictures I'm starting to get very bored with the constant overcast and darkness.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Military Inspired
Some time ago when visiting an H&M store I noticed an olive M-65 field jacket on a rack, and after a quick look at the price tag and the material (100% cotton) I decided to buy it without trying it on. I have to say, for the price it was a rather good jacket - the fabric feels quite good and the extra zipper in the other chest pocket is the only "styling feature". Something I still could have lived with.
Here we come to a problem often found in all these brands (H&M, Zara..) offering quite stylish and basic items without any visible logos or other unwanted features. Jackets are too short (and trousers too low-rise). So is this one. If it was an inch longer it would be totally alright, but now simply looks off in proportions and length.
Another thing, which sort of fails in this piece is the collar that is too high and without the required structure, leading it to fall all the way to your shoulders in a rather ugly fashion. A shorter collar would stay up without any problems.
Anyway, other items here include a grey cotton jumper, white button-down shirt, brown scarf, brown Aspinal of London messenger bag, some old jeans I've had a million years and my Tricker's Stows.
Apart from the two (big) problems of the jacket, I like the whole outfit quite a lot. It's also something I would say is pretty hard to screw up and that works in a casual setting from a park in Finland to SoHo in New York. An olive M-65, bd shirt and a jumper, denim and derby boots.
Once again, I find myself making the same mistake I still make sometimes. I buy stuff on impulse and against on what I've planned, often leading to something that probably isn't quite right and end up selling it before even using it properly. There was a really good article on Put This On that sided this topic on Monday, which you can find here. A good read for anyone.
Here we come to a problem often found in all these brands (H&M, Zara..) offering quite stylish and basic items without any visible logos or other unwanted features. Jackets are too short (and trousers too low-rise). So is this one. If it was an inch longer it would be totally alright, but now simply looks off in proportions and length.
Another thing, which sort of fails in this piece is the collar that is too high and without the required structure, leading it to fall all the way to your shoulders in a rather ugly fashion. A shorter collar would stay up without any problems.
Anyway, other items here include a grey cotton jumper, white button-down shirt, brown scarf, brown Aspinal of London messenger bag, some old jeans I've had a million years and my Tricker's Stows.
Apart from the two (big) problems of the jacket, I like the whole outfit quite a lot. It's also something I would say is pretty hard to screw up and that works in a casual setting from a park in Finland to SoHo in New York. An olive M-65, bd shirt and a jumper, denim and derby boots.
Once again, I find myself making the same mistake I still make sometimes. I buy stuff on impulse and against on what I've planned, often leading to something that probably isn't quite right and end up selling it before even using it properly. There was a really good article on Put This On that sided this topic on Monday, which you can find here. A good read for anyone.
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