New Berg & Berg Knit Ties

So, as I mentioned earlier, Berg& Berg had some pretty cool knit ties on sale earlier this month. I decided to do some long-term planning and went for what I think were the most versatile ties on sale.

A navy donegal wool knit tie, cardinal shetland wool knit tie, basic navy silk knit tie (yes, I was missing this wardrobe cornerstone) and a brown with cream stripes silk knit tie.

Both of the woolen ones will be fall and winter items that should serve me well for years and never really go out of fashion. I got the light grey donegal knit tie from the F/W 12/13 line earlier, and really liked the sort of "airy" texture and the feel of it, so I thought I'd get a similar navy one. This one has more flecks of different colors than my grey one, and it will be a good addition to the casual end of my tie collection.

The cardinal shetland wool tie had a tiny bit different shade of color than I thought it would have from the pictures. It is more burgundy and "burnt". However, even though it isn't exactly the color I thought it was, I really like it and it is perhaps my favorite from the four.

With the silk knit ties I was already thinking about next spring and summer. Both are very versatile colors, and as we all know silk does the job no matter the season. The brown with cream stripes was something I instantly saw with some mid blue and navy jackets during the summer, paired with a brown silk square or perhaps a cream linen square. Also liked the style it has been knit, a bit different to all my other knit ties in quite rough and puffy textures. Lightweight for summer.

Then, last but certainly not the least, the navy silk knit tie. A must-have piece for any man, now in my tie rack as well. Already featured in my Monday's outfit post, by the way.

Navy and Beige

Wearing a beige cotton twill jacket by Boglioli, in Coat fit, from last weekend. The colors are slightly colder in this set of pics, but you can see the real color in the pocket square shot below.

And fit is something that I think is about perfect with this unstructured jacket, even if I say it myself. Just about a perfect shoulder width with nice natural curve around the shoulder coupled with a slim silhuette that isn't too tight.

The other items include a white spread collar shirt from SuitSupply, navy silk knit tie from Berg & Berg, navy polka dot pocket square, Equus Leather belt, dark blue Incotex chinos and espresso suede chukka boots.

Nothing beats navy with beige. The sun was already setting leading to a slightly ackward lighting. The pocket square close-up is the only picture that has the right color of the Boglioli jacket.

Lastly, to go with the espresso colored shoes, an Equus Leather bridle leather belt in dark havana.

Equus Leather Bridle Leather Belts

I received a long-awaited shipment on Wednesday, two new Equus Leather belts. As many of you have probably noticed I mostly wear their belts on a day-to-day basis. Actually, the only belts not from them are either suede or canvas.

Now, there is a reason for that. Since I bought my first belts from EL, I've been very impressed by the quality and beauty of these belts. Before this box arrived this week, I had three of their belts. One in Australian Nut, London Tan and Dark Havana. Especially the belt in Australian Nut has been in very heavy use, and must have at least 500-600 wears behind it basically still looking like it was new.

So, to fill some holes in my belt collection, this week's arrivals included a black bridle leather belt, and something I had been anticipating especially, a new color and leather addition to Equus Leather's selection, an Oak Brown oak bark tanned bridle leather belt.

The belts arrived as last time, beautifully gift wrapped and with a handwritten card. These are also things that you rarely see in the modern world, and just add to the great luxurious feeling you get from buying totally handmade quality products.

This is the black belt. I opted for black stiching, as I felt it would suit my taste better. The color is as it should be, stitching is carefully done and the understated yet elegant buckle has a finnish you would expect from a stainless steel Fillis buckle.

The Oak Brown belt is extremely beautiful. The color is vivid and already has what looks like beautiful patina. I would think this is due to the long process that comes with oak bark tanning and the leather used. The stitching shows beautifully in this shade of brown, and the stainless steel West End Roller buckle that was suggested to me by Charlie at EL looks fantastic.

Lastly, a bit more of a "catalogue" shot that shows the both buckles, the wonderful handmande stitching and the color of both the leathers. The Oak Brown is in 1 1/4" and the black one in 1 1/8". As with my first EL belts, both of the new belts are quite stiff, which is a feature of a new belt made from this thick bridle leather. As with my first Equus Leather belts, I suspect they will get more flexier after some uses.

Overall, I am very happy with these new products. Equus Leather has always been one of those brands I've often recommended to my friends in need of a new belt that looks good and before anything, lasts. My next belt will be the new Dark Stain Harness oak bark tanned bridle leather that's also been recently added to the leather selection.

Saturday

A Saturday walk by the other big lake around my home city. This is from before New Year's and it was quite warm and wet, not really the most beautiful weather to be honest.

The salt and pepper wool cashmere jacket is from SuitSupply, one that I haven't been wearing that much lately. The other items include a light grey herring alpacca scarf, purple silk knit tie, white shirt, Equus Leather bridle leather belt, raw denim, grey wool socks and Meermin longwings. SuitSupply peacoat on top.

The tie and the pocket square seemed like a good idea when I left home. Looking at the pictures I realize I should've looked at a mirror.

More stuff coming tomorrow and at the start of the week, including some nice shots and a review of my two new Equus Leather belts.

Afternoon Walk

I haven't really worn this piece that much lately. I had it on last week, and I have to say, it is a very warm piece of clothing. The weather was around zero, and the jacket could've easily handled something around -10 with a scarf.

So, the jacket is from Eleventy. A very nice piece that I haven't worn nearly enough. I've been meaning to shorten the sleeves for about two months, but never got around to do it. This time I settled at just rolling up the sleeves.

Other items here include a bengal stripe bd shirt with long collar points, red and navy silk tie, espresso Equus Leather bridle leather belt, dark blue Incotex chinos, red heavy wool socks from Berg & Berg and espresso suede chukka boots from Loake.

And the socks..

Another Go At One of My New Bogliolis

I noticed an issue wearing this jacket a few days ago for the first time. The lapel roll wasn't really perfect, so I thought I'd wear it again today when visiting my family for a Sunday lunch. Just to see if it was just in the pics that were taken earlier.

And fair enough, it looked much better now. The lapels having a slightly less elegant roll, however, is I think a kind of a feature of sturdy and thick cotton. I've seen the same thing in pretty much all similar jackets.

The other items include a SuitSupply flannel gingham check shirt, light blue wide silk knit tie, Turnbull & Asser pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt in Australian Nut, Incotex dark blue chinos, ribbed light blue cotton socks and Loake Pimlico chukka boots in espresso suede.

Quite like the weave and the color on the Boglioli jacket. Works around the year excluding warm summer days.

I've pretty much started using my peacoat as an overcoat. With my current style that does not really include suits I think it works well. A peacoat with metallic buttons or extra pockets would not be as good, but this one (from SuitSupply as well) in it's deep navy color, horn buttons and perhaps a slightly longer length has a good combination of casual and formal.

Simple

Picked up my new Bogliolis on from my tailor and thought I'd wear one of them right off the rack.

The lapel roll seems a bit off in the pictures, going to have to see what's up with it the next time I'm wearing it. The fit of the size 48 Coat series is pretty damn bang on for me, and the only thing I had done was the shortening and slimming (just from the end near the cuff) of the sleeves. The cotton in this one is quite sturdy, good for all four seasons in my opinion, bearing in mind that a Finnish summer day can be +10° Celsius and windy. The color is perhaps not the most winterish, but close enough for me.

The other items here include a white button-down shirt, white cotton pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt, raw denim from Nollakolme Tampere, blue Berg& Berg wool socks (that are actually on sale at B&B right now) and Meermin longwings.

Not really a massive fan of this shirt. However, every now and then it does what it supposed to do when I need a casual white shirt.

The grained Meermin longwings are still going strong despite the miserable weather we've had lately. I love pairing them with most of my chinos, but they work especially well with dark raw denim. The blue melange wool socks are actually the only splash of color in the whole outfit.

Double Breasted

This one from yesterday. I went for sushi with my girlfriend, and decided to wear this double breasted jacket I had made a long time ago in China. Not the most fantastic jacket quality wise, but it does have a nice slim figure (without being too tight) and pretty OK proportions. It does provide some nice change when worn perhaps once in three months.

The other items include a light purple Barba Napoli shirt, a navy with pink silk tie, navy/purple/pink camouflage pocket square, Equus Leather bridle leather belt, Paoloni brown chinos, navy cotton socks and brown toe cap oxfords.

Haven't had this shirt on for some time. The fabric is very luxurious and the details such as the handset sleeve please the eye. Went for a a pretty casual knot, as I've grown to like more "sprezz" knots when not wearing a suit (right now all the time).

Camo pocket square from Tom Ford. Enough size even for the more extravagant folds.

C&J Hallams were my choice this time. I think I need to find a pair of toe caps with a bit less aggressive shape, but I think these still (just) work here.

Berg & Berg Winter Sale

Berg & Berg has just began their winter sale. The entire knit tie selection is for sale at -40% prices. Other items I would certainly look through are the pocket squares and scarves. They still had those amazing donegal wool knit ties, flannel pocket squares and other items I got earlier. Might be a good opportunity to stock up for next fall/winter or even snipe some items for the summer 2013.

I already placed my order, and was happy to find some beauties that will serve me well for around the year. One of the best sales of the season in my opinion, unbeatable for cool and good quality knit ties and pocket squares.