Salvage Bow Tie

I picked up this light green oxford cloth shirt for a few bucks thrifting last week.  The general size and fit was off, so I re-purposed the material into a really great little bow tie. The best part was I only used one sleeve of the shirt to make the bow tie, so I'm sure I can get 4 or 5 more ties out of it.

houyhnhnm Magazine - Japan

This is a little old, last spring, but every garment from this shoot was so wacky, and so perfect, that a year later, it is still totally relevant.  

These images come from houyhnhnm magazine #183.  They put out a new issue every week, so you can imagine what an incredible atmosphere that office is.  A few dudes who love men's style and get mountains of new clothes from every designer in Japan, some from North America and Europe. 

Head over to their site to see the latest Tokyo style, sign-up for their mag, follow their blogs, see back issues and more.

I had a lot of fun shooting with these guys at their Daikanyama studio, I'm just bummed the Vespa we spend an hour on didn't make it into the final shots!

This linen blend suit from Band of Outsiders is an amazing, perfectly cut summer option.  The Lacoste polo with the coat isn't my personal style choice, but some can pull it off.  I'm a huge fan of White Mountaineering, even a hat with a suit.

I really liked the suit from Tomorrowland, I was shocked when the stylist kept throwing more and more accessories on.  The scarf was ok, the scarf and sweater seemed a bit much.  Adding the hat to the scarf and sweater made it so ridiculous that it ended up being really wonderful.  The suit also looked great with the striped sweater from Saint James.  Now would be a good time to stop reading, but if you must, I feel obligated to say that the neck tie and pocket square in the bottom left picture are...yes...Budweiser.  Like the Tomorrowland photo, it was so far over the top, that it ended up looking ok.

I'm not really a fan of Nigo or his Bathing Ape, but this suit/shirt/tie/hat combo with United Arrows was superb.  A light and airy summer weight wool coat and pant complemented by a breathable summer shirt.  I am way to white to pull off the Reebok x Tokishirazu sneakers with anything, let alone a $2,000 suit, I'll stick to the more traditional British option from Smart Turnout.  

How to Tie a Bow Tie Vol: 5

Here are eight really simple and straight forward steps to tying a bow.  Number six seems a little tricky, just shove the rear (the white end) behind the black end opposite eachother. You should end up with an end and a loop on each side of the bow.

I came across this image on the RVR Neckwear blog.  I have never owned any of their neck ties, but they seem like great quality silk ties.  Thanks for the graphic.  

Glen O'Brien on Ties

"It's the rebel element in the wardrobe.  It doesn't perform any function at all, so... it's got to be beautiful.  And if it's not beautiful, then your wearing the wrong tie."

-Glen O'Brien

Fall/Winter 2011 Sample Fabrics

I picked up some beautiful textiles for this fall/winter season.  All wools, or wool cashmere blends, shaping up to be a wonderful collection of bow ties

Old vs. New

About 3 years ago I bought a great pair jeans from Diesel.  I wore them 5 or 6 days a week for the first 2 years I owned them, and as they started wearing out I cut down to 1 or 2 days a week.   I recently purchased a new and very similar pair of pants.  This first time I put them on, I was very amused to think that my old pair used to look just like them.  I thought it would be fun to do a little side-by-side to see their wonderful aged look. Keep in mind this is all from natural, every day use, no factory distressing, chemicals or intentional damage.  Also, I don't wash them until I absolutely must, usually an annoying spot or unpleasant smell, which takes about 4 months of heavy wear.  

I carry a pen with steel cap that apparently slowly eats away at my right front pocket.  

The back panels, just inside the pockets are usually the first place to go, from rubbing on the seat of my bicycle.  About a year and a half ago I hand stitched patches on the insides to re-enforce the small holes that were starting to come through.

My day to day life has changed a bit in the past year or so, I'm curious how the wear on my pants will be effected by the subtle changes in routine.  I carry a wallet and a smart phone now, and being in a little dryer climate I also carry Burt's Bees in my front pocket, it seems silly, but I know in a few years time I will have lines on my jeans that don't exist on these old pants.  

How to Tie a Bow Tie Vol: 4

Today's image from The Long and Winding Road may not be the most helpful as far as tying a bow tie, but it sure is a wonderful illustration.