THE $69 MONK STRAPS YOU"VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

When was the last time you were in a DSW?

A week ago? Months? YEARS???!!!

Yeah probably years. But wait, they carry quality men shoes for out of this world prices? Yes indeed they do. Remember, everybody knows DSW stands for Designer Shoe Warehouse. Duh.

Nope.

Anyways, I stumbled (walked properly like an adult) into a DSW the other day and found that they had a massive selection of viable footwear for men. I used to think they only carried shoes that remind you of your old restaurant job. NOT TRUE. They sell solid brands such as: Bass, Ben Sherman, Calvin Klein, Clarks, Fendi, and Giorgio Brutini to list a few immaculately in alphabetical order. Thank you.

In short, I've been on the market for some cordovan double monk strap shoes for the past couple months. My price range was anywhere from $0 to $150 which eliminates pretty much every high end brand, which are typically the only ones that boast a monk strap. GIORGIO BRUTINI swooped in to save the day and provided me with some super solid Orbison Cognac Brogue Wingtip Double Monk Straps. All I had to do was exchange either electronic or paper currency for them to the tune of $69! Are you kidding me? No, I'm not. The least expensive monk strap you'll find. PERIOD. Win.

Initial Impressions

Confort: Took three all day wears to work out a lot of the initial stiffness. Fit kindly now, but still aren't going to be you're everyday clodhoppers if you're a comfort guy.

Look: Nice on approach. I wasn't too keen on the brogue wingtip design but they have grown on me. 

Quality: From an everyday standpoint, I could foresee the straps becoming frayed within months of consistent use. Also, there is an elastic retaining loop for the actual leather strap that seems to be flimsy and could break with concentrated wear on that area.

DSW: Giorgio Brutini Wingtip Slip-On

Giorgio Brutini Site

Other than that, I'm loving the monk strap lifestyle. Great intro pair to the wild world of monk.

Men's Winter Jacket Selections

Hey man!

Yeah you! Unzip your overdone Columbia fleece and take out your pen and pad. 

These are your new winter coat options. Period.

The Leather Jacket

They've been around for years and aren't going anywhere. So buy a nice one that's simple and fits well but doesn't pull when you zip it up. A couple different styles of leathers to be aware of. Your fitted leather jacket is shown on the left. A nice option for the trendier gentleman. The motorcycle jacket is nice but is way overdone and WAY over-worn. Simplicity and longevity is what we're going for here, folks. So don't buy a jacket that makes you look like Ezio from Assassains Creed II. No straps, no accessory zippers, no patches or spikes. Time and place my friends, time and place.

The best place to find great leather jackets that have a nice worn-in look will be at thrift stores. You'll also be able to afford real leather. 

If you like fur on the collar, get one with fur on the collar. I've got no qualms about that. 

Just make sure this jacket fits and will continue to fit. My leather jacket was my father's, not ironically, and it fits to perfection. 

It's okay for these jackets to ride a little higher on your waist. They're made that way.

Lastly, under $200 is right on target for a middle of the road, new real leather jacket.

Cool? Cool.

 MENS leather jacket L

Xelement 'Vented' Mens Leather Cool Rider Jacket

ASOS Leather Jacket

ASOS Biker Jacket In Faux Shearling

The Peacoat

Traits:

• Long cut
• Any color but stick to neutrals and blues
• Wide, open lapels
• 2 or 3 buttons
• Single or Double breasted

By far the most versatile and useful jacket. These you'll want to keep super clean, as they DON'T get better with age like your leather jackets. Pick a brown, dark blue, black or beige one in your process. Anything other than that should be left up to the runway guys. Peacoat's look incredible with suits, button downs, sweaters, or just plain old t-shirts. It can be dressed up or down. You choose.

If you're on the market for any jacket. Get a peacoat. 'Nuff said.

J. Crew Peacoat
Brook Brother's Peacoat
ASOS Peacoat

The Army/Military Jacket

Traits:

• Large Pockets
• Neutral/Green colors
• Longer cut

Resurfacing from the 80's and, well, actual military uniforms the "Army" jacket is a great way to dress down a sweater and tie. Also, a plain t-shirt would work well. You should never spend a lot of money on these jackets. They should be relatively thin and provide minimal warmth. Thrift stores and eBay are great places to start your hunt.

Please, stay away from actual military camo designs and for God's sake, don't buy this in that generic camo. You all know what I'm talking about. It just ain't cool.



J. Crew Field Mechanic Jacket
Barbour 'Sapped' Waterproof Waxed Jacket
Billfold Arctic Parka
Scotch Worked Out Army Jacket

The Bomber

Traits:

• Tighter fit
• Rounded low cut collar
• Cuff and collar color different from jacket color

An awesome way to layer. The bomber started out as an Air Force staple but has moved away from the original fabric and look. Wool bomber's are not terribly cheap but you should be able to find one under $150 most definitely. 

Schott Bomber Jacket Quilted
Farah Vintage Bomber Jacket
Topman Burgundy Heavyweight Bomber

The Ultimate Guide to Inexpensive Men's Pomade

The Ultimate Guide to Inexpensive Men's Pomade:

Products will be rated on:

• Hold Strength
• Malleability
• Fragrance
• Packaging
• Solubility
• Price

It will come down to a final MAN SCORE which is irrelevant somewhat to the ratings. Products have different intentions for different hair types so it's tough to pit them against each other based on their traits. MAN SCORE is based off my opinion of the overall achievement of the products goals.

Let's get stylin'.

 Imperial - Fiber Pomade

Hold: 3.8

Malleability: 3.9

Fragrance: 4.3

Packaging: 4.2

Solubility: 4.7

Price: $15-$25

If Jello and Silly Putty had a child...A large portion of the population that have tried this product LOVE it. I beg to differ. I was somewhat let down due to it's sustainability and overall performance. I really can't pin down what hair type and texture could really benefit from the

Imperial Fiber Pomade. Maybe anything but mine? They have others in the line that are less water-soluble that I might enjoy more, but not too sure. This product could be good for someone to add some technical shape to the tips of their hair. For example, pinching and twisting the tips, like and Ashton Kutcher, circa 2003. Good times... I do love their branding and marketing efforts. They have made themselves known as a small business with pro performance.

MAN SCORE: 3.9 (out of 5)

Suavecito Pomade - Firme Hold

 Hold: 4.6
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.1
Packaging: 4.2
Solubility: 4.8
Price: $15

Lives up to hype. It got the consistency and coloration of molasses and gelatin. The perfect combination of a pliable-like paste with a rigidity that won't tumble when you tie your shoes. If you're purchasing, you might as well go strong hold. Maybe you'll save a few bucks using less.

You may have to use just less than a dollop (sour cream measurement scale, of course) to get the job done. I've used this for a week and a half and nothing has changed. I find that adding it to wet hair is useless, duh. But if everything happens to be falling out of place right when you're five o' clock shadow is coming in, of course, water smoothes everything out and you get a nice fresh palette with some residual product. The ideal pomp product. Nuff said.

MAN SCORE: 4.6

AXE POMADE - Messy Look - Matte Paste

 Hold: 3.6
Malleability: 4.7
Fragrance: 4.1
Packaging: 3.5
Solubility: 4.7
Price: $7

So, this is one of the most accessible pomades/pastes out there. They ARE EVERYWHERE. AXE has a large line of the products and they work pretty well for specific hair types. They just aren't for me. If you have light thin hair, curly or straight, and want a

messed up look, you've found it. The stuff feels clean, if you know what I mean. No greasy residue left on your hands and it smells as if old spice and a flower made love. The texture is pretty awesome also. This is nice if you have a fly away or to just slick the sides down. It is so malleable in your hair and on your palm. Please, don't expect this product to hold firm whatsoever, you'll be let down. If you want to look like you've been tossed out of an old saloon, rolled down a hill, then scratched your head thinking "Wow" than you've found your hair home.

MAN SCORE: 4.3

The Iron Society- FIRM HOLD

Hold: 4.0
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.8
Packaging: 5.0
Solubility: 2.5
Price: $15

The best packaging and scent of any any pomade, was, gel, cream out there...EVER. I imagine Ron Swanson uses Iron Society three to four times a day. Not because he needs to but because he wants to. You probably don't need to wear cologne because this stuff is a natural

aphrodisiac. It's very hard to firm to the touch when breaking the seal. Use a good amount when applying, almond size should do the trick. Be weary, it will take MULTIPLE WASHES to get this stuff out of your hair. That also means using Dawn soap or another industrial brand if you want clean hair quickly. The plus side to this is you won't have to use as much when applying daily. Wash pillowcases more frequently to avoid any acne from residue.

MAN SCORE: 4.3

MURRAY'S

 Hold: 4.6
Malleability: 3.6
Fragrance: 4.0
Packaging: 4.1
Solubility: 0.2
Price: $5

It wouldn't be a hair product contest without the classics. MURRAY'S is by far the best known and least expensive product on the market. You can literally find it everywhere. Just don't plan on ever getting it out of your hair. This is a three day minimum commitment here fellas. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan. But with so many other water-soluble and semi-soluble products on the market it can be hard to justify. You have to have a comb specifically for using this stuff as it never comes out. A lot of hair dressers and barbers are against using MURRAY'S as it makes their job

harder. However, the benefits lie in the hold. This is a product for the traditionalist who doesn't mind the sticky finish...for lack of better phrasing. It boasts a soft, slightly shiny finish.


MAN SCORE: 4.0

BYRD - Hair Pomade

 Hold: 4.0
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.0
Packaging: 4.1
Solubility: 4.0
Price: $15

A cool surf style company, with a cool clean product. Great fresh scent, with a slightly above average hold. This is probably for the guy who just wants a little texture to his tossed beach hair. For me, it's not a winner and I can't quite put my finger on as to why.

There really isn't a whole lot to say at this point. Give it a try if you like, or don't. Win-win.

Hair type recommendation: Thin, short, wavy.

MAN SCORE: 3.9







The list could go on and on but I'll cut it short for you're reading, or not reading pleasure.

So, put down your bottle of max hold L.A. LOOKS (CRUNCH!) and DEP gel and start trying something new.

KEEP CALM and DON'T BE THIS GUY!

- from the inside of My Father's Closet

Tie Clips and Your Morning Beverage

Your sitting in your cubicle, trying to believe you can revolutionize your entire company's account info with one Excel formula. You lean over your desk to plug in your phone charger and BLOOP. Tie's in the coffee. You are now the office wet puppy all day, and you now don't meet the corporate suit and tie dress code. BAM! Boss(wo)man strolls up and says,"Hey, kid, what happened to your shirt and tie?"

"I ....uh...well, see the thing is....my tie..."

"...Just drank your coffee for you?"

"Well, yeah."

"...And I'm trusting you to organize our company's financial information and you don't even have the sense to wear a tie clip?"

"Well, yes."

{Insert FACE PALM here}

That's you. Slowly swiveling in your chair watching your boss face palm. Sad.

DON'T spend a lot of money on these. There is absolutely no point. I've had a $7 one from Target for two years and have had no problems. The others in my collection are 25+ years old and work perfectly. 

Just be sure your clip is the same size or shorter than the width of your tie. No overhang, fellas.

Buy classic, buy cool. In the words of my 1st grade teacher,"Keep It Simple, Stupid."

P.S> I keep my clips, cuffs, and tacks in a cigar box. Five bucks at any cigar store. And you get to go to a cigar store. BONUS!

- from the inside of My Father's Closet

Depp+Pharrell+You

So... This is when the world went... *pause for anticipation*...stupid...

It's obscure and vaguely cool. But what can we learn from this?

So, long story short, acclaimed designer and punkstress(<-made that one up) Vivienne Westwood has been making this exact hat since the 80's when it first appeared in her Fall/Winter collection. Cool. It then hit the mainstream in a Rock Steady Crew video called "Buffalo Gals". Beast, right? Right. But I'm not a celeb, and you may or may not be, so there is very few who can pull off this enormous hat at WalMart or even Benihana without ridicule.Cause those are the only two places non-celebs can go. Everyone felt pretty silly after making fun of Pharrell when they found out it was a Westwood. I didn't, for the record.

Now, for us mere mortals, we need reasonability and versatility. Take a look at how Johnny Depp wears a similar one. He has been wearing them for years and they look awesome to me.  The moral: Pharrell wasn't the first.

See, now that's more reasonable, with a hint of high-brow fashion. Tear drop crown with a 2 7/8" flanged brim. Doesn't get much cooler for me.

Here's what I have:

Pure class. It's a medium brown Bigali with around a 2' brim. It is nothing fancy but it gets the job done. The hardest part of owning this hat is maintaining a flat brim. Some hats like these have wire in the edge for molding into a deliberate rough edge. Note: deliberate rough look. When hats without wiring get bent they just look silly and frumpy. Did I just.... yeah why not, frumpy. It has a very tame and conservative dark brown leather band around it. It cost around $45 big ones at a local vintage store.

Note: YOU WILL NOT FIND THESE AT GOODWILL
Just won't happen. Really, it won't.

I despise the commercialization and mass production of those putrid fedoras everyone thinks make them instantly SoHo chic. So they buy 'em on Canal and continue up Broadway. Burn them, burn them all.
If you're a mobster or still in the Mafia, fine, wear it. But I don't think you should be reading Men's Fashion Blog's all day. What would the other Mobsters think?

The Moral:

Pharrell wasn't the first. Don't buy a hat you have to take off when walking through a doorway. Try a ton of them on to see what you like. When you buy, buy small business. And if you hate the hat you purchase, maybe you'll at least learn the circumference of your noggin. 

-from the inside of My Father's Closet

The Punctual Gentleman

What do you look for in watches?

Brand:

There are plenty of well known brands that have phenomenal pedigree and history. And that doesn't mean they have to be expensive. Brands like Timex, Rolex, Seiko, Casio, Citizen and Swatch.All of these brand's offer both high-end affordable watches (less than $500 US). However you can easily find fantastic watches from companies with a superb family history and great consumer review. I personally don't condone spending an exorbitant amount on a daily-wear watches. You don't want to expose a fine watch to the elements and forget you're wearing it. 

Shape:

If you're going to have multiple, go for versatility in shape and size. There is no point in having multiple watches that look alike. I find that circular faced watches blend well with any outfit depending on band style. However, it's easy to catch eyes staring at your wrist when things get a bit more unique. If I were looking for a unique face shape I would spend less, as they can't be worn 24/7. Square and rectangular faced watches look great in more dressy situations. Not only will it look great but it could be a fine ice breaker. Small or Big? There is no right answer, just make sure it is proportional to your wrist and body size. Bigger gentleman look better with over sized or larger faced watches, and vice versa for our smaller gentleman. 

Band Style:

There are many times you will pay more for a band than the watch itself. The first watch mistake I ever made was buying a faux leather band. It's just not worth it. The band broke in two weeks. Fork out the $70-$100 and get a nice croc leather or cow hide watch band. Go for great colors, but make sure your shoes aren't all black. I like for my band to coincide with my belt and my shoes. It doesn't have to be exact but make sure there is a common thread that ties everything together. Make sure if you only have one watch, the band is conservative i.e. Black, Brown, Gold, Silver. Dress your watches to the occasion. There is no need for a gold band to putz around in. People will still say,"Wow, I really like your watch!" And they'll mean it but what they're really saying is,"Wow, cool watch bro, you know we're camping right?" Don't be the guy who can't collect firewood for everyone because he's too worried about scratching his watch or band.

GET A WATCH BOX!

Literally anything but throwing it on your bedside table. You've spent good money on them, keep them looking sharp. 

Dos and Do Nots:

• Do buy watches that you can wear forever
• Do think about you watch or it's band's versatility
• Do share your affordable findings with friends
• Don't tell people you have a Rolex if they never ask. (Trust me, they'll ask. And then stare at you thinking"How'd he do it? Inheritance? Promotion? Thief?")
• Don't think the price of your watch has anything to do with it's medial quality. 
• Do have fun learning about your watch

-from the inside of My Father's Closet

Weekender II

The perfect bag. An off white canvas bag designed for lighter load with substantial volume. The bag offer the rigidity of two metal frames at the top so you bag doesn't collapse on itself.  It's design couldn't suit it's name more perfectly. It offer ample space for a long weekend trip, with room to spare...depending on your packing skills.

Real leather? No way...

Yes, real leather. And it's actually really nice and pliable. The functionality of the two outside leather straps is a bit cumbersome to strap up but that's is so minor in the grand scheme.

Oh...that's it? That's all that's in the bag?

No dummy. My bag came filled with awesome stuff ranging from Carmex Chapstick to delicious power snacks. 

The coolest part had to be the hydration pills however. I'd never tried anything like it before and it was an interesting addition. Not sure if I felt any more hydrated than normal....but I'll take their word for it.

www.BespokePost.com

-from the inside of My Father's Closet