N’East Illustrated, Vol. 14


Ya’ll know what it is. Another month is coming to a close, and that means it’s time for another set of jaw-droppingly awesome #menswear illustrations from Christine Mitchell of N’East Style. Click through to see the latest batch. Read More »

Inspiration is Where You Find It: Alton Brown

By Jake Gallagher


Not only is he a walking, talking encyclopedia of all things food, Alton Brown is also one of the best dressed “real people” on television. From his elbow patched tweed blazers, to his window paned linen suits, to his blue oxfords, to his signature bow ties, the Food Network star rarely appears in front of the camera looking anything less than his best. What particularly makes Brown a neo-icon in my eyes, is that he has an enviable grasp of his own style. After his very public choice to lose weight a couple years back, Brown really pegged down what he likes and what fits, and he’s stuck to it ever since. Read More »

Pierrepont Hicks FW12 Sale

By Michael Nolledo


Unless your dad is some sort of style icon, you’ve got to stop ransakcing his closet for ties. Instead, ransack the Pierrepont Hicks winter sale. With neck and bow ties priced between $22 and $52, and pocket squares for as low as $12 per, there are some excellent deals to be had. Read More »

Being There: NorthernGRADE Chicago

Photos by Nathan Michael


Thinking back on this past Saturday’s NorthernGRADE Chicago pop-up, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the vendors for participating in it. Gratitude to the bloggers and publications that helped promote it. And, above all, gratitude to every person that came to be a part of it. I’ve always liked NorthernGRADE more than the other menswear events because of how laid back it is. It’s an easy place to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and actually enjoy it. And I think that carried through in Chicago. It seemed like everyone was having a pretty good time. I know I was. A few of the many people and products that made the day what it was are after the jump. Hat tip to Nathan Michael for the photos.

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Introducing: NorthernGRADE Chicago


For as long as there’s been a NorthernGRADE, I’ve been a fan of it. Launched back in 2010 by Pierrepont Hicks and J.W. Hulme, the Minnesota-based event has grown from an intimate gathering of American-made-o-philes to a full-on menswear mecca. And now, it’s coming to Chicago. I’ve had the great privilege and pleasure of working directly with PPH to co-produce the Chicago premiere of the pop-up, and if I do say so myself, it’s shaping up to be quite an event.

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Pierrepont Hicks FW12 Ties

By Nick Grant


If you haven’t noticed, ties are no longer just a crappy gift you get your dad for Father’s Day, and that’s largely thanks to brands like Pierrepont Hicks. Their FW12 collection is handcrafted in NYC from a breadth of wool fabrics, including traditional plaids and vibrant multi-ginghams. Read More »

Pierrepont Hicks Linen Ties


Still looking for a Father’s Day gift? How does a handcrafted Italian linen tie from Pierrepont Hicks sound? Too extravagant? Well, what if you could get it for 40% off? And that concludes the rhetorical question portion of this post. Five styles. Made in NYC. Abso-effing beautiful. And whoa on sale at Park & Bond. Read More »

Seven Questions: russell+hazel


Pierrepont Hicks co-founder Kat McMillan is a woman of many talents. She designs great ties. She makes beautiful kids. And, as anyone who’s been to one of her co-curated NorthernGRADE pop-ups can tell you, she’s got a hell of an eye for quality brands and products. So, when Kat emailed me to tell me about the latest label to pique her interest, I knew, even before clicking the link, that my interest was about to be piqued too. They’re called russell+hazel, and they’re a Minneapolis-based paper goods company whose US-made offerings combine “pleasing design with loads of functionality.” This weekend, russell+hazel, along with Pierrepont Hicks and other MN locals Faribault Mills and martinpatrick3, are holding a men’s accessories event at the r+h flagship store. Wanting to know more about what the two brands had cooked up, I asked McMillan if she’d be game for interviewing r+h founder Chris Plantan. And, lucky for us, she was. Here’s what she turned in.

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Why Clothes Cost What They Do


A little over a month ago, newbie direct-to-consumer e-tailer Everlane, posted the below infographic on their Tumblr.

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NorthernGRADE: Pierrepont Hicks AW11 Bow Ties


NorthernGRADE co-founder Pierrepont Hicks had their brand new, and absolutely stellar, AW11 collection on display. Highlights from the all-NYC-made range include striped Italian linen, baby-butt soft camel hair, beautiful Scottish tweeds, and the label’s brand new signature silks. The complete collection should be up on the PPH site before the end of the month. In the meantime, you can check out their amazing new lookbook here. Read More »

The Friday Find: Pierrepont Hicks SS11 Clearance

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.


This sale has been going on since Monday, and it ends today, so a pretty small window to have at some pretty limited stock. That said, the company’s never made a bad tie, so I can assure you that whatever’s left is still well worth the purchase (especially at 30% – 60% off). At this point, you should already know a little something about Pierrepont Hicks, but just in case: the fabrics are from Europe. The ties are made in NYC. And the brand is run by two of nicest people you’ll ever meet. Now get over to the PPH site before it’s all gone for good. Read More »

Pierrepont Hicks Spring Neckties


As if the still lingering winter weather wasn’t enough to get you fiending for spring (a Midwest-centric opener I know, apologies to / envy of anyone it doesn’t apply to), the Pierrepont Hicks SS11 collection is now live. Made from an array of beautiful, lightweight European fabrics, the range is as summer-ready as it gets, and sure to inspire a boat shoe fantasy, or two. As always, every tie is expertly crafted in NYC’s garment district, and hand-finished for perfect proportions. You gotta love that. Read More »

Editor’s Picks 2010, Part 1


What can I say? It’s been a hell of year. And I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for all of the brands that have trusted me to feature their goods. Gratitude for the bloggers that have linked to me, tweeted me, tumbled me, and become friends. And gratitude for you, my readers, as you all are the lifeblood of this website. Thank you, everyone, you’re all great. An extra special thanks goes out to Valet, You Have Broken The Internet, The Choosy Beggar, 10engines, and Archival Clothing for the (continued) support, and, to my endlessly patient girlfriend for being the best editor I’ve ever known (both of me and the site). To mark the year’s end, I’ve decided to round-up some of my favorite Weekly Features from 2010. The first batch is below, the second batch will be up on Wednesday. Enjoy, and once again, thanks. Read More »

Instead of Rent: November, 2010

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Being There: NorthernGRADE


As great as the clothing and wares were at this past weekend’s NorthernGRADE – and they were great – for me, the event’s real highlight was the people there. It’s not often you find yourself surrounded by so many like-minded and genuinely kind folks. Perhaps it’s just another testament to the intrinsic kindness of the Midwest and those who dwell within it, or, perhaps it was the shared excitement of finally being able to interact outside of an @ context, or, perhaps everyone in attendance knew they’d have to contend with some pretty major blog blow-back if they copped an attitude. Whatever the reason, I didn’t shake a hand that wasn’t offered in earnest, or share in a conversation that I didn’t enjoy. Thanks to all the browsers, buyers, bloggers and brand owners for making it such a fun and memorable day. I’m already looking forward to next year’s. Scroll down to see some of the people and products that made NorthernGRADE great.

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See You at NorthernGRADE


The time has come, the moment has arrived, the long wait is over (and cetra): NorthernGRADE is here! This Saturday, September 11th, join J.W. Hulme, Pierrepont Hicks and a hand-selected group of some the country’s finest manufacturers, for a celebration of all things American-made. This promises to be one hell of an event, so if it’s within your means to get there, MAKE THE TRIP. For a full low-down on who and what to expect, check out my interview with PPH co-founder Kat McMillan here, or, pay a visit to the NorthernGRADE blog here. And make sure to say hi when you get there. Have a great weekend. At NorthernGRADE!

Pierrepont Hicks Autumn Bow Ties


Yet more reason to be hyped for fall: the Pierrepont Hicks AW10 bow tie collection is now available for pre-order. Comprised of an array of English wools and Italian silks, the entirely NYC-made collection further concretes the brand’s reputation as one of the best neckwear makers in the biz (and has furthered my shopping list for the season by at least 3 lines). In addition to a bevy of new models, PPH have also brought back some favorites from their inaugural collection (Reversible Field anyone?), meaning a second chance for any who may have slept on them the first time ’round. Read More »

Happenings: Pierrepont Hicks


We should all be so fortunate to have a year in our lives like the one currently being enjoyed by the tie makers at Pierrepont Hicks. Faster than you can say “made in the USA,” the two-collections-old label has built itself a devoted – if not cult-like – following, counting many of the menswear blogosphere’s top names among its loyal customers. “It’s completely humbling and emotional for me,” says brand co-founder, and lead designer, Kat McMillan. “I am in love with this path I am on and feel really happy. And it’s completely a result of the menswear bloggers who are so passionate and creative.”

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