By Nick Grant
A man’s tie can say a lot about him. That he’s business-minded, or detail-oriented, or, in the case of these QP Collection Floral Ties, that he knows how to have a good fuckin’ time. Handmade out of lightweight floral print fabrics, the limited edition ties will let everyone know just how crazy you can be – while still looking stylish as hell. Read More
By Jake Gallagher
There are few true cinematic legends. And I’m not talking about the self-proclaimed “legends” of today’s bland blockbusters, but rather, those mythical figures that changed cinema forever. One such luminary, is Sidney Poitier. In 1963, at the height of the civil rights movement, Poitier made history by becoming the first African-American actor to win an Oscar. From there he became one of the highest grossing actors in Hollywood, with such films as To Sir, With Love and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. During the prime of his career, Poitier was not merely a star on the screen, he was also one of the town’s best dressed leading-men. Read More
By Nick Grant
I wanted to cover the new Knottery hats, which are made in the US out of various Japanese cottons and chambrays. But, Brad wanted me to write about The Knottery’s new pocket squares, which are handmade in Brooklyn and only cost $18 a pop. So, since we couldn’t agree, I’ve decided to cover the whole damn collection, which also includes super affordable, US-made belts and ties. Read More
Alright guys, I need your help with this one. What do you think about these Textured Knit Ties from Brooks Brothers? On the one hand, they’re made in Italy from 100% wool, measure a nicely narrow 2.25″ at the widest and are on sale for $50 each (down from $125). On the other, the patterns are so loud they border on excessive. Read More
By Jake Gallagher
Despite only releasing two studio albums, Joy Division’s influence can still be seen today. Favoring thoughtful introspection and moody atmospherics over the traditional three-chord blast of punk, the band helped usher in – and eventually became the poster children for – the post-punk movement. Though their run was cut short by the untimely suicide of front-man Ian Curtis, their legacy as one of the most groundbreaking acts of all time lives on. And that legacy isn’t just due to their music. If there were ever a band that could be described as “cohesive” it’s Joy Division. From their album art, to their press photos, to their clothes, their visual side always matched their audible one. Read More
In case you missed the announcement, The Hill-Side dropped their SS13 collection last week. So, once again, here’s a selection of pieces from the new range paired with .GIFS that express how I feel about them. Read More
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
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
By Nick Grant
Midnight indigo and creeping vine. Floral and ecru stripe. Italian indigo and batik. No, that’s not the line up for some Emo music festival, it’s just a few of the crazy fabric combinations you’ll find in General Knot & Co.’s new collection of Skinny Ties. Handmade from deadstock textiles – some of which date back to WWII – these slimmed down Franken-ties are all extremely limited and won’t be around for long. Read More
What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.
I don’t want to oversell it, but the Fall Forty Sale currently underway at Unionmade might just be the greatest sale of all time. Countless brands (Gitman Vintage, New England Shirt Co., Post O’Alls, Filson, SNS Herning, Howlin’ by Morrison, Unis, The Hill-Side, Quoddy – just to name a few). Hundreds of products. And all of them 40% off. Read More
The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.
Welcome to the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. Like the 40 Under $40 guide from last year, and the 25 Under $25 guide from the year before that, the following is a collection of goods that are not only affordable and US / first-world made, but also offer some utility, and will last. Hopefully it’ll help you cross a few people off your shopping list. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season.
The fifth and final installment of the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide.
Welcome to the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. Like the 40 Under $40 guide from last year, and the 25 Under $25 guide from the year before that, the following is a collection of goods that are not only affordable and US / first-world made, but also offer some utility, and will last. I’ll be posting 10 products a day for the next five days, so keep checking back. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. Read More
By Jake Gallagher
Sir Ian Fleming was the sort of man that James Bond would have come across in the smoke-filled rooms of his stories. It’s easy to imagine Fleming sitting at a bar, dressed to the nines, dragging on a wispy cigarette, while sipping from a martini glass and chatting up his nightly arm candy. It only took Fleming, a former British naval intelligence officer, two months to pen Casino Royale, the first Bond book in 1952. Bond was never meant to be autobiographical, but he was certainly created in Fleming’s image. Spinning his tales of covert missions into full-blown spy thrillers, Fleming reinvented the espionage genre by making 007 as dashing as he was death-defying. And looking at how Fleming carried himself, it’s no wonder where the inspiration for Bond’s attitude and appearance came from. Read More
By Nick Grant
Once upon a time, a brand’s heritage was earned, not created by a marketing department. And it was around then that Pendleton began making their hardwearing gear. Fast-forward 100+ years and we get to see what an earned heritage looks like, with the label’s Portland Collection. Read More
By Nick Grant
You’re not run of the mill. You’re bold, strong, unique. So why not get yourself a tie that matches? These new Canvas Ties from QP Collections are handmade from burly cotton canvas, making them a working man’s noose that you can actually do some real working man’s work in. And at only $59 a pop, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one. Read More
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.
