Articles – Well Spent

N’East Illustrated, Vol. 1

January 27, 2012

If, for some strange reason, you’re not already familiar with N’East Style, do yourself the favor of getting acquainted toot sweet. Written by the ever-delightful Christine Mitchell, the site is a compendium of all things New England, as well as a platform for Mitchell’s fantastic (I’m talking tattoo-worthy) original artwork. Being a huge fan of both Mitchell’s talent and taste, I’ve asked her to begin sketching some of her favorite images from the menswear blogosphere for Well Spent. If we’re lucky, this’ll become a regular feature on the site – my fingers are very firmly crossed. Read More »

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Post-Holiday Sales: Hill-Side at Smith + Butler

January 6, 2012

A small handful of scarves and ties from The Hill-Side’s AW11 collection are on sale at Brooklyn’s Smith + Butler. Like everything else the brand offers, the pieces are cut and sewn in NYC out of fabrics from Japan. Sale price is 30% less than the regular, and remaining stock is limited. Have at ‘em. Read More »

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Howlin’ by Morrison Quantic Scarfs

December 15, 2011

We’ve been seeing a lot of fair isle options for your torso this season, but not that many for your neck. And that may just be the most frivolous observation to ever appear on this site. Moving right along, the Quantic Scarfs by Belgium’s Howlin’ by Morrison are knit in Scotland from 100% Scottish lambswool. The quality is top notch, the patterns are gorgeous, and the price per is pretty reasonable, considering. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40

December 3, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. This year, I set out to gather an assortment of high-quality, low-cost goods that, though small enough to fit in a stocking, are a bit more enduring and useful than your typical stuffers. Most of the items are made in the US, and all of them are under $40 (not including shipping). Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 6

December 2, 2011

Here it is, the last of the 2011 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide posts. In case you haven’t been following along: 40 items, all socially responsible, and all under $40. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 2

November 28, 2011

Part 2 of the 2011 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. 40 items, all socially-responsible, and all under $40. Read More »

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The Friday Find: 15% Off Sale at Sir & Madame

November 11, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

The good folks from Chicago’s Sir & Madame (you remember them from last week, right?) are knocking 15% off their entire stock from now through Sunday. Choice US-made goodies include outerwear from 3Sxiteen, boots from Red Wing, jeans from LVC, leather goods from Tanner, and of course, S&M’s own in-house line (those bags!). Enter code “15OFF” at checkout to get the discount. Read More »

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Genuine Issue Surplus Wool Scarves

November 7, 2011

Need a scarf? The ones pictured above are 100% wool, made in the USA, and only cost $5. They also come in four colors, and they’re really long (four feet to be exact), and they’re tough as hell (made to military specifications), and… you’ve probably already clicked-through at this point, which means you’re not even reading this anymore, so why am I still writing? Have fun with your new scarf. Read More »

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The Hill-Side Blanket Lining Scarves

October 31, 2011

The Hill-Side Blanket Lining Scarves have been around for long enough that you probably already know a little something about them. Like that they’re made in NYC out of wool fabrics from Japan, and that their patterns are based on old jean jacket linings. But, did you know that today, and today only, you can get them for 15% off at Hickorees? See, that’s why they say you should never stop learning. Read More »

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Outlier Six Foot Scarf

October 25, 2011

If the sheer size of the Six Foot Scarf from Outlier isn’t enough to sell you (it literally is six full feet), how about the fact that it wicks moisture? Or that it’s odor resistant? Or, that it’s machine washable? Or, that it’s made in NYC? Or that the superfine 18.8 micron New Zealand Merino wool from which it’s made is Zque certified? Still not sold? How about that’s only $60? And, comes in a butt-load of colors. Read More »

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The Makers: The Hill-Side

October 5, 2011

“They’re a little more grown-up.”

It’s early August, and the Corsillo Brothers are in go mode. AW11 ties needs to be shipped to stockists. Details need to be finalized on not one, but two two high-profile collaborations. The build out on their first brick and mortar retail space is about to begin. But first: someone’s got to staple Hill-Side packaging together. Even if you have only a minor interest menswear, you still know who The Hill-Side is. Their utilitarian-inspired ties, bandannas, scarves and pocket squares have made them one of the most popular independent brands in operation today. That said, their packaging isn’t going to staple itself. Younger brother Sandy dutifully steps up to the task.

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O’Connells Lambswool Scarves

October 4, 2011

I can’t decide what I like most about the Lambswool Scarves from O’Connells. Is it that they’re made in England from 100% pure new wool? Is it that they come in wide array of beautiful tartans, all of which have been authenticated by the Scottish Tartans Society (’cause that’s totally a real thing, apparently)? Or, is it they cost an insanely reasonable $35 per. You know what? It’s probably that last one. But the other two are pretty great as well. Read More »

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The Makers: Outlier

September 21, 2011

“We’re fabric nerds.”

Outlier co-founders Abe Burmeister and Tyler Clemens aren’t exactly the type of guys you’d expect to start an active apparel label. There’s nothing overtly sporty or jock-ish about them. In conversation, they come off much more NPR than ESPN. And yet, the two have managed to launch a brand that’s quickly becoming one of the most respected in the industry. Why? Because Burmeister and Clemens have succeeded where no one else has: they’ve made high-performance apparel that’s comfortable enough, and handsome enough, to wear in non high-performance situations. In other words, clothing that’s perpetually appropriate, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.

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The Friday Find: Hill-Side Sale at Smith & Butler

July 15, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

It’s pretty rare to find Hill-Side goods on sale, as they almost always sell through. So, the H-S clearance currently going on at Brooklyn’s Smith & Butler is quite the coup. Choose from over twenty of the co.’s beautifully crafted (in the USA) SS11 scarves, ties and bandanas, all of which have are now 20% off. Stock is limited, and sure to move quick, so best not to sleep on this one. Read More »

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The Friday Find: Sig Other x Symmetry Goods Flash Sale

June 17, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

Good friends Symmetry Goods have teamed up with menswear blog The Significant Other (also a good friend) to bring you a week long 15% off flash sale. For those unfamiliar with Symmetry (seriously, you need to fix that), the brand, as the Sig Other so eloquently puts it, is “an LA based company that offers a range of functional, entirely handcrafted accessories for men and women” (more on them here). Current stock includes several scarves (one of which converts into a tote!), pocket squares, and some pretty choice leather goods (hand-cast hoof pick belt, anyone?). Read More »

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Happenings: C.H.C.M. Shop

January 26, 2011

It’s a funny thing, the “Heritage” trend. As anyone in the fashion industry (er, I mean ’style’ industry – got to keep it menswear blog appropriate) will tell you, everything that’s old will eventually be new again. And so, the current popularity of utilitarian garments from the 1930s – 1950s amongst the modern non-utilitarian set isn’t all that shocking. What’s funny, though, is that the items that make up the trend were never intended to be fashionable. They were designed and built purely for functionality. That’s why they’re still around, decades after their inception. That these items are now a part of a trend, and, as such, suddenly have a shelf-life – well, it entirely defeats their purpose.

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Good Giving: 25 Under $25

November 28, 2010

Welcome to the 2010 Well Spent holiday gift guide. I’m trying something a little different this year: 25 gifts, all socially responsible, and all under $25. Small things, but (hopefully) a bit more substantive and enduring than your typical stocking stuffers. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season.

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Label Spotlight: Symmetry

October 13, 2010

It’s not often that an item can be described as “rugged” and “unisex.” But, both words definitely do apply to the exquisitely crafted woolens from newly launched accessory brand Symmetry. Some other apt descriptors: expertly made, wholly unique, and effing gorgeous. Founded by husband and wife team Ted Byrnes and Gena Tuso, the Los Angeles based label offers an assortment of 100% wool scarves, each with its own unique toggled hardware component (sort of like a bracelet or necklace, but with a T shaped piece of metal on each end instead of a clasp). The components, which are all custom-made by hand, connect to leather-backed metal grommets that are located at key points along the scarves’ edges, allowing for each scarf to be fastened into a variety of different shapes (clever, no?).

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