Articles – Well Spent

The Hill-Side Pointed Ties

October 17, 2011

In the wait is finally over news: Hill-Side Pointed Ties are now available from Hickorees (please hold your applause until the end of the post). Hand-stitched by union workers in a family-owned factory in NYC, and boasting US-made cotton tipping, label and loop, and an ideal 2 1/2″ width, the ties are as sturdy as they are stunning, and a welcome addition to H-S’ already superb neckwear line-up. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: October, 2011

October 12, 2011

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

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Graham Withers Hawthorne Necktie

October 10, 2011

The Hawthorne Necktie from New York’s Graham Withers is expertly crafted in NYC’s Garment District from an English-made wool / cashmere blend. Slim in width and hefty in hand, the tie is a great way to add some hardy elegance (elegant hardiness?) to your cold-weather kit. 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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NorthernGRADE: Pierrepont Hicks AW11 Bow Ties

September 12, 2011

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 »

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White Horse Trading Co. Serape Blanket Tie

August 30, 2011

The Serape Blanket Tie from White Horse Trading Co. is handmade in Colorado out of repurposed, 100% wool Pendleton blankets. Designed to be just as at home in a casual environment as a corporate one (though, probably a little more so in the casual), the tie has a square bottom, slim 2″ width, and leather tie-catch in the back. An extremely limited number of these were produced (each of which is hand-numbered, btw), and at present there are no plans to make more, so if you like what you see, best to make your move sooner than later. Read More »

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The Friday Find: Pierrepont Hicks SS11 Clearance

August 19, 2011

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 »

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Paukstukai Double-Sided Bow Ties

August 11, 2011

A nice option for anyone looking to go bright and cheap (affordable, not shoddy) with their summer neckwear, the Double-Sided Bow Ties from Paukstukai are handcrafted in Lithuania (first time that country’s made an appearance on the site) from an assortment of vibrantly colored linens, cottons, and wools. Essentially two ties in one, the bows are made with both solid and patterned fabrics, and are designed so they can be worn with either facing out (anyone else just get Rob Base’s It Takes Two stuck in their head?). Read More »

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Lumina Summer Bow Ties

July 21, 2011

Though plenty of brands make summer-specific neckwear, few do it as well as North Carolina’s Lumina Clothing Co. Whether you’re heading to a wedding, the office, or just a night out, the label’s extensive collection of 100% cotton madras, seersucker and gingham bow ties (all of which are lovingly handcrafted in the Tar Heel State) are a great way to add some seasonally-appropriate pop to your warm-weather kit. Twenty different bows are available, and the price per is about $20 less than everyone else. Read More »

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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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White Horse Trading Co. Ties

July 11, 2011

Sure, square-bottomed neckties made from utilitarian fabrics isn’t the most original idea, but, that doesn’t make the ones from newly launched White Horse Trading Co. any less appealing. Handcrafted in the USA from materials like heavy-duty duck cloth, jean-weight denim and Italian linen, the co.’s ties are a simple yet handsome way to rugged-up any outfit, and will stay that for years to come (’cause they’re so well-made). Read More »

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Autour De Ton Cou Ties

June 28, 2011

Laurent Laporte, author of the always enjoyable Where is the Cool (which totally had that name first, btw) recently got in touch to let me know that he had come into possession of a large surplus of deadstock Pierre Balmain ties from the 1960s, and that he’s now selling them under the moniker Autour De Ton Cou (translated: around your neck). The ties, all of which were knit in France, come in a wide selection of colors, measure roughly two inches at their widest point and are in absolute stunning condition. Read More »

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Pocket Square Clothing Bow Ties

June 16, 2011

A new name in men’s accessories (and just in time for summer wedding season), Los Angeles’ Pocket Square Clothing offers affordable bow ties for the “modern, urban gentleman.” Made entirely in the City of Angels from a variety of non-traditional fabrics, the co.’s ties are a nice alternative to the traditional fare, working just as well in casual situations as dressy ones (so you can wear ‘em to summer bbqs too). Read More »

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Seven Questions: WHARF

May 25, 2011

Opened in late 2010, Rhode Island’s WHARF has quickly established itself as one of the country’s better menswear shops. Founded by RI native Rob Babigian, the store operates under the belief that, “everyone should have access to the quality goods they want and the craftsmanship they demand.” To achieve this, WHARF carries a wide variety of brands, styles and price-points, so no matter what your budget, or taste, there’s a good chance they’ll have something you like. Along with their extensive stock, the store also offers an impressively accomplished in-house shirting collection. Designed by Babigian, and crafted in New England, the shirts nicely encapsulate all that WHARF stands for: good looks, quality construction, and a fair price. Not surprisingly, they’ve already garnered a loyal following amongst many of the menswear bloggerati.

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Ernest Alexander Spring Neckties

April 14, 2011

New York’s Ernest Alexander is one accessories brand that knows how to keep things simple. No excessive details, no unnecessary flare, just tightly edited collection after tightly edited collection of attractive, dependably-made goods. And what more could you want than that? Handcrafted in NYC’s Garment District from an array of vibrant cotton fabrics, the co.’s SS11 neckties are as summery as they are sturdy. Finished with contrasting liners, and measuring in at 2 5/8″ at their widest point, the ties are a creative-without-being-overdone take on warm weather neckwear, and at under $80 per, a pretty affordable one too. Read More »

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Hill-Side Organic Flax Ties

March 22, 2011

I can think of few other brands that are as consistent as Brooklyn’s The Hill-Side. With every new season, the label manages to find yet more ways to build on its already solid collection of ties, pocket squares, bandannas and scarves, keeping the output fresh, but still in-line with the co.’s original concept (not an easy thing to do). The newly released Organic Flax ties, part of H-S’ near flawless SS11 range, are handcrafted in NYC from a 3.5 oz Japanese organic cotton / flax blend. Read More »

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Pierrepont Hicks Spring Neckties

March 10, 2011

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 »

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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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