Friday Afternoon Recon: Epaulet

After all the times I've recommended goods from Epaulet's online shop, I was finally able to head out to their physical location and do a little recon.  Black Friday probably wasn't the ideal time to head on over, but luckily for myself and my brother the throngs of middle America consumers were busy tearing apart the Walmarts and Kohls of the world.

Right down the street from another great shop, Smith + Butler, Epaulet is a expertly curated men's and women's clothing store in Brooklyn, NY.  They carry their own brand as well as some top-notch quality goods from Gant, Alden, Mark McNairy, etc.  I was lucky enough to chat with Mike, the shop's owner, for quite some time about the Pop-up Flea, their current selection of goods and the new stuff they have coming up.  He's an extremely nice and knowledgeable guy who is enthusiastic about his brand.  I highly recommend stopping by the shop even if just to chat.

Epaulet's footwear selection is second to none as far as independent establishments are concerned.  Not only are they the only current Mark McNairy account of a store their size, but they have a some really cool collaborations with Alden and Thorogood on sale.  I want to specifically highlight the new Alden Indy Boot the shop is currently offereing.  Dubbed "The Officer's Boot" (see below) this may be the classiest Indy Boot I've ever seen.  For anyone who likes the boot, but wants something a little less rugged I highly recommend asking Santa for this badboy.

[Pictured: Alden x Epaulet Officer Boot.  Picture courtesy of Dan from Disaffected Prep.]

The apparel, much like the footwear, is solid and I was really blown away with the quality of Epaulet's own shirting line.  The Epaulet x Mark McNairy oxfords are wishlist worthy and their flannels, made from 100% Pima cotton straight form Portugal, are the softest flannels I have ever felt, hands down.  Their neckwear is equally as impressive and I made it a priority to pick up their blackwatch plaid bowtie which was featured over at Inventory Updates a little while back.

Overall, I had an extremly enjoyable afternoon shopping, chatting and hanging out over at Epaulet.  It's great to finally get to know some of the people behind a shop I've been championing for a while.  Epaulet's products should continue to pop up over here as some of the stuff they have coming up is going to be pretty awesome (suit separates, new boots, etc) .  Head over to their webstite to do some holiday shopping or if you have the time, stop by the shop and chat with Mike about all the cool stuff they have going on.  Thanks to Epaulet for being gracious hosts and continuing to put out fantastic stuff.

p.s. Check back for a post regarding my own purchases from Epaulet: A pair of Mark McNairy Red Brick Soul Chukkas and the blackwatch bowtie.

-L.A.S

The Bean Boot Project: One Man's Style Guest Post

One Man's Style may be the best curated blog on the internet.  No joke.  Andy's photo essays are the definition of efficent and his format of one men's style pic, one chick and two randoms per post is actually kind of genius when you think about it.  His own posts and guest posts (one of which I was honored to submit) are constant visual inspiration and actually helped push me towards creating my own "inspiration board".  I've had the pleasure to get to know Andy a little through email and I look forward to collaborating more with him in the future (be on the lookout for quite a large undertaking myself, Andy and a bunch of other bloggers have coming up).  One Man's Style is just that...one guy and his style.  Thank god for us Andy's got style to spare.

Andy's take on the Bean boot was very analytical.  Here he shares with us his own sense of how to style the boot in ways that are both a nod to the past and a nod to the present, not to mention provides us with some picture representations as well.

"From one of the most iconic brands comes a boot that has been time tested and worn though out the ages. The Bean boot has been reinterpreted many times by those trying to shed a new light on the shoe, but this seems to prove difficult as the original always shines through. Wear them with your flannels and jeans for that Sunday hike or wear them on that rainy Tuesday with the gray tweed suit your going to be rocking to work over the next couple months. The boot's classic aesthetic worn with your modern touch is undeniable. Pick up a pair and wear then until they burst at the seams, because as we have seen from Max (All Plaid Out) and Foster (A Restless Transplant), you can then send them back to Bean and they will come back to you fresh as the day you took them from the box."

-L.A.S

[Note: Head here for the project's backstory. Also, If you are reading this and I requested a submission from you or if you would just like to participate please feel free to submit (contact via email). Your participation, as always, is still much anticipated and appreciated.]

Diffusion Lines Of The Past: Brooksgate by Brooks Brothers

So I'm flipping through the Orvis catalog with my Dad the other night, talking about how he can spend some gift card he has.   We're looking at options and discussing his style when the conversation soon turns to suede shooting patches.  Damn near everything in the catalog comes clad with one and the whole "form vs. function" debate arises.  My Dad mentions how he has a great wool sweater from Brooksgate complete with said suede hunting details that no longer fits him.  I instantly had two important questions for him: Do you still have it? What exactly is Brooksgate?

After chatting with my Dad and doing some digging around the internet I got the basic facts.  According to the "Fashion + Innovations" page at the Brooks Brothers website, Brooksgate was launched in 1976 as "a new department...featuring tailored clothing designed especially for the young executive."  Sound familiar, no?  Back in 1976, Brooks Brothers was doing what a lot of brands are doing today.  The demand for classic, heritage brands by a younger set has led to quite a few "reinterpretations" (i.e. more tailored fits) under diffusion lines.  I won't bore you with a list of examples since we are all bombarded with them everyday.  The launch of Brooks Brothers new extra slim fits shirts probably deserve a mention here as well. 

The digital footprint of Brooksgate is pretty slim and one of the only things I could turn up was a catalog scan from, you guessed it, The Trad.  He makes a quip that you can still buy all this stuff today...at Polo.  Both a clever and true observation.  Interestingly enough, though, Polo was still flying under the radar, at least relatively, pre-1981 when the brand went global so maybe it was actually Ralph who took some cues from Brooksgate.  We'll probably never know.  Anyway, that's a little history lesson for Thanksgiving.  I hope everyone enjoys time spent with their loved ones and most importantly stays safe. Cheers.

-L.A.S

[Pictured: Brooksgate, 1985 catalog scan.  Picture courtesy of The Trad.]

[Pictured: Brooksgate sweater bought sometime in 1980-something.  Wool, leather buttons, suede shooting patch.]

[Pictured: Brooksgate by Brooks Brothers, made in the U.S.A.]

The Bean Boot Project: A Curious Monogram Guest Post

Don is one of a select group of bloggers who me inspired to start Sartorially Inclined.  His little corner of the internet, A Curious Monogram, is a wonderful place to discover new music, inspiring photography and of course, some cool digs.  One of the most interesting things about Don, and why I appreciate his blog so much, is that he is actually putting himself out there and doing something tangible.  I don't have too many details for you, but I do know Don's shirting endeavor is off the ground and underway.  This is the kind of stuff I feed off of...the kind of stuff that really gets my blood flowing.  People, like Don, deciding to take their passions to the next level is something I will always look up to and hope to do one day myself when the time is right.  Until that day, I give my full support to folks like Don who continue to raise the bar, for all of us, everyday.  Stay tuned because I, and I'm sure Don, would hate to say, "I told ya so".

Don's guest post focuses on a particular image he stumbled across and what it means to him.  I'll present the image first and let Don explain it's inspiration.

[Picture courtesy of Grass Doe.]

"I'm not a photographer, or even a decent amateur snap and shot.  I wish I was.  So when I was I thinking about the project and how I could contribute, I did what I usually do; just keep it in the back of my mind when I'm partaking in one of my favorite pastimes - searching for the end of the Internet.  Luckily enough, the picture I found from Grass Doe was perfect and really struck me.  See, as a city-dweller / suburbanite all of my life, there has always been a certain romantic quality to being out in the wilderness and the clothing that was traditionally designed for it.  For whatever (weak) reasons, it has always felt a little contrived when I try and force some of those items into my wardrobe where the functional purposes of the clothing aren't being utilized the way they were envisioned.  However, there are certain items that crossover with their form and function fitting perfectly in both worlds.  The Bean Boot is one of these items, especially when the weather in Chicago acts up.  This picture though, perfectly portrayed the romanticism I mentioned earlier.  The Boot, as it was meant to be - out in the wilderness, amongst moss covered rocks, on a damp Fall day."

-L.A.S

[Note: Head here for the project's backstory. Also, If you are reading this and I requested a submission from you or if you would just like to participate please feel free to submit (contact via email). Your participation, as always, is still much anticipated and appreciated.] 

Wednesday Morning Inspiration: Too Cool For School

[Pictured: Students at Yale University, 1965. Picture courtesy of the Life Magazine Archives.]

I'm not sure what it is, but I've been on a crazy Ivy style kick recently and I can't seem to shake it.  Maybe its my restlessness thinking towards spring, pants with no break, and ditching my socks.  Maybe it was the eye-opening article on Ivy Style today concerning the first Japanese ivy rebels..who knows?  Regardless, I'm seeing ivy everywhere and I really can't complain.  1950's and 1960's ivy style was pretty damn clean (see the above picture for further evidence).  These cats knew they were the bees knees and dressed like it too.  Apparently Dad's money went a long way with the New Haven haberdashers.

The above pic is my favorite I've come across from the last week and it appears to be from a piece Life did back in 1965 on a freshman named Timothy Thompson.  Tim was the proverbial "fish out of water" who was trying his hardest not to flunk out and Life decided he was worthy of a feature.  Tim is third from the right, looking quite befuddled and serves as a stark antithesis to that of Mr. Cool in the white chinos (you would think this kid was actually wearing the cat's pajamas).  Regardless of the smugness written all over his "I wear my sunglasses indoors" face, the dude does have some serious style.

Immaculate tailoring rules the day in this instance and I'm sure the Yale Co-eds of 1965 would agree with me.  Consider this post my endorsement of tailored blazers, showin' a little ankle and getting your ivy on with that patented and requisite "I'm better than you" swagger.  Every now and then it doesn't hurt to be too cool for school.

-L.A.S

Lusting After: Quoddy Masleet Oxford

[Pictured: Quoddy Masleet Oxford available soon at NYC's Leffot.  Pictures courtesy of Por Homme by way of Swipe Life.]

Everyone pretty knows all there is to know about Quoddy at this point.  The Maine shoemaker produces handmade, expertly crafted shoes and are best known for their mocassin styles.  The price are pretty steep at around $200 plus, but at the same time you are getting a pair of shoes that will last you a very long time (not to mention the whole, "get better with time" mantra you hear from a lot of top brands today).  As far as my moc situation is concerned, I'm personally never going to spend that much money for a shoe I can get from Eastland or L.L. Bean for under $80, though if I was it would be on this navy/red brick sole release just announced today.  Navy shoes have been highly coveted by yours truly as of recent and the red brick sole just seals the deal...at this very moment there is not a more desirable combination of colors than a navy upper with a red sole.  I wish I had a price on these, but they have yet to hit the streets so we're all playing the waiting game.  I don't know about you guys, but I'd wear these in a heartbeat.

-L.A.S

The Bean Boot Project: Southern Gent Guest Post

Daryl already has the Sartorially Inclined cosign, but when you have a blog as enjoyable as his you're bound to find yourself caught in a rainstorm of praise every so often.  As a citizen of the south, blogs like Daryl's really hit home.  Much like Skip's blog, mentioned the other day, Southern Gent is not so much about clothes or style, as it is about a way of life...a way of life that includes happy hours, tailgating, hunting and lots and lots of madras.  If there was ever a lifestyle to aspire to I'd like to think it lives somewhere over at SG.

Much like any southern gent, The L.L. Bean boot means a lot to Daryl.  His memories connected to the shoe are what drives his appreciation for it and that is the focus of his guest post.  Daryl taps into the nostalgia of a time spent with good friends, when the booze was flowing and the field was muddy.  The image he sent over was particularly striking and I'm sure you all will get as much of a kick out of it as I did.  Thanks to Daryl, both a favorite blogger of mine and a good friend, for sending over this piece.

Mocs In The Mud

"After years having duck boots of all brands except by the venerable Maine outfitter, I finally decided to start my collection of the real deal with the Bean Moc. Living in the South we don't get that much snow, yet tons of rain year round and figured I would wear them with shorts during summer thunderstoms, tromping around the country in the fall, through inch high snow in the winter and muddy puddles during spring showers.

Shortly after the Mocs arrived from Bean in the spring of 2005, horrible rain showers fell on Charlottesville, VA making Foxfields Races a muddy mess. Together with my friend Pamela, this picture was snapped to capture the moment. I remember it as the first of many fond memories I've shared not only with good friends, but my L.L.Bean Bean Boot Mocs."

-L.A.S

[Note: Head here for the project's backstory. Also, If you are reading this and I requested a submission from you or if you would just like to participate please feel free to submit (contact via email). Your participation, as always, is still much anticipated and appreciated.]