Raw Silk For S/S

As the seasons change so does your neckwear.  I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you've already been bombarded with countless tie options in a variety of S/S fabrics and patterns.  Most, if not all, of these are fine.  Shit, you probably already own a few similar versions.  Let's forget about that seersucker and those critters for a second.  Once again, these are totally fine, but for those of you who are after some texture more along the lines of the wool and cashmere F/W ties you wear and love, there is an option you may have overlooked - I'm talking about raw silk neck ties.  The natural slub of the shantung silk creates a pretty unique texture and look that falls perfectly between dressed up and casual.  In fact, a new raw silk tie is probably more versatile than your current crop of S/S ties and can easily go between your suits and more relaxed S/S jackets.  As with anything even remotely neckwear related, Drakes has the best stuff.  Their raw silk seems to have the best texture and they offer widths of both 2.8" (7cm) and 3.1" (8cm).  However, the color combinations might be a little little stale for some.  If that's the case, J. Press offers a bunch of in your face stripes and patterns featuring tons of bright colors done up in raw silk.  Either way you're probably going to look a bit sharper than if you bought a new tie with lobsters playing golf on it.  But don't take my word for it.  Shantung has that coveted ODB cosign.  Wait, he's talking about neckwear, right?

[Last picture courtesy of Die, Workwear!]

-L.A.S

[Editor's Note: Shout out to Nico for the assistance.]

C'H'C'M' F/W 2010 Arrivals

C'H'C'M' always blows me away with their stock.  They pride themselves on a selection of "classic, timeless garments for everyday use" and I am very inclined to agree with them.  Honestly, I don't know how these guys don't get more love from a blogosphere obsessed with all of the things mentioned above - maybe they're just that under the radar?  Anyhow, if you have some coin saved up and are still looking to make that one, or couple of, purchases for F/W you should do yourself a favor and check out all their new arrivals.  This season they've got an equally incredible and rugged wool blazer from Japan's Sunny Sports that would complete any Northeast or Midwest winter wardrobe.  C'H'C'M' also has some seriously lust-worthy accessories from everyone's favorite "damn, I'm poor as shit" brand, Drakes.  The two-tone, 100% lambswool, made in Scotland hats are as next level as knit caps can get and you already know all about Drakes' scarves.  Finally, C'H'C'M' has some of the finest hiking boots money can buy if that's the kind of thing you get into on the weekends.  They take some damn fine product shots, that's for sure.

-L.A.S

Overpriced Scarf Round Up

Two scarves, as awesome as they are overpriced, are now available after a seasonal hiatus.  First up is Drakes' incomparable black watch wool silk reversible number.  Featured on Mister Mort a while back, this has to be the coolest scarf on the market.  For your money you not only get the ultimate tartan, but to make matters that much more stylish, there is a silk navy and white pin dot pattern on the opposite side.  Part scarf and part ascot, is this really worth $212?  Drakes enthusiasts will tell you you're getting two $106 scarves (not that outlandish of a pricepoint) and how the quality is unmatched by anyone.  I'll leave any reasoning up to you.  Up next we have a scarf some of you might recognize from its cameo on a hit teen drama featuring sex, drugs and good looking people.  J. Press' silk patchwork scarf is a one of a kind item being sold at a one of a kind price.  This is probably as bold as a scarf gets before your less stylish friends start making fun of you.  Actually, your friends will probably make fun of your for wearing a scarf in the first place.  I'll spare you the talk of putting your funds into investment pieces.  We're all adults here, for the most part, and can manage our own money.  At the very least you now have a postscript for that letter you're writing to Santa.

-L.A.S

Drizzy

Nope, not this cat. These guys.  Asos has gotten their share of love on Sart Inc and as you may have heard now have a fully operational US site.  With free shipping currently on the table you might want to consider picking up some Drake's accessories that are on sale.  If you're like me, you've lusted after this stuff for a while, but have never pulled the trigger thanks to their ludicrously expensive prices.  They're hands down some of the finest accoutrements a guy could possible hope of ever owning and if you hurry funding won't be as big of an issue as it would normally be.  Grab a spotted tie or scarf, post up at your favorite table and stack your money to the perfect height - well, maybe not perfect...

-L.A.S