Look Sharp!

Church's Consul has long been one of the brand's standards - a beautiful captoe, this shoe is perfectly minimalist and a straight up classic.  This is the kind of shoe you leave the alone.  The kind of shoe you respect and don't mess with it.  Right? Not according to Leffot who has a little something else in mind and that something else is serious sartorial business.  These gents have taken the Consul and given it a S/S overhaul - white deerskin, natural sole, natural heel edges.  Taking something normally so kosher and turning it into something so goddman sexy is no easy task and for that I commend Leffot (these guys really know what's up).  Look sharp!

-L.A.S

Tattered

The blogosphere, myself included, hits us over the head with so many of the same items so frequently that often it takes a shot in the arm to remind us how great something is regardless of whether or not it gets blog play.  Yesterday while geeking out over Sid Mashburn shirts I re-realized just how much I like shirts that aren't chambray or oxford cloth.  Broadcloth, in particular, is such a fantastic shirting option this time of year and especially in tattersall.

Lots of guys don't like to wear plaid patterns in warm weather because of its anointment as the official mascot of F/W and it's sudden absurd ubiquity.  Tattersall represents a wonderful option if you find yourself buying into this school of thought or if you're just looking to switch things up.  Epaulet and Inventory (their shirt is actually a heavier weight oxford cloth), respectively, have dropped exclusive tattersall collaborations with Gitman Brothers Vintage in the past week or so and L.L. Bean Signature features a handsome option complete with a flap pocket as well (it's actually my favorite non footwear item in the debut collection).  And of course you can't forget Ralph who has been doing this kind of stuff since Red Wings were nothing more than hockey players to us.   I can't say for sure if tattersall is "having a moment", but I could care less.  In fact, I'd almost rather keep this for myself though that is highly unlikely.  Tattersall, more like tatter-sold.

-L.A.S

DQM

DQM is not your average skate brand.  For the past 7 years Chris Keefe and Dave Ortiz have been revolutionizing board/bike gear and now DQM boasts complete seasonal collections sold worldwide.  Their vision has evolved overtime and today stands as a serious menswear brand offering a variety of classics that still acknowledge the NYC downtown counterculture that birthed it all.  Most importantly, DQM never forgets where it came from.  They "endure because you do." Amen.

How can you not like gear that brings together so many elements of style? It's one part classic, one part skate rat, one part punk rocker and it's all good.  Those double breast pocket, muted button downs - yeah, I'll take one of each please.  Also, be sure to check out their callabo with Adidas on the Rod Laver Vintage sneaker I just talked about.

-L.A.S

Lusting After: Sid Mashburn S/S Shirting

It looks as if Sid's got some new shirts online now.  Are they expensive? Yes.  Are they awesome? Hell yes. Can you buy them online? Nope. Here's to hoping you either live in Hotlanta or plan on visiting soon (and to think you thought a proxy was only for Japan).  The tomato flap pocket button down and both popovers are stellar.

-L.A.S

[Editor's Note: E-commerce is on its way, but until then call 404-350-7135.]

Vintage Watches At Asos

And now back to our regularly scheduled sartorial nonsense...

I'll be the first to admit that Asos is not the first place I would turn to for a vintage watch.  In fact, I was really surprised when I found out they were even selling them in the first place.  All of these are extremely out of any price range I thought I had ($940-$2,900), but are definitely still cool to look at.  Isn't that why we love blogs in the first place?  Seriously, who doesn't enjoy staring at awesome shit they can't afford?  At the very least they can help you find that style or model you love so when you are perusing the bargain bin at Amazon you're not completely overwhelmed.  In case you cared, I'm personally digging the Cyma joint the best with it's perfectly faded numbers and hands that can only come from being born during WWII.  And yes, I'd be switching out these watch straps, especially on the Tag and Omega, quicker then you could wind 'em up.

-L.A.S

A Fool's Guide To The Blogosphere by Christian Audigier

I'm happy to present a very special guest post by the a visionary our time...

Moleskines:

"Raw" Denim:

Cardigans:

Varsity Jackets:

Rep Ties:

Field Watches:

-C.A.

Bamboo-zled

Asos is currently pushing some good looking Hackett belts that are currently on sale.  While I'm not the biggest belt guy in the entire world I do know that you need a few here and there to keep your gear tight - literally and figuratively.  Their wovens and D ring joints looks pretty tasty and those bamboo accents are just next level.  Say what you want about bamboo accents on belts being the opposite of classic and understated, I don't care.  I think they look absolutely boss, whether or not you live in a cabana with a monkey named 'Zeke.  If the bamboo joints are a little too out there for you, there are a few "out of season" wools and tartans as well which, quite frankly, I would have no problem wearing up until labor day - I mean, who is going to not wear their black watch belt as much as possible?

-L.A.S