Timex Heritage Watch

I've gotten more inquiries this week regarding a Timex watch I posted on Tumblr than anything else so I figured I'd highlight it here for anyone who believes one site run by me is already more than enough.  I stumbled upon this timepiece while searching for Timex's Oversize Camper, which was supposed to drop in July, but has yet to show up in to many places - it is available on Timex's Canadian site and in store at select Nordstrom locations.  Anyhow, when I was browsing Nordstrom's Timex stock I found a model I had never seen before.  The Heritage watch is a pretty good looking number coming in at under 100 bones.  That's kinda pricey for anything Timex (especially when you can get a Camper for like $20), but still a cool looking option for those of you in the market for a new watch.  Part of me thinks that some of the pricepoint is dictated to the "topstitched, leather-lined canvas strap" it comes with, which is quite the buzzkill for anyone who planned on switching in a fresh NATO first and foremost.  If you're the kinda guy who has mulled over dropping north of a Benjamin on another Timex at, say, J. Crew you might want to do some browsing first.  As one can imagine, the "upscale" Timex market isn't incredibly deep, but that doesn't mean you can't find some handsome watches with a little digging.  I did an admittedly half-assed search to find this watch on the cheap (Amazon, Timex.com, etc.), but couldn't locate it elsewhere.  Who knows, maybe it will show up at J. Crew.

-L.A.S

The Skinny

F/W trouser chatter seem to revolve around wools for the most part.  There's nothing wrong with that, hell, it happens here quite a bit.  But I'd like to take a break from all that and briefly discuss moleskin trousers as a nice alternative/supplement to your current stable of fall pants.  Moleskin trousers easily walk the line between casual and formal - they're just at home with your Bean boots as they are with your typical work kit.  The functionality of moleskin lies in it's warmth and comfort.  Not many pants are as luxurious, but still durable and warm enough to hold up to harsh weather.  I've got a few pairs from high end brands in more rugged styles (i.e. Bastian paratrooper pants, Cucinelli cargos), but you can find a traditional trouser style at Cordings, a UK brand brought to my attention by the one and only Mr. James Fox.  Cording's moleskin trousers have some killer details (side adjusters, tab waistband, button fly, etc.) that give the pants a rugged, sportsman edge, which should be easy to work into your F/W wardrobe.  Spring for an unfinished pair, take them to your tailor for a nice 2" cuff and finish off with some brogue boots for a classic look.  Every F/W guys start pledging to upgrade themselves and their wardrobes. Moleskin trousers seem like a pretty good place to start.

-L.A.S

Lusting After: Crockett & Jones Brown Suede Lowndes

Getting double monks in the US is hard. Getting Crockett & Jones double monks in the US is even harder. Getting Crockett & Jones brown suede double monks in the US was downright impossible.  But holdup, Barney's has just stepped in to make impossible nothing (I hope Adidas doesn't sue me like they sued Thom).  For one easy payment of $595 you can now get, quite possibly, the most killer double monks on the market.  This is a big coup for investment bankers and trust funders who also happen to read style blogs.  It's real nice to see someone finally sticking their neck out for that burgeoning, yet highly neglected demographic.  Rejoice!  For anyone seriously considering this purchase (and there's got to be at least one of you out there, right?) the Lowndes comes on C&J's 348 last and has a standard width.

-L.A.S

Sanders Boots For Fall

Sanders recently opened up their first online shop in an effort to provide customers directly with their renowned footwear.  Odds are that you've seen Sanders' work before as they make shoes for many of your favorite designers and footwear brands.  I've always been a huge fan of English shoe factories such as Sanders because they more or less have been making the exact sames shoes since day one - in Sanders' case, 1873.  My favorite collection (if you can even call it that) from Sanders is their Regent Country line, which also happens to be flush with great boots for the upcoming season.  These boots are timeless, as I just mentioned, and have incredible construction.  Each boot is storm welted (Goodyear welted), leather lined and equipped with quality soles that can take a serious beating.  In fact, all these boots can take whatever shit you plan on getting into this F/W - the prices are incredibly reasonable for what you're getting.  They're also more "traditional" in their designs than a Trickers and I prefer their looks to other competitors such as Grenson.  If you're looking for that one pair of boots that will last you winters to come (with a resoling or two of course) you probably want to check them out.  And don't bother whining about the shipping because, in the end, it's worth it.

-L.A.S

Henri Lloyd F/W 2010

Henri Lloyd, a British sailing heritage brand founded in 1963, has just released the first look at their F/W 2010 collection.  The goods find themselves firmly entrenched in HL's British heritage, but instead of the sea the collection takes things to the countryside.  It's a move based on the ideas of texture and layering and I'll be damned if the folks over at Henri Lloyd didn't do a fine job at reconciling both their heritage and an updated brand aesthetic.  While the collection appears quite classic, and it is, there is a modern edge to the clothes in the form of technical details - articulated sleeves, quilt stitching, etc.  Advances learned from years of making garments that can stand up to the "marine experience" are now getting the country gent upgrade.  I'll take all the outerwear. Thanks.

-L.A.S

Underrated and Unappreciated

Despite the prominence of Clarks Originals amongst stylish guys, the Desert Trek gets little to no love.  Walk down any street in NYC and you can count the number of Desert Boots on two hands.  Walk down any street in Atlanta and you can do the same thing with Wallabees.  Why isn't anyone wearing Desert Treks?  My first pair of Clarks were Desert Treks and I still stand by them as one of, if not, the most underrated and unappreciated shoes for fall.  Around this time last year I postulated that the Desert Trek might finally get its due thanks to a cameo in Gilded Age's well received S/S 2010 presentation.  Well, I seemed to have overestimated any push GA could provide as the Desert Trek has yet to get its fair share of coverage.  Hopefully things can change for the better this coming season.  If you're looking for a new pair of Clarks Originals or your first pair consider grabbing a pair of Desert Treks in sand suede or beeswax leather.  You'll be killing it all season long without becoming a statistic.

[Pictures courtesy of Need Supply.]

-L.A.S

Supreme F/W 2010 Preview

I'll be honest, I don't normally search out Supreme, but when I get hit with a reminder to do so I often leave thinking about how solid of a brand these guys are.  Yes, it's certainly not for everyone. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, it takes some balls to wear a majority of their gear on the reg.  All that aside, most of us can appreciate what Supreme means to the menswear landscape and culture in general.  Their F/W 2010 preview is up now and it's full of eye-catching pieces and Supreme's one of a kind aesthetic.  The outerwear is particularly strong and features a bunch of classic styles and silhouettes reworked for the kind of guy who is willing to pay a little extra to stand out.  Let's add some fuel to the quilted fire...

-L.A.S