Attn: D.S. Dundee F/W 2010 Launches

With retailers just getting their own stock, D.S. Dundee has launched their F/W 2010 collection in their own webstore along with an absolutely epic lookbook.  I was lucky enough to see all of this stuff in person and I cannot stress the quality to price ratio enough.  From the tailoring on down to the shoes, D.S. Dundee know how to craft some beautiful items without ripping the heart out of their customers.  From what I saw and got to try on, the tailoring is the high point.  The Harris tweed is not to be trifled with and the results are some serious killer country gent ensembles.  I could go on about the details (ticket pockets, side vents, perfect lapels), but I'll let you guys check that out for yourself.  My favorites are below and make sure you check out that lookbook if you want to know how a grown man dresses for a scenic getaway to end all scenic getaways.

-L.A.S

D.S. Dundee Fairisle Socks

D.S. Dundee's F/W 2010 collection has just started to trickle out online and the standouts thus far have to be the fairisle socks.  Fairisle socks are great thanks to their perfect marriage of form and function.  Nothing is going to keep your feet warmer than wool socks when you're shoveling snow in your Bean boots and nothing's going to look cooler than the fairisle pattern peaking out of whatever shoes you've got lined up for F/W.  The $20 price is just the icing on the cake at this point.  Anyone who has been following this blog already knows how much I love D.S. Dundee.  It's a brand committed to quality and authenticity who also just so happens to be run by a great group of folks.  Pick up all three for yourself and some more pairs to stuff the stockings of loved ones - everybody wins and everybody looks good.

-L.A.S

Sneak Peek: D.S. Dundee S/S 2011

The other day someone asked me who I thought the most underrated brand was.  At the time I didn't really have an answer, but the more I think about it, the more D.S. Dundee would have been as good an answer as any.  D.S. Dundee is easily one of my favorite English brands making clothes right now.  They have the uncanny ability to produce new and interesting collections while keeping their country/gentry aesthetic firmly in place.  F/W always seems to be where D.S. Dundee shines (read: 3 piece tweeds, boots, elbow patches, etc.), but from the looks of it, S/S 2011 seems like a real coup for my friends on the other side of the pond.  The entire collection is really strong and has cool vibe - American prep meets British old money.  And I'll be damned if those blue canvas saddle shoes aren't the best I have ever seen.  Jim, The Director of D.S. Dundee, requested I only post three images from the lookbook for now, so you can find three favorites below.  As soon as I get the word I'll be sure to post the entire thing. I feel like I'm sitting on the Pentagon Papers or something. Okay, maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration.  If you're unfamiliar with D.S. Dundee I recommend hitting the post tag to get up to date - the stuff really is that good.

-L.A.S

D.S. Dundee S/S 2010

My dudes over at D.S. Dundee are back to business this S/S - the business of absolutely killing it.  The staples are there in full force from the perfect double breasted blazer to a badass straw panama hat.  For those looking to keep things insanely fresh there is even a red gingham hooded popover and indigo check cotton shorts that fade like denim.  I always talk about how D.S. Dundee is one of my favorites out right now and looking at this collection only reinforces the fact that they are easily one of the best brands coming out of the U.K.  Up until this point I was curious as to how they would tackle the warmer weather after such an incredible F/W, rich with 3 piece tweeds, but they definitely followed up in serious style.  The extremely clean and streamlined aesthetic of S/S 2010 is due in part to the hiring of new designer Elizabeth Reed who previously had stints at Dunhill and Polo.  Elizabeth seems to be taking things in a new direction - one that creates a cool juxtaposition with the ruggedness of previous seasons.  It also doesn't hurt that D.S. Dundee is run by a great group of guys who, contrary to popular belief, do not support terrorism.

-L.A.S

The Crossing Of The Waters

This is a tad out of season, I know, but if you're still sleeping on D.S. Dundee its about damn time you woke up.


AW09 The Crossing of the Waters from D.S.DUNDEE on Vimeo.

-L.A.S

D.S. Dundee Does Street Style

Being a huge fan of D.S. Dundee I don't know how I just made it over to their blog, but better late then never I guess.  Besides making some of the nattiest country gent garb out they take some damn fine street style photos showcasing the absolute style overload going on in London.  Having been a little disappointed with Tommy Ton's London Fashion Week street style shots for GQ this is a much needed reminder about just how cool our English brethren keep it on the reg.  Highlights include Dr. Swagger mean muggin' his way into the Sart Inc Hall of Fame (bottom center).

-L.A.S

D.S. Dundee S/S 2010 Preview

I cannot wait for this stuff to go live.  D.S. Dundee is probably my favorite British under the radar brand right now and after a quick skim through their site you'll most certainly feel the same way.

-L.A.S

D.S. Dundee Sale

Instead of preaching my face off about how much I love D.S. Dundee like I already have (best in show at ENK NY), why not just head over to the website and browse the amazing gear for yourself.  They are having an online sale so now is a better time than ever to get familiar with the English brand.  One part country gentleman, one part rakish playboy...all natty. Here are some of my favorite pieces currently in the "bargain bin".  While we are on the subject, I am pretty much forcing myself to snag that harrington jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-L.A.S

ENK New York 2010 Wrap Up Pt. II

The consensus between myself, Shaun and Jon was that D.S. Dundee had the most impressive booth at ENK.  The East London brand's tailored English staples were so on point that we went back to the booth three or four times with each subsequent visit bordering on nerd overload.  Their tweeds were some of the best I had ever seen in person and to top it off they had some of the most ridiculously awesome "go to hell" plaids.  Jim, D.S. Dundee's Director, was one of the nicest guys at all of ENK as well.  We had a great time chopping it up with him as he dropped serious knowledge about the finer points of dressing like a natty gent.  The following pictures from my point and shoot don't really do any of D.S. Dundee justice and if you ever get the chance to see this stuff in person you will know exactly what I am talking about.  Both Shaun and Jon took some awesome shots so hopefully all that stuff will find it's way into your lap eventually.  The physical manifestation of "country style" has never been this good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most interesting of all the brands at ENK had to be Harvard Yard.  When the brand first launched the blogosphere went pretty head over heels.  Harvard Yard's updated preppy American staples looked fantastic in lookbook form, but they kind of vanished for a little while.  Turns out the brand, a union of Wearwolf Group and a licensing deal with Harvard University, is in between designers and continuing to shape their future.  This era of transition didn't stop them from shutting it down and anyone at ENK would agree that the Harvard Yard has seemingly unlimited potential.  With a little vision there is no telling where these guys can go.  The clothes were, as should be expected, American sportswear classics updated for today's college campus.  Their black watch rain coat (Glenn O'Brien approves) and harrington jackets were so on point that I was trying hard not stuff them into Shaun's bag as party favors.  Jeff, the brains behind Harvard Yard, spoke with Shaun and myself for quite some time about the brand's strategies and current situation.  It was a wonderful brainstorming session and Jeff is an extremely sincere guy with a great task ahead of him.  Harvard Yard is definitely a brand to watch; I know I'll be tuning in.

 

 

 

Hope you guys enjoyed this look at two of my new favorite brands and if all goes according to plan I should have one more wrap up post on the way tying up all the loose ends and expressing all my thanks.  If you missed it, check out Pt. 1 of my ENK NY 2010 wrap up here.

-L.A.S