Undun


I've been a Roots fan since Organix and have always thought they were one of music's most prolific bands. I haven't heard the album in its entirety but plan on streaming it on NPR before picking it up next week. I feel like they have attempted to make the "Concept" album on previous recordings but have never quite had the freedom they do now in the bands career. I'm so grateful that they have lasted through the ups and downs of the music industry and have continued to make amazing music.

Street Photographer


The Sartorialist who?

House Shoes

Cabrales Slip On Shoe
Or "Slippers" as they are formerly known should be included on every gents list of essential items for the holiday season. This indispensable shoe in my eyes symbolizes domestic living like no other. Unfortunately, it's taken a back seat over the years to the other, less attractive cousin, the Flip Flop. Best for daily jaunts to the trash, mail box and retrieval of that miss-thrown newspaper in the bushes. These above are from the brand Industry of All Nations and are a sharp and sophisticated option for kicking around the house or on the porch with a hot cup and your favorite newspaper or magazine. Hope everyone has an opportunity to relax and enjoy family, friends and good food this Thanksgiving.

Outerwear

I've been on the hunt for a casual outerwear piece for a little while. I came across this coat/blazer/jacket while out thrifting and was instantly struck. I actually had to come back on another day to get it because I had to wrap my head around the multi-functionality of it. It zips and/or buttons, rugged yet fits like a slim-fitting sports coat, and keeps me warm without breaking a sweat in this often unpredictable west coast weather. It might be the perfect coat although I kinda wish it was in navy. It goes well with most of what I've been wearing this season though.

The other thing that surprised me was that it was made by a very popular high end designer which I think I'll just keep a secret because it wasn't what first caught my attention. I think there is something to that because I wish more brands got attention because of the design, quality, and function of their garments than just the name on the label.

I do need to find a scarf (not too thick) that might go with it so if anybody has a link or color suggestion hit me up.

All Night Long


 A jazzy 60s era retelling of Shakespeare's Othello.

Fall Shawl

I picked this one up towards the end of summer (I assume it was an SS11 piece) on sale with the full intention of adding it to my fall wardrobe. It has been in steady rotation since and very useful as the west coast chill has finally started to set in. Knitwear is something Mr. Lauren and crew seem to always do well and adding these brass clips is what makes them the best in the game.

Apolis: Common Gallery



If


If you can keep your head when all about you 
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; 
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, 
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, 
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; 
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; 
If you can meet with triumph and disaster 
And treat those two imposters just the same; 
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken 
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, 
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 
And lose, and start again at your beginnings 
And never breath a word about your loss; 
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew 
To serve your turn long after they are gone, 
And so hold on when there is nothing in you 
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, 
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; 
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; 
If all men count with you, but none too much; 
If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - 
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, 
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son! 

                         - Rudyard Kipling

Any Given Day

Well, mostly on casual days and weekends anyway. I've begun to narrow down my wardrobe to the essential pieces that define my style and approach to fashion. It's not much to look at but it's me and feel like understated and refined is really my aesthetic. I've definitely experimented with many a trend over the last year and a half(Workwear, Anglo-italian, fashion forward, japanese street-style) but think classic American with a lean towards prep is probably my preferred style. Actually the biggest thing I've embraced is fit and have even enjoyed a more slender, european approach to it.

The style could be described as euro-prep if there is such a thing. It probably is more of a french approach to prep than anything but I have not gone full strangle hold with it. Quality is also my new conviction as well. No more cheap clothes is my new mantra. I'm not saying buy expensive but if it's something I plan on wearing for the next 5 years it better be the best my money can buy and not just the most popular brands. Tried and tested brands with a good if not great manufacturing tradition is where my money is going from now on. I'm Just saying.

Disclaimer-I don't actually own those J.M Weston loafers. Yet.