Porter Lake Bag

I really like to carry a tote bag a lot of the time, but when I'm travelling or have a lot to do, I often find my bag gets overly full. Likewise, if you're heading to the lake or beach this summer, a bigger bag is just going to be better. I liked the look of this Porter lake bag before I realized how big it was. It turns out the size is really great. It is also  interesting how the mid-section cinches in to keep everything together if you are carrying a smaller load. When it comes down to it, a bag has to be functional, then look good. Available at allbeams.com

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Thom Browne FW 09

Thom Browne recently showed his fall 2009 collection in New York, and fortunately for us men.style.com has nearly 60 images of great stuff. The only pieces I can't personally get too excited about are the coats with a bit of a flare. They are just a bit on the feminine side for me, and I don't find come off well in the looks. Otherwise, the collection is actually pretty tame, with a nice infusion of great patterns, some bold reds and of course the one piece grey suit. Thom slid that one in there nicely and I almost missed it. While I would never wear it, I really appreciate the unique twist on his aesthetic and I think it came out great. In terms of items I want to wear a lot, the knits look amazing, the Mac coat and more classic grey suits are also really great looking. I'm a fan of the white stripes on the arm as well, it works nicely on the blazer as well as the knits. The military cruiser coat is also worth mentioning as it's probably the most wearable piece. Clean lines, nice waist belt and simple grey or black colorway, what is there to complain about - other than the price, so start saving now.

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Our Legacy FW Footwear

Our Legacy have stepped firmly into the footwear realm this spring with some great looking suede oxfords and wingtips. While there is no denying the look and style of the shoes online, I had to be slightly skeptical on how well made the shoes were, as they retail for a pretty good price and most footwear this style is best done by traditional bands. The shoes are made in Portugal and I had a nice look at the these fall models at Capsule LV this week. The leather uppers felt really nice on both shoes, and they even felt really good on my foot. I am a 42 in Common Projects and these fit me in a 43 for those of you looking for a size reference. The bottom of the sole seemed quite slick, and unlike the more subtle leather sole which normally would need to be brought to the cobbler. I'm not sure if they have finished the bottom with something more durable, or if it's the slightly cheaper materials put together in Portugal. I wasn't blown away by the quality, but I was far from disappointed. I think the shoes look and feel great, so for the price they are a great option. There is also going to be a boot for the fall, but we'll have to wait to see that one.

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Thom Browne / 100 Hudson St.

While Thom Browne has received more good press than he probably knows what to do with this year,  I still really haven't seen too many photos of the inside of his New York boutique. When I visited New York last month, the 100 Hudson location was on the top of my list to visit. Having not seen many images, I wasn't sure what to expect, it was a really interesting little space that definitely reminded me of a small bank from the 1980s. The rolling racks held beautiful sweaters and suits construction all around the world, featuring materials from an even further reach. It was incredible seeing each piece having a 'Made in Scotland', 'Made in Egypt' and so on. It seemed like each different color had a reason to be made somewhere different. The decor was almost non existent, but managed to work. The old couch and coffee table were complimented nicely by the unused glass ash tray to separate two racks of $4,000+ pieces. Like many, I'm a sideline fan of Mr. Browne's work, and his retail location was no different. I do plan on getting into a piece or two when I can, but for now, I'm happy to look.

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Monocle 2nd Anniversary Fashion Spread

Monocle's fashion spreads are probably my favorite of any publication. I tend to look at them about 10-15 times each issue and try to figure out why I like them so, how they are shot so well? If it's the great designers, classic models, or great printing of the magazine? I found it's probably better to just enjoy, and not think about it too much. This March's issue is also a big one, or two - as it's Monocle's 2 year anniversary issue. It's pretty amazing what the publication has accomplished in only two years. Print, audio, video, retail and products - all of the highest caliber and seemingly appreciated by a few folks out there. Besides loving the fashion spreads like this one, I have been really enjoying the Monocle Weekly pod-casts on the website. They are easier to digest than reading about some of the topics, and with interesting perspectives and a nice sense of humour, I am starting to actually wish there were daily episodes. Anyways, the color palette of the spread is perfect. The navy, natural tones look great and are pieced together really nicely. Brands include; Visvim, North Face Purple Label, Needles, and Woolrich Woolen Mills. I really appreciate how wearable these looks are, and while I may not be able to afford many of the items, the general atmosphere of the spread is whats inspiring. Thanks to Selectism for the images.

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Supreme S/S Preview

Supreme are about to drop their spring collection in the next few weeks and I am also into something they are doing. Whether it's the marketing side of the brand, a specific collaboration or the increasingly good cut and sew pieces. The brand is essentially cool and I feel it always will be, no matter how many more people find out about it. Mr. Jebbia and his tightly knit crew have done an impressive job season after season on all angles, so this spring should be another step forward. While this handful of items are likely not the most exciting to come, they give us an idea for the vibe of what's going to be hitting the shelves in the near future. *I am a sucker for their product shots as well. I'm not trying to wear a fitted hat, but the crispy colors and clean details make me want to sometimes.

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We're Back

I'm not sure how many of you noticed the lull in posts or might have actually tried to come to the website and not even found the server. In the madness of the last few weeks, I actually hadn't been checking my 4th email account, which coincidentally had been getting "renew your domain" emails for the last three weeks. I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why I couldn't make a blog post or check my email, let alone see a single page of the website. So, I'd like to apologize for the lack of organization, and blog reading you might have had yesterday. I hope everyone will join us again with regular coverage and commentary on our favorite things. Thanks to Jeff at Selectism for trying to help me out as well at Capsule. They have some good coverage of the show worth checking out. *That also means if anybody has emailed me in the last day, it didn't make it through. Thanks to everyone for  understanding.

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Nom de Guerre Anti Exposure Coat

As Nom de Guerre’s spring items start showing up in select retailers, we can get more of an idea of what each item can bring to the table, or your wardrobe. The collection definitely has a lighter feel this spring with a different use of patterns and black and white stripes. The pieces I’m personally more drawn to are the monochromatic outerwear, knits and shirts. This short jacket looks really nice, probably technically sound, and I’m sure it can handle more than just spring weather. The main visible feature would have to be the button down front overtop of the zipper. It’s been extended tastefully and with e nice sized button, the jacket has a very subtle, but different look. The military shirt is now a staple in the Nom de Guerre collection and the light blue color looks great with the sleeves rolled up. Definitely an easy wear for seasons to come.

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