A Summer Suit

Engineered Garments have come up with a few fairly interesting patterns in their spring collection. This red, navy and yellow plaid isn't one of the most out there, but wearing it as a full suit isn't that easy to pull off. Fortunately the 100% organic cotton Madras gives the look a great texture and the colors probably couldn't be better. The lightweight fabric has a high thread count, and has been making a nice comeback the last couple summers. I'm personally quite a fan of the feeling of the cotton, and I really like the look of it layered with whites and khakis. While this outfit might seem a little over the top in a flat image, I feel like with a white oxford or the right T shirt, rolled up pants and some leather loafers, it could be a great look for a semi formal occasion in the warm months. I suppose Visvim was able to pull off the head to toe madras plaid in their recent trip to Cuba, so why not you in these great Engineered Garments pieces?

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Layered Coats

The layered coats have been showing up in good places the last month or two. First in Junya Wantanabe' fall presentation, and more recently on Mr. Schuman's blog. While I do like a lot of the Junya looks from his recent show, its the photos of real life men wearing the layered coats that has me a bit more into the look. Both of these gentlemen have gone with a jacket or coat that is cropped shorter than their sport coat underneath. I haven't really seen this too often but the result is really nice. It feels a little bit fresh with the use of blue, purple and grey and the navy, khaki and pattern combination is just about perfect as well. Both of the looks are great for dressing down otherwise more formal items and also help avoid having to wear a heavy coat which can be a nuisance at times. You won't be able to pull this off for too long as the weather gets warmer, so take advantage of the next few weeks or great clothes wearing weather.

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Grid Systems in Graphic Design

Grid Systems in Graphic Design was written by Josef Muller-Brockmann and published back in 2001. To any graphic designers out there this book is not going to be breaking news, but I did think it is pretty interesting that the book just popped up on Colette's online shop. I guess information can be pretty cool, as long as its well designed. The book has been known as the bible on working with grids for graphic designers and type setters. It's a great book, and one of the few I've actually read through on the topic. I was recommended the book by a really talented designer, Chris Allen, who I've since learned much more from, but the book also gave me a perspective on the art I really needed. While h(y)r collective still needs a lot of work in the long run, I can pretty much give credit to Mr. Muller-Brockmann for the magazine having any sort of structure. I need to read this again. Also available at You Work for Them

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Band of Outsiders FW

It feels like there has been a bit of an overload in the last month between from of the fall collections showing in Milan, Paris, Sweden and now with New York getting well underway. It's hard to take time out and look through every collection and every piece when we won't even be able to wear it for half a year. I think for myself, there are definitely a handful of pieces I have my sights set on already, but know knows by the time fall comes around. While Band of Outsiders usually does have a couple stand out pieces as well, I find I end up taking more from the color combination and general styling than from specific items. Maybe it's because I can't afford Band of Outsiders and it doesn't fit me? Anyways, the fall collection looks about right from what I've come to expect from the LA designer, Scott Sternberg. With the looks becoming slightly more cropped, we see some great rusty reds, camels and heathered greys. Some of the interesting choices are the grey sweat pants and going with all clip on ties. This fall I am looking forward to some double breasted action and it appears Band of Outsiders has answered the call with a great classic looking coat with gold buttons. As well, we can see more of the fall Sperry collaboration, however the grey ankle deck shoe didn't make it into the look book, but it might make it into my closet. Again, images via Mens.Style.com

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Preventi Shoes

In the past week the Preventi suede oxfords have come up in a couple of posts and a lot of readers seem to be liking them as much as I am. The sand and navy suede models are available on at Museum Ark as far as I can tell, with a price around $295US and sizes 40, 41 and 42. So the chances are, you're out of luck. The Spanish footwear brand recently showed at Pitti Uomo, but otherwise have a lack of information online. Their other models seem to be fairly nice worn in looking wingtips and casual dress shoes, but no sign of the oxfords. Now, it is quite possible these are made for the Japanese market as it seems a lot of brands gear sub collections towards. So for now it looks like Japan is the only source with only 3 sizes in each color.

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Patrik Ervell FW09

I really love Patrik Ervell's fall collection, the good parts. There are definitely a lot of pieces that aren't for me. A lot of the nylon, track jacket, shiny pieces just aren't for me. But when it comes to the speckled wool blazers, coats and knit sweaters, I'm in love. After looking through his collection in New York a couple weeks ago I knew it was going to be one of my favorites for fall. I had also known there would be a Common Projects collaboration but this is my first time seeing it. The lace-less officer shoe looks pretty great in the great in white and grey and compliments the collection really well. For me the wool over coat, sport coat pants and knits are the top picks and I am going to start saving up now. Yes he used a couple females for his mens show, yes they looked good, and yes I still want the pieces. Thanks to Mens.style for the images.

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Red Wing Shoe Company FW09

It might be a little hard to get excited about Red Wing Shoe Company's fall offering as they have pretty much done the same boots for several decades now. One thing that is worth looking forward to is that the Wabasha collection will be landing in North America. I'm really a fan of this chukka boot, as I noted earlier, so I'm happy to know it will be available stateside in the near future. Also the company will be adding the chunky sole to the 875, as we saw J. Crew do together last year. A lot of people have been putting Red Wing on the top of the 'trendy work wear' list but I still have no problem wearing mine several times a week. It's a great American brand that has contributed a lot to the US and continues to make great boots today. Work wear trend or not, come this fall, I am definitely standing behind (and in) Red Wing. The collection will be showing at Capsule, LV next week. Photos by Jacob Krupnick

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Rugby by Ralph Lauren

So far this spring I haven't seen very much from the RL collections that I have been very excited about. For the most part it's been a lot of bright colored polos, which I know are staples. The fall season had so many great coats and sweaters, how can they really keep it up in the spring? Well, this package of rowing inspired gear for the Rugby line is a pretty good way. The varsity cardigan is really nice. I love the stripe on the arm and the big 'R' makes sense with Ralph as well as Ryan. The baseball style jacket is actually pretty nice as well. I normally wouldn't like the writing on it, but for some unknown reason Ralph Lauren can pull it off. Lastly, the best. Well it just looks great. Canvas and leather with classic detailing, how can you go wrong? Available at Colette.

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