Baracuta for Margaret Howell

For the most part Baracuta's collaborations and the end products have all be great. Working with Beams, Junya Watanabe and Margaret Howell alone are some of the best names in the world, add in J.Crew on their current run and there are some great looking G9s and G4s available. I particularly like this light color, light weight version for Margaret Howell. The lining is a nice change of pace and sits perfectly with their woven labels. It's an interesting choice to go with the G3 model but this color lends itself well to a year round wear while being the ideal layer for the months ahead.

Click to read more ...

Baracuta for Beams Plus

Long time collaborators Baracuta and Beams Plus have teamed up again this spring to release a pair of G9 models specially made for the Japanese brand. Both jackets come in a lighter weight cotton and are definitely ideal spring versions of the classic jacket. The black watch plaid definitely caught my eye at first, but the other jacket, which seems to be a sort of linen, also looks like it might be very good, and little bit more unique. Working with Baracuta allows you just enough freedom to put your stamp on their iconic outwear, but I like to think it's a product that would be hard to mess up.

Click to read more ...

Baracuta G9 Black watch

Baracuta's presence has definitely seen a well deserved rise in popularity this year, mainly via the classic G9 model. I've been wearing the slim G9 regularly for the last couple of seasons and look forward to the arrival of a G4 in the near future. However while browsing ASOS, I came across this special make up with the Black watch plaid on the exterior. As I've mentioned, it's one of my favorite patterns and is subtle enough that it works really well on the Made in England G9. The colours are perfect for fall and if I was on the market for another Baracuta or a plaid jacket, this would have to be a front runner.

Click to read more ...

Want: Baracuta G4

This is one of those items that have sparked a desire deep within and rather than falling by the wayside as the blog posts pile up, it has grown stronger. Baracuta's G9 definitely receives most of the attention from the family. Recently we saw Junya pull the G4 from it's stepchild position into the spotlight. However its the khaki colored slim cut G4 that has my attention. The jacket currently comes in two colors I'd like to own, navy blue and the lighter tan, both come in the tradition Teflon fabric with the original Fraser Tartan lining. Although these look great and I would be happy with either, I really want this jacket in a slightly softer, more natural cotton. A mid-weight khaki cotton twill with either the Fraser Tartan or perhaps a Blackwatch plaid would really put the touches on my perfect casual short jacket. We'll see what we can do about that, but until then you're probably best off ordering from the website. Other features include side adjusters, adjustable cuffs, 2 front button pockets all for £160.

Click to read more ...

Spring Buyers Guide: 8/64

Well I just finished clicking through the highly extensive Buyers Guide for Spring 09 put together by Mens.Style.com and several of the top stores in the USA, from big to small. First off I would like to say thanks to Steven Torres for taking a lot of really nice product shots, along with the rest of team over there. It was well done for the most part. I guess my bone picking is more directed to the buyers featured in the article. Now I'm not running a store, not trying to pump up my own zebra pattern collaboration or buying for a huge department store, so my opinion is just that, my opinion. I do feel like I have a pretty good idea of what looks good and what I might actually think about buying. No I'm not in a huff because nobody picked anything by Engineered Garments. But I went through the whole feature and only pulled 8 out of the 60-something products. For the most part it was the smaller shops that had the items I liked, unsurprisingly. Odin, Blackbird, South Willard, Opening Ceremony and Jake all came through with an item or two. So what are the top picks that will save you clicking your mouse 73+ times? Woolrich Woolen Mills Upland jacket, Patrik Ervell grey blazer, Kolor double breasted blazer, Common Projects canvas safari boots, Quoddy blutchers, Our Legacy cable knit, Band of Outsiders plaid shorts and the blue corduroy YSL shorts. There you go, that's all you need this spring, notice how they all even look good together. ------------ Turns out Ryan and I wrote a post on the same thing at the same time, so for what it's worth here's how I feel about it. GQ's buyers guides are generally good. Their shop selection is good, each owner/buyer's picks are usually pretty good and it's always interesting to hear their forecasts. However, their latest installment for Spring is not bad, but slightly frustrating. Everyone knows the state of the economy, so I agree with quotes like these: "Spring 2009 is the next stage in the evolution of the modern, style-conscious man's wardrobe, and one that focuses on investment pieces." and, "...invest in must-have fashion that is memorable and adds value." They make sense, we as consumers should be buying smarter. Which is why I'm confused as to how one could consider a $275 deconstructed sweater (aka 2 sweaters cut in half and sewn back together) or a $1,715 blazer with paint splattered on it a good wardrobe investment. Unfortunately there are a handful of other not so great picks. I get that the guide is a marketing tool for these stores but it's not that hard to select items for promotion that are actually smart buys; just like most of the independent boutiques did. In addition to the stuff above, I don't mind the look of the Acne x Lanvin overcoat (but denim?) and the Marc Jacobs bomber (I'd rather a Baracuta though) for those inevitable spring showers. I'll give them half a point each to make it 9/64. -OP

Click to read more ...