Purchased: Engineered Garments Field Parka

I didn't really have the money for this right now, but I'll be getting paid in a couple days and I sold a couple things recently so that's my justification. That, and I've been thinking about this field parka by Engineered Garments for several months. I really decided I need a field/mountain parka last fall and just couldn't find the right color or model on eBay or anywhere else. I have always liked navy blue, but now more than ever. It goes with everything and always will. The heavy cotton jacket will definitely serve as an all-season light coat in BC weather for a few years to come. The toggles, the big buttons and the serious zipper make the jacket feel really solid too. I like having the waist draw string as well to cinch off once in awhile. The jacket follows the traditional stying as most of EG's collection does - four main front pockets with the vertical back pocket mean I won't run out of places to carry things, while the jacket still feels perfectly balanced and not over-pocketized, as we've seen a few pieces this season. All in all, I'm really happy with the parka, and I can stop wishing I had it and start enjoying it. Available at Jonathan+Olivia, Odin and Oi Polloi.

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Engineered Garments Madras Plaid Pants

I've definitely gotten used to the more loose fitting pants Engineered Garments have been producing, and I am really enjoying the comfort and casual look. This spring however, they are offering a much more slim fitting madras pant. They come in a khaki and this really nice looking navy blue and black plaid. The pants feel nice and light to the touch and would be really ideal in the summer months if you are less inclined to wear shorts. I like the look of the cinch in the back and the split waist band, as most EG pants have. Plaid pants can look really great at times, but are another item that can be easy to make look bad as well. These are probably some of the most subtle plaid pants you'll find, and with the lightweight madras cotton, probably one of my top picks for the season ahead. *These are just begging to be rolled and worn with some broken in loafers

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Essential: The Spring Workshirt

This piece by Engineered Garments have become in staple in the last few seasons. Coming in different materials and weights, the shirt never stops looking great. This spring the work shirt will be coming in a great chambray material, washed down to just the right tone and including all of the perfect details. The elbow patch stitching, complimentary pockets, red button and classic EG cut all make this a spring must have - if you don't already have it. A number of brands of done renditions of the shirt, but I haven't seen one better than Engineered Garments. This shirt would be really versatile as well, going with chinos, denim or shorts - you can layer the crap out of it, or just wear it on it's lonesome. Put it on the list. Available at Nepenthes and Jonathan+Olivia.

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Engineered Garments Spring Shorts

Shorts are usually a tough item for me to buy. I know I'm probably not going to wear them a ton, but I definitely still want them to look great. So how much money is reasonable to pay for some shorts? $60, $150? Engineered Garments have a few pairs of shorts this spring that all look pretty good. From Madras to chambray, from the shorter Norwegian drill short to the slightly longer fatigue shorts. I am quite a fan of all of the colors, materials and cuts. I am willing to go with a little bit shorter short, if its within reason. I think this cream pair is a little more wearable than some people are finding Thom Browne's fall shorts to be. Of course, Engineered Garments shorts run you close to $200, so it really comes down to how much wear you can get out of them. Available at Museum Ark and Jonathan+Olivia.

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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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Walk Off Pt. II

Now, please don't get too mad at my outfit this time...But round 2 of the Walk Off series is now up on Blacklodges. This time Mr. Vogel was just facilitating the battle as I took on Nick and Chris Schonberger. The east coast brothers seem to be bracing for cold weather, hunting large animals, rain (at the strip club) and some basketball. Blue seems to be the color of spring 09 so I went with a lot of different blues for my look. I think it's still an extremely easy to wear composition that would do well anytime, anywhere. Of course the chinos would be rolled and the comfort level would be high. I had to include a couple of my favorite items that got blogged in the last week as well since they've stayed on my mind. That cardigan is killing me though. For the price I know I couldn't even get it for 50% probably, but the suede bucks are in stock in my size, for a more manageable price... Black Lodges / Walk Off Pt. II

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Engineered Garments, Aoyama

We first caught wind a couple months ago that with the release of the spring collection Engineered Garments would be opening up their first free standing retail location, now it's here and open. Well, unfortunately it's not here, it's in Japan. But the shops minimal aesthetic, light tones, wood furniture and open space allows the collection to breath nicely. There is a true art to retail which few folks outside of Japan have really accomplished. It is their educated market and demand for high quality details and experiences that pushes that level and it is unfortunate we don't demand the same level here. Anyways, the store does look great, along with the collection - what else did you expect? It's hard to tell where the images are actually from so thanks to Hypebeast for the update.

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Favorite Piece: Patrik Ervell Coat

This is my favorite item I have seen for fall 09 so far. There have been some great collections and pieces from all of the brands I mentioned quite regularly here. Nobody has disappointed me yet which is a great sign of things moving forward and becoming even more refined. Nom de Guerre, Common Projects, Engineered Garments and Our Legacy are definitely among my top picks. However Patrik Ervell keeps coming up with items that I really like. This button up coat in a speckled wool in both a blue and a camel color is my favorite piece I've seen so far.  The big pockets, the buttons and the great collar combined with a really subtle and casual silhouette and perfect colors are putting it on top of the list. I haven't really seen a lot of jackets with the same shape that have en executed so well. Definitely one of the things I'm already looking forward to, and trying to get somebody to order for me...

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