LOOK | Weekend Wears

We've had some great weather in Vancouver this week. The sun has peaked out again for the most part and the temperature has been quite pleasant. It's made for a little break from rain coats and umbrellas and it's nice to not worry about what shoes to wear. Saturday was particularly nice as Owen and I rolled around town to a couple vintage furniture shops, checked out the soon-to-open Haven shop and of course spent some time packing magazines. Staying warm and comfortable are usually wardrobe requirements, but even more so on the weekend, so it was turtleneck time for me. I've had the most luck with the high necked knit when layering it over a flannel and letting the collar poke out the top and bottom for a nice bit of pattern and texture. I've been wearing the Workaday cords most days of the week in one colour or another, so that isn't much of a surprise. Since the sun has been missing there has been no time for no socks, but today was just warm enough to slip the peanut grizzly Quoddy's back on, and how good they feel. The red Inverallan cap was thrown on when the sun dipped below the horizon and there you have a handful of clothes I wore on a Saturday.

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LOOK | An Unlikely Pairing

While each of these items have probably already been seen on this blog, there is always a new way to mix things together and think about how to pair them. I wouldn't usually think of wearing a bow tie with field pants and ring boots, but I feel like the casual BD shirt in white is perfect for the style of bow tie, yet 'ties' in very well with the cargo pants. The heavy cardigan tops things off with a heavy layer and a dark enough tone to make the rest of the look feel ready for a fall day. I don't think this is a look for everyone, but I think it can be pulled off and it could at least be worth trying at home. Getting dressed is supposed to be a fun event, or at least I like to think it is. Stepping outside of the norm, or at least your own norm is a good idea once in awhile. There are often little things we might not have thought we'd be happily wearing today, but we are, and it's because we gave them a try and it worked – it lead to something else. So be it a bow tie or a pair of ring boots or an unlikely combination, it's all about the calculated risk and fun of it. — The Items Inverallan for Inventory Cardigan Alexander Olch for Inventory Bow Tie Woolrich Woolen Mills Upland Shirt Woolrich Woolen Mills Field Pants Quoddy Ring Boots Wm J Mills Tote Bag

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Ring Boots

I posted some Ring Boots by Quoddy in the last 'LOOK' update, and it was interesting to read the comments about people's preferences on which ring boot they like the most. I tracked down a few different models which I like the look of, but as a shoe I would be very particular about, I think the Quoddy or Yuketen would be my first choice. In fact, Yuketen make this ring boot with their crepe sole as well which is even better. Than cut of the ankle, the colour of the leather, the size of the mid-sole, the leather used and of course the type of sole are all things to consider. I'm not overly excited by some of the shoes with crepe soles climbing their way up and over the foot, but I think the balance and shape of the crepe on Quoddy's ring boot is just right. The sole on Arrow Mocs might be too thin for some, and wear out quickly. I might switch our their chrom-pac leather for something lighter or more pliable, such as something Yuketen uses. When it comes down to it, there are elements of each that I quite like, and maybe it will be possible to combine them in the future. In the meantime, I'd be interested to hear what style of ring boots you most like? I'm not even sure I've seen anyone wearing ring boots around the city to be honest, so do you even like any of these? —

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LOOK | An EG Affair

It's no secret that Engineered Garments is probably my favorite brand these days. I just find that their pieces fit me and my lifestyle perfectly. From the variety of jackets, to the materials offered, to the small details in tags, collars and buttons – nothing feels overdone, out of place or unconsidered. I started throwing this look together and I didn't mean for it to be all Engineered Garments, but just like getting dressed in real life, it seems to be a common theme. I've been dying for a nice down vest to wear over a sport coat and the EG vest and Baker jacket couldn't be a better pair in my opinion. Throw in brown Workaday cords, a broadcloth 19th Century BD and a rare but ideal EG tote bag and you're set. The two other pieces come courtesy of Quoddy for the crepe sole ring boots and Inverallan made the kit cap – which will be available next week in the Stockroom.

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Quoddy Pebbled Slip on

For those of you not ready to step into the realm of the loafer, Quoddy's pebbled leather slip on might be a good option this spring. The east coast American footwear brand has definitely been gaining some steam in the last few seasons with collaborations with Albam and Rogues Gallery. It is their own in-house collection that really does it for me however. Their bluchers, boat shoes and ring mocs are really beautiful shoes with the hand made quality a lot of us are looking for these days. For some reason South Willard seems to be the only shop the carries their collection and seem to have an exceptionally good retail price as well. I'm not sure how it works that they retail them for less than they are to order from Quoddy, but either way it's good. The slip on is a pretty versatile shoe that you could wear as slippers, with chinos and maybe even 'tha club' if you were so inclined. The pebbled black leather is a great touch and beautiful finish, I would recomend to anybody looking to buy and wear shoes.

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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

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