Ralph Lauren Varsity Shorts

Tucked away in Oi Polloi's little stock of classic Ralph Lauren items are these really great vintage looking varsity shorts. They are some of the best I've seen this season, for one of the best prices. The length looks to be just about right and you can't go wrong with the navy blue with the red horse accent. They also happen to have the elastic waist beach shorts I've been looking for. I haven't actually bought anything from Oi Polloi before, mostly because of the UK currency, but these days it's just about on par with the US dollar for Canadians. Between Woolrich Woolen Mills, Engineered Garments and these Ralph Lauren beauties, Oi Polloi has arguably the best selection of casual men's shorts in the world!

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Sartorialude / New York

Mr. Schuman has been a busy guy this past season, making his rounds to the fashion capitals of the western world to take pictures of people who dress well. Sounds like a tough job doesn't it? There is now a little compilation of his top 'pics' from the off-the-runway New York scene on mens.style.com. There are definitely some good looking people wearing some good looking clothes. I seem to like the same colors, materials and general style with my top picks of the Sartorialist's top pics. Of these four, my favorites are the top two images. I love the varsity cardigan and aviator glasses a lot. The other fellow has a nice grasp of the shrunken outfit look and I really like the hint of plaid from the inside of his jacket. Kanye and a couple uber RL guys round out my top choices - really enjoying Kanye's gloves.

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Foot the Coacher

I don't know much about this brand, nor could I find out anything, other than they are hiring manufacturing workers. I have seen some of their bags and boots around different Japanese websites for a while now. They even have a collaboration with Porter under their belt. These new bags on Museum Ark were particularly nice looking. While I like my bags to be about as classic looking as you can get them, I really appreciate some of the different styles that Foot the Coacher have developed. The black leather looks nice and works well with the nice brogue detailinthey seem to work with regularly. The bags, of course aren't that cheap at around $250-500 US, but they are worth looking at, and might be useful inspiration for you bag makers out there.

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If You're Buying...

...and in Paris, you should probably stop by this little concept showroom that will be open for the month of March - and spend the rest of your money. SNS Herning, Gitman Bros. and Mismo have come together to show their fall collections for the remainder of the buying season. Each of these brands are highly specialized and do their own product extremely well. I hope a concept for a showroom like this can work because I really like the idea of presenting the different elements of a wardrobe with a more cohesive feeling, rather than the 'this or that' you find in a lot of tradeshows and showrooms. With great sweaters, beautiful bags and perfect oxford shirts, it would seem there is room for footwear, a trouser and possibly some outerwear to join the ranks. I can think of a couple labels I'd like to see beside these brands, hopefully our market will be able to support good ideas and products.

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Madras Ties

Whether you want to double up on your madras shirt or go with a more subtle shirt, these ties by Engineered Garments are pretty good looking. The navy blues with red and white look really nice in these patterns, which could easily go with a number of oxford shirts. Gitman Vintage also make ties in most of the patterns and materials they make their shirts in, so you can be sure to find a tie version of that great short sleeve shirt out there somewhere as well. I think this spring could see a few bow ties and neck ties incorporated into a lot of looks. There aren't too many better options than seersucker and madras in my opinion.

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Some Rag & Bone Spring

Rag & Bone...it's good right? I have been tittering on the fence in the last couple months with how much I like the brand as a whole - since they won't email me back... I have found that there are usually quite a few pieces each season I like a fair bit, but they either don't fit quite perfect, or are a little bit more than I feel I want to spend on them. I guess that isn't a bad thing, I've just gone to potentially buy something a few times, and it never really works out, so maybe there is a jaded consumer in me somewhere. Either way, I've seen the collection look great in the real world mixed into classic wardrobes of friends and colleagues. I particularly like the cut of the short shawl cardigan. Their shirts are usually quite solid as well, and of course I like the selection of blues quite a bit - the more blues I see together, the more I like blue. Available at Nomad

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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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Russell Mocs for UCS

Russell Mocs are no stranger to making some nice leather footwear. This spring they've teamed up with UCS to come up with a little more sturdy looking moccasin than we're used to seeing by them. The strong off-white sole looks really nice with the black and brown uppers. The leather has a nice nice subtle treatment on both pairs, although I am leaning towards the nice texture the black pair seems to be showing. The shoes feel similar to the Red Wing Wabasha chukkas, but a little more stream-lined. I am really feeling this moccasin chukka style much more than the desert boot right now. The style is a bit different than you'll see on most people's feet and there is definitely a bit of a Japanese vibe to the model, which I'm often drawn to.

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