Just a normal Saturday afternoon. Note giant swan in background.
A Few Of Our Favorite Summer Things…
So far this summer we’ve seen a lot of cool trends and pieces out there for guys. In this post we want to point out a couple simple items that we like.
- Make sure you have a good pair of chinos. For the most part, they are much lighter than denim. You can dress them up with some oxford shoes and blazer or dress them down by rolling the pants just past the ankles and wearing a pair of loafers, boat shoes or Vans. Zac, Ryan and Clay are wearing khaki, green and gray chinos, but there are lots of other colors to choose from in the links provided below.
- In case you didn’t know (which you probably do) oxford dress shoes are back in-style. In the last year, the oxford shoe design has gone from the standard brown and beige colors to all kinds of colors, including neon soles and bright colored laces. In this shoot, Kirk, Ryan and Clay are going a little more “conservative” while Zac is wearing a pair of Cole Haan shoes that are two-tone (canvas and leather).
- Floral/Paisley. We’ve seen this pattern attached to everything from pocket squares to slim fit chinos and short sleeve button ups. We do like this pattern, but it’s a pattern that can easily get out of control and be a little obnoxious, so remember to keep the colors light and simple.
- Pocket squares have been around for a long time, but they are now more popular than ever. There are lots of unique patterns and designs to choose from, but we like to focus more on how to wear them rather than which ones to wear. The traditional way is to fold and place in your suit coat pocket, next to the lapel, but over the last year we’ve tried wearing them a couple different ways. (Above) Kirk has bunched up his square and placed in his dress shirt pocket; Clay has done the same thing except he folded his in a square. Zac is wearing a dark-navy, floral square tucked in his back pocket. If it’s too hot outside, lose the coat and place a square in your button up shirt. This is a great accent piece for any season, but especially Summer, as it’s a way to add “layers” and creativity to an outfit without burning up by wearing real layers.
What are some trends you’ve seen this summer? Below is where you can find some of the items we talked about:
- Chinos – Topman Deep Green Chino $50, Topman Light Grey Chino $50, UNIQLO Chinos $39 (Various Colors), J. Crew $59 (various colors)
- Oxfords – Classic Cole Haan Brown Wingtip $137, Suede Buckingham Shoe $99, Two-Tone Hawkings McGill Oxford $69, 1901 Logan Oxford $99
- Floral Shirts – Alfani ON SALE $27, Long Sleeve Floral $19, Calvin Klein Short Sleeve $26, Dark Blue J.Crew Print $89
- Cotton Squares – Brothers & Craft (More B&C patterns will soon be available at Cloak and Dapper this month, as well as the official Brothers and Craft store later this year)
What are some of your favorite Summer items this year?
Cheers!
7 Summer Loafers Under $100
This summer, loafers will be a big part of men’s style. Below are 7 pairs we found for under $100. Loafers are great, because they don’t require laces, they’re easy to slip on and they’re versatile. You can wear these shoes with shorts, chinos or light suit. Only one rule, make sure you lose the socks!
Show us how you wear them by tagging #brothersandcraft on Instagram!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to Joy Chambers! We are blessed to have you in our lives. From you we have learned a great deal, not only on how to craft, but more importantly on how to live with purpose and love others. Thank you, Mom. We love you.
The Cloak and Dapper Luminaries Social
So grateful to be a part of Cloak and Dapper’s VIP social event last night. Great people, great time and incredible vision. Gents, check out www.cloakanddapper.us for quality, everyday essentials made in the U.S.A. Here’s a couple shots from last night.
Imogene + Willie
Friends, we would like to introduce you to a husband and wife team who are doing some impressive things in the world of denim. They also produce men’s and women’s shirts, pants, accessories, boots, and recreational provisions.
Based out of Nashville, these designers have a unique talent for capturing a kind of wear-and-tear, rugged, All-American look that complements their denim jeans. We love and share that same Southern, homegrown persona they exude. Forming out of an old, rundown gas station, they have built a stable business from the ground up, serving as a model for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create something other people can enjoy.
Watch their story unfold in the video below. Be inspired this Monday.
Friends, meet Imogene + Willie.
The Casual Watch
Today I’m thinking about casual watches. I’ve been eying a number of these to facilitate my resolution this year of dressing casual more often. One brand I keep noticing, whether seeing a friend wearing one or browsing online, is Timex. Yes, you can find Timex at Wal-Mart, but they are killing it in the casual watch department – so much so that J. Crew has started placing them in their stores. I love these watches for several reasons: 1) They look fantastic 2) Interchangeable straps, see below 3) The affordable price point. Do you have a go-to casual watch? Which one below is your favorite?
1. Easy Reader Dk Brown ($65) / 2. Easy Reader Lt Brown ($65) / 3. Unisex Weekender ($37)
4. Red ($37) / 5. Blue ($37) / 6. Orange Stripe ($44.95) / 7. Army ($44.95)
J.Crew Watch Bands
1. Camo ($20) / 2. Brown Leather ($28) / 3. Variety of colors ($20)
Style Profile – Calvin Cearley of Cloak & Dapper
Meet Calvin Cearley, founder of Cloak & Dapper – A Gentleman’s General Store.
Cearley isn’t just a purveyor of fine, American-made goods. He personifies the modern American gentleman, insisting (and we agree) it’s more than how you dress. It includes your speech, manners, friendships, and the provisions that fill your home.
The current renaissance in the men’s clothing and fashion industry is, overall, a good thing. Yet the market is getting crowded. The style conscious man can become disoriented and annoyed while searching through the nonsense for quality pieces to fit his lifestyle.
That’s why we’re excited to talk about Cloak & Dapper (www.cloakanddapper.us).
“The American general store was the primary supplier of the local townsmen’s essentials: clothes, grooming, provisions. Cloak & Dapper is reviving the one stop shop – delivering the highest quality goods crafted in the USA while offering a more simplified shopping experience.”
Cloak & Dapper carries a wide selection of clothing – Like Tellason Jeans and Stevedore button-ups. Accessories from whiskey-scented bar soap and shaving goods to sunglasses and shoe laces. You can even pick up whiskey stones or a deck of playing cards. The magical thing about Cloak & Dapper is that they don’t just have a random assortment of clothing for sale. Every item has been expertly selected by Mr. Cearley. It doesn’t matter what you buy, you’ll love it.
Also, Calvin has supplied our readers with 30% off your first purchase (Sale items included)! Click the pics below, find what you like and use the code “brosandcraft30” at check out.
Last week we had a chance to sit down with Calvin for a few minutes and talk a about his personal style and his general store. To learn more about Calvin and Cloak and Dapper, check out the video below.
Yacht Club Receptions
Here are a few shots from a wedding in Tampa I attended last weekend. The day was overcast so I kept it simple, wearing a navy suit. However, it is spring so I did pep up my look a bit by wearing a sky blue and navy striped shirt with an orange, spotted tie, and a print B&C Cotton Square.
Similar items:
- Suit – DKNY Similar $299, Tommy Hilfiger Similar, Mario Matteo Similar,
- Shoes – Stacy Adams Similar $80, Cole Haan Similar, ALDO Similar,
- Shirt – Brooks Brothers Similar $44, Nordstrom Trim Fit Similar, English Laundry Similar
- Tie – Tie Bar Similar Pattern $15 (great spring color)
- Square – Brothers and Craft (See available options now. Official store launch coming later this year)
- Kirk
Tie Friday
Since work doesn’t allow casual Fridays, I wear a tie instead (hence the title). Today I decided to wear a striped navy tie over a red, white and blue plaid shirt. Everyone has their own style or way of tying ties and what shirts they wear them with. I normally wear striped ties with plain, gingham or plaid shirts and usually use the four-in-hand knot for my tie, keeping the length of the skinny tail the same as the wide tail.
How do you match ties and shirts? What are some different ways you like to tie neckties?
Adapting to Culture
I find it fun to adapt to the regional unique styles around the United States. It’s interesting to look at how the differing cultures shape the way that people dress. I always take it upon myself to bring my style with me wherever I go, but also to adjust it in order to participate in the culture of that place.
Recently I was in Texas and I ended up visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards (Pictured Above). Men at the Stockyards wear their their riding boots and faded western shirts. I wasn’t going to wear a cowboy hat and chew straw, pretending to be someone I’m not, but it seemed to be a good occasion to utilize my Chukka boots. Chukka boots are versatile. They can be worn to look rugged. They can be worn to look sharp. Wherever you go, Chukkas seem to be in style. If you find a quality pair of leather Chukka boots, know that they are a worthy investment and will be durable/long lasting.
1) Chukka Boots – ASOS Brogue Chukkas (Similar), Clarks Suede (Similar), Timberland Chukkas (Similar).
2) Slim Gray Pants – Slim Skinny Dickies (Similar) $33.99, Levi’s Slim Straight Corduroy (Similar) $29.99!
What are some other articles of clothing that you have found to be culturally versatile?
-Zac
For our friends still trapped in the cold….
Yesterday we posted a pair of kicks you’ll most likely need for your everyday casual spring look. We do realize that not everyone has escaped the cold yet, so for those of you still bundling up on a daily basis, this is for you.
This is one outfit Clay is wearing to keep warm. Clay currently lives in New York City.
- Hooded Rain Jacket – Similar $26, Similar O’Niell ON SALE $54
- Black H&M Chinos – $29
- Brown Clarks Boots – Similar Black Pair (ON SALE)!
- Scarf – Similar ON SALE $6!
- Kenneth Cole Bag – Similar ALDO Bag ON SALE $34, Similar Topman Bag $76
Warm Weather Kicks
The weather is finally warming up. I’ve got my boardshorts, tank top, and plimsoll sneakers; I’m ready for the beach.
-Zac
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Plimsoll Sneakers – $18 or 2 Pairs for $30
