Filed under Men

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.

 

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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?

 021388c8b4d959d9ad05b886760a033fTimex Easy Reader

1.  Easy Reader Dk Brown ($65) / 2. Easy Reader Lt Brown ($65) / 3. Unisex Weekender ($37)

f1617a3221b67ea817b3ae1af6b47a1923662e7a4065c89595e2313c4ea0ed57d8cddf6554a68a2a628dd45242452535Timex---Weekender-Olive-Slip-Through-Strap-Watch-Silver---Jewelry

4. Red ($37) / 5. Blue ($37) / 6. Orange Stripe ($44.95) / 7. Army ($44.95)

bd7de7ed4b8ce24169619f4130d9b3672730a4e6f3fac98621a431d86cc12669Timex Watch

J.Crew Watch Bands

1. Camo  ($20) /   2. Brown Leather  ($28) /   3. Variety of colors ($20)

 

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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.

Calvin Cearley Cloak and Dapper Interview

Calvin Cearley Cloak and Dapper Interview

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).

Cloak and Dapper Store - Men's Style

“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.

Freeway Brown Smoke Sunglasses Cloak and Dapper Cloak and Dapper Henley White Oak Whiskey Bar Soap Cloak and Dapper

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.

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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:

- Kirk

photo 4

photo 1

Yacht Club

Brothers and Craft Pocket Square

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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?

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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.

IMG_2032_Adrian_Local

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.

  1. Hooded Rain Jacket – Similar $26, Similar O’Niell ON SALE $54
  2. Black H&M Chinos – $29 
  3. Brown Clarks Boots – Similar Black Pair (ON SALE)!
  4. Scarf – Similar ON SALE $6!
  5. Kenneth Cole Bag – Similar ALDO Bag ON SALE $34, Similar Topman Bag $76

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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

//

Plimsoll Sneakers – $18 or 2 Pairs for $30

IMAG0488_Aladin_Sunday

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Coat and No Socks = Perfect

The weather is perfect tonight (3/14/13). It’s cool enough to wear a coat but warm enough to go sock less. Sounds oxymoronic? Maybe so, but it’s working for me.

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Spring is near…

Spring is right around the corner for most people. If you live in Florida you know it actually began in December. No, really. On Sunday it was 80 friggin’ degrees in Orlando! That got me thinking about warm weather clothes.

There are two items that I recently acquired and I can already tell I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of them this Spring and Summer – my Vans Authentic sneakers and tapered shorts.

Ryan Chambers - Spring Attire

I used to think Vans were just for skaters and punk band rockers, but over the past year or two the brand has shown a casual and even preppy side. I like them because they’re versatile and they come in virtually every color. I picked up the ones in the photo from J.Crew. You’re going to see these a lot this year, guaranteed. If you already own a pair, try adding leather laces to change the look of them!

Tapered shorts. I’ve always been “skinny”. Growing up, other kids made fun of me and called me names like ‘chicken legs’. I always dreaded warm weather because I never liked how I looked in shorts – always two wide in the legs, even if they fit in the waste. Often, I would sweat it out in pants to spare myself the embarrassment. So tapered shorts mean a lot to me! I picked up these at JC Penney and they’re part of Buffalo’s exclusive JCP line. Luckily tapered shorts look great on pretty much anyone.

Tapered Shorts:

1. i Jeans by Buffalo (JC Penney) $35  /  2. Levi’s 508 $54  /  3. Levi’s 508 twill (Via Amazon) $29.99

Vans sneakers:

1. J.Crew $60  /  2. Vans (Zappos – tons of variety!) $45-55, Free Shipping

Leather Laces:  J.Crew $6

 Ryan Chambers - Spring Attire

Ryan Chambers - Spring Attire

 

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Must Have Under $15 – Shaving Brush

Gents, unless you live in the mountains or work for yourself, shaving is an everyday task in which we must comply. There are some essentials when it comes to a good shave, and this Tweezerman shaving brush is one of them. I bought one a couple weeks ago and it has made a huge difference. Shaving brushes do many things, but most importantly they spread the shaving cream or lather evenly on your face while helping soften and raise the facial hair evenly. Why is that it important? When the facial hairs are raised evenly, you will not need to press the razor against your skin for a close shave, thus reducing the amount of razor burn.

These brushes can range from $10 all the way to $100, but this particular one falls at $12. It’s 100% Badger hair and a great buy. If you don’t already use one, I would strongly encourage you to try it out.

What kind of product or utensils do you use for a close shave?

- Kirk

Tweezerman Badger Hair Men's Shaving Brush

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Clay in NYC. Layered Blues and Punch Toe-Cap Shoes

This is Clay on an ordinary day. He’s in New York City attending The King’s College. While his absence from the rest of the brothers in Florida makes it difficult for him to contribute on a regular basis, sometimes he sends us a few snapshots from his day. This is one of them.

Concept:

1. Layer your blues. Here he’s wearing a light blue, tweed sports coat over a dark-wash denim shirt. (links below)
2. Buy some Oxford calf leather shoes featuring a punched toe cap design. (links below)

Without detracting much from the formality of dress, punch toe cap designs add some additional personality.

Sports Coat: 1. Similar / 2. Similar / 3. Similar / 4. Similar

Brown Punch Toe Shoes (really, regular Wing Tips work too!): 1. Similar ($68) / 2. Similar (wing tip) / 3. Similar (slick but pricey!)

 

 

Textured Button Up – Thrift

Here’s another post where you can tell we’re in a warm climate. But Spring is on its way so you can rock something similar very soon!

In this shot Kirk is wearing a unique blue and green striped/textured button up (thrift find) over a simple, off-white T-shirt. Try wearing something similar and don’t feel obligated to button your shirt all the way down. Pair with some slim fit trousers and oxfords with no socks. Alternate the pattern/color button up with a different color T or V-neck.

Textured Button Up Mens Thrift Kirk Chambers Brothers and Craft

Texture Button Up Shirt (could easily be denim or other color! Stay away from plaid, it’s too hipster for this look) – 1. Old Navy Chambray $18 / 2. Levi’s (denim) / 2. Levi’s (other) / 3. Nordstrom 1901 /

Slim Fit Trousers – 1. J.Crew Chino (great lineup – doesn’t have to be khaki!) / 2. Levi’s 511 Slim / 3. Club Monaco /

 

Textured Button Up Mens Thrift Kirk Chambers Brothers and Craft

Bold Wave-Striped Pocket Square and Tweed Coats

It’s Winter, but in Florida it still feels like Fall (at least on the days it doesn’t feel like Spring! Confusing? Yeah.). Regardless, if the weather is cool/cold outside it’s a perfect time to experiment with a tweed blazer. Tweed is all about the texture which announces casual yet sophisticated look.

Here is Zach wearing a riding-style tweed sports coat, looking like an urban version of a country gentleman. The focal point of this outfit is the bold wave-striped pocket square. The pattern of the tweed gently contrasts with that of the pocket square, causing it to stand out, but not overwhelm.

Zac Chambers Bold Wave Stripe Pocket Square Tweed Coat Brothers and Craft

Zac Chambers Bold Wave Stripe Pocket Square Tweed Coat Brothers and Craft

Zac Chambers Bold Wave Stripe Pocket Square Tweed Coat Brothers and Craft

Wool Textured Cardigan – Thrift

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Gents, here is an epic thrift find by Zac. He picked up this vintage Ralph Lauren Cardigan for $6 at a small town thrift store this Winter and it has been making the rest of the brothers jealous ever since!

This style of cardigan became trendy again in the last few years. My favorite thing about it is the versatility. You can dress up in it or go casual (clearly Zac wears it while traveling through the land of Narnia!). These designs are still making appearances on the runway from NYC to Milan. This style won’t be going away any time soon.

Do you own one like it? Is it your style?

Here’s what he’s wearing (similar):

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Zac Chambers Brothers and Craft Thrift Ralph Lauren Cardigan

Photo Cred: Kirk Chambers of Brothers and Craft

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