Men's Style

Ebay Find: Sold Out Navy Penfield Stapleton Jacket

I was ecstatic when Massachusetts-based Penfield launched this color combination of their classic Stapleton jacket back in November of last year. It looks purple, but it's actually navy. The color is smart, fresh and fits well with the old-school leather shoulder yokes and patch pockets. Cleverly, they only produced 50 of these bad boys, and it soon became a nearly impossible-to-find cult item, especially after a mention in GQ.  What's nice is that it fits closer than your average down coat and therefore feels very current. The big down jackets I was brought up with could swallow this thing whole without doing nearly as good a job protecting you from the elements. Here are some specifics: Teflon coated 60/40 cotton nylon, 255g of premium 80/20 goose down, water resistant and windproof fabric. It retailed for $264. Bidding here starts at $199 on a size XL and ends February 21, at 9:46 PM EST. Good luck!

Congrats to Billy Reid, GQ's Best New Menswear Designer in America

I'm pleased to join the chorus congratulating Billy Reid on this honor. I have frequently highlighted his footwear in this space, and now I'll tell you a little bit about his line in general and some of his other handsome creations. When you look at Billy Reid's designs, you get a distinct sense of the persona and character of the pieces themselves: the effortlessness of Southern charm. Based in Alabama, Reid has a down-home approach to producing fine quality clothing and accessories and imbues his line with a slow, sweet, bourbony feeling (which, incidentally they will serve you from the bar in back of his East Village store). He produces everything from handmade suits and ties to his eponymous sport shirts and jeans. He even did a quirky red union suit with hunting-themed patches that Bloomingdales had to reorder five times last year! One of my favorite pieces in his current collection is the plaid shirt above (my photo skills unfortunately do not do justice to the warmth of the purple or the richness of the forest green). The unusual color combination is masculine and distinctly appealing. It's a stepped-up version of the more common Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean alternatives. More images of Billy Reid looks, including the union suit and a bright orange and white plaid shirt that's not for the faint-hearted, below.Congrats Billy...well played.

Bruno Cucinelli Vest: the Perfect Layering Piece

I think I love this vest. No, I do love this vest, and I would like it to be my Valentine. It is perfection personified in the form of a grey Bruno Cucinelli vest for Spring. Yes, at $1245 this piece is no joke, so it certainly is not for everyone, but here's why I like it: made of 100% virgin wool (the lining is cotton), its mix of suiting fabric with the more casual outerwear vest style is dead-on. You can dress it down with jeans and an easy shirt underneath or dress it up with a classy button down and dress pants. It's a more tasteful alternative to the ubiquitous fleece/down vest and will easily work with all different outfits. I can't stop thinking of all the possibilities! Bruno Cucinelli's NYC store is located at 379 Bleecker St (212-627-9202).

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for the Budget-Conscious Procrastinator

While I am not normally one to buy into Valentine's Day sentimentality, it's always a nice feeling when that day comes along and someone has thought of you. Here are a few last minute, budget-friendly ideas if you haven't yet gotten anything for the lady in your life, and you're not quite up for a trip to Victoria's Secret..Inexpensive Fashion JewelryFree People caught my eye recently with their budget-friendly prices and Russian-gypsy-meets-grunge-girl aesthetic. You can't go wrong with the Shashi Bracelet ($69.95; times must be tough over at Free People if they're using bracelet models with hairy arms...if your lady presents a similar situation, you may want to throw in some bleach as well), or the Freemont Bib Necklace ($29.95). Each is a lovely, unique and fashion-forward piece that will have her wondering where you could have dug up such a fabulous find..I'm also very into J. Crew's statement-making fashion jewelry collection. A number of pieces are currently on sale. One I particularly love for both its look and price is the Petal-and-Pearl Necklace ($34.99) below. The ribbon tie allows her to adjust the length to her liking..One note about fashion jewelry: it's best not to buy inexpensive rings. They tarnish readily, and can therefore turn one's finger green. Trust me, nothing looks busted up quite like a green tarnish line encircling your finger..Cook Her Dinner!Head over to your local fish market and pick up a slab of fresh tuna steak. A total of 12 ounces should be plenty. On the way home, grab a bottle of white wine and some fresh herbs -- basil, chervil, thyme, oregano...anything you can find that doesn't look totally anemic, seeing that we are in the dead of winter. Rub the tuna with the chopped up herbs, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and sear in a pan with a turn of olive oil at high heat for 1-2 minutes per side. Finish with a squeeze of lemon. (There is no better way to enjoy a tuna steak than when it's practically raw in my opinion, but you might want to ask her if she prefers it better done.) For dessert, my dear friend and soon to be cookbook author, Luisa Weiss (aka The Wednesday Chef) suggests Bret Thompson's utterly bewitching Double Chocolate Cookies. They are the sexiest, most grown-up tasting cookie I have ever had the pleasure of indulging in. Easy to make, they're essentially just butter, eggs, sugar, flour and a boatload of chocolate.

Photo credit: The Wednesday Chef

.Street Vendor Essential OilsYes, buying scents for another person is very personal, and I would only recommend this option if you've been dating for at least six months. With that caveat out of the way, I will now tell you about one of my all-time favorite scents: Egyptian Musk. I cannot praise this fragrance enough. It's light and clean but still feminine, and it always draws compliments. The beauty of Egyptian Musk is that you can get it very inexpensively. If you live in Manhattan, you can get it from one of the incense and oil sellers on the street, or elsewhere from an African American beauty supply store or online here. The stuff is cheap enough that if she doesn't like it, you'll only be out a few bucks. Please forgive the peculiar-borderline-frightening image. I couldn't help myself...A Coupon Book!My least expensive yet most creative idea is the handmade coupon book. Here you make little slips of paper for things like "one free I'll do your laundry," and so forth (why not go R-rated here as well?). If you're on a budget, you'll still really impress her with the thought you put into this one. You can personalize it with all those nice things you've been meaning to do for her all year long but haven't really felt like (let's be honest!) or gotten to......If you're flying solo this Valentine's Day, and you've made it thus far through this blog post, you deserve to get something nice for yourself. Why not? A colorful striped J. Press ribbon belt ($39.50) is the perfect way to inject a little breezy color and life into your look. It's a shot in the arm for stale office wear: you can pair it with jeans and khakis of course, but also try it with dress pants and a solid button-down for a playful but subtle twist on the expected.

Rathie Spies: Brooklyn Industries Jacket Sale Alert

In case you made it this far through the season without a Winter coat... I spotted this cozy down jacket at Brooklyn Industries on the way to a Super Bowl party last night. When you're a Patriots fan, you're allowed to procrastinate en route to watching two teams who dominated you this season. Anyway, this jacket was on sale at the Brooklyn Industries on 8th Ave in NYC for $69.99. What a deal! It also comes in navy, although I prefer the utilitarian nature of the army green. While it does feel a little off to be talking about Spring ties in one post and Winter coats in the next, this price was too good not to share. Enjoy!

A $30 Tie For Spring From H&M

H&M just got a new shipment of ties, and this one for $29.99 may be my favorite. The green is eye-catching without being garish. It makes me think of Spring: fresh and clean with green grass and the start of baseball season! I would pair it with a navy suit, white shirt as shown, and if you're feeling it, a pair of patterned socks with yellow-gold in them like these.While Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow on Groundhog day this past Monday, here in New York, Staten Island Chuck saw his...encouraging news as I don't think I can wait another six weeks!

Rathie Spies: Bloomingdales Sale...My Enthusiasm for Boots Cannot Be Curbed

I have made no secret of my obsession with men's boots. I was therefore understandably amped to find many of my favorite styles on sale at Bloomingdales today.Red Wings, originally $230, on sale for $138.Billy Reid's Roper boots, originally $450, on sale for $270.To Boot's Andy boots (at very top of image), originally $395, on sale for $237.To Boot's Burro boots, originally $398, on sale for $239.Fiorentini and Baker's Sub-A boots, originally $445, on sale for $222.In the words of Larry David...pretty good. Pretty, pretty good!

Wardrobe Change: Jake the Bachelor's Tie Selection

What I learned from last night's episode of The Bachelor on ABC: if your tie is bad, it's ok to change it...and then change it again, even if you're in the middle of a rose ceremony.There are a few reasons why this look is so sad. First, the knot on the tie looks like an awkward box (whoever tied it didn't pinch the base enough while pulling the wide end through the loop). Second, you can see the top button of his shirt behind the tie. The tie knot should always cover shirt buttons, or it’s Schlubtown, USA. Also, the shirt hangs open on the left side of his neck, which makes it look like it either doesn’t fit correctly or isn’t pressed right. Finally, the pattern on the tie. Wavy lines near one’s face are not a good thing. You want people to smile when they look at you, not get a migraine!This second look is better but still not great. Although the knot on his tie is much improved, the tie itself has that fancy-80's-bathroom-wallpaper thing going, which I would not advise wearing – that is unless you’re a time-traveling powder room from the Playboy Mansion.Finally...harmony. This combo is much improved. The tie is all class, no glitz in sight, and the blue shirt brings out the blue in his eyes. This color is a good choice for him, as it gives him an extra glint while he slowly but methodically weeds out all ladies not deserving of his pilot’s wings.I have perhaps overshared about my affinity for The Bachelor, but last night's episode provided some good lessons about neckwear indeed!

Rathie Spies: Ben Sherman Sale Alert

This week I was looking for classy, tailored clothing with a certain cool factor for a client, and I decided to check out Ben Sherman in Soho. As luck would have it, practically the entire store is 50% off! We scored a blazer, a button down, and a pair of amazing boots (not on sale, but how cool is the graduation of color in the leather from light at the top to dark at the toe?)all for $350. They had huge variety of nice casual button-downs like the one above for $35. Many others had interesting details like pearled/metal hybrid buttons and epaulets. If this sale doesn't spell stockup, I don't know what does.(Note: You can also find sale items online here, although the prices on the website don't reflect the additional half off.)

Men’s Formalwear Decoded Courtesy of the 2010 Golden Globes

The Golden Globes are a great excuse for learning a bit about men’s formalwear while picking apart our favorite celebrities.Jon Hamm always looks dapper both on and off Mad Men. Here he’s rocking a double-breasted peak lapel tux with a bowtie (a peak lapel is a broad V-shaped lapel that points up and out just below the collar). The double-breasted look broadens him; it’s a beefy, old-school masculine look that’s very much in line with his hairy face! While the beard is a little much for my taste, he looks fantastic nonetheless..Chace Crawford has on a shawl collar tux (a shawl collar has a smooth, rounded edge lapel). This look harkens back to the 1950’s and was made famous by James Dean. It’s a gorgeous, classic look that can be worn with either a bowtie or a long tie. The shawl collar is best kept on the slim side. The subtly-patterned pocket square is a nice touch..Eli Roth is sporting a notch collar 2-button tux with a long tie (a notch collar has a triangular-shaped indentation where the lapel and collar meet). The two buttons – as opposed to one button on traditional tuxes – keep it modern and understated. If you’re going to wear a long tie with a tux, make sure the width and material of the tie match the width and material of the lapel. Satin lapel equals satin tie; grosgrain lapel equals grosgrain tie. You just can’t beat the fit of this Basterd’s tux. Check out additional images here..Mickey Rourke – Mickey Rourke is a hot mess minus the hot. Although I'd expect nothing less from this gator-lovin’ rule-breaker, and in fact that’s kinda why I love him. One thing that there’s really no excuse for though in this ensemble is the watch chain. It draws your eye right to his belly…in a bad way. Final verdict: the best part about this look is his date. Girlfriend got it going on!.David Arquette presents a perfect example of very bad tailoring. A tux should fit you like a chainmail glove (see Eli Roth above). Mr. Cougartown’s pants are too baggy and long. Also, tux shoes should be sleek and streamlined – those big old oxfords belong home in his closet..While the all black look feels a little dated and a lot trying too hard, Jeff Bridges pulls it off decently well – with the exception of what appear to be rubber-soled suede shoes. Tux shoes should always be leather-soled, sleek and simple in patent leather or nicely polished calf. The rubber sole is much too casual for this look.

Mickey Rourke – Mickey Rourke is a hot mess minus the hot. Although I expect nothing less from this gator-lovin’ rule-breaker, and that’s kinda why I love him. One thing that there’s really no excuse for though in this ensemble is the watch chain. It draws your eye right to his belly…in a very bad way. Final verdict: the best part about this look is his date. Girlfriend got it going on!

Puddle Jumping and Lady Carrying

True, I have been posting a lot lately about men’s boots, but in the winter, sometimes all you see on a person is his outerwear and footwear, and that’s why I'm a little obsessed. My general feeling about mens footwear is that it should be streamlined and not chunky or clunky. However (and maybe it's the Maine in me), but when it comes to boots and outdoor gear, I love the look of something rugged and tough. It just screams out masculinity. Like this is a guy who would scoop me up, carry me across a puddle and deposit me on dry curb.Here are my picks for rugged, lady-scooping goodness:

Red Wings

Red Wings have enjoyed a monster resurgence as of late, largely due to smart partnerships with some major clothing companies.

These babies above are a J. Crew exclusive. If you get them, make sure you go with the “dark wood" color. "Dark straw" is a color no one should ever put on his or her body, I don't care how close to the ground it is.I also really like the cleverly named Irish Setters.

All that distressing though limits them to weekend wear unless you work in a casual office setting. A work-friendly option in this line would be these.

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Wolverines

Here is another classic American brand that makes you think of cattle hides and country gentlemen. They have several elegant styles, but my favorites are the Burton,the Ascot,and the Darby.

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Filson

These are a great choice too (and currently on sale!). The website says they're "a favorite of upland bird hunters," but I assume they'll work just as well for when you're heading out to chug beers and watch a game..

Billy Reid

I’m really drawn to these Roper Boots as well. It's wellington meets cowboy boot in the best possible way...brilliant!

Rathie Spies: Vintage Boots

I came across these sick vintage men's boots at Manhattan's Chelsea Flea Market yesterday (lower level of the garage at 112 West 25th Street, btw. 6th and 7th Aves). The top pair are 1942 French Army boots, priced at $80. These are a great way to get that butt-kicking, rugged work boot look without having to run through the trenches yourself. The ones below are also French, from the 1930s, and priced at $100. This classic style has a great worn-in patina that will only get better with age. I love the rich, mahogany shade of leather. Prices at this market are negotiable.

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Too Cool For School (A Case Against Backpacks)

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Guys, I have to tell you something that will either upset or (hopefully) liberate you:You are TOO COOL to still be carrying a backpack.If you’re no longer a student and are not on a euro tour, there's no excuse. For some reason, Manhattan's streets are overrun by knapsacked men, and it always makes me scratch my head because it is such an awkward and unattractive look. It's especially troubling when the guy in question is wearing what would otherwise be a nice work outfit. Instead, his look is overwhelmed by a clunky nylon box strapped to his back, which only makes one wonder what grade he's in. It's also downright dangerous on an NYC subway when the backpack-wearer turns around in tight quarters. I've seen this happen to more than one woman, and the guy had no clue he nearly took her out! There are many better options out there to comfortably carry your things while looking great and not injuring lovely ladies who might otherwise be into you.$50 and under

I like both the style and the price of this messenger bag from Urban Outfitters. It's got a vintage feel while still work appropriate. The bag comes in two color combinations: khaki with brown and brown with brown. I prefer the contrast of the khaki and brown option (above) -- classic and classy ($48).$50-$100

The top handles and long strap on this tote make it perfect for guys who want the freedom to carry their bag in a couple of different ways: over the shoulder, in hand or slung across the body. This style comes to us from a collaboration between BillyKirk and Urban Outfitters. I like how it embodies classic almost preppy detailing but remains modern via a fresh color scheme. It's a little hard to tell from this small image, but it's got playful green piping. I wish it came in other colors too...dark grey with black or royal blue detailing or a deep chocolate brown with navy would look fantastic ($88).

Collaborations between smaller fashion companies and larger chains are big these days -- and it obviously worked in this instance as well. Seattle-based Rian Handbags collaborated with Urban Outfitters on this great backpack alternative. I love it because while being wallet-friendly, it still has visual interest in the wax-coated canvas and off-center clamp detailing. It's got a slightly more urban flavor than the previous two options ($100).$100-200

This bag above, also by Rian, is perfect for those guys with a little less to carry around. The combination of the canvas with the worn leather is really nice, and I love the edgy artwork used on the interior of Rian bags (it's the background on the shot below). Designer Rian Berry wrote in an email, "the correlation between the artwork and the bags...is the backbone of our Rian mainline products." While I'm normally not a fan of large logos on things, on these it's subtle and doesn't interfere with the style or appeal of the bag. It also comes in black on black as seen below, which has a bit more of a downtown feeling ($128).

$200 and up

This Sam Cycle bag from Property Of...  is another outdoorsy-feeling bag with vintage and classic details. With its higher price point come more durability and a richer feel than the previous options despite its ruggedness. It's also a bit bigger and definitely laptop-friendly ($285).

I included the Sackett bag from Moore and Giles twice because I couldn't decide between the two -- Brompton brown leather (top) or Nubuck bison woodland (bottom; I love these names -- maybe the latter is what a big game hunter carries his laptop in?). What I'm getting at is not only is this bag absolutely gorgeous, but you also have a number of different colors and materials to choose from. That way you can express your own personal style without looking like you're trying to show off the brand name of whatever it is you're carrying ($485).I hope that if you are a backpack-wearer, one of your New Year's resolutions will be to graduate from that cumbersome look and pick up something more sophisticated that will suit you better. Happy New Year!

Ten Holiday Party Do’s and Don’ts for the Stylish Man

1. Hair product can tend to make your forehead shiny, so wash your face after application to avoid that lacquered look.2. If the weather is foul, and the party you’re going to isn’t dressy, try wearing a dark wash, slimmer cut pair of jeans with rugged boots. You can even roll your jeans up neatly as seen here:3. Be prepared for the occasional host who asks guests to remove shoes at the door by wearing dress socks that are in good repair – you could even try a pair of red or green ones (not both!) for subtly festive flavor. I like these which are on sale from J. Crew.4. Do keep your facial hair trimmed for holiday festivities. The only people allowed to have big furry beards are Santa and Randy Moss. When your facial hair brings to mind a certain fake beard from Jackass: Number Two…that’s a party fail.5. Make sure your hair isn’t greasy on the day of the party. You should be looking slick…your hair, not so much. If you’re unsure if it looks dirty or not, ask a female friend whom you trust to be straight with you.6. If you wear cologne, spritz once (or twice max) on your neck, then put the bottle down. While it’s true that in the wild animals are attracted to each other based on smell, less is more when it comes to people.7. No matter how festive you’re feeling, don’t wear any decorative ties, sweaters, etc. with things like reindeer or Santa on them. See #2 for how to add a dash of holiday spirit. If you absolutely cannot do without novelty clothing items, put them on a patient friend, like Robert.8. If you tend to have an everyday uniform like jeans and a t-shirt with a button-down thrown over it, try thinking outside the box for casual party wear. Pair one of your cool graphic t-shirts (no sports team tees please!) with a military cardigan and a nicely fitted pair of dark jeans.9. If you’re going to a party that calls for “black-tie optional”, and you don’t own a tux, instead of renting one that surely won’t fit right, another “option” would be to wear a black, navy or dark grey suit with a white shirt and a dark either plain or patterned tie.10. If you wear glasses, make sure the lenses are clean. Ladies want to see your handsome eyes, not the smudges on your glasses.

Men's Winter Weather Footwear

Many of my recent conversations with guys about menswear have turned to what to wear on your feet in sloppy winter weather. If you have nice shoes but are worried the slush/salt/rogue gifts from the neighborhood dogs lurking in the snow are going to ruin your gear, consider a pair of overshoes. Companies like Sierra Trading Post and Neos make boots that go over any kind of footwear you're wearing without having to pull and stretch on rubber like those creepy galoshes from back in the day. They're waterproof, warm and have high traction on the soles so you stay upright at all times. My favorites are the Explorersand Uptownersfrom Neos and the New England All-Season Overboots from Sierra Trading Post.If you're looking for something a little more streamlined, check out the Men's Executive Overshoe from Tingley.They aren't insulated, but they'll keep you dry and standing on your feet instead of your bottom. You gotta love the names companies give for men's shoes..."Uptowner" and "Executive" -- how subtle!And if you're just looking for rainwear that's not obnoxiously ugly, I am very into Tretorn's rain boots. I like both the green for a downtown look and the charcoal for something more conservative, or "uptown," if you will.So there you have it, my first post. Welcome, and please come back soon for more musings on men's styling!