The Coats & Jackets You Need This Fall

Fall is almost upon us and it's time to start getting your fall/winter wardrobe out.  I love this time of year and what it allows me to do with my wardrobe.  Between the layering options, different textures and fabrics available and the seemingly endless amount of accessories available to you, fall is the best time to make a statement about your own personal style.  Of course, with the cooler weather you're going to want to keep warm and a classic, stylish jacket is the perfect way to do that.  Today I'll show you 3 timeless jackets that are a perfect addition to any man's wardrobe.

The Peacoat

The peacoat has its roots with 19th century European sailors, originally cut from a fabric called p-cloth.  The fabric was coarse and was designed to repel water and keep the sailors dry and warm.  However the style took to land and has stuck ever since.  Peacoats are always double-breasted, have big collars and usually bold anchor buttons.  It's all part of what makes the peacoat so recognizable.  Keep in mind that this is not a jacket to wear with your suit, peacoats are cut short and your suit jacket will pop out of the bottom.  These days peacoats are available in a huge variety of styles, colors and fabrics but I like to stick to classics.  Now normally I'm not an Old Navy fan but I picked up this wool blend peacoat for only $50 last season and it is great.  The cut is surprisingly fitted and it is incredibly warm and comfortable.  It's available again this season so jump on this one when you can find a discount deal, Old Navy has them all the time.

Men's Wool-Blend Peacoat | Old Navy

The Trench Coat

Similar in style to the peacoat, the trench coat was originally designed by Burberry for officers of the British Royal Army.  The trench is recognizable by being cut longer (sometimes all the way to the knees), including a belt, epaulets, a button yoke on the back shoulders and a buttoned flap over the right shoulders.  Trench coats are also generally made of a lighter material than peacoats, with modern versions incorporating many synthetic fabrics into their construction.  Often the biggest question of style when wearing a trench coat will come down to your belt: do you tie it? buckle it? hang it in the back?  I see it as a matter of personal preference, experiment and see what you like most.  If you really hate the belt, take it out and cut off the loops.

Shades of Grey Tan Trench Coat | Piperlime

The Leather Jacket

I've already gone in depth into How to Buy a Leather Jacket, but it's worth another mention in this article because the leather jacket is an essential addition to any man's wardrobe.  If you're really too lazy to go read that article, I'll give the short version here: make sure it fits snug, keep it simple without a lot of embellishments and try out a brown jacket before settling on black.  That said, I think the most classic leather jacket look for fall is a bomber style, pictured below.  Just rebellious enough to get a second glance, but conservative enough to take to the office.

Burberry Leather Bomber Jacket | Nordstrom

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.

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Tweed: Not Just for Your Grandpa Anymore

I feel the need, the need for tweed!  Ok that was a little cliche, but I couldn't resist.  I love tweed jackets, pants, suits, hats; everything really.  And my obsession for the rough looking fabric is finally justified.  I popped open this month's issue of GQ and was stunned by the plethora of designers incorporating tweed into their modern fits and styles.  With fall right around the corner, the time is now to start checking out some tweed additions to your wardrobe.  Today I'll go over three patterns that you can consider and how this new generation of tweeds is not your grandfather's fabric.

The Tweed Sports Coat

"Yah that suit's pure herringbone. Yah, that's a suit I'd like to own." The Coasters had it right when they crooned their song, Shoppin' for Clothes.  Herringbone is probably my favorite pattern, next to Glenplaid.  I currently own a herringbone tweed sports coat, and it is easily the most versatile piece of outerwear in my wardrobe.  It works in summer as much as in winter: during the hot months I roll up the sleeves and show off some of the lining, and if I can see my breath outside then I don some fingerless wool gloves along with it.  I love matching a sports coat with a polo as well, and there are few better fabrics that will complement a polo as well as tweed does.

Billy Reid 'Rustin' Herringbone Tweed Sportcoat | Nordstrom

The Tweed Suit

I know we've all seen the goofy college professor who wore head-to-toe tweed every day of his life, but modern tweed suits are all about trim cuts and comfortable fabric that will redefine the way you think about tweed.  Now, it's not a suit you will be wearing to a black tie event, but nonetheless is an appropriate choice for most offices.  The best part of a tweed suit is that you can pair it with bold accessories: think plaid shirts, boldly colored ties, bright socks and so on.  The trick is to use one or two eye catching pieces, not all of them together.  The last thing you want is to stack them on top of each other in a seemingly endless fashion, unless you're trying to be photographed by The Sartorialist, that is.

Tweed: Always Outmanned, Never Outgunned | GQ

Tweed Pants

Now you could buy a full tweed suit and only wear it with the jacket, but that seems like a waste. Whether you utilize the pants from a suit set or buy a new pair, tweed pants are as versatile as they are fashionable. Again, bold accessories will be a great accessory for tweed pants.  As usual, make sure the fit is perfect and you have only a slight break on your shoes.

Tweed Pants for the Modern Man | Express

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.

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3 Ways to Wear Your Suit Jacket

I love suits. I wear suits to work even though I don't have to, they just put me in a frame of mind that I am ready to work (really it works, I talk about in in this post: Why Dress Above the Dress Code.) However, there are times when wearing a suit to the office sticks out more than others, mainly casual Friday. Even so, I still like to get a lot of use out of my suits. As such, today I'll show you three ways to wear a suit jacket so you can still show off your well tailored wardrobe without looking out of place.

With Jeans: From 9-to-5 to Night Out

A well tailored suit jacket looks great with jeans and it is a great combination for casual Fridays or less formal offices. The trick here is to pair up your wardrobe correctly so it doesn't look like you just grabbed whatever jacket was in reach as you were walking out the door. First, your jeans should be dark and simple. No tears, patches, rhinestones or bedazzling. Also, I would opt for a straight or slim cut over boot-cut. As with any other time, your jacket should be well tailored. The best part of this outfit is that it works for occasions outside of the office as well, so you don't need to stop home before hitting the bar after work.

Jeans and a Suit Jacket | rachaelshaynestyle.blogspot.com

With a Polo: Not Just for the Country Club

Ok this can be hard to pull off, especially if you don't want to look like this. However, it's all about keeping the rest of your outfit as trim and well fitting as your suit should be. I prefer a contrast brightness, whether dark on the suit or the polo, but the guy below pulls off a full dark hue masterfully. Having a great beard certainly doesn't hurt either.

Polo with a Suit | thesartorialist.com

With a Sweater: The Sophisticate

Tie or not, rocking a 3 layer look with your suit jacket is a huge style upgrade for the fall. It works on so many levels and for so many situations. The biggest thing to remember here is to not try and match colors (i.e. do not wear a navy jacket with a navy sweater.) Go for contrast and inject some bold colors into your wardrobe. This yellow sweater below might be a little too bold alone, but with the tweed jacket over it the whole outfit just works.

Sportcoat and Sweater | omiru.com

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.

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How to Buy A Leather Jacket: A Simple Guide

A well made leather jacket can be an expensive proposition, luckily you can make a leather jacket last for years if you invest well.  Not only that, but a leather jacket is one of the most versatile pieces of outerwear you can own.  They look great over t-shirts, polos, oxfords, and anything else you can think of.  The trick is finding one that doesn't look like it's swallowing you.  Today we'll talk about how to find a leather jacket that you'll love to wear for years to come.

Size it Down

My guess is that most leather jackets are made too big.  Not a scientific fact, just my observation from trying on leather jackets over the years.  Due to this, if you simply abide by the sizes you are buying for t-shirts, you are going to end up with a jacket that is too big.  When you're shopping for your next leather jacket, try on one that's a size smaller than you would expect.  You should still be able to zip it up, but it should be snug.  The armholes should be a little higher than you might be used to and the sleeves should fit tightly as well.  It may be slightly uncomfortable, but the beautiful thing about leather is that it will stretch and conform to your body over time.  Plus, you don't want this looking like your dad's bomber jacket, this should be a jacket with a modern tailoring cut.  One more thing, make sure the jacket ends right at the waist of your jeans, any longer and the trim look of the jacket won't be noticed.

Think He Needs A Large?  Think Again. | GQ.com

No Patches, Stripes, Extra Zippers, etc.

Many designers like to add all kinds of embellishments to their clothing in an effort to make them stand out (Express, I am talking about you.)  Sadly, all these extras do is get in the way of what could otherwise be a great looking piece of clothing.  If you find a leather jacket that fits you perfectly, the jacket will do all the talking.  So avoid the "Honor" patches, the racing stripes up the side and anything that generally is unnecessary to the look of the jacket.

Schott NYC Vintage Motorcycle Jacket

Give Brown a Chance

Yes, black is the ultimate go-to color for leather jackets, I know.  However, that does not mean you shouldn't look into brown.  I actually believe it is a more versatile color than black, same as I believe with shoes (as I talked about in this article: Buying Fashionable Men's Shoes.)  You are able to inject many more colors and palettes into an outfit with a brown leather jacket than black.  And if you intend to wear a leather jacket often (why wouldn't you?) then you will want something versatile.  Bottom line, just TRY a brown leather jacket before you decide on a black one.  You may be surprised at how good they will look on you.

All Saints Recluse Biker Jacket

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.

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Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale for Men: This is the Weekend to Upgrade Your Style!

We all know Nordstrom's carries some of the top brands in the world, but it seems like they also usually have the highest prices in the world as well.  Good news: the Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale for Men is going on from June 17-19, so this weekend is the time to upgrade your style.  I'm going to highlight 5 picks from this sale for you to consider because they are nearly impossible to pass up.

1901 Saddle Up Oxford

I love saddle shoes and these are the definitive style of these bold shoes.  Made from geniune suede, these are a steal at $65 and are a perfect look for the summer (especially when going sockless.)

1901 'Saddle Up' Oxford - $64.90

Salvatore Ferragamo 'Loris' Oxford

Still pricey, coming in at $329.90, but these lace ups are a master made pair of full leather shoes.  If you've been looking for a pair of shoes that will last you a decade or more (like I talked about in this article) you should be picking these up.

Salvatore Ferragamo 'Loris' Oxford - $329.90

Ibiza Collection Grey Strip Linen Blend Sportcoat

I love this jacket, but don't wear it if you're looking to blend in.  This jacket is bold and makes a statement, perfect for the summertime as a linen cotton blend that you can keep cool in.  You're going to need to get it tailored, most likely, so don't expect it to fit perfectly off the rack.

Ibiza Collection Grey Stripe Linen Blend Sportcoat - $229.90

Boss Black 'Slim Fit' Dress Shirt

You're getting a high quality dress shirt for under $100, so count yourself lucky.  There are a smattering of other brand, color and pattern options available, just make sure that you are looking for "slim fit" or "trim fit" in the title.

BOSS Black 'Slim Fit' Dress Shirt - $62.90

1901 Stripe Skinny Knit Tie

It's no secret that I have a thing for knit ties, I talked about them in this article, and this one is no exception.  Classic prep style and colors, this is a great pick to match up with chinos or lighter slacks.  Even jeans will look great with this tie, it's so versatile that it works for most any situation beyond formal and uber-professional.

1901 Stripe Skinny Knit Tie - $32.90

You're going to have to move fast if you want some of these deals, the sale only runs til Sunday so make sure you make it to a Nordstrom store or to their online store this weekend. If you're looking for a great father's day gift this would also be the perfect time!

Thanks for reading. As always, be dapper.

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