The Sweater as Jacket

Enjoy!

Photo credit: J.Crew

Of Sweaters

I'm back from from my hiatus. Hope everything has been well with you all in blogland.

Moving on; sweaters are the go to item in fall and winter. I'm partial to cardigans and sleeveless sweaters, or vests. The cardigans if thick enough can be worn as a jacket of sorts and if not can be worn under a jacket as another layer to keep you warm. When I used to ride a train to University it really came in handy to have that extra layer. Sleeveless sweaters are really nice for days that aren't really cold but are breezy. The wind in Atlanta cuts through bones and you really need that extra layer over your solar plexus. Plus they don't get too warm since your arms are exposed. V-neck sweaters are the last kind I wear regularly; don't get me wrong I wear crew necks and toggled button sweaters too just not as much as the former three. V-necks are excellent with bow ties and are at home with wool and knitted ties. The textures really work well when you vary them like that. I avoid the professor look by not wearing jeans and opting for checked pants or corduroys.

So, lets proceed to some photo analysis to give you some ideas my friends.

This is a Ralph Lauren image from 2 years ago. This entire look is something I'd wear with some minor changes; pink OCBD, orange-brown tie, brightly colored watch strap, and a real expression not a ridiculous model look. What do I like about this look? Well, the herringbone tweed is something I'm fond of. The Fair Isle patterned sleeveless sweater and corduroys add textural differences that are really nice. The corduroys could go one of two ways, they should be darker or lighter the color is too close to the vest and it is my preference to break up colors. All in all very nice!

Winston, a fellow blogger and free lance writer, wears the sweater as jacket. He wears a very English look with the bright striped, contrast collar, french-cuffed shirt and an even brighter bow tie. Winston follows this with an olive corduroy pant. Again I would wear this entire look except I would wear different pants. I dislike olive, it doesn't work very well with dark skin tones. I think a brown or navy would work well. Maybe even a moleskin pant in persimmon orange. A minor gripe is I don't wear very much red so, I would wear a navy or charcoal grey tie. This is almost identical to what I would wear out during winter. In fact I'm wearing a V-necked light weight navy cardigan with a pink striped shirt, cuff-linked of course. I'm pairing that with cream corduroys and a Churchill dotted bow tie. Very close right?Photo coming very soon.

OTC

Happy Socks now has OTC(Over The Calf) socks. For $15, I hope they are as awesome as they seem. I'll be trying some out soon.

Brain Pocket: An artisanal notebook

Brain Pocket is a leather covered notebook. The leather is of a premium quality and tough. I choose a very light, buttery cream colored one. I also chose a sheriff's star metal button to tie the notebook shut with. It is a very well made product. I planned on using it to track my paper portfolio for a stock market game I play online. I also was going to try out strategies with this too.

I chose to get the lined paper and blank paper. I really like that this notebook is made by hand and then the filler papers are inserted. Everything else is crafted by hand. The leather is worked and tanned by hand and the accessories are chosen by the customer.

The notebook is about 4 by 8 and is really long. This model is intended to be carry under one's arm or placed inside a jacket's pocket. I keep it on my desk.

Verdict: Mixed recommendation, for some it is great to have a notebook with two books. For others, the size is a problem and the price, $70, is just too much. For me, I don't think this is the kind of product you repurchase; you simply buy refills for the cover and replace it. There is one thing though; it draws stares and questions when friends come over.

Happy Socks The Review.

Buy some now!

The product is well made and awesome. I had one pair rip on me after I washed them and attempted to put them on. It must have been happenstance because the rest are perfect. The socks aren't the most soft or excellent pair but they do constitute a well made product. The value of such colorful delights at a low price is indeed tremendous. As with all great socks, they get softer the more you wash them. I would recommend them as presents to anyone you like. You should probably buy more than 4 because the shipping is expensive, at least in my opinion. Shipping is free for more than 4 pairs of socks to anywhere in the world. I have a rule about shipping. I like it to be under 10% of the total price of the items I purchase (hint jcrew.com shipping fascists). It took about 1.5 weeks to get to me once it was ordered.

I've ordered ten more pairs aside from the 4 I ordered on my trial run. I am now a devoted customer. Right now they have a clearance sale buy ten pairs and get half off. So, 5 bucks a pair. Now is the time to stock up for some stocking stuffers for the dandy or sartorialist in your life.