Land's End Canvas

With the huge success of J Crew, there have been a lot of classic American brands trying to rethink and redefine their look. While the brand's style is not as original as J Crew, they certainly are less expensive and provides an additional location to buy some of the classic American Prep pieces.  A perfect example of this is: Land's End Canvas, good clothes, great prices with a few pieces unique to the designer. 

Rugby Shirt - this classic preppy item comes in either navy or light blue and is sold for only $45. I can be worn with jeans or khakis by itself or it can be thrown on over a button down shirt, as featured here. Thrown over a button down shirt, is my favorite look for a Rugby Shirt. It adds a little more style and character to the classic piece.

Chambray Shirts - Land's End takes the essential chambray shirt one step farther by offering a blue with white stripe, like shown above. As well as a whole line of colors, including a tan and an off-white. They also priced the shirt at $39, instead of close to $100 as seen at other stores.

Ties - Also available are some nice modern ties.  They have a classic navy and light blue rep tie as well as a gingham, a plaid and patterned tie.  And they are only $40, which is a great price.  They are also slim ties.

Hoodie - We all need a hoodie or two in the closet.  Land's End Canvas offers a modern looking hoodie for only $50.  The hoodie comes in navy or gray with white drawstrings and zipper.  The contrasting zipper and drawstrings are a good look adding interest to an otherwise average looking hoodie.

Peacoat - They also have a canvas peacoat.  This a great spring/summer jacket for a reasonable $80.  This coat will keep you dry in the rain and warm during the summer night winds. 

Pocket Squares - one of the most unique and different items that Land's End Canvas sells is the plaid and gingham pocket squares. They are sold for $9 a piece and can really add a nice spark to a jacket.

Reader's Question: Khaki Suit

As always we are more than happy to answer Reader’s Questions. This one is from John from in Seattle.

MoDig:

Alright, I'm getting married in a sweet Banana Republic khaki suit. I'm thinking cordovan bicycle toe oxfords, sorta like the To Boot New York 'Randall' Split Toe Oxford at Nordstroms (I don't think it's in cordovan, though).

Am I being a bit too picky or should I just settle for a nice venetian loafer (Cole Haan immediately leaps to mind)?

Thanks! Your blog is excellent and thanks for bringing style to the masses without the pomposity.

John

First off John, congratulations on your impending nuptials it sounds like you will look very dapper for the event. A khaki suit in the summer/spring can be magnificent and quite a statement. It is a nice choice for a more modern wedding.

You discussed the Split Toe Oxford from To Boot, but this shoe is too dark. It is a shoe meant for dark suits, not the light khaki suit you will be wearing. The dark color of the shoes will make the outfit look bottom heavy. Stick to a lighter color like a light brown suede or a tan/walnut. You want the shoes to compliment the khaki suit, not clash with it.

You will also need a shoe that can transition easily between outdoor and indoor and is more casual, in line with the suit. We feel that the loafers are too casual for your wedding, while the theme is certainly more casual than a black tie affair; you are not getting married barefoot on a beach. Wear some shoes that respect the occasion and ditch the loafer idea.

Since you are in Seattle and the weather can change in a moment, it is best to stay away from the quick to mind choice of white bucks. While they are perfect for sunny days where cotton suits are worn, if it is a rainy day or overcast day, the shoes will not look right. Save them for the sunny South Carolina wedding.

With that said, where does that leave us? A few choices come to mind:

Johnston & Murphy make a great saddle shoe. Tan suede with brogue leather, it is a perfect spring/summer shoe. It is casual yet sophisticated and it will look great with the khaki suit. The shoe sells for around $130 and can be worn all day and night without offending anyone.

A nice walnut colored wingtip will work great. This shoe will hold up better on a rainy day and will add some fantastic character to your soles. Keep the shoe a light brown and the outfit can pop with such a terrific complimentary shoe. This Allen Edmonds MacAllister shoe is as classic as they come. It has the shape and fit to work great with a suit but is not stuffy. This shoe or one like it will go for around $250.

As we have discussed previously, J Crew and Alden teamed up to make a tobacco colored wingtip. It is a modern color and shape, extra light brown with rounded toes and blucher design. This is a magnificent shoe and will last until you’re fourth kid graduates high school (assuming you end up having four kids). Basically, this shoe will last for 20+ years, if not longer. Your wedding day might be a nice memory every time you slip the shoe on. The Alden shoes sell for around $450.

Lastly, you can go with a tan buck, a compromise between the white buck look but with coloring that will work better on an overcast day. We would still prefer one of the wingtips, but can appreciate the elegance and simplicity of a pair of bucks. Bucks are a common shoe this Spring, sold by Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, J Crew and many others. Bucks will typically set you back $150 or so.

Whatever the choice, Modern Dignified would like to thank you for your readership and kind words, but most importantly, we would like to wish you a wonderful and fruitful marriage. You are braver than we are.

If anyone else wants our opinion, for whatever it is worth, email us at: mdignified@gmail.com. You can also become a fan of Modern Dignified on Facebook and follow Modern Dignified on Twitter @ModernDignified.

More Spring Essentials - Sperry Topsider

Sperry Topsider is an iconic piece of footwear and has been worn by generations of men on sailboat or by men who wanted people to think they had a sailboat. Due to this Sperry Topsider is synonymous with summer, the beach, boats and sailing, excess money, stylish blokes and everything that comes with that lifestyle. At least that is the heritage of this iconic shoe.

Now, new versions of the shoe are available with slight changes to it's historical roots, but it still represents the same ideals and it still has the same classical style.  Ever brand from J Crew to Band of Outsiders is taking a stab at redefining the boat shoe. While some of the new iterations are quite modern and stylish, there is still something romantic about a pair of weather beaten, salt water soaked, wind whipped Topsiders.  J Crew's version of the Topsider is distressed to simulate this stylish look.  At Modern Dignified we opt for the natural wear and tear of Topsiders, since this is more unique and authentic.   (To speed up the process spend a day at the beach in the Topsiders, wearing them in the water and letting them dry out in the sun. Add a couple of similar trips and the shoes will have accelerated wear and tear).

 

Band of Outsiders opt for a more colorful suede version of the Topsiders.  They also are infatuated with making Topsiders into Chukka boots.  They come in a mixture of colors and textures, but still keeping the iconic nature at the heart.

Sperry has also re-designed a few versions of the Topsiders, including a tieless, slip-on version of the shoe. This version comes in various shades  of brown suede, but unfortunately does not come in the color navy. At Modern Dignified we feel that Navy Topsiders are the optimal color choice. Classic, different than any other shoe in the closet, distinguished and slightly arrogant in the same way as a pink shirt and seersucker suit or a pair of bright F*** You pants, the Topsiders have a little bit of everything.

While it is hard to make a bad choice when it comes to a pair of Topsiders, we prefer the classic Navy, which by the end of July will have worn in look that we desire.  Keep it classic and rock the Topsiders.

Spring Essentials - Alden & J Crew Shoe

The best shoe of the spring is the Alden wingtip in tobacco coloring.  It is the best color to encapsulate spring, since it is light, colorful and classic.  It will go with any color in the closet and help make an outfit sing.  Naturally it goes well with blues, tans, light colors and jeans, but I personally think the best look for this shoe might be with a gray suit.  The unexpected pop of color on the feet with a gray suit would be unmistakably stylish. 

Alden is renowned for being one of the best shoe manufacturers in the world.  To see them teaming up with J Crew is a nice combination, especially when they come out with a classic hit such as these.  The tobacco colored Alden wingtip is only sold at J Crew for $440.

If this Spring's fashions are as cool as this shoe, we are in for a treat.

Spring Essentials - The Bold Plaid Shirt

For good reason the bold colored plaid shirt is a popular choice this Spring, it is a Modern Dignified Spring Essential, every closet needs one.  It should have vibrant summer colors that pop, hopefully against a dark base.  The shirt should be lightweight but dressy enough to look good with chinos, shorts, jeans or even a suit.  Our favorites made this season come from three of our favorite designers.

Gitman Vintage has a full line of plaid shirts, but out favorite is this one with a strong orange accent.  The bright color will really pop on a nice sunny Spring day.  Man, we like think about the sun when it is this ugly out.

J Crew also have a few bright madras plaid shirts.  Once again our favorite features a bold bright color against a dark background.   The red and blues here make for a beautiful combination not often found in the same garment.  This makes the shirt versatile and a statement piece in every closet.

Band of Outsiders have a more traditional plaid shirt, but once again in bright, bold, spring colors.  The yellows, reds, blues and greens in this shirt, once again make it a nice versatile choice.

This Spring, add some bold plaid shirts to the wardrobe.

Spring Essentials - Crew neck Sweatshirt

The most common Spring 2010 Trend we have seen, aside from rolling up the pant legs, is the crew neck gray sweatshirt. This is a look that is seen in every spring fashion show, but is not spotted in stores. It is a vintage look that harkens back to Steve McQueen in the Great Escape (even though his
is blue).

Then Esquire copied the shot for a recent photo shoot using a horribly ugly Steve McQueen wannabe mannequin. With all this modern technology, this was the best they could do as a representation of his face? Did they think no one would notice? It looks as bad as Heidi Fleiss' lip on Celebrity Rehab.

GQ even jumped into the mix with this outfit.

J Crew released an image of a fleece crew neck (top of post) as well as had one featured in their Spring 2010 look book (above), but we have yet to see it in stores.  Except this (just above) $250 crew neck cashmere sweater, which is way too rich for what it is.

Recently, Band of Outsiders joined the party using a crew neck sweatshirt under a suit at New York Fashion Week.

The vintage look, requires a heathered gray sweatshirt, with a triangle stitch at the neck. Orvis makes one, featured above for $69, which can be bought online.   Hopefully, others will reach stores this spring. The crew neck sweatshirt is a nice alternative to the sweater or the t-shirt.  At Modern Dignified we would wear it under a jacket like McQueen or over a shirt like J Crew and GQ show.  Yet another vintage look that is coming back, since it is so stylish.

Madras can be good

 
Madras typically is ugly and vibrant and obnoxious for no good reason.  But sometimes madras steps away from its cliched preppy roots, gets a modernization and becomes a great look.  Much like the Gitman Vintage 80s sport shirts we featured recently, the new J Crew madras shirts hit an old classic out of the park.  A new modern cut, bright colors, bigger pattern and nothing ugly about it.  We particularly like the dark colors mixed with red, cream and vibrant aqua in the "baltic" version, but the green one can look great with the right complexion.

Thankfully, J Crew breathed new life into the madras.  Just don't wear our pops old madras shirts, those still need updating.

Chambray Shirts are the new Black

Chambray shirts are everywhere and for good reason, they are comfortable, classic, attractive and don't need to be ironed. Everyone is making chambray shirts from J Crew, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Mr. Freedom and Gitman Vintage.  Chambray shirts worked well for style icons like Steve McQueen, they should work well for you too.

The great thing with a chambray shirt is if worn right, it can be one of the most versatile shirts in your closet, take the looks provided by J Crew for evidence of that. J Crew pairs the chambray shirt with a suit (one of my personal favorites and a look I am sporting today), a chambray with a shawl collar sweater, with a military jacket & with a t-shirt and jeans. J Crew loves chambray so much they are even making a red version for their Spring/Summer collection.

Since I wear a chambray shirt quite often, I love the new colors that companies are making in chambray shirts. Woolrich have tan, black & blue chambray shirts.  J Crew have a gray, blue & now a red chambray.  Gitman Vintage have a full line of bright colored chambray with the bright blue being a personal favorite.

Be sure to jump on this style train and add a chambray shirt to your closet.

Reader's Question: Tie Widths Abound & Other Questions

Mr. BigShot writes (and no I am not making up that name)....

“I came across your blog the other day and enjoy reading it. I saw a post where you explained the best tie width is 3 inches. Do you know where I can find 3 inch ties? Most stores carry ties in 3.5-4 inch width, so it's a bit hard to find them.


I also have a couple more questions on items I need to locate. I'm looking for a pair of flat-front mid-grey (think grey heather or charcoal heather colors) for under $150, preferably under $100. Do you know where I can find these? I'm also looking for oxford collar button down shirts with shoulder pleats instead of the box pleat, which I find unnecessary. I have an athletic, lean body type, so a box pleat only adds extra fabric and puffiness to the back, which I don't need. Know where I can find one for under $75? Thanks.”

Thankfully, more and more retailers are adding the “slimmer” ties to there selection, at some stores they are not even categorized as slim ties and are just the only tie width sold.  Like with jeans, stay away from the skinny and gravitate toward the slim.  I certainly have my favorite places to sell ties around 3” they are in two different categories:

The High End -

Thomas Pink makes great dress shirts and ties.  Some of the best color combinations made, this also applies for their slim ties.  They sell slim ties for around $100 a tie and come in a wide range of colors and patterns.  This is certainly suggested for those that perfer bold colors.  Shown here is a more classic blue tie with white & red stripe, quite an elegant tie.

Brooks Brothers is known for classic, conservative style.  One of the original makers of the sack cut suit, they rarely make any deviations from the classic and most conservative style.  The fact that they are selling slim ties, is not an inditement on them, but instead an approval of the rebirth that 3" ties are having, thankfully.  Brooks Brothers sells their slim ties for $75 to $90 a tie and they come in a variety of classic looks and patterns.

Mid to Low Range Cost -

Starting at the top and working our way down.  J. Crew only sells ties in the 3" range.  They have a wide range of silk, wool and cotton ties in a variety of modern and classic patterns and colors.  It is a great way to experiment with patterns and colors without completely jumping the shark with an odd pattern.  J. Crew also is great for the traditional, classic, collegiate look, my personal favorite.  A look that J. Crew does as well as anyone, except for maybe Brooks Brothers.  J. Crew ties sell from $60 to $40 at full price and have quite good deals in store when ties go on sale.  I have picked up more than one tie at J. Crew for under $20, just need to keep your eyes open.

Most men's retailers now sell slim ties, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales and even Macy's.  The latter have a variety of ties from different manufacturers: Ben Sherman, Alfani & Tallia.  The quality of the designs varies store to store and region to region depending on the buyer, but they usually have a good deal on the ties ranging from: $50 to $25.  I perfer the Ben Sherman or Tallia designs, but Alfani can have some good ties for evening events.  Stick to other brands like Pink, Brooks and J. Crew if you are buying the ties for work.

Grey Slacks -

As for the mid-grey slacks if you live near NYC, I suggest you try Uniqlo.  They have great prices and the cut is slim and slender, perfect for a slender fellow, like yourself.  The Uniqlo wool slacks are typically under a $100.

Another option is Banana Republic.  They have well made slacks in a wide range of classic colors.  I have a pair of flannel mid-grey heathered slacks that I picked up at Banana Republic for about $100.  Make sure you stick to the "Tailored" fit pants, as they are slimmer and will look better on you.  The "Modern" fit are slightly bigger throughout the leg.  Banana Republic sells their wool pants from: $180 to $40, depending on sales.  Good news, BR usually have the best sales on pants of any retailer.

The last recommendation is J. Crew.  They have the "Ludlow" cut pants, a slim, modern cut, which would look great with your frame.  The Ludlow pants are from $150 to $120 and rarely come down much in price.  They also do not typically come in a heathered look, but they will fit you well.  It is at least worth taking a look.

Oxford Shirts -

For the Oxford shirt, I recommend finding a bespoke tailor near you and having them make 3 to 6 shirts to your body type and with the pleats and buttons and collars to your preference.  Once you go bespoke with shirts it is hard to go back.  They are made especially for you to you liking and will make you look the best you can possibly look.  The slight increase in cost is completely worth the statisfaction you will have with the shirts.  This is an investment that will change your opinion on the way ready made shirts are sold.