Band of Outsiders Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Band of Outsiders has been a top designer for a few years now. They have partnered with Sperry to make Band of Outsiders version of the classic shoe in some very not so classic versions. There clothes are peppering the pages of GQ and Hollywood movies, Youth in Revolt & Heaven Can Wait.  Basically, Band of Outsiders is getting the press they deserve.

As you can see in the Spring 2010 collection, as displayed at New York Fashion Week, Band of Outsiders are taking a new look at classic clothes.

They have really updated the classic nautical themed clothes with a new modern look. They are pairing Sperry Topsiders with suits and shorts a like and have the double breasted coat in there unique way.

At Modern Dignified, we really like the trim aggressive cut of the suits, especially the tan and white suits. These embody spring without even feeling like something that needs to be worn only in Miami.  Maybe it is the muted colors they pair it with, maybe it is cut, but either way, this is a winner look.

We also think that the trimmed down, slim cut, peacoat is quite unique. It is cut as trim sport coat would be but still has the classic double breast elements of a standard peacoat. Of course they make it in three classic colors: white, tan and navy. The navy is actually worn as a suit, which looks both classic and modern. It is certainly not a suit for business meetings, but instead a youthful, trendy suit to be worn on date with a trendy lady. We still feel that the classic peacoat should be securely kept in the wardrobe, but Band of Outsiders offers a competent alternative.

The black, single button, tuxedo is a great looking suit. We would opt for well polished black patent leather shoes over the Sperry Topsiders. The tuxedo is a well cut, modern version of the suit and one that keeps the classics in mind. It appropriately has peak lapels and enough satin accents that it can be worn to most formal attire events. We still feel the classics are best, but for the man who wants more than one tuxedo in his collection, this offers a great alternative. Though we aren't quite sure how many tuxedos any man needs.

We also dig the linen sport coat and shorts. Every man, especially a man living on the West Coast, should have a linen sport coat in his wardrobe. This is a good looking linen jacket in a modern Band of Outsiders fit.

Modern Dignified has a favorite new item that we just can't find, which is the crew neck athletic sweatshirt. The version we imagine is heather gray, with the same details seen in the 1970s on people like Steve McQueen. Well, it seems that Band of Outsiders has made a version of the sweatshirt. In
the Band of Outsiders case they wear it under a gray suit, as a very casual version of a suit. More on this item in the coming days.

Overall we dig the overall look the Band of Outsiders Spring 2010 line.  It is a great representation of classic style done in a modern way.

 

Reader's Question: Pocket Squares

John O. from Los Angeles asks:

"Do you know any good and affordable sources for (1) silk paisley pocket squares, and (2) white linen pocket squares with hand-rolled edges?  I got my white linen squares from Schweitzer Linens, but for some reason the linen ones have machine hemmed edges.  The cotton ones seem to be hand rolled, but I didn't buy cotton ones (nor do I plan on buying any plain white cotton squares)."

Thanks John for the question.  I find that a great place to look for pocket squares is at Bloomingdales.  In store they have a wide selection of pocket squares, in the suit section near the ties.  It is one of the larger pocket square sections.  The Bloomingdales brand silk pocket square is sold for around $22.  It has hand rolled edges and come in great patterns and colors.  They also usually have a few pocket squares on sale as well, I have found some great ones for about $10 a square.  Good luck find a helpful sales person, but that story is told over and over again.

Online I find that a great place for affordable pocket squares is Sam Hober.  They make bespoke neckties as well as carry a huge selection of ready made ties & pocket squares.  I found a couple paisley pocket squares on the site that I felt were quite handsome.

This blue paisley is perfect for winter with its dark rich colors.  It is sold on Sam Hober for on only $35.  The coloring would be great to accent a dark red madder tie.  It would also compliment a gold or olive tie.  This square would work well with gray or navy suits well since it has such a universal navy base color.

The olive green paisley square above can also be found on Sam Hober.  It would go great with a navy or blue tie, gold or yellow tie and a dark red tie.  A bright red tie with this pocket square would look too Christmas like.  You could also wear it with a dark forest green necktie.  I think this square would pop out best in a navy suit, but you can never go wrong with a gray suit.

Sam Hober also has a beautiful hand rolled white linen pocket square.  This linen pocket square is sold for $40 and is a weave with considerable weight.  Some white linen pocket squares have much thicker and rougher thread, which makes the square less refined.  A white linen square should hold a crease well and add a clean, crisp, strip of color to a suit.

You might want to also check Lands End and Men's Wearhouse online.  Both of those retailers has pocket squares ranging from $15 to $10.  The Lands End pocket square is above and the Men's Wearhouse square is featured below.

A linen square should always be folded and ironed into a perfect square for display.  A silk pocket square should be dropped hap-hazardly into the breast pocket.  They should be worn differently and provide a different edge to the jacket and look.

Remember to email me your fashion questions to: Modern Dignified.

Benjamin Bixby

Andre Benjamin, aka Andre 3000, has his own clothing line that he designs.  Said clothing like is named Benjamin Bixby, sold in Bloomingdales & at the flagship store in Atlanta.  It would make the most sense that the ATL would be home of the flagship store, since it is Andre Benjamin's home town.

Benjamin Bixby is a line with it roots in Southern Gentlemen style mixed with old fashioned classics.  The Bixby line has beautiful Linen suits, cardigans, and polos.  Some of the other pieces are more inspirational, but it certainly is a well thought out line of clothing.  It has a very unique and definite voice.  The clothing channels Andre Benjamin's own personal style.

I look forward to the release of the Fall 2009 line of clothing.  I would like to see how the line progresses.  I hope the line continues to look good.

Fashion Rules

Do you know the fashion rules?

You have to be aware of the fashion dos and don'ts to properly break them, or else you risk looking like idiot. Ever talk the law with a career criminal? Trust me they know the law better than a lawyer does. A style expert, or just a well dressed man, has to be the same way, the laws of fashion need to be second nature to him.

The Rules: Abridged version

White is only acceptable between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which has been expanded to include Easter, thankfully.

• Never wear linen in the winter and tweed in the summer.
• Always match the color of your belt and your shoes, unless it is a web belt.
• Wear a conservative tie and suit to a job interview.
• Don't wear pleats EVER, plain front pants only.
• Wear a dark tie with a tan suit.
• Patent leather shoes are for black tie affairs only.
• For Formal events wear Oxfords not Bluchers. Bluchers are a casual shoes masquerading as a formal shoe.
• Go with a Four-in-Hand knot, instead of the stuffy Full Windsor (By the way, those might be the most boring videos of all time, good sleeping material).
• The tie is supposed to reach your belt, not above or below it.
• A button-down collared shirt is an informal shirt or sport shirt. A point collar is a formal shirt.
• A blazer is less formal than a suit, but is still appropriate with a tie.
• On a two button suit - button the top button and not the bottom button. On a three button suit - only button the middle button. On a double breasted suit - Keep the top button buttoned, never button the bottom one.
• Do crease your suit slacks, don't crease your chinos or jeans.
• A hat is to be worn outside and inside only until you sit down... And never inside in the presence of a lady (this is a really old school rule).

These go on and on and on.

Do you know the rules?

If not keep reading this blog for the modern day tips and read a suitable wardrobe and blogs like it for the classic rules of dress. Learn them, get familiar with them, and then break them. Its a valuable lesson and one that will save you embarrassment in the future and allow you to confidently know that the rule you are breaking that day is damn cool (and all your own).

Day at the Ponies

A day at the race track is a perfect opportunity to wear a summer suit, linen or seersucker, a straw fedora or panama hat and country shoes (saddle shoes, bucks, etc.) or loafers.

The track is a great place to flaunt the ridiculous, yet make it seem normal. Once again, confidence is the key to pulling off a look that in the city would receive snickers and whispers. But at the track the outfit feels natural and fits into the environment just like blondes in Orange County.

I have to confess, I am in the gray hat and navy blazer (pictured). Not captured in this photo, I am also wearing tan and white seersucker slacks and a blue & white web belt.

I will be posting some more stellar outfits, as I see them. The rest of the outfits will be stellar, I am certainly not saying that mine is stellar.