This time of year, it is not uncommon for us to wear a sweater nearly every day of the week. We have already talked about the Cotton Crewneck Sweater by Polo Ralph Lauren, and while a couple of those are still in rotation as layering pieces, the colder the weather gets, the more we tend to shift towards wool and cashmere. If you are looking for something a little different than your typical wool sweater, we recommend the Wool Elbow-Patch Sweater ($99.99 – $165) by Polo Ralph Lauren.
This time of year, heavy fabrics are key if you are going to be spending any time outside. With wind chills in the teens, and snow in the forecast, a pair of cotton chinos just won’t cut it. Of course, you could go with something flannel lined, but you could also go with something a bit heavier like a solid pair of corduroy pants. If you are in the market, we recommend the Muddler Corduroy Club Pants by Vineyard Vines ($98.50 – $175).
True to our name, today we are featuring a solid pair of Boatshoes. You can never have too many pairs, and with so many options out there, we feel that it is a necessity to spread the word about options from companies both large and small. One of our favorites from a smaller company is the Brown Boat Shoe ($210) offered by Oak Street Bootmakers.
Vests are tough to pull off when it comes to casual wear, but when worn properly they are a good looking, functional, addition to any cool weather outfit. Unfortunately, if you manage to make an error in judgment when adding a vest to your wardrobe, you are probably going to hear about it from your friends. For example, if your vest is too puffy, be ready for Marty McFly comparisons. We have no issue with “puffer” vests of reasonable “puff”, but overall we prefer the sleeker look of the Redpoint Vest ($99) by The North Face.
There are millions of options when it comes to stocking stuffers for kids, but if you are looking for something with a bit of ‘prep’ to it, your search may prove a bit harder than you thought. With younger siblings, nieces and nephews, or children of your own to buy for, the list below has some great options for any little one that is on your list.
When thinking about “preppy” clothing, hunting jackets are probably not near the forefront of most peoples minds. At Bows & Boats, we are big on things that serve a function and do it well, hence our rationale for keeping a simple hunting jacket in our rotation. Of course, it may not fit in at the local country club, but a paired with the right pieces, a well made hunting jacket can be a great addition to your wardrobe. If you are in the market, we recommend the Quilted Primaloft V-neck Hunting Jacket ($149) by Orvis.
With snow beginning to fall across the country, it is officially the time of year that going outside without bundling up just isn’t an option. One thing that tends to get overlooked by many guys we know is a quality scarf. With so many options out there, finding just the right one might be tough. You don’t want a scarf that looks like your mom made it, and you also don’t want one that looks like your wife or girlfriend could wear it too. If you are on the market for a new scarf this winter, check out the offerings from Rugby Ralph Lauren, our favorite is their Tartan Wool Scarf ($59.50).
We’ve said it before and we’ll probably say it again, having the right accessories is essential to looking good. That being the case, we thought it was time to share the Le Pliage Bag ($88) by Longchamp of Paris.
At Bows & Boats we are all about subtle touches. Sometimes the wrong stitch pattern, thread color, or button can absolutely ruin what would be a fantastic piece of clothing. On the flip side, a well done, small, custom touch can make the good great and the great incredible. If you are really looking to set yourself apart from the crowd, you need to check out the Custom Blazer Buttons (prices vary) made by Ben Silver.
Like we have said before, if you aren’t well groomed, you aren’t going to make a good impression. Unfortunately, if you are a guy who is looking for a little more than what your typical barber shop has to offer, you are often stuck going to a women’s salon, or simply grinning and bearing it at your local discount hair studio. Luckily, over the last few years, we have noticed a trend of “Men’s Grooming Parlors” popping up in large cities throughout the US. One of our favorites is The Quinntessential Gentleman in Baltimore, MD.
