Image: Rancourt & Co.
Though many think our love of boatshoes is bordering on obsession, we just like to call it market research for Bows & Boats. On a recent market research expedition, we got our hands on a pair of shoes that come from some extremely talented shoecrafters up in Maine. Rancourt & Co. has been making shoes for three generations, and we are head over heels for their 2-Eye Boatshoe in Color 8 Chromexcel ($215).
Image: L.L. Bean
It’s the time of year when a random rain shower could pop up at anytime, and there isn’t much that we hate more than being unprepared. While having an umbrella at the ready will always be a great solution, we’re frequently guilty of not having one nearby. If you fall into the same category, we’d recommend picking up a simple anorak to keep in your car or office. A great choice is the Mountain Classic ($49.95) from L.L. Bean.
Image: Woodford Reserve
Though margaritas will certainly be flowing in celebration of Cinco De Mayo later this evening, we wouldn’t feel right drinking anything but a classic mint julep leading up to, and during, the Kentucky Derby. Though there are plenty of great mint julep recipes out there, it is pretty tough to beat the Woodford Reserve version. We originally ran this recipe on May 7th of last year, and have pulled it up for reference on more than one occasion since then.
Image: Bird Dog Bay
Though it is probably too late for your Derby party, we thought it was only fitting that this week’s Bowtie Friday post feature a bow that would look great down at Churchill Downs this weekend. In fact, we may even end up putting our order in now so we can wear this one to the Preakness in a couple of weeks. Straight out of the Bird Dog Bay design studio in Chicago comes the Bits and Shoes Bow ($55).
Image: Würkin Stiffs
Have you ever found yourself struggling to get a collar to lay just right? Of course, basic collar stays will keep things neat and tidy, but keeping your collar exactly where you want it can be downright impossible after a day in the office. That is, if you don’t have something to keep it firmly planted right where you want it. From the file we like to call “why didn’t we think of that” comes an accessory every man needs to have, Power Stays ($40) from Würkin Stiffs.
Image: Lumina
Thanks to the gang who put on Confirmed Stock in Baltimore last weekend, we not only got the chance to check out a ton of great things to post about on Bows & Boats, we got to meet a number of the people behind some brands that we really like. One such brand is Lumina out of Raleigh, NC. With a booth chock full of things we wanted to take home, we spent a good amount of time perusing the Lumina wares and getting to know the guys who run things down in Raleigh. One piece that we continued to go back to (and eventually brought home) was their Albermarle Tie ($42).
Image: Read's Clothing Project
Lately, we have really been liking the look of rolled up sleeves on a lightweight sport shirt instead of going with a polo when temperatures are on the rise. It just so happens that we ran into someone who makes a fantastic lightweight sport shirt over the weekend, and he was gracious enough to give away said shirt to one lucky Bows & Boats reader. That someone was Read Wall of Read’s Clothing Project, and the shirt is their fantastic Blue Seersucker Gingham Shirt ($155).
