Image: Kiel James Patrick
Recently, we’ve been on the hunt for a belt versatile enough to go with everything from jeans, to khakis, to an assortment of go to hell pants and shorts that are slated to be in rotation in the next few months. It should come as no surprise that our friend Kiel James Patrick has created a belt that fits this bill almost to a T. His Huntsman Vineyard Wilde belt ($112) may just end up being the belt of the summer.
As much as we hate to admit it, we spend far too much time in front of a computer. From desktops at the office, to laptops at home, to iPhones and iPads just about everywhere else, we don’t even want to know how much of our day is spent staring at a glowing screen. Of course, all of that time on the web has led us to some fantastic websites over the years. For this edition of Saturday Reading, we’ve chosen a handful* of sites that we make sure to visit on a regular basis.
Image: The Tie Bar
With lightweight sportcoats and seersucker suits becoming more commonplace as the weather warms up, it is only fitting that our bowtie selections follow suit. Sure, silk bows will always manage to sneak into the rotation, but we’re making a conscious effort to work in more cotton bows than ever before. In an effort to not completely break the bank, our first stop when looking for a few new cotton bows was The Tie Bar, and we weren’t disappointed. One tie from their collection that will absolutely be making it’s way to Bows & Boats HQ is the Open Plaid Bow ($15).
Image: Jack Donnelly
If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you know that we love to spread the word about giveaways from some of our favorite brands. Yesterday, just like every Wednesday for the past few months, we were happy to pass along the news that our friends over at Jack Donnelly were once again celebrating “free khaki Wednesday.” Well, whoever won this week’s free pair will have an option that none of the other winners have had. At long last, Jack Donnelly has released their Dalton Pants in British Khaki ($92).
Image: Southern Tide
It isn’t a secret that we are huge fans of the Skipjack Polos from Southern Tide. In fact, another one was just added to the collection last weekend thanks to a stop at Redix down in Wrightsville Beach. If you have been trying to figure out which Skipjack Polo needs to find a place in your rotation, today is the day to make that decision. Why? Because our friends over at Southern Tide want to give you one.*
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.
