When we were little, we used to dread back to school shopping. We thought that the clothes we had were just fine, and would have much rather spent the days running around and hanging out with friends by the pool. My how times have changed. Whether you are heading back to campus this week, or just back to the office like us, now is a great time to add a few key pieces to your Fall wardrobe, and what better piece to kick off our Back to School week than a pair of Game Day Chinos ($88) from the gang at Bonobos?
When it comes to women’s sunglasses, we are told that it is pretty tough to find a pair of good looking performance shades. There are plenty of stylish choices, and a number of pairs that are high performance, but finding that perfect combination tends to be easier said than done. Well ladies, things just got a bit easier because our friends at Costa Del Mar have recently added four new models made specifically for you to their women’s line. While we like them all, our favorite is the Little Harbor ($149 – $249).
Dhani Jones is one of those people that everyone would like to spend a day with. The guy is a stud athlete, TV personality, world traveler, and all around great guy by all accounts. While all of these qualities are pretty cool, we think the best thing about Dhani is his mission to help out charities in the form of bowties. Jones started wearing bowties when he got a great piece of advice from a friend of his, Kunta Littlejohn, who told him “If you want to be anybody, you gotta rock a bowtie.” Though he wasn’t huge on the idea at first, Dhani decided to wear a bow to support Kunta, who was battling Lymphoma at the time. When he was invited to a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation event a few years later, Dhani realized that he could help spread the word by designing a bowtie specifically for the cause. This bow was the launch of a fantastic organization known as the BowTie Cause.
We love the classics, from a simple pair of khakis to a basic blue blazer, there are certain pieces that will always be a staple in the preppy wardrobe. While the origins of many of these classics may be hard to trace, the origin of one preppy staple, Nantucket Reds, can be traced directly to one place, Murray’s Toggery Shop. There are a number of imitators out there, but if you want the real deal, you have to go to Murray’s. The Nantucket Reds line has expanded to include a number of offerings over the years, but our favorite is still the flat front pant ($72.50).
Every girl we know loves bags. From an every day purse that matches it all, to one that only goes with a specific outfit, it seems like y’all are always on the hunt for that next great bag. While we can’t speak from experience with it comes to purses, we do our best to profile those that catch our eye. Recently, we were checking out some of the latest offerings from Kayce Hughes, and we knew that we would have to share their Anchor Purse ($94).
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Though we sometimes lose sight of this simple mantra, we could not agree more. Salmon Cove, an up and coming brand out of Chicago, has set out to create a line of clothes that you are comfortable in no matter where your journey might take you. Recently, we picked up their Monterey Button Down ($88), and if it is any indication of what their future holds, Salmon Cove’s journey is going to be quite the successful one.
A few years ago, there was a guy who got his 15 minutes of fame because he was sick of seeing people with their “pants on the ground”. That has never been an issue for us. Not only because we tend to buy things that fit correctly, but also because we seldom leave home without a belt. From traditional buckles to more casual d-rings, our collections run the gamut. One buckle that will always look great whether you are dressing it up or down is the Engine-turned Belt Buckle ($225) from Tiffany & Co.
This weekend we are officially taking it easy. Other than a few quick errands, the schedule is completely clear, and if all goes according to plan it will stay that way. It is times like these when comfort is absolutely key. Instead of bowties and boatshoes, you will probably find us relaxing in t-shirts and bare feet for the next few days. Of course, you won’t find us just bumming around in a plain white tee, today’s pick is the Short Sleeve Pocket Tee ($32.50) from our friends at Southern Tide.
As much as bowties make a statement in their own right, and as much as we like to push that envelope, there are times when a simple classic is the way to go. We aren’t huge fans of solids, so, in our opinion, you can’t get much more classic than a tie with a basic repp stripe. With so many options available, it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to choosing your next striped tie. That being said, you can never go wrong with a James Bow ($55) by Collared Greens.
In a world of mass production, it is nice to see things come in small batches from time to time. From small batch bourbon to small batches of mom’s famous cookies, it is a great feeling to know that you are enjoying something that isn’t readily available to anyone who comes looking. Recently, a new brand out of Kentucky, Cash Robinson, has applied this mindset to one of our favorite things, a polo. Their Silks Reserve Polos ($69.50) are the epitome of what a small batch offering should be.
