Other than a few mentions in passing, we haven’t really talked much about denim here at Bows & Boats. Honestly, beyond basic jeans, denim is one of those fabrics that can really be hit or miss. When done right, you can’t beat it. When done wrong, you end up looking like an extra from a low budget Western. A perfect example of denim done right is the Button Down Dress in Navy Denim ($138) by Kayce Hughes.
With St. Patrick’s Day only two days away, it might be time to start thinking about how you are going to work some green into your outfit for Thursday. There are tons of St. Patrick’s Day specific items out there, but, honestly, is there any other time this year that you are going to want to wear something with Shamrocks or Leprechauns? Instead of waiting until Thursday and profiling things that are St. Patrick’s Day specific, we thought it would make more sense to profile a few things that will look great this Thursday, but also throughout the year. If you act fast, you can probably get them delivered in time for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day events.
Even if you don’t work in an environment that calls for a tie everyday, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t throw one on a few times a week just to change things up a bit. Of course, there are days when a simple suit and tie are mandatory for an important presentation or meeting, but on those days when you’re just looking to add a bit of color we’d recommend going with something more vibrant and fun. Recently, we were turned on to a company out of Chicago called Bird Dog Bay, and their “In a Pinch” tie ($75) has become an instant favorite in our rotation.
Reversible pieces can be tough sometimes. Most reversibles are good in theory, but, in most cases, it has been our experience that if we really step back and look at each side individually we are left with two so-so items that we probably wouldn’t buy on their own. Fortunately, on a recent visit to our local J. McLaughlin store, we were turned on to a collection of Reversible Ribbon Belts ($48), that restored our faith in the possibility of some reversible items being able to truly be a worthwhile item no matter which side you’re showing the world.
One can never have too many button-downs. From starched and pressed at the office, to wrinkled and untucked on the weekends, a well fit button-down is always a great choice. With warm weather promising to show up soon all of our favorite brands are unveiling their new lightweight options for spring and summer, and one shirt that really caught our attention is the Lightweight Button-down in Adams Tattersall ($59.50-$64.50) by J. Crew.
Watch reviews have been few and far between here at Bows & Boats, because, honestly, it’s hard to pick just one with so many great options on the market. However, when you can not wear a watch for 4 years, then pick it up, give it a few shakes and be right back on time, you’ve got something special. That’s why we feel like the Coutura Kinetic Perpetual ($750) by Seiko was worth writing about even with its somewhat hefty price tag.
When it comes to things we need to leave the house, girls’ lists tend to be a bit longer than guys. For us, it is simply keys, wallet, and phone. Beyond that, we can pretty much “rough it” if there is something that gets left behind. We can only hazard a guess as to what ends up in a girl’s purse beyond those three essentials, but, honestly, we are happy to be blissfully ignorant. As much as the women in our lives love purses, there are times when a simple wallet is all they need. Kate Spade recently unveiled their Mercer Street Bradie ($155), a great choice for those times when carrying a purse isn’t an option.
The classic collegiate look has come back into style in the past few months/years and we’re big fans of certain elements. When you look back at old film, the classic cardigan sweaters worn by the rich and/or preppy kids still hold the same allure and connotation today as they did in the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. We think the Blue Stripe Cardigan ($129) by Smart Turnout is a perfect example of modern companies adapting classic elements to bring style of a time gone by back to life.
One of the small things that tends to bring a smile to our faces as the weather warms up is the ability to leave the house without socks. Sure, there are times during the colder months that we break out the boatshoes for a quick jaunt, but, beyond that, our ankles have been covered for the past 5 months or so. Before we know it, everyday will be warm enough to go sockless, and one shoe that is going to get a lot of wear in the coming months is the Authentic Original Loafer Penny ($75) by Sperry Top-Sider.
Plain and simple, road trips are a blast. There is nothing better than loading up the car with your best friends, and your favorite gear, and heading out for an adventure of a lifetime. One of our favorite brands, Vineyard Vines, kicked off their Spring Tour yesterday in New Orleans, and if their patchwork covered Suburban is any indication, this is going to be one heck of a road trip!
