As you know, we love new small lifestyle brands. About two weeks ago, one of our readers, Michael, dropped us a line suggesting we take a look at Buffalo & Company and we’ve been holding it in our post bank ever since. Founded on the principle that America has gotten soft, Buffalo & Company’s products suggest a return to “manliness” of a time gone by. We’re a fan of men being manly, which is why we’re big fans of their Maclean Fishing Shirt ($44.50).
There is nothing better than stumbling across a great brand. One of our founders, Ryan, did just that on Sunday afternoon. While visiting a few of his favorite stores in Annapolis, a new one caught his eye. With a dock, and crab pots, filling in for shelves and hanging racks, this store had a bit of a different feel, and that was a good thing. Every item in the store bore the same logo, a three colored crab known as a Sook. Ryan learned quickly that the Sook was the logo for a new brand aptly named Jimmy and Sook. Luckily, the owner was there to fill him in on the brand, and their flagship product, the Pique Crab Shirt ($59.50).
While it is easy for guys to throw on a pair of boatshoes and head out the door for nearly any occasion, the ladies in our lives tend to spend a bit more time when it comes picking out shoes. Of course, boatshoes are always an option for the girls as well, but when the day’s events call for something with a bit more pop, a fun pair of ballet flats is never a bad choice. Recently, we were introduced to a new brand based in Rhode Island called Tipsy Skipper. Their ballet flats ($90) are definitely eye catching.
As you know, we have serious spring fever here at Bows & Boats, with nicer days becoming a bit more frequent, it is only a matter of time until the cold is gone for good. One of the best parts of this time of year is that our favorite brands start releasing their Spring lines. It is one thing to see the catalogs, but to finally be able to get hands on with the latest products is always a time we look forward to. While we love a number of Southern Proper’s prints, their Spring 2011 collection includes what might just be our favorite print yet, Regatta.
At Bows & Boats, it isn’t too much of a stretch to see some needlepoint from time to time. While it may be a bit different than the needlepoint your grandmother made you right after you were born, and probably a bit brighter, the basic premise is the same, we just wear ours. Primarily, we wear needlepoint belts in a casual environment which lends itself well to the bright designs we love. Most of the time, that’s fine, but what should you do if you want to sport some needlepoint in the office? A bright design may be okay for casual Friday, but, if you work in a “business casual” environment and want to work in some needlepoint the other 4 days of the week, take a look at the Surcingle Needlepoint Belts ($165) from Smathers and Branson.
Sometimes when you wake up on the weekend all you want to do is sit around in shorts and a tee shirt. Unfortunately, you look like a total scrub if you just throw on an undershirt and sit on the couch watching TV. Even worse, if you have to run to the grocery store or head to the mall, your sloth is exposed for the world to see. No one is impressed. One way to be able to rock a tee and still be able to look good doing it is to try one of the new Pocket Tees ($36) from Ball and Buck.
Back in December, we told you about one of our favorite places in Baltimore, The Quinntessential Gentleman. With a fantastic array of products, and a top notch staff, the QG is always a place we enjoy visiting. Recently, things have been taken to the next level at our local “Men’s Grooming Parlor”. After months of work transforming over 1600 square feet, the wraps have finally been taken off the two newest additions to the QG family, “The SPA at QG”, and “The Office” cigar lounge. In addition, they have introduced a new membership program that offers private access to an incredibly well-appointed members lounge (shown).
If you are a Bowties & Boatshoes fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, you already know that in addition to his “real job”, and helping run Bows & Boats, one of our co-founders, Ben Meredith, also founded Starboard Clothing Co. On Monday, we talked about our love for bowties, and how it doesn’t matter if they come from a company that has been around for hundreds of years, or one that is just starting out. Starboard is the perfect example of young company that is turning out high quality bowties. With an extremely reasonable price ($35), you can’t go wrong with any of their offerings.
There may be snow on the ground, but after a brief warm up last week, we are 100% in Spring mode. Though we aren’t wearing seer sucker just yet, that doesn’t mean that our favorite lightweight fabrics are inching their way closer to the front of the closet. One thing in particular that we will be seeing a lot of in the coming months is madras. From ties, to bowties, to shorts, to shirts, madras is never a bad choice. The Custom-Fit Madras Bleecker ($98) from Polo Ralph Lauren, is definitely going to work it’s way wardrobe this season.
We’re a fan of baseline products that exemplify the East Coast Prep Lifestyle. If you’re one of our female readers, boatneck teeshirts are undeniably one of these baseline items that should be in your wardrobe. Whether there are already some boatnecks in your closet, or not, today we thought we should share the Perfect-fit Boatneck Tee ($32.50) by J. Crew.
