A lot of shops are now transitioning to the fall lines and depending on where you live, you are about ready for that first autumn breeze to blow in. Summer only very recently began in Seattle, so I am pleased to see a lot of things going on sale from shop summer lines. I thought I'd share some of the favorite sartorial pieces I saw in shops or online from your common clothiers.
We will begin with casual wear...
1. The "One Year" Levi Jean Jacket
The Levi Jean jacket is such an absolute classic that no other denim jacket quite cuts the mustard. A dark blue one goes with t shirts as well as ties and dress shirts. I am glad Levis have been releasing slimmer cut raw denim versions that are dark blue. This one does not appear to be the "slim fit" version released last year but rather the "Standard Trucker"
in relaxed fit. I assume the model in the picture either is wearing a size down or has some c
lothes pins on his back. If this is the standard relaxed fit Trucker jacket, then order a size smaller for that nice fitted style.
2. Banana Republic's "Straight Cotton Five Pocket Pant"
These fine pants are cut like straight legged jeans, but in a twill trouser fabric dyed "Blue Stone". Yes, they certainly can be worn well with the Levi jacket. Banana Republic have a few sublines of clothes that fall into certain aesthetic categories. Their "Heritage" line contains a lot of great items that smack or the original BR stores from the eighties ( safari clothes, etc). I own some Heritage chinos in three colors for their slim cut and perfect below the waist rise.
3. Assorted casual button up shirts from J Crew.
About 18 years ago I had a few second hand J Crew items (yep, the roll neck sweater was one) in college. I pretty much ignored J Crew for a long time after that because they seemed to have ventured off on some strange LL Bean sort of path. They were too faux outdoorsy casual and too expensive for me at the time. But in the last few years I started paying attention to j Crew again, as they seem to have returned to their east coast origins and gotten dressier as well in a way smart adults can pull off. They also partner up with various old European mills and designers to create some interesting garments. My only criticism of them is that their shirt and sweater sizing is funky sometimes. The S, M, L, XL sizings have torsos that are short and wide or the sleeves are out of proportion with the body. When they cut something in numerical chest sizes (i.e. 46 Regular ) I am happy as pie.
4. Express V Neck Sweaters
Some folks may not know it, but like white jeans, the V neck sweater is in style again. Or rather, it never went away as I consider it a classic that will work hard forever. They go with jeans and t shirts as well as dressy shirts and pants. Get some colorful ones to shake up that drab color scheme you may find yourself in. I personally prefer the way the V Necks fit from Express, Kenneth Cole, or Banana Republic.
More to come...
