Summer School: Rogues Gallery Swim Trunks

-It's still not warm enough to swim here, but it's definitely time to be looking for a pair of proper swim trunks. What I really dig about this line from Rogues Gallery is that they went simple, without being boring. Even though we, as adults men, should be looking for subtler options than the board-shorts of our youth, doesn't mean we should be avoiding bright colors. It is summer after all, and swim trunks should be an item where you can show a bit of personality. I like that these trunks allow you to shorten up and show an alternate color if you so choose. At $85, they're a bit more than I'm looking to spend on trunks, but I've had good experiences with Rogues quality in the past, so I'd wager that these would last you a while for your money. If I end up grabbing a pair, it will probably be the red ones shown here, but if I had the dough I'd get a few pairs. more

School Supplies: Polo Hunting

-My wardrobe is pretty complete right now, and as I've mentioned previously, I'm trying to spend less on clothes in 2010 and save for some major purchases. But there are still a couple essentials I need to grab to round out my closet, one of them being a legitimate polo. My polo game is terribly weak; It consists of a $7 white polo from Wal-Mart, and an Abercrombie joint I bought in 11th grade (I still wear it though, buttoned all the way up a la Fred Perry.) For some reason I've never upgraded to a pricier polo. I know there are probably some workable polos from Gap, J. Crew or Rugby (shown.) But because I've loaded up on OCBDs as my go-to, I'll probably only buy 1 polo to last the next couple years, so I'm looking in the $75-150 range. If I'm going to spend that much on one shirt, I've got to do some thorough research. Here are a few initial favorites:
-Rogues Gallery,  Engine Red Faded Seam $88
-Band of Outsiders, Trapped Pocket Polo $135
-Fred Perry, Italia World Cup Series, $86
-Rugby, Sun-Washed Polo, $65
-I'm leaning toward a simple blue or red, or maybe grey, something that works for summer but could be layered and add some color in the fall. I included the Rugby because I'm really digging the sun-faded look, and I know that Rugby fit works for me. I'm going to keep searching until mid-june probably, and may end up settling with a monogrammed joint from Polo. Any suggestions? more

Dress Code: You Won't Catch Me With... Vm. 2 Tote Bag Hype

-Peruse the magazines/blogs and you will find a great many handsome, well-made tote bags. There are fantastic bags made from old sails, and totes made in America by companies who have been making canvas goods for 100 years. Talk most any style-savvy man and he'll tell you that in Japan and Europe, there isn't a stigma about men carrying bags. I've never cared much about the stigma attached to  particular item of dress, I'm actually inclined toward things that might be a bit effeminate just so I can argue when someone makes an ignorant comment. But as I became more intrigued about the prospect of using a bag that I must carry in my hands, and I came very close to buying the exquisitely-made tote from Makr (above, bottom-right,) I saw a girl in class with a tote packed to the brim and I had an epiphany: If I bought a bag like this, what the fuck would I put in it? Follow the rest of my train of thought after the jump.


-On any given day I may have to carry with me: A large camera, multiple lenses, a computer, an umbrella, notebooks, pens and pencils, Gatorade or water bottle, granola bars, iPod, headphones, etc. I'm just trying to list the things I might have to take with me when going somewhere, then trying to think about how a tote bag would help or hinder me.
-If you've been in college in the last 5-10 years you probably know that in the age the Web, e-mail and Powerpoint, there isn't really a lot of demand for lugging books to class. I might have to take a novel to a lit class or carry my AP Stylebook around, but I never, ever, have multiple heavy books with me. So, one novel and a notebook and a pencil, does that warrant carrying a tote? No.
-My computer, in a tote bag, would neither stay upright or lay flat in  a tote.
-My camera/lenses are too fragile to be flopping around freely in a tote.
-Basically everything I have, I don't want flopping around freely in a tote. And if I'm bringing enough things with me that the bag is packed tight and secure, what the fuck am I doing with so much shit?
-If I'm heading home to Portland/Vancouver I'm probably taking the train. I don't want my shit falling out everywhere, plus I've got a small/mid-sized duffel that will take everything. I might throw my computer in my brief case.
-The only reason I can see for carrying a tote would be going on a picnic, when I might have a thermos and a blanket and baseball mitts and maybe some small speakers. BUT! If I'm going to be all organic and go on a picnic, I'm probably riding my bike in the first place, on which I can't very well carry a tote bag. I live in the Northwest, so I ride my bike to the grocery store too. And I don't use plastic bags. Backpack.
-I'm just saying, I have a great appreciation for some of the great-looking, impeccably made totes bags, but I just can't see any reason why most men would choose to carry one around. Your hands will get cold! And seriously, I dunno if it's just because I live in America, but a lot of times, if that bag is too small, it looks like a purse. Is that a bad thing? I'm leaning toward yes.
-There are great backpacks out these days. I'm on a never-ending quest to find the perfect one, but I bet I'll find it before I ever realise that I'm in need of a tote/shopper/whatever.
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Dress Code: High/low Hitchhiker

-This photo was taken right as I returned home from a quick 500 mile hitchhiking trip around my beautiful home state. Deciding what I'd wear to a: maybe be able to survive getting caught on a snowy pass, and b: not look so rugged that I'm unapproachable but not so well kept that people wonder why I'm on the road, was pretty simple.
-Low: The Greatest Coat Ever Made
-High: Rogues Gallery flannel
-Low: Gap henley
-High: Pashmina scarf
-Low: Gas station one-size glove
-High: Naked and Famous jeans
-High: Sperry x Band of Outsiders boots + NIKWAX waterproofing wax for leather
-It will be a little while till I know which photos from the trip are going to be published in print so I can't get any up on our Flickr yet, but as soon as I know I will through some up. more

Dress Code: Topped Siders

-It has been awhile since I've espoused my love of the Sperry Top-Sider. So as a refresher, the Top-Sider is the ultimate shoe and I wear mine almost everyday. And now Sperry has solved my winter shoe conundrum. I've been looking into various chukka and desert boots lately (like these, or these, or these,) and haven't really found an affordable boot that I love. Then I saw these Sperry chukka boots, which are basically just a hightened and lined boat Top-Sider. I must acquire them (they're available here) hopefully they'll still be in stock when I get some dough. Also, their reminiscent of these ridiculously badass boat shoe boots from Rogues Gallery (a Class Act favorite clothier.)
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Geology 101: Precious Metals

-Jewelry for men has always been something I've struggled with. I've never been able to really find anything, aside from dog tags, that balances elegance, masculinity, and statement.
-So, I just had that in mind today and went looking on some of my go-to sites to see what I could find.

-The Headshell (from a record player) necklace above is from Complete Technique, and is a fresh example of that balance I mentioned.

-A bunch more of my favorite, with sources and price, after the jump.
-That means click the more link to see them,doggie.

Speaker bracelet from Complete Technique, $900

Speaker Necklace, TC, $260

iPod Necklace, TC, $100

Walkman Necklace, TC, $180


Rockwell Collabo Tape Necklace, TC, $200

Skate Deck Necklace, TC, $220



-Anchor Cluster Necklace, Rogues Gallery, $220

-Propellor Cluster Necklace, Rogues Gallery, $220

-Seaworthy Necklace, Rogues Gallery, $270

More on Rogues Gallery soon. Big moves coming soon, too. Keep checking back.

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