Last week. Thrifted: Shirt: Vtg. Levi’s $5 T-Shirt: Rogues Gallery $Free (Clothing Swap) Jeans: Modern Levis $Free (Gift) Belt: Ben Sherman $10 Boots: Eastland Made in ME $15 (Thrift Gift)
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Last week.

Thrifted:

Shirt: Vtg. Levi’s $5

T-Shirt: Rogues Gallery $Free (Clothing Swap)

Jeans: Modern Levis $Free (Gift)

Belt: Ben Sherman $10

Boots: Eastland Made in ME $15 (Thrift Gift)

AFistfulOfVintage

So Etsy listings expire after 4 months.  Here’s some pretty spectacular stuff that didn’t sell during the winter, 20% off my already eminently reasonable prices.

I know you were just waiting for that ridiculously awesome Johnny Carson 2 piece vest/sport coat set to come down a bit.

Regular blogging will (I promise*) come back next week.

AFoS

*Ed Note: I may be lying, we’ll see how it goes.

Some really really great stuff at my online shop A Fistful of Vintage.  All these items are slightly on the other side of my 37/38 measurements, so if you’re a 38-40 you have an opportunity for some truly spectacular stuff.

Just a friendly reminder that spring summer items are beginning to file into A Fistful of Vintage.  Some highlights?

Ties by Hermes, Sulka and Turnbull & Asser

Sport Coats in all manner of plaid (many more madras items to come as the weather warms up, if you’re thinking madras for this summer think AFoV.)

Suits rendered casually and lightweight for the summer months.  Keep an eye out for some vintage Brooks Bros summerweight items to come in soon.

Also, I’ll be running a spring cleaning sale sometime in the next few weeks.  No coupon code bullshit, just good old fashioned price cuts.  I’ll announce it here, so keep your eyes peeled.

Best,

Alex (AFoS/AFoV)

Contemporary Vintage.

As a seasoned thrifter much of my wardrobe is vintage.  I often find that “vintage” is one of the most misunderstood elements of #menswear.

Too often grouped either into “costume” (e.g. vintage hunting jacket, Big E Levis, Bean Boots and a fashion axe) or “accent” (e.g. cufflinks, watches, shoes) with little respect for the fact that fashion (oh wait, I mean style) is cannibalistic.

There’s only so many ways men’s fashion reinvents itself.  Nobody’s really come up with an alternative for the sport coat, so it’s just skinny/wide lapels and single/double breasted.  Now, obviously there’s more to it than that, but any “stylish” guy is going to have some shirts, and some pants, and probably some sport coats; we’re not suddenly going to see a mass shift to everyone wearing togas.*

So if we’re still wearing essentially the same clothes that we were 100 or so years ago, why would I shop new?

Take this jacket.  One of my favorites, it’s a Lanvin from the 70’s (I’m guessing based on the label), Union made in the USA in a lovely supple hopsack weave, it’s also totally on trend.  If I told you I bought it new yesterday it wouldn’t be unbelievable (well… I mean it would be unbelievable for me, but you get the jist).  It’s use as a “vintage” piece is interchangeable with it’s utility as a wardrobe staple.  It’s neither costume or accent, but a core item in my wardrobe.  Most of my clothes are like this.  

I’m not saying that it’s easy for everyone to get out there and grab some great vintage stuff, but think of buying used for central, basic pieces.  People are always looking to get clothes that are “timeless” and “classic”.  Well… well made clothes last, and as they filter through the lifecycle of some trends, they suddenly find themselves contemporary again.  Or, if you want to cliche-ify it, “timeless and classic”.

I think vintage often deserves a bit more respect than it gets, it’s history you can wear, but also stunt your friends.  What’s more #menswear than that?

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Thrifted:

Blazer - Vtg. Lanvin $4

Shirt - No Brand “Mostly Cotton” (ed. note: I swear this is the only tag) $2.50

Tie - Vtg (?) Stafford, $2

Pants - Vtg. Indian Patchwork Madras (Wash by hand only) - $8 (anyone else notice I didn’t mention these?  IT’S BECAUSE I DON’T NEED TO BRING ATTENTION TO MYSELF.)

Shoes - Cole Haan Black Suede Split Toes Made in USA - $9

*Ed Note: Good lord… it’d be like the apocalypse version of sweatpants.

Gray Day Blues (or: Monochrome MondayThursday).

There’s something to be said for a palette of slate to navy blue when the weather ranges from rain to gunmetal gray.

But a floral tie really helps liven things up.

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Thrifted:

Jacket - Vtg. “Crickateer” -$5 (probably)

Shirt - Merona - $5

Tie - Burberry’s - $8(!)

Pants - Vtg. Anderson-Little - $3

Shoes - Vtg. Johnson & Murphy (Made in Italy) - $1

Pocket Square - Silk Scarf - $2

A Well Fitting Jacket.

Presented with (almost) no comment.

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Thrifted:

Sport Coat - Vtg. “Campus” $5

Shirt - Vtg. Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” $2.50

Tie - Vtg. No Brand - $2

Jeans (Clearance) - LLBean Sig. $15

Shoes - Allen Edmonds Grayson $5

Pocket Square - Vtg. “Golden Weave” (100% Irish Linen) - $4 (set of 5)

Brown/White/Madras.

I think brown and white is an underrated anchor for a sunny day.  While I like bright colors and bold patterns as much as the next guy (ed. note: actually more), I think that the patina of the wholecut shoes is really what makes this outfit.

Though I did go to a “brown and white” party once, it was pretty beige-y.

EDIT: Almost forgot, I don’t really follow “trends” or whatever, but if mirrored shades come back, I want some credit for being ahead of the curve.

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Thrifted:

Jacket - Vtg. Southwick

Shirt - Vtg. Hathaway

Pocket Square - 100% Silk Made in Italy (no other tags)

Tie - JCrew

Shoes - Vtg. Howard & Foster

What’s at Material Objects this week? (7/8/12-7/14/12) In this new “series” I will be posting what’s in the window at the consignment shop I work at (Material Objects, 500 Congress St, Portland ME, 774-1241).   I get to do the men’s window outfit (hello putting “stylist” on my resume!) with whatever is in the shop that week. Starting for real tomorrow I’ll be posting whatever is in the window, in detail with prices, just as a public service to the internet. The best part?  If you live in Portland ME you can come and buy this stuff straight off the mannequin. Like a Boss. Jacket - Brooks Bros Shirt - J Press Brooks Bros. Tie - Express Pants - J Press Shoes - Vtg. Weejuns/Chuck Taylors
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What’s at Material Objects this week? (7/8/12-7/14/12)

In this new “series” I will be posting what’s in the window at the consignment shop I work at (Material Objects, 500 Congress St, Portland ME, 774-1241).  

I get to do the men’s window outfit (hello putting “stylist” on my resume!) with whatever is in the shop that week.

Starting for real tomorrow I’ll be posting whatever is in the window, in detail with prices, just as a public service to the internet.

The best part?  If you live in Portland ME you can come and buy this stuff straight off the mannequin. Like a Boss.

Jacket - Brooks Bros

Shirt - J Press Brooks Bros.

Tie - Express

Pants - J Press

Shoes - Vtg. Weejuns/Chuck Taylors

Chocolate/Blueberry.

Been looking for a raw silk tie for a bit, found 4 this last month.  This particular one is from Lord & Taylor and features a blue/brown color palette that I think is just tops.  

This look also includes some hot linen on linen action with both my vest and my pants made of the slubby material (also some polyester because, hey it was the 70’s).

And when I say “hot” I mean “101 degrees at 2pm”.  Not “sexual”.

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Thrifted:

Vtg. Linen (silk? poly? who really knows) Blend Vest

Vtg. Linen Levi’s “Trimcut” Pants

Vtg. Lord & Taylor Raw Silk Tie

PRL Gingham Shirt

Vtg. Johnson & Murphy “Cellini” Loafers (Made in Italy)

What’s up AFOS? What you wearing these days?

Sorry for the radio silence.  WIWT’s are the least popular part of the blog and since I haven’t had a good screed against common wisdom lately, I’ve just been accruing a bunch of pictures of myself against a brick wall (also in a driveway).

So what have I been wearing this summer?

Simple outfits with some bracelets (I’d call them “man bracelets” or “mewlery” BUT BRACELET AND JEWELRY ARE NON GENDER SPECIFIC).

Thrifted:

Vtg. No Tags OCBD

Levi’s 505’s (inherited)

Bass Brown Suede Bucks

White Converse Chuck Taylors (Gifted)

Levi’s “Movin’ On” Red Gingham Shirt

No Brand Woven Leather Belt

Levi’s Web Belt (Made in USA)

Bracelets by Ashley

When I’ve been getting a bit more complex I’ll wear some vintage madras.  Either a shirt or a jacket (or some pants, though not in these pics).

Thrifted:

Vtg. “Career Club” Madras Shirt

Levi’s 505’s (Inherited)

Levi’s Web Belt (Made in USA)

Vtg. “Triton” Madras Jacket

Oleg Cassini BD (complete with unlined collar, which I think was to save money or something, but still, interesting detail)

B Republic Chinos

Allen Edmonds “Grayson” Tassel Loafers

Vtg. “Golden Weave” Irish Linen Pocket Square

Oh, also I wore that ridiculous floral tie I own for First Friday.  That was pretty fun.

Thrifted:

Vtg. Lanvin DB Blazer

Remick’s of Quincy Floral Tie (Made of real Oiana Nylon!)

Church’s Black Horsebit Loafers

So that’s it, that’s what I’ve been wearing since  I (apparently) vanished last week.  You can resume not noticing in 5… 4… 3…

Oh Whatup Summer?

I didn’t see you there.

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Thrifted:

Bespoke Cream Jacket (gifted)

Vtg. Van Heusen “Profiles” OCBD

Vtg. “State Street” for Jordan Marsh Churchill Dot Tie

Vtg. Hand Woven in India Bleeding Madras Trousers (Hand Wash Only)

LLBean White Bucks (Made in USA)

Trad So Hard Mothafuckas Wanna Blog Me.

If I did this again (and I will) I’d swap the matte pocket square for a silk one with some sheen.  Otherwise I don’t think I’d change much.

Also, I’m glad I held onto my couple skinny cotton ties.  I thought of getting rid of them, but figured they’d be useful for Mad Men themed parties, or if I happened upon an amazing vintage madras jacket.

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Thrifted:

Vtg. “Triton” Madras Sport Coat

Vtg. Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD

Vtg. Skinny Cotton Tie

Levi’s 505’s (inherited)

Stafford White “Douchebag” Braided Strap Loafers

Surcingle Belt

Summer Blues.

High of 60 and cloudy all day.  Any wonder I’m blue?

On a sidenote, this jacket just came back from the tailor and given how often I wore it last summer I’m very excited.

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Thrifted:

Vtg. Campus “Fine Tailored Sportswear” Plaid Sport Coat

Vtg. Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD

Vtg. Present Tie

Vtg. Levi’s “Trimcut” Linen Trousers

Vtg. J&M “Cellini” Made in Italy Loafers