Bravado Living

Socks are some of the most easily overlooked articles of clothing in a  man’s wardrobe. Admittedly, you can simply buy a pair of dark blue or black dress socks and know they are going to function adequately with whatever you put on, but why not go beyond the whole “adequate” mindset get a pair of socks that you can be proud of? These socks are from Aspinal of London, known for their quality goods, are made in the lisle style. This just means that it undergoes a process where lint, stray threads, and fiber ends are burned off to get a smooth finish. I really dig the contrast toe and heel design, the white and light green play off each other well. These socks are handmade with high-quality cotton that’s been blended with a little bit of nylon for extra durability. Treat your feet to some sweet new socks.

BUY IT Cotton Lisle Heel & Toe Socks by Aspinal of London $16.00

With the winter fast approaching, now is the time to start stocking up on the threads you will need to stay warm and comfortable. A sweater isn’t just to retain heat, it can help make you look stylish and suave. This cashmere sweater from the Brunello Cucinelli collection is a very handsome piece. It has a great simple overall design and superb mix of colors. It is a great casual piece, something to wear after you change out of a heavier coat. The sweater is pure cashmere, which means it will be incredibly soft and warm. I really enjoy the gray and brown zig-zag pattern. I also like how big the buttons are, I love big buttons in the front of a coat. It has a stand collar and long sleeves with a ribbed trim. The sweater also has side slash pockets so you can stash your hands out of the wind. Keep out the cold and bring in the class.

BUY IT Brunello Cucinelli Fancy Cashmere Sweater $1,845.00

The Space Hoodie by Aether is a revolutionary new style of winter wear. I personally like the Limo Stretch color since the black is a great color for such a versatile coat. The other colors, dark denim and monument, basically spiffy versions of blue and gray, are great as well. The Space Hoodie is made of out of synthetic materials and really is a credit to human ingenuity. It’s made out of microfiber poly ripstop fabric and stuffed with PrimaLoft fill, which is supposedly warmer than any other synthetic material gram for gram, wet or dry. I also really like that the jacket is ultra-light and very packable. This is a great jacket to use on camping trips or even back-packing, letting you get more net warmth for less space. It’s also great for everyday use in any urban setting, its practicality and great looking style making it a great investment for people who want to focus on wardrobe essentials. You can use it as an insulating layer that doesn’t add bulk on very cold days and as a stand alone jacket for milder climates, letting you wear this jacket any time you have to ward off any drops in temperature.

Besides looking great and being highly functional, this coat has a great and kitschy name. All I need now is a hover board and I’m finally in the future of my dreams.

BUY IT Space Hoodie by Aether $299.00

Marc Jacobs has a great selection of very cool shoes. Sometimes, I would almost say that he makes the coolest shoes. This is one of those times. These Marc Jacobs five-eye lace-up shoes are phenomenal, I love the rich color of the suede, it looks like would taste like chocolate and smell like coffee. I also have a penchant for suede shoes, they always look great just as long as you take care to never get them wet. These style of these lace-ups is very versatile. I wouldn’t mind wearing these puppies with a suit or with a pair of jeans, they’d look great in either way. These are shoes that you really work with; shoes that can be put to practical use and worn anytime be it casual or maybe a little more formal.   The rich, neutral tone of the suede guarantees you can match these shoes with almost practically anything in your closet and really, you can’t ask anymore than that out of a pair of animal skins wrapped around your feet. That’s the type of shoe you want to take with you  on a trip.

BUY IT Marc Jacobs five-eye lace-up shoes in caffe-brown suede $500

Bloomingdale’s, E. 59th St. & Lexington Ave., NYC, (212) 705-2000

Kolor is an up and coming fashion line from Japan. They came out with this double-breasted cotton coat for Fall 2009 and it is definitely one of my more favorite pieces. This coat carries all the eccentricity and daring expected of modern Japanese fashion, but still manages to retain a sense of elegance and collected poise.  It also carries a slight suggestion of decadence, which I absolutely find perfect. I am very fond of double-breasted coats, it is such a classic look and I always tend to lean towards classic because, well, it is a classic style for a reason. This is an amazing double-breasted coat and I love the fact that it is manufactured out of cotton. I can probably manage to wear this mid-March without excessive perspiration, which will kill the presence of any outfit. I also love the contrast between the color of the lining and that of the coat itself. The smaller brass buttons are a great touch and just add to the presence of this coat.  This is the perfect spring coat, it has a perfect weight, perfect details, and an exciting modern take on a classic silhouette which is oh-so-right.

Time to feel like an aristocrat without having to go to all the trouble of marrying into royalty.

BUY IT Kolor Cotton Double-breasted Coat $725

Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St., NYC, (212) 219-2688,