Bravado Living

Ralph Lauren really knows their stuff when it comes to designing and producing top-notch quality suits. The reason for this is simply that they don’t skimp on quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, which is reason enough for any smart gentleman to invest on one of their quality suits. A great suit will have any man turning heads and demanding attention, which is great since getting your face and name out are a great way to advance yourself in any career. This Garrison Plaid 3-Piece is a work of art, guaranteed to give you a refined and polished genteelness. You don’t have to restrict yourself to just acting like the perfect gentleman, now you can look the part as well.

This suit will speak volumes about it’s owner, practically shouting its sophistication and good taste. The suit is made from a smooth blend of angora and wool, exquisitely tailored in Italy. Every piece of this suit is comely and refined, with the plaid pattern being very subtle. The jacket is designed with wide, notched lapels, roped shoulders and two-button silhouette with four buttons at the cuffs. It has flap welt pockets at the hips, welt pocket at the left chest, interior welt pockets at the chest and left hip. It also has double back vents. The vest features a five-button placket and notched collar with welt pockets at the hips. The front of the vest is wool and angora,the back is  lightweight rayon with an adjustble slide buckle tab for an easily customizable fit. The trouser is tailored with a standard-rise waist with slide-buckle tabs at the sides for a customized fit. It also has flat front, angled hand pockets and back button-through welt pockets. The hem is cuffed. All in all, this is one great looking piece of plaid.

BUY IT Garrison Plaid 3-Piece Suit $2095.00

We’ve been getting a lot of questions asking us the difference between a blazer, a suit jacket, and a sport coat. Well gentlemen we’re here to clear the air. Blazers are a basketball team from Portland, Oregon (please excuse the bad joke, it’s 2:00 am).

In all seriousness.

BLAZERS

Blazers are not merely jackets that are worn with a pair of off-color slacks. They are a staple in a man’s wardrobe. In many instances should be one of the first major clothing purchases in your life, and will serve you very well as versatile, stylish, anchor of your style. So what is it?

A blazer is a two or three button (buy it in two), wool jacket , most commonly seen in navy, and adorned with gold buttons. Other than your favorite pair of dark jeans, no item is more forgiving. Trust us. You can wear it with just about anything from khakis on casual friday, to jeans for a night on the town, to seersucker pants if you’re really feeling adventurous, this companion can do it all. If you don’t have one already, please buy one. Like most things they make, we prefer Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label version as it sits well, holds its shape, and looks phenomenal.

Also make sure to get it tailored. Notice the silhouette of the jacket above and how the shape can make you look jacked, even though you haven’t done a pull-up in your life.

SPORT COATS

Sport coats on the other hand tend to be a patterned worsted wool with either a checker, herringbone, or corset pattern. It is almost always a rougher texture due to it’s lower thread count. This lends itself as the most casual jacket of the bunch. Worn for lazy days at the track, a passport holder at the airport, or to dress up a pair of jeans, the sport coat- while not the most essential of items- will definitely yield itself useful when the time comes.

SUIT JACKET

The suit jacket is recognizable by it’s higher thread count and matching pants (never wear a jacket with “close enough” pants and try to pass it off as a suit- everyone can tell). It can be adorned by any number of patterns but most commonly a chalk or pin stripe like the suit featured below.

Notice the pocket square, thinner tie, and tailored jacket. Well done, sir. Well done indeed.

The trick with going tieless is making it seem like you don’t need a tie, not that you forgot one. In order to pull of this look you’ll need a two button suit (or one button if you think you can pull it off). Three button suits are for middle-managment and ESPN anchors. Wear it without a tie and risk looking boxy and sloppy. Two button suits on the other hand are little more modern, hip, and playful so you can rock the suit sans tie.

Next you’ll need to accessorize. If your jacket has a pocket, put something in it. And try to stay from Cuff links because they are difficult to pull off due to their formality so unless you’re Jason Stratham, or you’ve got a bow-tie hanging loose to match I’d stick to button sleeves.

Next, and most important is a fitted shirt with a STIFF collar. There’s nothing worse than a limp collar  hiding behind your jacket lapel. Make sure your collar stays upright and the shirt stays tight around your stomach ( you don’t need to look like you have a gut when you’ve been working so hard to get rid of it, right?). For the money, Express’s 1MX shirts are remarkably good at behaving and will work in a pinch.

And remember that none of this stuff matters if you don’t get clothes that fit.

Well Done Sir

Looks like Jason has been reading The Haute Spot recently.

Suit, $1,595, and shirt, $270, by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, $550, by Allen-Edmonds Seven. Pocket square by Robert Talbott. Briefcase by Hermès.

-GQ

Throw away your old ties that span from nipple to nipple, or at least stop wearing them. When it comes to ties- thin is in. Go out and buy a few solid 2-2.5″ ties that compliment your best suits. Don’t buy them so thin that people mistake you for the drummer of the Jonas Brothers, but buy them thin enough to look modern and elegant. 

Before

After

Notice all the little upgrades- round shoes, pocket square, thinner tie, fitted suit.

Come to think of it- your belt should be thinner too.

Suit, $595, by DKNY. Shirt, $40, by Van Heusen. Tie, $135, by Ralph Lauren Black Label. Shoes, $190, by Geox. Tie bar and pocket square by Paul Stuart. Watch by Alfex.

If a jacket has a breast pocket, there should always be something in it. Period. Ideally, it should compliment but not match anything on your outfit, but when in doubt, match your shirt color. Traditionally silk, a pocket square used to be placed effortlessly into a pocket and forgotten- looking sloppily like it just prevented a mess being sneezed in your hand. A modern man wears it neatly flat, exposing but a simple elegant line to compliment his silhouette. Buy cotton or linen as it tends to hold its shape better than silk. Check periodically to ensure it stays that way, but fix it only in the bathroom- never act like you care about your appearance for it spoils the effortlessness of your outfit.

Kenneth Cole New York Suit

P.S.- Round Toe. Not Square. End of Story

Suit, $296, by Kenneth Cole New York. Shirt, $45, by Nautica. Tie, $150, by Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers. Shoes, $680, by Salvatore Ferragamo. Socks by Punto. Pocket square by Paul Stuart.