About the Author: Jason P. is a Dappered devotee, having curated the majority of his wardrobe through the site. He is an enthusiast of wool sweaters, chino pants, and affordable automatic watches. In his free time, you can find him at his boxing gym or antiquing with his wife
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Aside from formal evening attire, double-breasted suits used to be as formal as it gets when it came to suits. You may have a couple of them in your closet and you’re not quite sure how you can incorporate your DB jackets into your current wardrobe, you came to the right place! Ways To Dress Down Your DB Suit/Jacket![]() 1. Do Pair Your DB Jacket With More Casual Pants & Shirts.Specifically, that means skip the white or pale blue shirt and instead, go with something maybe in a washed denim. Alternatively, you could also go with flannel because it makes you look softer and more relaxed. In terms of colors, consider earthy tones and pastel tones in the range of brown, ivory, or yellow. These warm colors are perfect when combined with a double-breasted jacket. Alternatively, you can go with check shirts ideally with some color such as maybe red or blue, maybe green, or something darker but you want to incorporate color because that sets the shirt apart from a formal business shirt. For your pants or trousers, it means that you can go distinctly more casual. ![]() You can either go with corduroys in the summer, maybe with some linen blends, maybe moleskin, or anything else that’s considered casual except maybe jeans because they’re just too informal. Of course, you can also consider chinos or maybe even a pair of navy suit trousers to combine it depending on your overall look and the feel you want to get. At the end of the day, make sure that your trousers contrast your double-breasted jacket. ![]() 2. Do Pair Your DB Jackets With Informal Accessories & Shoes.That means skip the oxford and instead go with a monk strap shoe, maybe a double monk or loafers. Traditionally, most men would have never worn a loafer with a double-breasted jacket but it’s something the Duke of Windsor introduced simply because it made everything more relaxed. In terms of shoe colors, brown is your friend, it makes everything more casual but you can even go a little further, maybe opt for olive green, maybe a light gray, or just something unusual that you wouldn’t find in a classic business wardrobe. That being said, burgundy or oxblood is always your friend. You can also opt for suede shoes because suede is always more casual than a regular calf leather. Choose derbies over oxfords because they’re a little less formal. ![]() If you only have oxfords or only formal derbies, consider getting colorful shoelaces because they really break up the formality of your shoes and make it look like an entirely new pair which is great for casual DB combinations. ![]() If you want to have something around your neck, go with a knit tie, not with a classic silk tie and maybe something in wool or something that’s a little more casual, relaxed, and softer. If you have a worsted jacket, maybe go with a wool pocket square because it tones down the formality. If you have a flannel DB jacket, you can go with something like silk because it’s a contrasting texture and it just rounds out your entire outfit. Overall, get something with colors or patterns, not a plain white linen pocket square because that would be too formal. 3. Consider Skipping Accessories Altogether.That means no tie and instead of over the calf socks, go with no-show socks, that gives your ensemble definitely a very casual appearance. Of course, the notion of no sock look only works during the summer, otherwise, you’ll be too cold. If you wear a shirt, skip the cufflinks, go with a barrel cuff, you can even leave it unbuttoned for a very casual feel. ![]() 4. Get Casual Buttons.If you have dark horn buttons or maybe plastic buttons, they look very formal. On a double-breasted jacket such as a navy blazer, adding maybe mother-of-pearl buttons in a contrasting white is a clear sign to dress something down. As a general rule of thumb, the lighter the button color and the more contrasting, the more casual the overall look and feel. ![]() 5. Play With Your Button Configurations.Most double-breasted jackets or suits come in a six-two configuration, two of which are buttoned. Traditionally, you’d button the two lower ones which would create a much more formal look. Alternatively, you can leave the bottom button undone or you can button the whole thing just on the bottom row and see how it looks. You could also consider unbuttoning the jigger button on the inside which will cause your lapel to be not as structured and will be a little less symmetrical and therefore, more casual. Some people will even go as far to button the outside bottom button but the inside top jigger button which really results into a kind of asymmetrical look and I suggest you skip that because it just looks like something is wrong with your suit but people can’t pinpoint it. Overall, it doesn’t make you look more casual but more like someone who has glasses on that are crooked. ![]() 6. Pair Your DB Jacket With A Sweater Or Polo Shirt.Sweaters and cardigans are obviously less formal than dress shirts. For a casual DB ensemble, the turtleneck sweater is ideal because it creates some visual interest in an area where you usually have a neckwear or a bow tie. Because it covers your neck, you’ll feel warmer which is in line with the two layers of fabric in the double-breasted jacket that will keep you warmer than a comparatively single-breasted one. For example, let’s say you have a navy double-breasted suit or a navy blazer, it can look really great with a lighter or medium gray turtleneck sweater. ![]() Ideally, you want a melange thread which means it has multiple colors and when knitted into a sweater, you can have different flecks of color which is a lot more casual than a solid white sweater, for example. Now instead of wearing the suit pants, pair it with a pair of chinos or corduroys and you have a much more casual look. If you find a turtleneck uncomfortable, maybe consider a knitted wool polo shirt, just make sure it has long sleeves, otherwise, it will look odd and don’t go with the seasonality of a double-breasted jacket. In terms of colors, go with ranges of off-white, medium grey, earth tones, or things like a darker green. If you want to add a bit more contrast, you can also make a statement with something in red. In general, you always want to create a certain amount of contrast between your turtleneck sweater or your polo shirt and your jacket as well as the pants. If you want to dress down a double-breasted jacket in the summer, you can opt for louder shirts with bolder patterns or colors or maybe polo shirts but you definitely want cotton over wool, otherwise, you will overheat. ![]() 7. Intentionally Buy More Casual DB Jackets.Opting for something maybe in a linen fabric or something with a Glen check pattern in gray with colors of maybe purple or green is just a lot more casual and the whole look is easier to pull off. That being said, features like patch pockets versus flap pockets or jetted pockets are always more casual. Moreover, look at the texture of the fabric. A flannel with its hairy texture and touch will always be less formal than a worsted fabric in the same color and weight. Avoid solids and rather go with small patterns such as a Glen check or a small regular check. Definitely, don’t go with a striped jacket because that’s inherently more formal and pairing it down with something more casual is just a clash that is too much. What To Avoid…![]() 1. Don’t Pair It With Denim Jeans.Denim is simply too casual and will clash with the formality of the double-breasted coat. Instead, opt for something such as off-white flannel pants, it’s a lot better and more stylish. ![]() 2. Don’t Wear It Unbuttoned.Unless it’s your idea of sprezzatura, I suggest you keep your jacket buttoned that means at least one button somewhere and you can play around with it and find what works for you and your jacket. Otherwise, a DB jacket is not designed to be worn unbuttoned and it will simply look off. If you have a tight double-breasted jacket to begin with, adding a turtleneck sweater will make it even tighter so you may have to play around with the buttoning, otherwise, it looks tight. 3. Don’t Try To Dress Down A Striped Jacket.A striped DB jacket is a very formal garment that is usually seen on Wall Street or in a business environment. Combining it with a casual sweater and casual pants is simply not something that will work and will always look weird. In the same vein, don’t try to dress down double-breasted tuxedo jackets or dinner jackets, it simply won’t work. ![]() 4. Don’t Try To Put Your Hands In Your Pockets.Yes, it is true, having a hand in your pocket makes you look more relaxed but overall, if you try to just have your hands in your pockets all the time, you end up having your clothes wearing you rather than you wearing the clothes. In my opinion, it is very self-conscious even though some people might do it in Pitti Uomo in the hopes of getting photographed, it’s impractical and not something a confident gentleman would do. How do you dress down your double-breasted jackets? Let us know in the comments below!Dressing Down the Double-Breasted Suit/Jacket published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr Dressing Down the Double-Breasted Suit/Jacket It’s Friday. Looking for something to switch up your weekend, or to give you an excuse to relax a little? That’s what the Weekend Reset is for. Each week contributor Tim Johnstone pulls together five things to get your weekend started. Could be something to read or watch, something to eat or listen to, or even something to do. Enjoy the weekend fellas. ENJOY: “We Will Rock You” – The Kevin Bacon of Rock N Roll? You probably never thought much about what Queen’s “We Will Rock You” had in common with Metallica, or The Temptations or The Jackson 5? Luckily, this guy did. EXPLORE: A new way to think about what happens after death. A piece that makes you look at the business of death in a different way. Sometimes it seems as if we aren’t that different from the ancient Egyptians, at least when it comes to burial practices. You can read the article over here. As for me, I see myself volunteering for one of these. REFRESH: A story about sweat and your stanky gym wear.Our gym clothes stink because we stink and it is all about our sweat. There are two kinds of sweat in this world. This is where the story begins. LAUGH: This is why we need sub-titles. And tissues. Unfortunately. There are no sub-titles. As a proud Scot, this makes me heart swell. Keep the heid! CUSS! Make your own kind of…swear words.I heartily endorse this article. Not just because I’m always interested in the origins of words and linguistics. I endorse this as an avid and proud person who swears. A lot. Studies exist which suggest that people who swear are smarter than those who don’t. Do I have that link handy at the moment? I do not. So @#$% right off. Or, better yet, come up with your own. Also, there’s this. And also, this. Tim Johnstone is Dappered’s music correspondent as well as our resident gatherer of all things interwebs related. He’s currently chasing his spirit animal. The Weekend Reset: Sweatin’ to the oldies and why the Scots have the best accents. published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr The Weekend Reset: Sweatin’ to the oldies and why the Scots have the best accents. ![]() Strong colour in accessories published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr Strong colour in accessories Sales that deserve some attention heading into the weekend or a bit earlier. Might not be some massive once a year event, but still worth a look. Those are what make up these handfuls. Five of the better sales, one for each finger, are below, plus bonus sales if need be. Included are a few picks worth pointing out. Todd Snyder: Extra 20% off Sale Items w/ LASTCALL20
Not bad, even though it’s all final sale (so no returns). A quite scrollable sale section. Lots of variety. Still some spendy stuff in there, but Todd Snyder just doesn’t do the discounting game like other brands. Seems like outerwear tends to run a little on the large side? Which is good, if you want it to fit over layers. I did pickup that wool stripe rugby. It’s awesome. Super soft and very flexible. A large fits my 5’10” / 200lb frame pretty good. Maybe a touch big, but not enormous. Items above are obviously not to scale because I’m not that smart and ain’t nobody got time for that. Massdrop: British Belt Co Langdale Waxed Briefcase – $129.99 FINALCouple of things. First, many of you probably got an email from Massdrop touting a new returns policy. Note that they’re only accepting returns on select Massdrop MADE stuff (specific stuff they’ve either helped design, or, reached out to certain brands to make specifically for their site). Second, this briefcase has some interesting dimensions: 11 x 14.2 x 3.5. So if you like wider-ish laptops (do people use laptops anymore? Or are those just for the likes of me and my other decaying corpse types?) you’re out of luck. Also, just because the brand name says “British” and it uses British sourced cloth, doesn’t mean the whole thing is made in the UK. Four colors to pick from. Banana Republic: Extra 60% off Sale Items
I know. I know. So. Many. Winter. Clearance. Collages. But it’s that time of year. And while much of BR’s sale section is pretty close to sold out, the above picks are still (at post time) available in at least a decent amount of sizes. Both of those motion-stretch jackets are incredibly comfortable, and cut out of Italian knit wool blend cloth. Super nice. Especially for the extra 60% off already marked down prices. Allen Edmonds: Extra 20% off clearance items w/ PLUS20The Pick: Mackenzie Whole Cut Medallion Toe Oxfords – $205.60 ($425) Nothing real new in there, but it’s still worth a mention because first quality MacKenzie wholecuts with that sweet medallion at the toe are still going for $205.60 with the code. $174.76 if you sign up for their email list and stack that one time 15% off code they send. Plus, they aren’t final sale. No restocking fee if you send em’ back either. Full review here. Shown above are my dark brown pair (also sourced from the clearance section, but for a heck of a lot more than $175) and a pair of walnut. Spier & Mackay: Extra 20% off Sale Items w/ SALE20
Sizes are very scattered. That’s how end of season clearance usually works. But? On sale AND an extra 20% off from a brand that makes really nice stuff at an already affordable price? Could net some real winners. Ends Sunday. Also worth a mention:
Extra 20% off Todd Snyder’s Stacked Sale Section, Extra 60% off BR Sale, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr Extra 20% off Todd Snyder’s Stacked Sale Section, Extra 60% off BR Sale, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful What’s Dappered Threads? It’s our forum. Launched in 2011, Threads is a not too big, not too small, just-right-sized forum that doesn’t put up with snobbery. All thanks to the users and hardworking mods. Once a month, one of the users/mods from Threads provides us with a highlight package of the last few weeks. What shoes are you wearing today?Want to get an idea of the daily footwear of your fellow Dappered readers? Look no further than this newer thread created by Threads user Shade. Several guys were quick to jump on board, and a variety of footwear including monk straps, tassel loafers, chelseas, wingtips, boots… (you get the picture) have already found their way onto the thread. If you’re looking to purchase a particular pair of shoes but are on the fence about it, this might be the perfect thread to get engaged with and ask questions. Budgeting and SavingsUser hockeysc23 is thinking about the future. With a new baby due anytime now, he’s looking at making sure he’s on track with what he’s socking away for retirement and emergency funds, and wonders if he’s ahead of the curve, and how much other people his age are saving. Turns out there are a few threads users that are near retirement, and have some solid advice to share. If you’re looking for some direction on this topic, check this thread out. Which cheapo dive watch?Threads user SwiftToole started a thread looking for an opinion between 2 affordable dive watches. He’s “not a watch guy (yet)” but has an itch for a dive watch that needs some scratching. The two watches he linked to were a Timex Expedition Ranger and Casio Duro. The overwhelming response from other threads users was go with the Casio. If you read this site consistently, you know we stand behind that choice. Have you had any issues with Allen Edmonds shoes or boot?There’s been a lot of talk, even on this site, about the state of Allen Edmonds. With changes at the helm, chatter seems to indicate that quality might be slipping, but based on the small pool of users on this thread, they still make a pretty darn good shoe. And if something is wrong, customer service is at least done right. If you’re contemplating purchasing your first pair of AE’s, and are having some doubts, this thread might provide some clarification. Getting rid of that hard skin on the bottom of your feet…No, we’re not going to make you look at a photo of horribly calloused feet. But they happen, and they’re happening to DocDave. As an active guy, he has some buildup of dead skin that he’d prefer to get rid of. Several users had suggestions, from pumice stones, to foot rasps, to a good pedicure, to a more extreme suggestion. And moisturizing is a must. (photo credit) Looking for some advice, direction, or just to connect with some cool guys? Perhaps you know the secret to baby soft feet. If so, then Head on over to Threads and take a spin around. Best of Threads: A new WIWT thread, saving money, and a poll about Allen Edmonds published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr Best of Threads: A new WIWT thread, saving money, and a poll about Allen Edmonds As the old adage goes, if the shoe fits, wear it. Even though that idiom isnât really about footwear, it begs the question: is shoe fit really that straightforward? When buying items for your wardrobe, itâs not usually the case that your purchase will cause you physical pain; nor is it likely that you wouldnât know how well your item fits until weeks or months after you start wearing it. However, both of these things can happen when you buy a pair of dress shoes. Youâll know if a shirt is too tight or if a suit jacket is too short almost immediately. But you may not be sure that youâll be able to wear your shoes comfortably until they break in, after which you can no longer return them. To avoid mishaps and wasted money, itâs best to do things right at the beginning of the process by learning how to get the best shoe fit. ![]() 1. Get Professionally SizedThe first recommendation to get properly fitting dress shoes is to go to a shoe store and have your feet professionally measured. Some online stores will enable you to print out a paper template to measure your feet at home, but the accuracy can be iffy depending on whether youâve printed it right, and sometimes you need to tape two sheets of paper together. ![]() Better to go to a reliable menâs shoe seller and get sized there with the equivalent of a Brannock device, named for Charles Brannock of Syracuse, NY, who invented it during the early 20th century. It measures foot length and width as well as arch length, which is the distance between the heel and the ball of your foot. Even if you know your size, your feet actually can change shape and size over time, with feet generally getting bigger as you age. So, it never hurts to verify your size once in a while. Even more important is verifying that your arch length is appropriate to your shoe size. ![]() Since shoes flex at the ball of your foot, this dimension is critical for comfort. Itâs possible for two different people to have feet with the same total length but different distances between their heels and the balls of their feet, depending on whether their toes are longer. Professional sizing will determine this. 2. Listen to Expert AdviceGuys can be stubborn. Itâs why we donât ask for directions even when weâre lost and why we obstinately insist we know what size we wear even when measurements say otherwise. In reality, the number stamped on the shoe means less than how it actually fits on your foot. If the expert staff at a shoe store tell you that youâre a size 9 rather than a 9.5 like you thought thereâs no reason not to heed their wisdom, right? ![]() 3. Try Shoes on in the AfternoonFeet not only change over the long term but also fluctuate in size each day. After youâve stood and walked on them for hours, theyâre at their biggest, so itâs best to get measured and try shoes on in the late afternoon. If the shoe fits then when your feet are at their maximum size, theyâll definitely fit when your feet are at their smallest in the morning. ![]() 4. Size for Your Bigger FootOne of the revelations of an interest in menswear is that your body is not totally symmetrical. Your right shoulder may be slightly lower than your left or your left arm slightly longer than your right, something you accommodate when you get your shirts made or your jacket sleeves adjusted. Similarly, 60% of people have one foot larger than the other, usually the left one. If this is up to a half size difference, youâre better served by buying a larger size rather than cramping your bigger foot. If the difference is larger, you may be forced to buy two pairs of shoes or go bespoke. ![]() 5. Learn What Sort of Last Fits You Best![]() As explained in our article on toe, the last is the form that determines the overall shape of a shoe when it is made, from the toe to the entire upper. Some lasts can be long with a narrow fit and pointed toe. Others can be rounder and more spacious. ![]() Based on knowing the shape of your own feet, choose those lasts that are most accommodating. If you know you have broad feet, for example, avoid choosing shoe styles based on narrow lasts. Even if you like the way they look. youâll pay for it in terms of discomfort. 6. Pay Attention to the Width Alphabet![]() Take note of which brands have shoes in various widths if your feet are wider or narrower than average. In menâs dress shoes, the letter D indicates an average width. Wider feet are indicated by E, EE or EEE lettering. Conversely, C, B, and A indicate narrow to extra narrow sizing. If youâre new to buying dress shoes, you may just buy based on your size number and ignore the width options, but once you get your width (again, by being professionally measured), you should use your width letter too. Unfortunately, many brands will stock shoes in only a limited range, perhaps C, D and E, if you are lucky since they need to target the majority of buyers. If you fall outside the range look for another brand. 7. Realize that Sizing isnât Consistent Among Brands.As Sven Raphael Schneider has previously pointed out, the width alphabet offered by brands may or may not be standardized; this is true of shoe sizing in general. Menâs dress shoes are subject to the same inconsistency even though shoe sizes are supposed to match particular measurements. For example, if your foot measures 10 inches, itâs supposed to fit well into a size 8. However, you probably have had the experience where a 10 from SuitSupply isnât the same length as a 10 from Meermin or another company. While theyâre not dress shoes, L.L. Beanâs waterproof gum boots are notorious for difficult sizing that runs up to several sizes bigger than one would normally wear. ![]() So what do you do? The solution is to try the sizing from companies you are interested in and determine how they fit you in a way that avoids unnecessary expense. Either do this in person if they have a physical location or make use of a good exchange or return policy. This can be particularly tricky if you are ordering overseas, as you will lose a decent amount of money mailing shoes back internationally: shoes weigh a lot, which means higher postage. Ace Marks is a high-quality, afforable Italian brand that offers free shipping and returns to the United States, so theyâre a great option. The good thing is that once you determine sizing for a brand, you should be good to go with future orders. ![]() International orders pose another issue with getting a proper fit because of the conversion from one countryâs sizing system to anotherâs. A European or Italian 43 could convert to a US 10, or it could be a half size different. For instance, the usual conversion between British and North American shoe sizes is to add one size, so a British 9.5 is an American 10.5, but this can also vary by a half size. As an example, a Crockett & Jones size 10 is not equal to a US 11 but to a 10.5. Rather than relying on pure trial and error (and wasted shipping), you can either try the shoes on directly or contact the shoemaker to ask them for the correct conversion. Of course, this may also be provided on the companyâs own website, so read carefully before ordering. The ideal approach is an in-person sizing, perhaps as part of a sartorial vacation. That way, you will be completely sure and get the full sizing experience of tip #1. 8. Buy the Best Quality You Can Afford![]() As a rule, more expensive shoes will fit better due to the higher quality materials and designs. Those that are mass produced or cheaper will experience manufacturing variations even within the same size. More expensive brands will have better quality control and therefore more consistent sizing. One example is the Spanish brand Meermin, which though inexpensive ($195+), is notorious for being made of a stiff leather that takes a long time to break in. Its sister brand, Carmina, is more expensive ($450+) and more immediately comfortable, sometimes from the first wear. So, if youâre on a budget, the fact is that you may have to sacrifice some comfort and consistency. Thatâs why itâs wise to skimp and save for better shoes. In the long-term, you will get a shoe to wear for decades with proper care and replacement of the sole. ![]() 9. Consider the Type of Shoe![]() As a general rule, youâll need to size down when wearing loafers as opposed to oxfords and derby shoes because loafers are thinner and fit more closely to your foot. The absence of laces also means that you are dependent on a close fit to keep them from falling off. An additional factor is the material theyâre made of. Calf leather is a bit thicker and firmer than suede, so your suede loafer may be the smallest size footwear you own, a half size lower than a lace-up. On the other hand, with dress boots, like balmorals, half a size larger usually isnât a problem because the leather around your ankle keeps your foot from slipping out (and you may want to wear thicker socks). Lastly, if you have wide feet or a high arch, derby shoes may be a better option for you than oxfords because derbies have an open lacing system. The closed lacing of oxfords means the top of your foot is more constricted. A sure sign that a derby may be a better shoe for you is if the leather at the top of your oxfords spreads open even when theyâre laced up. 10. Make Sure New Shoes âHugâ Your Feet![]() Staff at Crockett & Jones inform me that men frequently buy shoes that are too loose for them because they initially feel spacious and comfortable when they first put them on while a properly fitting shoe will be snug (but not tight). When you try them on in the store, they can feel like theyâre too small in comparison to shoes you own that have already been well broken in, but this is a mistaken impression. The fact is that new shoes will stretch: theyâll get softer and more supple, as well as slightly larger, with use. If theyâre already big to begin with, they will get too loose in a month when youâve worn them for a while. Professionals refer to the proper fit of a new shoe as feeling like your foot is being hugged; it shouldnât pinch or hurt, especially at the toes, but it should not feel roomy either. Again, itâs worth listening to the advice of staff. 11. Donât Rely on Shoe Stretching![]() On the other hand, avoid the opposite mistake of buying shoes that are too tight just because you like them or theyâre a steal, with the expectation that youâll be able to stretch them out. The fact is if they hurt at the start, itâs not likely theyâll ever be truly comfortable when you break them in. Sure, you can get a shoe stretching contraption on Amazon that looks like a medieval torture device, with a large adjustable screw mechanism and various attachments. You can also bring tight shoes to a cobbler for stretching, and they will use a similar machine and put them on it for a week. Another DIY trick is walking around in the shoes while wearing two pairs (or a thick pair) of socks. All of these have limited resultsâthey may help to speed up the breaking-in period of a shoe that already fits, but theyâre just desperate measures for a pair that is too tight. There is a very small gain in size possible with stretching, and itâll ultimately be a waste of time, money and effort. There really is no substitute for proper fit from the start. 12. Try Shoes on for a Decent Length of Time![]() A lot of times people will try shoes on for just a few minutes before purchasing them. Itâs hard to get a true sense of fit in such a short time, so keep them on for as long as you can manage in the store. A brand with good customer service will allow and even encourage you to do so whereas a big brand in a mall will likely want you to take the shoes off and get out. So, you need to schedule the proper time and find an appropriate boutique to do this. Granted, youâll still be walking on soft carpets and not running for the subway on hard pavement, but this is usually enough to feel the fit. If you order online, do the same in your house, but be careful not to scuff the bottoms. Stick to carpets or slip a gym sock or overshoe on the outside while youâre walking around. ConclusionOur feet spend most of every day in shoes, and many of us walk around for hours in them, so itâs paramount to get the best fit you can. Life is too short to suffer unnecessarily for something that can be solved by applying any of these twelve tips. The advice here addresses menâs dress shoes, but most are relevant to casual shoes and womenâs shoes as well. Each foot is different, but these tips will help you find the most comfort you can while wearing leather footwear. What other tips do you have for getting a good fit? Share them in the comments below.
12 Essential Tips to Get the Best Shoe Fit published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr 12 Essential Tips to Get the Best Shoe Fit What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. The annual “Big Game” is upon us, and predictably, New England’s favorite sons have returned to face-off against the upstart Los Angeles Rams, a team who had a paltry 4-12 record just two seasons ago. The game is a welcomed excuse for camaraderie among friends, wings, adult beverages, and advertising critique. Regardless of if you have a horse in this race, or are a casual observer simply there for the chips and guacamole, skip the super-inflated pricing of fan gear and opt for something more refined that allows you to flaunt your sportiness in other venues when the season is long gone. (Top Photo Credit) If you’re supporting the Rams:The Shirt: J. Crew Longsleeve Rugby Shirt in Blue/Yellow – $69.50. There is nary a better choice for refined sportswear than the timeless rugby shirt. Forget the athleisure trend, this is casual sportswear done proper. Happy to see these making a comeback in recent times. This piece aligns almost perfectly with the throwback uniforms the LA Rams will be wearing for the title game. Sign up for J.Crew’s rewards program to get free shipping. No J.Crew credit card required, just a simple email address to receive promo emails. Goes on sale often. The Pants: Bonobos Italian Brushed Five-Pocket Pant in Goldenrod- $59 FINAL w/ DONTQUIT. Keeping things golden, another hit from the Bonobos 50% off final sale selection. These pants keep with the Rams color palette, and will offer a lot of value down the road since they can be dressed up or down to create some great color combinations for multiple scenarios. Much better looking than the standard khakis that the Rams staff wear on the sidelines. The Shoes: Adidas Samba OG in White w/ Blue Stripe – $79.95. More stripes with the Adidas Samba, an actual athletic shoe from a decade ago. Walk into any soccer venue, especially indoor soccer, and you’ll see multiple pairs of Sambas. This is a football game, not a futbol game, but the look still works. The Belt: GAP Basic Brown Leather Belt – $28. A basic belt to keep things simple. High quality and rarely on sale, so act fast. A fan favorite around these parts. The Watch: Seiko 5 SNK807 Automatic in Blue – $71. An automatic from a world-renowned brand for under a hundred bucks? Count me in. The Socks: Stance LA Rams Crew Socks – $18. An opportunity to boldly state your rooting interests. Socks can stay hidden for most of the event, and flaunted whenever the cameras accidentally pan to Rams wunderkind head coach Sean McVay shouting obscenities. If you’re supporting the Patriots (why?):The Shirt: Bonobos Thermal Henley in Heather Red –$17.50 FINAL w/ DONTQUIT. These guys have it easy. Navy blue, true red, and white opens the door for a lot of options here, but we stay with the sports-theme and opt for the humble Henley in a Patriots red. Part of Bonobos fantastic 50% offering, be cautious as it is final sale. The Pants: Levi 541 Athletic Fit Denim in “The Rich” Blue – $59.99. A wheelhouse denim selection to add Patriots blue to this outfit. The 541 Athletic fit is a generous silhouette for the thunder-thigh crowd with a nice taper to accentuate the hard work you’ve been putting in on leg day. The Shoes: New Balance 990V4 in Blue – $120. The OG of “dad shoes.” A New England original, no sneaker is more befitting this style scenario than the New Balance 990V4. $120 is more than most of us would pay for a pair of casual sneakers, but these increase the sporting vibe while boldly supporting New England roots. The Belt: GAP Basic Brown Leather Belt – $28. Again. A basic belt to keep things simple. High quality and rarely on sale, so act fast. A fan favorite around these parts. The Watch: Seiko 5 SNK807 Automatic in Blue – $71. Also again! An automatic from a world-renowned brand for under a hundred bucks? Count me in. The Socks: For Bare Feet New England Patriots Socks – $15. A nice marbled texture on the grey sock breaks up the flow between the pants and shoes. Style Scenario: The Big Game (New England vs LA) published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr Style Scenario: The Big Game (New England vs LA) ![]() The unique workwear of SEH Kelly published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr The unique workwear of SEH Kelly Nodus Avalon Diver – $625 – $650This thing ticks a ton of boxes. Produced by a micro brand in LA using Seiko guts, the Nodus Avalon is a 300m water resistant, automatic diver, with a really good looking cushion case, and an attention to small details that you’d expect in 300m divers much, much pricier. 43.5mm cushion case but wears smaller. Bezel width is 42mm. Lugs are 20mm. I can’t even recall how I first heard about the brand. I know Huckberry has carried them in the past, but the Avalon diver is a new addition to their lineup and hasn’t been on Huckberry as of yet. That said, ordering from Nodus direct was easy. And I was super impressed when my new purchase showed up. Assembled in LA with a Miyota heart beating inside. Assembled in Los Angeles and running off a dateless, hacking, handwinding, Miyota 9039, the Nodus Avalon leans on a 42mm bezel / 43.5mm case width 1970s style cushion case that looks and feels great on the wrist. It wears smaller than the 43.5mm case diameter, and owners with average sized wrists should be plenty happy with how it looks and wears. The full range of colors. Stainless or Matte Ceramic Bezels (+$25) available on each. Lug width is 20mm, and the bracelet looks and feels great. No rickety feel here. Solid, but comfortable. That Miyota movement is one of the thinner automatics out there, so Nodus was able to cut down on the bulk, while still making a substantial feeling diver. 300m water resistance and a double domed sapphire crystal is greatly appreciated. The crown is set at 4’oclock which… I mean, some of us just love a crown that’s not at 3 o’clock. I don’t know why, but it looks all kinds of right. That crown is also secure, yet not a pain in the ass to operate. It’s obvously a screw down at 300m of water resistance, and it threads easily, cinches great, and won’t rip up your fingers if you need to unscrew it and reset the time. Lume is impressive. This was taken in a small shadow behind a couch. Lume is incredible, as shown above. There is a greenish tint to the indices and hands that doesn’t quite come across as intense on their site, but the performance of that glow-in-the-darkness really is something. 300m water resistance means it’s built to take quite a bit, and you can get in a lake and thrash about and not worry about it. Which is nice. Sometimes one needs to take a break and… thrash about in a lake. Knurled grip stations on the bezel. Brushed case and bezel with some polished edges. The orange accents on the seconds hand and the AVALON model name at six o’clock are smart choices. The font of the brand and the logo itself are sporty but refined. The knurling on the 120 click unidirectional bezel is as functional as it is great looking. Solid caseback. Terrific grip and action on the screw down crown which helps when it’s wet… It is, quite frankly, a hell of a watch. Sometimes micro brands make weird looking stuff. Or watches that don’t feel as solid as they look in the promotional materials. That’s not the case with the Nodus Avalon. It is solid, it is handsome as hell, and it should find a prominent place in many a fella’s watch rotation. Even if that rotation consists of just one watch. The Avalon could handle that job too. In Review: The Nodus Avalon Automatic Dive Watch published first on https://medium.com/@CostumeCorner via Tumblr In Review: The Nodus Avalon Automatic Dive Watch |
FashionPassion
I lived my life in Europe and now a global citizen in fashion. I have attended the American University in Texas and hold master degree in Media & Communications. I have also spent 4 years of formal training in clothing and fashion. I love travelling around the world and being in different artistic environments has helped me discover more and more about my passions which is fashion. Personal Links |