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When it Gets Cold. We Get Wooly.

by oxford cloth button down on December 9, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style with 4 Comments

I think you all know that I like to spend time outdoors. The thing about the outdoors currently is that it is cold out there. So for once I am talking wool, but I am not talking Shetland sweaters. Lately I have been getting into wool or wool blend shirts.

What got me interested in wool shirts is a vintage Brooksflannel shirt (see above worn post-hike). This shirt came to me via my friend Dallas (getticketsforthedance.tumblr.com & Instagram getticketsforthedance) who has been featured on here for his trad cycling fits. It is a cool and interesting shirt. It is 55% wool and 45% cotton. It has a button down collar. It also has a flap pocket on the chest. It is an amazing shirt. Get jealous.

I have worn this shirt a lot recently. It’s very clear to me that I need another. I am leaning toward’s a shirt that is more wool than cotton, but something like the Viyella at O’Connell’s are still on my list at 80% cotton and 20% wool. I am also not set on it being a button down collar. In terms of colors I am thinking solid navy or cream, but a classic Tartan is always good.

One last thing about these types of shirts is that it may require a long sleeve undershirt. I myself cannot wear wool against my skin comfortably, but most of the time I wouldn’t want to as this is all about warmth. I use long sleeve tees, thermals, and henleys of all sorts as base layers. I haven’t went the turtleneck route yet, but it’s not far away. I have added a few of the shirts that I am considering below although I would need a 50% off sale to even start considering that RL piece.

OCBD Camp Style

by oxford cloth button down on December 2, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style with 21 Comments

Before you go any further I want to issue an warning. If you are an Ivy Style or Trad purist the images below will not be to your liking. For those of you that have a cross over interest in rugged ivy, late 70s prep, and a touch of modernity continue.

On a 9-5 basis I am pure by the book trad. Blue OCBD, khaki chinos with cuff, an penny loafers like it is a religion. Outside of that I am about 85% pure trad. However I do like to occasionally incorporate some outdoorsiness and sportiness into my looks. This look takes inspiration primarily from late 70s prep vibe, rugged Japanese styled Ivy, and of course fundamental grad. This is what I call my camp style or hiking trad

General when I do this I am actually doing some sporty or outdoors. This could be a bike ride, going hiking, or something as simple as going for a long walk. However I might also wear this look to a coffe shop on a Saturday morning. My goal is to stay protected from the elements and look semi-stylish while doing so. Have some fun, wear some clothes, and get outside.

More OCBD Camp Looks

1965 Ohio State University Yearbook

by oxford cloth button down on November 25, 2018 in Clothing and History, Lifestyle with 6 Comments

Now that I am living in Columbus I thought that it was the perfect time to dig into some of OSU’s old yearbooks. I decided to start with 1965 for no particular reason although Teruyoshi Hayashida’s Take Ivy was written that year, but I won’t pretend that is why chose it. I was just pretty sure that it would have some cool pics and I don’t think that I was wrong.

Maybe you will find some vintage inspiration in the pictures below or even a gentle reminder of things not to do (like wear black shoes!). I myself was reminded that getting haircuts is always cool, to have more fun, and to always wear sunglasses when possible. I was also left reminiscing on student life and all the good parts of college days. Lots more OSU yearbooks to go through tuned!

Trad Clothing Brands?

by oxford cloth button down on October 28, 2018 in Lifestyle, Men's Clothing Reviews, Style with 11 Comments

One of the most frequent questions that I get is, “What are the best trad clothing brands?.” This is a difficult question to answer, but here is the answer that I usually provide.

It is easier for me to tell you clothing stores where you can find trad clothes rather than identify a few brands that are trad. Some of the stores that I have listed below are brands or have in-house brands, but others stock lots of brands.

The stores below stock almost nothing, but trad clothes. You can almost shop blindfolded and come away with nothing but the good stuff (be careful at Brooks Brothers though). Everyone on my list has an online presence which was one of my requirements. However, outside of O’Connell’s, J.Press, and Brooks Brothers you may have to place a phone call to check on sizing, availability, etc.

What do you think of the list? Is there anyone that I left off? Anyone on this list that you would remove?

The Best American Trad Clothing Stores

1. O’Connell’s Clothing

2. J.Press

3. Ben Silver

4. The Andover Shop

5. Cable Car Clothiers

6. Eljo’s

7. Brooks Brothers

All The Sweaters

by oxford cloth button down on October 21, 2018 in Lifestyle, Men's Clothing Reviews, Style with 27 Comments

I took stock of my sweaters this week. I also took a pictures because I knew a few people that might be interested in seeing them. There are plain Shetland sweaters, brushed Shetland sweaters, lambswool sweaters, and more sweaters.

If I were to pick my favorite sweater out of the bunch it would be the fisherman sweater that my sister knit for me. After that it is a toss up between the Salmon Spirit of Shetland sweater or the Brooks Brothers Clipper blue Shetland. I also really like pink brushed sweater from Ralph Lauren. It is a lambswool/Cashmere blend and it does not disappoint.

If I have learned anything from all of these sweaters it is this. Mid-grey sweaters are the most useful. Saddle shoulders are the best. You can never go wrong with a Shetland sweater. Enjoy the pics!

Shetland Sweaters

Brooks Brothers Clipper Blue ShetlandSpirit of Shetland Salmon ShetlandBrooks Brothers Pumice ShetlandO’Connell’s Charcoal Shetland
O’Connell’s Green Moss Shetland

Brushed Shetland Sweaters & Brushed Sweaters

J.Press Shaggy Dog Sweater
Harley of Scotland Heathland Brushed ShetlandHarley of Scotland Winter White Brushed ShetlandRalph Lauren Rugby Burgundy Brushed Shetland

Ralph Lauren Rugby Forest Green Brushed Shetland

Ralph Lauren Pink Lambwool/Cashmere Brushed Sweater
Ralph Lauren Grey Lambswool/Cashmere Sweater

Shawl Collar Sweaters

J.Crew Navy Shawl Collar Lambswool Sweater
J.Crew Tan Lambswool Shawl Collar Sweater

The rest of them

Wool Fisherman Sweater knit by my sister
Brooks Brothers Outlet Brand Wool Navy/Burgundy Birdseye SweaterBosie Navy/Grey Birdseye Shetland Sweater
J.Crew Mid-Grey Lambswool SweaterBosie Patterned Shetland Sweater in Charcoal/Light Grey

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When it Gets Cold. We Get Wooly.