ThingsAmongMany

I have an equal-opportunity eye when it comes to style/fashion (though that’s not to say that I shop for women’s clothes much). That said, this coat really caught my eye during my web travels recently. I often find myself jealous of women’s fashion, not because I have some overwhelming desire to cross-dress, but because there’s just so much more opportunity for exploration and adventure for you ladies. With menswear, the details are often the defining moments (and details are expensive!). Or, again, maybe I’m still struggling to learn.

Regardless, the coat caught my eye and led me to explore more of designer Tatyana Merenyuk’s work. Ladies, do NOT hesitate to check out her work. Take it with a grain of salt, but to this uneducated guy’s eye, her work is fantastic. The Olga Coat is just the start, and one of her more expensive pieces, but her dresses are also quite eye-catching. She seems to draw inspiration from a variety of eras (the ’20’s and the ’50’s are both immediately evident) as well as a few different regions. And the prices seem relatively reasonable as well.

She works under the label Red Doll, and her newest work can be previewed on her site or purchased at her Etsy Storefront. Of course, the beautiful photography and models don’t hurt either…

Every few months I hit a familiar realization: it’s time for my wardrobe to grow up a little. Then, of course, I try to go shopping and I realize that I can’t quite afford to make that happen (or maybe I just don’t know how on a reasonable budget). But I’m trying to learn. A recent mom-fueled trip to one of the uptown dept. stores left my wardrobe a bit better stocked and a slightly updated (thanks ma!), which, in turn, brought about those old feelings. Only this time – and I don’t know exactly what was different – there was a bit more fire involved.

Since then, I’ve been rethinking my purchase habits and poring over some online resources. The Sartorialist, in particular, has been a source of vast inspiration and insight. Of course, part of “figuring it all out” involves determining where your personal style falls – something I’m still, in many regards, working to determine for myself. It’s a little easier being in NYC where there’s endless sources of inspiration wherever you turn and plenty of opportunities to shop if you can stomach it.

The trend that seems to be overtaking the streets today of combining a bit of vintage with a bit of modern is also eye-opening – it seems to fit my comfort zone (or interest zone) rather nicely. Take the blog Nerd Boyfriend for example. They do a fantastic job of taking a classic photo and dissecting the look to share up-to-date sources for the pieces involved. And suddenly I can’t help but thinking back to my grandfather - I have this image of him indelibly etched into my brain – sitting in the corner of the wood-paneled TV room of the house that my mother grew up in wearing a classic blue oxford shirt and a pair of khaki pants with his thick-rimmed glasses on and yellow paisley tie tossed aside.

Then, of course, there’s a few spots that have been almost-daily reads for quite sometime, but for some reason have just set in as points of true inspiration. I’m talking about resources (some digital, some real-world) like Valet, Secret Forts, A Continuous Lean, Billykirk (who’s founders Chris and Kirk Bray couldn’t be more awesome), and Billy Reid (who’s windows I’m forced to walk past on a near-daily basis as POKE is just a few doors down).

I’m sure I’m forgetting some, but I digress. There is a question in all this. Where are some of your favorite places to supplement your wardrobe without going broke (or feeling tired of an item a few months down the road)? Any hidden gems you’d like to share?

Over a year ago, I posted that I was on the hunt for the perfect “man bag”. Something a little smaller, and a little more grown up than my trusty Timbuk messenger bag. As is normal for me when I don’t find anything that knocks my socks off, I went on using my Timbuk.

In the meantime, I’ve also become a huge fan of the fantastic craftsmanship behind the work of the brothers Bray (the dynamic duo behind Billykirk which I’ve written up a couple of times now). In fact, having amassed a small collection (a cuff, a belt, and my favorite travel bag of all time), I’ve been meaning to get another order over to Chris lately for one of these (or maybe this one?).

But I digress back to the issue of bags. I stumbled onto the No. 214 Waxed Laptop Satchel (see more photos at the link) this morning, designed by Billykirk for Opening Ceremony. As far as bags go, I think I might be in love. The design is an awesome mix of utility and gorgeous design, and I can only imagine how it would look after a few years of use and break-in. Unfortunately I might have to wait a little longer on it based on the price, but at least I know what I’m saving for now!

The Billykirk boys have been churning out a series of awesome partnerships lately. They made a tote recently for Urban Outfitters, they’ve made some awesome hats (not sure if this was in partnership with anyone), some other bags for Opening Ceremony, and even a footwear collaboration with Sebago.

Only time will tell what’s next up their sleeves. Or maybe I’ll try to catch up with Chris to find out directly from the man himself…

That’s the advice according to Michael Williams of the inimitable fashion blog, A Continuous Lean. This quick interview from Fader Magazine is well worth a read:

I caught this on NotCot yesterday and couldn’t help but offering up a post myself. I noticed Rocket World’s Creature hoodies back around the holidays and they’re nothing short of awesome. They’re the perfect mix of cozy warmth and irreverent humor. And, with Where the Wild Things Are launching shortly, one of these hoodies could be the perfect accoutrement for those waiting in line (if it would just cool off already, of course).

Rocket World is working on some new designs for their Creature line, and they’ve turned to the masses to help them determine how those new designs should come to life. And, to sweeten the pot, they’re offering up a chance to win one of the new hoodies as well as a goody bag just for taking a few minutes to share your opinion with them. Take a look at the images below to see which of the new designs you prefer. Once you’ve picked, drop them an email at contests@rocketworld.org with your selection to be entered for your chance to win.

See the images and new designs after the jump…

(more…)

Having just come back from my (first) trip to the UK, this passport folio immediately caught my eye. After all, when you’re traveling, figuring out where to put your passport that it’ll be safe and you’ll still keep track of it is a pain. And, perhaps if I did more international travel, I’d have already gotten myself a passport wallet. But I digress.

Gus leather goods caught my eye immediately with their smart, no-nonsense designs. But the thing that sealed the deal for me with the passport holder was the SIM card slots. What a statement that attention to detail makes about the role that digital is playing in our lives these days! And, of course, the shift toward an “all plastic” lifestyle is also well-reflected in Gus’ goods.

While I’m not certain that my travel proclivities make the passport carrier a necessity for me, I’ll certainly be keeping their wallets in mind next time around.

Ever on the hunt for new and interesting clothing lines - I’m surprisingly picky about what I buy - I was pretty impressed this morning when I stumbled onto Barking Irons thanks to the crew over at The Choosy Beggar. Taking a cue from the workwear/vintage trend that’s been so popular lately, Barking Irons offers up a interesting collection of Finery, Tees, and antiqued Shines. Unfortunately, they do so on an all-Flash site so I can’t link you to the various collections, but they’re worth a look.

And, to top it off, they’re knocking 50-70% off today and tomorrow at their Bowery Store. Men.Style.com also did an interview with the duo who started the label:

While I don’t necessarily go out of my way to hunt down women’s fashions, when something catches my eye I’m gonna share it. And the carefully crafted pieces from the Vancourver-based studio Little Houses definitely caught my eye. Designer Shanah Lewis (according to her MySpace page) got started about four years ago while still a student, and her designs have continued to grow since. Her jackets are particularly awesome - now if she’d just take a crack at some men’s designs, I need a new jacket!

There’s a good, quick interview with Shanah over on the Stylist.com blog where she explains some of her inspirations and ideas:

I get really inspired by people who are doing the same thing as me and doing really well at it. It definitely pushes me to keep going. I also have some very talented and artistic friends who inspire me all the time. My husband plays a huge part in that as well, he is super creative and has really good ideas, anytime I’m stuck on an idea for a new garment, I always ask him for help.

Her pieces are available from either Etsy or SuperMarket.

T-shirt stores pop up (and shut down) online on a daily basis, it seems. Some are worth a salt. Some, not so much. Wire & Twine definitely falls into the former category. In their own words, the Cincinnati-based company is made up of

a group of designers, coders, screenprinters, photographers, artists, moms, dads, and down-to-earth people — and we like to make things

And their designs speak to their expertise. As do their designers (Khoi Vinh of Subtraction fame anyone?). A couple of standouts that I wouldn’t mind in my own closet include Playstation (also shown above) and 50 Ways to Help the Planet. And I believe Tom mentioned a hankering for the Special print.

Any that jump out at you? Please do share!