When it comes to wrist watches, the shape and style of the watch case is often a variation on a common platform. Typically, they are round, rectangular or Tourneau – all fairly traditional shapes. Once in a while though, a manufacturer comes along and dramatically changes the playing field. While not for everyone, Bell &…
Month: March 2008
Off The Cuff on Rugby.com
Check it out! Off The Cuff is highlighted today on Polo’s Rugby.com site. I am very honored that Rugby’s top notch blogging team chose to highlight my recent “Roots of American Preppy” article. Rugby is a truly innovative, creative offshoot of Polo’s family of brands and has clearly shown that it can stand on its…
Commuter & Dad Bag Test: Crumpler – Funny Name, Good Bag
Ever heard of Crumpler? Maybe not, but I suspect that most readers might recognize that little crazy-haired logo on the company’s distinctive messenger-inspired bags. You might not remember exactly where you saw him or on what, but chances are it will ring familiar. Crumpler is one of those brands; sort of everywhere but not necessarily…
Don’t Just Manage Your Message, Create It
You’ve heard it many times before, “details matter.” It’s true; details are the finishing touches of personal expression. They are often what separate average guys from truly interesting men. Whether big or small, exuberant or subtle, details drive the messages we use to define ourselves to others. Not too long ago, my fellow MensFlair contributor,…
The Roots of American Preppy
This column grew out of a recent discussion on this blog about the relationship between classic and preppy styles. The subject quickly became an effort to identify the real roots of American preppy and what it means today. New England preparatory schools, conservative protestant values and social stratification together created an environment that produced the…
Changing Your Pants
I am feeling a little vindicated today because it seems dress and casual pants, long the forgotten stepchild of designer jeans, are making a comeback. As retail sales for men’s jeans are finally starting to slip, corresponding numbers for dress and casual trousers are actually rising. This shift is being blamed on a combination of…
Commuter & Dad Bag Test: Bag #1
Anyone who reads Off The Cuff regularly knows that I am always thinking about bags in one way or another because men today need them more than ever. And for those of us who commute by bus or rail, like me, we need good bags. This led to the idea of the Commuter and Dad…