Accessories | Off the Cuff

OTC Find: Anson Adjustable Belt

On April 25, 2013, By OTC

For some guys, finding a good belt is often a challenge. If you have an odd-sized waist, most belts are too loose or too tight. And, depending on your pants – dress trousers or jeans, for example – your belt may simply not fit the way you need.

One option we recently tested out is a cleverly designed micro adjustable belt from Anson Belt & Buckle, a father-and-son run company. They offer a line of men’s micro-adjustable, hole-less belts. Instead of five holes one inch apart, their belts offer 30-plus options a ¼ inch apart, thanks to a micro-adjustable track system sewn into the back of the full leather strap.

With a variety of strap and buckle colors, the ability to mix and max lets you create a belt that truly meets your needs. We liked the open buckle design that is neutral enough to work with most wardrobes, particularly smarter casual looks, but also strikes a modern, elegant note.

For some guys, this is the Holy Grail of belts, and will prompt them to toss out everything else. Others may see it as a welcome addition to the wardrobe. Here at OTC, we really like the ability to grab at least one belt out of the closet that always fits just right.

UnderFit: Evolution of the Undershirt

On March 14, 2013, By OTC

Undershirts are the unsung heroes of many a man’s wardrobe. They are by nature pedestrian and functional, serving a purpose rather than expressing personality. Indeed, the best undershirts are the ones you forget you have on; not evident when being worn and possessing as little presence as possible.

Finding, let alone creating a perfect undershirt is a holy grail-like endeavor geared to those intent on minimizing their impact on menswear by maximizing their attention to material, design, fit, and construction. They want you to forget you’re wearing their product until the moment you realize it’s on and you hadn’t even noticed it. That is the brand-winning moment.

Enter UnderFit. Founders David Palmer and Ben Brockland started the company in 2010 after dealing with the frustration of not being able to find a good fitting undershirt. The entrepreneurs worked long and hard to develop thier signature product. True to the bootstraps model, Brockland worked two full-time jobs trying to get UnderFit going. Manufacturing is American based; the fabric is sourced from mills in Southern California, manufacturing takes place in Milwaukee, and orders are fulfilled outside Philadelphia.

While the back story is inspiring, the good news is that their undershirts are pretty great too. The material, an eco-friendly blended fabric called ProModal, combines the best qualities of two different fibers, Modal and Tencel. It also contains a small amount of Lycra that helps to create a better fit. This combination creates a lightweight, shape-retaining, and breathable material.

We found wearing UnderFits to be a very comfortable exercise. The shirts, broader at the shoulders and narrower at the waist, are nicely fitted but not at all tight or constricting. Importantly, they create almost no bulk at all under our trim dress shirts and are very comfortable all day long. The shirt’s body is long enough to ensure it stays tucked in place.

These are some of the most consistently comfortable undershirts we have ever tested. An important fact to remember is that these are designed to be undershirts first and foremost. And, they were designed to be the best undershirt you can find anywhere. As Brockland and Palmer say, “Undershirts are simple, UnderFits are simply perfect. “ It’s even their tagline.

OTC wholly endorses UnderFit. If there is a better purpose-built undershirt out there, we have yet to find it.

The Perfect Earphones: RHA-MA450i (Khakis for your Ears)

On March 8, 2013, By OTC

Many of you may recall us mentioning British brand RHA in the OTC 2012 Holiday Wish List. We highlighted the MA-350 earphones, which are the perfect running companion when you want to keep your tunes close at hand and comfortably crisp.

After several inquires about whether or not RHA carried a version with microphone and volume control, we wound up testing out the MA450i (and before you ask, no, we don’t know what all those letters and numbers mean). Clearly, OTC is not a technology or audiophile site, but we do live in the real world and apply our outlook of classic style and functionality to all of life’s accessories. So, we will not attempt to tout the brand’s technical prowess and dynamic audio capabilities. You can check out their website for all that information and you can order them directly from Apple (which in and of itself is a darn good endorsement).

Simply put, we love these things. Why do we love them? First, thanks to their aluminum construction they are incredibly light and fit exceptionally well in the ear. These earphones themselves are not over-engineered with all sorts of gimmicky add-ons and technical features that really don’t mean much to most people.

Importantly, they do a great job of letting you clearly and crisply hear your music, NPR podcast (Planet Money and Marketplace are our favorites), or phone call. As RHA puts it, “the signature aerophonic design delivers an impressively detailed, well-balanced sound experience.” Well, there you go.

Second, RHA’s unique fabric-braided cables seriously reduces the tangling which typically afflicts users of earphones and ear buds. The fabric-wrapped cable also produces less friction than a rubber cable which helps prolong the product’s life.

The overall look and design of the earphones are equally pleasing in a minimalist kind of way. They don’t stand out and scream “look at me.” Instead, they have a functional, sleek, and timeless appeal; at least as timeless as an electronics accessory can be.

Lastly, at less than US$50, you can’t really beat the price. These headphones quickly, and likely permanently, replaced another red-cabled bass-heavy pair without much argument. So, in a way, they fulfill a certain New England sensibility: classic looking, functional, well-made, and affordable.

Kind of like a good pair of khakis.

The Chester Mox Wallet

On January 10, 2013, By OTC

It takes a lot to make us empty out our well-worn and much loved R.Horns Wein eight-card wallet. Now almost 15 years old, it shows only the most desired signs of age. It is still fully functional but now softer and beat up about the edges; just hitting its stride, really.

The item that has for now supplanted that wallet is a small, elegant, and equally well-crafted one provided by Los Angeles-based Chester Mox. While the design is strikingly different and the construction slightly less artistic (R.Horns is known for its labor-intensive double folded stitch which hides all evidence of unfinished edges), the Chester Mox Antiqued Italian Calf Compact Bi-Fold Wallet in Saffron, is a study in functional beauty.

Compact and efficiently designed, it’s a winner and an excellent choice should you be seeking a low-profile wallet for your identification and a small selection of credit and transit cards. While the product’s description indicates that it can hold some folded cash in an inside pocket, which is quite true, this is really a card wallet; a tool for our emerging less-cash economy.

We have been testing ours for about a month, and frankly, it almost feels as though it’s the only wallet we have ever owned. The firm but pliable hand-stained calfskin has broken in nicely and its coffee-colored nylon stitching is crisp and sturdy. We opted for a laser engraved “OTC” on the outside, which provides a nicely modern counterpoint to the wallet’s classic styling. Where traditional stamping would yield more of an old-world feel, the laser engraved leather provides a completely different impression; cleaner, younger, and contemporary.

Chester Mox is family-owned, and with 12 years of experience in the leather business, they certainly seem to know what they’re doing. The husband and wife team behind the brand are picky about their leathers and only source from leading tanneries, including the storied Horween, also a supplier to bespoke cobbler John Lobb. All of their products, and they do have a growing selection of leather goods for ladies and gentlemen, are designed and hand-constructed in their Los Angeles workrooms.

The images below are from the company’s website. A note of thanks to Derek, from Put This On, for bringing Chester Mox to our attention.

How to Tie a Sette Necktie

On October 31, 2012, By OTC

The dashing gentleman in this wonderful little video from Sette Neckwear, is the owner of the Como, Italy, mill that produces the silk for Sette’s outstanding handmade ties.

Watch and learn. And, if you are able, invest in a Sette or two. They are some of the finest ties you can buy – and worth every penny.

OTC Find: Anson Adjustable Belt

UnderFit: Evolution of the Undershirt

The Perfect Earphones: RHA-MA450i (Khakis for your Ears)

The Chester Mox Wallet

How to Tie a Sette Necktie

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