OTC On The Road | Off the Cuff

Thomas Pink Refreshes its Brand

On April 10, 2013, By OTC

Thomas Pink, the venerable British clothing company most famous for its iconically English shirts, recently launched a thorough re-branding. Embracing its Britishness like never before, they have deftly combined classic Art Deco polish with Jermyn Street tradition.

The refreshed brand now sports Union Jacks and the Cheeky Fox, reinforcing the transitional heritage that underlies the company’s history. The shirts are updated too – cut slimmer to match the style sensibilities of today’s customers. Although most folks associate Thomas Pink with its famous shirting, they also provide outstanding made-to-measure suiting, sport coats, sharp accessories, and fun socks.

OTC was recently invited by Thomas Pink’s PR team to visit the new Tyson’s Galleria store; images below. We were impressed with the fresh yet vintage take on retail design, the classic riding kit gracing the front entrance, and the clever shadow box shelving that both defines the store’s space and highlights interesting pieces.

In fact, we are so impressed that we’ll be doing a follow-up post on some great Spring looks, courtesy of Thomas Pink.

Brunch With Richard Press

On September 13, 2012, By OTC

One of the true pleasures of running a site such as Off the Cuff is the opportunity afforded to us of meeting some truly remarkable people. Amazingly enough, many of our most interesting friends sought out OTC, not the other way around.

Such was the case with Richard Press. Richard, former CEO of the iconic menswear brand, J. Press, is also grandson of its founder, Jacobi Press. The New Haven, Connecticut native had read the review of The Ivy League and immediately honed in on the bits about Dartmouth – he’s a proud alum.

Knowing that our editor-in-chief would be in New York City for the US Open, they planned to meet for relaxed Sunday brunch at Sarabeth’s, on Central Park South. Charming, thoughtful, and convivial, Richard is font of knowledge when it comes to the menswear business, possessing a rich personal and professional history. Literally born into J. Press, that is to be expected, but he also has a scholar’s inquisitiveness and salesman’s knack for seeing opportunity.

Along with legendary menswear author Bruce Boyer, Ricard is curating the Ivy Style exhibition at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, the FIT. The exhibition, which opened on September 14, 2012, and runs through January 5, 2013, is an amazing retrospective that celebrates the influence of classic East Coast, Ivy League fashion.

Breathtaking in its scope and scale, the show also includes several of Richard’s father’s Harris Tweed sport coats, and his father’s favorite blue blazer – all J. Press, of course. Christian Chensvold, founder of Ivy Style, the ne plus ultra of Ivy League blogs, helped pen the accompanying book, to be published by the Yale Press.

As we bade our farewells on the sidewalk, already mapping out a potential project for later this fall, I glanced across West 59th Street to Central Park and decided to take a stroll. With all supplies tucked firmly in my Frank Clegg tote, I enjoyed a sunny hour in the park.

Tennis Turns To Fashion Week

On September 11, 2012, By OTC

OTC’s trip to New York City, with the plan of covering back stage access to the US Open Women’s Final hit its first bump before the plane even left.

We sat on the runway for more than two and a half hours because of “weather issues” at LaGuardia. Typically, these assertions can mean anything – or, to often, nothing. But this time, I had an inside line to LGA. My seat-mate, a youngish looking ex-military guy, had a friend in the tower who kept him abreast of the actual weather problem: tornadoes.

When we finally did make it to New York, I was whisked into the city and deposited at my hotel. After freshening up, it was off to lunch at The Smith Midtown and meeting up with my fellow bloggers. Then, we learned that the women’s final match had been postponed until late Sunday afternoon. So, what to do?

Without missing a beat, our host had a new itinerary lined up in a flash: American Express’ private New York Fashion Week sky box. So, off to Lincoln Center and through the back door into the tents. We passed by the Mercedes Benz pavilion and turned down an unremarkable corridor, stopped at an unmarked door and, after appeasing security, passed through and entered the land of Amex.

Luckily, the outfit I had pulled together for the US Open also worked for Fashion Week (I had a little Fred Castleberry going on with the shirt).

Shirt:    J. Crew Washed Adler Tattersall
Pants:   Alpha Khakis by Dockers in navy blue
Belt:      Kiel James Patrick Hortock’s Compass Rose
Socks: Dahlgren Metro Argyle
Shoes: Remastered Converse Jack Purcell, by J. Crew
Bag:     Frank Clegg Signature Tote

After champagne and Tod English-catered appetizers (this is Fashion Week after all) we started with VLUV’s menswear show, not quite my or OTC’s taste, but exciting to see nonetheless. Then, we took a break to chat with Mimi Lombardo, style and fashion editor for Travel+Leisure magazine.

After that came the major show of the evening – Monique Lhuillier. Anyone who has ever watched TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” should recognize this name. Obviously not my forte, but the experience was pure New York glitz and glamor and a whole lot of fun for my female counterparts.

One thing I could not help but notice was the audience, above which we were perched, ensconced in luxury, and served by waiters (how many times in life will I get to say that?). The women were for the most part decked out to the nines; elegant and trendy, no detail left to chance. Even the more pedestrian attired ladies had a functional, classic feel to their ensembles.

The men, hover, seemed to embrace a “sloppy is cool” approach to their wardrobe with few exceptions. Tees and jeans with fancy shoes seemed to be the rule. Some were dressed quite smartly, but for the most part it was surprisingly schlocky for such an elegant affair.

That said, I did see a number of younger hipster dudes with the chunky Clark Kent glasses. Their just-so college professor-inspired outfits were too often precious and overly scripted. Cool, in a way, but forced; like they would go home and slip into some D&G black duds to loosen up.

Within the Amex Sky Box, it was a fun mix of people both enjoying the sights and sounds of Fashion Week and, for us at least, missing the US Open a little less. Tomorrow – brunch with the charming and fascinating Richard Press, former CEO of the iconic J. Press.

Alpha Khakis and the US Open

On September 5, 2012, By OTC

We are actually combining two things here: a product review and collaboration announcement. It’s all about Docker’s Alpha Khakis and US Open tennis.

OTC is excited to announce that we will be covering the women’s final match of the US Open this coming Saturday. OTC is partnering with American Express to give our readers a behind-the-scenes look at Flushing Meadows and one of the biggest matches in the sport of tennis. So keep an eye on OTC, our Twitter feed, and Facebook page over the next couple of days, because we are gearing up for a really cool time.

As part of this outstanding opportunity, we are pulling together an outfit appropriate for the sporty elegance of an evening tennis match that draws the likes of Jay Z and Ralph Lauren, not to mention the ever dapper Roger Federer – on court or off. We’ll be looking to mix sport with casual elegance and with some thoughtful assistance from American Express, will be adding a couple of pieces to the OTC wardrobe. First thing on the list? A pair of navy Alpha Khakis by Dockers.

Dockers has gone through a revival of sorts; from baggy office park casual Friday wear to a refreshed and resurgent brand now on the style radar of anyone looking for a solid pair of pants. The Alpha is Dockers’ answer to the question of what to wear when you don’t want to wear jeans. And, they nailed the answer.

Dockers likes to tout that Alphas are where, “jeans end and khakis begin.” In many ways there are spot on. The fit and feel of these pants is far more jeans thank khakis and the cotton itself feels dense and durable. The fit is slim and the pants fit slightly below the waist – definitely a jeans-inspired waist. The slim silhouette carries through to the seat and thigh, ending with a tapered leg.

For some the fit may be too slim, uncomfortably so. So, don’t kid yourself; in terms of fit, think khaki jeans. That said, we love them and get regular compliments for the clearly modern styling and overall neat and contemporary look. While not the best match for dressier occasions, when looking for a jeans-alternative, they are a great option and one we are happy to have.

And don’t forget to check out how we put our navy pair to work for the US Open.

OTC Heads to Nantucket (Brand Roundup)

On July 18, 2012, By OTC

Last month, the OTC crew loaded up and decamped to the wonderful island of Nantucket. Apart from being the advertizing byword of preppy lifestyle brands, it is also place rich in history and the default vacation destination for generations of New Englanders.

Nantucket is a laid back home to several thousand year-round residents and temporary playground for hundreds of thousands of visitors looking for a little bit of that classic Northeast lifestyle.

Since we were staying for a week, the gang, part of which flew in from LA, opted for a house rental. By no means one of those Architectural Digest vacation palaces, OTC base camp was instead a wonderfully old, creaky, and non-central air equipped shingle house. It was comfy, roomy, and most importantly, walking distance to Children’s Beach and the White Elephant. Altogether, vintage Nantucket.

Keeping us company was a collection of some of the outstanding brands that we have profiled on OTC over the years – we lived in American Giant tees and pocket polos on this trip – and a few we will soon profile in more detail. In this first installment of our Nantucket review, we’ll introduce you to some great products for your next trip and show you how we put many of them to use “on-island.”

Goruck GR1 Backpack
More than any other OTC partner, Goruck was literally with us every step of this trip. From being an all purpose carry-on, walking Nantucket’s cobblestone streets, or biking across the island during a nasty heat wave (albeit to Cisco Brewery), our GR1 was the ultimate travel companion.

The flagship model of this Made in America brand is tough, sturdy, well-balanced, and incredibly comfortable on the go. The company’s product testing? Active duty Special Forces operators on missions we’ll never hear about. Needless to say, it is designed and built to be the only backpack you should ever need.

Intelligently laid out internal pockets and MOLLE webbing throughout allow for customized load distribution. In our case this translated into maps, snacks, camera, sunblock, notebook, water, beach toys, shell collection, and of course Stuffy the dog.

OTC’s GR1; from plane to bike to beach to hoofing it, a reliable workhorse that looks great.

Huge capacity, in this case for a new pair of Nantucket Reds from Murray’s Toggery. Carabiner for toting sand pails to the beach is vintage 1970s (thanks bro!).

In situ: Goruck GR1 and Starboard Clothing Co. ball cap.

The classically nautical Starboard Clothing Co. ball cap.

John Varvatos for Ernst Benz ChronoScope. OTC already profiled this amazing timepiece, check it out.

Our favorite office on the go. J. Panther Luggage Company’s Courier Ruc briefcase was OTC’s mobile home base. This bag might look elegant but it’s built for NYC-level abuse.