Choosing Accessories: Cufflinks

On June 13, 2013, By OTC

Men often face limited options when it comes to jewelry and decoration. A wedding ring, signet or family ring, and a nice watch are about as far as it goes for many guys. While some may opt for a gold bracelet or necklace, it’s tricky territory for even the most well intentioned men. The line between cool and caricature is easily crossed and too many wind up looking like an extra from the set of The Sopranos.

One problem with men’s accessories is that they are often, by nature of their purpose, hidden. A hand crafted wallet or card case from Italy. An engraved sterling silver money clip. The family heirloom-cum-lucky-talisman; an old coin or perhaps a lovely pocket knife with inset mother of pearl grips. All incredibly personal and for the most part, all typically out of sight.

For the most part, men prefer subdued over garish, classic rather than glitzy – much like my continued enjoyment of old school and straight-forward Mount Gay Rum as we continue to develop this series of sponsored articles.

There is one additional way to express your personal flair and show a little style. There’s always a time and a place for cufflinks. Sporting a pair can at first feel a little intimidating. They are, as opposed to the items mentioned above, very visible and often scrutinized. Cufflinks are not discreet or retiring; even when as with simple silk knots, they are in fact discreet. People notice them.

Cufflinks come in myriad styles, materials, sizes and price points. But to make life easy, just follow a few simple rules:

Don’t be flashy. Simple and elegant is always a better choice than kitschy or tacky. When dressing it up, silver is often easier to pull off than gold.
Yes, you can dress down cufflinks, that’s what silk knots are for. And, they come in numerous colors and patterns.
It’s best to keep the size of your links in the medium range. For example, the whole postage stamp thing – too big.
Ideally, unless you are going for a novelty look, stick to links that mean something to you and reflect your interests, passions, personality, and style.

The type of link you choose says something too.

Silk knots are affordable, colorful and a great choice for either keeping it very simple or adding a fun punch of color. At the opposite end of the spectrum are chain cufflinks. These are typically two decorated panels connected by a small length of chain, allowing for both sides of one’s cuff to be well-dressed. T-bar links are the most common and have a simple post and swivel bar to secure the cufflink.

Although I have a fairly extensive collection, ranging from simple silk knots to presidential cobalts, my favorites are a pair of double-panel platinum vermeil links from Baade II.

An American maker based out of Atlantic City, NJ, Baade II is a small, family run business that produces things of genuine and long-lasting beauty. As with any aspect of your wardrobe, strive to make investments, not mere purchases.

Every great story begins with a time and a place. For Mount Gay Rum, that time is 1703 and that place is Barbados, the birthplace of rum. Introducing Mount Gay Black Barrel, a double matured rum from the inventors of rum. First matured in toasted whiskey barrels then finished in deeply charred bourbon barrels, Mount Gay Black Barrel balances full-bodied character with subtle aromas. Learn more at www.facebook.com/mountgayrum

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Mount Gay Distilleries via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Mount Gay Distilleries.

A Time and Place: When You Know

On June 11, 2013, By OTC

How do you know when the person you think you like is actually the person with whom you want to spend your life? In my case, that moment was tied up with a particularly stylish and unique event – of course.

Back in 1997, Bill Clinton was gearing up for his second inauguration. Here in Washington, DC, it was a huge fete, as is any inauguration. For Clinton however, this was a going to be a really big party. It had been a decisive win and he was, like it or not, a rock star. This was the shingdig of the year.

It was an important time for me too, because I planned on surprising my then-girlfriend with hard-to-come-by tickets to one of the big inaugural balls. The odds were very much against me, but I wanted to do something really special.

This was no small effort because back in the day, it was like trying to get tickets to the biggest concert – everyone called the same number at the same time (no Internet back then). Somehow I got through and secured two tickets to the swearing-in and two more to one of the best balls, at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel.

I was nervous as heck because I was not sure exactly how into the whole political thing my new girlfriend would be.

There’s a time and a place for going all out for someone you love and for me, this was a big one. Mount Gay Rum, the sponsor of this post, thoughtfully sent a bottle of their Black Barrel Rum to the OTC office. Being obliging folks, we poured a few Black & Stormys and reminisced about that night.

As it turns out, she was thrilled. The event was of course black tie, and while I had an old dinner jacket that would have been serviceable, off to Brooks Brothers I went. After ordering a new dinner jacket and topcoat, I headed to the long-gone Britches of Georgetown where I found an great art deco styled formal vest. I wanted to look my best – and I still have everything!

The day of President Clinton’s swearing in was cold and windy, but we headed down to the Mall and took it all in. The picture I still have of my then-girlfriend bundled up in an old ski jacket and scarf, the Capitol building behind her, remains an absolute favorite. I still smile thinking of that afternoon.

The moment I really knew that I had found my other half was when we met back up for dinner that evening at our favorite restaurant, before heading over to the ball. She had on an amazing black ball gown and my heart skipped. Then, later that evening, when the president and Mrs. Clinton showed up to join in the festivities, my girl literally cleared a path to the front of the room so that I could have my close up.

She knew that it mattered to me, and so it mattered to her. That’s when I knew I had found someone very special and that I was in this for the long haul. I still am.

Every great story begins with a time and a place. For Mount Gay Rum, that time is 1703 and that place is Barbados, the birthplace of rum. Introducing Mount Gay Black Barrel, a double matured rum from the inventors of rum. First matured in toasted whiskey barrels then finished in deeply charred bourbon barrels, Mount Gay Black Barrel balances full-bodied character with subtle aromas. Learn more at www.facebook.com/mountgayrum

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Mount Gay Distilleries via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Mount Gay Distilleries.

Owning Your Style: According to Alan Flusser

On June 4, 2013, By OTC

If there is one name in the world of menswear that genuinely deserves the overwrought moniker of legend, it’s Alan Flusser.

Alan is not just a menswear designer, not just an author, not just an innovator, and not just the guy who invented Gordon Gekko’s signature look for the movie Wall Street. He is also one of the most well-versed and well-read menswear experts alive today. Flusser’s close friend Ralph Lauren even asked him to write his biography, a very personal project on which he is currently working.

He also happens to be a very nice guy.

Alan Flusser literally wrote the book on dressing well; more accurately, he wrote the books. When people ask me what they should read to help them learn about dressing well, I typically start off with, “anything by Flusser.”

So, when I first met Alan, it was my equivalent of a young baseball fan meeting, say, Babe Ruth. Flusser exudes a passion for clothing and possesses an unwavering assertion that dressing well, and carefully choosing clothing that fits your coloration and frame, comfort and personal style, matter even more today.

Having more or less created what is often referred to as the “New York” or “Wall Street” look, he is the embodiment of owning your style. Flusser’s rules are logical and designed to help guide a customer or reader to clothing that works well for them, that matches their body type and personal attributes, and best expresses their personality.

Over the intervening years, Alan Flusser has been a mentor and guide. Among other things, we have discussed the continuing lack of real guidance for many young men who are looking for role models when it comes to dressing well. Too often, magazines and celebrities, “style experts,” and self-professed consultants focus on ephemera like of-the-moment trends and looks that, frankly, don’t look very good. That’s not dressing; it’s dressing up like someone else.

As an educator at heart, Alan is relentless in his focus on the why and how of dressing well and creating personal style. Grounded in classic English fashion and infused with 1930s American glamour, he has an attitude and persona that are forward-looking and intellectually aggressive but not rude. There is the Flusser way to dress and that’s what you need to buy into when you ask Alan and his team for help with your wardrobe. It’s elegant and casual, formal but witty.

If I have learned anything from this remarkable gentleman, it’s that owning your style is an active pursuit. Owning your style means that you take a participatory role in developing a sense of self and a sense of your own fashion. You take the time to learn about what makes you look your best and what flatters you the most. You know those guys who always seem to look sharp and put together no matter what, the ones who make it look so effortless and cool? Chances are, they work at it.

Alan Flusser taught, and continues to teach me, that the act of developing and owning your personal style is something that ultimately affects every part of your life – and that’s a good thing.

Every great story begins with a time and a place. For Mount Gay Rum, that time is 1703 and that place is Barbados, the birthplace of rum. Introducing Mount Gay Black Barrel, a double matured rum from the inventors of rum. First matured in toasted whiskey barrels then finished in deeply charred bourbon barrels, Mount Gay Black Barrel balances full-bodied character with subtle aromas. Learn more at www.facebook.com/mountgayrum

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Mount Gay Distilleries via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Mount Gay Distilleries.

OTC x Thomas Pink

On May 23, 2013, By OTC

OTC has partnered with Thomas Pink to create two distinct looks that reflect both city cool and American preppy casual. Recently, we wrote about how the company just unwrapped a significant brand refreshing and in celebration, OTC is showing how to make some of that Pink style work for you.

To create our complimentary looks, we started by pairing classic Pink shirting with some of their distinctively quirky accessories. We then added in wardrobe staples already at hand, creating on-the-go looks in true OTC style. Our ultimate goal is to inspire real world outfits that take you from meetings at the office to the club for drinks.

CITY

Our city look is meant to be casually elegant, reflecting both an updated elegance and sense of approachable comfort. Polished but not stuffy, one could easily add a tie to dress up this look for a business meeting.

Coddenham Check Shirt

Elephant Parade Pocket Square

Silver Bulldog Cufflinks

Blue Blazer: Ralph Lauren

Trousers: Incotex

Belt: Longchamp

Slip-Ins: Brooks Brothers

Briefcase: Lotuff & Clegg

Vintage Walking Stick: OTC

PREPPY

Here, the goal is approachable style grounded in the East Coast aesthetic. Tie slightly disheveled, bright pocket square casually shoved in place, and turned up khakis speak to summer and a dressy casual look that anyone can make their own.

Quintessential Poplin Slim Fit Shirt

Blue Blazer: Ralph Lauren

Tie: Vineyard Vines

Pocket Square: Drakes London

Khaki Pants: Brooks Brothers

Slip-Ins: Brooks Brothers

Bag: Lumina & Parrott Market

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.