Old Bull Lee Shorts

Old Bull Lee1 Old Bull Lee Shorts

To be honest, the buttons were the first thing we noticed.

All of the shorts made by Old Bull Lee – and they only make shorts – have button fly openings.  And, the buttons that founder Lee Johnson chose to use are very specific; thick, sturdy, branded, and slightly over-sized. You notice them because they are not simply functional, they are part of the overall design.

That these buttons have a quality that is hard to define, but which unquestionably add to the shorts’ overall character, is not by chance.  Johnson, a former architect, knows from design and his shorts reflect that attention to detail, construction, and quality.

Depending on what model you chose, Old Bull Lee shorts are either bohemian cool or long-lived classic.

The prints, rendered in lightweight (190 grams-per-square-meter) Italian cotton, have a wonderfully relaxed yet sophisticated look to them.  They would be perfect for strolling the weekend antiques market in L’Isle sur la Sorgue, paired with an favorite old white linen shirt – sleeves rolled up in the warming sun.

Old Bull Lee2 200x300 Old Bull Lee ShortsThe solids are cut to the same design, but in a beefier 290 grams-per-square-meter cotton and finished in a Japanese peach finish twill.  At first, they have a deeply uniform coloration, saturated, almost.  But, with some time, use, and a few washes, a nuanced faded appearance sets in and they take on a look of comfortable familiarity.  All of their fabrics are sourced from France and Italy and the garments are made in the United States.

As an added bonus, each pair of shorts arrives carefully presented inside a beautiful, sturdy navy presentation box that makes Ralph Lauren’s look like something from the dollar store.  Really, we love the boxes.

Old Bull Lee’s story is one of passion and determination.  Johnson sold his house to finance the dream, traveled to Europe to make connections, endured rebuffs and rejections, and eventually wound up producing something that embodies his dedication to craft.  Yes, they are “just” shorts.  But, they are the shorts we want to wear, made by the kind of guy we love introducing to OTC readers, and constructed in a way that honors Lee Johnson’s goal of doing it right.

 

Old Bull Lee No. 011 Old Bull Lee Shorts

Old Bull Lee No.005 Old Bull Lee Shorts

 

Wardrobe Upgrade: Ribbed Tee

Ribbed Tee V Neck Wardrobe Upgrade: Ribbed Tee

Over the past several months, we have had the chance to review a variety of products that are redefining a wardrobe staple that seems to have gone unchanged in any meaningful way for decades; the undershirt.  For many men, especially those who dress up for work, an undershirt is a necessity but also a burden.

Too often, they are spun from heavy cotton, sized like small boxy tents, and bunch up under all but the fullest cut shirts.  One reason we are excited about this new crop of brands that are re-thinking the lowly undershirt, is that the changes they bring are making a real difference in the market.  These “next generation” base layers are more comfortable and fit much better that what’s on the store shelf, and they actually match the way we live and dress today.

Ribbed Tee is a great example of this updated thinking.  Made in the USA, their undershirts and tees combine excellent quality, soft but supportive materials and a solid design that fits comfortably.  The 50/50 combed cotton and polyester blend Retro Fit v-neck undershirts we tested are incredibly lightweight, so much so that we could barely feel them.  The wide neck opening remains well-hidden when wearing an open neck shirt.

The shirts themselves are cut long and pose little risk of ever coming untucked. They also have a high cut sleeves that stay out of the way when worn under a polo or other short sleeved shirt.  The loose jersey knit MicroModal fabric means that the shirt hugs your body without any binding or constraint.  It’s a great fit under a slim dress shirt but still feels incredibly comfortable.

We also tried out their classic fit crew neck in heather grey, which was equally comfortable and possessed many of the same material features as the the undershirts: streamlined fit, trim design, featherweight fabric, and a long stay-in-place cut.  The mico-ribbing pattern is reminiscent of a classic thermal tee, and provides some visual texture when worn by itself.  It’s also an excellent layering piece, especially due to its ability to provide real style without any bulk whatsoever.  However, if you plan to wear it as a stand-alone tee, some fair warning – you better be in shape.

Ribbed Tee Retro Fit Via Por Homme Wardrobe Upgrade: Ribbed Tee

 

 

 

OTC Find: Anson Adjustable Belt

Anson Belt1 OTC Find: Anson Adjustable Belt

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.

 

 

Hall & Madden: Shirts Just for You

collar Hall & Madden: Shirts Just for You


If there is one trend in menswear today bringing about real change in both how guys dress and how they shop, it is customization.  Depending on your outlook, the ability for a man to purchase clothing that fits just right and do it online is either a godsend or a tragedy.

For some in the fashion literati, fixated on the minutiae of bespoke and “true” custom, the rise of online custom clothing is mildly distressing.  To these folks, the only kind of custom clothing that matters is that which takes time, requires multiple visits to a tailoring atelier, and costs more money than most people are prepared to spend on a suit or a shirt.

HM Photo11 Hall & Madden: Shirts Just for YouFor the rest of us, the ability to get clothing that fits us just right, at an affordable price, and in a timely fashion is groundbreaking.  In many ways, it has re shaped the fashion expectations of stylish guys across the world.  And one small brand is working hard to ensure that they deliver not only affordable style to their customers but also outstanding clothes you will wear for a long time.  And, with that kind of starting point, it is easier than ever to start building a fresher, renewed wardrobe that better reflects your own sense of style and also fits you better.

The detail-obsessed team of co-founders Richard Hall and McGregor Madden has developed an efficient and quality-focused model that allows them to deliver extremely high quality men’s shirts at seriously affordable prices.  The new concept, Hall & Madden, is a web-based brand that makes some of the highest quality dress shirts to be found.  These guys have done to shirting what they did to suiting with their other brand, Proper Suit.  Hall & Madden shirts are equal to if not better than some of the most expensive off-the-rack shirts out there – and a few custom labels to boot.

Hall & Madden does not make custom shirts.  Instead, they have a set collection of three core shirt designs – slim, athletic, and classic – that reflect most body types. The consistent styling across these models reflects a clean and modern sensibility.  While one can certainly wear a tie with these shirts, the collar style, a shortened hybrid spread, was specifically selected for it’s ability to look great without one.

fabric Hall & Madden: Shirts Just for YouWith a variety of fabrics and patterns, these shirts are outstanding.  And, delivered in sets of three for $150, they are a remarkable bargain.

The web-based company takes a vertical integration approach to business, so these shirts are designed, manufactured, and shipped through Hall & Madden’s value chain.  This operational advantage is reflected in the price and in the focus on quality and service.

When we asked co-founder McGregor Madden to highlight the advantages of Hall & Madden shirts, he noted that the business model was geared for busy customers who see the benefits of outsourcing.  Their customers don’t’ have to hop in the car and head out to the store.  Guys get shirts when they need them and skip the mall and hassle, saving time and money.

Each subscriber gets access to a team that will help round out their wardrobe and fast, free shipping.  The kind of quality they sell could easily go for $165 or more per shirt.  The sizing is similar to Hugo Boss, and because the fit is predictable, customers know exactly what they are getting.

Madden also likes to point out that with Hall & Madden, there is no buyer’s remorse.  All their shirts are always sold at the same low price all the time.

We can say that from our perspective, Hall & Madden is a refreshing change from the ordinary.  We expect that our closet will be Hall & Madden territory from this point forward.

Dyson Logo Hall & Madden: Shirts Just for YouDyson Digital Slim™ vacuums have a detachable long-reach wand for floor to ceiling cordless cleaning. Powered by the Dyson digital motor, they’re the most powerful cordless vacuums.  Learn more at www.dyson.com/digitalslim.

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

 

Spring Footwear: Bull + Tassel

biff order Spring Footwear: Bull + Tassel

Opera slippers are not for everyone, at least not in the traditional sense.  Typically, these elegant velvet classics are best accompanied by a smoking jacket, ascot, and crystal tumbler filled with a 30 year-old single malt.  The addition of an enormous mansion, butler, and classy cocktail party more or less round out their patrician reputation.

Bull + Tassel, a brand founded by David Zimmerman, seeks to re-imagine the opera slipper as a modern, casual piece of footwear.  He has taken the shoe’s inherent benefits and moved the style in a more practical direction.  Instead of a refined house shoe never meant to see a sidewalk let alone the front stoop, we now have a clever hybrid very much at home when on the go or just strolling down the driveway to check the mail.

Instead of velvet, Bull + Tassel offers three variations rendered in a proprietary grosgrain- or cotton-based fabric.  The soles are a sturdy, studded rubber that easy handle most day-to-day conditions.  OTC tested the “Biff” model, shown above, and we were quite impressed.  Rather than the expected soft, unstructured slip-ins, we instead found ourselves with a lightweight, stylish, and durable shoe that is both unique and a lot of fun.

Zimmerman is the founder of Matador Alcove, a small private club (lounge, drinks, and a haircut) in Costa Mesa, California – which may explain the “bull” in Bull + Tassel.  To Zimmerman, the brand’s name reflects the melding of strength and refinement, two qualities that he feels best define the modern gentleman.  His shoes fit that description nicely.