And neither are our friends.  Keep reading to learn how you can win too – your very own Frank Clegg coin wallet just for supporting the effort!

Even though our support has been strong, there is still one more day of voting on Brooks Brothers’ site, so please make sure to like our photo!

As an added bonus, our good friend master leather designer Frank Clegg is giving away a handmade coin wallet to one lucky winner of his own contest.  To enter, just like our “Dandiest at the Derby 2012″ photo.

So, help OTC take home the brass ring and get yourself a handmade treasure from Frank Clegg!

As the former CEO of Chrome bags and with a handful of other start-ups under his belt, ranging from real estate to high-tech, he knew how to drive down cost, outsource production and maximize return.  And, in starting a made in the USA clothing line built around classic everyday staples, he chose to ignore all of that profit maximizing experience.  Really, no kidding.

For someone genuinely fascinated by how companies operate, mission and vision philosophies, economic strategy, marketing and brand development, and the business of style (as is yours truly), Bayard is a great interview.

Perhaps his philosophy was best summed up when he pointed out that he had no interest in making a $300 pair of American jeans for a heritage brand-focused customer.  It didn’t excite him.  But, making the best possible crew neck sweatshirt and retail it for $59, now that was a challenge!

He and his team, based out of San Fransisco, are fixated on “the best.”  The best fit, the best design, the best materials, and the best construction.  They have recreated the sweatshirt of James Dean and Steve McQueen – the one that you stole from your big brother back in 1975 and never gave back.

More than just the product, obviously important in any retail endeavor, they also want to create the best customer service experience.  From ordering to packaging, Bayard wants you to love American Giant.  As an internet-based retailer, that’s vital.  Have they achieved this rather lofty goal?  We think so.

Remember the old-fashioned, heavy duty sweats that seemed to last forever?  The well-made sweatshirt that felt sturdy and tough but also soft and comfortable?  They nailed it.  The good news is that they plan to roll out some other product soon.  Next in line; t-shirts.

The American Giant team sent along a hoodie and button cardigan (who knew that was so cool?) for our review and not only are they now default loafing-about wear, they are a sort of inspiration.  The design and construction are both excellent and well thought-out.  Trim, yes.  But faux-retro “heritage fit” – often code for “skinny teen fit” – no.  American Giant sweats are meant to be on the lightly fitted side so that you are comfortable, but not ballooning.  The XL is perfect for an average sized 5’10” editor-in-chief, and the details are many.  A pieced design that allows for movement and flexibility, just enough body length to stay in place when reaching or stretching, thick ribbing at the waist and sleeves, and rock solid construction to age well.

They have not simply fallen into the whole heritage schtick, they have honored a classic wardrobe item that in many ways is a cypher of American casual style.  What did Rocky Balboa wear for his run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s 72 steps?  Tough, reliable, and all American grey sweats.

That is the essence of a sweatshirt – crew neck, hoodie, cardigan; put it on and get something done.  Build a boat, run some errands, plan your future, or grab a beer and sit in the back yard.  A good sweatshirt works with anything.  Washing the car with jeans, your favorite Pink Floyd t-shirt, Vineyard Vines ball cap, and some old docksiders?  Perfect.  Khakis, loafers, and an ancient LL Bean hunting coat on a chilly afternoon.  Looks fine.

You can also put it on, curl up in bed sick as a dog, and conduct and interview with American Giant’s CEO.  Wore that thing for two days.

Steeplechase is a bruising luxury. As a brand, Turf Legends has wonderfully captured this spirit of the sport, and of the men who have literally risked their lives in such a spirited and enviable fashion. As a lifestyle concept, steeplechase fits perfectly with the core elements of classic British country style. It speaks of landed elegance combined with the earthy practicality of a life dedicated to the turf and cherished animals.

Where Ralph Lauren might create an elegantly fictitious history to lend style and implied meaning to a shirt, Turf Legends focuses on the real thing. Their range of beefy rugbys and soft polos are based on the real silks worn by real riders from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. A modern concession was made for Desert Orchid, the beloved winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989.

OTC had the chance to test out a few shirts at length over the past few months (this review had to wait until cooler weather made the rugby season-appropriate – we are sticklers) and they have become some of our favorites. Well-made and well designed, they capture the spirit and iconography of horse racing while not tipping over into the realm of kitsch.

Even the big Turf Legends “TL” logo of our Navy Sash Polo seems natural and appropriate. While clearly the brand’s logo, it is also a badge of sorts, conveying the authenticity of the shirt’s roots and purpose. And each one of their shirts has roots, celebrating the colors of such steeds as Arkle, Red Rum and Golden Miller.

As an added nod to the company’s genuine love of this sport, the brand’s historical ambassador is the legendary horseman, Dick Rees. Rees was one of the great jockeys of the 1920s and ‘30s, known for his sartorial elegance and style both in and out of the saddle. He was also the winner of the inaugural Gold Cup in 1924.

To our minds, the shirts themselves are worth every penny, or in this case, pound. They are sturdy yet comfortable and chock full of interesting details such as logoed lining tape, Union Jack or Irish Tricolour flag depending on the horse, Dick Rees’ signature and the occasional locker loop. Some features are truly unique, like the Turf Legends ‘brand label’ that mimics an old style bookies ticket.

Each shirt also comes with a small information booklet which includes a brief summary of the horse’s career and describes why the horse is included in the Turf Legends collection – a really cool and meaningful feature. At £62.50 for a rugby shirt, less for a polo or tee, they are not inexpensive. However, these shirts are built to last and age with real style. Also, wearing a Turf Legends polo, rugby or tee has the added benefit of letting you stand out in from the ‘pretend authentic heritage’ crowd.

The company does not distribute in the United States, so orders can be placed through Turf Legends’ website. If you happen to be visiting Great Britain, you can find a local stockiest here. Note that along with the address and store name, you can also find a link to the nearest race course.

The 2011 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year and head of design at Gant by Michael Bastian, reinterpreted five of Randolph Engineering’s classic frames.  OTC favorites include the gold-tone Sportsman and  Signature Aviator II in chrome with mirrored lenses.

The great thing about these classic, timeless and unabashedly masculine sunglasses is that they get the job done while pretty much never go out of style.  However, don’t wait too long because the MB+RE collaboration is around for limited time and only runs through the end of 2011.

You can order yourself a pair here, or better yet, how about winning a pair for free!

Randolph Engineering and OTC are going to give away pair of RE+MB sunglasses to one lucky OTC reader.  Learn more by checking out the contest on our Facebook page.

Today, men are carrying more stuff than ever and we need a place to put everything.  Smart phone, wallet, iPad, pen and handy notebook, keys and about a dozen other things – more than our pockets will ever hold.

We need a bag.  But a good bag is not a one-shot deal.  Just like anything else in life, we need different bags for different needs and different occasions.  I have a great tobacco brown Hudson leather briefcase from Coach that makes for an outstanding office bag.  Perfect for the Metro, it’s often mistaken for a Tod’s bag and looks great with a suit.

When I need to go more casual I grab my Filson briefcase.  If needs turn to a general holdall of a rugged nature, out comes the custom OTC Timbuk2 messenger bag.  These standbys, along with a closet full of other bags, constitute a rotating inventory that says as much about me as my ties or suits or watches.

One classic bag that stands the test of time is the tote.  In fact, totes are enjoying a particular resurgence at the moment, with makers from Gucci to LL Bean seeing increased demand for these workhorses.

While fancy leather versions are a clever twist on a classic form, the true tote bag was meant to be used and abused.  They get the job done and speak of function trumping form.  Their utility is what makes them so universal.

Seaside totes, like the classic-of-classics, LL Bean’s Boat-and-Tote, are the real deal.  It’s been observed that any respectable New England family should have a dozen or so lying around the house.  That said, I also like the very nautical zip-top totes from True Wind.  A much younger company to be sure (by about eight decades or so), but grounded in the same fixation on quality and utility.

OTC has previously written about True Wind and highlighted their rugged yet light sailcloth bags.  Where some opt for vintage recycled sailcloth, True Wind went straight to Hood Sailmakers, the same company that produces sails for world class racing yachts.  We love their bags’ functional in-your-face nauticalness and Made in America standards.

True Wind is offering OTC readers a special back to school, end of summer, call it what you will, special deal. 

You can get 50% off a large or small Regatta Tote if you place an order before September 9, 2011.  Just use the code HALFTOTE at checkout. This is a great deal on a great, stylish, functional and darn sturdy bag – while supplies last.  And yes, they monogram.

Check out the Regatta Tote on True Wind’s site.

This morning, a rather sizable package bearing the big Swoosh was deposited in my hands.  Nike is a major, if not the major, player in the professional golf world.  In fact, when it comes to golf apparel, Nike Golf is the number one brand by sales volume.

OTC is not beholden to Nike or Nike Golf and we have no business or advertising arrangement.  That said, it’s a favorite brand and genuine innovator in one of the most classic and preppy of sports: golf.

While I love the old canvas bag and hickory shafted clubs once carried by my grandmother (she was a very cool lady in her day – classic dame) I opt for more modern equipment when out on the fairway myself.  I need all the assistance I can get and what arrived today will definitely help out on that front.

In preparation for the the upcoming U.S. Open, Nike Golf crafted this special edition of their Nike Lunar Control golf shoes.  After quickly testing them in the back yard, I can’t wait to put them to work out on the course.  Unfortunately, I won’t be doing that at the Congressional Country Club - right next door in Bethesda, Maryland – where the Open is taking place this year.

For you techies out there, these shoes are constructed with Nike’s Lunarlon foam, which is both super cushioning and extremely light.  The shoe’s “flywire” saddle uses high-tensile strength fibers to support your mid-foot.  The leather body is waterproof and quite flexible.  These are some f the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever put on my feet.

Nike Golf athletes, including Lucas Glover, Paul Casey and Carl Pettersson will be sporting these special edition Lunar Control shoes during the U.S. Open next week.

The box also contained a new Body Map chest stripe Dri-Fit polo shirt.  While I’m  very much a traditional cotton polo guy on a day-to-day basis, these shirts are great when it comes to spending several hours out in the sun hunting down lost balls.  That activity tends to encompass a large portion of my time on any given course.

Speaking of the box, allow me to reiterate that Nike Golf knows how to package its stuff.  The heavy duty and well finished box speaks of permanence and is meant to be kept.  Frankly, it’s quite beautiful.

The thick plexi translucent inner lid has a very Nike motto etched on it: ” To the most prepared go major results.”  The custom embroidered shoe bag with “June 16-19 2011″ (the dates of this year’s U.S. Open) below an American flag adds a special touch to this special gift.

This special edition colorway will go on sale (sans the fancy box, sorry) to the general public June 13, 2011, at nikestore.com.  Should you be attending, they will also be available in the Nike Golf shop at the U.S. Open. MSRP is US$190.00.

All of this athletic coolness is lost, however, on my three year-old.  He quickly commandeered that awesome box and turned it into a bed for his little stuffed lamb. Children have a wonderful way of putting things into perspective.

Thanks again to the team at Nike Golf.  Additional photos are below.

These are the guys who look like they’re in the process of summiting Everest but in reality strolling up Capitol Hill and then catching the elevator to the second floor.

You’ve probably seen him too; out driving in a vintage AA yellow Range Rover Defender – complete with exhaust snorkel – that has never seen so much as a gravel side street.  His laptop is housed in an expedition quality backpack and he weathers the occasional shower in a Patagonia monsoon-proof rain shell.

Now, while I enjoy poking a little fun at the Urban Adventurer, it’s all in good humor.  I think most of us have exhibited a little UA in our own way.  In fact, it’s pretty remarkable how intertwined the outdoorsy/technical/adventure culture has become in everyday life.

I remember the days when L.L. Bean was a genuine New England experience. Until the Original Preppy Handbook came along, no one outside 13 colonies had ever even heard of it.  REI was the domain of serious hikers like my brother Greg, who was president of the Dartmouth Outing Club back in the day and even had the honor of being written up in Yankee Magazine for having to be evacuated off the Presidential Range after tearing open his leg on a crampon.  It’s a long story.

Nonetheless, I’ve said too many times to count that classic, preppy styles often center around the idea of repurposing functional clothing for daily life.  Who do you think started the trend of wearing foul weather gear to the office anyway?

The difference is that too often men who yearn to be manly men turn themselves in to affected parodies of their heroes. Everyone role plays a little bit; I like messenger bags, but I’m no bike messenger. Others sport military fashions yet have never so much as looked at a gun, or wear team jerseys that barely fit over their couch potato paunch.

These fashions are usually a desire to connect with a cherished role model or organization. It’s a search for identity and belonging; aspirational but not too often overblown.

Yet when it comes to the couture mountain man look, moderation seems to go out the window. Even if you really are a transcontinental hiker, please don’t sport your Fortress Peak GTX hiking boots in the office. It’s tacky.

When worn in moderation, I think the outdoorsy look is classic, fresh and emotionally fulfilling. One feels a little more independent, perhaps a bit lone-wolf about life. Rustic.  There are some rules, however.

Avoid at all costs strapping on a back pack while wearing a business suit.  It looks silly and detracts from the professional seriousness of the suit.  At the same time it also diminishes the coolness of the back back.  It’s college kid stuff.

If you do want to use a technical or messenger style bag while dressed up, opt for dark solid colors and not too many straps, buckles and other dangling things.

Some looks, like the pairing of a technical jacket with selected business attire, can be really quite pleasing.

With casual office environments still common, the appearance of rip stop cargo pants and hybrid “trekking” sneakers have proliferated as well. Throw on a moisture wicking pullover to combat the air conditioning’s chill and you might as well be at base camp. I suppose it’s better than flip flops and shorts, but why not at least try and dress a little better for for your office mates?

Pairing cargo pants and and a casual oxford, pulled together with a wide leather belt, is a great alternative. Instead of a North Face Skareb 55 backpack, why not a Jack Spade waxwear bag instead?

A mountaineering coat may be rugged and functional, but its scale and overall feel should still match your other clothing. Neon orange and yellow serve a purpose in the wilderness but can be a little too much on an early morning metro ride. Try sticking to neutral, earthy colors instead.

Should the weather turn and force you to throw on a rain shell before heading out, the basic rules of proportion still hold true. The outer jacket should cover your suit or sport coat and not leave it hanging out the bottom.

If done well, the look says you are at home in both the outdoors and the corner office. Your clothes, particularly in this case, should not look gimmicky or forced.

Jonathon’s story about a Polo sweater he could not afford inspiring him to take a fresh look at his own wardrobe captures both the spirit of Ralph Lauren’s style and the purpose behind OTC.  It was not a slam dunk as several of your stories showed me that far from being just a “brand name,” Polo/Ralph Lauren is an emotional and personal touchstone for so many.

I’ll be seeing a few Ralph Lauren corporate folks next week and will be sure to remind them that they’ve got a pretty special brand.

Thanks to all of you for inspiring me!

When I arrived in Fort Worth I was generally interested in Nike’s golf operation, the general brand and its business model.  I  was not, however, expecting the total obsession with excellence demonstrated by everyone I met there.

The craftsmen, and they are craftsman in every sense of the word, are literally some of the best golf club makers in the world.  And the Oven, the facility’s nickname, is to me the golf equivalent of a Hermes atelier.  There is a total fixation, exhibited by all the staff, akin to a spiritual goal of ideal perfection.

In reality, that makes pretty good sense.  On any given day Tiger Woods could stroll in and ask to test the latest putter or driver.  In at least one case a PGA pro walked out with a prototype club that had so impressed him that he planned to use it that very week in competition.  The Nike staff had to scramble to make sure the club was PGA approved by the time the event began!

I and about 12 other bloggers and journalists, were invited to attend the Crowne Plaza Invitational to see Nike’s athletes in action and then headed off to The Oven to learn about all the work that goes into those pros’ clubs.  It was eye opening to say the least and I have a new level of respect for the folks who research, design, test, and hand craft the tools that allow the likes of Tiger Woods, Michelle Wei and the legendary Tom Watson, achieve such amazing feats of sport.

In  fact, during the tour, while everyone else was moving on to another area, I was still chatting with the head club maker and actually got  to hold Watson’s 8 iron – the set was in a locked display case.  That very club had helped him win 5 majors.  A special moment to say the least.

The tour itself was a rare opportunity.  Typically, the only people allowed inside the Oven are Nike staff and the tour professionals themselves.  From testing and design to fabrication and final product, I had an up close and personal view of what actually goes into Nike’s golf clubs.  I was a great experience.

If you don’t love golf, this kind of visit will likely make you a convert and if you do, it’s on par, so to speak, with your wedding day.

At least that’s what one guy told me.

Here are some more pictures from OTC’s visit to Nike’s Oven:

The Legends Clinic is a live interactive virtual tennis clinic featuring 3 times Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, and OTC is honored to be working with Ralph Lauren to promote the event and their outstanding Wimbledon collection.

During this interactive clinic, tennis enthusiasts around the world are going to be tuning in as Becker will be answering emailed questions, fed to him by presenter Annabel Croft, demonstrates technique, and offer hints and tips on how to improve your game during this interactive clinic.  To access the Legends Clinic, please CLICK HERE.

And if that’s not enough for you, OTC and Ralph Lauren are also teaming up to give away a gift bag from the  brand new Wimbledon Collection!  As you can probably imagine, when Ralph Lauren, one of OTC’s longtime favorite brands, does something they tend to do it very well. See what Mr. Becker is wearing in these photos?  That’s the kind of stuff you can win.

To take your shot at winning the OTC/Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection gift bag, leave a comment telling us how Ralph Lauren has influenced your own personal sense of style. You have until next Wednesday, June 23, so hurry up!

With this partnership, Polo Ralph Lauren continues its role as the official outfitter of all on-court officials including chair umpires, line umpires and ball persons. In 2006, Polo Ralph Lauren became the first designer in Wimbledon’s 133-year history to create official uniforms for the tournament – a natural fit to many fans of the elegantly sporty brand.

Updated classic style returns to Centre Court with a modern array of sportswear inspired by the elegance and sophisticated heritage of English tennis. Classic cabled tennis sweaters are reworked with stylish tank tops and cable-knit vests.

The Wimbledon blazer appears in cream jersey with navy ribbon piping. Recalling the elegant heritage of the game, chic navy blazers, button down shirts, repp ties and ribbon belts are shown in the tournament’s signature shades of Wimbledon Bentley green.

Probably the single most popular tennis tournament in the world, the Wimbledon Championships are held June 21 – July 4, and  are attended by an average of 500,000 visitors each year.

For more information on The Championships, log on to www.Wimbledon.org.