Several years ago, during the run-up to my wedding, I found myself in the midst of a quandary. My best man and I were locked in sartorial combat over socks; or hosiery, whichever you prefer. At issue was this: should socks match the trouser or should they be left open to personal interpretation? This was…
Month: October 2007
On Top of the World: Another Boost For Lauren
Before we get started, let me clarify that I am not a shill for Polo Ralph Lauren. Nonetheless, as I am sure you all know, I’m a big fan of the man and his company. Ralph Lauren is an American success story in the best of ways and an enormous influence for designers and sartorialists…
Timeless Timepieces
Not too long ago I had a discussion with some guys about watches. The topic was whether cell phones will ever replace the watch and on this issue there tended to be two camps. The first one believes that using a cell phone for telling time and foregoing a watch altogether makes perfect sense and…
J. Crew Planning to Open Men’s-Only Store
DNR today announced that J.Crew is looking at locations for it’s first men’s-only retail outlet. Mickey Drexler, chairman and CEO, indicated the he wants J.Crew to take a stronger position in the menswear market. There is no immediate time frame, but it appears that the store should be ready to go sometime next year. While…
D.C. Style: Evolving Classics
Washington, D.C. has long held the unenviable reputation of being a boring, ill-fitting and shoddy kind of town when it comes to fashion; men’s fashion in particular. Over the past few years however, D.C. has made some dramatic changes. We’re going upscale and fast becoming a serious luxury market. If you’re in the area make…
NEWS FLASH: New Tool Added to Site
Good morning everyone, I just wanted to take a moment and let you know that I have finally had the time to go through and label virtually all of Off The Cuff’s posts. You will find the new category link list below the “D.C. Resources” section. This link list will allow you search more easily…
Product Review: New Axe "Vice" Grooming Line
A little while ago, I was asked by the folks at Axe, the edgy men’s grooming company, to test out and review their new “Vice” product line. Axe, part of Unilever, bills itself as the world’s most popular male grooming brand. Vice is new to the market and I accepted the tough challenge of smelling…
Review: 2007 Esquire Big Black Book
Finally, here it is; my review of the 2007 edition of Esquire’s Big Black Book (BBB). Several folks over at Esquire are fans of Off The Cuff and were kind enough to send me an advanced copy of the BBB to review. Regardless of how it arrived, rest assured that I read it cover to…
Style Guide: Venting
In fashion, as with many global industries, certain cultural indicators are resoundingly obvious. They are the things that clearly say “French,” like a Hermes briefcase, or “American,” like a Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Often, they are immutable, solid and stable examples of permanence in a fast changing global marketplace. However, as the saying goes, the…
Ralph Lauren: Collector & Cultural Curator
I am a little behind the curve on this one, but I jut saw the preview for a fascinating documentary on Ralph Lauren’s vintage automobile collection: “The Ralph Lauren Car Collection: Speed, Style & Beauty.” Considered to be one of the finest of it’s kind in the world, this collection encompasses many marque’ names –…