I am a watch guy; not dedicated to one particular style or maker, my tastes run the gamut. Vintage, brand new, elegant complications or chunky dive watches; I like them all. I have become a bit of an evangelist about one thing though – I think people should wear mechanical watches or watches that don’t…
Author: OTC
Standing On Your Own Style
I like to read my fellow MensFlair columnists articles when I get the chance. Managing my own blog as well as drafting regular columns for arguably one of the best menswear sites on of the Web can be a bit challenging at times. As we all search for new, thoughtful, educational or just plain interesting…
Polo (the game) Comes to Manhattan
If you’re in New York on Saturday, May 31, make time for a rare taste of the Hamptons’ high flying lifestyle. Gotham is playing host to the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic. This is the first time in more than 70 years that polo will be played in New York City. The venue is historic…
Off The Cuff Style: Basic Jeans
I write a regular column for the online menswear magazine, MensFlair. Touching on style for every angle, the various contributors talk a lot about brands. What’s in or what’s out, what the new trend is and what you should give up. Brands and labels do matter; sometimes to others but more often to us writers….
New Find: Ashley Ashoff Ties & Scarves
I was recently contacted by Ashley Ashoff, an American born designer living in Paris. Her eponymous company specializes in beautiful handmade silk ties, pocket squares and scarves. At Off The Cuff DC, we are always looking to highlight interesting and new brands. Ashley Ashoff is a great example of a true artisan who is focused…
One Thing: The Macintosh
As things warm up here in the nation’s capital and spring weather firmly takes hold, I like to put away the cold weather clothes and get ready for the new season. Even though I won’t need the heavy barn jackets and top coats, there is one piece of outerwear that stays in the front hall…
LVMH Says Luxury Market Looks Good
Even with other high-end fashion houses like Bulgari SpA reporting decreased first quarter profits, LVMH Moet Hennessy CEO Bernard Arnault is still bullish on the luxury market. In Paris yesterday, Arnault told LVMH shareholders that worldwide sales for the company were strong and emerging markets in particular are still showing “exceptional” results. In particular, the…
The Real Power Tie
Do you remember the Ronald Reagan era; “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall…” and his many other quotable quotes? His speeches, excellent examples of wording, timing and the deft use of humor, are still studied by prospective politicians. And as a former actor, Reagan also understood the power of wardrobe and presentation. Even during his…
Fond Memories: from Summer Camp to Burning Man
Life is interesting and sometimes it’s also poetic. When I was a youngster, I regularly went away to summer camp in Massachusetts. For many of my formative summers, Camp Becket was home away from home. Each summer meant a new cabin and new cabin mates – surrogate brothers by the season’s end. It also meant…
One Thing: The Blue Blazer
I occasionally highlight essential pieces of a man’s wardrobe under my “One Thing” columns. Today I want to get back to basics with the blue blazer. A blue blazer is the backbone of any serious wardrobe. The ever popular Preppy Handbook even dubbed it the male exoskeleton. Preppy or not, a blue blazer is the…