The tiny but enchanting island of Nantucket has long been a magnet for lifestyle and aspirational brands. The handsomely rugged location and windswept geography, combined with the island’s historically East Coast patrician aesthetic, make for an irresistible backdrop. Apart from the Kennedy compound-ish positioning that often accompanies Nantucket themed marketing or product shoots, the island…
Ledbury, the Richmond, Virginia, clothing brand best known for its exceptionally well-crafted shirts, is in expansion mode. Founders Paul Trible and Paul Watson, who met while in graduate school at Oxford – and apprenticing with one of London’s well-known tailors. They were committed to creating an American tailored clothing brand with Saville Row quality, geared…
Everyone needs a pair of shoes that serve as your default. The ones that you pull on when heading out to the store, walk the dog, run some errands, or an afternoon antiquing. ECCO makes those shoes, and they make them well. In fact, the privately held Danish company is the only major shoe manufacturer…
Even classically stylish guys need to focus on grooming. While we here at OTC central don’t have a major personal care regimen, per se, we do need good stuff for our hair. And thanks to our friends at Birch Box, we now have a new favorite hair styling brand, Hanz de Fuko, which is currently…
As the company which innovated the hyper-customer focused online experience, Bonobos more or less redefined what being a great brand means in today’s world. The company has grown into a legitimate player in the bare-knuckled world of clothing retail, so much so that in 2012, Nordstrom led a $16.4 million investment round in the company. …
Founded in Sweden in 2005, Tieroom sells a variety of high quality and reasonably priced neck ties, bow ties, and pocket squares. The company recently launched operations in the United States and is making inroads into key necktie markets like Washington, D.C. and New York. OTC checked out several of their linen neckties and found…
Officially, summer is now upon us, but here at OTC we have already been working to nail down a few fresh but classic looks for the warmer months. Dressing for summer is often a blend of worn out shorts, some favorite tee shirts, flip flips, and a stack of reliable polos. That’s fine when you’re…
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…
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…
Middleburg is the heart of to the Virginia’s bucolic horse country. It is also one of the loveliest and rarified places in which to take in the activities and lifestyle of the moneyed and horse set. Indeed, it is pretty much what one would expect of an exclusive equestrian hamlet. The beautiful, rolling green…
