For all my American readers I have a small request: vote. If you have not yet done so please, and it pains me to say this, turn off your computer and go vote right now. Apart from my personal belief that voting is a civic duty akin to paying taxes, keeping your lawn neat and…
GANT Rediscovered
When last in New York, I took some time to stroll along Fifth Avenue and wound up stopping at the GANT flagship store. While this may not sound like an overly significant event, for me it was an eye-opening experience. While an unfair characterization, my gut reaction to the GANT brand has long been something…
BREAKING NEWS: Men’s Vogue To Shut Doors
Sad News: It was announced today that Men’s Vogue is closing shop as a stand-alone title, and will instead become a seasonal supplement to Vogue. The title will be published in the spring and fall of 2009, according to Charles H. Townsend, president and CEO of Condé Nast Publications. The December/January issue will be the…
DNR Announces Top 100 Power Players
DNR just announced it’s Top 100 Power Players in menswear and, no surprise, Ralph Lauren holds onto the number one slot yet again. While this may not seem particularly noteworthy, Ralph Lauren has never been known as one to rest on his bespoke laurels. Constantly driving his vision and company forward, Lauren, 68, is as…
Investments, Cont.
Right after I posted the “Capital Investments” article below, my musings on the economy pushing men toward the classics as long-term wardrobe investments were proved right – buy Brooks Brothers, no less. Almost the very next day I received a Brooks Brothers e-mail, in which a vintage World War II era Brooks ad played center…
Capital Investments (or Dressing for a Recession)
I recently read an interesting article that noted even in these challenging financial times, the sales of high end handbags – timeless and iconic styles rendered in exotic skins like crocodile – are in fact quite strong and by some accounts, growing. Buying LongAccording to industry analysts – and fairly clear to most people with…
Let It Roll
Recently, an OTC reader posed to me the following question: I’d like to ask your opinion on something — do rolled-up/cuffed pants make legs look longer, or shorter? I’m 5′ 7″ and started rolling up the bottom of my jeans/pants to look like a cuff, but was told it made my legs look shorter. (All…
OTC Recommends: Smart Turnout
Every now and then I come across a company that is truly unique and catches my eye. It could be the products or marketing approach. Sometimes it’s their buzz factor or ability to hit the market with the right thing at the right time. In the case of Smart Turnout, it started with a watch…
Candidates & Couture
I thought you all might find this interesting; today, DNR ran a story delving into the American presidential candidates’ and their wardrobes. It is not so much a critique of their sartorial choices as it is an exploration of how their personal styles affect perceptions, the media and the fashion industry. It’s no surprise that…
NEW FLASH: 2008 Esquire Big Black Book is out
I am in New York for some meetings right now and lo an behold, at the local Border’s what did I see but the new Big Black Book from Esquire! I wasn’t expecting it to be out yet and even Amazon indicates that it won’t ship until October 7, but there it was, piled up…