I like Las Vegas, not enough to live there but enough to look forward to the five-hour flight from D.C. It’s a remarkable city that draws designers, retailers, craftsmen and brands from around the world. On my most recent business trip to Vegas I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore…
Tag: Product/Retail Review
The High Church of Horology
On a recent business trip to Las Vegas, I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore Sin City’s other vice: shopping. While gambling – or gaming in the industry’s parlance – is the mother’s milk of Las Vegas, the city’s retail offerings rival most of the world’s A-list cities. Think of…
New Images of J.Crew’s Men’s Store
I recently wrote about J. Crew’s new specialty men’s store in New York. Well, it just opened but before it did, Michael Williams of the excellent blog A Continuous Lean, got a hold of some wonderful pictures shot by photographer Brian Berman. It’s a great looking store and I can’t wait to check it out…
Going Old School: Manhattan Portage Waxwear
This is the last installment of my Commuter and Dad Bag Test. I have had the chance to examine and test numerous bags from a number of brands spanning a variety of styles. From nylon messenger bags built for urban transport to a classic leather mailbag ready to handle a lifetime of aging. I have…
Time to Hit the Showers – New Grooming Products
I’ve recently been contacted by the marketing folks at a couple of men’s grooming product companies. They were kind enough to send along some of their new products so that OTC could test them out and get back to you with the results. While many of us still scoff at the idea of men’s grooming…
No Ties Required
Last year I highlighted an interesting article from the International Herald Tribune about how employees at Eni, Italy’s largest power company, agreed to shed their ties and cut back on air conditioning in an effort to help fight global warming. The company’s Rome and Milan offices called the sartorial experiment, “lighter and cooler office attire.”…
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…
Commuter & Dad Bag Test: Timbuk2
If there is one company that’s the proverbial 800 pound gorilla of the messenger bag industry, it’s Timbuk2. The San Francisco based company’s three paneled bags have become somewhat iconic, just like its curly-cue logo. Though owners can customize those panels to almost any color combination, the bags are still instantly identifiable. BACKGROUNDFrom its founding…
Style Guide: Fashion for Shorter Gentleman
When it comes to shorter men, finding well-tailored and well-designed clothes in styles that also enhance stature are not always easy to come by. In the business arena, clothing plays a key role because it can influence how others see you – tall or short, slim or wide. Perception, as usual, is king. Based in…
Commuter & Dad Bag Test: Crumpler – Funny Name, Good Bag
Ever heard of Crumpler? Maybe not, but I suspect that most readers might recognize that little crazy-haired logo on the company’s distinctive messenger-inspired bags. You might not remember exactly where you saw him or on what, but chances are it will ring familiar. Crumpler is one of those brands; sort of everywhere but not necessarily…