Anyone who reads Off The Cuff regularly knows that I am always thinking about bags in one way or another because men today need them more than ever. And for those of us who commute by bus or rail, like me, we need good bags. This led to the idea of the Commuter and Dad…
Tag: Product/Retail Review
The Man Bag: Redux
I’ve been looking forward to writing a follow-up to “Defending a Man’s Bag,” one of the most popular articles I’ve written. Well, here it is. It’s taken me a while to pull this together because I wanted to have a reason for doing an update and not just rehashing the whole, “I like this bag…
Quick Examples of Good Customer Service
Though I have not written about it too much, I am a very customer service focused person. Having spent years in high-end retail and now the association business, I know from good customer service. I also have rather high standards for myself when it comes to helping others and providing personal service; in another life…
Jersey Style
I’ve really wanted to write about this, but unfortunately have been tied up for the past few days. Last week I saw Bruce Springsteen in concert. From a very nice box overlooking the stage. Now, this has absolutely nothing to do with the actual concert per se, but I am now of an age where…
GQ’s New Web Tool: 30 Days to Better Style
GQ recently launched a new online-only feature called “GQ Rules: How to Amp Up Your Style in 30 Days.” The folks at GQ compiled some of the best knowledge from their editors and correspondents, including Style Guy Glenn O’Brien, to create a simple step-by-step guide to the foundations of good style. http://www.gqrules.com/ The 30 style…
NEWS FLASH: Retail Politics
Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers both made retail news today. One is further expanding its multi-layered brand approach to the Southern luxury market hub of Atlanta, while the other is weighing the next step for a fledgling breakout high-end product line. These two approaches present interesting examples of how luxury companies handle the never ending…
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…
New York Notebook
I’ve been in New York City on business for the past few days and am happy to report that it’s still the cool, hectic, stylish and compelling city I love. In addition to my meetings, NYC was hosting the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. That means, apart from the backroom dealings, geopolitical…
Moleskine: The perfect notebook
As someone who is constantly taking notes, sketching out ideas and regularly trying to sound witty and knowledgeable on such elusive topics as what socks to wear with white bucks, I pay attention to notebooks. Like any other personal accessory, the pedestrian notebook says as much about you as your shirt or watch. It s…
Polo’s Rugby: A Strong Play
I recently had the opportunity to visit Rugby up in New York City. I have long been intrigued with the brand concept but have not had a chance to make it into one of the stores. This is embarrassing as I essentially work a lunchtime walk away away from the Georgetown location. And I must…