The shiny barrier of luxury that once clearly defined social and cultural classes has for the most part fallen by the wayside. These days even the most average of incomes can support some level of Tiffany, Cartier, Hermes, Asprey, Gucci, or Louis Vuitton. Only one generation ago any of these names would conjure up images…
Happy New Year. If you are an avid follower of Off the Cuff, you’re probably an elitist. This heady topic is one that we debate often here at OTC. And as Capitol Hill here in Washington, D.C., prepares for an ideological and partisan handover, that word is again popping up. “Elite.” Grab a brandy and…
Are just wrong. At least for me. I don’t understand the appeal of trying to pour myself into jeans that are going to be uncomfortable and, frankly, make me look like I’m wearing some girl’s pants. Jeans’ inherent appeal is bound up in their utilitarian roots. Fashionable because of their very functionality, well-fitting jeans have…
The economic crisis currently scorching balance sheets across the globe has finally reached up to singe some prominent retailers. Companies like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks which have so far been able to ride above the economy’s troubled waters, are now getting caught in the unprecedented economic downturn. In a nutshell, people are realizing that…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a column concerning my decidedly negative opinion of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s appearance at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. I found his ill fitting suit, untucked shirt and generally sloppy appearance both confusing and disappointing. I received a host of responses; a number of them from…
Many of you may remember Alan Au from an article I posted back in April on style options for shorter men. Au and his father Jimmy, run Jimmy Au’s for Men 5’8” and Under; a leader in providing tailored clothing to shorter men. Over at The Huffington Post Alan posted a great critical analysis of…
