May 25, 2013 world of men's style / fashion / grooming RSS
“Ovadia & Sons”
05/22/13
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LinkOut

Ovadia & Sons’ New Looks, 10 Reasons Vintage Clothes Suck and Visiting LEGO Baseball Stadiums

Ovadia

Standing O: GQ gets an exclusive first look at the latest crop of handsomeness from the brothers Ovadia. (It does not disappoint.)

Certified Pre-Owned: Despite what heritage-obsessed bloggers (and Macklemore) might have you believe, buying vintage clothes can be a total crapshoot—and Four Pins has had enough of the glad-handing.

Batter Up: The Louisville Slugger factory has just opened a new exhibit featuring some impressive LEGO renditions of MLB’s most iconic stadiums (and, curiously, Derek Jeter’s face).

Polos on Polos on Polos: Esquire reports on the hotly anticipated polo shirts from Michael Bastian that have just hit Uniqlo’s webshop.

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05/07/13
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LinkOut

LeBron Wears Ovadia & Sons, NPR’s New American Nomenclature and Dressing Single

NPR Reporter

A Name for Radio: The Atlantic investigates NPR’s propensity for fantastically mellifluously named reporters—from Ira Glass to Sylvia Poggioli.

A Slam Dunk: GQ has the scoop on LeBron James’s spectacular custom suit from Ovadia & Sons that he wore while receiving his latest MVP title.

Ready to Mingle: Apparently, there’s a new clothing label catering exclusively to the single crowd, named Gutzy Wear, reports Huffington Style.

Time In: Time names their 50 favorite websites of 2013 (a little prematurely, if you ask us) and we’re happy to see Hodinkee get some shine.

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03/11/13
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Storefront

Take a Look into the New Carson Street Clothiers

Carson Street Clothiers

Our comrades-in-style over at UrbanDaddy NYC got a sneak peek at the hotly anticipated men’s shop, Carson Street Clothiers, that’s opening in SoHo this week.

The brick-and-mortar—not to mention, a lot of handsome hardwood—shop is a veritable menswear bazaar of grail pieces you thought only existed on achingly beautiful Tumblr pages or in some secret back alley in Naples. (Not to fear, there’s an e-commerce arm in the works.) It’s the brainchild of Brian Trunzo (of Nice Try, Bro menswear Internet fame) and fellow former attorney Matt Breen, who’ve been cultivating their shared passion for menswear since their days as law school roommates. And the Internet buzz did not disappoint: there’s custom Southwick and Alfonso Felipe suiting, all the Bastian/Ovadia/Italian silk one closet could handle, vintage watches, luggage, the list goes on. It all makes for one well-heeled feast for the eyes, so without further ado:

Take a look into the New Carson Street Clothiers.»
 

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03/07/13
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Object

All the Handsome Ties Your Spring Requires

Ties

As you might have noticed around these parts, we’re excited about the impending onset of spring.

And one of our favorite things to watch during this season shift is the cottons, chambrays and linens replacing all that wool and tweed—something you can start doing immediately when it comes to your neckwear. To show you what we’re talking about, we’ve rounded up a dozen of the finest examples of spring neckwear on the market right now.

Heralding spring, neck first.»
 

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12/11/12
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Ad Rock

Exclusive: 30% Off at Ikkon

Our new favorite #menswear corner of the Internet, Ikkon, is giving Kempt readers 30% off full-price items when you enter the code “URBANPERK” at checkout.* Which means you’re getting first crack at all of their simple luxury for the modern man—like these velvet loafers from Alberto Moretti Arfango, this red chunky-knit shawl-collar sweater from Ovadia & Sons and these burgundy vintage corduroys from J.Lindeberg—just in time to update your wardrobe for making your rounds on the holiday party circuit.

Or just upping the ante on a regular old Tuesday.

*Offer valid through January 3, 2013.

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09/20/12
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Storefront

Gap Year

Diffusion lines are nothing new, but lately we’ve been seeing some bold-faced menswear names deciding to collaborate with big-box retailers for capsule collections (you might remember Odin and Target’s recent team-up).

Enter the latest high-low venture from Gap, facilitated by GQ and involving just about every so-hot-right-now designer in the menswear blogoshpere: Ovadia & Sons, Ian Velardi, Mark McNairy, Saturdays, BLK DNM and Todd Snyder. With that much talent in one shopping aisle, you’re bound to turn out more than a few exciting pieces. And since we were allowed a sneak peek at Tuesday night’s launch event (you’ll need to check a map for your nearest shopping mall on September 27 to see them yourself), we thought we’d give you the inside scoop on the most promising stuff.

Herewith, all the jackets, shirts and pants worth finding the nearest Gap for.»
 

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09/10/12
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Good Idea

Going Green

Here’s a snap we took at the presentation for the highly anticipated York Street capsule collection between J. Press and Ovadia & Sons. (Expect a larger recap of the madness that has been Fashion Week once it all wraps up.)

The fresh-faced preppiness was on point as expected—a master class in updated and tailored versions of trad standbys. But we noticed something a little different on some feet: the cotton tennis shoes weren’t all the white we’ve been seeing for the past few springs and summers. And most noticeably, there was a bright green pair—Tretorns like the rest of them—and we’re hoping to see more of it in the upcoming year.

After the hell you put them through this summer, your white plimsolls ought to be replaced anyhow.

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08/28/12
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LinkOut

Georgina Stojiljkovic Pronounces Jogging with a Soft J

via Fashion Faves

Move Ova: GQ has the exclusive look at the new collaboration between J. Press and the Ovadia twins. [GQ]

Baby Cribs: Valet catches up with Kyle Schuneman, who’s building a design empire on kitting out your cramped urban apartment. [Valet]

Comeback Skid: Deadspin points us to the troubling case of John Elway’s sartorial choices as of late. He might consider giving his wardrobe the Tebow treatment. [Deadspin]

Paper Bills: For those of you out there who’ve always wanted a paper doll of Bill Murray in all of his most iconic costumes… you’ll have to wait till it goes into production. In the meantime, check out the prototype. [Selectism]

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08/28/12
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Sale-ing

Standing Ovadia

The Brothers Ovadia are so ahead of the game that they’ve decided to launch their Labor Day sale today (running from Tuesday to Tuesday, with discounts at up to 60% off).

A good amount of it will be out of season by the time it lands on your doorstep (the shorts, for example), but a navy pinstripe bow tie should come in handy anytime you’re feeling professorial, no matter the weather. As well as this spread-collar shirt—for the next time you’re feeling Sprezzidential (trademark pending).

For whatever reason, a few items, like these trousers, haven’t migrated their way onto the sale page, so you’ll want to do some poking around.

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06/07/12
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Labeled

Your Summer Pocket Square Prescription

We’re back on the summer pocket square beat, and we noticed a cache of magnificent vintage numbers has just arrived in the well-appointed antiquarian corner of Ovadia & Sons’ webshop. They’re all linen, in patterns from the Roosevelt era, and they’ve been hand-rolled. Which together makes for the ideal prescription to cure any lack of summeriness your breast pocket might be experiencing. Now take two and call us in the morning.

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05/25/12
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Sale-ing

Celebrating Another Great Memorial Day Tradition

In addition to feeling extra patriotic, a lot of our favorite menswear labels are feeling extra generous this weekend—loving America can do that to you—and they’re running some solid Memorial Day weekend sales.

So we’ve gone ahead and picked out the most enticing of the bunch—from the likes of Billy Reid and Ovadia & Sons—and zeroed in on which items we think you should focus your attention on. (Stuff that’ll come in handy within the next few months.)

You’ll find them here, after the jump. Sale away.»
 

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05/02/12
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LinkOut

One of These People Is Wearing Tom Ford

In Another Photo, Neither Are: Tom Ford’s latest lookbook is his raciest yet. (And that’s saying something.) Proceed with caution. [Selectism]

Come to My Window: Barneys New York catches up with the Brothers Ovadia—always nice to see them get some shine. [The Window]

Denim and Desert: William Yan spends a day with the Ramblers Bone fellows. Wearing at least two pieces of denim: mandatory. [WY]

Leaning on Hank Williams: The soundtrack list for Moonrise Kingdom has been released. You’ll also be pleased to know there’s still a lot of pitter-patter-y French stuff. [NY Mag]

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03/22/12
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Big Picture

Floral Print at Its Best

As we mentioned on Tuesday, floral prints are having a bit of a moment these days. They’re best used as an accent—more likely to show up in a pocket square or a jacket lining—but since flowers have been showing up more and more lately, we thought we’d pull together some of the best specimens the Web has to offer. It’s been a good year for the roses…

See a few pictures of floral print at its best»
 

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03/20/12
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Good Idea

The Perfect Summer Color Scheme

blue and creamvia Uncle Beebo

In the editorial world, we like to talk about trends, but some things just work. They’ve worked for decades and they’ll work for decades to come, long after the double monks of the world have come and gone. Our favorite example: the divine convergence between navy blue and khaki, the two poles of gentlemanly spring style.

The eternal appeal of navy and khaki, and how to make it work»
 

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03/13/12
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Big Picture

The Charm of the Cotton Sweater

Now that the weather’s warming up, we’d like to direct your attention to one of the most overlooked items in your spring/summer arsenal: the cotton sweater. It’s an airier version of the wool and cashmere pullovers in your closet, and perfect for those couple weeks in mid-March when the summer sun butts up against the last gusts of winter. These will fare well against both.

A few of our favorite sweaters»
 

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02/23/12
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Current Affairs

The Class of 2011, Revisited

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: 2011 was a good year for menswear.

And just to make it official, word came down from GQ today naming their six favorite new designers of the year, all of whom should look familiar. Congrats to all, especially the triumvirate of Ovadia, Velardi and Snyder, who have been inspiring double takes at trade shows all year.

All six will be collaborating with Gap in the coming months, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with—but in the meantime, consider this a well-earned round of Internet applause.

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01/26/12
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Good Idea

A Gentleman’s Guide to Ties, Collars and Tie Knots

Ovadia & Sons

It used to be you could get by with just a four-in-hand and a smile… but times have changed. The collars are more complex, the ties are stuck between mod-thin and banker-thick, and suddenly your knot’s either busting the seams or lost in a chasm of empty fabric.

So we figured we’d boil things down to the bare essentials. After the jump, we’ll match the four most common types of collar with the ties and knots that suit them best, and along the way, show you where to pick up some of the better specimens.

Choosing the right collar, the right tie, and the right knot»
 

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01/19/12
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LinkOut

Michelle Williams Is Really Getting into This Marilyn Business

A Dangerous Method: Michelle Williams gets the profile treatment from GQ, coming off every bit as stable as Marilyn Monroe. [GQ]

Suit Up: In praise of the personal uniform, whether it’s Steve Jobs or Thom Browne. [Valet]

Clint Eastwood Is a Badass: The story of a 21-year-old Clint Eastwood, a plane crash at sea and a two-mile swim in very cold water. [The Scuttlefish]

The Faces of Market Week: Ryan Plett offers black-and-white snaps of the Ovadia twins and Matt from Sid Mashburn, among others. [TravelWell]

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01/18/12
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Tatiana Pajkovic Really Loves Her Chucks

via WBE

The Tigers Will Fly: Marisa Zupan takes on Ovadia’s capsule presentation, with a bit more detail on the WWII-influenced gear. [The Sig Other]

Life Skills: A guide to breaking into and out of things. Use this information only for good. [Lifehacker]

The Retail Jungle: A guide to the plethora of different kinds of e-comm site that have popped up in the past few years. It gets weirder than you might think. [Business of Fashion]

Paint it Black: And finally, why so many of your favorite sights are blacked out today, and what you can do about it. [Gawker]

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01/17/12
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Labeled

Three Reasons to be Excited for Ovadia & Sons in 2012

Ovadia & Sons Fall/Winter 2012

Ovadia & Sons came onto the scene with quite a splash last year, so they could be forgiven for playing it safe for a season or two. But judging from what we saw at the Capsule show yesterday, they’re still swinging for the fences. The fall/winter lookbook will be arriving later this week to prove it, but first, we’ve got three pitch-perfect details that should convince you to get excited in advance. First, a certain 70-year-old Italian sneaker…

Our favorite touches from Ovadia’s fall/winter line»
 

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12/23/11
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About

The 2011 Kempt Awards – Part One: The Gentlemen

Christopher Hitchens with Ian McEwan (left) and Martin Amis in Uruguay via The Guardian

We spend a good deal of time here at Kempt headquarters discussing the gentleman’s style: his clothes, his facial hair, his accoutrements, etc. In addition, though, over the past year, we’ve attempted to broaden the definition of style to include his behavior as well: his adherence to a certain chivalric code, his etiquette, the words he uses, his manner of pursuing artistic and athletic endeavors, his morality, his aspirations and, inevitably, the periodic missteps that can and squander those aspirations.

While we hesitate to dip our toe into the murky, stale bathwater of year-end reviews (and while we have even greater hesitation to hurl ourselves, willy-nilly, into the business of doling out meaningless, award-less “awards”), we’re doing so anyway.

Maybe we’re slightly more nostalgic for 2011 than we’ve been in the past.

Or, more likely, maybe we’re finding the exercise of attaching superlatives to people and things and moments to be kind of fun.

Whatever the reason, we present for your perusal—in three parts over as many days—the 2011 Kempt Awards.

Part One: The Gentlemen

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12/20/11
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The Biz

The Best New Designers of 2011

A lot of great new labels arrived on the scene in 2011—the most we’ve seen in recent memory—so we thought we’d give a much-deserved victory lap to our five favorites. They range from homegrown Italiana to biker-tough outerwear, and they’ve been pulling together some of the most exciting ideas in menswear and making clued-in gentlemen look like rock stars from February on. If you were waiting for a chance to get acquainted, now’s the time.

Ladies and gentlemen, the class of 2011»
 

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11/28/11
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Sale-ing

The Best of Cyber Monday

Levi's Sweater

As countless spam emails have no doubt informed you, it’s Cyber Monday—the day e-commerce shops offer their deepest discounts of the year. (It’s also Randy Newman’s birthday, so you may want to get him something.) And since you don’t have time to scour every last one, we’ve pulled together the best of the lot, from Fair Isle scarves to Donegal tweed pants. Have a look after the jump.

See the best deals Cyber Monday has to offer»
 

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11/22/11
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Filmic

The Shawl Collar of the Class Voyeur

Gatsby Shawl Collar

While Leo’s suit gets all the attention, we’ve got a different favorite from the latest batch of Gatsby pics: Nick Carraway/Tobey Maguire’s gloriously broad shawl collar. It’s remarkably close to the Ovadia & Sons cardigan that’s been making a splash in menswear circles lately—although finding that rounded club collar shirt outside of a custom shop would be quite a trick.

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11/11/11
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LinkOut

Alyssa Arce Didn’t See You There

The Old Ways: ACL shares the story of a traditional October hunting trip, complete with video. [A Continuous Lean]

Awesome People Hanging Out Together: We know, it sounds like a blogger fantasy, but apparently Picasso and Gary Cooper were pretty close in the ’50s. [Driven]

All in the Weave: A look at the faces, threads and machines that bring you Harris Tweed. [Brain Pickings]

Cords of the Future: And in honor of Corduroy Day (that’s 11/11/11, get it?), we offer this pair of Ovadia cargo cords. [Ovadia & Sons]

And to all a good weekend!

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Style: some people have it, and some neighborhoods really have it. To show you what we mean, we’ve partnered with Cadillac to present Style Shifters—a five-part, in-depth look at what the hippest gents in some of the country’s coolest neighborhoods are wearing now. Our intrepid photographers have roamed the streets in search of the most stylish guys around. Herewith, a few photos of what they found...

New York

Brooklyn

Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is home to some of the country’s best bars and coolest restaurants—and, of course, some of the best menswear shops in the world. Naturally, you’ll find more than a few stylish individuals perched outside those locations (and no, not all of them are Billyburg hipsters). See what we mean below...

On The Streets: Brooklyn

  • Drew Ledbetter Actor
    Lives: Providence, RI

    Hometown: Chattanooga, TN / Bay Area, CA

    What We Like Drew’s shoes are made by Cole Haan.
  • Drew Ledbetter Actor
    Lives: Providence, RI

    Hometown: Chattanooga, TN / Bay Area, CA

    What We Like Drew’s shoes are made by Cole Haan.
  • Justice Hampton Works for Club Monaco
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Dallas, TX

    What We Like Leave it to a Texan to know that a linen jacket is the perfect bit of outerwear to transition you from spring to summer.
  • Justice Hampton Works for Club Monaco
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Dallas, TX

    What We Like Leave it to a Texan to know that a linen jacket is the perfect bit of outerwear to transition you from spring to summer.
  • Jamie Clawson Runs a leather accessories business (valentinegoods.com)
    Lives: East Village, New York

    Hometown: Cleveland, OH

    What We Like Jamie’s shirt is called the “Expensive” shirt by Wil Fry. Ironically, it goes for about 30 bucks.
  • Jamie Clawson Runs a leather accessories business (valentinegoods.com)
    Lives: East Village, New York

    Hometown: Cleveland, OH

    What We Like Jamie’s shirt is called the “Expensive” shirt by Wil Fry. Ironically, it goes for about 30 bucks.
  • Koppel Verma Researcher at Google
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Cambridge, MA

    What We Like Turns out, the Swiss Army makes more than knives—they also made this jacket (it’s vintage).
  • Koppel Verma Researcher at Google
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Cambridge, MA

    What We Like Turns out, the Swiss Army makes more than knives—they also made this jacket (it’s vintage).
  • Chris Afzal Audio engineer
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Baltimore, MD

    What We Like If you needed any more proof that Brooks Brothers has shed its stodgy image, these shoes should do the trick.
  • Chris Afzal Audio engineer
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Baltimore, MD

    What We Like If you needed any more proof that Brooks Brothers has shed its stodgy image, these shoes should do the trick.
  • Malik Alokpovi Host for a hotel
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Born in Togo, West Africa, but lived in the South of France

    What We Like Malik’s red suede shoes came from A.P.C. Try not to step on them.
  • Malik Alokpovi Host for a hotel
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Born in Togo, West Africa, but lived in the South of France

    What We Like Malik’s red suede shoes came from A.P.C. Try not to step on them.
  • Billy Cadden Musician
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Woodstock, NY

    What We Like Billy’s worn this shirt, which he got at H&M while on tour, at every show since.
  • Billy Cadden Musician
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Woodstock, NY

    What We Like Billy’s worn this shirt, which he got at H&M while on tour, at every show since.
  • Sam Bowstucky Bartender
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    What We Like He’s actually on his way to a working audition for a bartending job at the Blind Barber. Good luck, Sam.
  • Sam Bowstucky Bartender
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    What We Like He’s actually on his way to a working audition for a bartending job at the Blind Barber. Good luck, Sam.
California

San Francisco

Mission District

Style. The Mission’s got it. Union Square’s got it. But each of them goes about having it in a different way—the Mission rocking a more bohemian coffee shop vibe, Union Square hosting some of the best higher-fashion shops (and shoppers) on the West Coast. We rounded up a few of the most stylish folks from both. Have yourself a gander below…

On The Streets: San Francisco

  • Brian Cunningham Shop clerk
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: Boston, MA

    What We Like The first rule any SF transplant learns: always bring a light coat. Brian sticks with a denim jacket from AllSaints. (Button to taste.)
  • Brian Cunningham Shop clerk
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: Boston, MA

    What We Like The first rule any SF transplant learns: always bring a light coat. Brian sticks with a denim jacket from AllSaints. (Button to taste.)
  • Erik Newton Attorney
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Diego, CA

    What We Like Erik likes to throw on an interesting sport coat with a pocket square and skip the tie—on days he’s not in the courthouse, naturally.
  • Erik Newton Attorney
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Diego, CA

    What We Like Erik likes to throw on an interesting sport coat with a pocket square and skip the tie—on days he’s not in the courthouse, naturally.
  • Jason Moo Banker
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: New York, NY

    What We Like Jason picked up his prized pocket square at his favorite tailor, tucked away in NYC’s NoHo—Michael Andrews Bespoke.
  • Jason Moo Banker
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: New York, NY

    What We Like Jason picked up his prized pocket square at his favorite tailor, tucked away in NYC’s NoHo—Michael Andrews Bespoke.
  • Presyler Galvin Bon vivant
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    What We Like A good carry-all bag is a necessity in the city—and you won’t do much better than a Goyard. Extra points for the monogram.
  • Presyler Galvin Bon vivant
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    What We Like A good carry-all bag is a necessity in the city—and you won’t do much better than a Goyard. Extra points for the monogram.
  • Randal Ruiz Design student
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Jose, CA

    What We Like Randal fashioned those elbow pads himself—ensuring he’ll never bump into the same blazer anywhere else.
  • Randal Ruiz Design student
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Jose, CA

    What We Like Randal fashioned those elbow pads himself—ensuring he’ll never bump into the same blazer anywhere else.
Florida

Miami

South Beach
June 6

Forget everything you know about Miami style. Today’s Miamian is more LeBron James than Crockett and Tubbs—as you’ll soon see in our next edition of Style Shifters…

Kempt
Style Shifters
Cadillac