Despite the context of a standing presentation, Ernest Alexander‘s Autumn/Winter 2015 collection—through forest-colored wool tailoredwear, vibrant pops of rich colors, and fur cameos—evoked the traveled journey of a seasoned explorer. Celebrating both the destinations and the items collected upon each adventure, the seasonal offering marries the Aztec southwest with the tranquility of east coast artisanship.
Going off a highly (and surprisingly) successful 2012 article we published on well designed aprons for men, we’re back with part two, because round-ups—like wardrobe gear—are always better in pairs. And while aprons may not be thought of the most tailored of menswear layers, it seems that whether for kitchen surgical prep, excavating the backyard, or just lack of enough pockets, men are still seeking some sartorial advice on their functioning smocks. Check out these eight options for an improved approach to your around-the-house work.
1. Leather Apron, Aganovich
Image: FarFetch.
Composed of high-quality calf leather and featuring a tie fastening at the waist, you’ll be reluctant to leave this apron from avant-garde label Aganovich hanging in the kitchen.
Drawing inspiration from vintage French workwear, this heavy-duty option is made from indigo-dyed selvedge twill, and sports a dotted-stripe print that’s fun without being frivolous.
Constructed with a focus on quality craftsmanship, the Stafford is composed of premium Italian leather, and features a variety of external storage possibilities.
Handmade in the USA of leather and selvedge denim, this hardwearing apron does it all; even including a hand towel utility ring and snap hooks for easy wear.
Reworking the classic silhouette in a wool composition, this long length apron from New York-based Engineered Garments also features an open front pocket for easy accessibility.
Designed for the kitchen but suitable for all forms of handy work, this apron stands out with a waxed canvas body and contrasting topstitching, and is available in multiple colors.
Higher temperatures and longer days mean shorter shorts and frequent weekend trips for the Summer. Be they spur of the moment—fueled by a hasty throw of clothes into a tote for a night—or a detailed, itinerary-programmed vacation, carry-on bundling can always go a bit smoother with grooming necessities out of the way. So while we can’t tell you exactly what to wear—ok we can, but we won’t right now—we can help you out with five essentials for your standby dopp kit.
1. Substantial Sunscreen
By this point, it should go without saying: sunscreen is essential. Malin+Goetz makes a face moisturizer that works double duty, containing both UVA and UVB protection (SPF 30) and green tea antioxidants to help protect the skin. Perfect for swabbing on when you know you’re going to spend a day at the beach.
2. Cooling Chapstick
Chapped chops might seem like a remnant fear from Fall, but heat, allergies, and dehydration are common causes of dry lips in the Summer. Buckler’s Chapped Lip Remedy comes as a no-shine hydrating balm made with peppermint oil, avocado oil, and shea butter. Don’t think of it as a chapstick—it’s more like a chapstick redux. And yes, you’re going to feel that refreshing sensation from the peppermint when you first apply it. Be warned though: it’s thicker than most, so just use a little less than you think you should and go from there.
3. Razors Ready
Get rid of the hair! It’s Summer, so a nice clean shave is always refreshing. Stash away some of Harry’s razors from the Spring collection—which handles range in colors from Nelson Orange, Shore Grey, Desert Yellow, to Palm Green—to hold you through travel season. While you’re at it, ante up to a complete package that includes a month of shaving cream.
4. Well-Crafted Comb
While the tousled look can be ideal for the Summer, the emphasis should be in its subtlety. This tortoiseshell acetate option from D R Harris brings just a touch of class to the mundane task of daily hair maintenance, and can assist with some of the more formal events on your itinerary. This one features both fine and wide widths to help with styling.
5. Fresh New Fragrance
Sure, you already have your “signature” fragrance, but it’s not a bad idea to switch it up to something a bit lighter for a new season. Supplying Odin New York’s 10 Roam in your kit means that nights of debauchery can be quickly covered up with notes of crisp pepper leaf, wild coffee flower, and a bit of coconut milk.
And in case you don’t have one already…
The dopp kit itself is of course essential. Amongst the many bags that the team Ernest Alexander churns out, the Tucker style is great for traveling.
Header image by Susan Corso; product images courtesy of their respective brands.
Presentations are great, but the real fun happens behind the scenes. See our Ernest Alexander AW14 backstage coverage below, ft all the plaid and tailored suiting you could want, plus a special cameo from Barton Perreira eyewear.
Listen up men of New York: in case you haven’t heard, we’ve finally been given a day for ourselves. This Wednesday, February 5th, marks the inaugural launch of Agentry PR’s New York Men’s Day, a bi-annual presentation of the best and brightest in US menswear, presented by Cadillac and held at Industria Studios. While it’s no LC:M, it is certainly progress. This season the roster includes a mix of seven talented designer that range in style as much as one might expect. Luckily, we got the low-down on each of their varying inspirations.
“This season I was inspired by the classic television series The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling. I was interested in how television made its way into every home in America as a new medium, and the impact it had on society. I also thought of this in relation to how smart phones have affected our generation [today]. There is texture and ‘static’ in the majority of the textiles I developed this season, and it runs throughout the entire collection. For the color palette, I took inspiration from photographs by photographer Alex Prager, because of the artist’s ability to capture moods of tension, suspense, isolation, and sadness in a flat colorful image…it’s the modern day version of film noir.” – David Hart, Founder and Designer
“This season we looked at the juxtaposition of modern sartorial style and Chinese traditions: from the artist The Invisible Man, films like In The Mood for Love, and the year of the horse.” – Amelia Pretious, Design Director
“The collection is a reflection of a journey – the journey from one decade to another, from the cities we visit and live in, to the people we meet that inspire our being and work. A journey from childhood to adulthood and beyond; it is a simple quest to do the work we love and perfect one’s trade. This is a tribute to that journey and an homage to its players.” – Antonio Azzuolo, Founder and Designer
“The Fall/Winter 2014 collection is inspired by the spirit of Andre Gide’s 1902 novel L’immoraliste. It contains a refined mood that lies in tension with an impending sense of freedom. Familiar silhouettes are revisited in innovative fabrics. The clothes are introspective yet quietly alluring.” – Lucio Castro, Founder and Designer
“Ernest Alexander’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection’s inspiration came from early American motorcycle racers of the 1920’s and 1930’s. The colors we chose were a reflection of the environment of that period and the people who defined the era.” – Ernest Sabine, Founder and Creative Director
“The [new] collection centers around the theme of the ‘Gaucho,’ or cowboy, and is about this spirit of self-reliance, camaraderie, and being one with nature.” – Carlos Campos, Founder and Designer
“[We] collaborated with Harley Cortez to develop some great images that gave a lot of life to the collection. Downtown New York meets the London East End.” -Sammy and Liam Fayed, Co-Founders and Designers
Ernest Alexander claims his Spring 2014 Collection was inspired by his youth spent in Venice, and it’s not hard to pick out the Continental theme running through the collection. Bright colors, that staple of Franco-Italian dressing, predominate, with bursts of burnt orange and flashes of deep green, and above all else a dominant showing by the color blue, which appears in many shades, from the navy of a sober business suit to the sky of a more leisurely suit. Prints are also frequent, with an anchor print adoring a casual shirt and a brilliant blue-and-white floral pattern speckled across a double-breasted blazer. Mr. Alexander uses color and pattern to put us at ease, to remind us that the Springtime is a time of renewal. We are meant to cast off the dourness of winter, to see the new life blossoming around us, and to join in the regrowth.
To accompany you on your long weekend…over twenty of the best things to get dad for Father’s Day 2013
Aether Men's Canyon Moto Jacket $750 at aetherapparel.com So dad's got a motorbike, does he? Maybe a slick looking, wind resistant, waterproof jacket with minimal design that'll let him ride his bike, say to work, in style is just the thing.
Best Made Co Apron $62 at bestmadeco.com It's a double-duty apron, made of 10oz hickory stripe, reinforced with denim is designed to be work in the shop and by the grill. Plus, one grommet for easy adjustments.
Billy Kirk No. 5 Medium Caryall $349 at billykirk.com Two interior and one exterior pocket, (Japanese sourced olive herringbone) canvas exterior lined in leather with sturdy nylon lining...here's a handsome day bag for dad's laptop, gym clothes and whatever things he's other wise giving your mom to hold for him. Limited Edition.
Sir Jacks Ox Horn Double Old Fashioned Whiksey Tumbler $98 for two at sirjacks.com One for him and one for you. Now bond.
Armani/Casa Spencer Robe $250 at Armani/Casa Miami, by phone only at 305.573.4331 or in store at 10 NE 39tgh Street, Miami, FL 33137 A team of Armani researchers (that's a job we're kinda jealous of!) created a special lightweight cotton with extra fine ringlets, crafting them into this bathrobe. All other fabrics should be afraid.
Tommy HilfigerMoon Neck Garment Dyed Fleece $98 at usa.tommy.com If he insists on wearing fleece, this is the one and only one that won't make him look like a dork.
Set of Three Chipotle BBQ Sauce $24 at wantful.com Well, Gordon Ramsay's favorite BBQ sauce might entice him. Made with caramelized onion, garlic, bourbon and smoked chilis.
Ernest Alexander Chocolate Wax Bankers Zip Folio $110 at ernestalexander.com If dad's got his own business, then he'll never have enough folios. This one made with waxed, chocolate canvas, lined in navy twill and looks damn sharp.
Gant by Michael Bastian Explorer Sunglasses $165 at us.gant.com He probably doesn't know who Michael Bastian is, but no matter because when he's got these stylish lenses on while driving and the sun's completely blocked, he'll be thinking of you.
Molton Brown Sport Set $72 at moltonbrown.com Here's a trifecta of help for dad's grooming regimen. The warming sports rub is one of the most luxurious muscle heating creams on planet earth (no medicine cabinet smell and moisturizing), the 4-in-1 body wash keeps things streamlined and the deodorant, with cassia bark and lime, could easily stand in for a cologne.
D.S. and Durga Italian Citrus $96 / 1.7 oz at dsanddurga.com
Possibly the ultimate scent. For any and all occasions
Hentsch Man Hawaiian PRint Cotton Tie $85 at mrporter.com If you must do the tie thing, here's one that everyone will most likely agree on.
Onia Calder 10 Inch Bathing Suit $135 at onia.com A polite pair of trucks that hit in the sweet spot above the knee, making them style friendly and dad appropriate. Also, antique nickel snaps and some of the softest mesh lining on the market.
Owen and Fred Customizable Luggage Tag $81 at owenandfred.com So he never has to affix a cheap looking piece of paper to his luggage.
Parabellm Ten Card Wallet $330 at store.unionlosangeles.com It's lined in kevlar, you know, to stop bullets. That is of course, if the ten cards he's got in there don't do the job first. Wait...why is anyone shooting dad?
Rimowa Salsa Air Upright Carry-On $515 at bloomingdales.com Lightweight to the max and sturdy to the extreme, Rimowa makes their luggage out of the same stuff as some airplanes. Plus, four wheels makes it effortless to carry.
Will Leather Goods FireWheel Belt $85 at willleathergoods.com He appreciates all things Western. Help him keep it stylish with this Italian vegetable tanned belt with antique brass buckle and wax chord stitching.
Zegna Sport Leather Jacket $1495 at store.zegna.com Every man should have at least one leather jacket in his wardrobe. This one's sporty, minimal and goes with just about everything.
Salvatore Ferragamo Credit Card Case $180 at ferragamo.com It's embossed calfskin...cuz he's the boss.
Bell & Ross WW1-92 Heritage $3,700 at Bellandross.com Watches modeled after those worn in the 1920's are stately.
Jonnie Walker Double Black
Jonnie Walker Double Black is no longer limited edition...so time to turn dad onto something smokey and new he can get with some regularity. Because you know he likes what he likes.
“Fashionably late” really only works when you arrive fashionably attired, so its safe to say that it will be a fashionably late arrival for Club Monaco to the e-commerce game when they launch their US online store on Monday, March 26th! (More after the jump)
Yes its possible that big retail players still don’t have online stores in 2012. According to the Monaco team, the website won’t just offer the full assortment of the brand’s clothing, but it will have exclusive products made only for the website and editorial content. To celebrate, the company will take care of all shipping and handling fees through April and are giving their Facebook fans an advanced peak at the online store starting on Friday, March 23rd. The first pieces available for sale will be from the forthcoming Spring 1 2012 collection, featuring collaborations with Ernest Alexander and Rancourt, which you can drool over (without fear of impulsive shopping) below.
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