Happy Holidays
quick tie fact
Contrary to some peoples belief the tie was not invented to protect the buttons on your shirt. It most likely comes from a Roman tradition of wearing a piece of fabric around your neck to keep your vocal chords warm. This Roman style was adopted into military uniforms throughout Europe and then popularized by King Louis XIV of France who began wearing them after seeing the accessory on a soldier. The necktie became what it is today through mass production of a particular style during the industrial revolution.
Here’s a handy dandy guide on how to tie a tie:
Oh and also… both the necktie and bow tie are great holiday gifts!
We could tell you…
We could tell you that these 1960’s suits are a great gift for the gentlemen in your life…or that these suits are perfect to wear to holiday parties, for a night out, or to the office…
…we could tell you that the style of these suits with their texture and their varying color pallet made by brands like: the Godard, Truffaut, Visconti and Fellinimark, mark an important turning point in men’s fashion…
…we could tell you that those who wear these suits in anytime period are adored and iconicized…
…we could tell you that these suits will work with any solid color shirt…with or without a skinny tie…
We could tell you…but just one look and you know.
Winter Ready
So what’s the deal… we’ve been rolling through December like it’s fall? Is winter coming? Or will Mr. Frost skip us this year?
Doubtful! It may or may not be another snowpocalypse year, but you should be ready anyways for the cold.
So, are you ready?
If you’ve smart you’ve already been strategically layering matching the fluctuating temperature. You’ve got an undershirt maybe, your button up dress shirt, and suit jacket or sport coat. Think that will do? Probably not. You will need one more layer to be winter ready. It’s the most important layer actually. The overcoat! You could be tacky and try too get that fall coat of yours over you suit jacket, but we all know you have more style than that. You need something that says classic winter. Something that says ‘Winter in New York’!
Maybe a coat that looks timeless…
maybe something with a more European look…
or maybe something a little bit different…
Think about what you are wearing underneath when you pick out your coat.
You want the coat to feel protective not restrictive. A full length overcoat should stop at your lower shins. Anything lower will get really dirty.
Capes!
check out these amazing all wool French and Italian capes from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s… available now at the store!
A Time Of Class
There was once a time when the world was on the brink of a new age; a moment filled with new technological innovation and social change; a time when people explored fashion, entertainment, and other cultures like never before.
This period in time, that has moments similar to our own, was called the Edwardian Era (1901-1919).
No matter your opinion of the political struggles from time, we all can agree that the fashion looks from the period were both dashing and debonair. Men and woman wore conservative outfits that still define the words elegant and handsome today. Woman wore elaborate hats and hoops angle linked dresses, while men sported top hats, vest, and long jackets.
Some of the more conservative looks for woman have faded away, but the clean trim look for men still connotes the term: “gentleman”.
If you need something for that winter ball or even something for a night at the theatre there is nothing that says “gentleman” more than a long Edwardian Coat.
EDWARDIAN COAT. 100% SOFT SPUN WOOL, MEDIUM WEIGHT, BLACK.
with pleated back and high vent with buttons
Slim fit, double breasted, 4 silk covered buttons in front, wide high peack lapels, cuff stitching details with buttons, fully lined with strong twill material,
Hand constructed, hand stitching details
The Class in Classic!
Vintage Balloons @ Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floated into the city on Christmas of 1924. The event featured Macy’s employees dressed in costumes and Central Park zoo animals. This first parade was meant to be a simple store promotion, but ending up drawing a staggering 250,000 people, which stood along the parade route from Harlem and Herald Square. Macy’s considered the event such a success that they instantly made it an annual event.
In 1927 a single tall helium balloon of ‘Felix The Cat” danced its way through the parade. The very next year a cast of characters were created and the balloons got bigger and bigger from then on.
Here’s a beautifully restored 8mm of the 1954 parade. In it you can see various balloons and of course Santa Claus.
New York Marathon
On Sunday the 41st New York City marathon will take place. This event dominates the city on race day and almost brings parts of the city to a halt. But the marathon started out really small with only 127 running running around central park and 55 of those running actually completing the 26.2 miles.
The race now has grown to a 5-boro affair with runners zipping through each part of the city. Last year some 45,103 finished the race. The amount of people hitting the streets of New York is something to behold. Check out this video of the marathon from last year shot from Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
‘Fur’ Preview Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show
Here’s a little taste of what’s going to be at Friday & Saturday’s show!
