Blake, Fashion Industry
spotted at 55th and Park Ave, New York City
Who are you wearing?
Shoes, Jacket, Shirt, Tie - Gucci, Pants - H&M
Who’s your favorite designer(s)?
What’s the item of clothing you can’t live without?
Tie
What’s your favorite store(s)?
Who is your greatest style influence?
Ryan Gosling
Describe your style?
Classic American meets Lake Como, Italy.
What’s your best style tip?
Let your clothes speak for themselves.
This is the best how to tie a bow tie I’ve ever seen.
(Source: devoureth, via singlemaltstyle)
There are numerous custom shirt companies on the market today, but only one had the audacity to turn the traditional business model on its head. Why should a custom shirt company only cater to their clients business attire? Don’t business clients have a life outside of the office, where they might want express their personal style through their choice of shirts? What about a social media component, creating a sense of community? Hmmm… this doesn’t sound like your father’s custom shirt company and its not.
Allow me to introduce J.J.Threads. The company was founded in 2010 by Jay Wich. After moving to Hong Kong, Jay became frustrated by the lack of shirting choices available to him. A lover of the Hong Kong nightlife scene, he favored fun and funky shirts, but was having difficulty finding them. The only solution was to buy the fabric of his liking and have a local tailor make the shirts he wanted. After the overwhelmingly positive feedback he received, he knew he was on to something, hence the birth of J.J.Threads.
I recently started a dialogue with Jay after hearing from him, that he was a fan of styleDeclassified. I was intrigued by his novel approach to the custom shirt business, which was like a breath of fresh air over the traditional landscape. Custom shirts for work and play from the same company, its one stop shopping.
The only way to honestly review something is to experience it. After having gone through the process of selecting, ordering, and now wearing a J.J.Threads shirt, I can attest that I am a fan.
The entire experience is conducted online, I found the J.J.Threads website very clear and easy navigate. The first step was to decide whether I wanted to create my own unique shirt based upon their vast international array of fabrics, select a company pick or a customer favorite. I chose to make my own shirt, and settled on a pink fabric with white stripes from Portugal called “Alentejo.” Next was the customization, I selected the “Cut-Away” collar. A popular customization is the inner collar, I chose pink floral fabric called “Jasper,” a fun complement to the stripes for when I wear the shirt without a tie.
Cuffs, Inner-Cuff’s and Plackets, can all be customized in the fabric(s) of your choice. I selected a french-cuff, and decided not to make any further changes to the fabric. However I did choose to go with white buttons and the signature J.J. red stitching on the top button hole.
There are four options on fit, ranging from “Slim” to “Gentlemen’s Fit.” Size can be determined using the standard sizing option, which utilizes traditional sleeve and collar measurements or XS to XXX sizing. I know my measurements exactly so I opted for traditional sleeve and collar.
You can also select the made to measure option, for that you’ll need a tape measure and somebody to assist you with the measuring. It’s a very simple process and clear diagrams and instructions are there to guide you on the site.
The standard turn around time once an order is placed is seven to ten working days and there is no charge for shipping to 25 countries around the world via FedEx.
suit, Canali tie, Giorgio Armani
I received my shirt on time as promised. The fit was perfect, and I definitely selected a shirt that can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down with a pair of dark wash jeans.
Back to a point I touched upon earlier about social media and creating a community. Each J.J.Threads customer has the option of creating a brief profile and naming the shirts they create. The most creative names can get you selected as “Threadhead of the month.”Other clients can “like” your shirt and order the same shirt, you can also follow others whose style you appreciate. There are even incentives, such as earning a five dollar credit each time somebody orders your unique custom shirt creation. You’re not just buying a shirt, you’re becoming part of a community.
For those interested in having my shirt made, I named it “Declassified,” I know that was a stretch…
I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider J.J.Threads as they continue to change the custom shirt game one like at a time.
***** For more information about J.J.Threads or to place an order go to
The pocket square is one of the finishing touches that I love to talk about. In terms of elevating yourself from dressed to well dressed its a small detail that every well dressed man should be acquainted with.
As promised, I wanted to show you how to achieve the classic pocket square fold known as the “square cut,” aka the “straight” and the “square ended.” This timeless classic fold has been enjoying increased popularity in recent years due in part to the influence of fashion designers such as Thom Browne and Tom Ford, who meticulously highlighted the look in his movie A Single Man. In addition, t.v.shows such as AMC’s Mad Men have helped spur the retro revival. Its truly refreshing to see guys emerging from their sartorial shells, and embracing this timeless look.
There are many ways to achieve every pocket square fold, I’m presenting two variations today. The first slide show displays the folded edge.
The next slide show displays the stitched edge.
Bear in mind there is no right or wrong way, personal preference is the key. However, I do suggest when wearing a pocket square with a colored edge that you do show the stitching.
Tip: When using a traditional cotton or linen pocket square always iron before folding to eliminate all wrinkles, ideally a touch of spray starch before you iron works wonders. Once you have achieved the perfect fold, to eliminate any bulkiness you can lightly iron over the finished pockets square then place in pocket.
*** In case you missed my first pocket square post highlighting the four point fold, here is the link to it:
http://styledeclassified.tumblr.com/post/26647155180/demystifying-the-pocket-square
or just click on Archive and scroll down to July 6, 2012
Thanks for your question Martin. This is actually a good time of year to score some great deals on fall/winter clothing because stores want to make room for spring/summer items, you’ll definitely find the greatest markdowns of the season.
Online shopping is a great resource for high fashion at discounted prices. One of my personal favorites is GILT.COM, they have a variety of great sales running every week, you can always log on and find something and they have great customer service.
Next is the high fashion mecca Barneys New York, their legendary Warehouse Sale is now in full swing. If you don’t feel like dealing with crowds fear not, the sale is now available online at BARNEYSWAREHOUSE.COM.
Last but not least is a New York institution that has been serving up high fashion bargains for years, Century 21. They now have an online store at C21stores.com, running different sales every week. However, they only feature a fraction of whats’s available in the store, so when you’re in town definitely worth a visit.
**there are links to all sites and stores mentioned above
Best couple ever, they dress darn well
Great boots!! Looks like Mr.Alexander was right on point with his pick of brown suede Chelsea boots.
(via sickstyle)
If you’re finding yourself in a fashion slump this winter, tired of wearing the same old things, don’t worry I’ve got you covered. Here are my top picks to get you through the rest of the season. As is customary with styleDeclassified, the items presented are timeless classics, they will be fashionable season after season. Bear in mind you can also use this list as a guide to steer your buying choices if the brands presented are outside of your budget.
1. Shearling coat.
Ermenegildo Zegna, shearling coat, Fall 2012 collection
2. Chocolate brown suede Chelsea boots.
A great addition to the wardrobe of every well dressed man. These boots can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down with a pair of dark wash jeans.
Tod’s Fondo Gomma Chelsea Boot, available exclusively at BARNEYS NEW YORK
3. Quilted Jacket.
A quilted jacket or vest is great as a stand alone item or for layering.
This amazing flannel blazer is down filled and has side vents, a truly updated and functional take on a classic navy blazer.
4. Charcoal Grey Flannel Trousers.
A fall and winter wardrobe staple, every well dressed man should own a pair.
Brooks Brother’s Milano Fit grey flannel trousers.
These trousers are made of Italian wool and feature a lower rise and slimmer cut.
5. Dark Wash Jeans.
7 For All Mankind, Austyn relaxed straight leg jeans
6. Bulky Cable Knit Scarf.
Paul Smith navy and brown chunky cable knit scarf
Bret
spotted in front of Liquor Store, 235 West Broadway, Tribeca, NYC
Who are you wearing?
Coat (plaid, Gore-tex) - Nanamica, Scarf (charcoal pin-stripe) - Fox Brothers, pants - Dickies for J.Crew, Boots - Redwing ( purchased 15 years ago), shirt (denim) - Wallace and Barnes, henley - Homespun.
Who’s your favorite designer?
Frank Muytjens
What’s the one item of clothing you can’t live without?
1954 Levi’s 501’s
What’s your favorite store(s)
Liquor Store,Opening Ceremony, Ludlow Shop @ 50 Hudson Street, Tribeca,NYC
Who is your greatest style influence?
Dad
How would you describe your style?
Rugged Downtown
What’s your best fashion tip?
Be true to yourself
