Grenson: My New Favorite!

I have worn many different designer shoes over the years from Cole Haan to Fratelli Rossetti, but my new favorite is Grenson! I cannot recall how I came about the website as well as what gave me the insane courage to purchase a pair of shoes that I had never touched, worn, or even heard of before, but Thank God I did.

This British designer makes the classics modern again with styles that will continue to transcend time. All the shoes I have purchased have been well constructed, comfortable, and adored by more than myself. Always well priced, although they have several different collections ranging in prices from affordable to "Damn, one day I'm going to own a pair of those!" Take a look at the website and you will understand what I'm talking about. Fortunately, they have a couple of sales a year and believe me I take full advantage before my size sells out.

Overall, I haven't dared to buy another brand of shoes since I've purchased my first pair of Grensons and I don't see myself changing that any time soon.

Cole Haan Has Done It Again: ZeroGrand!

Just when I thought Cole Haan was loosing its' strength and starting to become redundant with their shoe line, they slapped me in the face with the ZeroGrand! 


Known for their style and comfort they continued their legacy by taking the ZeroGrand to another level of fashion and fun. I was and still am a big fan of the LunarGrand. These shoes are like walking on clouds in bare feet, but with the ZeroGrand you're walking barefoot on air. This new technology of footwear will revolutionize the fashion footwear industry. Not only have they made these Men's brogue's lighter, but they kept the style fashionable to wear to work or play.

Cole Haan's ZeroGrand won't hurt your pocket either. At only $268 you will get the newest and coolest brogue at an affordable price that will definitely make your feet and wallet "Happy" like Pharrell; not to mention get you several compliments and stares as well.  

Frank and Oak: The Columbia House of Clothes, but Better!

Back in the day I was a victim of the Columbia House and BMG CD membership. Some of you might remember the set up: get 8 CDs for $.99, the cost of shipping, and the promise of buying 4 CDs at regular cost within two years. Each month they would send you a catalog of new CDs to buy as well as the CD of the month and you had so many days to decline the CD or it would be sent to you automatically. Well, after the government fined them for Negative Option Billing and the growth of music downloading, Columbia House and BMG merged and called it quits with selling music through the mail and started peddling DVDs.


Frank and Oak is an online clothing store that gives the buyer an opportunity to try-on the latest clothes every month when they become a member of the Hunt Club. With a Hunt Club membership the member receives clothes every month based on his three favorite styles selected, he has five days to try on his selections, he only pays for what he keeps and the other clothes are returned free of charge. Also, this membership comes with 8% store credit on all purchases as well as 30% off select items with exclusive Hunt Club Pricing. Now all of that sounds great, but there is a small catch. If the member fails to skip a monthly crate it will be sent to him and his account will be credited $45 and his filed credit card will be charged.

Judging by the gear they are selling this may be a match made in consumer heaven, but the only hesitation I have in becoming a member is I will forget to decline the monthly clothing crate and they will send me the clothes anyway and credit my account. This may become a nightmare for me and my absent mindedness, but for someone that lives in a limited men’s shopping scene and has to resort to online shopping its ideal. BTW, I forgot to mention that the clothes are reasonably priced!


If you have used or are a member of Frank and Oak, please share your experience(s). 

Michael Bastian: Bringing More Style to Uniqlo!

Finally, Mother Nature has decided to turn the heat on. With the rising of the temperature the less or lighter clothing we wear, especially to work. For most men the universal dress code becomes khakis and polo shirts. Why is that? My only guess is that it is quick, safe, and relaxing to wear in a work environment, but if you’re like me you’re not into looking like everybody at work and playing it safe takes on a whole new meaning. Well, Michael Bastian’s new line of Polo shirts for Uniqlo are stylishly safe and even better, affordable.

Michael Bastian’s polo shirts bring a unique sense of style that will definitely garner more attention than your usual polo shirt, but still give you the comfort and easy morning preparation you’re accustomed to. The most impressive thing, other than Bastian creating these polo shirts, is the price of these one of a kind shirts. You won’t believe it, but he priced the shirts at $19.90. Yes, that is not a typo! For $19.90 you can have a Michael Bastian polo shirt.

Obviously, I wasn’t the only one waiting for these shirts, because Uniqlo started selling them live online on May 20th and before I was able to boot up my computer that day I was unable to order the shirts I wanted, because they were out of stock. I quickly contacted Uniqlo’s customer service via email and within 24 hours they replied letting me know that all stocks had been replenished. I was able to grab a couple of the ones I wanted, before they were sold out again. They came a few days later and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and style of the Bastian polo shirts. As promoted by Bastian himself, they are comfortable and stylish. I will be going back to get some more!

Wallabee Run: Clarks With Style!

In the past when I heard the word Clarks the first impression that came to mind were shoes an unfashionable, middle age or older guy would wear, but now I would actually want to see the shoe before I judged it. You see Clarks have made it the thing to wear their Desert boots or Chukkas as some call them, but now they have a new player in the shoe lineup and it is the Wallabee Run.

This low cut shoe looks great and feels better than it looks. This shoe does not say Clarks to me when I look at it even though it is the lower cut version of the original Wallabee. Unlike the original Wallabee, it has a thinner sole without the heel and this makes it more stylish and appealing; instead of a Herman Monster platform shoe. It comes in five different styles: Black, Tan, Taupe, and Navy Nubuck and also in Tan Leather. Zappos is asking $125, which is the same price in the stores. I went with the Tan Nubuck and I’m very pleased with shoe for the reasons I listed earlier.

So if you’re looking for a nice comfortable, stylish casual shoe that will garner some attention when you stroll out this summer, you might want to take a look at the Clarks Wallabee Run. You will not be disappointed.

Old School Baseball Gear

After watching the movie, 42, I had the desire to buy a Montreal Royals baseball hat. I've always been a big fan of Jackie Robinson and other Negro League baseball players, so after seeing the movie I had to get some type of paraphernalia to pay homage to him. And Lord behold, I found two sites selling them. J Crew (www.jcrew.com) has a Montreal Royals hat made exclusively for them by Ebbets Field Flannel, which lead me to research Ebbets Field Flannel and boy was I pleasantly surprised!

Ebbets Field Flannel (www.ebbets.com) is the best old school baseball paraphernalia sports shop I've ever come across. They carry everything from baseball hats to clubhouse jackets. Their pricing was very comparable to J Crew, but they had bundle deals that you have to go with or you will be throwing away money or not taking a free item or two. All the materials used to make their pieces come from the original manufactures of the authentic designers, which gives them the genuine look and feel of the originals. And for you football and hockey historian fans, Ebbets went as far as to make jerseys of historical football and hockey teams.

So if you're looking for some cool authentic gear that speaks historical volumes when you enter the room, you better check out J Crew and Ebbets Field Flannel asap!

J Crew Factory Is A Come Up!

One of my favorite songs right now is Macklemore's Thrift Shop! The beat is banging and unique, but his lyrics personifys my take on the fashion industry. I'm always trying to find a "Come Up!" I hate paying full price, because I know the clothing industry is a 100% to 1000% mark up depending on the brand as well as retailer. So when I'm shopping I'm willing to pay only what I think the item is worth and whether or not I need it in my wardrobe. I used to be an emotional buyer, but over time I've been able to reel that in and be more conscience of what I buy and my budget.

I've always been a fan of J Crew since Millard "Mickey" Drexler took over the reigns and revamped the men's look. I had finally found what I was looking for in the J Crew style, but most importantly, it fit me perfectly without having to have it tailored. Most designer clothing doesn't fit athletically fit men, but I've found J Crew to fit just right. Now, don't get me twisted not everything at J Crew is inexpensive, but I will say everything is well made.

But here's the "Come Up" I was talking about earlier. J Crew has an online factory store http://factory.jcrew.com and the deals are the bomb. If you're like me you'll wait until the price is right, like Bob Barker, before you'll buy an item. Nothing hurts worse than seeing something you paid full price for one day be half off the following week. I've been burned like that before on several occasions, but I vowed never again. I started to show some restraint and before I knew it I became more of a practical, fashion shopper. My rule is "if it comes down to my price range and my size is available then it was meant to be," other than that no go.

J Crew Factory is always having sales, so be patient. I've been fortunate to get several suits at 30-40% off by waiting a few weeks. Yes, even on this site I wait for sales. A penny saved is a penny earned and on this site you can save a lot of pennies. So if you want to pop some tags from home just get on J Crew Factory and get your "Come Up" on. It's F#%@ing Awesome!

Cheap Sites, Good Buys!

It's official! Uniqlo (www.uniqlo.com) has gone ecommerce! Now, you can buy nice, inexpensive clothing without breaking the bank. I wrote about this website before, because I was amazed at how they were able to offer such high quality clothing for such low prices. SInce they have opened their online store I can't stay off their site. WIth lambswool cardigan sweaters in multiple colors going for $29.90, how can you not take a look at this store? It has definitely been added to my favorites.

Another site that I've mentioned in the past has also added to their arsenal of products and that is The Tie Bar (www.thetiebar.com). They have added to their line, brace yourself, "Socks!" Yep, I said socks. Believe it or not, they are some pretty cool socks. Again, if you don't believe me take a look for yourself. They have some interesting footwear that will definitely make people take notice when you sit down and cross your legs. For only $8 bucks you can get a signature sock without paying Tom Ford prices (no disrespect to Mr. Ford, but for shock value and quality comparison I had to reference his brand). Once you go on this site I'm sure you will buy more than a pair of socks, so just be prepared to spend anywhere from $50 to $100, but the great thing is you will receive at least 6 to 12 items. The reason being is that nothing is more than $15. Now tell me that isn't better than spending $100 on one tie?

So don't go spending unnecessary money on clothes, because of the expensive brand name. You can get nice quality clothing for less and not cramp your fashion style.

A Woman's Nose!

There's nothing like the scent of a woman when she passes by. We can see them coming from a mile away, but it's their aroma that captivates us and makes us want them even more. Well, the same goes for us men. Women like a well groomed man, but a man that wears a nice fragrance conveys to a woman that he has his shit together; at least from a grooming and hygiene perspective.

It's amazing how a fragrance can strike up an innocent conversation, but lead to sinister, sexual motives. If  you're trying to create a lasting impression on someone from the female persuasion Spicebomb, by Viktor & Rolf, will do the trick. I never thought that Viktor & Rolf would out due their fragrance Antidote, but lord and behold Spicebomb is like no other. This fragrance holds all day and will definitely garnish the attention of the women in your surroundings.

You can grab a bottle at Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com) and Nordstrom (nordstrom.com) for $75 for 1.7 oz and $95 on a 3.0 oz. Again, it holds well so don't bathe in it. I guarantee when you wear this fragrance to work or out on the town women will be attracted to you like bees to honey.

Dress Fresh For Less

In this down economy everyone is trying to cut back on their expenses in every area; from the cable bill to the grocery list. One of the first things I did was try to figure out how I could maintain my fashion style, but at a lower expense. I believe in saving for rainy days, but I also believe in enjoying my life and one of my vices is clothes shopping. I like nice things like the next man, but I don’t believe in paying absurd prices for simple things and to me selling clothes is the biggest mark up racket out there.


Why does Tom Ford charge $645 for a dress shirt? Can it really be worth every penny or is it the price that makes us want to buy it? Or is it the price that subliminally persuades us to believe that his shirt feels better than less expensive shirts? It’s not like I’m going out and buying Tom Ford clothes anytime soon, but boy do I love his collection. So how can I get the Tom Ford look on a budget and still receive clothes that are not only nice looking, but comfortable and durable?

You will be surprised at the numerous clothing stores and websites out there that cater to people like me. My first gold mine was finding “thetiebar.com” online after reading about them in my GQ magazine. I was hesitant at first when I saw they were selling ties for $15 bucks, but when I kept seeing them over and over again in GQ I thought; what could 15 green backs on a tie hurt? So I took a chance on them and to my fashion benefit their ties are nice quality. For a quarter of the price of a J Crew and Banana Republic tie I was able to purchase a tie of the same quality and I would put their ties up against them both any day. FYI: they also sell bow ties, tie bars, pocket squares, and cufflinks.

My second come up was when I ran across “uniqlo.com” online. Again, I was perusing through one of men’s fashion magazines and notice their link in an advertisement. They had several items that I liked off the bat, but not knowing the quality of the material and construction made me kind of leery. The only way to find out was to purchase something and hope for the best. I bought a lambs wool cardigan sweater and to my pleasant surprise it not only fit perfect, but has maintained its look and construction for several years now. I can’t say that about some of other sweaters that I paid twice or three times as much for. Unfortunately, they stopped accepting phone orders, but will open their online store this fall. I can’t wait!

These are just a couple of clothing websites I use at this time, but hopefully you might find them beneficial. Another to be on the lookout for is “joefresh.com.” This Canadian store is mainly located in New York and New Jersey, so if you’re in the area check them out. Something tells me the quality of the clothes in their store is impeccable; especially for the price. Hopefully, they will be going to ecommerce soon. Overall, I hope these stores save you some simoleons and keep you looking fresh.

Not Your Grandpa's Allen Edmonds!

A friend of mine swears by Allen Edmonds shoes, but they never seemed like my type of shoe. In fact, I always thought they were for old men that put comfort before style. I'm sorry to sound so harsh for all of you loyal Allen Edmonds fans, but that's the truth. Without question, Allen Edmonds are very comfortable, but until recently they lacked the style I was looking for. Now the new and improved stylish Allen Edmonds I can definitely rock.

The three styles that caught my eye were the Neumok, Cronmok, and the Aberdeen. First, the Neumok is an oxford wingtip that will have everyones eyes looking at your feet. This traditional shoe will grow old with you and remain relevant with you as well. It comes in six colors (blue, brown, olive, and red leather; also in snuff and tan suede). The first on the list to buy will be the Blue! Happy Birthday to me!

Next on the list will be the Cronmok. The Cronmok is the high-top of the Neumok. Yes, I said high-top! The boot will get the same looks from others as the Neumok. It will have you either walking around with your pants legs rolled up or wearing shorts so everyone can see them. Unfortunately, they only come in the blue, tan, and brown leather unlike the multiple colors of the Neumok. Needless to say, the blue leather will be in my closet soon. I know, why would I buy both the Neumok and Cronmok in blue? One look and you will see why!

Last, but not least is the Aberdeen. It's another wingtip, but with a more casual feel. The mini-lug rubber sole makes this shoe a great shoe to wear with jeans or khakis, but still feel stylish without feeling over or under dressed. It comes in three colors (smokey grey, dark brown, and tan wax leather).
The smokey grey is my favorite and will definitely find it's way into my closet with the others.

I have to say I've been converted to an Allen Edmonds fan. I look forward to wearing these shoes as well as what Allen Edmonds has to offer in the future.

Saddle Up!

Yes! I said it! Saddle Up! Saddle shoes have taken a Boardwalk Empire turn in style. Before I would call them "Pilgrim shoes", but now they have that Harlem Renaissance flavor that will catch everyones eyes when you wear them. Several shoe designers are making stylish saddle shoes that are comfortable and affordable.

I happen to own two pair of Cole Haan (Air Colton Saddle and the Henry Medallion Saddle Oxford) and a pair of Florsheim (Markham Saddle) saddle shoes. Without question, the Cole Haan shoes are hands down the most comfortable shoes on the market. The air sole gives me the comfort and support on my feet to wear the shoes all day long and I'm on my feet a majority of the day. The Florsheim Markham (Navy and Bone color) represent the classic designer saddle that the great Duke Ellington would have worn back in the day. Yet, these saddles can be casually displayed with jeans as well.

So grab yourself a pair of saddle shoes this year! They're not just for dear old grandpa anymore!

SkullCandy Double Agent Headphones Rock!

I know that I'm late to the party. Better late than never! But I just received a pair of Skullcandy Double Agent headphones in the mail and they are off the hook! With these headphones you're able to download music to the 1GB SD card (or use your own SD card) and listen to music wireless. And the sound is incredible! It only took me a second to hook them up to my computer and drag music to the SD card. After the headphones charged up I was ready to bump some sounds. These headphones are hitting for $100 bucks in the store, but you can get them on www.skullcandy.com for $52.46 and they come in the mail rather quick. Did I mention you can use these with your Ipod or other musical electronics? Yes! I hooked them up to my Ipod and they sound great. I can't wait to use them on my next flight out of here. So if you're looking for some unique, inexpensive, good sounding headphones, you don't have to look any further. The Double Agent is the one!

You Only Have One Pair of Feet!

It happened about ten years ago. My wife bought me a pair of Italian made shoes in Chicago. When I opened the box I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of beautiful antique red wing tips (You have to see them! Sweet!). Anyhow, after the shock wore off I put them on and from that day forward I have been in love with Fratelli Rossetti shoes (http://www.rossetti.it/). Not only are the shoes well constructed, but the fit and wear is by far the best shoe I have ever worn. They can be pricey, but if you wait unitl the end of seasons they always have a 50% off sale and that's when I try to clean up. But buyers be aware! Once you try on a Fratelli Rossetti shoe you won't want anything less.

Cool Suits for the Summer!

It's that time of year again! 103 degrees in the shade. Maybe not that hot, but when you put on a nice summer suit you just might make the ladies temperature rise. If you know what I mean. A must have this summer is a nicely tailored Khaki suit. Depending on your budget, there are several designers to choose from. Next to a tailored made suit, I prefer the J Crew Aldridge and Ludlow Chino suits (http://www.jcrew.com/). They have a nice fit and are well structured. They have several different colors to choose from as well. Or you can go tailored made around the same price as jcrew by purchasing a suit from (http://www.mysuitshop.com/). I bought a suit from this website and it fits me like a glove. I was shocked when it came in the mail, because it was in a FedEx large envelope. I thought, "Oh My God! I Just Got Took!" Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package. The suit unfolded without a wrinkle. I couldn't believe it. And the fit has spoiled me ever since. I compare all of my off the rack clothes to the fit of this suit and it has ruin my appreciation for store bought clothes. Needless to say, I'm somewhat over that, but I'm alot wiser when it comes to spending money on things in stores that I can get tailored made for the same price or less.

Regardless of where you buy your suit, make sure you have a cool one to put on this SUMMER!