Bravado Living

When I ask you to picture for me a “power” tie what do you envision? Images of Gordon Gecko, the Apprentice, and other executives with bad hair flash through your mind. There’s also a chance  you’re probably thinking red. Red, was for a long time considered the staple color for any self-respecting executive’s “power” tie. It’s Bold, unabashed, and commanding. Oh, and one more thing- outdated.

Close, but no cigar

Power used to be flashy. Now, it’s unassuming. It used to brash. Now, it’s calculated. It’s time for you to buy a solid dark tie. No wider then the lapel on your 2 button suit, the dark tie commands respect without expecting it. The dark tie is worn by the first one to work, and the last one to leave. He talks a big game, but still exceeds all expectations. He’s younger then everyone else, and already moving into the corner office. Hell, he deserves it.

You deserve it

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

-Bravado Living

Popularity: 14% [?]

Really? You might ask us? The MOST timeless article? You could make an argument otherwise but you can’t deny the timeless appeal of the standard pea coat.

Suits? Arguable. In the 90′s it was all about 3-Button Suits. In the Early 2000′s vested 3-piece suits became all the rage. Now conjuring your best “Mad Men” impression 2-button suits are the only thing worth wearing.

Black Oxford Shoe? Good choice. But you can’t deny the popularity of laceless slip-ons, and the dismal ubiquity of square toed rubber bottom atrocities that plagued every middle-management type throughout the 90′s.

The Pea Coat has remained unchanged. Sure you have options. You can go single breasted, double breasted, short, long, camel, black, regardless of your choice we can guarantee you one thing– if you buy one, you will be able to wear it. Every. Single. Year. Regardless of the current fashion trend.

Which is why we recommend you don’t just buy one, we at THS recommend you invest in one.

Here are a few suggestions when looking for one.

1.) Fit is Everything

You want to wear a coat. You don’t want a coat to wear you. Get one in the same size as your suit jacket, not a size bigger. Take it to a tailor if you need to. If the shoulders of the jacket are hanging off your bony frame, and the arms look like you’re wearing a snuggie– then it looks like someone brought their kid to work day rather than commanding the respect you deserve.

Camel Cashmere Coat by Calvin Klein $1,995

If you want to be daddy; you can’t  look like you’re borrowing daddy’s clothes.

In terms of length you can go shorter, but the just shorter than knee length version is as classic as it gets.

2.) Know your colors

Black-Classic. The original. Resists stains the best, and will never fail you. Looks great with almost every color suit you own except that sharp chocolate brown one you save for casual friday.

Burberry Top Coat $2,300

Blue-Not just any blue. Navy Blue. This one is sharp. Get a cashmere blend so it has a sheen to it. Looks better on than a black topcoat with almost every color suit you own. Plus, it won’t clash when you decide to wear brown leathers instead of black- in fact it will enhance the outfit. If you buy just one color. This is it.

Navy Cashmere Coat by Prada $4,155

Grey-A nice alternative on days where you want your dark suit to really stand out.

Top Coat by Z. Zegna $1,095

Camel- The Ferrari of top coats. This color will make you stand out- and that’s what it’s designed to do. In an elevator of black, blue, and grey, the camel coat will get you noticed. Just take off the shades. You’re not that cool.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Coat $4,995

Also FYI: Camel-Haired coats are actually camel hair while Camel-Colored can be made from any fabric.

3.) Know your fit

Single Breasted- Going with a dark colored, single-breasted top coat and you will never go wrong. It’s also the most likely to fit flatteringly.

Fred Perry Top Coat $480

Double Breasted- Get this cut slim. It’s vital. With double the breast, you also get double the coat. Get a modern fit that compliments your figure, not disfigures it. The double-breasted also hails from days in the military, giving it a much more aggressive look. In the cutthroat environment of business-we’re not so sure that’s a bad thing.

Black Wool Coat by Burberry $2,250

Tip: Get your coat sprayed with suede protector. Not only will it become water repellent but will resist that unavoidable coffee spill in the elevator the first day you wear it.

With this new found knowledge you should be ready to upgrade your wardrobe and get the only piece of clothing that may outlast you.

[Hat Tip]

Popularity: 50% [?]

We’ve been getting a lot of questions asking us the difference between a blazer, a suit jacket, and a sport coat. Well gentlemen we’re here to clear the air. Blazers are a basketball team from Portland, Oregon (please excuse the bad joke, it’s 2:00 am).

In all seriousness.

BLAZERS

Blazers are not merely jackets that are worn with a pair of off-color slacks. They are a staple in a man’s wardrobe. In many instances should be one of the first major clothing purchases in your life, and will serve you very well as versatile, stylish, anchor of your style. So what is it?

A blazer is a two or three button (buy it in two), wool jacket , most commonly seen in navy, and adorned with gold buttons. Other than your favorite pair of dark jeans, no item is more forgiving. Trust us. You can wear it with just about anything from khakis on casual friday, to jeans for a night on the town, to seersucker pants if you’re really feeling adventurous, this companion can do it all. If you don’t have one already, please buy one. Like most things they make, we prefer Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label version as it sits well, holds its shape, and looks phenomenal.

Also make sure to get it tailored. Notice the silhouette of the jacket above and how the shape can make you look jacked, even though you haven’t done a pull-up in your life.

SPORT COATS

Sport coats on the other hand tend to be a patterned worsted wool with either a checker, herringbone, or corset pattern. It is almost always a rougher texture due to it’s lower thread count. This lends itself as the most casual jacket of the bunch. Worn for lazy days at the track, a passport holder at the airport, or to dress up a pair of jeans, the sport coat- while not the most essential of items- will definitely yield itself useful when the time comes.

SUIT JACKET

The suit jacket is recognizable by it’s higher thread count and matching pants (never wear a jacket with “close enough” pants and try to pass it off as a suit- everyone can tell). It can be adorned by any number of patterns but most commonly a chalk or pin stripe like the suit featured below.

Notice the pocket square, thinner tie, and tailored jacket. Well done, sir. Well done indeed.

Popularity: 21% [?]

They are business essentials. If you don’t have a pair, you need to invest in one. Keyword INVEST. These shoes, if taken care of properly, will last you the rest of you life so get a pair worth wearing. We like cap toes for two reasons.

1.) They crease behind the cap.

2.) The double folded leather on the cap never wrinkles because of reason #1

Because of this, they look new forever and never need more than a shine and an occasional resole.

You can also buy them with toe medallions or brogued leather, but those diminish the formality and are less appropriate for black tie events like funerals. So put away some money in your nike shoe box and save up for a pair of cap toes from a quality brand. Your coworkers won’t notice, but your boss’ boss will.

Bally Cap Toe Oxfords

Bally Oxfords $930

Popularity: 9% [?]

Summer is around the corner so it’s time to step up your boat shoe game. We’re big fans of Sperry Gold Cups, for a few reasons-

1. They have a Vibram Sole which never wears down

2. They have a triple density memory foam which molds to your feet like a Tempur-Pedic Bed

3. They are lined with deerskin which wicks away sweat and moisture

4. They just look great.

Click on the link above for more designs and the ridiculous $1,000 Crocodile version. The venetians below are great because they slip on easy and don’t wrinkle like the other versions do. Wait for them to go on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale around Father’s Day and pick them up for just over a Franklin.

Sperry Gold Cups

Sperry Gold Cups. $170

Popularity: 4% [?]