Fit To Be Tied. Bow Tie-d.

February 7th, 2010

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How To:  Tie a Bow Tie.

Image Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: ACCESSORIES, How To

That’s Nautical.

January 30th, 2010

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Nautical is back for Spring / Summer 2010.

Photo credit: roguesgallery.com. Photo by Mischka Richter.

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: MENSWEAR

Tweed Run, London.

January 25th, 2010

Picture 11Last year, on January 24th, London hosted the first ever Tweed Run.  The Tweed Run was organized by London Fixed Gear and Single Speed.  Riders wore traditional British cycling attire, namely tweed.

Tweed is a coarse unfinished woolen fabric closely woven in either plain or twill weave.  Tweed was often worn as informal outerwear because it is durable and moisture resistant… perfect for cycling?

Fact Credit: Wikipedia.com

Image credit: Photo by Roxy Erickson via tumblr

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: OUTERWEAR, TEXTILE

All Tied Up

January 21st, 2010

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When choosing a tie, it is important to consider pattern, width, fabric, formality and color.

Pattern: Lots of options, plaid, striped, spotted etc.

Width: The traditional width of an English regimental tie is three and a quarter inches.

Fabric: Silk is arguably the best textile for ties, durable, lustrous and resilient.

Formality / Color: A darker tie is typically considered more formal.

Fact credit: The Suit, Nicholas Antongiavanni, p. 145

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: Ties

Fair Isle Formal?

January 11th, 2010

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Club Monaco’s Fair Isle sweater: Hughes Crew

See Also: The Duke’s Fair Isle bail out

Image credit: clubmonaco.com

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: SWEATERS

Start The Year Off on the Right Foot.

January 5th, 2010

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The Oxford is a type of leather shoe.  These shoes were originally from Ireland and Scotland and are typically quite plain with (at most) small perforations as detail.   According to Hoyle, when it comes to shoes and ornamentation, less is more.

Straight-laced :

1)  Refers to a method of fastening two pieces so that the laces span straight across rather than making a crisscrossed pattern.

2) Oxford English Dictionary definition: having or showing very strict moral attitudes.

Fact Credit: Wikipedia.org; askoxford.com

Image credit: Maison Martin Margiela via tresbienshop.net

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: SHOES

Think Pink. Thomas Pink.

January 3rd, 2010

Picture 19The original Thomas Pink shirts were constructed on an authentic block and made from 38 separate components, with a 14 piece hand turned collar.

Thomas Pink was founded by three Irish brothers and entrepreneurs, James, Peter and John Mullen.  The company brand name, Thomas Pink came from a London tailor who made red hunting jackets, a color that was  referred to as “hunting pink”  (see “hunting pink” is more red than you think).

“In the Pink”- is an idiomatic expression for in good health.

Thus, the term “in the pink” has been used to refer both to the color of the hunting jackets (those lucky enough to own one) and hunters’ healthy and energetic approach to their pasttime.

Fact credit: wikipedia.org;  www.phrases.org.uk;  www.thomaspink.com

Image credit: www.thomaspink.com

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: SHIRTS

Quality Time

January 2nd, 2010

Picture 16According to Hoyle, your wristwatch tells much about your status, style and success.  (Of course, it also tells the time).  The wristwatch surpassed the pocket watch in popularity during the 1920s.  The wristwatch, the only piece of jewelry worn by most men is a visible and expressive accessory.

Accessories that should match :  1) cuff links & wristwatch   2) Watch strap, belt and shoes.

Image credit : www.ernstbenz.com

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: ACCESSORIES

Ne Pas Laver ?!

December 7th, 2009

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Do Not Wash?  According to Hoyle, some rules are made to be broken.

Writer: Hoyle

Posted In: RULES

Q & A with Nom de Guerre

December 2nd, 2009
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Images credit: nomdeguerre.net

The Nome de Guerre collective was founded with the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. According to Nom de Guerre “collective consciousness . . .  is superior to that of the individual ego.” According to Hoyle, Nom de Guerre functions as a paragon of menswear style.

Hoyle: Your Lookbook images are amazing- is there anything you keep in mind when creating them?

N. D. G.: Each season we are very fortunate to work with a team that makes the vision possible. For Fall / Winter 2009, the idea was to create a feeling of being in a vast Arctic space and Erik Swain executed that idea perfectly. Daniel Peddle’s casting also furthered the idea, so that we had guys that could very legitimately be in that setting.

nomdeguerreHoyle: How did you find your store location? It has such a unique history.

N. D. G.: We found the store location through word of mouth; we like working that way and always try to remain open to synchronicity in both the everyday tasks as well as the bigger ideas that we execute.

Hoyle: Do you feel that Nom de Guerre runs differently than other design or fashion firms?

N. D. G.: Yes, the way that we work is very unusual. We work more nomadically and take full advantage of communication technology.  This sets us free from having an office and allows us to design the collection anywhere.

Hoyle: What is the ideal male uniform?

N. D. G.: It would really depend on the occasion, but for multi-function use, we think that it would be a very sturdy pair of trousers, a button-front shirt worn with a necktie, and a thick hoodie.

Hoyle: Can we give readers any news on what’s to come with Nom de Guerre?

N. D. G.: Spring / Summer 2010 is based on the Algerian war and is also influenced by film and literature of the period. This collection mixes civilian and military references to suggest the civilian involvement in the war itself, and additionally, resulting from the influence of ideas such as, montage of New Wave cinema; archival news reels; and specifically the films of Chris Marker.

Images credits: nomdeguerre.net ; movie credit: Chris Marker

Writer: Hoyle