Dapper Dan(ielle)'s Thread of Sartorial Delights

Minarchist wrote:

Damaged on shipping, or did it happen afterward? That's a pretty small-time outfit and the guy who runs the place will bend over backwards to please you, so if you take pics of the damage and explain how it happened he'll probably refund you and ship you a new one for free.

Remember that with any 100% silk tie you have to be careful about snagging, because the fibers are so super-fine. Even loose dry skin on your cuticle can be enough. But if it's showing that obviously right after purchase, you should probably return it.

That's how it arrived. It's honestly fine for work (if I had a job) and for events, just not job interviews. One spot looked like it missed a stitch, so at the very tip of the tie, there is a dot on one of the stripes.

I'd return it.

Minarchist wrote:

I'd return it.

Seconded. Any reputable merchant would replace that without question.

I would definitely return those ties.

Update on my adventures with the new shirt: Just got it back from the dry cleaners, and it's pristine. I'm very happy.

Now to find a pair of cuff links that are epic enough for this epic shirt.

I just received another batch of shirts from TM Lewin, as they are rapidly becoming my go-to shirtmaker. They are miles ahead of anything Brooks Brothers can offer at a fraction of the price, and I prefer their cuts and fabrics to the other Ameri-centric British shirtmaker Charles Tyrwhitt. Great fit, great fabric, great pattern-matching, and I haven't experienced any fabric shrinkage through ~12 washes with my others so far (note that I'm washing in cold water, no fabric softener, and hang-drying). Bonus to any of you who are interested, they have a 5-for-$160 deal right now (which they started two days after I placed my order :evil:), and the "luxury" fabrics like the herringbones (which really are quite thick) are only $8 more.

Momgamer, they are big in the women's shirt market as well, and are running the same deal. May be worth looking into.

As a reminder, I highly recommend the "slim fit" model (or maybe fully-fitted if you're a beanpole) unless you are a somewhat portly individual.

EDIT: That 5-for$160 comes out to $32 per shirt, for those playing the at-home edition. A fair sight cheaper than any Dillard's/Macy's shirt and much superior quality and cut.

Beanpole considering. Do they do long tails on 15.5-36 shirts standard?

I don't know. I'd recommend e-mailing them to ask; they tend to be pretty responsive, from what I understand. The length isn't listed on the sizing chart.

Will do when I get home. For the record BB shirts treated as above shrink a good bit length wise. Also, who wants some BB shirts :/

Yeah, I noticed the neck on my BB non-irons got tighter despite never seeing a dryer. Haven't had too much shrinkage with either TML or CT, but much prefer the former's fabric.

I don't mind the neck, but I've lost about an inch it seems in length of body which leads to constant retucks for ole beanpole boogle.

By the way, these pants are amazing. Picked them up with a rewards card I had from an old U-verse account, and worth every penny. Look great and are luxuriously soft, warm flannel.

Thinking of going in for an indochino grey 3 piece.

Just found this thread. Figured I'd pimp one of my frat brother's ventures out of NYC. Welcome to Second Button. Haven't purchased any of their wares, but Tepper is a hoopy frood.

TheWanderer wrote:

Just found this thread. Figured I'd pimp one of my frat brother's ventures out of NYC. Welcome to Second Button. Haven't purchased any of their wares, but Tepper is a hoopy frood.

I sense... foliage? Some sort of cellulose based life form? A PLANT?!?!

I mean they look ok and I was thinking about some MTM shirts so I might get one.

Minarchist wrote:

I just received another batch of shirts from TM Lewin, as they are rapidly becoming my go-to shirtmaker. They are miles ahead of anything Brooks Brothers can offer at a fraction of the price, and I prefer their cuts and fabrics to the other Ameri-centric British shirtmaker Charles Tyrwhitt. Great fit, great fabric, great pattern-matching, and I haven't experienced any fabric shrinkage through ~12 washes with my others so far (note that I'm washing in cold water, no fabric softener, and hang-drying). Bonus to any of you who are interested, they have a 5-for-$160 deal right now (which they started two days after I placed my order :evil:), and the "luxury" fabrics like the herringbones (which really are quite thick) are only $8 more.

Have you had any of Lewin's shirts for a while? Do you roll up your sleeves? One thing I haven't liked about some shirt makers and places like Joseph A Bank is their shirts wear out in the elbows fast if you roll up the sleeves. I haven't had this problem with any Brooks Brothers shirts.

boogle wrote:

Thinking of going in for an indochino grey 3 piece.

If you have a lot of time (measured in multiple months), I've heard you can get a pretty decent suit out of them. It just takes a long time and multiple iterations of the build to get it right. Personally, if you're looking to get something brand new, I'd probably try to snag a Caruso or Benjamin from here. I have a 3-roll-2 Caruso sportcoat and the fabric has an incredible feel, and lots of handwork. Nice stuff.

LeapingGnome wrote:

Have you had any of Lewin's shirts for a while? Do you roll up your sleeves? One thing I haven't liked about some shirt makers and places like Joseph A Bank is their shirts wear out in the elbows fast if you roll up the sleeves. I haven't had this problem with any Brooks Brothers shirts.

I've had some for about five months. I do roll up the sleeves of my shirts, but not the TMLs, as they're all french cuff (my choice) and that just doesn't really work. JAB stuff is (IMO) total crap top-to-bottom, so I'm not surprised their shirts fail. I've had good experiences with the quality of BB, and I often go to them for more casual stuff, but their dress shirts just don't fit me right at all and I find the fabric less than inspiring.

You may know this already, but if you roll up your shirt sleeves before you put the shirt on, things go a lot better. The roll is smoother and looks nicer, and there's less stress on the fabric since you aren't trying to roll it over your bulging biceps.

Yeah, I think I'm going to wait till my bonus comes in (jan) for me to splurge. If I get enough, I can look into something bespoke or higher end mtm hopefully.

Not clothing, but received a badger-hair brush and new shaving soap for my birthday. I feel classy every morning!

Tell your wife to try it, too.

Just be aware you might have to get her her own at that point. She may not ever want to bother with that pink froo-froo garbage again.

The winter tie collection is out at The Tie Bar, and I have to say some of those wool ties look really nice.

Minarchist wrote:

The winter tie collection is out at The Tie Bar, and I have to say some of those wool ties look really nice.

That site is still declaring 2011 the year of the bow tie. The picture seems to show clip-ons.

They sell both self-tie and pre-tied in all their bow ties, I believe.

I have a sharp pair of burgundy dress shoes and now need to match the rest of an outfit to them. Strangely, the internet is full of different opinions on what matches burgundy shoes, so I'm polling this thread. Suggestions?

Polliwog wrote:

I have a sharp pair of burgundy dress shoes and now need to match the rest of an outfit to them. Strangely, the internet is full of different opinions on what matches burgundy shoes, so I'm polling this thread. Suggestions?

IMAGE(http://www.jaksflowergirldresses.com/Bridal174.jpg)

Polliwog wrote:

I have a sharp pair of burgundy dress shoes and now need to match the rest of an outfit to them. Strangely, the internet is full of different opinions on what matches burgundy shoes, so I'm polling this thread. Suggestions?

Burgundy is a pretty conservative color for shoes, so most anything goes with them. Navy is a natural pairing, as are most slacks (not black, but you shouldn't own those anyway, right? ;-)). Dressier khakis can look fine, as well.

Burgundy with vermillion!? No, son, no.

(honestly I think that dress deserves sequined silver Converse)

Burgundy works better as a base color than an accent color. I might try something light to go with it. An ivory or other off-white.

Burgundy dress shoes with off-white slacks? No, son. No.

Navy, grey, khaki. Wonderful slack colors that will match your burgundy shoes.
Plebians. Stick with the classics.