Deakin & Francis offer a wide range of cufflinks through Barneys but the Black Sheep Cufflinks are my favorite. Self-described as "the world's finest collection of cufflinks for exclusive supply to retail outlets", Deakin & Francis have a range of offerings including bespoke services. The cufflinks below are fun and playful but the whopping $450 price tag is a little rough on the wallet.
After yesterday's record-length post on selecting the right bed sheets, it seems fitting I follow with luxury laundry detergent. The Laundress New York features eco-friendly products that limit visits to the dry-cleaners by helping your clothes survive the washer. Their products include items for the kitchen and home but their laundry soap was the line that caught my attention. Their special formulas cover a range of particular groups -- whites, swimwear, wool & cashmere, denim, etc. -- and come in stylish bottles.
Their Signature Detergent runs $20.50 for 32 oz; if you buy expensive clothes, it's well worth the investment. I haven't tried their products yet but you can find confidence knowing both founders were educated at the Fiber Science, Textile and Apparel Management and Design at Cornell University. Check out their full range to find a solution that fits your needs.
Zegna has been one of my favorite brands since I first saw them at the Stanford Shopping Center. Mixing muted styles with interesting details and, at times, innovative textiles, Zegna successfully navigates understated luxury. On July 20th I received an email from Zegna that they updated their website and I love it. Besides making their selections available online, the website is easy to navigate and aesthetic.
While on their website earlier today, I came across the image below for their Zegna Sport diffusion line. I don't stay updated on the latest trends but I was shocked to see what appears to be baggy jeans. The bagginess is slight and arguably absent but it seems Zegna is pushing the typical border of high-end casual downward. I definitely approve but it's an interesting approach. Perhaps Zegna Sport is outperforming the parent line and they decided to pursue their successes with casual clothing? Beats me. The belt is reminiscent of car buckle belts that you can find at random malls (granted, this one will set you back $225). Nonetheless, they pull is off and it works.
In conversation with a sales clerk, I learned a lot about Zegna and their role in the wool industry. According to Zegna (conflict of interest?), the brand has been a huge factor in developing higher quality wool. Brands such as YSL and Tom Ford actually contract with Zegna to produce some of their suits. With a typical suit under $5,000, you would be better served going straight to the source. Awarding manufacturers that produce ultra-fine wool with the Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum Trophy, Zegna has become one of the world's largest buyers of wool. Zegna Sport is a great way to compliment their formal wear and relax during the weekend.
By and large, I love Lanvin sneakers. I see them off and on in SF and they're always amazing. Considered to be the oldest fashion house still in operation, Lanvin suede sneakers were worn by Michelle Obama in 2009. When I featured the Lanvin bowtie earlier this month I mentioned my suede phase, which these shoes perfectly satisfy. Complimented with a patent leather toe cap, Barney's will hand them over for a cool $495. Lanvin pumped out a few similar styles with different colors and I encourage you to check them out if these don't quite hit the spot.
101 Dalmatians is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time (along with Aladdin). To the plurality who believe Lion King is the best Disney product: I apologize. These shoes from Sergio Rossi are arguably ugly (though Emma Stone in Elle doesn't look bad) but if a designer was asked to fashion a pair of shoes for Cruella de Vil, no other pair could fit the bill more perfectly. The most amazing part of the Polka Dot Booties, found on The Fancy, is their ability to match the elegance and extravagance of a fictional character. Perhaps Ms. de Vil would have been better served wearing dotted Napa leather but her pursuit of fur is hardly as sinister as the movie suggests. Check out the Sergio Rossi website to hear more about the Creatures of the Night collection and watch a video dedicated to their design.
The Digital Lup T-Shirt, available from Your Eyes Lie for £35 (about $56), is a fun t-shirt to pair with a nice pair of jeans. Unique and... err... electrifying?... the shirt is a piece of artwork that wraps to the edges instead of remaining framed in the center of the shirt.
I'm going through a bit of a velvet/suede stage (specifically with shoes) and this bowtie from Lanvin fits the bill. The Double Bow Tie, available from Mr. Porter for $315, is the perfect shade of midnight blue. The two side-by-side shades add character but keep it low-key to fit any black tie affair.
Salvatore Ferragamo is a favorite for their ability to balance simplicity with individuality. I first saw the Gancio Bit Sandal in their Union Square storefront and was impressed by how comfortable they looked. The gray suede is padded to create a better feel than the typical rubber or leather. I'm sure the suede will get dirty quickly so it hardly rates high for practicality but let them be your "formal sandals" (?) for casual but important events. Available for $295 on the Ferragamo website.
I'm really picky about my cufflinks. Understated is the best word to categorize my preference and the Square Labradorite Cufflinks by Lanvin fit neatly into that description. Found on The Fancy and available on Mr. Porter for $415, the cufflinks are the opposite of the previously featured Baccarat Rock Cuff Links. Instead of a unique shape with bland texture, these cufflinks are a basic square with interesting detail. Imagined with a crisp white shirt but fitting for many more styles, they make a perfect accessory.
There are plenty of good sites to shop for clothes but I chose to feature MR PORTER for a variety of reasons. Their mix of featured designers is a unique mashup of high-end fashion icons, rising mid-level brands, and low-end favorites. They mix Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander, and Church's alongside J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Paul Smith. It's about high style, not high costs, and good taste comes at every price range.
The section that pushed the website onto the blog is their journal. The Journal features 10 sections of advice, tips, and ideas to create good outfits and maximize the use of timeless basics. Best of all, instead of showing a particular look and providing alternatives that look similar, they give links to the clothes you see on screen and make compromise unnecessary. Of course, all the links loop to their own website and the prices may make the clothes out-of-reach, but their approach is much like this blog: price aside, what looks good? Sometimes the answer means spending $10; other times, it's going to drain the savings account.
I've been a fan of Moncler for a while. I previously featured their outrageously expensive $220 chunky knit wool socks but this jacket falls within reason. The company manufactures high-end down jacket and sportswear for people looking to back their dedication to the snow with style. Found on The Fancy and available at Barneys for $950, the Gingham Bike Jacket features water repellent coated cotton, front zip slash pockets, and a hood to keep your head dry.
Burberry is definitely not my favorite brand -- I tend to think they sell-out for quick profits -- but they manage to create some great designs. Below is the Burberry Studded Trench Coat available for $1,695. I originally saw the modified classic on the Burberry website but it reappeared in an article on the NYT featuring Matthew Brookes from Spiderman. Inventing the modern trench in 1914, Burberry coats have become the classic and this rendition adds a unique touch to the traditional piece.
Baccarat is my favorite for crystal and glassware. Founded in 1764 under King Louis XV of France, Baccarat has been the go-to for the best of the best. This past quarter in US Relations in Iran, I learned that the former Shah of Iran imported Baccarat glassware for the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian empire (which reportedly cost $100 million), and I once featured Baccarat for their barware.
Below is Baccarat's Rock Cuff Links available in onyx, clear, ruby, and mist. With rhodium-plated .925 sterling silver backings, the cuff links run for $375 at Neiman Marcus. Baccarat has been creating jewelry since 1993 and they successfully pulled off cuff links without finding individuality in multiple colors, busy images, or complex layers. The design is simple but modern, the perfect detailing to a perfect outfit.
May 11th will mark the 100th annual anniversary from when Ermenegildo Zegna's founded his Wool Mill. Although I have only bought their undershirts and underwear, I really enjoy Zegna's simple but masculine designs. Their signature pinstripe is a classic and their collections are enduring. To celebrate their centennial, Zegna will be releasing a series of special edition products that includes a rose gold Centennial Watch (with Girard-Perregaux movement), fountain pen, cufflinks, and more.
Interestingly enough, when you make a purchase at Zegna they put you into their system but it turns out they already have someone with my exact name who entered their system in Las Vegas; likewise, every time I make a purchase they make me point to my personal information on their screen and it eliminates any manufactured feeling of individuality that such a store might give. Nonetheless, the service has always been impeccable and incredibly friendly and their selection is great.
The Men's Gravitation Triclimate Jacket from North Face makes for versatile and stylish outerwear. For $399.000 you get a three-in-one "dynamic package" to match all weather conditions - wear just the inner, outer, or both jackets, depending on the climate. The jacket is available in three colors but there's something about white jackets that makes them more appealing. With various pockets for myriad tools and items, the jacket is convenient and practical.
One night while I was in New York at the end of this past summer (coincidentally during Fashion Week), I was roaming the city - window shopping, people watching, drinking Red Bull - and came across a window display that had beautiful dress up shirts. I saw the shirts and went around to the front of the building to see the store name. Pink, Thomas Pink. I had heard of the brand before but a true show of good clothes is when you're excited and impressed without having any idea of brand or price. The next day we returned when they were open and their clothes are top grade, both quality and look. Along with mens shirts, they also make accessories and knitwear, along with a small womens collection. Most shirts range from about £69.00 to £125.00 ($115 to $205) with a large selection at the lower price point (and some beneath it). They're not cheap but it's cheaper than a $350 shirt elsewhere and you'll look just as good.
The Earth Cufflinks by Fluid Forms are miniature topographies (of any location) cast in .925 sterling silver. To order, a tutorial first asks for you to choose a location. Then you have the option to pick your zoom level, producing a draft of the topographic map that will become an accessory. Normally I think customization chips at professionalism but the second picture shows that unique cufflinks can still be classy.
