Day 15/ no tie again.

Back to a cotton henley and jeans. This cashmere scarf was found at my favorite consignment store in town: Rag Time. It was in the mid-40's when I left the house so the waxed cotton p-coat, and cashmere scarf kept me real warm when I was pumping fuel into the suburban. For this fall, double breasted coats, as well as henleys,  are supposed to be big, so I tried to incorporate both of those today. I am hoping to stop by Betsy Causey's new Ox and Rabbit today; I am so glad she re opened. This henley is from her, about two years ago.

(Waxed Cotton Navy P Coat: The British Millerain Company sz S)
(Black Watch Cashmere Scarf: vintage)
(Cotton Henley: Alternative Apparel sz L)
(black cotton trousers: Gap sz 33)
(Boots: Aldo sz 11)

Day 14

This is a look that I have been wearing since I was five years old. I think I have always had a navy blue blazer. In high school, where I attended Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, I had a double breasted blue blazer from Burberry London. It sounds glamourous but, this jacket had been acquired from my eldest sister's then boyfriend. I believe he may have left it laying around the house. Tragically, sometime around my senior year, I lost this jacket. A lovable detail about this jacket is that it has horn buttons instead of the typical golden ones (like that burberry jacket). It is a rainy mucky day, thus the duck boots.

(Navy Cotton Jacket part of a suit: Jcrew sz 42)
(Green and White Checked cotton buttondown Shirt: Izod Slim fit M)
(Green Plaid Wool tie: scottish tartans museum)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(grey cotton trousers: jcrew sz 33)
(duck boots: llbean 12)

(Navy Cotton Jacket part of a suit: Jcrew sz 42)
(Green and White Checked cotton buttondown Shirt: Izod Slim fit M)
(Green Plaid Wool tie: scottish tartans museum)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day 13/ Playing it Safe

I was heading out the door for an eye exam today, and decided to play it safe. This decision is largely inspired by GQ's article new rules of biz casual.

(Yorkshire Tweed Herringbone jacket: Jcrew 42)
(Chambray Workshirt: Gap M)
(Navy/Green/White Silk Knit tie: Jcrew )
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Cotton chino trousers: H&M 33)
(Desert Boots: Jcrew 11)

(Yorkshire Tweed Herringbone jacket: Jcrew 42)
(Chambray Workshirt: Gap M)
(Navy/Green/White Silk Knit tie: Jcrew )
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day 12/ 11 hour workday

Ill will be traveling to Boone, Spruce Pine and back to Asheville today. This double breasted blazer seems a timely jacket, and was a great off the rack fit needing no Magic from Mary.



(Cashmere Double Breasted Peak Lapel sport coat: Jcrew sz 42)
(White shirt: H&M sz L)
(Red/Blue silk knit repp tie: Jcrew)
(Grey cotton trousers: Jcrew sz 33)
(black cap toe Oxfords: Johnston and Murphy sz 11)



Day 11/ RE Tailoring week.

It is a cold, dark and stormy monday. There was a trench coat added to this suit as I went dashing out the door. This suit was my fathers in the 1970's. I have had the trousers tailored for no break, and to suit my waist. I have also had the jacket's sleeves shortened slightly and the length shortened slightly. As you can tell, it is STILL a process. At the time, I did not really know anything about the waist of my coat or the leg openings of the trousers. That will come next. For now, as you see it, this picture will act as a sort of before picture. More of these suits in process pictures to come this week.

(1970's Wool Plaid Grey Suit: My father's)
(Green plaid Cotton Buttondown Oxford: M Gap)
(Navy Silk Club tie: my father's)
(tie Bar: thetiebar.com)
(Black Leather Cap toe oxfords: Johnston&Murphy sz 11)

(1970's Wool Plaid Grey Suit: My father's)
(Green plaid Cotton Buttondown Oxford: M Gap)
(Navy Silk Club tie: my father's)
(tie Bar: thetiebar.com) 

(Green plaid Cotton Buttondown Oxford: M Gap)
(Navy Silk Club tie: my father's)
(tie Bar: thetiebar.com)
(Black Leather Cap toe oxfords: Johnston&Murphy sz 11)

Day 10/ Friday

Ah, the weekend is but a few hours away. In what I'm wearing, I could walk out the door of the office and right into downtown. Versatility.
Note: you can see our beautiful, curious standard poodle Ava in these pictures. Still a puppy.

(Tweed Plaid Jacket: Bell's Traditional's, my father's, tailored)
(Grey Stand alone vest Wool: my father's tailored)
(Red/Black/Silver silk repp tie: my father's 1970's  2.5 inch)
(Solid Blue Cotton Oxford cloth button down shirt: Jcrew sz L)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Jeans: Levi's 501 sz 33)
(Eastland Irish Setter Boots)

(Tweed Plaid Jacket: Bell's Traditional's, my father's, tailored)
(Grey Stand alone vest Wool: my father's tailored)
(Red/Black/Silver silk repp tie: my father's 1970's  2.5 inch)
(Solid Blue Cotton Oxford cloth button down shirt: Jcrew sz L)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Jeans: Levi's 501 sz 33)
(Eastland Irish Setter Boots)

(Tweed Plaid Jacket: Bell's Traditional's, my father's, tailored)
(Grey Stand alone vest Wool: my father's tailored)
(Red/Black/Silver silk repp tie: my father's 1970's  2.5 inch)
(Solid Blue Cotton Oxford cloth button down shirt: Jcrew sz L)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day 9/ As Trad as I can

(Blue/Navy Stripe Shirt: Perry Ellis slim fit L)
(Silk Navy/Gold/Silver Repp tie: my father's)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Khakis: Jcrew sz 33)
(Desert Boots: Jcrew sz 11)

This is a  trad day for me. It was really unintentional. Bill Clinton is in town campaigning for Heath Shuler for Congress. Some Weejuns could have really put it over the top. This slim fit oxford cloth shirt is a great fit for me, and is not all about a brand.
A note on my father's coats: Most of his tweed coats or sport coats that I have had tailored were originally made for Bell's Traditionals in Asheville, NC. This store even went so far as to use great fabrics. This herringbone coat is certified Harris Tweed; only the best. They were a mens store that has long since gone. They offered off the rack ready to wear suits and sport coats. Reusing, re purposing and keeping everything as local as I can.

(Harris Tweed Herringbone Jacket: tailored my father's)
(Blue/Navy Stripe Shirt: Perry Ellis slim fit L)
(Silk Navy/Gold/Silver Repp tie: my father's)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

(Harris Tweed Herringbone Jacket: tailored my father's)
(Blue/Navy Stripe Shirt: Perry Ellis slim fit L)
(Silk Navy/Gold/Silver Repp tie: my father's)
(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Khakis: Jcrew sz 33)
(Desert Boots: Jcrew sz 11)

Day 8/ No tie and research at the Office. A note on Local.

I was left to research a biomass topic at the office today. I had no appointments to keep so I opted to forgo a collared shirt or tie. I am keeping a suit in rotation for one day a week. The rest of the week I will have three days for a sport coat shirt tie combo and a day for something along these casual lines. For my suits, I need to look into a grey one.
The henley here, one of the key pieces for this fall, comes from one of my favorite beloved local clothing shops that has since gone out of business: OX and Rabbit. My clothing is all locally sourced either from local sources or local consignment shops or local clothing stores. This is at the center of  my Southern style.
My combat boots are my favorite boots and were a gift from my beautiful GF Tayler.

(Yorkshire Tweed Herringbone Jacket: JCrew sz 42R)
(Tan Cotton Henley:Alternative Apparel size L)
(Navy Merino Wool Cardigan: Jcrew sz L)
(Grey Cotton Trousers: Jcrew sz 33)
(Brown Leather Combat Boots: Aldo sz 11)

Day 7/Supervisor Orientations

Conducted a few Supervisor Orientation's today. These photos are very close to a previous entry. The trousers and shirt have been changed. One was for a lecture and dinner, these are at the office and in presentations. I love the ability of these items to be so versatile. The FX cam is going to have to change. I don't think that the pieces are really coming through.

(White and Red Stripe Button Down cotton Shirt: Jcrew sz L)
( Red/Blue Silk Knit repp tie: Jcrew)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Brown Glenn Plaid Wool trousers: Jcrew sz 33)
(Brown Desert Boots: Jcrew sz11)

(Tweed Wool Grey Plaid Jacket: 1970's my father's tailored)
(White and Red Stripe Button Down cotton Shirt: Jcrew sz L)
( Red/Blue Silk Knit repp tie: Jcrew)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

(Tweed Wool Grey Plaid Jacket: 1970's my father's tailored)
(White and Red Stripe Button Down cotton Shirt: Jcrew sz L)
( Red/Blue Silk Knit repp tie: Jcrew)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Brown Glenn Plaid Wool trousers: Jcrew sz 33)
(Brown Desert Boots: Jcrew sz11)

Day 6/Staff Meetings and Mistakes

This was a Monday during an almost all day staff meeting. We confirmed my salary and benefits package. I made the mistake of attempting to pair Jos. A Bank Trousers with what you see below. I just need to sell the rest of that  Jos. A Bank suit on craigslist or ebay. No amount of tailoring could make that suit, or these trousers do what I want. Live and Learn.

(Yorkshire Tweed Herringbone Jacket: Jcrew sz 42 reg)
(Green Plaid Cotton Shirt: Gap sz L)
(Silk Club and Repp Tie maroon/grey: my father's)
(Navy Wool trousers: Jos. A Bank part of a suit sz 33)

(Yorkshire Tweed Herringbone Jacket: Jcrew sz 42 reg)
(Green Plaid Cotton Shirt: Gap sz L)
(Silk Club and Repp Tie maroon/grey: my father's)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day 5/ Mo and Different Chambray

Out of the office again for more Energy Management Diploma Training. This is another chambray shirt in a different weave and weight. Whole lot of navy in this pairing. I went back to Gap to buy another one of these chambray shirts in a small(I have a long sleeve and short sleeve both were on MEGA sale...Gap needs to get its manufacturing more consistent), and missed the boat. Lessons learned. In reality, this cardigan maybe one to two sizes too big for my frame; I've had it for two years, and thanks to Crossfit my sizes have varied. That said, the color is really powerful at disguising that it is a bit big.

(Navy Merino Wool Cardigan: JCrew sz L)
(Chambray Shirt: Gap M)
(Navy Silk Club tie: my father's)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(black leather belt: JCrew sz 34)
(Grey Wool Plaid Trousers: my father's tailored)
(Green Desert Boots: JCrew sz 11)

(Navy Merino Wool Cardigan: JCrew sz L)
(Chambray Shirt: Gap M)
(Navy Silk Club tie: my father's)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day 4/Rain

Out of the Office today for Energy Diploma Management training. Up early with the rain and the cold. Using a GQ concept of a one off vest. It is not part of a three piece suit. It was my father's, like much of my clothing. Using the polaroid option of FX for my Droid. It may not work out. I've always had a pair of duck boots, ever since I was a little boy.

(Dark Blue Chambray Shirt: H&M sz M)
(Brown Silk Knit tie: JCrew)
(Grey Vest: my father's tailored)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

(Dark Blue Chambray Shirt: H&M sz M)
(Brown Silk Knit tie: JCrew)
(Grey Vest: my father's tailored)
(tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)
(Brown Wool Glenn Plaid Trousers: JCrew 33)
(Duck Boots by LLBean: sz 11)

Day 3/ Proportions

Another cold, gray day in Asheville. It has given me an opportunity to put on some fall materials that are a little heavier. A certain proportion element has crept into my concepts of jacket lapels, shirt collars and tie widths. I've realized that these proportions should compliment one another as opposed to skinny ties, or peak lapels or small collars all competing with each other.

(1970's Harris Tweed Herringbone Jacket: 42 R my father's)
(Blue and White Button Down Oxford Cloth shirt: JCrew m)
(Blue and Red Silk Knit Repp tie: JCrew)
(Corduroy Trousers: 33 JCrew)
(Suede Macallister Desert Boots: 11)
(tie Bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

Day Two/In the Office

(Green Plaid Wool tie: Scottish Tartans Museum)
(Pink Button Down Oxford cloth shirt: Jcrew s)(Tie bar: thetiebar.com 1 1/2 inch)

First Day in the Office. There is a bit of a chill in the air. It is October in the mountains, after all. There was a bit on woolly ties in one of my magazines so I let that guide me a bit. About this tie: it is in the Duncan family tartan. This also marks the first time that I have taken two photos; one for an overall silhouette and one to really see the shirt and tie details. Sorry for the blurry shots.

(Navy Cotton Two Button Suit: JCrew sz 42 R)
(Pink Button Down Oxford cloth Shirt: JCrew s)
(Green Tartan Wool tie : Scottish Tartan Museum)
(Black Cap Toe Oxfords: Johnston and Murphy sz 11)
(Tie Bar: thetiebar.com)

The Final Interview

The Final Interview:

( Navy Two Button, Cotton Suit: Ludlow JCrew 42 R)
(White Shirt: H&M sz M)
(Silk, Red/Blue Repp tie: 1970's my father's)
(Black Leather Cap Toe Oxfords: Johnston and Murphy sz 11)
(Purple and White Pocket cotton pocket square: JCrew)

Day One

There was an orientation dinner for the interns/fellows. We were at the Coxe Ave. location of Asheville Pizza and Brewing. Afterwards, we attended a lecture by world traveler, environmentalist Bill Mckibben at Warren Wilson College. He is behind the 350.org movement. His boldest statement was along the lines of " Fossil Fuel dependency has been the largest contributing factor to population boom and burden." 

(1970's Tweed Jacket: My father's, tailored)
(White Shirt: H&M, size M)
(Red/Blue silk knit repp tie: J.Crew)
(Tie Bar: thetiebar.com)
(Jeans: Levis 514 33x32)
(Green Macallister Desert Boots sz 11)
(Freestyle Watch w JCrew watch band)