12

Jan

What should every well-dressed man have in his wardrobe?

It’s a new year, and it’s time to build up your sartorial sense. That means starting with the basics and building your foundation.

So I could go on forever on this one. But if I had to narrow it down, here are a few:

A well fitted navy-blue suit (this includes a pair of trousers and vest…if applicable). It has the amazing ability to go from button-up-business to Friday-night casual in minutes.

A wristwatch. From Movado to Timex, Omega to Rolex, it’s all about the slight glance at the wrist. Check this essential accessory for the time (especially when someone asks you), not your phone.

A great pair of dress shoes, casual sneakers, and of course, boots. You get what you pay for here. So invest wisely and take care of them.

And finally, a great selection of socks. Enough said.

-Rochester Sartorial

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01

Jan

Time For a Re-fresh

Hello Rochester.

Hello Rochester.

We’re back on #RochMN (That’s Rochester, MN). A simple style, art, & culture guide in consumable little tid-bits. Baked fresh locally.

-Rochester Sartorial

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03

Dec

The Slip on Loafer: There’s nothing wrong with that all.

SLIP-ON (LOAFER) by DONALD J. PLINER $180

SLIP-ON (LOAFER) by DONALD J. PLINER $180

Ode to the slip on loafer:

My how you’ve grown up. Years ago we’d turn our backs on you thinking you’d be a perfect fit for our father’s wardrobe.

“A loafer me? Never,” we’d say.

But then my fellow readers, we were but kids.

There it is. The loafer, like a lot of men’s fashion, has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings. Not specific to one occasion, the loafer comes in many shapes and sizes. We’re going to focus on something a little more dressy, but that doesn’t mean you can have a little fun with it.

This pair, or just shoe, works great with formal wear—of course. Pair it with black or blue slacks with black socks, and you’ll do just fine. But if you want a to spice things up a bit, keep reading.

Try digging some black loafers with a pair of slim indigo jeans. Take advantage of the the slim tailor in your jeans and wear a pair of red socks. The slim cut will reveal your red socks, and thus your Abarth side (pronounced Ah-Bart), to go along with it. Black, indigo and red? That’s the stuff legends are made of.

-Rochester Sartorial.

We don’t write a post script often, so when we do, we recommend you listen. These shoes would alos look great without socks—sockless. Yeah, it’s getting cold out. That’s why this is a post-script.

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28

Nov

Next Please: Oxford Lace-Ups.

OXFORD SHOE by H&M, $20

OXFORD SHOE by H&M, $20

Nothing says, “classic” like the traditional oxford lace-up.

They used to be  the “everyday-ers” that would fit any outfit really. But back then, most outfits included slacks. Now a days, we have the luxury to dress up jeans, and nothing dresses up jeans and a button up combo like a pair of lived-in classic oxfords.

The shoe above sports a modern low profile sole with a pronounced heel that gives this shoe its iconic status.

Pair any black shoe with black—of course—or navy blue for starters. Once you get more confident, try any plethora of multi-colored chinos. The world is your canvas.

-Rochester Sartorial

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27

Nov

Fall Territory: The Chukka

SUEDE CHUKKA by CALVIN KLIEN $120

What is a Chukka do you ask?

Put plainly, Chukkas are ankle-length boots with two or three pairs of eyelets for lacing. They gained their popularity back in the 1940s and 50s when they were known as casual wear. But for today’s man, the Chukka is perfect for dressing up a casual outfit or dressing down your slacks and sweater combo.

We see a lot of them showing up right around fall because of their versatility (see above), color—which is usually a shade of brown or tan—, and protection against falling temps and changing weather.

We recommend at least one pair of these in your sartorial arsenal because they’re comfortable when broken-in but still look good enough for a night out.

-Rochester Sartorial

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26

Nov

Canvas Sneaks: Perfect for any occasion…almost.

CRIP CANVAS SHOE by CIRCA, $50

This week, we’re featuring shoes for the sartorial savvy. To start, let’s reminisce about the warm days gone by.

With summer long gone, most are packing away their dog-day kicks and replacing them with boots perfect for trudging through slush-stack sidewalks. But for some, the sneaks never get put away. Canvas sneaks are just too versatile  and let’s be honest, they look too damn good to be completely rulled out.

First word of caution though: bust out the sneaks only when you know the weather is going to be manageable  There’s no sense in getting your feet soaked to the bone from a freak snow storm, or frozen off for that matter because the temp dropped down to -15 F.

But if the weather is looking dandy and the cost is clear, go ahead, wear the hell out of those versatile sun of a guns.

We recommend light canvas (white or cream) with a gum sole. Don’t worry too much about spoiling your kicks. If they get too dirty, just throw them in the wash.

-Rochester Sartorial

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22

Nov

Turkey Day do’s and don’ts.

Now were not saying you can’t cut loose and enjoy the evening like you ought to, but you’ll want to make sure you can at least look at your family when it’s all said and done. Style is more than just what you’re wearing—it’s swagger, and you don’t want to go around sacrificing that.

Here are just a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to holiday family etiquette.

  • Do bring a gift. We recommend something of the craft brew variety. Leave the domestics at home.
  • Don’t talk to much about the gift you brought. That goes for yourself too—not everyone is as interested in yourself as you are.
  • Do contribute to conversation—when appropriate. Pick your words wisely.
  • Don’t ask, “Are you going to finish that?”
  • Do participate in games. Avoid sulking at all costs.
  • Don’t overreact if your team is loosing in said games.
  • DON’T GET DRUNK! It may seems like great idea at the time, but this one is obvious. If it’s not obvious, don’t worry my young pa-da-won, you will soon understand the ways of swag.

So go forth, and have your self a good ol’ time.

-Rochester Sartorial

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20

Nov

The Bag

THE “DAD’S BRIEFCASE” OF THE 21st CENTURY

And no, we’re not talking a man-purse, a man-bag, or whatever you want to call it. We’re talking about your Work Bag—the “Dad’s Briefcase” of the 21st century.

When picking out your work bag, sticking to thes essentials will never lead you astray.

  • Versatile: A—go-anywhere do-anything your workday can through at you—bag of sorts.
  • Adaptable: From car to plane, this things gotta be game (rhyme not intentional).
  • Durable: You’ll be using it day in and day out. It just has to last.

Durability is the most important feature, so if it means investing for quality sake, do it. We recommend leather (like the above), but that’s our taste. If leather is not your thing, try canvas with reinforced leather corners and buckles (they’ll help with the durability thing we keep talking about). Just stay away from synthetics.

It’s all about your taste. Remember, style is all about your self-expression. We just provide the resources.

-Rochester Sartorial

 

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19

Nov

Textured Knit Ties: Winter, here we come.

SILK KNIT TIE by THE TIE BAR, $15

Tis the season for dressing warm and taking any chance at adding a little color to an otherwise typically dark season for style. Textured knit ties can help you do both.

Ties keep things classy, but the texture of a fine knit tie helps bring the up-tight dress up down a notch, and it looks perfect with a sweater. And like we’ve said before, texture always adds a sense of sartorial wisdom to any style-concious connoisseur. Whether silk or wool, It shows you pay attention to the details and that you care about those details.

Also, knit ties offer a chance to throw in a bit of color and excitement—just check out the example above (but don’t get too carried away). Sometimes all it takes is a tie to pull yourself together.

-Rochester Sartorial

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16

Nov

Living: the Rochester Art Center

ROCHESTER ARTISTS COLLABORATIVE logo

A night of contemporary art at the beautiful Rochester Art Center? Of course you should go.

The RAC is moving forward in their second season of RAC2 with the work of local artists Michelle Fagan and William Schmidt. The exhibit will showcase photography as well as a presentation by the artists themselves.

You should go because one, what’s a night without contemplative art to stimulate your intellectual senses? Two, admission is free, and three, there’s a cash bar.

Art and drinks—is there any better pairing? Wings and beer maybe? Yeah, I’m sure there are others, but that’s not the point. Go ahead, live a little. You can always grab your winds and beer after the show…and you probably should.

-Rochester Sartorial

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