Sunday, November 30, 2008

Dandies In Print: ABC Of Men's Fashion



After letting it sit for several months on my ever-growing pile of books to read, I finally started flipping through ABC Of Men's Fashion, a reprint of the 1964 guidebook by English menswear designer Sir Hardy Ames. The book is full of sharp descriptions of sartorial terms like dogtooth check, motoring coat, and willow calf, all written with Ames' hilariously opinionated wit.

My favorite line from the book: "A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care, and then forgotten all about them."

C.H.

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Pop Dandies: The Jonas Brothers




The Jonas Brothers are just further proof of the dandy's takeover in men's style. The brothers (ranging in age from 14 to 19) propelled into popularity as the pop boyband group on the Disney Channel and are huge in the teen market. Another example of traditional men's style being fresh and new.



















C.H.
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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Dandies Online: Bill Cunningham's On The Street On nytimes.com

I'm a little late with this but Bill Cunningham had another amazing photo spread in the New York Times and on nytimes.com this past Sunday in which he compared the classic style of a few gents to a 1933 Packard he saw on the street.





C.H.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Finding Dandy: Flickr


C.H.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Dandies Online: Lookbook.nu

I've just discovered Lookbook.nu an online "networking" site focused on style. Essentially, members upload photos of themselves, and other members comment and rate each particular "look". I'm a little embarrassed to say that I've found myself totally sucked in and I spend far too many hours browsing looks. Actually, I'm amazed at how many truly stylish young dandies I've found. I'm definitely inspired. Here are a few of my favorites:

C.H.


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Sunday, November 23, 2008

A Dandy Of An Online Shop: Ankar

I just stumbled upon Ankar a Swedish men's online retailer for cashmere sweaters and East African Kikoy scarves. What I find most notable is the array of vibrant colors of the sweaters. Stunning.

C.H.
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Dapper Men In Print: GQ

The December GQ article, "The New Standards 2008" features six items that "rise above the clatter" and "changed the way we dress." Item five is the silver tie bar. "The tie bar recalls a time when...shoes shined and socks matched... It's the accessory that pulls your look together and instantly sets you apart from the other suits."

The article image includes tie bars from Paul Stuart, Brooks Brothers, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Thom Browne, ranging in price from $75 to $290. Our tie bars range in price from $19 to $25.



Our Rectangular Silver Tie Bar ($25) and Indigo Blue Wool Tie ($45).

C.H.

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Currently My Favorite Blog: "What I Saw Today"

It seems there are a million and one street style blogs trying to be the next Sartorialist. "What I Saw Today" beats them all tenfold. Blogger "Designerman" publishes gorgeous illustrations of the stylish men he sees on the streets of NYC. Sophisticated yet playful. And very dandy. Well done!




C.H.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Gentleman Should Know How to Tie A Bow Tie

Last night, my friend David admitted to occasionally wearing a clip-on bow tie because he's never learned to tie one on the old-fashioned way. Alright gents, if you don't know already, the time has come. The YouTube clip below is a fun instructional video. It will take a few tries to get it right but practice makes perfect. Actually, it doesn't need to be perfect. In fact, I love the imperfection of the knot of a self-tied bow tie. Watch and give it a try.



C.H.
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Dandies In Print: Mr. Classic

I'm officially obsessed with Mr. Classic, Garda Tang's coffee table book of the work of men's fashion designer, Jeremy Hackett. What I particularly love about this incredible collection of sartorial photos is Hackett and Tang's ability to make men's traditional clothing so young. From the school boy in the tweed jacket, sweater vest, bow tie, and military buttons on the back panel to the young gent on the cover in a tux with flip flops (left). Absolute dandied perfection!


C.H.



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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

FineAndDandyShop.com Press

We've had a few more blog features: Valet Mag, Bon Bon Atelier, Eubie Panache, and Male Style Review.

C.H.
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Finding Dandy: Flickr

C.H.
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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Dandies In Print: The Globe And Mail

Russell Smith "rocks the bow tie without looking nerdy" in Toronto's Globe And Mail. Smith ponders the bow tie's transformation from high fashion to mainstream and the importance of context when choosing to wear a bow tie: he fears that if he doesn't get it right (black Prada jackets, skinny trousers, high boots) he'll look like a bachelor English teacher taking his niece out for tea. But for some of us, that is occasionally the very look we're going for!

C.H.
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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Finding Dandy: Flickr

C.H.

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Friday, November 14, 2008

Dandies In Print: What A Man Should Know







I finally picked up a copy of What A Man Should Know, J. Crew's gentlemanly guide by Max Blagg. An all purpose list of 50 tips from "A man should know how to salt his conversation" to "A man should know how to fire up a barbecue without starter fluid."


Most relevant here:

A man should know when to ignore certain rules of clothing etiquette: For instance, the canard that he should not bedeck himself in shades of white or linen fabrics once Labor Day has come and gone. Refuse such orthodoxy! You're a big boy now. You can dress yourself.

A man should know the true history of the blue blazer: Especially if he is wearing one. Back around 1837, Queen Victoria was making one of her surprise visits to the Fleet. The Captain of the HMS Blazer, appalled at the scruffy condition of his crew, had the ship's tailor, a genius at improvisation, sew up some sharp new uniforms, using an onboard supply of blue serge and some spare brass buttons. The tailor knocked off the double-breasted style of the standard mariner issue reefer jacket. The Queen remarked on the elegance of the crew and the "blazer" was born. Later variations produced the now classic single-breasted version with two buttons, a notched lapel and a center vent, but in either form, the navy blazer still rules.

A man should know how to tie a necktie: The tie is a useful accoutrement in helping to conceal too convex a body shape. It hides missing shirt buttons, too. According to a scientific study, there are 85 ways to tie a necktie, but one only needs to know those few that demonstrate symmetry and balance, like the Windsor or the classic four-in-hand.

C.H.
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Dandies In Print: Time


I love the current Time Magazine cover featuring Barack Obama as a present day FDR: The New New Deal. Talk about a modern dandy!
C.H.
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Thursday, November 13, 2008

FineAndDandyShop.com Press

We were featured in a few blogs in the last several days: Annie Spandex, Check Your Cuffs, and Bunny Tomerlin.

C.H.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Skinny Retro Ties Are New All Over Again



I picked up these two vintage Bergdorf Goodman skinny ties, circa 1940's-1950's, at an antique shop in New Hope, Pennsylvania.






Featured in the ties section of the shop are three designs (two colors each) inspired by actual ties from the 50's. Manufactured by J.S. Blank, a three generation tie-maker in NYC, these ties are so retro, yet so current.




C.H.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Finding Dandy: Flickr

C.H.

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New In The Shop: Silk Scarves


We just added a new silk scarf in three colors: steel blue, auburn brown, and midnight blue. Silk scarves are great because you can wear one as a traditional scarf, or as an ascot. Better yet, silk scarves can be worn year round.

C.H.

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Monday, November 10, 2008

Vintage Dandy




I was just given this fantastic 1920's photo from the Philippines. I love how, in a culture so far from ours, so much is so similar. I guess it just shows how the dandy transcends ethnicity.


C.H.


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Dandies In Print: A Privileged Life


I just picked up a copy of A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style, a photo essay book by Susanna Salk. What a fantastic collection of vintage photos conjuring the mythical care-free life of the Hampton's, Nantucket, etc.

With it's fair share of dandy images (although on the preppy side) it's a must for every dapper guy's book shelf.





C.H.
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Saturday, November 8, 2008

Finding Dandy: Flickr


C.H.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

FineAndDandyShop.com Featured On Refinery 29

We've received our first press coverage from one of my favorite style blogs, Refinery 29 in the post Beau Brummels Rejoice: Online Shop of Dandy Accessories Opens:

The term dandy brings to mind images of a long lost generation where men placed emphasis on living a stylish and posh existence. Although the dandy may seem like a call to the past, a new website, FineandDandyshop.com, is attempting to start a revival. The online store features an eclectic and eccentric treasure chest of accessories that would make even an NYU frat boy look like a Dapper Dan.

Thanks Refinery 29!

C.H.
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Dandy Essentials: New York Magazine


This week's New York Magazine explores a modern take on plaid in Not Just For Golf Pants. I'm strangely attracted to these shoes (although they're a little over the top). A little pop of plaid is perfect. Check out our plaid selection on our handkerchiefs and scarves pages.


C.H.
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