Dandy Accessory: Spats

A year ago this week we introduced our line of spats. We had no idea if anyone would buy them but we thought they would be a unique item to offer our customers. The response has been terrific. On several occasions we've sold out and the gentleman who makes them for us here in New York City has had a hard time keeping up with us. We received our new batch just as the holiday pop-up shop began. This time around, in addition to our original styles of Grey and Heather Grey, we added Burgundy. And in fact after posting pop-up shop photos after our first day we had two different customers who spotted the new burgundy spats in the photos and contacted us to inquire. We also added a larger size. To be honest, we've been really surprised how well this niche item has sold, both online and at the pop-up. Hmmm, what color should we do next?

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Dandy Accessory: Shoe Bags

We just got back our first batch of shoe bags in a range of patterns (plaid, windowpane, madras, paisley, retro American states) and materials (wool, cotton, cashmere blend). We always travel with shoe bags - for us they're essential for insuring that they don't muck up our packed clothing. We thought it would be fun to make some in some of our favorite materials.  Since a few of them are one-offs we're not planning on putting them on the shop site and instead will sell them exclusively at Jingle, our holiday pop-up shop at Chelsea Market. However, if you see one of interest feel free to contact us.

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Dandy Accessory: The Neckerchief

As the temperature has risen over the last couple of months we've been all about the neckerchief. It was last summer that we started noticing guys wearing neckerchiefs and even more so this summer. As announced last month, the Japanese brand United Arrows will soon be carrying several styles of our neckerchiefs. And then the photos from Tommy Ton for GQ and Nam for Street FSN in Florence and Milan this month have shown that neckerchiefs have caught on even more across the pond. We expect to see them more and more as we head into July and August and by next summer for them to really blow up. Do you wear neckerchiefs?

(first five images from Tommy Ton and last 4 images by Nam)

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Dandy Accessory: Camouflage Neckerchief

Our neckerchiefs have sold very well this season, as have our Camouflage Handkerchiefs. So we decided to do a neckerchief in camo. Casual dandy!

(click image to enlarge)

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New Handkerchiefs, Bow Ties & Neckerchiefs

Just added to the shop site:

Yellow Floral Handkerchief

Tattersall Handkerchief

Mod Print Handkerchief

Navy Botanic Print Handkerchief

Spring Madras Bow Tie

Blue Floral Cotton Bow Tie

Seersucker Bow Tie

Camouflage Neckerchief

Yellow Floral Neckerchief

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Dandy Accessory: Double Blade Tie

Several months ago our tie manufacturer contacted us and said she had something to show us. She had an idea for something new: the Double Blade Tie. Essentially both blades are of the same width, in complimenting fabrics, and are intended to hang freely (the back blade doesn't loop to the front blade). Our third generation tie manufacturer told us that when she told her father (second generation) about her idea, he replied that he had done the same thing in the '60's and called them Vice Versa Ties. We loved the idea and decided to give it a try, the first of which is pictured below, the Red & Blue Double Blade Tie. The tie has a cool sprezzatura look to it, plus it's essentially two ties for the price of one!

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Canadian Flour Sack Handkerchiefs

On a recent trip to Toronto we came across a couple of these fantastic flour sacks.

So naturally we thought, let's turn them into handkerchiefs!

 

We're thrilled with the results. Each one is different based on the placement on the sack and of course they're limited edition (two sacks, six handkerchiefs on each, so twelve total). Check them out here.

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Dandy Accessory: The Neckerchief

Tommy Ton's photos from Paris Fashion Week for GQ show several guys wearing neckerchiefs. We enjoyed them last year and made a few for the shop towards the end of the summer. We think of them as the dandy's version of going casual. We went all out for our spring collection with seven different styles of neckerchiefs. Here are some of the guys in Paris:

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Dandy Accessory: Bright Colored Laces

I was just flipping through some photos and came across this one of us which Tommy Ton shot for GQ during New York Fashion Week while we were sitting around waiting to go into a show. I've really been into replacing shoelaces lately, particularly with something bright and unexpected. Which prompted us to stock them on the shop site in purple, red, neon orange, and neon green. It's amazing how some fresh laces can breathe new life into a pair of shoes kicking around for awhile.

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Dandy Accessories: Collar Bobs

I picked these up recently on ebay, mostly because I had never heard of them and wasn't really sure what they were for. My quick google search was unsuccessful but they seem to fasten your collar to your shirt. Anyone come across them before?

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Dandy Accessory: Spats

Spats. Yes, spats. A little over a year ago I heard from a customer who was looking for spats. I soon learned that it was just about impossible to find a new pair made the same way and with the same materials that they were made 100 years ago (excluding custom made). So I began my quest to manufacture spats. A year later, after partnering with a leather worker in New York City's garment district, we've added two styles of spats to the shop site. Initially we've only made them in one size, however if the interest is there we will be adding additional sizes and styles.

 Grey Wool Felt Spats

Heather Grey Wool Felt Spats

Spats were a popular accessory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, originally meant as a protector of shoes from mud and muck. Here are some images from the archives:
 

Have you worn spats?

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Dandy Accessories

I had a moment this morning looking at the stuff accumulated on my dresser. The cufflinks, tie bars, collar bars, watches, pins, arm bands, the general stuff. I thought, how did it come to this? Where did all this stuff come from? I guess that's what happens with most any collection, you forget about specific acquisitions and see the collection as a whole.

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Dandy Holiday Cards & Christmas Stockings

Although we hate to admit it, the holidays are right around the corner. In preparation we've added dandy holiday cards and wool Christmas stockings to the shop site.

Dandy Holiday Cards by illustrator Brian Ness. A limited edition collection in collaboration with FineAndDandyShop.com.

Fair Isle Wool Christmas Stocking and Nordic Wool Christmas Stocking. Stockings your grandmother would have made you if she knew how to knit. Handmade on the coast of Maine.

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Television & Dandy Accessories

Our collar bar sales have gone through the roof for the past month or two and we've been thinking about the cause. We've decided that Boardwalk Empire has done for the collar bar the same as Mad Men for the tie bar.  Which leads us to ponder what other accessories might see a revival due to a hit tv show or film.  Perhaps a monocle from a Gilbert And Sullivan movie musical.  Or the deerstalker hat after a hit new Sherlock Holmes series.  Or spats after a Some Like It Hot remake.  Or even ascots due to a Duke Of Windsor mini-series.  What other accessories could you see revived from television or film?

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Wool Ties & Bow Ties

Now on the shop site: our new limited edition collection of wool ties ($55 each) and bow ties ($49 each), handmade in NYC.

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Men's Grooming Products

We are thrilled to announce the addition of men's grooming products to the shop, including an old fashioned shaving soap kit and Hawleywood's Layrite pomades and classic bay rum after shave (both religiously used by our shopkeepers).

And now, free shipping for all orders of $100 and up!

 ENTER SHOP 

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Dandy Accessories: Vintage Tie Bars

It's no secret that we love flea markets and the unusual one-of-a-kind items you can find.  On a recent flea market excursion we found several vintage tie bars, some in very unique designs: a key, a horse and buggy, a fishing pole, an airplane...  What are the most interesting dandy items you've found at the flea markets?

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Limited Edition Neckerchief Collection

We are pleased to announce our collection of limited edition linen neckerchiefs, exclusive to FineAndDandyShop.com and handmade in NYC.  Neckerchiefs have been our go-to accessory this summer - dandy going casual.

Blue Plaid Linen Neckerchief - $35

Black Checkered Linen Neckerchief - $35

Madras Linen Neckerchief - $35

C.H.

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Dandy Accessory: Fall/Winter Handkerchiefs

Today we picked fabric for our Fall/Winter handkerchiefs.  Can't wait to get them up on the site (these images don't give the fabrics justice)!

C.H.

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Dandy Accessory: Ascots

On Friday the AP reported on political pundit Roland Martin's affinity for ascots and the response he receives in the sartorially understated DC community.  Although we're partial to bow ties in terms of neck wear we love the look of ascots and have been pleased with our recent ascot sales.  Perhaps the ascot is the next big dandy accessory.  Do you wear ascots?

C.H.

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