Findings - Billy Reid Officer's Coat

Officer coat from Billy Reid on Park & Bond

WHY: Military+men's coat, military=men's coat, military=men's coat...and i can go on forever, cause for me  the combination of military details and men's coat is match made in heaven! Ibelieve in it so much that my everyday winter coat is a vintage US Air-force military coat (can't tell you how many compliments i got on it over the years...). Billy Reid is the modern version of classic american style brand and this coat shows exactly that: made in sturdy wool that highlights the classic double breasted fit, detailed with 4 front pockets (2 hand warmers and 2 flap pockets) and storm latch,  and spiced with contrast leather combo around the neck and pockets for extra flair....Classic (can be worn for few seasons), Cool (has presence that will always draw attention and show your taste) and Warm (wool, double breasted) - the perfect winter coat for work and play for any Man of style!
INFO: Double-breasted long double-face wool officer's coat
Notched collar with leather under-collar trim
Dual front hand warmer pockets
Dual front flap pockets with leather trim
Seven button front detail with four button front closure
Single button interior closure
Top hook-and-bar chin closure
Interior features optional storm latch that attaches to collar
Partially lined with single leather trimmed interior pocket
Material: Coat: 85% Wool, 15% Polyamide / Sleeve lining: 100% Viscose / Trim: 100% Leather
Made in Italy

PRICE: $975.00
WHERE: Park & Bond

Findings - JensenMartin HK Tech Jacket

HK Tech Jacket from JensenMartin

WHY: I have been looking for the perfect windbreaker in forever now, for the most part the ones i found where either too generic or too expensive...Until i found this new brand! JensenMartin is a new outwear brand that launched a couple of months ago online and brings you the craftsmanship of a high-end brand with an exceptional performance technology fabrics in the highest quality, all packaged in an Italian style and fit.
In one quick glance you can see that the guys at JM know what they are doing (they have been producing outwear for some of the best brands in the world for over 3 generations), and the attention to details in their garments is just phenomenal. This specific windbreaker is super lightweight, has a tailored Italian fit and it comes in a wide range of colors from Khaki to red and even some neon colors so now even when its pouring out you can still stay A Man of style!
INFO: Made in Luxe Teflon finished Taffeta Nylon, with hood, zippered front pockets, two-way zipper closure and an Italian tailored fit.
WHERE: JensenMartin.com
PRICE: Was $169.00 Now on sale for only $119.00

Milan Menswear Fall 2011 - Burberry Prorsum

I was actually watching this show live on TheAbsoluteman...Thank you guys, i think you can still watch it if you are interested.
Christopher Bailey sent a very colorful message for next fall! According to him his intention was purely to celebrate the coat in this collection and he did an AWESOME job doing it, sending out a coat after coat in vibrant colors or bold check patterns with a strong 60's inspiration. There were tailored single or double breasted wool car coats, an awesome down puffy yellow coat, colorful rain coats. herringbone tailored coats with fur collars and shearling coats indeed a coat celebration! I personally liked the more tailored fitted coats rather than the 60's like, boxier coat silhouettes although i will admit the colors are a big standout...hmm it might be my time for colored coat...

Milan Menswear Fall 2011 - Costume National

Milan menswear fashion week is on and I'll try and give you a taste of it ...as much as i can .....
We start with Costume National. As always the color palate at CN is dominated by the dark colors with lots of black, and dark grays and a touch of mustard electric blue. Great motor cycle jackets in wools and beautiful long coats mixing wools and leather were among my favorite pieces supported by light knits in two color tones that looked luxurious and very sophisticated.

Findings - Oliver Spencer wool lookout coat on Bonobos

Oliver Spencer wool lookout coat on Bonobos

WHY: Finding a coat to wear over a suit or a bushiness casual outfit you need to sport for work is hard to find cause most of them are outdated and geared to the older, classic customer, the fit is too big and the style, fabrics and colors are just not fun, but this Oliver Spencer lookout coat got it all figured out! A perfect combo of classic style, sophisticated details, great fit and quality fabrics, all mixed in giving you the stage to show your smart sense of style and your unique personality even in your daily work! Once again a British brand shows us how its done! The great details on this coat are just phenomenal, and the design is multi dimensional, any way you turn there is something to look at, whether its the pockets and facing combo in the front or the back 'lovers' pockets or sleeves. I love the upper front pocket and the introduction of another color/fabric in the front facing, the under collar and the forearms (on the gray version only), while the choice of the herringbone textured fabric and the football leather buttons add that touch of quality that says i mean business!A perfect combo of traditional and contemporary for the modern guy!

Findings - Burberry wool military coat

Military wool coat with button cuffs from Burberry

WHY: How can you say no to a coat like that??? I don't think i consider that a coat...this is ART WORK! When i posted about Burberry about a year ago i was drooling about the coats Christopher Bailey showed for this fall, so finally they are available and more so they are all on SALE! (needless to say they are still not the cheapest thing around and which is very understandable after taking one quick look at this coat...The fit of this coat is just amazing!, they way its being crafted and tailored is incredible...this is a lesson in how a coat should fit. In all honesty if i would to get this coat i would probably be afraid to wear it not to damage it. A coat like that holds a look by itself everything else you would wear with it has to be subtle and clean to leave the stage this piece of art. Yes the cuffs are not functional and i would assume they are probably quite heavy and i could do with out them and i to....

INFO: Double breasted pressed wool military jacket with cuffs embellished with multiple branded buttons. Epaulettes, long buttonable back inverted pleat and half belt. Hook and eye closure at collar, two oversize patch pockets and two interior welt pockets. Wool, Branded sateen lining, 39 1/2" long, Dry clean, Made in Italy.
WHERE: Burberry 
PRICE:  On sale for $2249 instead from $3195

Findings - ISAORA Riding Weatherproof Jacket

Riding Weatherproof Jacket in black and ivory big gingham from ISAORA

WHY: Looking for a waterproof jacket for this time a year that will make you stay dry in style? well you just found it. I love the big pockets and how they break the black and ivory big gingham design making it less conservative and more of a hipster like jacket. It looks comfy and puffy almost like a warm blanket, young and hip look that will keep you warm and dry, great  for your weekends.
INFO: Shell: 70% wool 15% poly 10% acrylic 5% nylon, Fill: 100% goose down, Lining: 100% polyethylene, Made in China, Zip front closure, Front zip pockets, Waterproof zippers.
WHERE: Forward by Revolve
PRICE: $649.00

Findings - Schoot for Barney's NY plaid Peacoat

Plaid Peacoat from Schoot for Barney's New York

WHY: If you are looking for a coat that will make you stand out...You just found it! Peacoats are everywhere almost every guy have one in his closet (i say almost cause i don't....). But they all have pretty the same version either black, grey or dark navy...well now you have a cooler much more fun option to choose from, this sophisticated mix of colorful plaids and the safe winter colors of grey and black guaranty to make you noticed and in a good way. Wear it with a skinny black jeans tacked into those red Florsheim boots and you will turn heads around everywhere you'll go....which again.... is not a bad thing!
INFO: Wool mixed plaid and solid melton double breasted peacoat with slash pockets with leather trim. Fully lined. Available in Red Multi. Made in U.S. Wool/nylon, poly lining, leather trim. Dry clean.
PRICE: $595.00
WHERE: Barneys NY

Fall style - The bomber jackets

JOHN VARVATOS STAR USA

Known also as a Flight jacket the bomber jacket is a piece that originally was created for pilots. It was started in WW I (it s amazing to think of how many great styles and garments were created in the two world wars....), when airplanes did not have an enclosed cockpit, which necessitated a garment that could keep pilots sufficiently warm (can you imagine flying up there in an open cockpit????? man i'm freezing just thinking about it...). The US Army established the Aviation Clothing Board in September 1917 and began distributing heavy-duty leather flight jackets; with high wraparound collars, zipper closures with wind flaps, snug cuffs and waists, and some fringed and lined with fur. Thus, the American flight jacket was born. The two most historical and well-known American flight jackets are the A-2 jacket and the G-1 that in their popularity became symbols of honor, adventure, and style and movies like Top Gun boosted sales of the G-1 tremendously, making these once-specialized jackets collector and fashion items. Now days these stylish flight jackets evolved into a style statement! Versions of the jackets include a casual  sage silk/nylon (known as the MA-1), a warm shearling version, or quilted wools although the leather bomber in black or brown with fur collar is still the classic style and if you have to pick up only one to have..... it will be that.
The bomber is the perfect jacket for all (although some styles like the down jackets can carry you well into a colder weather) and again is a jacket that can fit into almost every guy's wardrobe. This jacket will support a

Findings - Monitaly Riders Coat

A Riders coat from Monitaly at Opening Ceremony

WHY: So fall is snicking in slowly but surely and if there one thing i do like about the cold weather is the clothes....as much as i hate the weather the possibilities of things to wear and the need to layer give us much more to work with as oppose to just T's and shorts and what's better to show some flair than a coat....here is your chance to leave behind the traditional black gray or brown coat and struck out with some colors! This military inspired riders coat mixes the classic silhouette with fun and playful colors, it might not be the coat you"ll wear over your business suit but any time other than that this coat will do the trick!
INFO: Shell: 85% wool, 15% nylon. Body lining: 100% cotton. Sleeve lining: 100% acetate.
Available in brown stripe or white stripe.
Made in the USA.
PRICE: $800.00
WHERE: Opening Ceremony

Findings - Marc by Marc jacobs iridescent coat

Iridescent Compact Cotton Coat from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

WHY: I was browsing the Marc Jacobs new E-commerce site (I'm still trying to adopt to it, something is just not clicking for me about this site...not sure I'm crazy about the illustrated part), and found this perfect coat for fall (i can't believe summer is fading....). Its a cool Military style coat with lots of pockets and front zipper as well as buttons, which i like on coats since zipper is a better seal for the cold weather and buttons that you can than just close the waist button real quick for the look. Although its a cotton coat it is fully lined and looks like it can easily get the job done through even late full weather....just before the freeze take over (where quite honestly in my opinion only getting inside an animal seams to help....). Simply a cool, casual fall coat for everyday use, works great with Jeans and boots!
INFO: Military inspired compact cotton coat with front button detail. Detachable Faux fur collar. Three large flap pockets. Fully lined. Available in Army Multi and Dark Indigo Multi. 100% Cotton. Dry Clean only.
PRICE: $568.00 
WHERE: MarkJacobs.com

Designer of the week - week two Burberry/Christopher Bailey

Milan Men's fashion week for the Autumn/winter 2010-2011 season ended on Tuesday. I was browsing through the collections on the GQ site while contemplating who should be this week's designer of the week???? it all than clicked as i watched the Burberry Prorsum show with the amazing outwear pieces! A category that in my opinion, is the house's best and as a matter of fact the one that this British (i don't mean to brain wash you with Briticism.....) legendary, luxury fashion house was build around in 1856 by Thomas Burberry . Piece of info: Not a lot of people know but in 1881 Burberry invented Gabardine - a water-resistant and breathable fabric, in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving and that is used to make suits, trousers and overcoats. Although that by itself is a great contribution to fashion and definitely one to be known for, its distinctive trademarks are: The tartan pattern in black, tan, and red (known as haymarket check or the "Burberry classic check") that was widely copied, and the Trench coat! In 1914 Burberry was commissioned by the war office to redesign it's officer coat and that resulted in the trench coat which in 1920 was lined with the famous iconic tartan print and the rest is history..... (check out The art of the trench coat).
During the 1970s, the brand became popular with the British football (soccer, which is my favorite sport for those of you out there who don't know me....) casual cult, leading to it being associated with hooliganism by the 1990s. In 1998 The Burberry Prorsum (meaning forwards in Latin) ready-to-wear collection was launched, introducing a youthful and sexy image of the Burberry conservative, quintessential Briticism. This major resurgence was elevated in may 2001 when Christopher Bailey (who is currently the chief creative director) joined Burberry and transformed the fortunes of the company. Christopher was faced with the challenge of forging a hip and fashion-forward identity for an old British company. He was able to successfully merge Burberry's venerable English heritage with the punky vibe of London street fashion! And to that I say......Hallelujah!!!
oh.....and on the way he grabbed few British designer of the year awards as well....
Going back to Milan fashion week....it was all about heritage and simplicity (apparently there are some advantages to the global financial meltdown....), and Burberry did it best with artfully crafted wool overcoats that took over the whole look ...at times Hulking and blanket-y and at times fitted and smartly simple, all seasoned with a touch of Russian, militant feel! Craftsmanship in it's best.
I tend specifically to not write about future seasons because we live in the NOW, but this one i just couldn't resist... so the bad news are that all the beautiful overcoats below are available only a year from now, but the good news are that for those of us who can't afford them we have a year to work hard and save for them......




Pics by GQ