Findings - Henrik Vibskov Traeger Coat

Traeger Coat in Navy Heavy Windcheater from Henrik Vibskov

WHY: This is a great coat for the fall season, kind of a take on trench coat. I love the amount of details on this coat, side slit pocket, Belted waist, shoulder epaulets, button tab cuffs, a center pleat in the back that adds a beautiful volume to the look, and a back yoke with a vent, yet the most interesting detail is the two parts of the front closure: a concealed double breast button front under a top wrap closure. This coat seams to look best when it closed or at list tied with the belt to highlight the waist or other wise it might look big and with no shape. can used a great casual coat or even as an rain over coat over a suit or a jacket.
INFO: Navy, 100% cotton, Button front closure.
PRICE: $368.00
WHERE: Forward By Revolve

My style journal - week twelve - Trench Coat

This look is a mix of items i have been blogging about for these last few months. A couple of weeks ago i had a post about the Trench coat, and how to incorporate it into your wardrobe. My trench coat is a casual cotton trench with contrast top stitching and buttons, but since i don't wear suits in my daily life it works perfect for me. I added suspenders which i have posted about last week, and just had them hanging down my hips as an accessory to add a bit of a militant touch... and yes i know most gentlemen will probably not approve of the way I'm using the suspenders ....but, oh well this blog is all about personal style, right???
I love this gingham military style shirt, it's one of my favorite shirts that i have made so far, the fit is amazing,its slim but very comfortable, and the details like the long tabs in the back of the sleeve or the tab+button in the back collar or even the red buttonholes on the cuffs are subtle but still stand out just enough to make it unique.
The black corduroy vest added a fall season touch and made it more interesting when i took off the coat...The jeans are skinny in dark blue and i liked that they are bunched up it supported the militant/roughness feel of the look.

This week I'm wearing:

Trench coat - Report Collection

Corduroy vest - BOAZ

Purple gingham shirt - BOAZ

Dark jeans - Levis

Boots - Paul Smith

Suspenders - Gillmons

The Trench Coat

Simon Spurr spring

Looking at the collections for spring 2011 that were presented last week in the NY fashion week there was one item that was shown by almost every designer - The Trench Coat!

A bit of history: The Invention of the trench coat is claimed by both Burberry and Aquascutum. Aquascutum's claim dating back to the 1850s, but Thomas Burberry (who was the inventor of the gabardine fabric), submitted a trench coat design for an army officer's raincoat to the United Kingdom War Office in 1901 where it all really began. A typical trench coat by this period was a ten-buttoned, double-breasted long coat (usually is knee-length) with cuff straps on the raglan sleeves, shoulder straps and a belt. Made in tan, khaki, beige, or black waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or leather. Had generally a removable insulated lining; and was typically worn as a windbreaker or as

Spring 2011 NY Fashion week - Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Marc guy should be loving this collection, and I'm sure he will have a blast choosing his wardrobe pieces for next spring....I think that even i can finally see my self in a Marc look! Easy fun suits tailored but in a cool downtown feel with ankle length pants in gathered waists and pleats worn over sneakers (what else is new...) and trench coats, trench coats and some more trench coats....but in fun and exciting versions like the classic longer version, or this contemporary rusted color one... and even a sleeveless version...Love it!
More photos after the jump.

Spring 2011 NY Fashion week - Rag & Bone

"Nomads of the North African deserts" was the inspiration for Rag & Bone's Spring 2011 men's collection....looking at the show i think they took the inspiration very seriously resulting in quite a literal interpretation of the subject. I will admit that although Rag & Bone always had somewhat of a British tailoring  touch to their line (which i love), i was never really a fan of their product....as a matter of fact I don't even own any of their item, it was just never my style, and this season i think its even harder for me to relate...the look is very denim and American work wear driven and although its done in their own sophisticated way it just not my cup of tea. The look is casual and the silhouettes are looser and on the baggy side with wide leg pants and long shirts and jackets/coats (a bit too Nomads and desert style for me), with a fabric story that revolves around denim, canvas and chambray. My favorite pieces were the Chambray trench coat and some of the pants that had cool utility pockets and a fun mix of colors/fabrics and looked very comfy.
Generally the inspiration was executed very well in the collection and i would think that the Rag & Bone customer will find a lot of solid pieces in it, which is all that matters after all.

Spring 2011 NY Fashion week - Simon Spurr

A couple days ago I have posted Simon Spurr's inspiration for the spring  season which in his words sounded like that: "exploring the boundaries between art and fashion, the collection mixes Lucio Fontana - inspired prints and sweaters with British military undertones and YSL elegance.” The result on the runway was Great! I thought the collection had a lot of great pieces, I loved the suits especially the three piece ones in either slicky fabrics, solid colors or in the plaids (loved the 2 piece plaid suit above which reminded me a lot of my new suit.....i wonder if he reads this blog????), 
also thought the sophisticated mustard trench coat and  the light and clean sweaters in army colors were great. I wasn't as crazy about his casual items like the denim pants and didn't care for the scarfs (it's too much of Brooklyn hipsters style... and we had enough of that). As far as the inspiration goes you can definitely see a strong YSL elegance and the color story was clearly inspired by  Lucio Fontana prints and British military undertones.
Over all I really loved the collection, it has a great European touch but with American influences all executed in high quality.
More photos after the jump.

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