Anonymous asked: I've been inspired to ditch the k coles. I need a black shoe to replace them. What are some good options for shirt and tie attire on the casual side (no suits)?

Dear Anonymous,

I think that you are asking me three questions (I’m pretty sure).  I’m going to cover shoes first and then move into shirts and ties. 

Here is the good news first: getting a pair of decent dress shoes is one of the best ways to up your game and look more like a grown-ass man.  It’s kind of like a sartorial bar mitzvah. 

Here is the bad news: getting a good pair of dress shoes can be expensive.  Think of good pair of leather dress shoes as a long-term investment.  If you care for them correctly, they can last you upwards of 10 years.  If you are going to buy one pair of dress shoes, buy a pair of black cap-toed oxfords.  They can go with anything from a pair of jeans on a date to a three-piece suit.  The best value for your money is from Allen Edmonds (below).  But, Johnston and Murphy also makes a more affordable option at about half the price.   Either is head and shoulders above anything made by Mr. Cole.

As for shirts and ties, there are many options.  If you have the money, I would suggest Brooks Brother’s extra-slim fit line which can be worn tucked in at work or untucked at a bar (below).  Every few months, they have a sale and I picked up my shirts for 50 bucks a piece. 

If that’s a bit out of your price range, I would suggest wading through the crowds of pubescent girls with braces at your local H&M which makes better shirts than you might think or to Uniqlo if you live in NYC.  But, if you already know your measurements, Land’s End also makes some decent options that are a little on the old man side and good for work.  Land’s End Canvas also makes really good casual shirts on the cheap.  To see our essential shirts series, click here. 

As for ties, I think there are 4 essential ties that every man must own.  Click on these links to read some of our old articles about ties:

Knit Tie

Striped Tie

Solid Tie

Patterned Tie

T: The weekend before last, Andrew and I put on our adult faces and went to a good friend’s wedding.  The wedding ceremony was outside and the invitation described the dress code: “We want everyone to be happy, comfortable, and ready to dance! It will (hopefully) be hot and sunny outside, but it is air-conditioned inside.”

With that in extremely vague description in mind, Andrew and I set out to put it in “smash mode.” 

(Reader be warned, what follows is our most narcissistic post to date).

Below: the author wearing a black watch—it’s a wedding and even though it was a somewhat informal one, a black leather watch is the standard for formal occasions—every man should own one. 

Also, the cotton pocket square is from Land’s End Canvas.  It was picked because the colors of the square match the white shirt and navy tie.

Below: Andrew and I rocking the sockless look.  We are actually both wearing loafer socks so we don’t stink up our shoes (brought to you by the good folks at moccsocks). Notice that Andrew and I are both wearing pants with a very small amount of break—if your pants are too long they make you look sloppy.  Also, black shoes for a formal occasion.  We did decide to wear loafers though—it’s summer for god sakes. 

Below: Andrew and I looking very artsy (it’s the Vassar education). 

On Andrew (right):

Grey wool suit=JCrew 

Cotton White shirt (button down collar): Brooks Brothers

Cotton tie: Land’s End Canvas

On Tom (left):

Linen Blazer: Uniqlo

Shirt (semi-spread collar): Brooks Brothers

Knit tie: Land’s End

Summary: Classic looks (wool suit on Andrew and white shirts) but summer details (sockless loafers, linen blazer on Tom, and summer-type ties).

T: Folks, apparently Lands’ End Canvas has decided to unveil their fall/winter collection later this week.  If you are looking to shop a few pre-released items, holla at ya boy here.

In order to make room for these things, they have an absolutely bananas sale going on.  For only hours longer (I think it was supposed to be over already), they have some great items on sale for half price.  I think that your best bets are their awesome oxford (Andrew and I both own several) in pink/white stripes, this shawl collar sweater that is an incredible value for only 34 dollars, and their rugby shirt for only 24 dollars. 

Forget their upcoming collection, this might be the best way to stock up for fall.  Check the whole thing out here. 

T: The website style hunting (check them out) ran a great piece about the 3 essential pairs of pants that every man should own.  If I had to own 3 pairs of pants for the rest of my life, I think that I would pick 3 pairs that I already have.  I would pick:

1. A pair of dark blue selvedge jeans can can be worn walking in the woods or out to dinner.  My jeans are dark blue, straight cut, and are made by the Japanese brand Iron Heart and are breaking in quite nicely.  The can be purchased at the denim mecca known as Self Edge in either NYC or San Francisco.  The Gap also offers a cheap selvedge option for under $100. 

2. A pair of slim khakis that could be worn to a casual workplace or to the beach.  My own khakis are from Land’s End Canvas (below).  However, I’m not wild about the way these fit (the waist is too big in proportion the thighs) so I’m on the lookout for a new pair.

3. A pair of gray wool pants that could be worn to work with a tie or to a wedding.  My pair are from Land’s End and they are my go to work pants.  At only 75 dollars, they do the job for work pants.  I also like them because like all Land’s End pants, they are offered in long sizes as well.

Aside from shorts, I think these these pants would cover you no matter where you go.  Anyone else agree or disagree?  Think I picked the wrong options?

T: I own a big, clunky, brown leather belt that never comes off my favorite pair of jeans.  Whenever I need a pair of pants (this happens often) and I am off the clock, I reach for my 21 ounce Iron Heart jeans.  However, when the weather starts to get into the 80’s and 90’s, heavy DARK blue jeans will make you sweat like you are being interrogated under a heat-lamp. 

On days like these, one should obviously reach for a pair of shorts (please make sure that these shorts are not made out of denim).  But, these lighter shorts also call for a lighter belt.  Enter the cotton belt! (Please notice the exclamation point, it’s building suspense…duh).

The summer belt is something that you may not have thought about until now but as soon as you have one, you will wear it all the time.  Summer belts provide a pop of color that leather doesn’t provide and they are lighter than your normal leather option because they are often woven out of cotton or canvas. The cotton belt also dresses down an outfit which is perfect for the laid back days of spring and summer.

All of the belts you see above are very cheap (30 dollars or under) because they all come from Land’s End.  Personally, I have the navy one with a white stripe down the middle in the left of the above picture but the one below will only set you back 15 bones. 

Finally, as a final word of advice PLEASE make sure that your belt does not have any critters, wales, sailboats, or sailing flags on it.  These are only acceptable if you own a yacht.