Classy and Simple.

Like many of you, I’ve noticed how well dressed Don Draper and those fellows are over at the wildly popular television show Mad-Men. And probably like many of you, I’ve said to myself “Yeah I wish I could dress like that!” Well here I am to let you know just how possible that is!

For starters, the woman behind all of the mad men suits and other wonderfully well dressed folks is costume designer, Janie Bryant. Luckily for us, Madmen has become so popular that Janie Bryant is coming out with her own line of Madmen inspired clothing. While the line isn’t out yet, Janie did design a single suit for the usually conservative cloth maker Brooks Brothers.

This classically grey suit is designed after the regular suits Roger Sterling wears. This is slimmer than Brooks’ usual suit and has a sharkskin like pattern, 2 buttons and a very narrow lapel. The armholes are cut a tad higher to create a slimmer fit as well. What I love best about it is the fact that you can tell how the suit longs to hug your body in all the right places ( ie. arms, chest, shoulders, while subtly becoming less slim around the waist and stomach areas saving you from the worry of showing us your tummy.)

While the suit’s price is a fair $998 dollars, I know many of you out there will say that this is far too expensive for a young man like yourself. But the best part about dressing vintage is that many of these suits are sifting around thrift stores and resell stores alike. Your best bet after finding a material and pattern you like at the thrift store, is to take it to a tailor you trust and ask him for a trim that fits your silhouette.

Add a pocket square, a slim tie, a shirt that is ironed-starched to the max and you’re ready to go. Just remember that those clunky square “power” dress shoes won’t cut it. You need something more streamlined like these, Cole Haan’s Air Jefferson Moc Ox (Oxford.):

Remember that you can never go wrong with a classic look folks. Stay classy and simple, and you’ll be the best dressed guy at that next cocktail party.

-Trey

Let’s Bring it Back

The internet has been getting pretty hyphy recently about a Tweed Bike Ride that went down this last weekend in the District of Columbia (D.C!). Apparently what happened was that a bunch of cyclists and tweed enthusiasts took over the streets of D.C. dressed to the nines and had themselves a bike parade. My understanding is that the stipulations were that one should dress in their finest outfits and if possible, ride a vintage bike. The event received a decent amount of coverage, not surprisingly on NPR.

2009

A penny-farthing perhaps?

Despite the fact that I, like any progressive minded Chicago twenty-something is supposed to be, am a bicyclist, this event is not about the cycling involved. This event is an excuse for the people of D.C. to look fresh as hell.

This guy looks fresh as hell. His layering is great, but I am a real fan of that ascot. I have never been able to successfully pull off an ascot and I do not know anyone who has, without looking like a complete asshole. I don’t know this guy, but if I did, he would be the first guy in an ascot that I would not call an asshole. Rather, I would call him a fucking pimp.

But the previous digression is in itself a problem. The problem is that we have these preconceived notions and pretensions attached to certain items of clothing and accessories. The ascot is an example from my life, as I am sure there are plenty of items in yours, that I would not be caught wearing despite how badly I want to.

The problem is obvious in the Tweed Bike Ride. The people of D.C. have this day when they can dress up and wear stuff they probably truly like to wear. I would like to wear it also but I do not because I too would need an excuse to wear a tweed sport coat, knickerbockers,  an ascot and a fedora in public for fear of looking like an asshole. I have a feeling that many reading would also.

The people of D.C. should be applauded for their Tweed Bike Ride. But at the same time they should ask themselves, as should we, “why do we need a reason to look fresh as hell”?

When we can everyday.

I have a feeling this guy doesn’t need a reason.

To check out some hot tweed clothing and similar items creep on: Dashing Tweeds

- Brad

The Importance of Being Belted

Today , for my first post ever, I chose to write about the importance of wearing a belt. Wait, I don’t want to hear the dissent. The obligatory ” My pants aren’t falling down. What do I need a belt for then?” If we viewed fashion with this utilitarian sense nothing but wool and cargo pants would be worn, and I’d be sad. REAL sad.

A belt is important, ok? It creates a clear line between your torso and your legs, a line of separation for everyone to see clearly. You may not think this is needed but you look strange otherwise. You don’t take my word for it? Take a look at this guy.

Do you want to look this guy? If you do, please stop reading our blog.Everyone who wants to go belt-less gone? Ok good. You’re here because you want to learn something. So I’m telling you something. Every look you could ever want to model yourself after that had someone wearing jeans, slacks or some sort of legged pant (that isn’t sweatpants or spandex, which we can just forget along with Ugg Boots and Croc’s) has a belt. That iconic figure, or style you want to emulate has a man’s torso separated from his legs by something wrapped around his waist. So here is small guide for belt shopping.

Material: Leather or imitation leather preferably. The belts that are woven make you look like you’re trying too hard to be multicultural and tend to stretch out too easy, giving a relaxed look around your waist, making you look like you’re tummy is bulging. Leather offers longevity and class. It is a bit stiff at first, and certainly a little more expensive than cloth alternatives, but hey! You’re wearing it everyday, it’s worth it.

This is a Calvin Klein Belt, Italian Leather. Safe Choice. All you have to do is make sure you match your shoes to your belt color. Yes it is important. The Belt isn’t expensive, as your local mid-level nordstrom or sort will have it for less than $30, and I even found it on overstock.com for $17.99. Guaranteed not to rip or wear to fast, you’ll be thanking me in 3 months when you start to feel as if putting on a belt was just a part of the ol’ morning routine.

That’s it. Nothing much more to say about Men’s belts. Don’t let women tell you there is more to it than that. Match the color to your shoes, get something leather and simple and go.

-Trey

Keeping Company

Everyone goes through phases. Everyone goes through phases with the patterns they dig. One month it’s plaid, the next it’s argyle, the following is paisley. Right now, it’s gingham. The variety of patterns makes your options endless, and makes many of us indecisive.

Keep Company feels your pattern pain and they are here to heal (heel) it. With twelve different shoes that have a multitude of colors and patterns available, at reasonable prices, they give you the option to be flexible with your style.

The Ramos - Brown Herringbone

As previously mentioned I’m a sucker for gingham of any sort, and Keep Company has some attractive shoes accented with some attractive colors. The Ramos above comes in 17 different colors and patterns, and three different colors of Gingham. I do have a problem with the fact that a few of their shoes are too similar to the standard Vans’ Chukka Boot, but considering the breadth of colors that Vans’ Chukka Boot has been unable to reproduce I forgive them.

Wish I could pull these off.

You may be thinking “that pattern is for girls and I hate anything evoking scandinavia”. If you are, you are right. All of Keep’s shoes are for women. But because the majority of their models are fresh as hell and their patterns are generally unisex, they give men’s sizes right along the with women’s sizes on their website.

And how are you going to pass up these “boat shoes for the landlocked”?

Houndstooth and Red Check!

You aren’t.

The shoes are generally under $90 and some are on sale for as low as $50. Imagine, for 150 ducketts you can pick up three different shoes with three different patterns to match your style du jour.

Now all you need to do is decide.

www.keepcompany.com

- Brad

Hello and Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Small Time Crooks,

Small Time Crooks exists to inform the reader as to what young gentlemen think is fresh in young gentleman’s fashion, style and lifestyle. With a few contributors at the helm we hope to have at least one item, article or style posted a day.