AAE
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 10/7/2024 in #questions-and-advice
NYC events this week?
Visiting NYC Mon night-Thurs afternoon for work and wondering if there are any popups or similar events worth checking out. For example, I know Stitchdown has an expo this upcoming weekend, which I won't be around for, and Alfargo's isn't aligned with these dates either. But when I was visiting in June, there was a Morjas popup that was all week which was really cool (their first and only popup) and I got shoes and a hat.
So - any ideas? Thanks!
3 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 9/24/2024 in #questions-and-advice
Demystifying leather belt quality
From reading online, I know that full grain leather is "the best" and top grain leather is "second best" and genuine leather is some of the worst. This is mostly concrete to me, although I don't have a full grain leather belt. I do have one top grain leather belt that is in perfect shape after a few years, and I have had genuine leather belts split and break within two or three wears.
But what about everything else? I mostly get my clothes from thrift stores, and come across so many variations of leather descriptions. Two recent examples from pickups: (1) "Aniline Finished Leather - Made in USA". Got this today (it's essentially this: https://poshmark.com/listing/Aniline-Finished-Brown-Leather-Belt-64cbad5c02760bac75b7f672). (2) Coach made in USA burgundy belt made from "burnished cowhide". From my limited experience, these belts feel and look closer to the top-grain leather belt than the genuine leather belts I've felt and worn.
Is there a resource out there explaining all of the different kinds of belt leathers? Otherwise, would love to at least learn about aniline + burnished cowhide leathers!
23 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 4/22/2024 in #questions-and-advice
is this jacket casual enough to wear with jeans/chinos/cords?
18 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 4/2/2024 in #questions-and-advice
Lost on Leather Shoes
Let me start with a quote from an Allen Edmonds sales associate ~7 months ago, who I'm trying to prove wrong: "You don't have loafer feet"
Essentially, I have had a super difficult time finding comfortable leather shoes since I began my search/journey. I have mostly been trying second-hand and shopping sales, and am almost convinced now I just need to buy new. Part of the difficulty is that I have wide feet and high arches. I am 12.5E on Brannock (even this may be up for debate; sales associates at Allen Edmonds/Alden have read anywhere from D to EE width); I have historically always worn size 13 in off the rack shoes because I didn't know my Brannock size. I am particularly attracted to loafers, followed closely by bluchers and derbies.
Brands that I have tried out, in some manner: Bass Weejuns, Meermin, Allen Edmonds, Alden, Bloomingdales Mens Store (lol). I am thinking of trying Grant Stone next.
I would love folks' thoughts on how I might better find what works for me. Are there particular brands I should look into? Am I approaching sizing wrong or inconsistently?
Bass Weejuns
My intro to loafers, recommended by a friend before I knew anything. 12D was painfully tight/small, so I went with 13D (retail $135 or so). Liked the look initially, but the leather never got "comfortable" and eventually I grew to dislike the shiny, plasticky look and the raw/rough feeling lining. If I don't wear thick socks with them, they hurt badly. I can't do low-cut socks in the summer with these without my skin getting destroyed. I won't continue wearing them. ❌
11 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 1/21/2024 in #questions-and-advice
Blue label PRL blazer @ Marshall’s - should I be skeptical?
10 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 12/9/2023 in #questions-and-advice
Tampa/St Pete Recommendations?
Here for 48 hours. What are your favorite local boutiques, vintage shops, second hand, or other menswear stores?
1 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 10/9/2023 in #questions-and-advice
Retail options for white dress shirt?
Getting married in 3 weeks. Have a nice navy Brooks Brothers MTM suit, black Allen Edmonds park avenue oxfords, and a navy silk grenadine tie. I was so focused on researching my suit/shoes/tie that I dropped the ball on the shirt. I don't have time to do a MTM shirt (I think).
Anything good (read: sufficient) at retail around ~$100? Am I underestimating how much one should cost? I bought one from BB for $118 just to have, and I know Sid Mashburn's shirts are $165+. Are these prices inflated at all for what I could get elsewhere?
I'm not even sure what features or details to look for in a white dress shirt. So, if there's a guide for that, though I haven't seen one, I'd love to read. Location-wise, I can hit any retail shop in the broader DC metro area.
17 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 9/4/2023 in #questions-and-advice
Styling brown wool trousers for work
I thrifted a pair of Brooks Brothers brown wool trousers today (super 120s, VBC fabric for $5 on labor day sale!). Nearly exactly my size, though I may have the waist brought in a little. Was thinking it would be a great opportunity to branch out of wearing chinos/denim at work and wearing wool dress trousers. I've been browsing PutThisOn, this discord's guides, r/mfa, etc for some inspo on styling darker brown trousers but I'm coming a little empty handed.
MFA's v7 guide suggests brown wool trousers (https://imgur.com/dkeBWzU) for casual tailoring and PutThisOn recommends sticking to grey and brown (https://putthison.com/how-to-choose-trousers-for-any-sport-coat/) when starting out, for example. I'm just having trouble finding some ideas of pulling them off.
Is a sport coat necessary here? Any advice on shoes/pant break? (All my denim and chinos are no break or quarter break). And any chance the trousers won't generally work b/c they may be "orphaned" suit pants?
I can upload pics of the trousers soon.
33 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 8/25/2023 in #questions-and-advice
flagship stores in NYC to visit?
Here for two days and looking to visit any stores that I otherwise couldn’t outside of NYC.
They might be online only, for example, with one flagship store. I’m planning to hit Meermin and Alden for example. The idea is to get sized in store to make online ordering and second hand shopping easier in the future.
I already have a big thrift and vintage list so not necessarily interested in those.
Thanks!
14 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 8/15/2023 in #questions-and-advice
“dolce vita cocktail” attire for wedding in Italy
16 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 7/25/2023 in #questions-and-advice
Brooks Brothers vs. Suit Supply MTM for Wedding
Looking for thoughts comparing MTM suiting options for these two stores. I'm looking for a classic navy suit for my wedding (~13 weeks away) that I can rewear professionally on occasion, and to other weddings, etc. I've been having difficulty finding OTR suits because of my build (5'11", 200lbs, very broad shoulders and hips/seat). Namely, everything being "slim fit" by default really doesn't work well for me.
Here's what I know about BB:
- MTM is $998 but there is a 15% discount I can use to bring it to $848.
- The suit is half canvas, super-110 230g. Unsure if full canvas is possible or what it would cost.
- The fabric is from Italy and would be constructed in China. Sales associates said same factory that Suit Supply uses.
- The BB ready to wear suits (regent fit, "1818 suiting line") are $1.3k and after talking to the sales associate the markup is primarily because they're made in Italy.
- Not much other information online about customization options, but sales associate said process includes choosing lapels, buttons, lining, tabs/belt loops
Here's what I know about SS:
- MTM is $758 for navy super-110 230g suit.
- The suit is half canvas, +$100 for full canvas.
- Fabric is from Italy, suit constructed in China. - SS has a great online MTM tool that allows me to explore all customization options ahead of time. - I did have one appointment at SS and when discussing custom suiting, the sales associates assigned to me said he wouldn't really measure me but would use "his eye and experience," which seemed concerning. - I generally have not had much luck trying on OTR suits at SS because of their slim cuts, particularly the trousers. In sum, they seem almost identical. I could go with SS and get full canvas and have more customization via their web tool, or go with BB which might be a more traditionally tailored fit. I'm open to other ~1$k suiting options as well. Based in Washington DC area and prefer to visit stores in person for measurements.
- Fabric is from Italy, suit constructed in China. - SS has a great online MTM tool that allows me to explore all customization options ahead of time. - I did have one appointment at SS and when discussing custom suiting, the sales associates assigned to me said he wouldn't really measure me but would use "his eye and experience," which seemed concerning. - I generally have not had much luck trying on OTR suits at SS because of their slim cuts, particularly the trousers. In sum, they seem almost identical. I could go with SS and get full canvas and have more customization via their web tool, or go with BB which might be a more traditionally tailored fit. I'm open to other ~1$k suiting options as well. Based in Washington DC area and prefer to visit stores in person for measurements.
14 replies
Mmfad
•Created by AAE on 7/24/2023 in #questions-and-advice
Quality of Brooks Brothers shoes?
Looking for some thoughts on the quality of Brooks Brothers current leather shoes - bluchers, loafers, etc. They are having a decent sale right now and I could only visually inspect the pair in the store because they didn't have my size to try on (I'm interested in these: https://www.brooksbrothers.com/suede-tassel-loafers/MH00629.html). But there's a shocking lack of info. As one reviewer notes on another pair, "Only problem related to quality is the site has very little in the way of product details. I even asked the company what kind of stitching is used on the soles (a common product detail) and was told 'Sorry, we don't know.' I think they're good shoes, but based on the lack of info it's hard to know for sure. For shoes in this price range I expect better information to be available." So, does anyone know where BB is making their shoes, what kinds of leather, stitching, etc.? Or is there any way to find out?
Separately, I thrifted a pair of women's black penny loafers. The only I have is that they're made in Italy. Visually, they have the "shine" that black Weejuns have. They are leather/leather as well. I don't see these currently offered through the company and would be interested in figuring out when BB last offered them in an attempt to date them.
29 replies