WANT: Instead of Student Loans, Dec. '12

We've all got our lists and oh-so-perfectly-curated Tumblr pages and Pinboards dedicated to things we like, lust and pine for with every little click. Well, this post is just showing that I put a little more effort forth in copying, dragging and pasting them into sexier packaging using a bootleg copy of Photoshop. You're welcome, Internet.

Here's what I'd drop my wad of student loan money on instead of paying back Every True Son. Yeah, they're pricy. BUT SO ARE STUDENT LOANS.

Clockwise: mustard cotton sweater by NN.07; berry-colored motorcycle jacket with detachable sleeves by 3.1 Phillip Lim; rucksack by Archival; cotton blend T-shirt by Alexander Wang; suede and leather trainers by Maison Martin Margiela; fragrance by Odin; slim black denim by Acne; braided lash hook by Giles & Brother.

WEIGH IN: Let's dance, sweatpants.

UPDATE: To be honest, we're glad for the dissenting views. The point of this post was to spur a little discussion, and that discussion doesn't have to be pro-outfit. Fire away!

There are two options:

A) Let's try sweatpants. In public.

OR:

B) I'm just being a douche bag for wearing designer sweatpants and thinking it's okay to do so in public. Look: Sometimes I have to leave the house. But sometimes while I'm doing that, I just wanna feel like it's the (Weeknd) and I'm on my couch eating Trader Joe's cookie butter off a spoon and watching Revenge. Hands in the air, don't care. You know?

Weigh in, please.

On Jeff: "Crosby" oxford shirt by Saturdays Surf NYC; long-sleeved striped tee by Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen; slub cotton slim sweatpants by Alexander Wang; "Roshe" sneakers by Nike; field tote by Filson; leopard print five-panel cap by Publish + Reed Space; gimlet tortoise "Preston" eyeglasses by Warby Parker.

Photography by a street style photographer from TWELV Magazine.

WINNA: Scrawl On That Stationery

And the lucky dogs who'll be scribbling their chicken-scratch on Christine Cover's tremendous stationery are:

• From Twitter: @ChrisFidz. Get at us, brother!
• From Facebook: Daniel Garber, check yo' messages.
• From the comments: Dillon, we hope your cousin enjoys the card. Whiskey and sea turtles are really the only things worth talking about anyway. Email us your address, and we'll have it sent out post haste!

For those of you who didn't win, check out Christine's Etsy store. Easy gift idea, y'know? Don't say we never did nothin' for ya!

Until next time, friends.

GIVEAWAY: "Another Half Eaten Sandwich"

You're doing well, right? Great. Things are getting about to get a little better.

We love you and we want you to have rad things.
More importantly, we want you to be able to give rad things.

You know, to your friends, family, lovers and lovers that your friends, family and lovers don't know about yet.

We partnered up with our friend Christine Cover to do just that.

A bit about her: Christine is a friend of ours from way back in undergrad who doodles and draws the quirky things that pop up in her brain. We spent many nights on her porch, bugging her and her roommates for home cooked meals. We picked up the booze; they cooked the meals. Most nights began with the preface of "I swear, we'll do homework! I have a test tomorrow." Yet, homework usually took the backseat. Long talks and banter took precedence as we presided over the the shenanigans on Wilson Street. Glory days, guys. #COLLEGE.

She's a talented singer and songwriter, lovable friend, crafty artist and painter and the list goes on. When's she's not doodling, she's traveling and singing. (See also: gypsy.) Currently, Christine is making cards under the moniker "Another Half-Eaten Sandwich" and pursuing an MFA in Art Education at the University of Missouri in her hometown.

Clockwise: "Ties of the Week," "Penny Loafers," "Fancy shirt," "Moped," "Bow Tie" and "Flask Me Anything!" postcards.

No explanation necessary. However, be warned that Dawson's Creek is rabbit hole that is endless and inevitable.

Top-to-bottom, left-to-right: "Girl & Boy," "Blazer," "Whiskey," "Winter Wear," and "Tetris Pizza" postcards.

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE GIVEAWAY:

• Simply tell us which one is your favorite and who you'd send it to. 
• We'll pick three winners: one from Twitter, one from Facebook and one from the comments in this post. Pick your preferred poison.
• Contest closes on Friday at 11:59:59 p.m. We'll announce it after the weekend is over on Monday.

We get to you know you better a bit through these giveaways, as do the other readers. Big, happy family for the holidays, you know? Cool. We think so, too. 

(Conversely, you could visit her Etsy site and buy 'em up before the giveaway ends. I dare you.) If you're not one of the winners: $2.50 for a little diddy to send to a friend via snail mail? That's a pint of beer during Happy Hour....in a college town at least. Have at it!

Friday Wrap-Up: What's On Our Radar

UPDATE: The watch below, worn by Cam, is a WWII-era Russian piece by Vostok. He found it for $30 on Etsy. Sadly, it has been lost...though he notes it didn't keep very good time. YOLO.

Around the interwebs:

• A peep at the new  Ralph Lauren Vintage online shop. (Get Kempt)
• If you needed another reason to be "that guy" at a party, grab a Das Horn drinking chalace. (KickStarter)
• The Hazards of Growing Up Painlessly: Ashlyn Blocker, 13, feels no pain. (NYTimes)
• Susie and Carrie from Imogene + Willie on friendship and their new favorite women's fit. (Imogene + Willie)
• We can't stop thinking about the new Scrabble Typography Edition. (GQ)

Around Chicago this weekend:

• If you're up for it, trek to the burbs for the Red Wing Heritage Trunk Show at Nordstrom this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Apartment Number 9 brings its Bucktown digs to the Gold Coast. (Thrillist)

Anth(bro)pologie

You don't need a chaperone to walk into an Anthropologie.

You can do it all by yourself, man. And if you're dragged into the store by your lady or mom, bite your tongue, put away your phone and take a peek around. Sure, it's a white girl's haven of Pinterest-worthy finds that she pins and pins and pins away at into the wee hours in the morning. 

But they also carry a hefty amount of home and kitchen supplies with a quirky appeal that will surely bring all you snobby mid-century modern wankity wanks an upturned nose. Well, try on a beatnik hat for a change and embrace the wonderland. She could spend a while in a store, probably just as long as she could pinning and pinning and pinning away her imaginary bedroom.

We totally spend the same amount of time on fantasy football leagues, so I think we can take one for the team.

Being the quintessential friend of the quintessential Pinterest girl, I ventured into Anthropologie this past week and found a few things that you might like as well. I was actually looking for bed sheets and walked out with a candle. So, go figure this post was about to happen.

• Anthropologie can take a hint that men are filthy booze hounds: 
• Silver spoon ($7); piece of cake ($8) and horn bottle opener ($30)
• Pocket square, snot rag or fancy cloth napkin. You decide.
• Literary correspondance napkin set ($30).
• Because you're using your mason jar to drink fancy drinks out of:
• Besom holder ($70) to hold your blades and fancy pens.
• Because you already have a tin to hold your pipe tobacco:
• Classic bike repair tin kit ($14). Hey, it looks cool, and it's practical.
• The most masculine candle from a woman's store:
• Voluspa "Baltic Amber" glass jar candle ($26). No assembly required.
• Warm those hard floors a bit, yeah?
• Festival rug ($78). You can have some color in your house, I swear.

Of all the things I want or need (or think I need to want), the bottle openers catch my eye. For my first two months since relocating to Brooklyn, my bottle opener was a lighter. I just recently upgraded to a shitty four-dollar one from the local bodega. I also spent $26 on a candle and bought the one above.

Punch me or whatever, but then smell my room and you'll find that it no longer reeks of gym clothes, stale air and seasonal allergies.

FAVORITE: Dog Days Of...Fall?

Right when I'm settling into a happy routine of sweaters, wool socks and layering, the temperature spikes up to the mid-80s. I shouldn't be surprised. It's just like you to do this, Midwest—every damn year. Ah, well. When summer is as fleeting as it is in the northern half of this region, you've gotta cherish every last day even if it comes in the middle of autumn.

And when you find a piano on an abandoned freight railroad track, what do you? You were going to say "take some senior pictures," right? Right. (You're all invited to my high school graduation in two years.) Thankfully, the talented Rob Culpepper was on hand and in the mood to shoot some medium format film on the Bloomingdale Trail, Chicago's undeveloped and still super-secret future answer to New York's High Line.

A note on the trousers: Dockers? Yeah, you read that right. Your dad's favorite brand has updated some of its offerings with more tapered silhouettes that look like like khakis but wear like jeans. They're called Alpha Khakis, and I've been wearing the hell out of 'em. Along with a second green pair, they've become fast favorites. 

It's still fall, right? I got hooked on yerba mate in Argentina and have it with me most days when it gets late in the year.

On Seth: Indian cotton button-down (sale $30, reg. $75) by J.Crew; "Alpha Khakis" in British khaki (sale $59, reg. $68) by Dockers; natural veg leather belt by Cause and Effect; thrifted loafers by Giorgio Brutini; "Weekender" watch ($25) by Timex with Horween leather strap ($95) by Buckshot Sonny's.

Oh, and if you're a Mizzou Tiger, you're headed into a special weekend. Cam and I will see you at Homecoming, suckers.

Photos by Rob Culpepper.

NORTHERNGRADE: Chicago Edition

Ladies and gentlemen, NorthernGRADE is coming to Chicago. This edition of the legendary pop-up market will be produced by our friends over at Well Spent and Pierrepont Hicks, so if you're in town you've really got no excuse for missing out on the festivities.

Having been to Minneapolis, the place where it all started, we saw firsthand what all the fuss is about and we can tell you that NorthernGRADE is one of the gems of the Midwest. You can expect beer, camaraderie, and damn fine American-made goods. But don't believe what you're reading here: take our word for it. 

When: Saturday, Oct. 27 (10am – 6pm)

Where: Open Secret Studios (401 N Racine Ave)

Who: Made-in-the-USA vendors!

1. Penelope's (Sponsor) - Chicago, IL
2. Haberdash (Sponsor) - Chicago, IL
3. Red Wing - Red Wing, MN
4. Tellason - San Francisco, CA
5. Winter Session  - Chicago, IL
6. Pierrepont Hicks - Minneapolis, MN
7. Oak St. Bootmakers - Chicago, IL
8. Independence - Chicago, IL
9. Portland General Store – Portland, ME
10. Field Notes - Chicago, IL
11. Archival Clothing – Eugene, OR
12. MidNorth Mercantile - Minneapolis, MN
13. Stormy Kromer – Ironwood, MI
14. Sir & Madame - Chicago, IL
15. Locally Grown - Des Moines, IA
16. Corter Leather – Boston, MA
17. Inland Clothing – Chicago, IL
18. Heritage Bicycles - Chicago, IL
19. Drift Eyewear - Chicago, IL

GIVEAWAY: And The Winner Is...

Alright, you filthy animals! The time has come.

We want to thank you guys for your interest. We've loved reading the stories of your old, faithful, ratty backpacks. The new opportunities, the ending chapters. The big-boy jobs and the style transformations. We feel like we know each of you a little better, and that's a wonderful thing in our book. 

Our winner is Josh Krasovec, the Kansas City police officer who plans to use the Bleecker Utility Tote to schlep around gear for his newborn daughter, and then pass along this beauty of a bag to her when she comes of age. Brilliant. (And we're already picturing you motoring down the road on your motorcycle with this thing, Josh. Badass.)

To be honest, all your stories were excellent. We especially loved Jerry Stoffl's hilarious empathy for the duped New Yorkers. Brad Rice's philosophizing on the process of reinventing his style. And of course, ThreadWise's courageous husband, who's soaring above Iraq and Afghanistan and protecting our freedom. A humble thanks to both of you.

BUT: Before you walk away with heads hung low, know that we've got several more giveaways just ahead in the coming weeks—everything from winterwear to illustrated stationery. Don't miss 'em!

And, of course, a huge thanks goes the team at Coach for their generosity and damn fine bags.

GIVEAWAY: Coach + The Sartorialist Tote

UPDATE: Don't forget to "like" the Coach Men's Facebook page! Extra props for tweeting at @Coach and @TheMidwestyle, too.

These giveaways just keep coming, eh? And there are even more on the way.

A household name for decades, Coach wanted to reward you guys, our readers, with a new bag as midterms end, new jobs begin and the seasons change. We leapt at the chance, of course. Earlier this year, Coach teamed up with The Sartorialist, who did his usual good work photographing stylish urbanites carrying Coach's latest Legacy Series collection. Have a look:

The Bleecker Legacy Utility Tote, photo by the Sartorialist for Coach

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

• What you'll get: The tote pictured above.
• Contest starts: Now, October 18, 2012.
• Contest closes: Sunday, October 21, 2012 — at 11:59:59 p.m.
• Announce winner: Monday, October 22, 2012

HOW TO ENTER:

• Answer this: "Why you need to ditch your current bag and update to this beauty?"
• Like the Coach Men's Facebook page and us, of course!

We've been fans of Coach for quite some time, and we know firsthand just how well their product holds up over time. Here's Jeff's recently acquired Coach backpack:

And Seth's Legacy Field Bag has become an instant favorite:

Hell, it only gets better as the leather ages and softens, as you can see from the vintage Coach finds we've stumbled across. What are you waiting for? Let's hear it!

midweSTYLE: Double down

Let's dish out another take on wearing a double-breasted jacket today, yeah? Cam brought his game with a Barena find last week, and I'm continuing with an Aspesi gem.

This is my first double-breasted jacket, let alone my first year-round + Italian designer jacket. I added in plaid shirt, thrifty slim carpenter pants, leopard-print hat and Nike Safari sneakers. So many red flags, styles clashing and seasons colliding in one outfit. But I was comfortable and in a hurry to meet up with Yewon Kim to snap some photos. Be warned when you meet up with Yewon: She's in a league of her own.

Ladies, take note of Yewon's outfits. Guys, take note of Yewon's outfits. Everyone, follow the Yewon.

Story time on the wine-stained trousers: These Levi's slim carpenter pants are favorites because of the lore behind them. A halloween-plus-birthday party was thrown at my house in Logan Square last year.  I remember neither my costume nor the song, but I swatted a wine glass out of the hands of some white girl with bangs (or rather her flailing arms swatted me.) The wine glass splattered and shattered on my computer and all over my pants. The white girl with bangs didn't skip a beat and kept on dancing. The computer spluttered out, however, and a part of me died that night. The following day, I took it to the Apple Store, where they took a look and said, "Well, we tried to turn it on, but it smelled like wine and beer. It's toast, bro." 

Let's review: My computer smells not just like "alcohol,"  but specifically, "wine and beer." Noted, Genius Bar guy. My computer smelled like booze, I GET IT.

A day later, I emptied my bank account to get a new laptop. 'Cuz Internet. A week later, I finally washed my wine-splattered carpenter pants. But the stains remain...and somewhere I think I still have that wine-logged laptop, too. 

 Photography by Yewon Kim

On Jeff: Double-breasted cotton blazer by Aspesi from Mr. Porter; checkered button-down by A.P.C.; carpenter pants by Levi's; Air Safari sneakers by Nike from St. Alfreds in Chicago; five-panel cap by Reed Space + Publish from St. Alfreds in Chicago; frames by Warby Parker.

MIDWESTYLE: Camo is for outside

*This post contains the use of what we call "the hillbilly hem job," a term loveably applied to the folding under of excess fabric at the hem of one's pants. We, in no way, endorse this tactic as a longterm solution to long pantz. Go to a tailor. But, in the short term, what the hell? Plus, this entire photo shoot was unplanned, I was caught by one of the many street style photographers in the middle of Missouri while I was on a lonesome hike through the woods in my double monks, and I needed a quick solution. You're not still cuffing your pants, are you? Besides, that's why the ROTM dudes put a lug sole on those monks, guys. For hiking. They want you to do more hiking.

BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

Have you guys heard of Barena? It's Italian tailored, casual #menswear. And it's awesome. Tailored casual is king. Jersey everything. Fleece, everywhere. Your grandpa's sweatsuit and your blazer can be made of the same thing now. Anyway, I found this double breasted jersey sport coat on Yoox for, like, not very much money. The fit is spot on and it's unlined, unstructured, and unbelievably comfortable. Notice how it's layered over an aran knit sweater? That's for texture. The internet told me fall is about texture.

I don't care if you hate camouflage, these Baldwin joints are on point. Word is that Hova wears them a ton. If you hate on something Jay-Z rocks all the time, no offense, but who the hell do you think you are? I'll trust your opinion when your net worth is around $500 million.

Oh, and double monks on a lug sole? Phew, never thought I'd see the day. That is, of course, until the Run of the Mill guys dropped these bombs on us last fall. As a man who's notoriously obsessed with resoling shoes with soles that have no business being welted to the uppers I've chosen for them, these struck a deep, deep chord with me. Couldn't drop $435 on 'em, but I found some on StyleForum at a steep discount. And seriously, it's completely normal for guys to walk around in the forest with double monks! That's what lug soles are for! Welcome to the 21st century. 

On Cameron: double-breasted jersey blazer by Barena; cotton aran knit sweater by J.Crew; The Ryan pant in camo by Baldwin; scotch grain double monks by Run of the Mill; thrifted scarf. 

Photos by Christine 'Big Cat' Cover

TREND: Camo Jacket

Hop on the train of mixing prints, patterns, textures, colors and leathers. It'll probably stop soon, so let's make this trip quick, yeah?

If you've been to any vintage, thrift or resale shops lately, you can tell that camo and military jacket sare making their rounds. This was my favorite summer wear to toss over a tank or light tee. It also enabled me to haul keys, cards, cellphones, wallets, swag and the like around without cramping my shorty shorts.

Now with fall upon us, it's still a great layering piece. Think about subbing this guy in for a cardigan, or pile a down vest on over it. Comb through a thrift store to find one on the cheap, or dole out a few extra bucks at a curated resale shop to save you some time. 

• Pro Tip: If it's short or boxy or baggy, just roll the sleeves to make a hybrid, kimono-like sleeve of sorts and pretend you're chill about it because you're confident. That's what I do with most of my clothes. 'Cuz lanky arms.

On Jeff: Unstructured camo jacket ($3, thrift store) by Ranger; embroidered" University" chinos by Rugby; thrifted duo-tone "Nashua" loafers by Allen Edmonds; long-sleeve tee from Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen; railroad spike cuff by Giles & Brother; thrifted Navajo silver bracelet; "Weekender" watch by Timex; "Preston" glasses in Gimlet Tortoise by Warby Parker.

Photos by Rob Culpepper.

FAVORITES: Sweet Autumn

Summer came to a close and you're wishing you would have made that last trip to the lake. Alas, the time was cut short and the end of the season crept up on your sooner than you hoped. 

Fall is here. Well, for some of us. Some of you are heading back to campus and swapping around your schedule so you can have Tuesday and Thursday off. For others, that's just a fond memory in the rearview mirror. Get ready, man.

You've already started to remember your favorite sweaters and beloved boots from the last year. Some, you forgot about; others you purchased at the end of the season for a killer deal, and you're antsy to break them in. While only one of us is actually taking a semester this season, we're all still excited about the back to school season. Here's a quick recap of what's new:

• Seth is taking inventory of his gin stash and vowing not to repeat the mistake he made last year: not buying summer clothes on sale at the end of the season. Priorities, bro.
• Cam is conspiring to eBay snipe some luxe Ralph Lauren sweaters, rationing his beer and pizza stash on an espresso-slinger's budget, and juggling his senior year plans because, "What the hell am I supposed to do now that I'm graduating this year?" Good luck, man.
• I'm kicking myself right now for not selling more clothing, because my new closet is the size of a bookshelf in my new apartment...in a new city. Yeah, I hopped in a big, ugly Penske truck a month ago and trekked to the East Coast. Betrayal, indeed. More to come on that.

We rounded up a few things we either own that are new favorites or things that are sitting in our shopping. Take a peek and give us your thoughts.

Cam's picks:

1. Corter Bottlehook in copper: If you're like me you've been using a carabiner to carry your keys around ever since you can remember. Or ever since you've had keys. Whichever, the point is that it's officially the future. Step up your game with this little guy from Corter. Rustic, functional, and even more rustic. Plus, the most awkward thing on all of our key rings is a bottle opener, right? So why not just make the bottle opener the main apparatus. Do you follow? Be better than the carabiner.
2. Baldwin Camo Ryan Trousers: How do you blend in and stand out at the same time? Camouflage. The fit and details on these are perfect: a trim, straight leg, a perfectly scaled print, made in the States. Plus nobody will be able to see the degree of pastiness your legs progressed to this summer because you had an inside job and couldn't sit at the pool all day every day like you have the past, oh, 20 summers of you life. 
3. Filson Zip Tote: Get this tote, grab some Otter Wax, and set this thing up for all-weather badassery. It has a zipper so rain, snow, and your girlfriends hands can't get inside (to steal your money). Plus all the street style photographers will get that great bag handle/leather gloves/watch/wrist accessories shot that they all kill for. We all love those. 
4. Black Thorogood 6" Moc-Toe Boot: Real talk, this is the best bang for your buck in the boot department. Thorogoods are made in the USA, have a perfect silhouette and don't break the bank ($130–160 depending on your website of choice). These come in a few other color ways, but I'm most attracted to black.

Seth's picks:

1. Trident barspoon: I'm smitten with this combination. Use one end for stirring, the other for spearing olives and cherries out of the jar for your boozy concoctions.
2. Hoof-pick belt: The hoof-pick belt we've been going crazy for? (Cam's got one, and we featured Blake's last year.) Well here it is for $37.95 from an actual equine-outfitter store. Better than its more-than-reasonable price? Made in the U.S., baby.
3. Shorts: End of summer. In other words, the best time to get deals on cut-offs for next year's dog days. Like these linen boys for $40 at J.Crew.
4. Blazer: I need some Fair Isle in my life this year. Like this badass blazer from Lands' End Canvas.
5. Beer bike: I like bikes. I like beer. I like carrying beer on bikes without crashing and burning like last year.

Jeff's picks:

1. Stubbs & Wootten Earl Crest embroidered slippers: I'm not tired of thrifting loafers and slippers  in every shade of brown, black and burgundy with various tassels, weaves and fringe details from dead men in Kansas City. But I am tired of not finding brightly colored, velvet smoking slippers. Probably because if you had a pair, you were probably buried in them. Made in Italy, obnoxious and I'll just say it's my family crest on the top if you ask.
2. Alexander McQueen skull print silk scarf: I'm typically touch and go with scarves. Ain't so with this bad boy. It's gorgeous, McQueen and was given to me as a gift from a former coworker. I throw it on with a T-shirt, jean jacket, well-worn denim and sneakers. The color is a little off, yet it goes with blue denim rather nicely.
3. Moncler camouflage hooded down vest: I want to tell you not to even ask about this, beceause I thought I'd be wearing this nearly everyday this fall with a jean jacket or a blazer. Yet, it's sitting in my closet wit the tags still on it. I'm debating whether or not I'm keeping this. It's about as much as my rent, yet I paid a fraction of the cost because I snagged at the right time during a sale. Judgement is welcome. Please forward it to my spam address. 

MIDWESTYLE PRESENTS: Jack Spade + Barbour

We're excited to announce that we're hosting a little shindig for Jack Spade's Barbour capsule collection  at the Oak Street store in Chicago this Thursday.

It's no secret that we're big fans of both companies. We've featured them on The Midwestyle before (below, you'll see the Barbour Jeff was lucky enough to score at a shop in London, and we posted a roundup of Jack Spade totes we were hungry for last year.)

 On Jeff: Waxed "Bedale" jacket by Barbour, bought in London. Photo by Grant Heinlein.

The Jack Spade + Barbour collection.

The Jack Spade team visited Barbour's headquarters on the English coast of the North Sea and thumbed through the archives to inspire this new collaboration, which includes two incredible jackets, a tote, a duffle, a briefcase, and a pocket messenger. Word has it that the Hopper design is inspired by a British Marine Captain who sent in his beat-up Bedale jacket to have it reinforced with cordura nylon to put up with his hardy wearing. And being the anglophile that I am, I'm geeking out over these updated designs from the one of the select companies that outfits the Royal Family.

Jack Spade shares my obsession with goods that are just as sharp as they are usable. If a jacket is tricked out but doesn't keep you warm and dry, what's the point? On the other side of the coin, there's no reason that function shouldn't have beautiful form. This collection took forethought and creative thinking, and now that it's finally here, it makes all the sense in the world. (In this gear, I can imagine   hunting pheasants in dewy Missouri fields just as well as trudging across soggy British moors.)

So! Come by and have a drink with us. It'll be an informal affair—and opportunity to connect over  damn fine products from two damn fine companies.

The vitals:

6–8 p.m. // Thursday, Sept. 13

Jack Spade (47 E. Oak Street)

RSVP: oakstreet@jackspade.com

See you there!

MIDWESTYLE: Young Folks

This summer, an itinerant photographer from Birmingham, AL, found himself in Chicago. His name was Rob Culpepper, and like good photographers do, he started documenting whatever struck his curiosity in the cityscape. His talent and and thoughtful eye were immediately apparent, and we quickly folded him into our ragtag band of Logan Square rabble-rousers. It goes without saying that we were sad to see him head South at summer's end like a migrating bird. But before he left, he set up a series of  meaningful portrait sessions with those of us who stayed behind.

For now, we'll let these pictures speak for themselves. But Seth will chime in with more on Rob and his story next week.

One of my finds over in Europe this past year was this "Little People" shirt by Folk at their Brick Lane store in London. You know the drill: When you travel and love the city, the people and the beat of the drum, you want to bring back something that reminds you of your time in that place. (Cue collective "awww.") I really dig Folk's aesthetic in that they make simple clothing with playfully quirky details, like two little tribal people holding hands in random placement.

On Jeff: "Little People" overshirt by Folk; short-sleeve chambray button-down chambray by Apolis; cargo trousers by Levi's; watch by Timex; chunky wingtips by Walk-Over Shoes.

Photography by Rob Culpepper.

GIVEAWAY: Win A Custom Suit From Indochino

Hey, you. Yeah, you.

We've got some news. Indochino is coming to Chicago to throw its Traveling Tailor pop-up. And they want you there.

We're betting you've heard the name by now. But if you haven't, Indochino is an online company that makes custom suits based on your personal measurements. The result is a garment that fits like a glove. The process works pretty smoothly, but purists have scoffed about the fact that you don't go in for measurements or fittings. We get that—if you measure incorrectly, alterations (or worse) can be a pain in the ass.

It turns out that Indochino gets this, too. So, they're coming to town to take all the guesswork out of the equation. If you've held off because of unfamiliarity with how to measure, or just plain apprehension, this is your chance to get a closer look.

Here's how this will work: The Indochino team is setting up shop in Union Station's Great Hall from August 14 to 20. There, they'll take your measurements and walk you through a suite of customizations from lapels to lining to monograms.

The Vital Info:

When: Tuesday, August 14 to Monday, August 20. (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Where: The Great Hall at Chicago's Union Station (210 S Canal St)

How: Walk-ins are welcome, but they're also offering a free suit utility kit when you purchase a suit after an appointment.
So: Book an appointment here.

We've been fascinated by the world of online custom suits for a while now, and we're just getting our feet wet. We tried a similar company ourselves, and we were blown away by the results. It certainly sold us on the gospel of custom clothing. Our friend Zach went the Indochino route for his wedding. And we gotta say: He looked like a million bucks.

But now, we'd like to hear what your experience is like—and you've got the chance to show us.

Here's the perk for you: We're hooking up one of you lucky dogs with a free suit from Indochino's "Essentials" collection. That's a $379 value. There are just a couple of rules.

• You've obviously gotta be able to get yourself to Chicago sometime between August 14 and 20.
• Tell us why you need this suit and how you're going to put it to good use. Do this by tweeting your answer to us @themidwestyle with the hashtags #SuitUpCHI and #MWSgiveaway (so we can get a bird's-eye  view of the entries.) It's important that we can get a hold of you so we can set you up with an appointment.
• One entry per person. We'll pick a random winner and get you outfitted.
• Contest ends on Sunday (August 12) at 11:59 p.m.

It also can't hurt to do some liking on Facebook (Midwestyle; Indochino) and some following on Twitter (@themidwestyle; @indochino). Good luck!

midweSTYLE: Whiteout

Few pieces in a man's arsenal are more divisive than white denim. 

There are two sides of the fence—and few people are actually on the fence itself. Dudes either love white denim, or they hate it. I fall on the former side, obviously. That said, I've had conversations with guys who tend to stay away from the white for fear of a painful amount of upkeep. But, perhaps there's a mental shift that needs to be had. Listen...

You guys remember when you got your new kicks at the beginning of the school year, right? As boys, we all feared that if those snow-white Converse All-Stars got a speck of playground dust on or around their perfectly pure uppers, that cute girl who sat at the desk next to you would not shoot you a second glance and all of third grade would be an ultimate failure. But, if you remember correctly, you ended up wearing those pristine kicks to a muddy kickball game a few weeks later and still managed to get playground-married to Elizabeth during recess. 

Point being: White stuff was never really meant to stay white.

I tend to treat white denim as a kind of blank canvas that's supposed to be painted. The more specks they get, the better. In fact, I want them to be pretty disgusting when it's all said and done. Am I going to try to remove stains? No. Am I even going to try to prevent them in the first place? Probably not. The dingier they get, the more character they've got. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going rub myself down with sod or intentionally dump a cup of coffee on them. But life happens.

Yes, if they start to smell bad, I'll wash them, relax.

Yes, you can wear them after Labor Day. The guy who said you couldn't was a Communist, and he didn't even own anything white.

Also, Indys in the summertime is okay, too. Maybe I should be wearing Vans or Tretorns, but I can't take these things off. 

On Cameron: "The Paulie" chambray shirt by Baldwin Denim; tri-blend tank top by American Apparel; double O-ring belt by Narragansett Leathers; "The Henley" in white by Baldwin Denim; Indy boots by Alden; "Preston" eyeglasses by Warby Parker; submariner watch by Military Watch Co.

Photography by Jarred Donalson

midweSTYLE: Desert Boots Resoled

So, after a little over two years, I wore a hole straight through the crepe sole of my Clarks desert boots. After a round of violent weeping and gnashing of teeth, I was prepared to hold a burial service, or another memorial of similar gravitas. These felt like the boots I became a man in, or something. 

While the term "essential" is egregiously overused, desert boots are one of a handful of items that actually deserve the title. They go with damn near everything, and I found myself wearing them almost every day for a year or so—a default for my feet. Thus, when they were finally unwearable, I was just short of devastated. 

Then came the decision. Do I pitch them? Buy a new pair? Do I spring for a resole? WHAT DO I DO NOW?

What it really came down to was whether I should re-support Clarks, who was probably going to just fine if I didn't, or whether I should put money toward a local cobbler to hook me up with a new sole. 

In that light, the answer made itself abundantly clear. 

Tucked away in the shadows of the Francis Quadrangle's infamous columns, on 8th Street in Columbia, Missouri, sits a little shop called Dawson's Shoe Repair. I had walked by countless times, never giving the unassuming brick storefront a second thought—that is, until I wore a hole in the sole of one of my most beloved possessions. 

Inside, I was greeted by a friendly man named Bob who took my Clarks, offered me a slew of resoling options, and promised to do his best with the monster ripple soles I had chosen. Bob, who has worked at Dawson's since he completed his service in the Air Force in 1971, made quick work of my order and after a few days, I had fallen back in love with my old, worn-out desert boots. When it was all said and done, the price tag came to $75 to have my well-loved boots resurrected with a patina and sole that I don't think you'll find anywhere else. Compare that to the $100 I might have spent on a pair of new boots, and I'd say I came out with the better end of the deal.

The only task left is to find a fitting nickname. Suggestions welcome.

On Cameron: "The Henley" in California wash by Baldwin Denim; green waffle henley by Old Navy; striped shirt by Steven Alan; submariner watch by Military Watch Co.; whiskey tortoise "Preston" eyeglasses by Warby Parker; desert boots by Clarks, resole by Bob Wood at Dawson's Shoe Repair. 

Photography by Jarred Donalson.

SUNDAY LINEUP: Dose Market

Just checking in quickly to say: Come hang out with us at Dose Market on Sunday. Seth will be working alongside Max Wastler (All Plaidout) at the booth he's running for Buckshot Sonny's limited edition "Kamp Kit."

Here's an exclusive first look at the patch design for Buckshot Sonny's forthcoming dopp kit with Winter Session. It's based on the model Max took to summer camp as a kid. Says Max: "At mine, they spelled it 'Kamp.' We nod to that with our Kamp Kit, debuting at Dose this Sunday, June 24th."

If you're not familiar, Buckshot Sonny's is an online shop that sells vintage sporting goods, and we're huge fans. It's run by Max and our good friend Joe Gannon, both of whom you see in top illustrated form below:

Illustration by Christine Mitchell of N'East Style.

Seeing as today's Friday, here's some other stuff you should know about from around the 'Net:

• Lord Westbrook, fashion icon, strikes again (via @si_vault)
• Our dear friend Marta Willcox took a trip to Milan, where her uproarious husband, Jono, snapped these guerilla street style shots.
• An interview revealing some of Warby Parker's secrets to success.
• GQ weighs in on the best denim picks around the country.
• Sharp selects some of the best curent #menswear blogs.

And as always, check out these rad deals from Huckberry:

• Surf-inspired sunglasses from Raen Optics (take 30%)
• High-end swim trunks from NYC's Onia (take 60%)
• Linen beach blankets from Go-Throw (take 20%)
• Handcrafted wood beer coolers and wine barrels from Cold Creek Brewing (take 10%)
• Brick-sized military-inspired soap bars from Duke Cannon (take 20%)
• Home beer-brewing kits from Craft-A-Brew (take 20%)

Now go take on the weekend. We'll see you at Dose!

midweSTYLE: Stripes, chambray, cobalt.

I was never one to gravitate toward hoodies growing up, mainly because they were never long, trim or interesting enough. 

I liked the idea of having a track jacket but never could commit to it because my ideas of track jackets were attached to the ones everyone wore in high school with logos plastered on them. I've been down that road before and had vowed to not retrace my steps. 

Photography by John Stoffer

However, A.P.C., the notorious cult label of simple Parisian basics, caught my eye this past winter. 

Part track jacket, part hoodie: all cool and minimal. Perfect for that finishing touch year-round, really.

E-props to David Lynch for paving the way for this nearly Victorian-era hairstyle. Thanks, bro.

Tortoise shell frames from Warby Parker, my new jam.

The idea of the uniform has been on our minds (Seth's work from home, mine from late winter, early spring), and you can easily turn this into a summer version with stripes, chambray and bright colors.

• If you have to wear pants (boo), hate your legs for whatever reason, are that guy who doesn't wear shorts in the summer time (seriously, bro?), need a great knock-around summer chino or JUST NEED A PAIR OF CHAMBRAY PANTS, I highly recommend the "Jorn" trouser by Club Monaco.
• If you need a pair of sneaks that 1) pack a little punch, 2) are actually comfortable, and  3) don't want to spend over $100 that you're gonna stink up this summer, Tretorn Nylites might be up your alley as well.
• If you desire a little change up from your pocket tee, aren't sure what to wear instead of a polo shirt but want to look pulled together, or think you already have enough striped tees (never true), reach for some stripes.

On Jeff: Hooded zip-up jacket by A.P.C.; striped tee by Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen (here's a similar one); straight-leg chambray "Jorn" trouser by Club Monaco; red Nylite sneakers by Tretorn; gimlet tortoise "Preston" eyeglasses by Warby Parker.

Photography by John Stoffer

You're the boss, applesauce.