midweSTYLE: Bridge II

Jeff's post a few weeks ago got me thinking about my own fall uniform. The ensemble that automatically pops into my mind when I get out of bed in the morning. This is what I came up with. It's not necessarily limited to these exact pieces, but they do represent the basic formula. It goes something like this: plaid shirt, shawl-collar cardigan, and a lightweight jacket on top of denim and boots. The variations are endless. Nonetheless, this is perhaps my favorite.

If I could, I would be completely content with only wearing Gitman shirting, for the rest of my life. The fit and details are spot on (their mediums are ideal), and every season seems to improve upon the last. There's a consistently wide array of fabrics and patterns - chambrays, oxfords, tartans. There's something strangely familiar about a Gitman Vintage shirt, like you're ninety-five percent sure you saw your dad wearing the same thing back in '74, but you can't be sure.

This service blazer by Apolis has been my go-to top layer for fall. I was turned on to Apolis a few summers back when they teamed up with Katin to produce some chambray board shorts. From there, my interest in the brand and their philosophy has only increased. If you've got the time, take a moment to read up on their story and check out their new fall arrivals, which happens to include some beautiful Italian-crafted suiting. Truly a brand worth supporting and investing in.

These boots were a gift from my dear friend Travis Craig. And get this, he gave these to me on his birthday. If he ever finds a pair of shoes or boots a size or so too big while thrifting, he grabs them anyway and then tells me hes got something I need to try on. Talk about generosity. It's thoughtful people like him that I aspire to be like and hope to be lucky enough to surround myself with. Thanks again, Trav. You're the man.

A NOTE ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: When she's not petting stray cats, tweeting in all caps, or rocking a quasi-middle part, Mallory Wiegers is busy working on her undergraduate degree in graphic design at the University of Kansas. She's a longtime friend and compadre. She's also a huge asset to the blog. That header up there - her doing. We're lucky enough to have her input and expertise at our disposal when it comes to all things design. She's currently working on some more projects for the Midwestyle, and considering her 21st was just a few short days ago, I'm sure she'll be reimbursed with pink champagne. Or kittens. Be sure to check her online portfolio and give her a follow on the Twitter machine.

On Cameron: chambray service blazer by Apolis; green plaid button down by Gitman Vintage; grey shawl collar cardigan by J. Crew, slim-straight selvedge denim by Wings + Horns; watch by Timex for J. Crew; vintage tracker boots; vintage belt.

Photography by Mallory Wiegers.

THE REPERTOIRE: Breakfast In Bed

We're excited to bring you the first installment in our four-part series on style and food. A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Blake Royer, who runs a site called The Paupered Chef. Over drinks at our regular spot off Fullerton Avenue, we philosophized that a man should master a few recipes—ready to call upon in any situation.

Starting today, Blake will produce a tiny cookbook of sorts for us. One recipe for each meal of the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. They'll be constrained by situation (e.g. lunch while working from home), budget (e.g. $5, or maybe what you've got in the fridge) and time (e.g. you've got 10 minutes to throw an elegant breakfast together before heading to work.)

Our inaugural post would have been impossible without the help of Hannah Lea, another new Chicagoan whose elegance and poise is already catching eyes all over town. She's got a site of her own that you should run—not walk—to check out. Hannah indulged us by agreeing to be part of the story, and it would have been a failure without her.

First up: Breakfast.

Last night was nuts. Between the dancing, the toasting and the unexpected requests to sing your famous rendition of that hit from the '60s, you're pretty sure your suit needs to be dry-cleaned. If you remember correctly, someone ended up in a fountain. But the time is now. You're wide awake, and after a quick glance at the beautiful woman beside you, you realize. You had planned to spend a leisurely day together. But that meeting—the one with the big client—is this morning.

This, of course, makes you seem like an asshole. This is the classic dash. But in this case, it's no excuse; it's the way it is. Missing this one isn't an option. How do you explain yourself? With breakfast in bed. You slip out from beneath the covers and heat the pan.

Introducing your new go-to: the French omelette.

The French have this concept of "to taste." Just enough to get the flavor of the thing. It's the opposite of the American way. It's to savor, not to be full. And if she doesn't like breakfast—if she doesn't like eggs—she shouldn't be in your home in the first place.

A few words from Blake about the art of the omelette:

The French omelette, unlike our American counterpart, isn't about the filling. In its pure state, there's nothing but eggs, salt and pepper. Done right, it's tender, elegant, understated, charming…everything you wish you were as a conversationalist. Making one requires technique. A bunch of gooey cheese and ham won't be there to help matters, so you just have to cook it well. No pressure.

It may sound counterintuitive, but cook yours first. Not only will it ensure hers is hot when you serve them, it will season the pan. Like pancakes, the second one is always better.

The technique I've settled on is to add a teaspoon of water for each egg, which hits the hot pan and immediately evaporates to lift the eggs and make the omelette fluffy. This is an exercise in timing. But judging from what it took to get you here, you're already a master of that. Unlike scrambled eggs—which are all about patience and coaxing—the omelette is a 30-second, high-heat affair. You can't hesitate. Pour in the eggs, never stop shaking the pan and have the coffee already made.

The French Omelette

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 grinds of fresh pepper
• 2 teaspoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (optional)

Time: 2–3 minutes (prep), less than 60 seconds to cook.

Budget: $1–2. These are ingredients you should have on hand always.

(Serves one. Repeat, but don't double, for two. Omelettes are cooked one at a time.)

1. In a mixing bowl or measuring jar, combine the eggs, salt, pepper, and water. Whisk vigorously to combine.

2. Heat a small skillet between 8 and 10 inches wide, preferably nonstick, over medium-high heat until drops of water dance on the surface. Add the butter, which will sputter and foam. When the foam subsides, and the butter just begins to color and smell nutty, add the egg mixture all at once.

3. Immediately, begin to shake the pan to distribute the eggs all over the surface and up the sides. Technique varies; some suggest pulling up the sides of the omelette and tilting the pan to let uncooked egg slide under, or using a spatula to gently break holes in the eggs to let uncooked egg run there. What's important is to never stop shaking the pan. It helps prevent any browning, a sign that the eggs are tough and you've overcooked it. Remember, it will keep cooking off the heat. If desired, sprinkle the interior of the omelette with herbs or a little sharp cheese.

4. Using a spatula, fold one side of the omelette one-third of the way toward the opposite side, like the first fold of a letter. Tip the omelette out of the pan with the folded side towards the plate, then roll it onto the dish so both sides are folded under. Serve immediately with buttered toast.

On Hannah Lea: Your Gitman Vintage oxford button-down.

On you: Hanes ComfortSoft tagless v-neck. Three for $11.

Thrifty Thursday: Broped

The sign in this photo summarizes many things:

• The chances of dating Cameron. Sorry ladies, he's already got a lady.
• The journey to find the dress shirt that fits perfectly off the rack.
• Seth's chance of finding shoes in his size.
• My hopes of finding a Starbucks that will put whatever I want in a Trenta.

While Seth was playing bridesmaid groomsman this weekend in Glen's wedding, Cam and I took our high school senior pictures drove around the streets of East Campus on his roommate's moped.

This shoot embodies our formula for menswear, blogging and style:
A lot of laughing, some Blue Steel and/or Magnum, and a little spooning for dear life on the back of a two-wheeled murdercycle.

Cameron: Jeff and I were trying to play off the classically American motorcycle feel in this shoot. Unfortunately, we didn't have, say, a Triumph Bonneville on hand. We did, however, have a moped (read: scooter). It tops out at a little over 35 mph... downhill. Masculinity? Stripped. Dignity? Somehow, still intact. Needless to say, Jeff and I underwent a bonding experience unlike any other.

You know what I love about mopeds? You can wear whatever you want because you already look a little out of place riding the damn thing. Riding a moped is a lot like going to Vegas; you can wear whatever you want and everybody nobody judges you for it. Right? Probably not.
You get the point though? Probably not.

Rudd approves of riding doubles. I love you, Cam Man.

Photography by the moped owner himself and roommate, Zach McSpadden.

On Jeff: Confetti white button down ($70 sale in NYC) by rag & bone; indigo striped "Mickey" shorts (sale $30) by Club Monaco; tan circular sunglasses courtesy of Topman; tassel loafers (thrifted, $4) by Allen Edmonds.

On Cam: Plaid button-down (retail, $65) by J. Crew; army-green "Enlisted" chinos (UO, sale $20) by Penny Stock; military "Weekender" watch (online, $40) by Timex; eBay'd black Florsheim PTBs (eBay, $25); copper cuff (eBay, $4).

midweSTYLE: Lost

Some of you are probably thinking, "Who is this guy again?" After all, it must feel like you haven't seen me in a month of Sundays. Where have I been, you ask? Long story short, I spent about four weeks in the smokey hills of North Carolina, making new lifelong friends and perusing the city of Asheville in a 12 passenger van. It was an incredible joy, but I'm also pumped to be back in Kansas City, at the Midwestyle office. And no, that doesn't actually exist. Or does it?

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The newest additions to my closet are a few Gitman Vintage shirts that I scored at a freshly opened Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas. With the combination of some opening-event special discounts and a few other tricks, I ended up scoring two for about a hundred dollars. Considering they both retail for around $165 per, it felt like Christmas. Or my birthday. Or like I was stealing something.

My favorite part about wearing or using something over and over again is to see how well it ages. My Vans, Baldwin Denim, and Duluth Pack are all developing their own characteristics that make putting them on or throwing it over my shoulder a different experience week to week, month to month. I love products that have the quality and longevity to take on a distinct life of their own (note: those are also the products I'm also willing to shell out more cash for). Sorry mom, I know I should be saving, or something like that (note #2: my mom reads the Midwestyle religiously. You da best, mom!).

In other, unrelated news, I lost my Timex and Corter for Japan bracelet somewhere in the state of North Carolina. That said, I find myself in between watches and without any leather on my wrist, the feeling of which, I must say, I had grown quite fond of. The search has begun for replacements. Like this. And this. More suggestions are welcome.

LASTLY: Because I feel like things are meant to be shared.

On Cameron: Kurabo 77's (Standard Style, $198) by Baldwin Denim, size 31; s/s madras shirt (Saks OFF 5th @ Legends Outlets, over 50 percent off) by Gitman Vintage, size medium; Authentics (online, $40) by Vans, size 10; "Preston" eyeglasses (online, $95) by Warby Parker; waxed canvas "Wanderer" backpack (online, $215) by Duluth Pack; ratty woven belt (thrifted, $4)

Photos by my good friend Jarred Donalson

STREET midweSTYLE: Daniel in Leawood

Meet Daniel.

He's the Brand Manager of Baldwin Denim in Kansas City, Missouri.

Daniel is one of the gentlemen who have been mentors, friends and upstanding fellows in my life. A stand-up guy who is passionate about leading people, companies and brands—and doing it well with integrity and honesty. He's one of the guys who's helped nourish my own passions and dreams, menswear and blogging aside.

And he's a man of classic style with subtle details that add a nice touch to his look.

On Daniel: Trim cotton navy blazer by Shipley and Halmos; oxford-cloth button-down by Gitman Brothers; penny loafers by Sperry Topsiders; Navy and red European ribbed surcingle by Torino; repp tie from Dad's closet; "The Henley," California wash by Baldwin Denim.

Photography by Jeff Kieslich

midweSTYLE: Tee time

Because I had to make some tough sartorial decisions for the advancement of my manhood, I decided to leave all of my pashminas and scarves back in Kansas City. So like any older brother would do, I bestowed those gifts on my younger sister, because let's be honest: Most of these scarves had some kind floral pattern or brocade print on them that could have easily passed as something you would get from XXI, not the antique stores, swap meets and coastal vendors like where I had originally acquired them.

I thought, I'm moving to a big city. I'm not a dirty, liberal-arts undergrad who spends his days engaged in philosophical debate, chain-smoking Parliaments outside of Kaldis or killing pitchers of Fat Tire at Shakespeares anymore! No more scarves! No more chain-smoking! And certainly no more deep V-necks!

So I did—I left my beloved scarf collection back home for my sisters to adorn themselves.

But then I forgot how much I dig a scarf around my neck. Hetero-normative masculine sartorial presuppositions aside, I like scarves. And you know what, that's okay.

What are you thoughts on the scarves? Rather, scarves with ties?

I snagged this feather suede LANVIN Paris blazer at Seek Vintage on Chicago, just west of downtown. I was surprised and relieved to finally find a "vintage" store that actually had vintage apparel that was well-curated. Unlike other locations that heaping mounds of shit under the notion of the place being a "vintage" retailer, Seek Vintage curates housewares, apparel, accessories and a cornucopia of goods from all over the world. The staff is friendly, and the store is thoughtfully merchandised. I've visited a handful of times already and still have yet to walk away empty handed. I like this place.

Camel-colored suede blazer (Seek Vintage, $15) by LANVIN Paris, size 38; green-striped, button-down oxford (eBay, $18) by Gitman Bros., medium; "The Henley" 11.5-ounce dry selvage (Standard Style, $198) by Baldwin Denim, size 28; brown leather "Wallabees" (Cargo Largo, sale $40; reg. $120) by Clarks, size 11; plaid tie (thrifted, $1); golf club tie bar (thrifted, $3); coral wool scarf courtesy of rag & bone; red replacement shoelaces (J.Crew, $2); ex-roommate's dad's friend's brown leather briefcase (gift!).

Photos by Seth Putnam.

midweSTYLE: Cords and Ralph

This week has consisted of rain, sleeping on the ever-so-unfortunate blow-up air mattress that is currently my bed, booze, more sleeping on my ever-so-unfortunate blow-up air mattress that is currently my bed, and work.  The good news is however is that today is pay day. Which means I can order all of those  (un)necessary items that have been stock piling up in my Amazon.com shopping cart, such as this mattress, steamer and this t-shirt.

But while we're on the subject of necessary items, an umbrella is one of them. 

This should be probably featured under "Thrifty Thursday" because that same "ex-roommate who gave me their dad's friend's briefcase" also gave me this leather-handled, khaki Ralph Lauren umbrella. This umbrella probably cost more than a student loan of mine and I'm okay with that.

Much like Cam, I'm a boots and blazer kind of guy.

  

Brown "8878" suede boots (Halls, sale $78) by Red Wing Shoes, size 11; khaki "RB15-X" corduroy  trousers (Haberdash, $50) by Rag & Bone, size 30; leather and brass belt ($4.99) by J.CREW, size 30; green-striped oxford cloth button down (eBay, $15) by Gitman Brothers, medium; thrifted school-boy tartan tie ($1.99); thrifted grey and blue check wool vest ($4.99); grey sportcoat (Halls) by Billtornade, small; leather-handled khaki umbrella (ex-roommate's dad's friends) by Ralph Lauren.

RENT MONEY: Spring Digs

A note on the the "rent money" category: This is what we'd likely spend our cash on if we didn't have to pay to keep roofs over our heads. Or if we had a family fortune to squander. Or if we had one of those McDonald's play pits that, instead of party balls, was filled with dollar bills. File these items under "want." But stick around—you'll find a workable solution at the end of this clothing lust. (Twist!)

Spring is tapping on the door right now. Pretty soon she'll be knocking, and eventually she'll be kicking it in. In preparation, I've accumulated some of my favorite items for this upcoming spring, most of which are way out of my price range. For right now, we'll call them sartorially aesthetic pieces of inspiration.

Gitman Vintage Linen and Chambray Shirt - £119 (~ $193.65) via endclothing.co.uk

Woolrich Woolen Mills Chambray Shorts - $169 - via shopwharf.com

Yuketen - $300+ - via Context Clothing

Penfield - $150 - via penfieldusa.com

Jean Paul Gaultier - $75 - via openingceremony.us - I mean,

it's gonna rain, and you're gonna need an umbrella, right?

See what I mean about out of my price range? Let's do some quick math. Those five items? Pushing $900. Last I checked, I didn't have that kind of wampum to drop on one set of clothes. But here's how I hacked the system:

You don't have to toss 9 Benjamins out the window to get this look. Take the shorts, for instance. Front cargo pockets are gaining popularity, and for good reason—they're functional (cargo is such an ugly word though). Anywho, if you've got an old pair of pants that goes without wear these days, find a friend who knows how to sew (and preferably enjoys doing so). Have him or her cut and hem your pants into shorts, using the extra fabric to make front button pockets on the thighs, like the WWM shorts above - this obviously requires a few buttons. This allows you to control the length of your inseam and where the shorts will hit on your leg. Then, pass them 10 to 20 bucks for their hard work, and you've got a pair of dope shorts for spring.

Just an idea, but repurposing old stuff you've fallen out of love with will save you cash and give you something new at the same time. We currently have a pair under construction - photos to follow upon their completion.

midweSTYLE: Old Watertower, Chicago

Seth and I went looking for a suit with our friend Oliver, who's visiting from Kansas City. We talked about life and love and happiness—ya know, much like the rest of us who are meandering through this twenty-something phase trying to find purpose. You would think finding a slim-fitting suit would be an easy task. However, we're trying to find one that isn't going to break the bank. Student loans and entry-level jobs don't help the situation, but you need a suit for the interview, son.

ABOUT THE LOOKS:
Oliver is decked out in all J.Crew except the 1901 saddle shoes by Nordstrom.

But, why ALL J.Crew?
Because J.Crew provides menswear apparel that is affordable, accessible and good-looking. That, and his house burned down a few months ago, forcing him to start his wardrobe over from scratch. J.Crew has played a large part in nailing the essentials.

It's still cold as hell (that doesn't make sense) in Chicago even as we are nearing the end of March. I wanted to be warm but still have some compartments to carry my wallet, keys, chapstick and iPhone.

But can't you just carry those items in your pants like a normal person, Jeff?
You think I can fit a dime in this size 28 selvedge denim, let alone a wallet? Please.

To keep warm, I decided to rock the Patagonia Down Sweater under my thrifted J.Crew utility jacket. A little pop of red under my utility jacket—you know I dig it.

Jeff (left): Khaki utility jacket (thrifted, $6.99) by J.Crew, extra-small; down sweater (retail, sale $150) by Patagonia, small; green and white striped oxford (eBay, $20) by Gitman Bros Vintage; "The Henley" dry selvedge 14-ounce 'Karabo' fabric (Standard Style, $198) by Baldwin Denim, size 28; blue and green repp crest tie (thrifted, $1); cheap sunglasses I found in my car one day stole from Seth; blue suede bucks (Nordstrom, sale $44) by 1901.

Oliver (right): Grey utility shirt, small slim; wool University coat, small; Timex vintage field army watch; plaited blue cardigan, medium; Oxbow madras spring tie; 484 raw slim selvedge denim—all by J.Crew. Clubmaster sunglasses by Rayban; "Saddle Up" oxfords (Nordstrom, $99) by 1901, size 9.5.

Photography by Seth Putnam.

gitman brothers vintage spring 2011

I'm always open for something classic with a different take. And by that I mean, something that Gitman Brothers Vintage has done.

organic stripe button down from needsupply (photocredit)

Cam & I both own a Gitman Brother's Shirt. And cannot wait to pick up another for Spring. Dope design, cut & style. Not exactly in the budget, but definitely worth every penny if you count it for cost per wear. You can snag them on sale, if you're lucky. Or off eBay like we both did.