Woodland: Part 2

Over the holidays, we got a chance to catch up with Grant and spin the camera around on him.

Here's what we dig and appreciate about Grant's style: nothing flashy, neutral colors and quality digs.

He's got a sense of style with a classic look with workwear influences. You can still look sharp and put together without drawing excessive attention to yourself with clashing patterns, mixing prints or some obnoxious accessory that screams loudly for attention.

This is coming from me...I know, I know. I'm preaching to myself considering my outfits usually include one of the things listed above, but there are days that I just want to blend in the crowd and fly under the radar. But what's under the radar is quality shit that's a long time. You know, cry once. Save your pennies and consider investing in a tough Barbour jacket, sturdy leather boots and some nice pants you won't regret for the sake of a trend. Give thought to the substantial.

On Grant: Quilted brown moleskin jacket by Barbour; the "Reed" duck canvas pant by Baldwin Denim; brown leather Iron Ranger boots by Red Wing; camp socks by J.Crew.

Photography by Jeffrey Kieslich.

midweSTYLE: West Bottoms, two.

Cam made several great points about thrifting: If you're an avid thrifter, you often time buy something because it's so cheap and it may fit a little sloppy. You know, you slip it on and think of all the ways you could make it perfect but never end up doing it. Even though that $2 blazer almost fit correctly, you still needed to let out the sleeve and take in the waist, but it just sits in your closet. The whole tailoring thing for me, well....I would rather save the time and money when I can and just spend a little more. 

Plus, does anybody have a great tailor? Let us know if you do (anywhere in the Midwest, but especially in KC or Chicagoland.) We'd love to publish a list on the site. We've been receiving a handful of inquiries lately, and we've been slacking on that front.

Furthermore, my two recent purchases were a little impromptu but definitely filled a void in my closet, especially my winter essentials. I needed a tweed blazer and a pair of thick pants for the Chicago winter.

So, while picking up some last minute gifts for my sisters and mother down on the Plaza in Kansas City, I strolled into Standard Style wearing my J.Brand cargo pants and walked out wearing the duck canvas "Reed" pant by Baldwin Denim. Yeah, it happened. I was that guy that wore the clothing out of the store because I loved it so much. So warm and substantial for this not-so-nauseatingly cold Chicago winter we're having that I don't even need to throw on my retired running tights on underneath.

 

And then if the stars align and your step has that pep, you walk into Barney's on day when a sale is happening. My guy at Barney's helped me find exactly what I was looking for that day. "I need a tweed blazer, and I'm don't want to get it it tailored."

Shout out to Riley at Barney's on Rush Street in Chicago for being a boss and knowing what I needed: Harris tweed, two-button, dope fabrication and phenomenal fit. And it was on sale.

Whammy.
Sold.

Extra credit: It was A.P.C., one of my favorite labels. Size small, any season, any pant or shirt, fits like a glove. Gotta love that consistency between seasons with the label. You're a genius and fascinating, Jean Touitou. (See also: WSJ interview, Jean's Rules of Style from Details, Interview Magazine.)

On Jeff: Two-button "Harris Tweed" blazer (Barney's, sale $260 reg. $580) by A.P.C.,; denim shirt (thrifted, $2); Timex weekender watch (Amazon, $20) with colored strap ($10) from J.Crew; the duck canvas "Reed" pant ($158) by Baldwin Denim; chocolate suede "8878" boots by Red Wing; skinny Giles & Brother railroad spike cuff ($50); sterling silver southwest inspired bracelet; deadstock copper bracelet that looks like a Cartier that girls keep on trying to steal from me but I say, "Hell nah, shawty;" black-framed glasses by Gant Rugger.

Shout out to our homeboy, Grant Heinlein, for goofing off with us for a day in Kansas City, photographing us jerks and enjoying some badass BBQ later in the day.

Street Style: Tuesday in Wicker Park

A quick little street style update courtesy of Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style. 

There isn't anything particularly exciting about my outfit, especially for my general thrust for anything obnoxious or questionable. However, take a closer look at the jacket.

A recent find at Barney's, the Harris Tweed A.P.C. (although Context carries this) blazer has quickly became my favorite fall/winter wardrobe piece. The different colors woven in this badboy are beautiful. It's easy to pair with denim for a casual look. Or I pair it with another color trouser or button down that is woven throughout the jacket, like the rich burnt orange/brown, purple and blue. A definite investment piece, sure. Worth it though.

On Jeff: Grey Harris Tweed blazer by A.P.C.; grey crewneck sweatshirt by Jack Spade, thrifted purple madras shirt by GANT; blue cotton scraggly scarf by rag & bone; thrifted two-tone knapsack; beloved dark wash 11.5 oz slim "Henley" with stretch no wash for 2 years by Baldwin Denim; chocolate suede boots by Red Wing; black framed glasses by Gant Rugger.

Thanks again, Amy. You're a sweet and talented friend who's also got some wacky style. 

Also, Can we pause and talk about this bookshelf print top? I want that in a button down.

midweSTYLE: Renegade

Remember when you that uncool guy in your high school was, well, uncool until he turned 16 and bought an Acura and pimped it out with lights and shit and then became "cool"?

Well, that's not how I felt nor was I ever that guy. But I do want to just pimp out this jacket with hoods and zip-in vests. Ok, I've already said pimp twice in this paragraph. Let's pretend like I didn't and just watch another episode of "Pimp My Ride."

Breaking in the Baldwins.

Also, the best part about the hood is the copper wire that is embedded around the edge of the hood, so you can pry that puppy around your sweet little face and it won't fly back when the wind/haters are in your face.

Christmas came early with J.Crew's Black Friday sale.
As well as this past weekend's Renegade Craft Fair over in Wicker Park.
Loads of goodies to be found and bought.

Above: This summer, it was leather on the wrists. For now, it's metal.

On Jeff: "Bedale" waxed jacket with snap-on hood by Barbour; obnoxious button-down by Gant Rugger; glasses by Gant Rugger; the slim-straight "Henley" selvedge by Baldwin Denim; "8878" moc boot by Red Wing. Accessories: Canvas tote by Filson; Timex "Weekender" with bright yellow nylon strap; brass Giles & Brother railroad spike cuff; sterling silver arrow cuff; deadstock latch bracelet with holes.

Photos by Carolina Mariana Rodriguez.

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.

HAVE: red wing boots

It was literally my lucky day as I strolled into Halls (downstairs) looking to clean up on some stagnant fall & winter sales.  Low and behold, a pair of Red Wing 8878 Lifestyle Java boots were the last ones left in my size.
  Regular: $235, Sale: $78

I somehow had made it through this winter so far without a pair of great boots. I mean, I've got an old beat up pair that look dope from the many years that my dad wore them. However, I wanted a pair of my own, some that I could break in myself. These are a staple in your wardrobe, gentlemen. Go look right now because the winter sales are closing soon with the sizes being snatched up.