How to Tie a Bow Tie

Always settle for Shell or Mother of Pearl Buttons

When buying a shirt, always insist for shell buttons, or if you could, mother of pearl buttons. Afterall, you are paying for it! Plastic ones break too easily.

Asian Gentleman by Alexander Mechow

A photographer’s work on an Asian gentleman.

Visit Alexander Mechow here: http://alexander-mechow.de/deutsch/106/12/12/162038/design1.html

History of Shortened Trousers

A Visual History of Shortened Trousers from GQ

Got a Penny?

A pair of Crockett & Jones penny loafers purchased from Tassels ( A shop in landmark based in Hong Kong)

Taken from History of a Shoe: Penny Loafers

“The penny loafer originated in the 1930s when loafers of several varieties were fashionable as men’s and women’s shoes. Somewhat unbelievably, this fashion started with the Spaulding company when they produced shoes styled after those of Norwegian dairy farmers that had appeared in an article in Esquire Magazine. However, it wasn’t until a few years later that the penny entered the equation.

In trying to add his own unique stamp to the popular loafer, John Bass began producing loafers he called Weejuns that had a strap across the top of the shoe for style purposes, as a loafer is traditionally defined by having no buckles or laces. This strap had a split design that was supposed to look like a pair of lips. This opening in the strap was soon used as a way to add a decorative touch to the usually simple loafer and small objects, such as pennies, were often placed there. A stylistic embellishment that had once been peculiar to Bass’s shoes became synonymous with an entire fashion.

When pay-phones were still ubiquitous and hadn’t yet been raised to a quarter, the penny loafer was often the source of funds for an emergency phone call home, especially for school-age children or teens on dates.

Penny loafers have been unique since their inception in that they have moved between both form and casual fashion and men’s and women’s fashion. Acceptable for both genders and viable with everything from a suit to jeans and even shorts, penny loafers have long made a smooth transition from work to play. The unique style of the vamp of the shoe that gives them their name has even been transplanted onto a high-heeled (and therefor non-loafer) version for women.

For men, the penny loafer has generally been worn without socks since the 1960s. This style was particularly popular then, and in the 1980s, where the penny loafer with a suit but no socks was emblematic of preppy fashion. It was seen commonly on style-leading celebrites of the time, such as Don Johnson of Miami Vice.

Women more commonly have worn their loafer with socks or stockings, but as bare legs, even with skirts, have become more acceptable for women, their loafers have also become fashionable as a sock-free shoe, at least in casual circumstances.

Despite its presence in many fads, the penny loafer is a simple, classic and understated shoe with practical, long-term fashion value.”

 

Post on an experience at “Tassels: The Gentleman Shoe Shop” to follow soon!

 

Regards,

TAG

Black Tie Basic

A look from a Black Tie Event

Typically, for a black tie event, a man wears a suit made of black or midnight blue wool. The jacket lapels and trouser braid are usually made of silk or another material that provides some form of contrast. Needless to say, a white shirt, a black bow-tie and black dress shoes are a must.

Pulling off a Glen Plaid Suit by Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren with his dog Rugby in 1998.

Ralph is seen pulling off a 6 x 2 double breasted suit that buttons right at the final button with narrow waist suppression. This creates a V-shaped look and the longer lapel elongates the body – suitable for people who are 5’7″ and below.

In my opinion, I think the sharpest range of Ralph Lauren suits belong to their black label range.

What to do with Glen Plaid?

I discovered a new liking for the glen plaid pattern and went ahead to make a pair at Joe’s Tailor (Located in Golden Shoe Carpark). A review on them will be done soon!

For now, here are some pictures of the Glen Plaid pants:

As this is my first pair of glen paid, I have chosen light brown as a background colour with a muted glen plaid design – one with thinner lines. This gives a subtle look from far and only upon closer inspection, one can see the glen plaid pattern

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitting of the Glen Plaid – Good tailors will always find time to help you do fitting for your pants. This is ensure that you do not end up with a too baggy or too skinny look.
Notice the pins along the leg. This is done to create a tapered look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good pants has to be paired with a good shoe. I found that in Ed Et Al’s latest shoe collection – The Rochor.
Ed Et Al – http://www.edetal.sg/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never forget to impose your own style – in this case, one of the belt loops has been fashioned with a button hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Till the next time. One Glen Plaid at a time.

Cheers!

The Asian Gentleman

email us at: theasiangentlemanblog@gmail.com

Something else other than a tie?

Some other ideas for neckwear

Source: Styleforum

The Number 1 Essential – The White Shirt

“Men who take their clothes seriously have their white shirts custom made. There’s a reason for that. The right shirt is the cornerstone of a man’s wardrobe. It’s the pristine anchor for a formal suit and crisp complement to a blazer and jeans. If you can retrace the steps of style icons like J.F.K., Gianni Agnelli, and Tom Wolfe and make a pilgrimage to one of the classic shirtmakers lining Jermyn Street in London, like Turnbull & Asser, Alexander Kabbaz in New York, or Charvet in Paris (if you can’t find the perfect white shirt at Charvet, it can’t be found). Select the style you want, keep the embellishments to a minimum – a custom-made white shirt doesn’t need pockets and monograms- and order more than one. When you’re scanning your closet at the crack of dawn for a fast way to look sharp, you’ll be thankful” – Details, Men’s Style Manual