The Big Announcement – HODINKEE

Well, here is the big announcement: I have signed on as associate editor at HODINKEE. Click through to read more about HODINKEE’s relaunch, what you can expect to see from me over there, and what the future looks like for Simply Refined.

In Style

Meermin Mallorca Double Monks – Another Shoe Review

Well, it’s another shoe review. That’s what, two in two weeks? Meermin has been making major waves in the menswear scene lately. A few weeks ago I got in touch with Pepe Albaladejo in Mallorca and he was kind enough to send me a pair of double monkstraps and to give me an interview. Here are the results.

In Style

Coat Balance is Critical

I mean it. Coat balance is critical, and not just in one direction. There are a lot of factors that come into play when determining the proper balance of a coat, and if something is off it can ruin an entire look. Here are the basics.

In Style

Ed Et Al Custom Butterfly Loafers, A Review

You may remember a while back Ed Et Al offered to treat me to a pair of custom butterfly loafers. Now, two months later, the finished shoes have arrived. I’ve unboxed them, given them the once over, and here are my thoughts.

In Style

Staying Tailored, Staying Cool

Just because it’s hot out doesn’t mean you need to give up the tailored clothing for t shirts and bermuda shorts. On the contrary. Tailored clothing, when done right, can help keep you cool on even the hottest days. Here are my dos and don’ts for buttoning up in the heat.

In Culture

Starting School, Reading Treatises

Posted by: Stephen on Sep 3, 2010 | One Comment

Classes started up again this week, so I apologize for keeping this short (and hopefully sweet).

In Style

Brooks Bros. Brushes Up

Posted by: Stephen on Sep 1, 2010 | No Comments

The other day I was flipping through the mail, and was shocked when I stumbled upon the new Brooks Brothers catalog for Fall. It wasn’t getting the catalog that shocked me (I get more clothing-related mail than any sane human being should), but rather what I found on the cover and inside. Everything looks so….modern.

In Style

Fred Astaire…what a softie!

Posted by: Stephen on Aug 27, 2010 | No Comments

Earlier this week, I was watching “Top Hat,” arguably Fred Astaire’s most well-known and well-liked film, and fell in love all over again with soft tailoring. I haven’t really watched much Astaire since my love-affair with tailoring began, but the way he wears those drape-cut suits is just miraculous.

In Culture, Travel

Summer White Out – Maison Martin Margiela

Posted by: Stephen on Aug 25, 2010 | 2 Comments

Before departing London for another semester of university back in the States, I had a day or two to do those things I spent all summer saying would get done tomorrow. Pretty close to the top of the list was checking out the Maison Martin Margiela retrospective at Somerset House.