Buck(le) Up

Dress belt straps for engine turned buckle: top and bottom 1 1/8' straps from belts.com, middle is alligator.

To round out the "Weekend Wardrobe" and the forthcoming "Wear to Work" posts are a collection of belt buckles and straps collected over time. While none of them date back to the Civil War, their vintage is noted in parenthesis.

Belts Clockwise from 12:00.

• Engine Turned Slide: One of the best gifts I've ever received.
• Southern Outdoors: You may remember from THIS post (1986)
  
• Remington Derringer 1867 by Mattel: When my father got this as a 6th birthday gift it was a working cap-gun that actually shot plastic bullets. Collectors Item. (1959)
  
• Tall Ship: Worn during winter months while dreaming of being on the high seas of the Caribbean (1976)
  
• G. Dubya: In honor of my alma mater (1979)
  
• Soaring Eagle: Another inherited buckle, worn by my dad during his undergrad days at Tulane (Bergamont Brass Works)
  
• Mallards: Bronze L.L. Bean buckle received as a birthday present from AEV (1979)

And in the center:

• AMERICA: A token of gratitude by great friends for dog sitting their black lab.
  

Casual 1 1/2" belt straps: top - brown bison, bottom - black leather, middle - see below.

And, while I don't have a belt buckle with my name on it, I do have a tan leather strap embossed with a Smoky Mountain landscape and my first name.

SGStyle: Weekend Wardrobe

Alright, let's start this wardrobe rundown with the casual basics that have become something of a uniform:

• Bass Pro Shop: Camo cap, custom embroidered logo, last name on the back - done during a business trip to Nashville;
• Perlis: 1st one went missing in college, 2nd yellowed and frayed, 3rd is being broken in now;
• Saints: Wool, raised embroidery, fitted.
• Polo Oxford: Custom fit, all the colors, worn pressed and starched by night, patched and frayed by day;
• Patagonia Araveto: Light weight, slim fit, looks just a sharp as a merino cardigan, but as comfortable as cashmere.
• Levi's 514: Straight leg, low rise, perfect fit - stonewash by day, indigo by night;
• J. Crew Khaki's: Regular-fit essential chino - classic american staple.
• Clark Wallabees: They only get better with age;
• Bean Mocs: Worn year round in rain, sleet, snow and sunshine;
• New Balance 574: Inexpensive, long lasting, basic gray.

Add in either my quilted Eksdale or Beaufort Barbour and a tote or two and I'm in my element, comfortable and appropriate enough for just about any activity.

What defines y'alls weekend uniform? All sweats and fleece? Jeans and T's? Polos and chinos?

Clothes Horse

As a self described clothes horse, I've gone through more gear that I care to admit. Yet, over of the past few years all those clothes seem to have been whittled down to a well-edited wardrobe.

Across the coming months, I'll outline the key pieces that have built a pretty solid foundation for wherever life takes me and the conditions I face. I'm looking forward to hearing your own stories as I'm sure many of us share a common fondness for many of the classic items forthcoming.

Port Southern

The good gents over at Port Southern dropped a black Southern Heritage Polo in the mail for me and I gotta say I was impressed right away.

The pique cotton is the thickest I've ever felt and incredibly soft. The fit is on point - not too tight or too baggy and it hits someplace between a Lacoste (too short to tuck in) and an RL Polo (too long to leave un-tucked). Additionally, for all you golfers you'll totally dig the sleeves, as Steven shared with me, it's designed to hit just above the bend in your elbow.

Besides being entrepreneurs, the founders are also philanthropist with a portion of every sale going to the Pineapple Fund benefiting the High Point Community Foundation.

Now you know you can look good while doing good. www.PortSouthern.com


Thanks again to Steven and guys of Port Southern for sending a shirt my way and taking some time to discuss their company.

Barbour, Bean, Brooks & the Brolly

After a cold weekend with about 6" of snow and more expected tonight, trekking around the District has become a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience since rounding out the gear in the Winter Weather collection.

• Barbour Beaufort: New, unfortunately, but the correct size with warm pile lining and hood.
• Bean Boots: Venerable classics in 8" - from the fields in the fall to wet mess in the winter.
• Brooks Driving Cap: Do as your momma told you and cover your head as this Harris Tweed keeps the heat in and your noggin warm.
  
• Bean Hunting Tote: Used across the F/W months for making groceries, gear and guilty pleasures.
• Umbrella: Always be prepared with this plaid brolly.
• Fur Lined Gloves: Conspicuously absent from this photo, but damn fine and luxurious.

Here's to a snow day this week. And stay warm.

SGGuestPost: Mocs In The Mud

For quite some time L.A.S over at Sartorially Inclined has been prepping for the launch of "the Bean Boot Project" which went live last week with a stream of great images and stories about the beloved boot.

You can check out my guest post which went live yesterday, below and HERE. The rest of the Bean Boot Project can be found HERE.

After years having duck boots of all brands except by the venerable Maine outfitter, I finally decided to start my collection of the real deal with the Bean Moc. Living in the South we don't get that much snow, yet tons of rain year round and figured I would wear them with shorts during summer thunderstorms, tromping around the country in the fall, through inch high snow in the winter and muddy puddles during spring showers.

Shortly after the Mocs arrived from Bean in the spring of 2005, horrible rain showers fell on Charlottesville, VA making Foxfield Races a muddy mess. Together with my friend Pamela, this picture was snapped to capture the moment. I remember it as the first of many fond memories I've shared not only with good friends, but my L.L.Bean Bean Boot Mocs.

Tag Your It

As you may remember from Hunt Club: The Kit back in October, I had to go on quite the hunt to find the right gear for the start of pheasant season.



When the Cabela’s vest arrived, I took one look at the tag and knew it was the right one; full canvas, over 500 sq inches of blaze, bellow pockets and tri-load game pouch.


But it was the well designed tag that reinforced the value of the product; compelling copy, accuracy of the line drawings and pictures that captured the mystique of upland shooting.


Image Credit: Cabela's

Bean Mocs & Wool Socks

There are many indicators that we are right in the middle of Autumn and Winter is just weeks away - Halloween has past, the football season is in full swing, the leaves along Rock Creek Parkway are shades of orange, yellow and red, and the temperature is crisp during the day and cool at night.

But the real indicator for me is when the temperature drops enough that I can wear Bean mocs and wool socks.

I got these as gift last Christmas and while I too couldn't ever get the bows to stay tied, I refused to double-knot them and cut off the excess. Remembering those Eastland Bluchers I had as a kid with the barrel knots, this would be the perfect solution (clearly not alone, L.A.S seems to feel the same way).

Knot Credits: Thanks to Ledlie for tackling the blood/barrel knots in the wee hours of a celebratory Friday night.

Hunt Club: The Kit

Last year's hunt was on private property in Georgia, requiring not much more than a swatch of blaze and some boots - both pretty easy to manage. With a pheasant hunt in Connecticut this fall requiring a legit vest, brush pants, and 400 inches of blaze, I was surprised by the process of finding decent quality, moderatly priced gear.

From Cabela's, to Orvis, to Bass Pro Shop, to Ugly Dog, to many other vendors, it was more difficult than I expected given all the press hunting is getting this year.

After compiling recommendations, lots of research, and multiple purchases across the last few years, here's the collection I've acquired and endorse for upland hunting.

• Kevin's Single Patch Shooting Shirt

• Cabela's Upland Tradition Vest & Pant

• L.L. Bean 10" Bean Boots
  

• Orvis Hunters Blaze Orange Ball Cap

• Ray-Ban Aviator Outdoorsman

PULL!

Southern Outdoors

Found on eBay:

According to the seller it was made by The Great American Buckle Company in 1986. I'm not sure what I love more: the deer, the bass, the duck, the title OR the "fur" background.

I'm half tempted to bid and y'all can bid against me HERE.

Update: It's been changed to "Buy Now". Finders keepers...

Image Credit: Kentucky Rick

Autumn’s Return

This September, more so than I remember in the past, Autumn has arrived if on cue.

As the heat of summerdays spent at outdoor concerts, on the beach and in backyards bar-b-queing transitions into splendidly cool fall days with the slightest crispness in the air, I can't wait for what the months ahead have in store:

Fall's uniform of oxfords with cords and Levi's, cable knits and Shetland crew necks, and weather appropriate Barbours.

Saturdays and Sundays camped in front of the flat screen at our favorite watering hole watching College Gameday and Saints' victories.

And excursions out into the country, whether to harvest falls' offering of pumpkins and apples or sporting clays and upland hunts.

It's as if I can almost smell the spiced cider...

Party Pants

When reading posts' like Maxminimus or countless others, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I had no recollection of the term "GTH's" or "Go To Hell" Pants. And it had nothing to do with not having what they were talking about, as I've developed a small collection over the years (detail shown below):

However, it wasn't until our night out in Charleston when I was complimented on my "Party Pants" that I realized why I had never heard of GTH's - we never called them as such.

We love our Party Pants.

Not only do they set the mood for a good time whether at cocktails, tailgates, steeplechases, and/or summer soiree's but they let our friends, colleagues, women, buddies and enemies know we don't take ourselves too seriously and are confident enough to wear pink and green and plaid and our alma mater all over.

So next time you're about to pull on a pair of khaki chinos with that blue blazer and repp tie, consider putting them back and pulling out your Party Pants.

Here's a few of my finer moments:

Best. Shirt. Ever.

OCBD...4 Pastel Colors, Count 'em: Yellow, Mint Green, Oxford Blue, Violet... From RL... all in1 shirt

Mr. Bradley Charlesworth of Montgomery, AL is the proud owner of this preppy perfection and kindly shared the image above for this post (I added the well deserved frame). He told me years ago, if his memory served correctly, the coveted garment was bought down in Alabama at Belk's Department store.

I have scoured eBay, thrift stores, online sales and POLO.com and have come up with 'nuttin. The hunt for one in size 'M' or '15 1/2 - 33' continues...
UPDATE: Shortly after starting a draft of this post, AEV found the shirt on eBay for me - I watched, I bid & I won! Best. Shirt. Ever. Is on its way.

Image Credit: Bradley Charlesworth

Seersucker Thursdays

Seersucker Thursday's, like most traditions, started out of necessity here in The District. As the spring changed to summer and the humid, sticky weather set in, Southern senators would retire their black wool frock coats for seersucker, linen and cottons.

"Seersucker" from the Persian words milk and sugar, was created by a New Orleans clothier of blue and white striped cotton and become wildly popular because of its ease of washing after frequent wears.

However, with the addition of air-conditioning in the 1950's the regular rotation of seersucker became less prominent until the late 1990s when Mississippi Senator Trent Lott decided to revive the tradition by selecting a "nice and warm" day in the beginning of June he named "Seersucker Thursday."

Between Sonia Sotomayor's vetting process, the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, a tight time-line for health care legislation, it seems that there has been no official start of Seersucker Thursdays' this year, so I've gone ahead with it on my own by wearing my seersuckers in the office today.

Trent Lott said the reason for the day was to show “the Senate isn’t just a bunch of dour folks wearing dark suits and—in the case of men—red or blue ties.” With the growth of business casual attire, we may not be wearing as much dark suits, but you can show your colleagues a bit of charm and personality by "the wearing of the seersuckers" in your own office.

Start with a suit from one of these fine establishments:

Or if a seersucker suit is too much for you, how about just a piece to add a bit of the tradition to your wardrobe like this:
So whether you are Above Or Below the Line, I'd love to hear from y'all on this tradition - do you participate? If so how? What about white linen down in New Orleans? Or Nantucket Reds up in New England?

Image Credit: senate.gov

And the Rocket's Red Glare

This Independence Day, I'll be watching the "bombs bursting in air" (fireworks), at my buddy JJM's lake cabin above the line in New Hampshire.

I've been warned its considerably cooler up North than the previous July 4th's I spent at the beach, so the chance of wearing an American classic, the Polo shirt, Tucker Blair belt (started by an American entrepreneur) and Murray's Reds (eh hem, made in Georgia and authentically American) with Rainbows while dragging the Jolly Trolly (more on that in a future post) to the beach, only to sit on a super soft towel and read a great American novel based on a certain past First Lady, itsn't likely.

What is still likely to occur? A few sparklers, great all-American food - hot dogs, Miller Lites and maybe a root beer float - all while showing my pride wearing a tri-corner hat.

God Bless AMERICA!

Click on image for a clear view.

Polo Match

Over on LATENIGHTSHOTS.com (the invite-only social networking site on which the new CW show Blonde Charity Mafia is based), there has been a forum string debating the merits of all the different polo brands. Now, I know our friend Giuseppe would argue they're called "tennis" shirts, not "polo" shirts, but for today's sake let's stick with polo.

The majority of the companies' websites all proclaim different merits of their shirts, but what they all have in common is a pursuit to create their version of the perfect polo shirt.

I've tried on just about all profiled below and always come back to the original - the Classic Fit Polo by Ralph Lauren. Who do you choose?

THE OLD GUARD: the standard for which all are measured
Polo Ralph Lauren
Lacoste
Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece

MIDSHIPMEN: tried and true with regional followings
Perlis, New Orleans, LA
Ben Silver, Charleston, SC
Lilly Pulitzer, Palm Beach, FL

NEOPHYTES: their impression of an American classic
Dakota Martin
Green Lobster
Jimmy and Sook
Southern Proper's Proper Polo
Southern Tide's Skip Jack
Salmon Cove
Vineyard Vines

Image Credits: Companies' respective websites

Amen Brother!

Upon return from our Memorial Day Weekend trip to the beach in Lewes, Delaware, I found the June GQ waiting for me in my mailbox. 'Thank You' Will Welch for your article, "I Want My Preppy Style Back!"

My sentiments exactly.

Yankee Dandy

While he isn't from The South, this Senior at Drew University's incredible dorm room is certainly note-worthy here at SOUTHERN GENT. From his prep-roots at Choate Rosemary Hall and internships with Charlotte Moss, Maximilian Sinsteden has created an eclectically classic space that is perfect for 1 to live and 20 for drinks.

Born and raised in Hartford, CT, Sinsteden's space has been all over the blogs since first appearing in a New York Magazine story by Sarah Bernard last week. Here's a few of the images, but for more check out the slide show.

Image Credits: Dean Kaufman for NY Mag

Duck, Duck, Gone?

My early memories of Duck Head clothing is of the Upper School guys with their pressed chinos on Assembly Day, Tulane Frat boys running around in cut-offs, and being sold in stacks at the shop we bought our Lower School uniforms.

Founded in 1865 in Nashville, the brand has a uniquely southern heritage and following, but unfortunately has gone through several owners ending up with Goody's Family Clothing Store. Since The Trad wrote about Duck Head in May of 2008, Goody's has filed Chapter 11, closed its stores, and ceased selling the brand.

Duck Head goes up for sale next month by Streambank, LLC, but my prediction is that it won't be gone for long. From folks like Michael Bastian showing cut-off shorts w/ boxer short trim in his Spring 2007 collection (inspired by a similar Duck Head memory perhaps?) and with the growing number of old school brands partnering with current designers and stores (Band of Outsiders for Sperry, Timex/Jack Purcell at JCrew, Varvatos for Converse, etc etc) it seems like a matter of time before Duck Head will reemerge as a boutique brand.

SGStyle: Back to the Basics

With the economy still on the fritz and things not looking to increase on the disposable income line item of the personal budget any time soon, freshening up the wardrobe for Spring has been an exercise in restraint.

Instead of festive attire for upcoming events - Gold Cup 2009 in May, a June wedding in Santa Barbara, 4th of July, Beach Week in August - and splurging on my wish list of classic, but appallingly expensive, gear:

I thought it more prudent to go back to the basics and ensure the day-to-day work clothes (wool slacks, traditional button down collar shirts, boring socks and drawers) were all in good order and condition.

I just can't let the season go without a few fun things, so chose to put down that handle of bourbon I don't need and splurge on a variety of quintessentially southern sundries I "do":
What's on y'alls list for spring? Ladies, I am sure you want more bangles and Jack Rogers? Gents, on the mark? Way off? Where ya at?