Excellent Joe

This look reminds us of one thing: Oliver Twist as a strapping leading man driving a vintage Porsche 911 around winding cliffs and lightly spritzing himself with an irresistible musk fragrance en route to meet his true love who awaits him at a foggy train station in the middle of nowhere.  Now… all this can be yours.

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What screams autumn more than the tailgating tradition of getting drunk out of the back of your car?  And why relegate this parked party to only sporting events?  Offset your beloved inner meathead with something less obnoxious like a foliage hike or an apple picking excursion, two day trips worthy of an afternoon aperitif.

TRENDS

Fairisle Sweaters: Woolrich John Rich and Bros. Fairisle Crew at Blackbird $245.00

Treat this fairisle like a sweatshirt; it looks great peeking out of vests and jackets or wrapped around your waist.  You want to send the classic and fun message, not the uptight douche bag one.  It’s also perfect for diverting tailgating guests away from your soon-to-be ex who’s ralphing behind the car after six-too-many Apple Smashers.

Corduroy Trousers: J.Crew Bowery Cord $69.50

Fall is always corduroy season, but this year it’s out of control in every silhouette: trousers, shirts, jackets, and suits from mini to wide wale. If your jeans and chinos took a vacation together, they’d recommend these cord trousers to fill in while they were gone. (Don’t forget to tuck them into your boots.)

Chambray Shirts: Gap Chambray Shirt $49.50

Chambray shirts are still going strong in various levels of tooth and texture.  It’s like a solid shirt with a lot of attitude.  More rugged, less slick if you will.  And we just might.

Vests: North Face Redpoint Vest $99.00

This nylon vest updates the look with a layer of sporty, dull shine that plays well off the knitted vintage fairisle pattern.  The quilting is moderately insulated to keep you warm without making you look like you’re trying to smuggle a spare tire into the stadium.

Artisanal Heritage Boots: L.L. Bean Boot $149.00

As the theory goes, the only survivors of a nuclear war would be cockroaches, Cher, and Bean boots. These booticus indestructos will keep your feet cozy and dry through even the most miserably wet parking lot fields. Puddle jumping demonstrations will amaze and annoy your friends. This season’s twist is a black leather upper.

Meet the English professor who can literally and figuratively kick your ass.  It’s a nice balance of brains and brawn as classic menswear pieces are upgraded with rugged details: a tweed blazer with pleated flap pockets, a waxed canvas briefcase with chunky leather trim.  Layer that with denim and work boots, and you’ve got a look that will take you from tea time at the English library to center stage at the axe throwing awards banquet.

TRENDS

Checks and Tattersalls: J.Crew Secret Wash Button Down $59.50

Classic small scale pattern acts as a nice, crisp texture against the rougher textures in the blazer and denim.  It’s a sure sign that you weren’t raised by wolves.

Raw Selvedge Denim: Tellason at Unionmade $198.00

Tellason is a super high-quality, made in America denim brand that even the most snooty denim geeks applaud. (And trust us: denim geeks can be real bitches.)

Work Boots: Red Wing 6″ Moc $244.00

The key to these boots is to downplay the possible hick reference by upgrading them with a briefcase and blazer, both icons of higher education.  Unfortunately, this trick has no affect on one’s actual intelligence and may render someone dishonest.

Rugged BriefCases: Billykirk Waxed Cotton with Leather Trim at Revolve $330.00

This briefcase hates corporate America.  If it were a graphic tee, it would say, “I’d rather be writing a novel in Maine.”

Tweed Blazers: L.L. Bean Signature Wool Blazer $195.00

Blazers have been typecast!  Think of this one as a lighter weight coat, and everything will fall into place.  Wear it every day and never for looking dressed up but just as something to keep out the chill. After a few weeks, it will be that stray dog you never wanted to keep but can no longer live without.

If you never went camping in the 80′s, now is your chance to simulate the experience.  Bold plaid work shirts in unexpected colors, vintage crew tees, corduroy hiking shorts, and classic leather mocs all refer back to the Great Outdoors in the not-too-distant past. Today, you could throw this on and look perfectly fine curled up on the couch with a bowl of cereal and your favorite app.  It’s the thought that counts, right?

• Steven Alan Vintage Work Shirt $138.00
• Loomstate Organic Blank Crew Tee $40
• L.L.Bean Signature Corduroy Short $49.00
• James Perse Aged Leather Belt $150
• L.L.Bean Signature Eastport Handsewn Leather Ranger Moc $79
• Simple Shoes Hemp and Organic Cotton Flip Flops $50

Instead of wearing those tragically “authentic” cargo shorts from 1992, try a hiking-inspired cord short with lamb chop pockets in a slimmer, slightly shorter fit that won’t make a passerby think you draped an army-issue tent around your waist.

L.L.Bean Signature Corduroy Short $49.00

Don’t be afraid to wear these preppy classics with shorts.  These boots are the rage right now even in summer.  In a perfect world, we’d recommend that you wander off into the wilderness for a few months and come back only when they have enough wear and distress to look as if they might have been your father’s from yesteryear.
L.L.Bean Signature Eastport Handsewn Leather Ranger Moc $79