Three Random Questions

[this_is_james]

1. The center vent on my new peacoat is sewn together. Am I supposed to leave it as is or should I cut out the thread?

2. I'm looking for a black oxford shoe that can be worn to work but is also casual enough to be worn with jeans. Suggestions(pictures would be helpful) on styles or a specific shoe? [Retail price under $200]

3. Recommendations for a baseball/trucker hat? Ed hardy must not bode well here.

Thank you.

 

[katon]

Originally Posted by this_is_james

3. Recommendations for a baseball/trucker hat? Ed hardy must not bode well here.

I like blank unstructured six panel cotton caps with clasp backs. Sometimes they're called polo caps.

On the other hand, some of my friends prefer the fitted wool caps with high crowns and logos that are more like the ones worn in the major leagues (New Era 59fiftys).

Really, it depends on the rest of your clothes.

I'd avoid trucker hats, though. Nobody likes plastic mesh, and straw backs are too gimmicky.

 

[DocHolliday]

Cut the thread on the vent. No point having it otherwise.

As for a black shoe, what about a monk? And how slim do you wear your denim?

 

[this_is_james]

thanks for the input. For the cap, I'm looking for something more on the sporty side to wear with tees, jeans, hoodies etc. For the shoe, I don't like monk straps and I wear fitted denim - not skin tight but not baggy. Would something like this be too formal? http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?sec=1&Y...263N&areaid=35

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by this_is_james

For the shoe, I don't like monk straps and I wear fitted denim - not skin tight but not baggy. Would something like this be too formal? http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?sec=1&Y...263N&areaid=35
That's awfully boring. Forum consensus is that black doesn't look as good as dark brown with raw denim, but if you must, how about wingtips or a bicycle toe? The forum also loves chelseas.

 

[Toiletduck]

1. Cut

2. Black? I'd wear black leather shoes w/ dark denim. Second that monkstrap...and chelseas...and what about strapped boots Jodhpurs? I think they call em?....

3. The only reason I don't wear baseball hats/caps is cause I don't think I look good in them...but if I did I'd go w/ very simple ones w/ a clean look. The ones that the frat boys use in college, coupled w/ sweat/stain marks all over disgust me

 

[this_is_james]

Right now I think I'm going to stick with a black lace-up since I need it to be conservative enough to wear to work. I should look into wingtips(any specific suggestions?) but I don't quite like bicycle toes.
I'm fine with it being a little boring, I just wanted to make sure it's not too formal as to become awkward when paired with jeans.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by this_is_james

Right now I think I'm going to stick with a black lace-up since I need it to be conservative enough to wear to work. I should look into wingtips(any specific suggestions?)
Bluchers are more appropriate than balmorals with jeans and business-casual, but balmorals are more appropriate with suits. There are some archive discussions about sub-$200-retail shoes, but $200 should be able to get you discounted AE MacNeils or Chesters.

 

[this_is_james]

ok I must be really out of it since I don't know what bluchers and balmorals are, nor have I ever heard of AE MacNeils or Chesters.
From your description it looks like I'd need a blucher over a balmoral since I won't be wearing suits with it (just shirt and slacks).

 

[DocHolliday]

Blucher is a more casual style. The leather that holds the laces overlaps the rest of the shoe:

Balmorals are more formal. Sleek, dressy, good with suits. Notice how the leather that holds the laces connects to the shoe:

Black is a more formal color than brown. Some folks here save black for balmorals (and suits) and otherwise live in brown.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by this_is_james

ok I must be really out of it since I don't know what bluchers and balmorals are, nor have I ever heard of AE MacNeils or Chesters. From your description it looks like I'd need a blucher over a balmoral since I won't be wearing suits with it (just shirt and slacks).
All of this can be found with judicious searching, but perhaps if you post your size and ask real nice someone will drop some eBay auctions on your lap?

 

[CommercialDoc]

There is a pretty good collection of sub-200 AEs (Allen Edmonds) on Sierra Trading Post, I can't vouch for color.

I also posted a 30% discount link for Sierra somewhere around here.

 

[vanity]

Regarding hats, I'm not a big hat guy either but I picked up a pretty cool "PUMA" logo cap at the Puma outlet store for $20. Super simple and works great with jeans and tee-shirt. Or with a blazer if I'm out running errands.

 

[lawyerdad]

On the hat side, you might try to find something you like here:
http://www.lids.com/index.html
For the shoe, what about a split-toed blucher, which would be something like this http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...1&occasion=190 in style?

 

[this_is_james]

thanks!