Some big names in menswear are offering their take on the varsity (or letterman) jacket for this Fall/Winter season. The varsity jacket usually consists of a wool body with contrasting leather arms, though it can be all leather. It appears that most of the varsity jackets we are seeing are in some black and grey combination for a more subtle statement, though there are a few more elaborate takes.
Vince has the most basic offering with a charcoal wool body and heavy dark leather arms. Shipley & Halmos's jacket has a simple appearance but becomes quite elaborate when one examines the construction and leather details on the back and arms. Thom Browne has the most uninvolved model with a letterman jacket that looks straight out of Friday Night Lights (minus the panther). Fred Perry, on the other hand, has taken the classic design and made it modern for Opening Ceremony with a black plaid patterne (a la Pendleton) for the body. Tim Hamilton Redux offers the most fashion forward option with a body comparable to that of Vince and Shipley & Halmos, accented with shiny metallic arms and collar.
While one can certainly find a vintage varsity jacket for far less money than these options, I prefer the trimmer and more anonymous look myself. Splurge.
For Fall, Michael Bastian took the whole Lacrosse theme/ Gant branding a little to far. Mistakes are to be expected in a first collection, but I just can't get over all of the beautiful rugby's and sweaters that I had to put back on the rack because they had "F.O.G.O." on the back or Gant embossed buttons on the front. The good news is that it appears, and I can only judge from the press photos, that he has learned his lesson. 
Preppy goes to the beach for Spring at Michael Bastian. That means everything from skin tight speedos to nautical themed sweaters paired with the usual bomber jacket, short short, trim blazer, cargo pant mashup that Bastian has become famous for. 
Looks as if the Marc by Marc Jacobs boy has finally become a man. Or did he just get a summer job because the economy is down? I guess "just being cool" wasn't paying the rent... 
This fall is shaping up to be perfect vest weather, so it's only fitting that every man find a great one. Vests are perfect for that little extra bit of warmth on those chilly days over a sweater, or even a blazer if you're heading to the office or a more formal event. 
I have to admit that about half of my closet it Michael Kors. The soft cashmere and cotton basics he produces alongside his runway collection are somewhat comparable to Vince in their subtle style conscious effect. While Mr. Kors' runway shows usually influence the basics for the season, it appear it's the other way around for this Spring.
I've been on the hunt for a suitable pair of fingerless gloves for a while now. Gloves with fingers, as crazy as it may sound, are somewhat limiting. Though they do keep your fingertips nice and warm, fingerless gloves allow you to not only zip up your jacket (a task that can seem rather daunting with a thick pair of regular gloves on), but also work your iPhone. Plus, fingerless gloves just look rugged and badass. 
Close your eyes and imagine a luxury Timberland boot. It has a simple black bottom, a double stitched toe for durability, brown laces, leather lining, and yet somehow feels comfortable and lighter than air. Now open your eyes and feast upon these Burnello Cucinelli Work Boots. Aren't they everything you wanted? 
My dad has been in desperate need of an acceptable substitute to the blue and black Nike gym bag he carries to and fro work every day. Littered with files, notes, and gym clothes, the thing was a complete mess and made him look like the before shot in a GQ style page. As a result, I recently bought him a black leather Tumi briefcase. If you didn't know, Tumi doesn't come cheap. Although it looks great, he still complains that it is too nice to throw all of his gym clothes in and shove in a locker at the Equinox. That's where this Wm. J Mills & Co. Canvas bag will come in. 
If you haven't yet found your winter coat, look no further. I stumbled upon this Billy number at Bloomingdales and haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw the price tag. $395 for a shearling lined, waxed cotton pea coat? Where do I sign? I've deemed it a splurge because it's still not exactly an impulse buy, but compared to four digit prices of the coats in the outerwear section ($999 and up for a Moncler), I would call this a serious save.
Billy Reid is the master of southern charm. Every article of clothing he produces for his eponymous label just oozes it. No matter if it's a brown leather jacket, khakis, or a double breasted blazer, Mr. Reid cannot help but inject his southern roots into his collections, and this certainly isn't me complaining about it. 
This Christmas break I will be heading to Egypt with a few family and friends for a boat trip down the Nile. This means that I have been searching for the perfect pair of drawstring pants to come along with me. My criteria: lightweight, good looking, versatile, slim fit, and cheap. These James Perse Parachute Pants meet all but one of those standards (can you guess which one?). 
How cool is this damn hat? Pretty damn cool. The grey fair isle pattern will add a little kick to any outfit, and the pom-pom detail adds a kick to the hat itself. This style is available in three different colors on the Rag & Bone website. Splurge.
Antonio Azzuolo is known for his quirky take on men's tailoring, producing beautiful suits and separates with looks ranging from fur lapeled sports jackets to western inspired nordic sweaters.
Simon Spurr has, in the past 5 seasons, developed a menswear brand with a coherent message, sophisticated clothing, and a clear customer. This Spring 2011 collection only further served to establish the Spurr brand as a powerhouse in menswear.
Over the past quarter of a century, Tommy Hilfiger has achieved design celebrity, fallen into obscurity, re-invented himself, and just this year, been acquired by one of the largest retail companies in the world, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, for $3 Billion. 25 years later and Tommy Hilfiger is still the king of preppy Americana with a twist, and this collection is no exception. 
