Memorial Day Sales Guide

Just in time for you to revamp your summer wardrobe, we’re happy to present our Memorial Day Sales Guide! We’ll be updating this list through the weekend, so stop back regularly to check for new deals.


Acrimony: Save 30% off Spring collections* PLUS an additional 10% if you shop in-store. Use code: MEMDAY30 today through Monday 5/29.

Alternative Apparel – 45% off the site with code FRIEND45

Atelier New York:  – SPRING SUMMER 2017 SALE STARTS ON FRIDAY MAY 26TH 30%-50% OFF SELECTED DESIGNERS AND STYLES

Baracuta: sale of 30% off.

Barneys: up to 50% off

Barney’s Warehouse: Up to 80% Savings in Our Memorial Day Sale!

Bodega: Memorial Day sale up to 60% off footwear take an additional 25% off with footlover25

Billy Reid: early access Memorial Day sale – reductions of up to 50% off.

Bloomingdale’s: 30-50% off mens designer shoes. Also. use code BIGBAG for 20% off nearly all sale items (but not combinable with the above).

Bluefly: up to 85% off, plus an additional 20% off on selected items.

Brooks Brothers: 2 summer suits for  $899, men’s sweaters and outerwear up to 40% off

Cali Roots: 30% Mid Season Sale.

Carmina Shoemaker: 15% off with the code 15OFF-CARMINA

CENTURY 21:  MEMORIAL DAY EVENT $30 OFF Your $150+ Or $40 OFF Your $200+ Purchase Online & In-Store!

Club Monaco: Summer’s finest: 25% off for him & her

Coggles: 30% off with discount code PREVIEW

Couverture & The Garbstore: 25% off with HOLIDAY25

Cruvoir: 20% off sale items with CROIX20.

Dope Factory: 30% off with code MIDSEASON

East Dane: spring sale is live!

eBay: $15 off 75 until 8pm PT with code PREMEMDAY15

Farfetch: sale of up to 50% off.

Forward: up to 50% off

Flannels: up to 80% off discount on outlet items.

Frances May: Memorial Day sale now on 30% off a selection.

Harvey Nichols: 30% off for members only – sign up

Haven shop: 20% off Outerwear with code OUTERWEAR20

HBX: End of Season Sale – Up To 50% OFF

Hotoveli: up to 50% off

Huckberry: sale up to 70% off.

Hunting Ensemble: 30% or more on Norse Projects, A.P.C, Our Legacy, Nanamica, Etudes, Han Kjobenhavn and more.

Idol Brooklyn: UP TO 40% OFF SELECT DESIGNER COLLECTIONS

Independence: 20% off

Indigo and Cotton: 20% off with GETAWAY.

J. Crew:  30% off your purchase with code SWEET

Jonathon + Olivia: up to 50% off

Lanieri: $200 off any suit with the code STYLEFORUM200 || 25% off blazers with the code BESTFRIENDS

Lanvin: Free delivery and up to 50% off

Last Call: an extra 40% off everything

Lawrence Covell : 25% off with code May17

Levis: Memorial Day sale ongoing – use code MEM30 for 30% off.

LOIT:  – Memorial Day Sale: 30% off on full priced items with code MDLOIT30 (Offer valid through 5/29/2017 11:59PM)

Luisa Via Roma: save 20-50% using code BIG || Memorial Day Sale now on up to 50% off.

MAAS & Stacks: 25% discount on select SPRING SUMMER 17 items
when you enter code MEMORIALDAY25 at checkout

Maison Margiela: up to 40% off

Matches: sale on now for up to 50% off

Need Supply:  Sale! New additions 30%, 15% order off through June 15th, LILSOMETHING

Neiman Marcus: 75% off today (5/25) only! Extra clearance savings

Nordstrom:  Save up to 40% during Half-Yearly Sale

Other Shop: The code SPRING25 is available to use on all products now, with the exception of Fanmail and Good News

Ralph Laurensale on now 40% off, including RRL and Ralph Lauren Purple Label.

The Real Real: men’s sale up to 40% off / summer preview sale up to 50% off

Rooney Shop: Memorial Day sale now ongoing up to 25% off.

Saks 5th Ave.: up to 40% off.

Sartoriale: Memorial Day Sale up to 90% off with code MEMORIAL20

Shoes.com: Memorial Day sale 30-75% off

SSense: sale up to 50% off

Standard and Strange: – 40% off clearance section with code NOTGOINGBACK

Steven Alan: Up To 50% Off | Memorial Day Sale Starts Now

StyleBop: Memorial day sale 10% off non-sale items with code SUMMMERISHERE243

Tessabit: 40% off sale

Unis: sale on Common Projects

Y-3: sale on now of up to 30% off of that SS17 collection

Yoox:  up to an extra 50% off.

ZFACTORIE: 50% off some styles

Women’s

 

The Best Aprons Money Can Buy

The apron is a criminally underrated and under-used garment. While protecting your shirt (or your naked torso, for the more daring among us) from spattering oil is a noble cause, cooking isn’t the only occasion that’s suited for apron-wearing. They’re handy in the garden, in the garage, in the shop, and for any other activity where you’re likely to get yourself at least a little bit filthy. I like to buy ‘souvenir’ aprons when I travel, but these – although fun – are generally made of flimsy cotton that doesn’t stand up well to the repeated washing that most aprons endure, which can leave you with fading, wrinkled aprons. No one wants that. Besides, although a simple apron is a perfectly effective garment, there are a few details – like pockets – that can make life lived in an apron so much more fulfilling. With a bit of longevity in mind, as well as a bit of style, here’s my list of the 5 best aprons money can buy.


1. For the Artisan: Vanda Fine Clothing Irish Linen Apron ($50.49)

Vanda’s beautiful Irish Linen apron sports beautifully large pockets front pockets, as well as a single smaller, meat-thermometer sized pocket. Perhaps the most elegant option on this list, the color is gorgeous, and the whole thing looks so damn nice that I might be a little afraid to get it dirty.

  • Elegance: 7/5 stars; a beautiful accessory suitable for any number of pursuits. Practically a piece of tailored clothing.
  • Bare Skin Factor: A full 8/8, perfect for shirtless cooking when the weather’s nice; equally at home with a shirt and tie.
  • Utility: 12/13; the pockets look ideal but I worry about grease spots.

2. For the Gardener: Carrier Company Cotton Drill Apron (55 GBP)

If you’re often in the garden, either digging in the dirt or hosing things off (or changing your car oil), this very, very sturdy cotton drill apron from Carrier Company is an excellent bet. It will, of course, function perfectly in the kitchen, although its slightly rougher nature begs you to wear it in the great outdoors. If you live somewhere wet, windy, or otherwise wild, this option – with its extra width and extra-long straps – is the natural choice.

  • Elegance: 3/5; a true working apron suitable for working pursuits involving dirt or very hot pans
  • Bare Skin Factor: 3.5 /4; may be lacking in pizzazz, although likely perfect when worn with wellies.
  • Utility: 17/9; excellent pockets and excellent length make this a fantastically functional option.

3. For lovers of tortilla: La Portegna leather and water-resistant canvas apron (70 GBP)

It is no surprise that the Spanish option looks as though it would be perfectly at home in a tiled courtyard or in front of a professional range – or even with a brush and tin of shoe polish. This one hits all the right notes: hard-wearing without being dowdy, elegant without being precious; it’s the paprika your thinly-sliced potatoes so desperately need. Add the supple leather that will age over time and you have yourself an heirloom apron.

  • Elegance: 17 stars; the beautiful colors offered as well as the single front pocket of beautiful, vegetable-tanned leather make this a gorgeous option.
  • Bare Skin Factor: 4/6; solely due to the lovely colors and materials you may want to accessorize your apron with a fine shirt or cashmere sweater.
  • Utility: 3/3; a single pocket is likely all you’ll ever need, and despite the lack of an adjustable neck strap the water-resistant canvas makes this a sure win.

4. For the Denimhead: American Native Goods Selvage Denim and Leather Apron ($185)

Are you still obsessed with six-inch selvage cuffs? Are the seats in your car stained blue from years of crocking denim? Do you lust after things like handmade knives and well-polished stones to put on your mantlepiece? Look no further, because this selvage denim and leather number is perfect for you. With one chest pocket and a leather kangaroo pocket, it has room for all of your German-made drafting tools, and after a few months of rinsing artisanal coffee grounds out of the denim you’ll have fades so nice you’ll want to wear it under your denim trucker and over your heavy jeans.

  • Elegance: 2/5; made for HARD WORK, which is SERIOUS BUSINESS.
  • Bare Skin Factor: 16/37; not recommended for the average shirtless person; if you are bearded and very muscular you’ll have better luck.
  • Utility: 15/10; guaranteed to protect the rest of the denim you’re wearing underneath it.

5. For the Cook: Haküi Bib Apron (10,000JPY, ~100USD)

For the serious chef, or the chef who thinks they’re serious, or for the person who really wants a nice apron, look no further than this beautiful and beautifully-designed masterpiece. Featuring brilliant design details that go beyond just “a pocket,” this apron is perhaps the pinnacle of apron technology. It’s handsome, is functional, and at home in a number of environments. Keep in mind that when you inevitably by one, you’ll have to do so by email. 

  • Elegance: 100%; you’ll cut a fine figure anywhere you go, and depending on the color you choose you’ll be right at home in any situation, whether it involves fancy knives or seed packets. Note that it lacks some of the fun ‘details’ of the other choices in favor of a minimal appearance and raw utility.
  • Bare Skin Factor: 50/43; I want to wear it right now.
  • Utility: Off the charts. With numerous pockets, slits so that you can access trouser pockets, and fully adjustable straps, this is the ur-apron you’ve been dreaming of. While not suitable for welding, I struggle to think of many other household chores that would not be made instantly more satisfying through the wearing of this apron.

Member Focus: Beepbop

Beepbop may be new to Styleforum – or at least to posting here – but he’s already proven to know his way around some of Streetwear & Denim’s favorite designers. With a taste for patchwork and embroidery, he’s brought some welcome color and quirk to the What Are You Wearing? thread.


I got my start in fashion on /r/malefashionadvice on reddit. I had just started college, and I figured that I should probably move on from the oversized polos, and baggy Costco jeans that I had been accustomed to. I spent all of my time in class reading threads about the best Red Wing Iron Rangers alternative and the most timeless oxford cloth button downs. It is still a great community for people who are new to fashion, but I wanted more. I remember someone mentioning StyleForum on MFA, and I spent a year or two lurking without an account and accessing my favorite threads via a bookmarks folder.

It was shocking just how many different styles were represented in both the CM and SW&D forums, and I was honestly feeling a little overwhelmed. Everyone looked really cool and comfortable in what they were wearing, but I had no idea how I could translate what I was seeing into what I was wearing. I had limited access to any of the “cool” brands, and I had a tough time buying clothing sight unseen. I actually ended up spending all of my money on shoes, and my outfits at the time were probably best described as JCrew, Uniqlo, and moderately priced shoes.

beepbop member focus beepbop styleforum

The jump from taking what I was seeing and actually wearing it didn’t really happen until I saw the Dries Van Noten FW16 show. The patterns were bright and bold, some of the cuts were slightly unconventional, but it all felt so wearable. To me, that collection was as much about the restraint shown in the design as it was about the embellishment. I was enamored with Dries’ masterful use of pattern and color, and it was abundantly clear that a ton of thought had gone into the design of each garment. I actually ended up buying quite a few pieces from that collection, and wearing it made all of the difference. The fabrics draped beautifully, the details were great, and it was so much fun wearing the clothing.

I work in a pretty casual environment, so that gives me a lot of flexibility with regards to my dress. I enjoy finding new brands, and trying to put them together in ways that are a little different from the norm. These days, I’ve mostly been playing with mixing pattern and embroidery using some pieces from By Walid and Dries Van Noten. It’s been a lot of fun experimenting, and I’m not sure if I will ever resign myself to a specific “genre” of clothing, since trying new things, failing, and then finally getting it right-ish is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

What to Wear to the Botanic Gardens

what to wear to the botanic gardens
I’m lucky enough to live only a few blocks from Denver’s (quite nice) Botanic Gardens, where my girlfriend and I are members. We probably go at least once a week, when it stays open later and we can visit in the early evening. If you haven’t been to your local botanic garden in a while, try to make the trip. It’s always nice to be surrounded by greenery, and taking the time to enjoy a slow stroll past the flowers is a fantastic way to de-stress yourself and force a little bit of relaxation.

While it’s not the ballet (and Denver’s not exactly a hotbed of well-dressed people), some of the guests do make an effort to look nice, which can be difficult in the heat. Make sure you’re dressed for the weather with lightweight, breathable clothing – and don’t bother wearing a tie. I’ve mentioned in the past my taste for summer jackets, but even when not wearing a jacket I like to have some sort of neck covering that keeps the sun off – it’s fierce, here. I also like to wear looser clothing in summer, which helps a bit with air circulation.

Finally, a straw hat is, I think, a must have for summer. It keeps the sun out of your eyes and off your shoulders, which can make the difference between enjoying a summer day and getting a headache by noon. Add to that your favorite pair of sunglasses, and spend your time enjoying a glass of strawberry lemonade while you look at pretty flowers.

Buying a Wedding Suit You’ll Wear After a Wedding

You’ve browsed our wedding overview. You’ve read about the one and only suit you need for almost any wedding. The thing is, you’re not a suit person – maybe you don’t need to wear them regularly, maybe you don’t like to wear them, maybe the One Suit suit is perfect for you, or maybe it just doesn’t fit your needs. Either way is fine, because today we’re going to discuss how to pick a wedding suit that you’ll wear after the wedding is done.

If you’re a regular reader of Styleforum, you’ve probably picked up on the idea that there is one kind of suit that is suitable for the widest range of occasions, weddings included. Because of this, we call it the One Suit, and here are its vital stats:

  • Charcoal (or navy)
  • Mid-weight (3-season) wool
  • Single breasted
  • Notch lapel
  • Properly fitting

The purpose of the One Suit is that it can be worn to 99% of the weddings you’ll ever go to, including your own. A charcoal (or navy) suit with a proper wedding tie and a white linen pocket square is only out of place when the dress code calls for something specifically different – such as “black tie” or “beach wedding: no shoes allowed.” In the case of the former, please see our guide to black tie. In the case of the latter – we’ll discuss that another time.

The One Suit can be found at just about every suit retailer, at every conceivable price point. This makes it easy to find something appropriate if you’re shopping on a budget, and easy to branch out into something nicer if you’re interested in spending more money.

In addition to being wedding-appropriate, the One Suit will carry you through job interviews, nice dinners, important meetings, and memorial services. You can change the shoes, tie, and pocket square and be well-dressed wherever you go. It is the workhorse suit, which is why we recommend it as the first wedding suit you should consider buying. If you think there is a chance you will ever need to wear a suit again in the future, this is a sure-fire option.

Here are some examples of ideal One Suits:

1. SuitSupply “Napoli” – $399

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

2. Kent Wang Charcoal Suit – $795

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

3. Polo Ralph Lauren Wool Twill Suit – $995

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

However, alternative situations call for alternative options. Let’s consider the example of a cousin of mine, a biologist who is getting married this June, and who spends most of his life in shorts and flip-flops. This will not be a formal occasion – it’s a very casual affair, being held in a field by a stream, and neither jackets or ties are required. After some deliberation, he decided he nonetheless wanted to wear a suit. And so, we went suit shopping.

In this case, it made no sense for him to end up with a business-appropriate charcoal suit in a grey worsted wool. He would have worn it once, looked out of place at his own wedding, felt uncomfortable in his own skin, and then retired the suit to his closet for all eternity. In other words, it would have been a wasted expense in every conceivable way. And so, we started looking at alternative fabrics – cottons, linens, and blends of all kinds. As we went through these options, he tried each one on, looked at himself in the mirror, and then tried to imagine if he’d ever wear it again. Suit after suit, “No” was the answer. He simply has no reason to wear one – the fish he studies won’t be impressed by it, and although he wanted to look nice for his wedding, he didn’t think it made sense to spend a lot of money on something that brought him no joy.

After many hours of frowns and frustration, he found the one that would work for him: a navy blue wool and linen-blend Eidos ‘Tenero’ suit. He liked the texture, but more importantly: he liked the way he looked in it. I can’t overstate the importance of this feature: if you do not feel good in your suit, and if you do not think you look good in your suit, you will not enjoy wearing it.

Here’s the kicker: it was the first suit he’d tried on that he said he could see himself wearing again. On trips, or on occasions that call for more than shorts and flip-flops, he’ll be able to wear the jacket alone with a pair of jeans; when the situation calls for it he’ll be able to wear the whole thing together. It’s unique enough that he’ll be able to enjoy it, but not so much so that he’ll never have the occasion to.  I think he’s still struggling with the idea of a tie and leather-soled shoes, but in this case the suit ticked all of the necessary boxes.

Here are some examples of alternative suits that nonetheless have the potential to see a lot of use:

1. SuitSupply “Lazio” in brown linen

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

2. Eidos Fresco wool suit, $1,695 from No Man Walks Alone

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

3. Ring Jacket AMJ01 in olive wool, $1,800 from The Armoury

styleforum wedding suits you'll wear after a wedding how to buy a wedding suit you'll wear after a wedding Wedding Suit You'll Wear After a Wedding

The lesson here is that, while the standard recommendations are standard for a reason, you should always take your own circumstances into consideration when choosing a suit. Here are the questions you should ask yourself when you’re shopping for a wedding suit to wear after a wedding:

  • What sort of occasion is it for? Is it just for weddings, or do you want to wear it during the work week as well?
    • Consider the example of my cousin. Does the One Suit make sense for your situation? If you are attending a summer wedding hosted by a pair of young bohemians who don’t bother with tradition, perhaps a light-colored linen suit will be a better fit for your needs and your lifestyle.
  • When will you be wearing it? Which seasons? Will it be hot or cold?
    • Example: you really love tweed, and will have an excuse to wear tweed when you attend an autumn wedding on the East Coast. However, you live in Southern California. In this case, don’t buy the tweed suit – opt instead for something that will fit your climate.
  • What’s your budget? It’s my opinion that clothes are made to be worn, so if you’re planning to spend some cash, I hope you’ll be wearing it regularly.
    • Budget varies by person. That said, if you are going to spend 2,000$ or more on a wedding suit, I hope that it will be one you plan to wear regularly.

Remember, if you’re looking for maximum reusability, a wedding is not the occasion to buy a ridiculous, one-off suit – because there are still things you shouldn’t do at a wedding. If you’ve been asked to attend a wedding that is at all formal or conservative, and the dress code has indicated that you wear a suit, your best bet is still the One Suit.

If you have questions about your own situation, feel free to ask them here or post them in the Wedding Advice Thread, where Styleforum’s knowledgable members will do their best to solve your sartorial conundrums.

Member Focus: Mr. Six

Mr. Six: impeccably dressed, impressively erudite, and friendly to boot. Although many of us might claim to be all three, it’s perhaps rarer than we’d like to admit. This week, a star of the Classic Menswear WAYWT thread shares a bit about his ongoing sartorial journey.


I have a theory – probably wrong – that most families have a “thing.” Members of the family know about the thing, and it’s a regular topic of conversation, even if they aren’t all experts and aren’t quite sure how they gained the knowledge. In my family the thing is art. My father has an MFA. When I was a kid, he painted and made pottery, when he wasn’t teaching middle school or running long distances. My mother loves East Asian arts and crafts and collects what she can: vintage kimono, netsuke, paper. She loves textiles. For a while when I was a kid, she hand-dyed different kinds of yarns and had a small team of old ladies knitting custom pieces for her to sell. Color, texture, materials, composition, art history—these are things I know a little and think about, even if I can’t draw a line.

When I was a teenager, that thing was (perhaps unexpectedly) partly what attracted me to punk. A multi-faceted subculture; the use of attire as a means of expression appealed to me, among other things it had to offer. It provided a means for me to say outwardly, without speaking a word, what I felt inside. I don’t mean to insert a level of depth to my teenage beliefs that probably wasn’t there. But I wanted to say something, and the punk style of the 80’s was a way for me to do it.

Between those two influences, an interest in mens clothing was possibly overdetermined. Nevertheless, I spent a long time in my 20s and 30s not really being able to figure out what I was comfortable wearing and what fit me well. During that period, I also went to law school and found myself with an obligation to dress professionally, for which I was only minimally prepared. I did the best I could and considered myself well-dressed compared to those around me, even if I had no formal rubric for judgment or comparison.

As I made my way across the internet, I somehow landed at Styleforum and started reading. At first I didn’t think much about all there was to learn about classical mens clothing. But I didn’t turn away, either. Eventually I found that I was beginning to understand something about the history of these clothes that I had to wear for work, how they were supposed to fit, what was good and bad, and all the options available. Then I began to be able to discern what I liked and didn’t like. The end of the beginning was reaching that place where so many forum members find themselves: I looked in my closet and didn’t like anything I saw there. So, I started to rebuild.

At first, I added pieces from various affiliates and sources discussed on the forum that I thought I’d like and also wouldn’t cost too much, since I knew I was in a period of transition. Those additions provided a basis to begin to refine a sense of what I liked, to understand better how to combine pieces, and what would fit me well. I began to evaluate MTM options, mostly so that I could select exactly the fabrics that I wanted. I was fortunate that a few things happened around that time. Steed began offering MTM and traveling to the San Francisco, Greg opened No Man Walks Alone, and previously difficult to access makers like Vass and Cappelli became reachable by the web or email.

I should mention that the Good Taste Thread, Vox’s Coherent Combinations (even if he now occasionally mocks it on Twitter), the Unfunded Liabilities thread, the threads about bespoke adventures in Italy and bespeaking generally, and older discussions of cloth selection, levels of formality, the function of fabrics, combining pattern and texture, and history were all incredibly helpful. Greg’s curation didn’t hurt either. Through that knowledge and a lot of careful consideration, I completely rebuilt my dress wardrobe with a combination of British-influenced and Italian tailoring and now continue to refine it. At some point I felt I was doing well enough that I could share some pictures with the community, which it seemed like was the right thing to do in light of how much others’ had helped me.

Since I mostly only post pictures of jacket and tie or suits, it might surprise people to know that I actually have maybe 2.5 wardrobes. I wear suits and appropriate accompaniments for formal-ish, client-facing work. I wear sport coats with ties for less formal meetings with clients and without ties for days in the office, where our dress code is pretty casual (recently changing to Silicon Valley casual). And when I’m not at work, I wear streetwear, which is comfortable and fits well but never seems interesting enough to anyone else to bother posting pictures. I’ve also gained a lot from reading the SW&D forum.

I’m still learning and still enjoying seeing what others post, here and on IG. I’ve made a number of StyleFriends (to steal a jcmeyers-ism), some of whom I’ve never met in person but enjoy chatting with, even about things non-sartorial. I continue to fill in gaps in my wardrobe and realize that there are new things that I want. As deliberate as I’ve been about this hobby, I’m sure I’ll be surprised about the next stage. And I did recently commission my first fully bespoke suit.

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Building a Capsule Wardrobe, Pt. 2

In part 1, we took on the first steps in building a capsule wardrobe: we figured out where we are on our sartorial journey and made an aspirational list of what our ideal wardrobe would be. Next comes advice on figuring out not just what would be ideal, but what’s practical.


Figure out what looks good on you

This can be tricky because it’s hard to be objective about yourself. You get excited about the fabrics and the craftsmanship and the steez! But on the flip side, who can you trust to give you solid feedback? I’ve found that a lot of advice from third parties falls into one of two categories: 1) Inexperienced advice from a non-menswear-enthusiast perspective that’s ill-formed and doesn’t take into account any of the Important Knowledge about the clothing that you have, or 2) Advice from enablers, those fellow menswear enthusiasts who can’t be objective either because they do know all the Important Knowledge, or are blinded by the cachet of your item (“dude that thing is sweet, you have to keep it!”).

It helps to have photos taken of you wearing stuff to see how it looks. Post the photos in the “What are you wearing today?” threads, and listen to the feedback you get from guys whose style you respect. If you disagree or don’t understand where they’re coming from, ask questions. Be teachable. If you’ve been thoughtful about what need you’re looking to fill in your wardrobe, you can share that and ask if they think it fills that need. You need to be honest with yourself based on all the evidence and advice – do you actually look good, or not so much? 

My litmus test for what I think looks good on me is essentially this: if I can relax while I’m wearing something without constantly adjusting it, then I’ve got a keeper. I’ll feel comfortable in my natural style because I think it makes me look good and fits well. If you’re fidgeting or adjusting it, that means it probably doesn’t fit well, or you’re not comfortable wearing it. It could be that you’re wearing something you like the idea of, but which looks wrong on you, in which case go back to step 2 (making a list). If you’re wearing something you aren’t comfortable enough to just live in, you may be wearing somebody else’s life uniform.

Temper your aspirations with reality

Here’s the thing: your ideal aspirational wardrobe can’t carry you on its own. It has to clothe you in your day-to-day life. My perfect wardrobe would include a midnight navy with black-facing shawl lapel tuxedo, a white dinner shawl lapel dinner jacket, suits in navy, charcoal, mid-gray, and POW flannel, 8-10 seasonal sport coats, a dozen or more seasonal ties, a half dozen pairs of Edward Green or John Lobb shoes, etc. I would look better than the Prince of Wales himself! But with that wardrobe, what would I wear when we’re grilling outside with friends over at our house? And when will I wear that white dinner jacket?

The clothes that I really love—tailoring, in my case—don’t make sense for many of the types of activities I actually spend time doing. And let’s be honest, nobody really should be wearing tailoring to a barbecue. So you’ve got to put some thought and effort into versatility in your wardrobe. In my case, jackets that are easy to dress up and down, sweaters that can layer under a jacket but also look good on their own, nice casual shirts and pants, and so forth.

Clothes are meant to be worn. Having and maintaining a capsule wardrobe requires that you don’t “save” your nice clothes for “special occasions.”

On top of that, there’s always the specter of opportunity cost. You must prioritize which categories of clothing are most valuable to you and what you wear the most, so you can spend accordingly. For me this means I have to “settle” for a Kent Wang instead of a Luca Avitabile polo to layer under one of my Eidos sport coats. As long as you are wearing something you like and look good in, you’ll convey a personal style that eludes the vast majority of people.


Use this as a guide to organize your thoughts in developing a capsule wardrobe. Be aware, however, that no matter how carefully you try to plan, you will discover that your tastes will change, your life circumstances will change, and what you thought was a “complete wardrobe” in the past has become lacking in some critical way. That’s okay. Continue evaluating, always being honest with yourself and never stop paring down.

Member Focus: Roycru

Styleforum, meet the legendary Roycru. He’s well-known in the Classic Menswear WAYWT thread for his classic American style that has remained largely unchanged since the 60’s, as well as for his photos of trains. Here, he talks about receiving compliments, and about his own enduring style.


We have all received compliments on what we are wearing from totally random people on the street. People often say things like “nice vintage clothes” to me. I always thank them and then mention the clothes I am wearing were new when I got them.

I am still wearing clothes I got at Brooks Brothers in the sixties and seventies. The only alterations that have been needed were shortening the trousers two inches as my discs degenerated and patching some holes in the linings and a few other places.

A good example is the brown herringbone tweed suit I got at the Brooks Brothers store on Post and Grant in San Francisco in the fall of 1965 when I was working for the Santa Fe Railway in San Francisco.

The first picture was taken in a photo booth in 1965 shortly after I got the suit. At that time, I usually wore the suit with a yellow OCBD shirt and a green challis tie as in this picture.

The second picture was taken on the train in February 1969 during one of the the two times I tried to grow a mustache. Both times it ended up the same way, getting partly shaved off while I was shaving on the train and the train hit a low rail joint at high speed so I had to shave the rest of it off.

The third picture was taken buying a Dundee Cake in December 2012 before I had the trousers shortened two inches. (Yes, I am wearing a Gryffindor tie). The fourth picture was taken getting on a train in December 2016.

member focus roycru styleforum

The picture above is a recent picture of the hat I wore with this suit the sixties. At the time I had two hats (both of which I still have). One was the Brooks Brothers University Shop grey hat in this picture I got in 1962. Stetson has recently made a very similar hat which they call “Ivy League.”

Below is the straw hat I got at Brooks Brothers in 1965. This picture was taken in August 2013. I am wearing a blue blazer I got at Brooks Brothers in that wonderful pre-“Official Preppy Handbook” era when no one imagined polyester was evil. The OPH ruined everything after 1980 because some people didn’t know it was a humor book and thought it was a fashion book, an error nearly as serious as not knowing “To Serve Man” was a cookbook.

member focus roycru styleforum

Finally, here is a page from a Brooks Brothers catalog showing this same blazer:

member focus roycru styleforum

The modern wonder of the internet (particularly groups like Styleforum) lets us see what people all over the world are wearing. I like seeing what other people are wearing and also seeing (in some people’s pictures) what it looks like in other places. The modern wonder of the internet also lets people easily share knowledge. I have found vast amounts of useful information on Styleforum.

The large number of people who post on Styleforum although English is not their first language is particularly impressive to me.

Styleforum is my favorite online men’s style group.

How to Use the Styleforum Classified System

Using the Classified System in Styleforum’s New Buy & Sell Interface


  1. Seller Dashboard

    1. Overview
    2. Terms & Conditions

  2. How to Post a Classified in Styleforum’s New Buy & Sell Interface

    1. Accessing Archived Listings
    2. Creating a New Listing
      1. Categories
      2. Create & Edit
      3. Paypal
      4. Add Images
        1. Uploading Images
        2. Uploading a Cover Image
      5. Discussions / Updating your Listing

  1. How to Use (and Buy from) Styleforum’s New Buy & Sell Interface

    1. Searching Buy & Sell
    2. Asking questions
    3. Individual Sellers
    4. Watching a Listing
    5. Buying a Listing

Note that the new term for a Buy & Sell post is “Resource.”

Seller Dashboard

  1. Navigate to your Seller Dashboard from the Buy & Sell dropdown menu as show below:
    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

    Inside your seller dashboard, you will be able to see your listings, your terms & conditions, and – in the future – see statistics on your sales.

  2. Terms and Conditions
    When you create a classified listing, you will be prompted to set Terms & Conditions for your sale. You can do this on an individual listing, or you can set Terms & Conditions that will apply to every listing you create from within your dashboard.

How to Post a Classified in Styleforum’s New Buy & Sell Interface

1. Accessing your archived posts

Classified posts from the old Styleforum platform were not imported into the new system. This is due not only to the limitations of the older system, but also because we wanted to build a more robust Buy & Sell system for our members.

To access your old classifieds listings, please visit the archive here:

http://www.styleforum.net/forums/#archives.20807

2. Creating a New Classified Listing

  1. First, navigate to the Buy & Sell subforum (1.)from the Nav Bar. Then, click “Add Classified” (2.):

    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

  2. Next, from the dropdown menu that appears in the popup, select the category of garment or accessory you would like to add:

    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

    Please note that within the same dropdown menu, categories are separated into “Classic Menswear” (at the top) and “Streetwear and Denim” (towards the bottom). Be sure to select the most accurate category.

  3. Once you’ve selected a category for your listing, you will be able to create and edit your listing:

    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

    Note that you are currently required to fill out all fields

3. Paypal

You now have the option to buy and sell directly through your Paypal account. Note: Styleforum does not store your account information aside from the address – all transactions are done through Paypal.

Linking your Paypal allows buyers to purchase from you directly, without having to deal with back-and-forth messages.

4. Uploading Images

There are 4 ways to upload an image: hotlink, direct upload, and drag-and-drop. Here’s how you do each:

  • To drag-and-drop an image, simply drag your image into the reply box.
  • To post an image from your library, click here:
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo
  • To link to an image via URL, click here:
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo
  • To upload an image to Styleforum directly, click here. (RECOMMENDED)
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

You can attach more than one image at once!

Which way should I do it?

If you want your picture to remain hosted on Styleforum  (you do), option 4 is your best bet. This ensures that the picture remains on the Styleforum server, even if it has been deleted from its outside host. This is the equivalent of the “Attach Image” feature from the old platform.

2. Adding a Cover Image

To add a cover image to your listing, check the “Upload Resource Icon” box at the bottom of the classified creation page:

new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

3. When you are finished, click the “Save” box at the bottom of the editor to post your listing.

5. Discussions / Updating Your Listing

Once you have saved your listing, you will see the option to view both “Overview” and “Discussion” tabs within the listing:

new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

In the discussion tab, you can post updates on your item, offer further information, or chat with interested buyers.


How to Use (and Buy from) Styleforum’s New Buy & Sell Interface

  1. Searching Buy & Sell
    1. When browsing the Buy & Sell subforum, you have the option to see the full list of current classifieds or to search for exactly what you want.
      1. To see all classifieds, click the “Buy & Sell” tab on the nav bar.
      2. To search for a specific item, hover your mouse over the “Buy & Sell” tab on the nav bar, and then select “Search Classifieds.” You will then be able to search by category within either the Classic Menswear or Streetwear and Denim selling subfora.

        new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

  2. Individual Sellers
    1. To see all the items offered by an individual seller, click the author name. This can be accessed either from inside an individual listing, or from the main Buy & Sell page.

      new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

    2. You can view seller feedback by clicking “View Trading Profile” within the Author tab.

      new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

  3. Asking a Question
    Once you have selected an item, you may wish to ask the seller a question. To do so, click the “Discuss this Resource” button on the right-hand side of the page.


  4. Watching a Listing
    You can now add listings to your “Watch List.” To do so, navigate to the item you wish to watch, and then click “Watch This Resource.”

    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

    To see all of your watched listings, select “Watched Resources” from the Buy & Sell dropdown menu.

    new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

  5. Buying a Listing
    1. Buy Now
      The simplest way to buy an item is through Paypal, by clicking the “Buy Now” button at the top right of the listing:

      new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

      This will prompt you to accept the user’s Terms & Conditions. Once you have accepted, you will be redirected to Paypal to complete the transaction.

    2. Start or Contribute to a Public Discussion
      If you wish to start a discussion with the seller, whether to discuss the item or the price, you can do so buy clicking the blue “Discuss this Resource” box on the right hand side of the listing.

      new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

      Note that all Discussions are public. Also note that You can either browse individual discussions directly from an individual listing, or you can also browse the discussions for B&S separately by going here: https://www.styleforum.net/forums/#buying-and-selling.6654

    3. Start a Private Conversation
      From within the listing, click the Author name from within the “Author Details” box on the right hand side of the listing. Then, select “Start a Conversation.” This will allow you to send an offer or a question privately.

      1. new Styleforum Classified System xenforo
      2. new Styleforum Classified System xenforo

Having technical problems? Please email us at [email protected]. Note that this is not the address to use for submitting opinions or requests.

The New Styleforum Interface Help: Basic FAQs (Part One)

New Styleforum Interface: Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for reading! While we’re sure this won’t cover every question you may have about Xenforo, the new platform used to host Styleforum, it should help you with some basic questions. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

  1. General questions
    1. 1.1 Basic Changes
    2. 1.2 Nomenclature changes
    3. 1.3 Forum locations
  2. Managing Notifications
    1. 2.1 Alert Preferences
    2. 2.2 Email Preferences
  3. Replying to a post
    1. 3.1 Quoting a post
    2. 3.2 Uploading images
  4. Account Privacy
    1. 4.1 Managing your privacy
    2. 4.2 Appearing “Offline”

1. General Questions

1.1 Basic Changes

Why did you change the site? The old one was perfect!

First and foremost, Huddler, the former platform, was being phased out by the developer. In other words, remaining on the same platform was not an option. We did a lot of research into other potential platforms, and ultimately Xenforo was the most appealing and gave us the most power, flexibility, and potential.

While we understand that change is always hard, after the initial hiccups that always accompany a move, we feel very confident that the new platform will be better for everyone – including you, dear reader – in both the short and long run.

If you are experiencing issues with site features, please email us at [email protected]. Note that this is not the address to use for submitting opinions on the change.


Also note that Styleforum has added a mouse-hover feature. When you’re looking at the nav-bar of Styleforum, you can hover your mouse over a topic to see a full list of subtopics. You can either click on a topic, click on a subtopic, or click on a blank space on the page to close the menu.

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

I don’t recognize anything! What does it all mean?

Good question! While the interface looks pretty close to what you remember, some things have changed. First of all, there are some differences in nomenclature.

Nomenclature Changes:

What it Was Called

What It’s Called Now

What it Means

1. Subscriptions

“Watched threads”

Threads you’ve decided you like and want to follow along with.

2. Notifications

“Alerts”

The notifications receive from various activities, such as activities in watched threads, and new conversations. These can be managed from within.

3. Private Messages

“Conversations”

Your private conversations with other users.

B&S Posts

“Resources”

Classified listings in Styleforum’s “Buy & Sell” subforum

Threads

“Discussions”

The content on which Styleforum runs!

Where is all this stuff?

You’ll notice that the “Front Page” of Styleforum no longer directs to your “Subscriptions” page. To find that list, click on the blue box labeled “watched threads” at the top of the forum.

  • To see your notifications, hover your mouse over (or click) the lightning bolt icon in the upper right corner.
  • To see your conversations hover your mouse over (or click) the envelope icon in the right corner.

In the image below, you can see where to find items 1-3 of the table (we’ll cover B&S in a later article!):

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo


2. How do I manage my alerts?

2.1 Alert Preferences

If you would like to change when you receive alerts, open the “Alerts” menu and select “Alert Preferences”:

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

You will then be able to select when you would like to receive alerts.

2.2 Email Alerts

To edit your email alerts, navigate to your “Contact Details”:

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

There, you will be able to see your email preferences, which you can select and deselect as desired:

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

Note that “site mailings” include emails such as Styleforum’s weekly newsletters and other forum updates.


3. Replying to a post

3.1 How do I quote a post?

You can quote a post by clicking the “Reply” button at the bottom right corner of the post you wish to quote. This will quote the text and place it in Xenforo’s text editor.

New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

To quote multiple posts in one reply, simply scroll up to the next post you would like to quote, and hit “Reply” once more.

How big an image can I import?

Currently, the size limit for all images uploaded to Styleforum is 10MB

3.2 How to I upload an image? I want to show off my sweet outfit.

There are 4 ways to upload an image: hotlink, direct upload, and drag-and-drop. Here’s how you do each:

  • To drag-and-drop an image, simply drag your image into the reply box.
  • To post an image from your library, click here:
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo
  • To link to an image via URL, click here:
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo
  • To upload an image to Styleforum directly, click here:
    New styleforum interface help FAQ Xenforo

Once you’ve added your image to your post, click the box that says “Full Image”Keep in mind that you can attach more than one image at once!

Which way should I do it?

If you want your picture to remain hosted on Styleforum, option 4 (Attach file or images) is your best bet. This ensures that the picture remains on the Styleforum server, even if it has been deleted from its outside host. This is the equivalent of the “Attach Image” feature from the old platform.


4. Account Privacy

4.1 Managing Account Privacy

To manage your account privacy settings, navigate to “Privacy” here:

From within this menu, you can adjust your Privacy settings as desired.

4.2 Appearing Offline

To appear offline, deselect the “Appear Online” check-box from within your Privacy settings. Please note that you will always appear online to yourself, as well as to Styleforum administrators.


We will discuss posting in the Buy & Sell forums in a later article. For now, if you have specific questions, you can post them below, but we encourage you to also ask them in the “New SF User Interface Thread,” where they may have already been answered. We will continue to update this article as necessary.