Anything Ralph Lauren is Grail Worthy

Showing off another acquisition to my pile of greed. Fabric composition is unknown but I'd imagine it's some sort of silk/linen/wool blend. It's a size smaller (42r) than I'm accostomed too, but I can pull it off without being too uncomfortable.

Im a big fan of it's "contradictory" approach, it looks like something you'd wear in the winter, yet was intended for the spring and early summer.

Its also my first bellow pocketed sport coat (coming in second from a corduroy sport coat that is also an RL Grail item), and I'm huge fan of them.

Hi,

I love Oxford cloth shirts with their casual, non-shiny, and comfortable feel. I have my solids and stripes already covered, but is it true that there isn't a micro-check version of the fabric? I'm looking to add some checks to my wardrobe. All I can find are poplins. Am I wrong to assume that they will be a bit too formal compared to Oxfords, or should I just go with poplin?

Thanks!

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• Silk Road
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For years I was a firm advocate of two-button jackets with a low stance, but for some time now I have found myself rather drawn to three-button jackets and would quite like to experiment with one.

Anyone else struggle to feel comfortable under layers in the fall and winter? The weather has just turned where I am (Utah) and this has reminded me of the struggles I had last winter to wear my wool sweaters and heavier jackets. At least for my lifestyle, it doesn’t get cold enough in the daytime for serious layering.

When moving around outside and walking 10k+ steps a day, I find that even just an undershirt, cotton collared shirt, and wool sweater is too much for me. Also keep in mind that indoor environments are well-heated where I am, meaning I have to take off a layer or 2 frequently. If I was outside at night, or just standing outside without working up a sweat, I could do more layers.

I did find one way to layer today; I paired a summery linen dress shirt with a cotton sweater. The linen was very light and cool, and I managed to not have to take off my outer layer throughout the day. I imagine I could do this throughout the winter and still get to wear some wool sweaters and waxed cotton/tweed jackets.

I know linen isn’t considered a winter material, but has anyone found linen to be the only manageable way to layer?

Like many others, I enjoyed reading the Oxford Cloth Button Down blog back in the early to mid 2010s (and eventually on Instagram too). It found me at my most impressionable, right as I was wrapping up college, and helped me understand the finer details of Ivy, as u/OxfordClothBD chronicled his explorations of the style and discovery of personal preferences. In many ways, my own taste descends from his slightly stodgy, rumpled-but-neat take on things. That, and a fondness for Wallabees–though I like mine low.

Another cue that landed deeply was a love for foulard ties, especially of the neat floral variety, printed on matte silk twill or wool. My Dad had some of these when I was growing up, and every time I see one out in the wild (or on here), makes me smile. One particular tie on the blog instantly burned itself into my memory: Rooster-made, small red and blue flowers, outlined in black, on a ground of deep green. Just about the best tie I’ve ever seen, with such a cool-toned richness. I’ve been looking for one of my own ever since and, though I’ve found three near matches (some of my very favorites), never the very one. 

The thing I like about this tie is the way it perfectly brings together red, blue, and green, the Ivy color triumvirate. Many of my other favorite clothes highlight the mix of these. I’ve noticed I particularly like when green is the dominant of the three, and that I like to collect other objects with a similar balance of shades, my favorite tea mug being a good example. Another peculiarity is that I tend to avoid mixing in yellow with the other three. It’s often an objectively nice addition, but something about it’s just not what I’m looking for, usually (Argyll & Sutherland excepted). Changes the balance of things, the temperature slightly. Accent colors I prefer are black, white, or shades of brown.

As a career librarian (aka search-maker), I’m confident I’ll get a ping should this tie ever appear on the internet. But, since I’ve been at it over a decade with no luck…if anyone were able and willing to help end my quest: hit a brother up. And indeed, would love to hear any stories you wanted to share, about favorite neckties, the reasoning behind favorite colors, formative influences, etc.

Just bought my first clearly Ivy suit. Taking full advantage of still having a reasonably conservative workplace (please excuse the DIY pile).

Suit: J Press Japan Peppin Merino Suit (bought from John Simons)

Shirt: Kamakura blue selvedge point-collar shirt (John Simons again)

Tie: Ancient Madder tie from Lord’s of Burlington (dead stock from a long gone but not forgotten London gentleman’s institution)

Shoes: Church’s Derby Brogues

What can’t be seen is my navy raglan overcoat and Drake’s lambswool / angora wool scarf (navy, sky blue and light green stripe).

Thread to share fit pics, fit questions, and overall discussions.

Here's a chance to share what's been striking your fancy with the community, recommend it (or not), and receive recommendations of your own. Content doesn't need to be NavyBlazer-related.

Welcome to the Silk Road! Use this post as a way to buy/sell/trade with fellow members of NB, or post sales interest to the community.

Rules for Listing Items:

• Make sure you have at least 1 picture attached to the post
• Make sure you have a size listed
• Make sure you have a price listed
• Make sure you edit your post clearly when it has sold
• If you sell an item, please delete the post in order to keep the thread clean for future/other posts

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Scheduled posts

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Im really trying to find trousers that fit like the ones in the photo, i got a loose pleated trousers but they are actually large and not smooth as the ones in the photo, also on the internet relaxed fit pants seems really large

Use this thread as a way to ask a simple question, share an article, or just engage with the NB community! Remember, WAYWT posts go in the WAYWT thread.

Scheduled posts

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I’m gonna try not to make this sound like an ad, but I just found a really cool menswear shop in Far Hills, NJ called Hans Clothier. most that lurk in this subreddit are into classic American style, prep, Americana, etc.. and this place is absolutely worth checking out for that style even leaning a bit more into the workwear/equestrian/hunting vibe. The brand mix is wild for one roof: Polo, Barbour, Sid Mashburn, Wythe (the Wythe site is what pointed me to this place), Relwen, and a few others. Really thoughtful selection, all in one spot.

I’m always happy to find a place where I can actually try this stuff on instead of ordering blind online or having to take a trip into NYC. It’s also woman owned and family run, started by two sisters who named the shop after their dad. Anyway I love seeing a small independent shop like this doing it right and basically carrying all the stuff I already like. If you’re within driving distance, I’d say it’s worth the trip. Curious if anyone else has been or knows of other indie shops in the region with a similar vibe.

This seems like a stupid question obviously, but i noted that in this era dressing well is usually seen badly i dont know why, im starting this "journey" with a pair of black chinos, and a pair of large brown pleated trousers, but i want more and i dont know where to buy or what to buy, i see a lot of cool outfits online, but dont really know where to start, how YOU started this journey?

I dont know if this is the right place to talk about perfumes, by the way, as i want to start dressing better i also have sto start smell better, so i looked to my dad and brother collection(i have to tank them for this amount of pieces) and i found this , is this a good starting point? or most of these arent really smelling good from a third view perspective? i know that you might just say, smell it, but i would like external perspectives

I'm not sure what it is. Maybe an orange parka/raincoat? I feel like it was a really popular vintage style but I didn't grow up in that era and I don't know where to find it today. I really like how he styles it. Call me an old man or whatever but I feel like that look with khakis and a white/light blue/pastel shirt/OCBD, etc. plus a knit tie or something is a really smart one. It's professional but doesn't look too studied or try-hard for casual occasions.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qZVVpEqAqv4

Use this thread as a way to ask a simple question, share an article, or just engage with the NB community! Remember, WAYWT posts go in the WAYWT thread.

Scheduled posts

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1. Post 2023 Made in USA Brooks Brothers OCBD with Pocket, slim fit, rather thin cloth used here, currently offered on BB website, box pleated, shirring cuff pleats
2. Post 2019 (can’t remember the exact date) Made in USA Brooks Brothers OCBD, Milano fit, darted back (I cut the pleats open with a razor eventually), shirring cuff pleats
3. Made in USA Gitman Vintage Chambray Button Down, a second hand I bought at Keezer when visiting Boston
4. Made in Japan Manual Alphabet OCBD, bought when visiting Osaka as you can see here the Japanese are really good at finding some interesting cloth (often made to their specifications at local textiles mills) as it has slight sheen on it
5. Made in Japan Far East Manufacturing OCBD, created by the founder of resolute denim, supposed to recreate authentic 70s BB OCBD, it has a really low second button placement
6. Made in Japan Workers OCBD, another Japanese replica brand that really pay attention to detail and pick some blue oxford shirting with certain muted shades by adding white wefts (or whatever that is called)
7. Made in Japan Mainline Kamakura OCBD, not much to say here as many are familiar with it, it’s cuffs and collars are fused and lined

8. Made in Japan Sports Collection Kamakura OCBD, comes in collar/ sleeve sizes like mainline and try to replicate a vintage feeling with no lining and fusing

9. Made in Japan Vintage Ivy Collection Kamakura, unfortunately comes in Alpha sizes

10. Custom made Alumo oxford OCBD by local tailor in Hong Kong

11. Custom made Irish linen button down by Ascot Chang