Though I have not written about it too much, I am a very customer service focused person. Having spent years in high-end retail and now the association business, I know from good customer service.
I also have rather high standards for myself when it comes to helping others and providing personal service; in another life I am sure I was a very good butler. What truly saddens me though,is how often I am disappointed with the lack of basic customer service skills displayed by so many sales people.When approached by a customer, deliberately or not, too many project the the distinct attitude of being rudely interrupted - even if they were just staring at a wall. Deep down they do not want to actually help you; they want you to leave them alone. This is a major character flaw in too many sales people who really should be working as far away from other people as possible.
Often this rings true for high-end stores as well. The difference here is that these rarefied staffers simply feel they are better than many of their customers. The have embodied the luxury brand for which they work to such a degree that, in their minds, you - the mere customer - are of a lesser class. It's a variation of the Helsinki Syndrome, but instead of kidnapping terrorists, the person is identifying with, say, a luxury French harness maker.
Of course, many people who work in retail are wonderful individuals who have a natural desire to help others; to simply be of service. Mary Louise Starkey, founder of the exclusive household staffing agency Starkey International, calls it "service heart." If you have it, you have it; and if you don't, it's very hard to develop from the outside in. When I run across people who embody such natural service personalities I take note; and yesterday it happened twice.
What makes this interesting is that it happened at opposite ends of the retail economic spectrum: Ralph Lauren and Wal Mart. At Wal Mart I was assisted by a young lady who went out of her way to track down the key to a locked display. At one point I thought she had abandoned me; actually she had gone to locate a manager at the other end of the store and then worked her way back to me through the crowds.
She was professional and patient though clearly frustrated that I was being inconvenienced since the employee who should have been helping me was nowhere to be found. Once I had what I needed she took me to a side register and rang me up herself.
While that was a wonderful example of attention, patience, and follow-through; my Ralph Lauren experience is one of detail. When I walked into the large flagship store in swanky Chevy Chase, I was immediately met by a small cluster of sales people bunched together chatting about store issues. They were not rude, mind you, just otherwise engaged. Over his shoulder, one young man said hello and went back to his discussion. I felt like I was walking into some one's house unannounced and interrupting a family gathering.
I then strolled into into the rear section of the store and was quickly greeted by another young gentleman. He had been folding some clothes but stopped when I came in. Noticing I had two heavy looking bags he immediately asked if I would like him to store them securely while I walked around. I said, "yes, thank you," and set about looking for a present for my wife.
What struck me most was that his actions were natural. He instinctively looked for a way to make my visit more comfortable and (of course) to put me in a purchasing mood. When I eventually picked up my bags, he was equally gracious even though another sales person had actually helped me with a purchase.
When I return to that Ralph Lauren store, I will make a point to look for him because he made a point of looking after me when he did not necessarily have to. That is innate customer service.
I've really wanted to write about this, but unfortunately have been tied up for the past few days.
Last week I saw Bruce Springsteen in concert. From a very nice box overlooking the stage. Now, this has absolutely nothing to do with the actual concert per se, but I am now of an age where I more fully appreciate the benefits of watching an outstanding concert from the comfort of a leather lounge chair with both cold beer and a private bathroom in easy reach.
My wife and I were invited to this sold out event and needed no prompting when we learned of the cushy digs. If you ever get such an offer, take it. I don't care if it's for The Wiggles, a corporate box makes everything better.
Well, enough of that, what I really wanted to talk about was Bruce, the Boss. Let me first say that this concert was fantastic. It was not a "show" or and "event" or even a "production." It was a concert, and by that I mean Bruce and the E-Street Band played for two solid hours with no lip syncing or backup tracks. That's how real musicians play and they are very much for real. These guys are all in their 50s and if I have half as much stamina and rock-n-roll when I get there, I'll be in good shape.
What really went through my mind that night was how real the whole thing was; it was classic rock-n-roll. A big open stage, drum kit back and center, Hammond organ off to the side and the entire band out in front. Everyone wore black; the focus was the music because you already knew who they were, and they're a bunch of guys from Jersey who don't need to look like peacocks.
The Verizon Center was a sea of people, from couples in their 60s all the way down to the little kid on his dad's shoulders who reached up from the floor to get a big handshake and wave from the Boss. Bruce worked the crowd, in front of and behind the stage, had giant projection screens all around so everyone could have a good view, and he played his heart out. After witnessing that concert, I have no sympathy for the current pop stars who look good but can't sing live, have an entourage to go get a cup of coffee, and need to take tour breaks because of "exhaustion."
You want to see someone who's worked to get where he is - who wasn't manufactured for a target audience? Go watch Bruce do his job. That's style and that's class. Period.
GQ recently launched a new online-only feature called "GQ Rules: How to Amp Up Your Style in 30 Days." The folks at GQ compiled some of the best knowledge from their editors and correspondents, including Style Guy Glenn O'Brien, to create a simple step-by-step guide to the foundations of good style.
http://www.gqrules.com/
The 30 style tips comprise videos, slide shows, and product recommendations covering everything from knowing your size to accessorizing with tie bars and pocket squares. Take a look, sign up, and let me know what you think about it.
Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers both made retail news today.
One is further expanding its multi-layered brand approach to the Southern luxury market hub of Atlanta, while the other is weighing the next step for a fledgling breakout high-end product line. These two approaches present interesting examples of how luxury companies handle the never ending problem of gaining market share.
Southern Polo
Ralph Lauren recently opened a new flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia, and has projected robust sales for the location. According to Charles Fagan, RL's executive vice president of global retail brand development, the store, equal in size to the Chevy Chase, Maryland, flagship, is expected to produce comparable sales per square foot.
Additionally, Fagan told DNR that the Atlanta location is especially chock full of elegance and glamour. The Lenox Square location will greet customers with 14,000 square feet of upscale Southern ambiance combined with the sophistication of the company's Milan store.
Juxtaposing this high-end environment, the RRL store-within-a-store presents a more rustic general store environment, with a tin ceiling and rough hewn floors. Compared to the main store's copious limestone and wrought-iron, this country casual atmosphere best highlights RRL's chinos and work wear inspired clothing.
Read the full DNR article here.
Black Fleece Leading the Herd
In a related story, Brooks Brothers appears to be seriously considering giving the newly launched Black Fleece line its own store. No firm plans have been announced, but Brooks CEO Claudio Del Vecchio has made it very clear that he thinks the line can carry its own stand-alone stores.
I wholeheartedly agree. Black Fleece, the result of a creative collaboration with designer Thom Browne intended to freshen up Brooks' tradition-bound personality, has been a surprising success. While many longtime customers may look askance at the slim cut and slightly avant garde designs, sales have made it clear that the line is a hit in many markets - particularly Asia. The overall design and feel of of Black Fleece, along with it's handmade quality, make it a unique and clearly identifiable brand apart from Brooks Brothers and for that matter, from Thom Browne.
Browne's contract with Brooks is for four seasons and Del Vecchio is already looking beyond the Thom Browne era, suggesting that different guest designers will be invited to regularly freshen the Black Fleece line. This strategy would give the brand something akin to a limited edition atelier feel. If successful, this approach could make Black Fleece a regular "must have" for classic dressers looking for a seasonal sartorial twist.
Actual Black Fleece stores would be limited to specific global markets that have shown the most interest. All in all, I think both the success of Black Fleece and Brooks' overall turnaround are both excellent examples of why men everywhere should say a special word of thanks to Claudio Del Vecchio.
Read the full DNR article here.
A little while ago, I was asked by the folks at Axe, the edgy men's grooming company, to test out and review their new "Vice" product line. Axe, part of Unilever, bills itself as the world's most popular male grooming brand. Vice is new to the market and I accepted the tough challenge of smelling better than normal for the past two weeks.
With a target demographic that clearly centers around single guys in their 20s and early 30s, Axe's aggressive and highly creative advertising campaign includes this hilarious mock-u-mentary which focuses on women in prison for assaulting men because the guys' Axe Vice deodorant and shower gel just smelled too seductive.
All in all, I liked the whole line which includes a shower gel, body spray, and two deodorants - solid and gel. The musky but light scent is clearly noticeable and some guys might find it a little overpowering. It's definitely a man's product and no one is going to think that you used your girlfriend's stuff by accident.
If I had any favorites, I would have to say the solid deodorant and the shower gel were tops. The gel deodorant just didn't feel as comfortable as the solid and the shower gel lathered right up and left me feeling very clean but not bathed in scent. The body spray was fine, just a little odd from my perspective; though I fully accept that I'm probably not the target club-hopping consumer on that one.
I love the whole advertising angle on this stuff. From the "I could only wish that happened to me," commercials (boom chicka wah wah one is the best) to the not too-subtle instruction panel on the back of the shower gel container: (1) get in the shower (2) lather up with two girlfriends. OK, not too likely, but lots of fun.
But that's the kicker here. There are only so many ways to sell deodorant and Axe has found a totally novel and creatively multi layered approach. Regardless, the products are what really matter and they're good products. Give them a try - who know what might happen.
About two months ago OTC was contacted by Suunto, a watch company based in Helsinki, Finland. Suunto is best known as a designer of midrange digital sports watches that border on being wrist computers.
Founded in 1936, Suunto has a long and respected history as an innovator in sports timing, especially in the field of digital timing.It turns out that Suunto is going upscale and wanted to see what OTC thought of the effort.The new Suunto Elementum collection – exclusively manufactured in Finland – consist of three unique watches geared to specific activities. Now, as you may already guess, OTC does not really fit the digital watch model. Typically, when we discuss watches we’re talking about things like the benefits of tourbillions or how the very inaccuracy of mechanical watches make them so special.That is still very much the case here, but the Elementum caught us off guard. These stylish, urban-inspired watches combine a high degree of craftsmanship with precision digital technology in a unique and attractive package. The goal in creating this collection was to marry form and function in an upscale and highly designed product. As far as we’re concerned, it worked.The collection consists of three watches, Elementum Aqua, Elementum Terra and Elementum Ventus, specifically designed for diving, mountaineering and sailing. Their Latin names directly translate to water, earth and wind, which are the three elements that surround the activities Suunto Elementum is inspired by and designed to help navigate through.Noticing an increased interest and demand for stylish but functional premium sports watches, Suunto developed the Elementum Collection to meet the needs of three specific types of people. 
Elementum Aqua (on stainless steel bracelet)The Aqua detects when the user enters the water and starts all the functions and measurements for a dive, such as depth, maximum depth, dive time, surface time and water temperature.
Elementum Terra (on leather strap)
The Terra is equipped to help its wearer survive in the outdoors, such as an altimeter for altitude measurement, barometer for easy prediction of weather changes and compass for navigation.The Ventus is a highly sophisticated yet interestingly elegant sailing timepiece with features that allow for predictions of upcoming weather, an advanced compass for navigation and a sailing timer for the timing race starts.
After reviewing the three models – each available with a variety of finishes and straps – we chose Ventus as the test model. Its association with sailing and the hefty leather strap made it a good match with OTC’s sense of style.
Elementum Ventu (on leather strap)Once the watch arrived, it was clear to us that Suunto was moving in a very premium direction. The outer box’s gallery drop front and inner box’s solid feel and clean finish all foretold that something different was going on.The first thing we noticed about the watch was that while it is a solid 45mm across and sat quite high on the wrist, it weighed almost nothing. The face is a completely seamless crystal (negative display) and all functions are controlled by the pushers at three and four o-clock and the knob at two o-clock.The Ventus is a sharp looking watch. Most people who commented on it said that it’s an interesting (in a good way) combination of new and old, modern and functional.What we really like though, is the leather strap. The thick tan hide nicely counterpoints the case’s brushed stainless steel case and signed buckle. First time on the wrist and it felt moulded in place and the white top stitching really compliments the overall feel.
Technically speaking the functions are simple and strait forward – once you figure out which feature is controlled by which pusher. The barometric pressure graph is very useful (and cool) and the backlighting is, as my nephew would say, “wicked bright.”Brand wise, Suunto has handled everything in-house, which is very admirable. The watches and the campaign’s approach both reflect this more personal philosophy. Each watch in the collection has its own brand ambassador. Ventus’ is Finnish sailing champion and Olympian Thomas Johanson. Check out his Suunto video HERE.OTC happily recommends the Suunto Ventus as a cool yet classic tool watch with a modern flair. It’s functional, stylish, has a killer strap and the impressive pedigree of North Sea testing. Please note that it’s not a suit watch; it’s a dressy casual watch that can hit the seas (or just the mall) without skipping a beat.Suunto Elementum is available in the USA, Sweden and Italy. It will be available this fall in Finland, Argentina, Greece, Japan and Singapore. MSRP is approximately $1,000.
Every now and then I come across a company that is truly unique and catches my eye. It could be the products or marketing approach. Sometimes it’s their buzz factor or ability to hit the market with the right thing at the right time. In the case of Smart Turnout, it started with a watch band.Page 195 of the 2007 Esquire Big Black Book showed a picture of a sharp looking Fortis chronograph on a red and blue ribbon watch strap. The strap was unlike any other I had seen. It was a standard looking preppy nylon strap but the band itself was constructed like a NATO watch strap with a decidedly military feel to it. The combination of watch and strap was perfectly ironic: gin and tonic meets Top Gun. According to the copy, the strap was manufactured by Smart Turnout, an English company. I was intrigued.
The Smart Turnout WatchI tracked down that strap at J. Press and when paired with my Tutima chronograph gave me the same look. I wanted to learn more about Smart Turnout and did a little digging. At about the same time, Smart Turnout found me. It seems in doing a web search they ran across an OTC article in which I referenced their company.In the ensuing exchanges, I wound up learning that Smart Turnout makes a lot more than just watch straps.The idea for the company came when Philip Turner was nearing the end of his 10 year period in the Scots Guards. Philip was participating in a horse race at Sandown Park in 1992, and had a sweater knitted for the occasion in his regimental colors.
It drew many compliments back at the regiment and gave rise to the idea of developing more clothes in club colors and Smart Turnout was conceived. The company has grown into one which is dedicated to producing a variety of unique products, all fashioned in the colors of the British and U.S. military, schools, and British and American Universities.Smart Turnout sells a wide range of goods, including ties, cufflinks, cummerbunds, belts and braces, scarves and socks. Starting this season, you can pick up smart webbing belts in the colors of the British Royal Marines and the Black Watch. They are even getting into the sleepwear business with dressing gowns and pajamas in regimental colors.As a relatively small company, Smart Turnout is looking to expand its reach and broaden its market. In addition to a full service website, its American operation consists of haberdasheries like the aforementioned J. Press stocking a limited selection of items. Personally I want more; I’d like to walk into a Smart Turnout store in, say, Boston. I think that the brand could carry a nice little brick-and-mortar outlet in Bean Town.
Smart Turnout Yale Cuff LinksI am especially fond of my Smart Turnout Yale cufflinks; the kind with the chain. When I opened the small blue leather box, I was impressed with their quality and construction. The detail alone in the school’s seal is quite remarkable. In addition to acquiring a couple of additional watch straps, I also have an Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders regimental tie which is pretty sharp too.
Yale & Harvard Jumpers (Yep, from England)If you are looking for that old school, old money look, this is the place to start. In many ways it’s a preppy version of the candy store. I don’t often write this extensively about specific brands, but Smart Turnout has really caught my attention because of both the depth and breadth of its offerings. It’s created a real niche for itself and I have not found anything quite like it.
I've been in New York City on business for the past few days and am happy to report that it's still the cool, hectic, stylish and compelling city I love. In addition to my meetings, NYC was hosting the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. That means, apart from the backroom dealings, geopolitical machinations, and earnest, lengthy speeches - the traffic was awful.
Still, I got a chance to walk around a bit and visited some favorite parts of town. Quite accidentally, I also discovered where Alan Flusser's Custom Shop is located; 3 East 48th Street, on the fourth floor. With more than twenty years of experience in refining the art of men's classic style and tailoring, he sits at the top of my list when it comes to possible, "some day" interviews.
I also stopped by Brooks Brothers' flagship store on Madison Avenue to check out the new Black Fleece line. Thom Browne's joint venture with Brooks has been both lauded and questioned. I have to say though, at least up there on the third floor with a huge plasma screen showing runway clips, the slightly industrial showroom style sample racks, and an overall hipper version of the BB clubby feel, I was pretty impressed.
Black Fleece by Thom Browne (Men's Vogue)
I ran into two Japanese gents trying on Black Fleece oxford shirts and asked them for an opinion on fit; " definitely a slimmer fit," came the reply. But they both seemed pretty impressed; so was I. The samples on display, turned inside-out, highlighted exceptional tailoring and the fabrics were alternately butter soft or weighty and dense - each appropriate to the piece.
The overall feel of the collection is a merger between the pared down monochromatic aesthetic of 1950s America and the restrained yet stylized European body conscious look of today. It's not your dad's Brooks Brothers, but it's also not an abandonment of classic style; not at all in fact. It's just a different twist.
Some things however, like the dove gray morning coat tricked out with white trim, a la boating jacket, are wholly decorative and practically nonfunctional in the real world (at least mine). Browne's trademark "shrunken suits" have been elongated to the realistic proportions of actual men who don't work the runways for a living. Overall, a fresh breath of air for a classic label. Nice job Thom.
Lastly, as I'm always on the lookout for interesting men's bags, I wanted to wanted to give a quick field report on one of my favorite brands, Jack Spade. I saw several versions out on the street, but the one that made me feel good about my recommending Jack Spade bags for the workday was on the 36th floor of Merrill Lynch's headquarters.
In a room filled with very sharp pinstripe suited equity analysts, one guy pulled out his Jack Spade field bag and told me he's had it long enough to wear a small but growing hole in the corner. When he needs to, he said, he's getting another one. And you know what? It looked darn good slung over the shoulder of a navy chalk stripe suit and Gucci loafers.
It would appear that I’ve finally made it to the big leagues of blogdom. Workman Publishing recently contacted me to ask that I review The Official Filthy Rich Handbook, by Christopher Tennant.
This pretender to The Official Preppy Handbook throne has been making the reviewer’s rounds and I have secretly hoped to be among the chosen few to peer critically though this (satirical?) homage to the world of the super-rich and super-vain.It’s a hilarious and very well written book. It also looks like a handbook and is quite at home next to my dog eared copy of The Official Preppy Handbook. One of the enduring charms of the OPH is the fine line it treads between satire and real-world guide. If you so chose, you could very well live your life according to the OPH. The same can be said of The Official Filthy Rich Handbook – assuming you have several hundred million dollars. Make that a billion.The book is romp through the many aspects of living the life of the super rich; from where to live to the nuances of owning your own Boeing 767. Where to vacation (Ibiza and Formentera), how many polo ponies should you own (at least eight), and which hangers-on are most important to have in your retinue (therapist and life coach top that list). The insightful commentary is clever and witty as it is biting.While not a realistic guide, per se, it offers a wonderful primer on living well and what, exactly, constitutes “well.” To wit, the chapter “Buying a Better You” covers both the ridiculous, like a clip-and-save Non Disclosure Agreement for your staff, and the interesting, such as which once Blue Chip luxury names are now considered a bit too pedestrian (think Burberry and Tiffany & Co.).A la Preppy Handbook, there is a tongue-in-cheek schematic of the typical billionaire closet on which one might wish to model their own. From the rack of Kiton “K-50” custom suits which start at about $50,000 each, to the custom stingray John Lobb lace ups, it is a tour de force in over the top branding. Caring for one’s clothing is also touched upon: drop everything on the floor. Your domestic help will eventually pick it up and put it where it needs to be.
The sections on heirs and child-rearing are a hoot. And it is here that the book is closest to its Official Preppy Handbook muse; updating readers on the proper prep schools and which colleges are acceptable back-ups for your less than brilliant offspring.All in all, The Filthy Rich Handbook is a worthy and guffaw-inducing successor to that paragon of parody, The Official Preppy Handbook. Buy up some extras and give them to your household staff for Christmas.
I like Las Vegas, not enough to live there but enough to look forward to the five-hour flight from D.C. It’s a remarkable city that draws designers, retailers, craftsmen and brands from around the world.
On my most recent business trip to Vegas I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore Sin City's more acceptable vice: shopping.While gambling - or gaming in the industry's parlance - is the mother's milk of Las Vegas, the city's retail offerings rival most of the world's A-list venues. Think of a brand and it more than likely has a presence in Vegas. And not only that, the city's retail footprints are often large and glitzy. Like everything else in Las Vegas, bigger is better and flash always wins over subtlety.As a consumer-dedicated destination city, you will see cheek by jowl companies that you did not even know had a store and familiar mass market luxury names – Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Cartier and Rolex to name only a tiny fraction. Some firms use their Vegas presence to create a new version of themselves, capitalizing on the town's penchant for bigger and glitzier. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I found an excellent expression of this philosophy in the Forum Shops at Caesars.
The Tourneau Time Dome is the venerable New York company's Las Vegas Outlet. It's Tourneau's largest store; 35 custom-built brand shops-within-a-shop are spread across two-stories. From Swiss Army to Rolex to Breguet, more than 8,000 timepieces from 100 watchmakers are on display. Unsurprisingly, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the 17,500-square-foot space is the world's largest watch store. If you are a watch person, you must visit this temple to luxury timekeeping.And while you might expect to more fashion forward retailers in this other city that never sleeps, in the Forum Shops I encountered one of the nicest Brooks Brothers stores I’ve seen in quite a while. Large, well stocked and with a pleasant and knowledgeable sales staff, I’d go back in a minute.
Since I also have a thing for good pens and leather goods, I checked out the Mont Blanc store. I’ve never been too keen on their watches – I’m often like that with companies that aren’t really in the watch business; they are a pen company that moved into watches. I spent some time chatting with John Castiglione about the company’s plans to produce its own watch movements. With ETA close to ending its sales to non-Swatch Group watchmakers, Mont Blanc is taking the vertical integration approach and bringing everything in-house. Thanks to Mr. Castiglione, I have a better appreciation of Mont Blanc’s dedication to its watches. Maybe I do like the Timewalker after all.
If you really want to feel like a real high roller head over to the Wynn and check out Wynn Penske, one of the few factory authorized Ferrari & Maserati dealerships in the country. Once you’ve picked out your new set of wheels, visit the sumptuous Brioni boutique for some new custom duds. Then make a point to stop by Graff Jewelers and pick up a little 25 karat something for the girl in your life.
Over at Belagio, Hermes is regular stop for me. It’s not the largest store, but it always has a wonderful selection of the company’s exceptionally crafted goods. The store also overlooks the Casino’s famous fountains.
When I go out in Las Vegas, I always make a point of dressing up a bit. The place is choc a block with flip-flop wearing tourists; instead, I try to be the stylish traveler. There’s a big difference. Think “Ocean’s 11” – either version, though the newer one is to me the epitome of casually elegant modern style. As you wander through the swanky shopping arcades, aspire to be someone worth looking at. And in a place like Las Vegas, making the extra effort is extra fun.
On a recent business trip to Las Vegas, I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore Sin City's other vice: shopping.
While gambling - or gaming in the industry's parlance - is the mother's milk of Las Vegas, the city's retail offerings rival most of the world's A-list cities. Think of a brand and it more than likely has a storefront in Vegas. And not only that, the city's retail footprints are often large and glitzy. Like everything else in Las Vegas, the whole point of having a presence there is to be noticed and hopefully bought.I'm not a shopper in the sense that I shop to find emotional satisfaction, rather I am endlessly fascinated by the variety of goods out there in the world. I'm like a sociological shopper; learning about craftsmen and companies, brands and trends, quality and design by exploring the final products that hit the market. A place like Las Vegas is remarkable because it draws the finest brands from around the world to one place.
In this city you will see cheek by jowl companies that you did not even know had a store and familiar mass market luxury names. Some firms use their Vegas presence to create a new version of themselves, capitalizing on the town's penchant for bigger and glitzier. I found the ultimate expression of this philosophy in the Forum Shops at Caesars.The Tourneau Time Dome is the venerable New York company's Las Vegas Outlet. It's Tourneau's largest store; 35 custom-built brand shops-within-a-shop are spread across two-stories. From Swiss Army to Rolex to Breguet, more than 8,000 timepieces from 100 watchmakers are on display. Unsurprisingly, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the 17,500-square-foot space is the world's largest watch store.
Panerai & IWC Schaffhausen
For watch lovers, it's a breathtaking experience. In the end though, it's a store in Vegas which has its pluses and minuses. I initially found the sales staff to be rather dismissive - particularly the Rolex guys. However, as I worked my way into the store and investigated less pedestrian brands - Panerai, Duby & Schaldenbrand, Blancpain, IWC - I met Kate Um, one of the senior sales consultants. She was a pleasure to chat with and was nonplussed that I might not buy something that very minute, instead walking me through the boutiques and discussing the merits of some less obvious brands.
BreguetIf you happen to be in Vegas for a day or so, take a little time to visit the Time Dome. If you are in the market for a new watch you'll certainly see more options than you thought existed. If you just want to look around and see what's out there, you will not be disappointed.
I recently wrote about J. Crew's new specialty men's store in New York. Well, it just opened but before it did, Michael Williams of the excellent blog A Continuous Lean, got a hold of some wonderful pictures shot by photographer Brian Berman.
It's a great looking store and I can't wait to check it out the next time I'm in New York. Interestingly though, I was just speaking with New York clothier Jay Koz and he asked me what I thought of Crew's mens wear store. I said that although I had not actually been in it, I thought it bore an interesting resemblance to Kos' own Park Avenue boutique. Well, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
With the wonderful images provided by ACL, I still say J. Crew's creative folks must have at least taken some notes while strolling past Kos' store. Though more rustic and "Rugby-ish" than Jay Kos, floor design, lifestyle themes, colors and product display are similar.
In the end though, it doesn't really matter because the stuff is what matters and both J. Crew's and Jay Kos' stuff are at the top of my list.
As someone who is constantly taking notes, sketching out ideas and regularly trying to sound witty and knowledgeable on such elusive topics as what socks to wear with white bucks, I pay attention to notebooks. Like any other personal accessory, the pedestrian notebook says as much about you as your shirt or watch. It s a telling detail, but a very personal one. Do you grab an anonymous spiral bound book from the supermarket shelf, along with your paper towels and milk? Or do you search for an exotic Florentine creation in bound in leather with marbled pages?
While I admit that I have a weak spot for nice blank books and handmade papers, I really love the elegant simplicity of Moleskine journals. These subversive little black books with the elastic band almost beg to be written in. While an admittedly elegant lambskin journal from Smythson will cost you $250, for under $20, you can get a large format Moleskine in your choice paper style (plain, lined or grid). There is even a handy expanding pocket in the back. Though this larger size is good enough for the office, most people recognize the small pocket size journals.
Where some journals look like they belong in a museum and elicit literal panic should you write down a mere “to do” list within those hand tooled covers, Moleksines encourage you to jot down your daily musings.
The Italian company that now owns Moleskine, Modo & Modo, recently expanded their product line to include a variety of elegantly simple diaries and cahiers. These thinner, lightweight versions of the traditional Moleskine are perfect for a shirt pocket or slipping inside a leather folio on the way to a meeting.
The latest and most exciting edition to the lineup are the newly launched city journals. On the outside they have the traditional black cover, but inside are filled with a combination of maps, city guides, tabbed sections for listing such vitals as restaurants and stores, and room for travel notes. I have the Washington, D.C., edition and find it a great tool for keeping track of the stores and local events I need to check on. City journals cover other locals including Paris, London, Seattle, and Rome. Each book has the city name discretely embossed on the spine.
Moleskine has an enormous cult following across the web and one of the best sites is the blog moleskinerie.com. Also stop by Moleskine City.com, an amazing blog dedicated to travel and urban exploration in all its forms. Of course, make sure to check out the official company website as well; it is a cool and informative resource for all things Moleskine.
This is the last installment of my Commuter and Dad Bag Test. I have had the chance to examine and test numerous bags from a number of brands spanning a variety of styles. From nylon messenger bags built for urban transport to a classic leather mailbag ready to handle a lifetime of aging.
I have also gained an appreciation for the many companies out there looking for the next big thing in transporting your stuff with style and function. One bag had so many pockets, flaps and zippers that I almost needed an instruction book to remember where I put my house key. Another had no outside pockets at all, not one; so every time I needed to access my metro card, up came the giant flap and a panicked search would ensue. That one didn’t last long.Perhaps because of all the impressive advancements in the bag market, I also have a much greater appreciation for the basics. The J. Peterman Counterfeit Mail Bag is an excellent example of what I consider mastery of common sense. It is simple, sturdy, beautiful and totally functional. Is it perfect for all your needs? Probably not, but that’s not the point. Every time I carry it, I get at least one compliment before I even reach the office.The last bag I tested was another simple and timeless design by Manhattan Portage, one of the original messenger bag companies. The Waxed Vintage Messenger Bag (model #1605V-WP, $60.00) sounds slightly intimidating, but it’s really a wonderful bag that has real personality outside of its functional role.
The company itself can be described the same way. When it was founded in 1983, Manhattan Portage had a simple philosophy, "a bag for everyone." 25 years later it still holds true. Across the globe, from Boston to Osaka, Manhattan Portage's line of bags are indeed everywhere and carried by everyone. I even saw one on a barge trip in Provence, France.As a company, Manhattan Portage remains loyal to its New York roots. Because their designs are functional and straightforward, the bags always seem to be in style - no mean feat in a city that’s constantly in search of something new and different.Manhattan Portage has been able to avoid becoming another fleeting fad and withstand the test of time because their bags do. In fact, a fascinating April 2007 Esquire story documents the survival and subsequent examination of the writer's messenger bag after making it out of lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. That’s one tough bag.
The one I tested, under far less strenuous conditions, is nonetheless a robust bag that will be around for a long time. Constructed of waxwear, it is a little heavier than similar nylon-based bags. What is gained though, a natural and durable material, is worth the difference.
In BrownThe fabric used by Manhattan Portage is from Herbert Rice, one of the top makers of waxed fabrics. Waxwear, a trademarked product, is a cotton-based fabric impregnated with a paraffin formula derived from recipes from the turn of the last century. Proofed against inclement weather, it maintains the breathability of cotton. And, as anyone with an old Barbour jacket can tell you, it ages really well.Smaller in appearance than I expected, this bag is deceivingly large and its single main compartment comfortably swallowed multiple books, pads and other weighty stuff. There is a small zippered pocket on the rear inside panel well sized for pens, keys and loose change. My bag is lined with a day-glo yellow that makes it easy to find most anything in there – no dark corners.
Closure is achieved by a wide Velcro strip that extends across the front of the bag. The flap’s underside is outfitted with two vertical mating strips that hold the flap snugly in place; easy to open and close. The strap is heavy duty Cordura and sizing is managed by a strong metal buckle.Overall, this is one of the most useful messenger style bags I have tested. Its size and design are practical and the waxed navy blue material blends well with most outfits short of a suit. It’s definitely a keeper.
Here at Off The Cuff, we are always happy to promote a great brand that most people have never heard about. With that, please meet Dunning Sportswear.Apparently designer Ralph Dunning is a fan of OTC. A Toronto native and lifelong athlete, Ralph Dunning draws inspiration from his passions for sport, music, fashion and modern city and surf cultures. An IRONMAN competitor, marathoner and endurance cyclist, Dunning first entered the clothing market in the 1990s with his Rip n’ Hammer line of premium technical clothing for triathletes and cyclists.
Dunning has also designed apparel collections for some of the world’s leading sports brands, including Saucony, GT Cycles and Cervelo. So when he decided to develop a clothing line for everyday casual wear, he opted to go for a straightforward classic look.But this preppy inspired brand is built for function. Rendered in a proprietary cotton/Coolmax blend, his clothes are both comfortable and quite sharp. Dunning Sportswear contacted OTC because they felt that our readers would appreciate an unbiased review of this “cool” brand.Dunning’s clothes may look a bit like what you already wear, but the construction and overall brand quality are some of the best I’ve come across in a long time. But what really makes the shirts and shorts I tested stand out from the crowd is the Coolmax blended cotton fabrics.If I did not know they were made from performance material, I never would have even guessed it. The fabric’s wicking quality kept me cool and comfortable on some darn hot and humid days.
The flat front khaki shorts are now my favorite, be it sweating in the garden or heading off to the store to pick up the latest issue of Monocle. In fact, I’m wearing them right now. After nearly a month of continuous use and abuse they look great and have stood up to all manner of maltreatment.
The gingham sport shirts are winners too. Also cotton/Coolmax blends, these “Performance Woven” button down shirts were designed in classic patterns and an array of traditional preppy colors. Actually, they are the perfect casual dress shirts for me because of the well tailored cut and light, wrinkle-free, moisture-wicking fabric.
Their classically styled polo shirts are well built and have a nice dressy feel that can easily handle the tennis court or a day out sailing. Overall, Dunning Sportswear is a great brand that blends a classic New England functionality with hi-tech athletic materials. And you’d never know - which is what I like the best.So what’s the problem? It’s still kind of hard to come by. Sold through country club pro shops and a limited number of retailers, the web is still your best shot. Visit Dunning's online store to learn more.
I've recently been contacted by the marketing folks at a couple of men's grooming product companies. They were kind enough to send along some of their new products so that OTC could test them out and get back to you with the results.
While many of us still scoff at the idea of men's grooming products, the truth is it's a booming industry and there is a niche to fill. Bearing in mind that everyone is different and that each of us has our own likes and dislikes, I'll give you my thoughts.
Schick Quattro Titanium TrimmerFirst off, let me be clear: I'm not really a gadget guy. Show me a vintage Rolex or Italian hand-made note cards and I'm good to go. But electronics? To me they are tools without much of a personal soul. To me the iPhone is just a phone. After all the kinks have been worked out and the price has fallen to manageable levels, maybe I'll get one.The new Schick Quattro is a gadget too, but one I like. Until now the humble disposable razor was just a simple tool for trimming sideburns. That all changed when the new Quattro showed up at my door. This ingenious little gadget has captured my attention and more importantly from Schick's perspective, my loyalty. The four bladed pivoting head feels flawless on my chin and the little edger blade keeps that awkward spot under the nose neat.Most significantly, the razer's handle contains a shower safe electric trimmer to clean up beards, mustaches, sideburns - what have you. What really impressed me was that it worked - so often these curiosities are showy gimmicks. Not here; it worked well and I'm happily surprised.
Axe Skin ContactThe guys at Axe have done it again. The irreverent company has released a new version of it's bath and shower products and frankly, I like them.To come up with the new, more crisp feel, they have blended exotic ingredients like black licorice, ginger, green melon and frozen tomato leaves and tangerine juice. There is a little more fancy branding and the product message is a little less MTV this time around.
With a fresher, cleaner scent I am a fan of this new generation of scrub and gels. Lather up!
I am often pitched by various companies to try out their wares and then tell everyone how much I loved them.
While you do see the occasional product or brand review – usually not prompted by any product samples - trust me, there are far more that never make onto OTC.So when Casey from Ren Skincare contacted me and asked that I try out their Perfect Shaving Kit, I was a little unsure. OTC is not a grooming site per se, but grooming is an important part of life. I had not heard of Ren, so I said yes and resolved to try it out.I do shave almost every day and have a love/hate relationship with my razor. The electric is fine for maintenance, but I need to use an old fashioned manual razor to do the job right, even if it’s just a trim to make the stubble look sexy (or at least try to…).The Ren products are great; in fact the Multi-Tasking Aftershave Balm is probably the best aftershave crème I’ve ever used. My face feels soothed, refreshed and cool but not “treated”. All of the products in the kit have a nice sandalwood like smell that is both light and masculine.The Perfect Shave Kit contains a full regimen of shaving products including a cleansing gel and a micro bead scrub to prep the skin, shaving oil to set up the beard and a cooling shave cream. Once done with the shave, apply that great aftershave balm. There is also some soothing “radiant” eye gel to reduce any morning puffiness around your eyes.I did not follow the entire step-by-step process every day, that’s a little much for me. But, when I had the time and I did use each product in order, my face – I have to say – felt and looked fantastic. While not inexpensive, their products are comparably priced to other exclusive environment and animal friendly brands.For a great shave, OTC is happy to endorse Ren Clean Bio Active Skincare.
Though I have not written about it too much, I am a very customer service focused person. Having spent years in high-end retail and now the association business, I know from good customer service.
