Perfect knot for a scarf

I need to keep this in mind the next time I go out with a scarf. I found this video while browsing around on Selectism today and knew that I wanted to extend it by talking about a brand of scarf that I enjoy and a couple that I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying.

I just recently became a fan of scarves and for Christmas my girlfriend purchased me a polka dotted Tootal scarf and I love it. The scarf is 100% silk and the brand is a classic. I've been browsing around the internet to try to see what I could scrape up about the brand but I haven't found anything extraordinary. If anyone has more info about Tootal please submit it to the Tootal article that I started on the Wikipedia. That is if it's still there by the time you get there. Also, any book references would be great. I'd love to learn more about the brand.


I have scraped up that the brand is one of England's oldest and Tootal was established in 1845. Tootal was also originally founded in Manchester by a textile merchant named Robert Gardner in 1799. Their full name after many name changes finally became Tootal Broadhurst Lee Co Ltd in 1888. There was also mention that online that Tootal scarves were popular from the 1920s to 1950s among working class individuals. If you're looking for an original, look for the words 'Made in England'.


Enough about Tootal already, here are some styles that I enjoy and would like to enjoy.



This post turned into more of an adventure for scarves than really one that shows how to tie a perfect knot for a scarf. With that out of the way, for a cashmere scarf I think I'm going to go for a Turnbull & Asser or Lochcarron. I really enjoy the traditional look of the Turnbull & Asser logo and knowing that they've been around since 1885 just says something about a brand. I also recently found out that they served Princes of Wales and Winston Churchill. That's neat snot as my Science professor used to say. Also their scarves are made in Scotland. Lochcarron is a brand that I recently found out about but they look like they have some really nice items.




I especially like this one scarf (shown above) that has a very traditional plaid green pattern. It reminded me of the skirt that Serena from Gossip Girl sports. I think I've drawn this post out quite enough. I'll have to do a part two of scarves it looks like. I'd like to talk about cashmere more along with silk and another brand that I need to round up because I lost the name. I actually just recently tried to purchase one of their scarves and they were sold out. I'll post a follow up.





More info:
Bespoke Me - Tootal
J. Press
Turnbull & Asser
Scottish Cashmere Club
Lochcarron of Scotland
Lyle & Scott

Generic Surplus customization

I really like the style and minimal detail of the Plimsol by Generic Surplus, but I hate that the sole choice is so limited. The Plimsol shoe made me think back to some fond memories of my classic Vans shoes. I'd love to give these shoes a try, but I'm stuck by the pain I felt after I had to throw out my Vans after 5 weeks of wear. Maybe it was just me and the fact that I probably wore them for the straight 5 weeks. But they just tore apart and showed stains way too early I felt. I anticipate the white bottom on these shoes will do the same. I busted open Photoshop and decided to customize these a little by adding a cream bottom. I think the cream will show dirt a little less. I also think a brown bottom could look nice too.



More info:
Generic Surplus

A great update for the oxford

I just ran across this Opening Ceremony oxford and wow, what a great update for the saddle oxford. I really like how they chopped the heel and gave the old oxford a sleek new bottom. I really like these. I searched around about a year ago and was unable to successfully find any oxfords that I really liked. I wanted something with a low heel and that had a more modern look but I loved the traditional lines that the oxford had and particularly the contrast of the saddle oxfords. I even wanted them to be black & white. I think some of the inspiration came from a Levi's window display holding a mannequin with jeans and oxfords on.



I also like the update on the oxford by Schmoove, not quite as much as the Opening Ceremony update though.

More info:
Schmoove Shoes
Opening Ceremony
View on Fashion - Opening Ceremony Saddle Oxford

Contrast in the collar

I'm a big fan of contrasting collars and I'm also really liking the latest from Comme des Garcons. I really liked one shirt in particular from Dolce & Gabbana that had a contrasting collar too (shown below).


While browsing around I found that Brian Dales has an interesting line of contrasting collared shirts. I'm not sure I'm particular fond of them but it may be because I've never had the pleasure of trying one on. I've added a couple of screenshots from some that I found online.








More info:
Comme des Garcons at TRÈS BIEN Shop

Patrik Ervell and the pieces I like

I just recently found out about Patrik Ervell and I like about 75% of what they've been creating over the past few years. I really enjoy the light blue pants that can be found in the Spring - Summer 2009 line.



These pants reminded me of how much I enjoyed wearing pastel pants this past summer. One particular pair I have are the J.Crew officer chinos. I think I almost wore holes in them last summer. I really enjoyed the look with my navy Topsiders.




When I saw this line it made me want a pair of Tom's and a glass of Riesling. I'm not really sure what the black slippers are on the models in the lineup, they resemble Tom's and I think the black goes well with the pastel palate.





More info:
TRÈS BIEN Shop
Tom's shoes
Patrik Ervell
Sperry Topsiders