The Flow Chart is an awesome idea whoever put the time into this are awesome and most likely handsome geniuses.

beckettrobb:

CAN I WEAR MY SUIT JACKET AS A BLAZER?

There are a few key rules to follow when attempting to get a little extra utility out of a suit jacket. The easiest is to just look at the jacket and see if it can stand on its own. If you put it on or lay it out on the bed, does it look like it’s missing something? Say, a pair of trousers? The worst thing you can do when attempting to wear a suit jacket casually is to look like you are wearing a suit jacket.

You may be wondering what the difference is, at this point. Well, as is usually the case, the difference is in the details. Grab your favorite blazer out of your closet and lay it by that navy suit jacket and see how many details you can see in the blazer that have been left off the suit jacket. 

Here are a few hints:

Buttons - Most of the time a blazer will have contrasting buttons. Think of the classic navy blazer with the gold buttons. Look at how they stand out. 

Pockets - Patch pockets are by far the most casual of pocket styles. Chances are highly slim that your conservative charcoal grey suit jacket will have these.

Fabric - What is the suit made of? It is much easier to dress down a less formal fabric, with worsted wool being the most formal. It is easier to take a cotton, linen, tweed, or flannel suit jacket and pair it with a pair of jeans or chinos and this is due to the texture of these fabrics. The rule of thumb here is that if the fabric is very fine it may not work as a separate blazer and should only be worn with its matching trouser. The more texture a solid cloth has, the easier it is to wear it casually. Think birdseye, nailhead, sharkskin, and flannel.

Pattern - Is there a pattern on the suit? This one is tricky. Generally, if there is a pattern, you are in good shape. The more bold the fabric, the easier you can dress it down with flat colored pants. However, there is a big caveat here, as pinstripes are actually quite formal. This is mostly due to the history of the pattern and its relation to the very formal dress of British businessmen. Plus, think back to the beginning- we associate pinstripes with one or two things, a businessman or a New York Yankee. As a general rule, avoid wearing a pinstripe suit jacket independent of its matching trouser. Plaids are much safer in this regard and are commonly used on blazers. Taken to the other extreme, a bold plaid worn as a full suit can be too much, but as a blazer it will always work.

Still confused? Consult the Beckett & Robb “Suit Jacket as a Blazer” guide to steer you in the right direction.

Remember, it’s better to be overdressed than it is to wear ill-conceived casual. So if you feel discouraged, don’t be. Go with the suit, but follow our tips for dressing down a suit in other blog posts, and be the best looking guy in the room.

I read this to my Japanese/American fiance’ (read Japanese and American) and she loved it. Well done, Kiyoshi.

thesilentist:

coolguyerrant:

knitmeapony:

thesilentist:

Rubinacci “samurai” pochette — These are absolutely gorgeous:

Made on the occasion of our Tokyo’s shop opening. Typical symbols of Japanese culture, samurais, are printed on all four corners of it, just to represent the strength and tenacity of this people. “Bushido” written in the middle is a wish of good luck remembering the way of the samurai’s life.

I keep finding ways to potentially irresponsibly spend my tax refund. 

(Found via thisfits)

No. More appropriation. Don’t do it.

You’re right, you’re right. But frankly I’m going to need a nice, polite discussion on cultural appropriation, mostly because I over think things and take them through to a logical, if heavy-handed conclusion.

Bought one.

Because as a half-Japanese person who is constantly wishing and searching for ways to represent his heritage in modern style and dress, there’s not a whole lot of available options that are stylish, tasteful, artistic and well-made. 

You’re talking about an industry that’s completely dominated by Western styles of dress. I’ve constantly looked for ways to subtly incorporate a sense of the East into what I wear. I collect Japanese lapel pins from WWII. I’m more interested in Japanese-made movements than Swiss-made ones for timepieces. I want to buy pocket squares made from kimono cloths and jeans from Japanese denim mills. I’ve long thought about purchasing Japanese tartans to make some neckties or maybe even an odd jacket. I would kill to have my family’s mon crest on a pair of cufflinks. 

The Japanese have a long-standing history of adopting the culture of the West while still maintaining their own. I don’t believe — especially in America — that we should silo off our cultures and ever claim exclusivity over them. We should be allowed to mix as much as we please. 

The rich history and traditions of Japan aren’t diminished when outsiders take fascination with them and make them a part of their lives. If anything, they grow stronger. 

To quote Thomas Jefferson:

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

The entire negative connotation of “cultural appropriation” is just another liberal ideology paraded around by academics who want to fancy themselves as champions and saviors of minorities so they can write op/ed columns and publish books. And, frankly, I’m really sick of their shit.

I’m bored with them telling me how I should feel about how my own culture is used by other people. Stop trying to make other people feel guilty because they’re enjoying something. And stop playing culture cop — who anointed you king and let you make all the rules that the world has to abide? 

I am the result of a mixed-race marriage. To me, the blessing of living in America is that you can break traditions and you can remix cultures. We aren’t bounded by the societal pressure to keep things the same — rather, we are free to find our own happiness.

I think it’s amazing that an Italian atelier can take its artistic abilities and have them appreciated enough by the Japanese to open a shop in Tokyo. And I can sit on my computer and see what they made and order one that will be flown across the world and delivered to my doorstep in America. 

This is the age we live in. It’s exciting and I fear none of it. Everything is overlapping and I’m lucky enough to benefit from it. Where we used to be limited by collaborating only with those who were literally next door, we can now share ideas across the world to create new things.