With temperatures tending towards cool and comfortable, it's a perfect time to indulge in some classic New England style layering. It being early in the season, I chose to do this with a collection of lighter weight pieces, all of them old favorites from the closet, save one. My favorite "gossamer" blazer by Southwick ($5.99) has been a near constant companion throughout the Summer, but a man could do worse. A pair of lightweight tan worsted trousers with forward pleats by Kilgore,Stanley and French (ed. Kilgour, French and Stanbury. Thank you, Zach.) ($4.99) is often paired with it.
Non-iron shirts may be a sacrilege, it's true. But this striped number from Brooks Brothers ($5.49) has served me well, especially under a sweater. The oh-so-pretentious ascot ($1.99) makes a cameo appearance. But these are all trusted old friends from the AAW closet. It's the merino wool pullover in gold that I'm all jazzed about.
Made in Ireland for J. Press, $1.99 at a local thrift shop. A welcome and useful new piece, just in time for Fall.
Long time readers may remember when all my posts read this way, prices and all. Over the course of five years, this blog has evolved. While I try my best to continue to focus on dressing well for the man of small means, I've let the blog dictate itself a bit. Family, food, the raising of children, and my own take on life as a mixture of old values and modern convenience frequently take the fore. Through this blog I've managed to launch a small but successful online business, and your continued support is what makes it possible. The Top Shelf Flea Market has been going strong for three years, with it's sixth iteration currently in the planning stages for October. Not bad for a blog that started when some good friends cajoled me, at the time largely computer illiterate, into the then budding menswear blogging community as the voice of the stylish poor. Two million visits later and we're still going strong.
Thank you, more than you know.
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25 comments:
Congratulations on two-million visitors. Your style of writing matches the clothing that matches your style. I'd buy you a beer. Your blog has been a fun read during some not so fun times. Now allow yourself to go shopping or thrifting with double the roll in your pocket!
Kilgour, French and Stanbury?
As a man of small means who likes dressing well, thank YOU! Your blog really does serve as inspiration.
As a man of small means who likes dressing well, thank YOU. Your blog really does serve as an inspiration.
All the best in the coming years.
its
Pop, you're right, Zach. Good catch. Guess that's what happens when you post late at night.
Penury continues to be my explanation...for dressing well ha...
Congratulations! You were my greatest foundation for starting the Cable Knit Charlestonian, and your work has kept me writing when otherwise uninspired. Wishing you not 2 but 20 million more!
Any firm dates on the Top Shelf Flea in October? I am visiting the Northeast in early-mid October from Eurotrash San Francisco. The FIT Ivy Style exhibit, the Brooks Bros flagship, and at least two of the J Press shops are on the docket.
Thank YOU, sir. I read many of the various menswear blogs that I'm sure you and many of your other readers also follow, but you really have something special going on here that makes AAW a cut above in my opinion. To a large degree it was reading your work here that got me back into serious, regular thrifting, and out of a uniform of hooded sweatshirts and black tees. Congrats on breaking the 2 million mark.
That ascot has enough panache to give you a free pass for typos.
My thanks to you, good sir.
Prior to finding your blog, I associated thrifting with getting yardwork stuff at Salvation Army. You got me out looking, and my wardrobe is now larger than when I was working, at a fraction the cost.
Many happy returns
Congratulations to you on your success. 2,000,000 visits means you're doing something right. I visit your blog religiously and consider it my fun version of reading the "newspaper"! I am always checking to see if you have updated.
If ever I could go thrifting with you, it would be like finding the gold at the end of the rainbow!
Had I not been an avid reader of your blog, I don't think my wardrobe would be as nice as it is now.
I have always had a cultivation for style and well-made (often expensive) things but cost has always been a limiting factor.
Knowing what to look for and how to look has helped me update my style.
Thanks for your inspiration. I look forward to more.
Corey Young
Love. This. Blog.
Congratulations on the success of your site! You have inspired me to go to thrift stores to find an occassional treasure! Today I found a vintage dinner jacket with a pair of braces along with them. I plan to wear it for the holidays. Last week I found a Brooks Brothers dinner jacket in like new condition. It was too small for me, butvI gave it to a younger gentleman I work with. He loves it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Giuseppe, Your site has been a big inspiration (for better or worse) in my own personal style, and you give a lot of sage advice both about clothes and otherwise. Here's to many million more. If I'm ever in MA, I'll buy you a drink.
Congratulations! Long may you blog.
I know I am one of many, many men who has benefitted from your wisdom and experience. Thanks to you, I dress better, in a greater variety of clothes, obtained at better prices, than I ever have before.
I'm happy to have this forum for my comments, as unappreciated by some as they may be ("anodyne" was my favorite dismissal). I'm happy you've been able to turn your hobby into a business. I hope that you continue to regale us with both your tales in the trenches and your commentary on music, family, and life in general.
These are my favorite posts, along with wardrobe essentials advice. I have been reading your blog for over a year now. I check in every day and I always look forward to reading something new from you. Congrats on hitting the 2 million mark.
Giuseppe,
Your blog has given me some excellent pointers for dressing well on a tight budget. Learning how to spot quality items with potential is much more important than finding the cheapest thing of so-so quality; sort of the "teach a man to fish" idea. Thanks for all you do.
-Andy in Allston/Brighton
Thank you Giuseppe for making my favorite site on the internet. This blog has been an invaluable compass in my evolution of personal style. Here's to the next 2 million.
-Charles
Your blog has helped me learn more about fashion, take better care of my clothes, and be more confident in how I dress and present myself. All of this is invaluable. Thank you, great work, and keep it up!
Nick
Congrats! Huge milestone. love the yellow JPress- my husband's grandfather was one of their original tailors.
Congratulations! I'm never disappointed by your commentary or photos...
Congratulations for the milestone and thank you for the inspiration!
Congrats! You've done a great job with your blog. Interesting and really does give a lot of helpful suggestions. Good work!
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