CMMP INTRODUCES THE ULTIMATE FALL TWILL BLAZER

Nothing beats the durability and comfort of a finely weaved twill jacket, especially when its well tailored and cast in this sexy black hue. The gents at Commonwealth Proper (CMMP) have really pushed the proverbial envelope by creating this great looking version of a traditional men's wear staple.

The sartorial term blazer originated with the red 'blazers' of the Lady Margaret Boat Club (1825), the rowing club of St. John's College, Cambridge. The Lady Margaret club jackets were termed blazers because of the bright red cloth; the term survived the original red coat, most blazers today are either blue or black. Although, the first blazers were more like sports jackets, the term sports jacket was never used to refer to them, instead the term sports jacket was only used to describe jackets worn by sports men during various land-based sport activities.


Over the years, the blazer has taken on a traditional role in ivy leaf universities and corporate boardrooms, but now the gentlemen at Commonwealth Proper with their "fly" black version have made it acceptable for a Friday night on South Street or a Saturday morning stroll through Rittenhouse Square.

The quality of the jacket's twill weave and sturdy stitching ensures that it will endure the harshness of fall and early winter weather; in addition, its lightness and unlined interior make it great for layering with vests, denim jackets and heavy wool sweaters. Finally, its natural shoulder with no padding give it a good comfortable feel around the shoulders and back; while the canvas backing of the collar and reinforcement of the lapels give it the perfect stiffness for a flipped up silhouette.


Don't make hast, you can buy them  at their new location at 1839 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa or get it online @ www.commonwealthproper.com, the jackets also come in green and gray colors.

About the Company:

We are a menswear label based in Philadelphia offering men’s made-to-measure and ready-to-wear clothing and the sartorial advice that accompanies it. All of our garments are made, by heart and hand, in the U.S. by the country’s best tailors. It is our dedication to understanding each client’s needs, tastes and lifestyle that allows us to provide the right recommendations on what to wear and how to wear it. Look Sharp, Die Proper.

Pictures Courtesy of Commonwealth Proper

Property Of...Fall and Winter Collection 2013

History:
Property Of... is a collection of Men's bags & accessories that was launched in Autumn 2006 by cafe owners & design collaborators Peter Teo & Richard Chamberlain.
   
Branding:
An understated and functional brand name ' Property Of... ' was crafted to reference the identity of each products end user rather than the design team behind its development.
   
Concept:
The collection was conceived in cafes over many cups of coffee and further developed around the simple idea of creating useful, well-made and considered products that reflect the designers interest in a clean function led design aesthetic.

Design Philosophy:
Whilst appreciating and being informed by the construction and function of classic men's bag and accessories, the Property Of.. team endeavors to create its design language by incorporating the best of the old alongside new manufacturing technologies. Bags and small goods are formed to be practical and reliable whilst reflecting modern world needs and use with detailing and function incorporated accordingly.

Materials:
Our products are formed using traditional hardwearing materials such as waxcloth & vegetable tanned leather which are used alongside contemporary coated tarpaulins, cordura and distressed cotton canvas.

Content and pictures courtesy of thepropertyof.com

BECKETT SIMONON LAUNCHES ITS NEW GOODYEAR WELT CONSTRUCTED COLLECTION

Online-Only Men’s Footwear Retailer Offers High End Product Collection at an Affordable Price

Beckett Simonon, a leading online retailer of men’s footwear, announces the launch of their new Goodyear Welted collection, which is available for under $139 thanks to the company’s unique direct-to-consumer business model. Styled for a “new breed of gentleman,” Beckett Simonon is ideal for American men who want to look dapper but are also price conscious.

As the American gold-standard in quality shoe construction, Goodyear Welt construction is most commonly found in expensive shoe brands that typically cost more than $300, however, since Beckett Simonon bypasses all “middleman” retailer costs and ships all their products directly to consumers free of charge, they are able to offer their Goodyear Welted collection at an affordable price without sacrificing quality.

"We see a huge gap in the men's footwear market. It's outrageous that well-made leather shoes retail above $300. We operate without the complex layers of big businesses (no middlemen, no distributors, no expensive physical stores, etc.) so we can offer the same quality products for a much more affordable price," says Andres Niño, CEO and co-founder of Beckett Simonon. “By selling directly to consumers we bypass the traditional retail markup, around 2.5X, so we are technically selling to consumers at wholesale prices.”



Background on Goodyear Welt Construction:

Created by American Charles Goodyear Jr. in 1869, the Goodyear welt process is the traditional method for the manufacture of men's dress shoes, taking its name from the inventor who devised the original machine to replace the earlier completely hand sewn method. The benefit of a dress shoe which is made using the Goodyear welt construction is that the shoe can be resoled repeatedly, giving the shoe a lifespan of years, sometimes even decades. Some claims towards added ventilation have been made as well but there are no proven studies comparing the breathability of different shoe construction methods.

Essentially, the upper part of the dress shoe is shaped over the last and fastened on by sewing a leather, linen or synthetic strip (also known as the "welt") to the inner and upper sole. As well as using a welt, a thread is used to hold the material firmly together.

The welt forms a cavity which is then filled with a cork material. The final part of the shoe is the sole which is attached to the welt of the shoe by some combination of stitching along the edge of the welt and sole, and a high strength adhesive like contact cement or hide glue. The Goodyear welt is highly regarded for a number of reasons including being relatively waterproof by not allowing water to get into the insole due to the welt-sole construction, the relative ease in which the sole can be replaced, and the fact that the shoe can last up to 20 years or longer depending on the treatment and condition of the upper.


Content and pictures courtesy of Paramount Public Relations and Beckett Simonon
(Wikipedia "Goodyear Welt Construction") 

Lumina Debuts Two Made-in-the-USA Men’s Denim Designs

(RALEIGH) – Lumina – a North-Carolina-based apparel and accessories brand dedicated to producing attainable, upscale-casual clothing made entirely in the USA – announces the launch of its first-ever denim offerings for men featuring the stock Trenton style and selvage Ayden.

Now available at www.luminaclothing.com, the raw denim introductions draw inspiration from the brand’s North Carolina roots, showcasing a rugged sophistication and thoughtful comfort story that places a premium on versatility. A trim silhouette and subtle detailing in the stitching and on buttons and rivets allows for office or casual wear and works in concert with Lumina’s existing line of domestic-made menswear staples.

“These jeans embody our philosophy that quality, American-made apparel should be accessible,” says Barton Strawn, Lumina Co-Founder and Principal Designer. “Customer response to our shirts, ties and accessories has been tremendous, so denim is the next logical step to round out a complete domestic wardrobe.”

Crafted exclusively by Cone Mills White Oak Plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, Lumina denim retails for $108 for the Trenton and $148 for the Ayden and is available in waist sizes 30-38” and a 36” inseam. The Lumina Fall 2013 range of menswear is also highlighted by cotton sweaters and button-front shirts, twill trousers and an array of neckwear.




About Lumina

A Raleigh, North Carolina-based company, Lumina is dedicated to producing quality, upscale-casual clothing made entirely in the USA.

Lumina was born when a group of friends, armed with a sewing machine and a keen sartorial sense, created small-batch neckwear after growing frustrated with traditional store offerings. Soon, requests poured in as the hand-crafted pieces began drawing acclaim.

Seeing the overwhelming need to offer style-conscious consumers domestic apparel at an attractive price, Lumina was officially launched in 2009. After three years of selling online, in November 2012, the brand opened its first retail location at 123 East Martin Street in Raleigh.

Each Lumina garment is meticulously crafted with the utmost attention to detail. Clean silhouettes with an emphasis on tailored comfort move seamlessly from the office to weekend wear. Tops, bottoms and accessories from the label are meant work in concert to offer an attainable American wardrobe.

Content and video courtesy of griffithpr@gmail.com

PHILIP STEIN INTRODUCES NEW WATCH COLLECTION FOR MEN

TIMEPIECES UTILIZE NATURAL FREQUENCY TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE AN ENHANCED WELL BEING

NEW YORK– October 24, 2013 – Well being lifestyle brand, Philip Stein, announces the launch of a revolutionary new collection of men’s watches that feature a Natural Frequency Technology which channels beneficial frequencies to the wearer. This new holiday collection includes a diverse selection of masculine, well-made timepieces for the sophisticated gentleman in both single and dual time zones, with retail prices starting at $575.The new men’s collection is the company’s most significant launch of their Signature men’s collection in the brand’s history. The collection offers an array of new styles and faces, and replaces the number 8 on the dial treatments with their iconic logo as a symbol and reminder of the Natural Frequency Technology. Philip Stein is honoring its longstanding tradition of mixing and matching in creating a men’s collection rich in color and texture. New dials boast woven textures and pop in hues of black, brown, silver and navy. Bold hues mark the holiday season with red, black and dark brown strap options which are made with contrast stitching and are available in alligator or calf skin. Distinctive to Philip Stein, discerning gents can range from a range of chronograph dials, case styles and sizes including the Signature line which is available in 50 and 56 millimeter sizes or the Signature Round Collection which is sized in 42 and a new 45 millimeter case. Highlights include the impressive all-black 45 millimeter chronograph featuring a black PVD case, woven calf skin strap and rose gold dial accents.

The unique Natural Frequency Technology in every Philip Stein timepiece is finely tuned, similar to an antenna, to channel natural frequencies toward our bodies for our personal benefit. This technology is the key elements to Philip Stein’s brand philosophy – Live in tune. With the belief in the pursuit of well being as an integral part of life, the company offers a range of lifestyle accessories designed for better living. For more information, please visit www.philipstein.com. About Philip Stein Philip Stein is a well being technology & lifestyle brand focused on helping people live in tune through its innovative natural frequency technology. The company designs lifestyle accessories for better living including watches, jewelry, sleep bracelets and fragrance – all of which contain Philip Stein’s proprietary technology. Philip Stein was founded in 2003 by Miami-based entrepreneurs Will and Rina Stein; today, its products can be found in over 30 countries around the world.

Content and pictures courtesy of rubinstienpr.com