2. Something Old, Something New
As you may know, I’m a huge thrift shopper.
I love mixing something old (like this jacket and shawl cardigan) with something new (like these waxed jeans and penny loafs).
This jacket was at least one size too big when I found it. I took a risk hoping that my tailor could recut the shoulders and slim the body.
It wasn’t cheap, but I’m happy with it. Still a touch wide in the shoulders but I kind of like it – it’s a powerful look, like some 80′s mob boss sh-t.
Pattern-mixing doesn’t have to be in-your-face. There is sexiness in subtlety.
When you look closely you can see the micro-houndstooth, the ribbed knit of the sweater, and the herringbone in the flannel shirt.
Featured Items:
- Grey/black houndstooth double breasted jacket Vintage Yves Saint Laurent
- Neutral wool cardigan Vintage
- Grey herringbone dress shirt by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Black waxed jeans by Nudie Jeans
- Black socks by Kenneth Cole
- Black leather penny loafers by Bass Weejun
64 Comments Add a comment
Those glasses on the last slide fit his face PERFECTLY. I might have to invest in some of dem Warby’s…
Thought I was the only guy around here who is not really into winter coats. That said, very clever post.
Going to try Suggestion 1 tonight to watch Ray Lewis destroy San Fran #ravens lol
I need that down vest in my life. It’s so cheap, too. Great looks as always, Wes.
much appreciated Jimi!
Honestly, you guys need someone to proofread your content. Otherwise, good stuff
Great post, Wes! I guess I can sort of understand why people are getting so butt-hurt with the layering thing (the ‘double-vested’ suit in look 3 isn’t for the faint of heart) but people need to remember that the looks serve merely as inspiration, empowering the reader to try something new and different that they otherwise would never have thought of. As a final thought, the gloves cum-pocket square looks like your smuggling hot dogs in your sport coat! Hilarious. Keep up the great work guys!
This site is on a whole other level. I read somewhere about mags buying out blogs…but it looks like you guys will soon be buying assest from mags instead! Love watching this growth. Exciting even for us onlookers.
Wes, you cuffed your jeans and they still touched the top of your shoes, with a mild break even?! Are you sure you’re still allowed on this site? :-) Seriously, I like a lot of the stuff on this site, but the high-waters.
they did let me in the office today, but you have a good point…
Look No.1 is rad. I’m going to try the denim jacket under the sports jacket tomorrow.
I only discovered TSB recently but it’s very much in step with my personal style and I find it really inspiring. Great work guys.
I don’t usually make an effort to say bad things, I just want to save other people from looking this horrible. This whole “look” is completely ridiculous.
Can you even bend your elbow? Look at how tight that thing is. It so strained when buttoned up, even the lapels are bowing outwards. What makes you think that looks good?
Tip: unless your blazer is huge – and thus doesn’t fit in the first place – then it’s unlikely that you can fit a denim jacket under there.
Well you made a great effort here my man.
If a look doesn’t work with your wardrobe or body type, don’t wear it. It’s that simple.
your effort is appreciated, but of course I can bend my elbow and it also helps that I’m a slim build… restricting myself would be ridiculous.
thanks for the tip and for reading!
And what makes u think it doesnt look good? Wes, u did a good job. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hmmm… the blazer/denim jacket combo looks tight. Can you even bend your elbows?
yeah, I always use my denim jacket as a layer and I have no problem bending my elbows.
Of course. Why would we ever wear something that didn’t allow us to bend our elbows?
Okay. I’m just saying that it appears that it might be too tight. I actually tried this under a tweed blazer earlier in the winter. Did not work, I am afraid to say. I was afraid I was going to rip my blazer. I don’t think I wear my blazers too small or anything either, and I am of relatively slim build.
At the same time, I could see doing this, layering a denim jacket, under something with a little more room and maybe more casual, like a larger fitting fatigue jacket or a raincoat of some kind or a trench. I realize that doesn’t provide quite the stylish contrast that you guys pursue, though.
Nonetheless, you guys always inspire. Why would I ever visit a style blog that didn’t inspire?
It’s all about trying new things and figuring out what works for you, and what doesn’t.
We’re big fans of the denim jacket here and have layered it under just about everything.
http://tsbmen.com/22474/unexpected-layering-pt-ii/
Cheers.
Agree. I like my denim jacket too. And I enjoy seeing it used in different ways here.
Great looks, Wes. Look #3 really pops.
I am not sure if I can pull off anything thicker than a shirt and vest under my jackets as they are tailored to fit close. But this has inspired me to try it out.
Do you know if I get the uniqlo down vest tailored you think? Taper the sides. I have a “big drop” as tailors call it from my shoulders to my waist.
Why aren’t you rocking boots in at least one of these ?
Look 3 is awesome! What size is the uniqlo vest that you are wearing?
I live in a warm climate country – Australia – so layering in this way would seldom be necessary. Not sure I dig the jean jacket inside a blazer style. How would that work as far as comfort goes? You have a slim fit blazer over a slim fit denim jacket – man that’d make you feel like one of those knights wearing chain mail amour. Can you even bend your arm?
By the way, I assume you are on the short side, Wes, so what’s the rule of thumb as far as cuffing pants go? Many style bloggers reckon short men should avoid this as the cuff provides a horizontal look which accentuates shortness – what’s your view on this?
of course I can bend my arm, but I wouldn’t mind trying on chain mail… separately though, not layered.
In regards to cuffing pants for short men, unfortunately I have no views on it since I’m 5’11
Thanks for reading mate!
Ok so you are not short but as a style blogger you have no views on my query?? Did you take exception to my assumption?
Gazman, your assumptions are killing me.
This whole “cuffed pants makes you look shorter” thing is ridiculous. In my opinion, a shorter guy is better off in a streamlined cuff than a puddling hem (and it’s much less committal than hemming all your pants with no break).
At the end of the day, though, rocking it with confidence is much more important than sweating any of these details.
Okay, well thanks – I finally got an answer to my query. See, not so hard. I asked the question regarding cuffs on short men simply because I read about it so often from your colleagues in the game. In fact, I may even have read it on your site.
Really love the last look, those down vest make miracles.
What type of tailoring did you have done to that Levi’s jacket? I’ve been looking into getting a vintage one off ebay, but the sleeves always seem to be slightly too wide, which makes me think I’d be better off getting one new instead.
Having the sleeves tapered should not be a problem.
I love the jean jacket under the blazer.
bisous
Suzanne
Not feeling the denim jacket under the blazer; they don’t compliment each other but just my opinion. The other looks work.
Okay I see you!
Looks cool, but try this in Chicago right now…. Dont think so.
well, we do live in New York and don’t worry I’m not trying this here today either.
I don’t understand: you won’t carry a winter coat around, but you’ll carry a bunch of other superfluous layers? Your poor winter coat can’t make sense of it either.
my winter coat is upset with me, we had a sit down yesterday.
Wearigh a few layers doesn’t mean having to carry around the extra layer(s) when it warms up..I might wear a few layers to work rather than a heavy coat on a mildly cold day and if it warms up I might shed a layer and leave it in the office, or if it was on weekend I might leave that extra layer in the car. You got options.
Wes,
Did you get your cargos from Uniqlo slimmed down? Mine fit perfectly until the knee, but seem to have extra fabric from the knee through the break.
I took them to the tailor but I didn’t get them slimmed down. Only had the length altered.
Wes, definitely have to give you a lot of props as your outfits are always onpoint yet simple. Personally what I like most, is the fact that most of your outfits are casual or straddle that line between casual and dressy, which I think appeals to the aesthetic of a lot of readers. I really like look #3 and literally said to myself “a vest, over a vest?!” since I never thought of that look but it looks great!
I also really like the hue of blue you chose for the jacket in look #3. Do you mind me asking what’s the cloth?
I appreciate that Sergio!
Regarding the cloth from the jacket in look #3, the material is wool. Unfortunately it was a while ago when I chose the fabric at MAB, so I can’t provide that much detail… sorry man, hope this helps.
No problem Wes! Definitely enjoy all your looks thus far. I don’t think one of them has been off.
Regarding the hate you guys are receiving about things being overly “tight” it’s ridiculous. People are so used to seeing the overly baggy look that things that fit properly look tiny when they are not.
again, much appreciated.
It’s all good, we’re just here to inspire.
Some people may not agree, but that’s a part of it.
thanks for reading Sergio!
Captain Mifune? Is that you?!
Awesome matching of separates nevertheless!
ha! Matrix reference, that’s my pops though.
Great feature, Wes. I especially love your subtle pattern mixing. Always great seeing a stylish Filipino on the site!
Awesome post! Could you give us an idea of how much the tailoring cost to get the DB fitted?
sure, the alterations I had made to the jacket were as follows… arms and sleeves taken in, shoulder taken in, and new button hole for the second button… came out to roughly $100… totally worth it.
thanks for reading James
Great, especially for those living in climates with temperatures that change throughout the day. Such a helpful post, thank you for this tutorial on how to layer!
glad you enjoyed it Jordan.
Definitely need to get my denim jacket tailored. The sleeves have a ton of extra fabric in the back of the arm, making it very uncomfortable to layer under something already tailored. Love the look though.. a little rugged, a little refined.
Nice job Wes
it’s a great investment, I had the same exact problem and once the tailor took care of business… it became an entirely different jacket.
thanks for reading Brady!
It’s decided, next piece to the tailor is the denim
Love all of the 3 looks! That thrifted DB in look #2 is awesome!
I am really not sure about this whole layering thing. It always looks a bit much to me, especially with the denim jacket.
Dang, all three looks are very creative, but look #3 is by far my favorite. Not sure if only skinny guys can pull off so many layers, I’m a bit bulkier on top and for me, id probably be too tight in so many layers.
I’d bet a dude with some extra heft can pull it off if the cut and fit is right.
agreed.
Something on look #2 is off, but I can’t figure what!
I love the other two looks though!
Layering the flannel vest under the technical one is genius!
John, he did say that the shoulders are a bit wide on the jacket, so that may be triggering your unconscious suiting flags. Personally, I’m impressed that he managed to make a double-breasted peak lapel jacket mesh so well with a more “casual” look.
Bt no means the look is bad; I just feel that the other looks are better.
I usually these penny loafers, but on that look I’d prefer something else. Maybe that’s my problem!
Yeah, I think a boot would ground the proportions of the DB a little.
Solid looks, Wes!
might have to try this once I put the DB back on, thanks J!