Fabric Tag

The Subtleties of Suede Shoes

Back in the day, suede shoes were an Elvis thing, or a fusty-college-professor thing. Suede has come a long way from being blue-or boring. Here are the three C's of selecting and maintaining your suede shoes: Color: For everyday wear, steer clear of novelty shades, and take advantage of the rich, warm tones that suede offers you to create a relaxed, yet elegant, look. Care: Use a waterproof finish and suede eraser to ensure your suede shoes look their best. Brush often. Coordination: Suede works beautifully with fall clothing, including flannel suits, tan trousers, and crisp. ...

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Suiting Fabrics For Fall 2012: Vintage Look, Modern Fabrics

This fall, look for suiting fabrics that call to mind the traditional textiles of yesteryear, with modern twists. The updated offerings combine the durability of time-honored autumn clothing with fresh innovations that work in contemporary urban life. Heritage fabrics, such as twills and tweeds, speak of a refined country past. This year, many textile mills are bringing back those rugged suiting fabrics and updating them for modern gentlemen. Many designers are combining the strength of classic weaves with irregular finishes and varying yarn types and weights to bring a fresh look to fall suits. Varying the yarn types and thicknesses creates irregular surfaces that add visual interest. The update to fall fabrics isn't limited to the yarns. Traditional herringbone and tweed weaves are changing scale, offering a greater variety of print sizes than seen earlier, while remaining true to the classic autumn browns, russets, creams, and tans. Mills are also creating new fabric...

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Tie Quality

Ties add more than a splash of color to your work attire - the quality of your tie contributes to your image as well. The next time you're selecting new ties for your wardrobe, make sure they are of long lasting, high-quality workmanship. When measuring tie quality the first consideration is the "hand" or feel of the tie. Check that the fabric feels pleasant to the touch. A scratchy or stiff tie is likely to be of lower-quality fabric than one that simply feels luxuriant. This "touch test" applies equally well to thick and thin fabrics. Next, check the manufacture's tag to see what type of fabric you're holding. Silk or wool ties are generally preferable to synthetics. The natural elasticity of these fibers will stretch better around the neck, leading to a longer useful life in your wardrobe. Once you've approved the feel and fabric of the tie, check the details. Finer...

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