Today's outfit - beautiful Indian Summer

I know that September 15th is traditionally the 'Felt Hat Day' in many places, but today the weather is still very fine here in Bavaria and as we're often blessed with warm and wonderful 'Indian Summer', and so I'm stretching it out as long as possible.

Todays's outfit:

Panama Boater by Mayserhut 

White Polo by la Coste (these are still some of the very best polo shirts in the business)

Navy Cricket jumper in Marino and Cotton by Abercrombie & Fitch (wonderful sweater, now sold out on their website - hopefully, they will bring it back next year)

Chino Trousers by Brave Star Selvage (these are seriously high-quality Chinos, and highly recommended)

Penny Loafers in dark brown pull-up leather by G.H. Bass (a true classic and the pull-up leathers are my favorites)

Eyewear by Persol.  These are their  Persol 3007-V 1056 with Persol 3007-C clip-on sunglasses. You can read my review here.

Bonus: Watch = Blancpain Fifty Fathoms with Antique Tan Ostrich Leg skin strap by Dangerous9straps 

I must say, I've grown very fond of my handwoven Panama boater from  Mayser hat-makers.  You can read the full review of this hat here.  I know I'm on borrowed time this my precious straw hat this year and will be packing it away soon, and am already feeling the loss of it to my hat box.

Cricket Sweater from Abercrombie and Fitch

Those of us who were aware of the glorious past of Abercrombie & Fitch (even if the company greatest glory had faded long before we were born) struggle with the identity of the new company.  The new owners have taken one of the all-time great outdoor gear brands supplying essential equipment to some of the great historic expeditions and safaris of the 19th and 20th centuries ( Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and Ernest Shackleton being but a few of their long list of famous customers) and turned it into a fashion brand better known for selling ripped jeans to teenagers. 

Having said all that, I must say that I was very impressed with the layout and design their recently opened retail outlet in central Munich (although to be fair their wares are in no way equal the stunning interior architecture).

In any case, now that I've run down the company, I must say that I'm very pleased with the cricket jumper that I've recently purchased from their website.  Finding a reasonably priced cricket sweater knitted from natural yarns has proven to be a bit of a difficulty.  Acrylic jumpers, of course, is readily available and wool versions are available but at a price that I wasn't happy with. I do intend to order a custom Cricket Jumper form Rochford or Luke Eyres in the UK for next year, but I was interested in adding one into my summer sweater rotation to see if it works with my style without a large investment.  I picked this jumper from A&F on short notice (and on sale) and having done so, I must say that I'm overall very pleased with it.  Nicely knitted from 80% cotton and 20% wool, which is a great blend for summer, it's a high-quality piece.  The knitting is tidy and doesn't after a couple months of regular wear have any pilling whatsoever.  And with its very traditional look has turned out to be just what I was looking for at a fraction of the price of many ones I've seen on luxury websites.

All this is to say that while I still have my reservations with Abercrombie & Fitch, they can and at least occasionally do make some pretty nice items.   Who knew!?