Landless Gentry

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Perfect Boot Option for Winter - Meermin's Dark Brown Softcalf with Shearling Lining!

Looking for a great winter boot that is both cozy warm, can be worn well with dressier outfits and affordable is not as easy as one would expect. I had been an admirer of Meermin Mallorca for a while but had never taken the plunge, however, then they posted up these boots last January, I finally broke down and ordered. And, I must say, that I'm happy I did.

The shearling-lined Dark Brown Softcalf is just as advertised, the outside leather is buttery soft and the inside is cozy warm - lined in high-quality shearling lambskin. It's made on the 'Hero' last, which I think is one of the most popular, and is nice and sleek, giving the boot a streamlined dressier appearance

The Unboxing:
These boots were very well packaged, as one would expect for shoes/boots in this price range, including cloth dust bags.

First wearings:
The fit for these size 10UK/11US/44EU boots is spot-on, Meermin has indicated that adjustments have been made for the Lambskin shearling lining so that you'll have no need to size up - just order these boots in your standard shoe size and they'll fit properly.

Needless to, although I will restate it again, these boots are super comfortable and super cozy right out of the box. They look fantastic. I must confess that within a day of their arrival, I spend about 2 hours shoveling snow in them, which being dress boots are not really what they were designed for, they they did work marvelously and were none the worst for wear.

And in their natural habitat:

Monday, October 28, 2019

Newly arrived Harris Tweed Half-Norfolk Jacket

Hello there tweed lovers, I know it's been a while since I have posted, although I have been posting regularly on Facebook and on Instagram. I'm trying to organize myself to make more blog posts here, but work has been a bit crazy of late. However, nothing will shake me out of my lethargy like the arrival of a new (to me) Harris Tweed jacket! This, like many others in my collection, was purchased from Mr. E. Bay's UK site and I am happy to say that it appears to be in virtually unworn condition and so after a quick trip to my alterations tailor to have the sleeve let down by 3cm, it's feeling and looking good on. To see my guide to buying pre-worn jackets online, please follow this link: https://thelandlessgentry.blogspot.com/2018/02/closeup-harris-tweed-vintage-green.html

The Details:
This jacket has just about all the bells and whistles that I look for in a Half-Norfolk tweed:

Leather buttons
Swingarm shoulder pleats
Neck latch
3 button front
Side vents
Beautifully scalloped and buttoned pocket flaps
3 outside expandable patch pockets
Suede leather button reinforcements
Suede elbow patches

The only items that I wish were there but aren't are the belted back detail and functional cuff buttons (surgeon cuffs). But in this instance, will all the other items included on the list, it seems greedy to hold the absents of these last to items against this marvelous tweed.

The Lining:
This jacket was made by Paul Rosen London for the store Anson's and looks to be in total extremely well made and the overall fit (for me at least) is very good now that the sleeves have been let down. The lining is in excellent nick and looks new. As I said, I think this jacket cannot have more than a handful of wears.

The Weave Close-ups:
Provided for my own enjoyment and for that of my tweed obsessed brethren: The pattern of the green herringbone Harris Tweed features a rust orange and bottle green overcheck which is very subtle. The overall weave has so many colors incorporated, I am actually finding it difficult to count them all.

Friday, September 6, 2019

The Blue Blazer the Master of Versatility!

The one sports coat that men are told that we cannot do without is the navy blue blazer. They say that it is one of the most versatile items in a gentleman's closet and that you should have at least one on hand to wear to last-minute business meetings, to the golf club/gentleman's club, or an evening out. Well, based on my experience, they (whomever they are) are absolutely right. The blue blazer is indeed, I have found, one of the most versatile of sports jackets a man can have (brass buttons or no).

This outfit: features:

Nantucket red chinos by MarinePool,

Blue linen/cotton blue striped shirt and yellow paisley pocket square by Charle Tyrwhitt

Tan leather and blue suede spectator shoes by Samuel Windsor

I purchased the blue wool flannel blazer featured hear a couple of years ago and it's been featured in my Facebook and Instagram page any number of times and never fails to get a lot of compliments. I really wanted to play up the nautical theme and be able to look dress and I think the brass buttons really help with that. As you can see, I like to wear it over button-up shirts and knitwear with a tie and even with a day cravat. It can be paired very well with chinos of all colors (but I would avoid blue, so as not to look like I'm trying to make a suit). But, otherwise Grey flannels, khaki Chinos, Nantucket reds, Yellow chino, they all work great. I think I could even do a nicely faded denim if I wanted to (which so far, I have not).

The above outfit features:

Khaki chinos and blue OCBD shirt by Lands End

'Gold Hunting' pocket square by Cordings Piccadilly

Vintage beautifully woven paisley Silk tie by Robert Talbott for Nordstrom

Penny Loafers by G.H. Bass

Obviously, being wool flannel, this is a blazer that I tend to reserve for cooler weather and it is a heavier fabric that is very warm indeed and perfect for fall, winter, and early springtime. I also have a linen blue blazer that is unlined that I will occasionally wear in the summertime, but I've chosen to feature this warmer wool fannel version here.