N/Style Journal: I am Legend by Noah Williams

While shooting across from Washington Square park with Emily a few days ago, we found a quiet little row of homes, with beautiful flowers, and trees. Having finished shooting my outfit of the day, I took off my tie and started to shoot her strolling down the side walk. After a few minutes an older Italian gentleman stepped out of his townhouse, and was watching us quite closely. Whilst preparing for what I thought would be a brisk command to leave the area of his sidewalk something strange happened. In a thick Italian accent, made deep with decades of use, he complemented me on my Hickey Freeman blazer. We began to talk about menswear, and after a few minutes of talking he opened the gate and told us we should shoot on his front stoop. Come to find out his townhouse was the very one used in the movie "I am Legend" starring Will Smithamong a host of other movies and TV shows. It was such a cool experience, and I couldn't have picked a better outfit for the occasion, however I do regret removing my tie, as you will note in the first few images. 

The double breasted blazer is by Hickey Freeman, and is made in America. It's become a staple piece in my wardrobe, and I will love it for years to come. The linen pants are by Bonobos, and suede loafers are by Johnston and Murphy. To pull it all together I threw in a white, cut-away collar shirt by Twillory, a green knit tie by Ledbury, and a navy tipped pocket square by Cotton Brew. 

N/Style Journal: Venturing out of downtown by Noah Williams

Last week me and a few friends ventured out of our "below-midtown" Manhattan bubble and headed up to explore The Cloisters.  After a fantastic breakfast in the Lower East side at Café Henrie, we made the 45 minute train ride up to the museum and spent the beautiful Spring day exploring. For this look I went with a light brown blazer from J. Crew, paired with a short sleeve polo from Ralph Lauren. This is a casual look that is ideal for Spring/Summer weather. It elevates the casual polo and is a great look for casual events. 

Polo/Belt/Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Pants: Banana Republic, Jacket: J.Crew, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

N/Style Journal: Down in Dumbo by Noah Williams

Dumbo(down under the Brooklyn bridge)  is by far one of my favorite areas in the city to explore on a sunny day. For this look I went with a denim blazer, gingham shirt and some light cotton twill pants. This is a fun light look perfect for Summer parties and events. 

Blazer: H. Amer Tailor, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Pants: J. Crew, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Ralph Lauren. 

N/Style Journal: Spring Plaid by Noah Williams

A big key to dressing well in the warmer months is lighter weight clothes. For this outfit I paired a unlined blazer with some linen pants. When wearing a bold patterned pieces like these pants it's usually best done with worn with shirts/jackets that are solid. This way the outfit doesn't scream for to much attention, but still catches the eye. To finish this look off I threw in some suede drivers by Tods. These are ideally worn sockless in my opinion, but on colder days such as the day we shot this a solid color sock isn't a bad addition. 

 

Blazer: J. Lindeburg, Pants: Bonobos, Sweater: Banana Republic, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Shoes: Tods. 

 

Images: Emily Byrski

N/Style Journal: The Unstructured Double-Breasted Blazer by Noah Williams

The unstructured blazer is a must for the warmer months. I love this double-breasted one from Banana Republic. The double-breasted design, paired with peak lapels gives it a more unique look that can easily be dressed up with a dress pant and tie, or thrown on with a tee shirt and jeans. For around $300 (or $190 if you get it during their random sales like I did) its hard to beat. For this look I paired it with some light cotton chinos, and some double monks from Cole Haan. 

Watch: Victoninox Swiss-Army, Pants: Jcrew, Blazer: Banana Republic, Tie: Bows-n-ties.com, Shoes: Cole Haan, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. 

N/Style Journal: Spring Neutrals by Noah Williams

With warmer weather rolling in it's finally starting to feel like Spring in the city. For a causal night out I love this chambray blazer. While it isn't unlined, it is a lighter material perfect for Spring/Summer. A pro tip when shopping for suits/blazers for the warmer months try to find lighter materials such as linen and cotton, and then unlined jackets always make for a lighter and more comfortable fit. White cotton pants, while a pain to keep clean are a staple for the warmer months. To finish it off some suede loafers are always a great choice. 

 

Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Blazer/pants/sweater: Banana Republic, Watch: Victoninox 

Photography: Emily Byrski

N/Style Journal: Saturday's in Grammercy by Noah Williams

Spring weekends in Manhattan are simply the best. Strolling through the beautiful neighborhoods in the lower half of the island, you really get a chance to slow down and enjoy the city. A light cotton sweater, and denim shirt make for a versatile combo that looks great at brunch, but is still comfortable and functional as the day goes on.  Add in a fun pair of navy suede loafers, and cotton chinos and you'll be good to go. For the colder times of the day thrown on a light waxed cotton field jacket to add a little extra warmth. 

 

Shirt/Pants/Jacket: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Sweater: J.crew, Glasses/Hat: Ralph Lauren, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Watch: Daniel Wellington, Bracelet: Chan Lulu. 

N/Style Journal: Notes of Green by Noah Williams

As Spring starts to roll in, the days grow warmer and longer. It's refreshing to be able to leave my apartment in a blazer without freezing to death. Lighter materials for the warm months, here is my first look for SS16.  

First up is the unlined tan blazer. The one I am wearing is from J. Lindeberg and has been a go to for me the last two summers. It's light and can be dressed up as shown here, or just thrown over a polo. The unlined, more relaxed construction makes it very comfortable and easy to wear in the heat of summer. Another favorite of mine is knit ties. For summer I recommend lighter silk ties, like the one I'm wearing from Ledbury. Nothing is easier to spot than a cheap tie, so be sure to invest in great ties as they will stay with you for sometime. 

I've recently become a bit obsessed with white shirts. I love the cut away collar on this shirt from Twillory. Also the diamond weave cloth makes it very beatable, and gives it a cool texture. Another staple I've talked about in past posts is good chinos. This is the 484 fit from Jcrew, in a light weight cotton. 

Go sock-less smarter by wearing no show socks this Summer. These tassel loafers are also something I've become fond of over the past few weeks. I picked these up from Johnston & Murphy and have loved them so far. It's another staple piece, and goes well with everything from a suit to jeans and a button-down. 

N/Style Journal: Go Ivy by Noah Williams

As spring starts to roll in I've started buying specific pieces that will be versatile for the months to come. White sneakers are nothing new, but upgrading from the classic white converse isn't a bad idea. This pair of New Balance sneakers are from Jcrew and I have fallen in love with them. I wear them on the weekends with shorts and chinos, and then during the week I've been known to throw them on with a suit for a more relaxed look. If you have $400+ to spend I would recommend a pair of Common Projects to help stand out from the crowd, but if not these are also a great option for less than $100. 

While I wear them year round, if you don't own a few Nato straps it's time to invest in a few. They are lighter, and more breathable in the summer compared to leather, and steel bands and are just all around more comfortable to wear on a hot summer day. 

I always love including a bracelet or two in my outfits. As a guy I'm really not one to wear to many, but a couple of fun bracelets always add a nice touch. This one from KJP has been a favorite of mine for the last few years. 

These olive cotton chinos from Jcrew are probably my favorite pants at the moment and something I wear all the time. This is a pant that can be worn with a blazer and tie, or with a tee shirt. Fit is everything, this is the 484 which is the slimmest fit Jcrew does.

Finally a good denim/chambray shirt is a must. I've layered it up here, but again this is a foundational piece you can wear with just about anything. The coat and sweater are pieces I've talked about a few times over the last month. As it gets warmer I would still suggest picking up a light rain coat or trench coat for spring. 

N/Style Journal: Ready for Spring by Noah Williams

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Finally I'm getting to experience NYC in non subzero temperatures. A warm, and sunny day greeted me on Sunday when I set out to shoot with friends in Soho/West Village. Having arrived during the coldest time of the year, it was refreshing to go out without having to bundle up. For this look I wanted something that was semi-formal, but still had an air of fun to it and wasn't to overly pretentious. 

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Not new to the blog is my daily bag; the Roll top backpack from Pad & Quill. It's simple design, and quality materials make it a great bag to bring along, and accessories the outfit well. The Johnston & Murphy penny loafers are also a staple shoe that are not new. I do plan to acquire them in a navy suede within the next few weeks to mix it up a bit, as well as a tassel loafer from J&M as well. I threw in a fun fair island print sock from Cole Hann to add a bit of unexpected pattern. 

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

I chose to go with the minimal, yet elegant Daniel Wellington Dapper Bristol, in rose gold. The thin casing, paired with a nice brown leather strap give the watch a note of understated class which doesn't come off as gaudy. It's the one of the best watches you can get for under $300, and definitely my top pick. 

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

Suit jacket: J. Lindeburg. Pants: Banana Republic. Sweater: Jcrew. Shirt: Brooks Brothers. Pocket Square: Cotten Brew. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Glasses: Ralph Lauren. Bag: Pad & Quill

I wanted to convay a simple, and look on top so I simply paired a rich navy suit jacket, with a tan shawl collar sweater and white button down. The sweater offsets the contrast of the white and navy, and also adds a nice texture to the mix. The floral pocket square adds a fun pop of pattern while remaining fairly understated.  

N/Style Journal: Brooklyn Bridge Stroll by Noah Williams

Coat/sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Coat/sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Each weekend I try to explore a different area of this big city I'm calling home for the time being. This week I headed out with some friends and shot around the Brooklyn Bridge area.  

I've started to simplify my wardrobe over the last few months, and returning to the basics. I made the common mistake when first building my wardrobe of buying a lot of accent pieces, but neglected the everyday basics that make up a solid closet. Over Christmas I bought three colors of this Banana Republic sweater. The fit is perfect, and it is easy to layer with a suit, or just wear with jeans.

Sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Braceletes: KJP. Watch: Daniel Wellington.  

Sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Braceletes: KJP. Watch: Daniel Wellington.  

Pairing the sweater with a classic gingham shirt from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece collection adds a pop of subtle color/pattern without overpowering the rest of the outfit. The chinos (also from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece collection) are staple in my wardrobe and something I have gotten a lot of diversity out of. The slim, but not skinny fit works well with a casual outfit like this, or a blazer on date night. 

Sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Bracelets: KJP, Watch: Daniel Wellington. 

Sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. Bracelets: KJP, Watch: Daniel Wellington. 

To finish off the look I threw in a navy wool overcoat by Banana Republic, and a pair of sheepskin penny loafers by Johnston and Murphy. Both pieces are incredibly versatile, and I have gotten a lot of mileage out of them over the past few months. 

Coat/sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Coat/sweater: Banana Republic. Shirt/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece. Hat/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Overall this is a really great look, and something you could wear most days of the week. Truth be told, I've discovered as a guy I dress better when I have fewer options, that fit great and mix and match easily. Most of my wardrobe consists of navy, and grey simply because they go so well together. Figuring out what colors work best on you makes the process of creating a wardrobe much easier.   

N/Review: Pad & Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack by Noah Williams

Upon moving to NYC at the beginning of the year, I started using my backpack everyday. After years of faithful service however, my LL Bean backpack was dated, and made me look like a high school student. So in the search for the perfect "grown-up" backpack I found this one by Pad and Quill. 

After owning it for a few weeks, the leather has begun to break and become soft to the touch. I use this as my everyday bag, and have been able to fit: an extra pair of loafers(size 12), camera, laptop+charger, DSLR camera w/ 2 lenses, speedlite, and a extra pants. 

When it comes to build quality, it really doesn't get much better than this. The leather is  full-grain, tumbled American Bridle leather and after being broken in feels soft to the touch. The hardware is beautifully constructed and is made out of solid nickel, and the hand pounded copper rivets are a very nice touch. The bags are all hand crafted, and signed by the artist who made it. While the straps are not padded, I found it fairly comfortable to wear for several hours at a time. 

All in all this is a really great bag. It's simple design is aesthetically pleasing and I receive complements on it frequently. For a price of $319 I think you are getting more than your moneys worth. The bag has a 25 year warranty, so you can rest assured that you will be taken care of for the life of the bag. I have been very pleased with this product and would highly recommend it to others. 

N/Journal: My First Month in NYC by Noah Williams

A month ago I took a huge leap out of my comfort zone, and moved to the biggest city in the US. I had never visited New York, nor lived on my own before. Back in November when I received an offer to move up for a few months to work as a marketing intern in Manhattan I felt a mixture of fear and excitement. Fear because I would be leaving my friends and family behind for and excitement because I knew it was a fantastic opportunity to further my education, and help set me up for a great carrier in the marketing and PR industry. 

Upon completing my first month here, I have discovered my ability to adapt to new environments. I'm subletting a bedroom in a large apartment in Brooklyn with 5(yes 5) roommates who are some of the kindest people you could meet in this city. Before moving here I had only taken the subway in DC a couple of times, but it has now become a part of my everyday life. Having no car has been a large adjustment, and I will have to admit I greatly miss my heated leather seats when I'm fighting for a seat on the train in the morning. 

After working as a freelance creative artist for the last few years, one of the hardest things I've had to adapt to is working in an office all day. Prior to moving up here I frequently envied people who got to work in an office and have the team element of co-workers. After a few weeks of rediscovering the structure of a work day I have come to enjoy certain aspects of an office. I feel blessed to be at such a great firm, with so many kind people willing to help teach me. 

IMG_6102.jpg

In conclusion: Success is rarely something that is found in your comfort zone. To move forward in life, and achieve your dreams you must first jump off a cliff. At first you won't fly, and you will flop around, hit your head, and in every way feel like a you're going to fail. At a certain point you can chose to give up, and at that point you will in fact fail, but to those who keep going and don't give up your parachute will open, and you will find success(Steve Harvey said part of that). I will be the first to admit, at this point I've jumped and I'm still waiting for my parachute to open. God has blessed me so much, and since moving here I have met so many great people. I have a small friend group, and have gotten plugged into a great church(Hillsong NYC if you're in the area and want to visit). While I don't know where I'm going, I know one thing; God does. My faith has gotten me thus far, and I can assure you I have no plans of slowing down anytime soon. If anything, this city invigorates you to want to push harder, and go farther. New York is a competitive monster, that will either make you, or break you. The key is always to take things one day, one hour, and one minute at a time. Celebrate the small victories, and don't let the failures get you down. I'm more determined, and focused than ever before, and cannot wait to see what these next few months hold. 

N/Style: The Urban Exploer by Noah Williams

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

I've always been a huge fan of the classic American style. Boots, field jackets, and denim shirts are always a good recipe when it comes to layering up for cold days in the city. I purchased the field jacket pictured last last Winter from Brooks Brothers, and it has been a staple in my wardrobe ever since. I paired the jacket with a sweater from Banana Republic, and a denim shirt by Ralph Lauren. The pairing of solid colors gives the outfit a very simple, but elegant look that has a timeless appeal. 

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy. 

A pair of Ralph Lauren spectacles are a daily essential. After wanting round frames for quite some time I finally stepped out of my style comfort zone and tried something new. To step farther out of my comfort zone I recently bought an Indiana Jones-ish hat from Topman that I have fallen in love with. The only downside to this hat is how easily the wind can/will knock it off of your head as the brim is in essence a sail. 

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Watch: Daniel Wellington 

Jacket/Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt/Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren, Sweater: Banana Republic, Hat/Gloves: Top Shop, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Watch: Daniel Wellington 

To finish off this outfit I threw in some wing-tip boots by Johnston and Murphy, and some grey trousers from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece collection. The tapered cut of the pant sits perfect at the top of the boot when cuffed. A large pet-peeve I have is when there are multiple breaks (pants bunching at the top of the shoe), simply cuffing your pant, or having it tailored for a specific shoe is a great way to improve your style.  

N/Review: Salence Outerwear by Noah Williams

When it comes to putting together outfits, this is my favorite time of year. I love getting creative with layering, and adding different garments. For me it's an enjoyable challenge to put things together. When it comes to outwear however, I often find myself struggling to get more creative than a traditional overcoat, or field jacket. Enter Salence Outerwear, a brand that aims to create durable, and versatile pieces that have a bit more modern design, while still paying tribute to some traditional design aesthetics. 

Pictured in this post is the Gabion Jacket. It's Salence's take on the traditional mid-length trench raincoat. This jacket is incredibly versatile, and can be worn with everything from a suit, to jeans and a button-down. It has a detachable hood which comes in handy if you get caught out in the rain. The coat is made from a lightweight, breathable fabric that will keep you well protected from the elements. 

I've teamed up with Chase Sabina and Salence to give a away a couple of jackets, for rules and conditions head on over to my Instagram and check out the post in which I used the photo shown above. 

 

N/Review: 2015, and my new home (for now) by Noah Williams

Overcoat/Pants: Banana Republic. Glasses/Sweater/Shirt: Ralph Lauren. Photo: Drew Hall

Overcoat/Pants: Banana Republic. Glasses/Sweater/Shirt: Ralph Lauren. Photo: Drew Hall

As I sit in a busy coffee shop in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC, I think of how crazy a year it has been. If you had ask me a few months ago what my plans for 2016 were, I would have told you I was simply taking a gap semester from school and working on various projects in North Carolina. If you have payed any attention to any of my social media outlets over the past week you might have noticed I recently moved (temporarily) to New York City. Over the next few months I will be interning at the New York office of Battalion PR. After finishing my first week at the firm am incredibly excited about the possibilities that will occur in the next few months. 

Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Sweater: Banana Republic, Shirt: Ledbury, Watch: Daniel Wellington, Glasses: Ralph Lauren, Photo: Taylor Camp

Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Sweater: Banana Republic, Shirt: Ledbury, Watch: Daniel Wellington, Glasses: Ralph Lauren, Photo: Taylor Camp

As for my personal blog, and business ventures I have no plans of slowing down. North Carolina bookings will still be handed by my business partner and myself, and I plan to be potentially creating more blog content than ever before. New York is such a vast melting pot of people, and locations to shoot, so I'll have no shortage of subjects. 

Blazer: Indochino, Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Tie: Eddie Bauer(vintage), Boots: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Ralph Lauren, Watch: Victoninox

Blazer: Indochino, Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Tie: Eddie Bauer(vintage), Boots: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Ralph Lauren, Watch: Victoninox

In 2015 I worked with around 25-30 brands in producing content, I hope in moving forward and continue to expand. I am so grateful for all of the support I have received, and look forward greatly to what this year has to offer. If you are a photographer/blogger in the NYC area feel free to drop me a line if you want to meet up and shoot.

So for now, I leave you with a quick iPhone photo I shot out of my office window. Expect great things, 2016 will be my biggest year yet. 

View from the boardroom of my Office(Sorry for the iPhone Pic)

View from the boardroom of my Office(Sorry for the iPhone Pic)

 

 

N/Week on the Wrist: Victorinox Maverick Chronograph by Noah Williams

I've talked several times in the past about the vast amount of great watches under $1,000. The Maverick Chronograph is a 43mm Swiss-Made watch which costs anywhere from $395-$795. At first glance, it could be said that it has similar characteristics to the Rolex Submariner, or Daytona. The Chronograph complication adds a nice technical, as well as aesthetically pleasing touch to the sport watch.  

Wearability: I have rather small wrists, and usually tend to go with watches in the 38-40mm range. However, with that being said after a few days I got use to the slightly larger size of the watch. With the steel band, the watch weighs around 7 oz. When it comes to sport watches, I prefer something with a bit of weight to it because it simply feels like a more solid, high end piece when wearing it. After wearing it for a week, I have gotten used to the heft of the watch, and have really come to love it. Victorinox also sells both leather and rubber straps for the watch.  

Functionality: When it comes to functionality, I see this very easily becoming a watch I would wear everyday. The 43mm face is easy to read, and the luminescent on the hands works well. When it comes to styling this watch it is pretty diverse in what it can be worn with. I have worn this watch with everything from a T-shirt to a suit, and it has worked flawlessly with all of them.  Because the watch has a brown face, I would recommend wearing it with more brown shoes/accessories as it will match better. 

N/Closing: Overall this is a fantastic value for the price you pay. It has received lots of complements when I wear it, and it has come to be a daily necessity. From the lake, to the city this watch is a worth while investment that will be the perfect accessory for years to come. 

N/Review: Indochino by Noah Williams

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Watch: Snyper, Shirt: Ledbury, Tie/Pocket Square: Sprezza Box, Car: Ferrari FF, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Watch: Snyper, Shirt: Ledbury, Tie/Pocket Square: Sprezza Box, Car: Ferrari FF, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Over the past few years, mens fashion has become an ever-increasing trend. Gone are the days when baggy pants and oversized jackets are given an "A" for effort. At the height of this trend, the bespoke suit sits at the top of every man's list. The process of picking out a fabric, being carefully measured, and helping design your very own custom suit is something that is out of reach for most of us...or is it?

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Watch: Snyper, Shirt: Ledbury, Tie/Pocket Square: Sprezza Box, Car: Ferrari FF, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Watch: Snyper, Shirt: Ledbury, Tie/Pocket Square: Sprezza Box, Car: Ferrari FF, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

A few months ago, Indochino reached out to me, and offered to let me try their custom suiting process. I was a bit skeptical at first, having heard horror stories online about similar online custom suit companies, but I decided to give it a try. On their website, they have videos that guide you through the rather extensive steps on how to take the measurements (you'll need a friend's help) but it really was a relatively easy process to complete. Being able to chose a fabric, and add in little details to the suit such as functional buttons, and a double-breasted style was a very enjoyable process. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com, Car: Porsche Panamera, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com, Car: Porsche Panamera, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Around four weeks after placing the order I received my suit. Right out of the box, I must tell you, it did not fit perfectly. It was pretty close, but just a tad off. Several factors could have lead to this, including error on my own part in the measuring process. After a trip to my tailor, the suit fit much, much better. Really, my only word of caution would be, when measuring, make absolutely sure you get the shoulders correct, as this is the one thing a tailor cannot fix for you.  

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Cole Haan, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Watch: Seven Friday, Bracelets: Our Saints, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Cole Haan, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Watch: Seven Friday, Bracelets: Our Saints, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com. 

Bottomline: Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes, I would. Despite a few short comings, for the price you really cannot beat the quality and fit of what you get. The suit above is from their Winter collection, and is currently on sale. As shown this will run a little under $400 which is a steal. You won't be able to find many (if any) comparable suits for that price. Overall I think it's a great service, and if you are on a budget I highly recommend looking into this brand. Click HERE to be redirected to their website. 

-Special thanks to Foreign Cars Italia of Greensboro for the use of the Ferrari FF, and Porsche Panamera, click HERE to checkout there website.  

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com, Car: Porsche Panamera, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Pocket Square: Bows-n-ties.com, Car: Porsche Panamera, Photo by Alec Hutchins Photography, Hair styled by: Carlos Carvana; Owner The Oval Office. 

N/Style: Why you need LL Bean "Bean boots" by Noah Williams

For the last couple of years I've been contemplating purchasing a pair of these boots, and this summer I finally pulled the trigger. This classic american hunting boot is worth it's weight in gold. From the quality of the materials, to the functionality it provides on a day to day basis, I regret not buying them sooner.  

Style wise you are somewhat limited. You won't be wearing these with a suit, or a tie. It's a more causal boot, but you can dress it up enough to pass on a rainy day. I love wearing them on short hikes, and anytime I know it's going to be a rainy day. 

As far as comfort goes, generally they are pretty good. If you don't wear thicker socks, they can feel a little clunky. I recommend trying a size or a size and a half down from what you would normally wear. My one beef with LL Bean on this boot is that there are a large amount of colors to chose from when it comes to the women's version, but very few with the mens line. 

Truth be told, for around $100 you won't do much better than this American-made shoe. The current problem if you want to buy them is, well you won't get them until around January(closer to Christmas you'll see more of a delay). Due to the fact they are handmade, they can only turn out so many. I bought mine midsummer due to this issue they had last Winter. 

N/Style: You need a turtleneck sweater by Noah Williams

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo courtesy of Foreign Cars Italia Greensboro, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography.  

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo courtesy of Foreign Cars Italia Greensboro, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography.  

I feel, over time, that trends often recirculate in new, fresh forms. For instance, things such as double-breasted suits, wide lapels, and collar pins are back in style. One of my current favorite classic pieces is the grey turtleneck (or mock-neck) sweater. You can spend as much, or as little as you want when it comes to this item. The one I am pictured wearing in this post is by Ralph Lauren, and I found it at a local consignment shop for $20 (proof good style can be affordable). 

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo courtesy of Foreign Cars Italia Greensboro, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography.  

Suit: Indochino, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Burberry, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo courtesy of Foreign Cars Italia Greensboro, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography.  

Recently, I've been pairing the sweater with suits. It's a way to add effortless style and sophistication to any suit, while giving overall a more relaxed feel. I love dressing down suits, because you tend to get more use out of them. 

Blazer: SuitSupply, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Watch: Seven Friday, Glasses: Ray-Ban, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: Ferrari California T, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography

Blazer: SuitSupply, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Watch: Seven Friday, Glasses: Ray-Ban, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Car: Ferrari California T, Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography

Another fantastic use of the sweater is pairing it with a blazer, and pants (white pants, Labor Day, I know). Yet again, it's dressing down a somewhat formal look, while remaining upscale in appearance. 

Overall, if you don't own a turtleneck, now is the time to invest. I see it sticking around through at least the coming Spring, and it is a great way to standout from the crowd. Yes, you might look like a poet of some sort if paired incorrectly, but when done right you will look nothing short of royalty. 

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Link to Ferrari Shown: Click Here

Link to Shoes: Click Here