Introducing | Chester Jefferies Handmade Gloves

The first recording of glove making in England dates back to the 14th century in the area of Dorset. Many glove makers have come out of this area--Dents being another--but the first and probably most famous is the Chester Jefferies glove maker. The Jefferies name was first recorded in glove making in the 1820's with work under the name Chester Jefferies beginning in 1937 by Gilbert Pearce.

Chester Jefferies is still a family owned company creating bespoke and ready to wear gloves based on a customers hand measurement in high quality Nappa, Hogskin, Deerskin, Pigskin, Calfskin, and sueded Lambskin leathers in a variety of linings from silk to cashmere. Chester Jefferies offers over 2000 glove styles in 40 different colors from dress and sport, to uniform and ceremonial.  We were the recent recipients of two of them. We had the chance to work with the current head of the Jefferies operation Mr. Shaun Pearce to create some special pieces. We had been in the market for a pair of driving gloves and Shaun was kind enough to send us a pair along with their hand sewn Deerskin dress gloves lined in lofty cashmere.

The Donnington Nappa leather driving glove is £60 or around $95US and the Cheltenham Deerskin leather dress glove with cashmere lining is £95 or around $150US. Both gloves are made largely by hand, from the cutting of the leather to the sewing of the glove itself. Both gloves offer a snug fit with premium stitching and leathers. Every man should have a pair of great gloves. Whether you're driving a car or just keeping warm in the cold. Chester Jefferies is one of the best for both.

Donnigton unlined Nappa leather driving glove

Blue on black with perforations

Black hand sewn Cheltenham deerskin leather winter gloves

Cashmere lining

Style & Error | Kevin Garnett and Craig Sager

As it turns out,  Isaia isn't all its cracked up to be. (But in all seriousness, please don't burn your Isaia jacket)

The Ten Commandments of Style

Our latest post for the guys at Essential Style for Men (ESM).  How many have you broken?

ESM's Style Maverick Grant Harris comes down from the mountain and gives us his 10 style commandments. 

Image from iStockphoto/Thinkstock. 

We often get asked about style rules and what should be done and what shouldn't.

We don’t claim to be the style police. Even if we were, we’d be the cool cop that let’s you off with a warning.  However, there are several aspects of style which should be adhered to whenever possible.  There are more than 10 but everybody likes a list, so here is ours (in no particular order):

1. Thou shalt know the difference between style and fashion

Read our first article. Then read it again.

2. Thou shalt own a gray suit

A gray suit is the Swiss army knife of your wardrobe.  It can be worn in business, casual and most formal situations, occasions, and environments.

Sorry bro. By "gray suit", Grant didn't mean "gray crushed velvet suit worn by former Color Me Badd vocalist."
Image from iStockphoto/Thinkstock. 

3. Thou shalt not wear square toed shoes nor tolerate those who do

Square toed shoes are an abomination to the well-dressed man. You don’t cut corners in your career, relationships or family life so you shouldn’t cut corners with your shoes.

4. Thou shalt not rent a tuxedo

Buy or stay home. Nothing is worse than showing up in a rented tux that’s too big, too old or too anything other than your own. If you don’t attend enough events which require a tuxedo you’re hanging out with the wrong people.

Yup. Rented.
Image from iStockphoto/Thinkstock. 

5. Thou shalt honor the three F’s – Fit, Fabric, Function

Fit is more important than fabric which is more important than function. If it doesn’t fit the fabric won’t matter. If it’s not the proper fabric the function will be lost. Fit is king.

6. Thou shalt dress for the season

Wearing flip flops, shorts and snow parka is just dumb. Just because it’s warm outside doesn’t mean winter is over. Dress appropriately for the season.

Practice the art of layering and you’ll be warm and comfortable as the temperature rise and dip.

7. Thou shalt own a navy blazer

The navy blazer is the cornerstone a man’s wardrobe. Worn aside from the gray suit it also can be dressed up and down in business and casual situations without being overpowering or overlooked.

8. Thou shalt honor thy tailor

Find one. Make friends. Ask questions. Repeat.

Contrary to the latest Cribs episode, THIS is where the magic happens.
Image from Leonard Mc Lane/Digital Vision/Thinkstock. 

 9. Thou shalt make thine own style choices

No one else but you should make style decisions for you. Opinions and suggestions should be openly received from your tailor and those whose opinions your trust.

However, you’re the one getting dressed.

No one can or should make the final decision but you. Not your mother, girlfriend, wife, or significant other. Only you have the power to make your style decisions.

10. Thou shalt not live by these commandments alone

This list is neither comprehensive nor is it written in stone—although the original commandments were.

These “rules” are meant to guide you down a path of style but how long it takes you to get there and in the manner you decide to travel is up to you.

We just hope you travel well.

Video | Men of Habit Magazine Launch

Men of Habit (MOH) has been working behind the scenes on the launch of their lifestyle magazine.  We introduced them earlier and they've recently produced an video introducing their concept to the menswear world.  Using runway models and a local DC video producer, MOH presents a look into the lifestyle of today's fashion minded man.  The online magazine is set to launch this Spring.  We'll keep you posted on progress.

Introducing | Sette Neckwear

Seven fold neckties have become the holy grail of neckwear.  In years past when neckties were more prevalent amongst men they were the standard of class and quality.  In recent years they have become the object of affection of many menswear aficionados as a way to separate the men from the boys.  Seven fold ties use an entire meter of silk versus standard three or four folds sold by most department stores and mass manufacturers.  These mass produced ties use several pieces of silk wrapped around a wool or cotton interlining.  Neither the pieces of silk nor the interlining may be of the highest quality since they are cut from so many different sources.  Conversely, seven fold neckties are cut from single piece of silk which requires the fabric to be of the highest quality since imperfections will be harder to mask.  When the silk has been chosen it is folded onto itself seven times without an interlining which gives the final product a gentle drape and allows for a more lively knot and a deeper and richer dimple--which every man should have in a properly knotted tie.

Seven fold ties take more time and effort to make, but they also create a better product.  Up until now we were not aware of any independent retailers in DC selling seven fold neckwear.  Isaia seven folds can be found at Barney's and other high end big box retailers, but we shun shopping at these resources.  Enter Sette Neckwear.  

Sette represents the number seven in Italian.  The company is owned by Mr. Peter Watkins and ties are designed by Mr. Robert Jensen who has accumulated over thirty years of neckwear experience.  Although Peter resides in Salt Lake City, Utah he travels frequently to the District and has a long political background in DC hence the political ties--no pun intended.  While traveling through Italy and subsequently having to wear ties for business Peter decided to take a crack at the business himself and sparked relationships with mills in Como--which is highly regarded as one of the best sources of silk in the world.  The ties are cut on the bias and folded asymmetrically to achieve the proper balance and hand.

Sette offers a wide range of options in woven, printed, pure and classic silks. They come in a standard three inch width at the widest point and are self-tipped and hand sewn in Italy.  The designers are conservative but confident.  After all this is DC.  Each Sette is unique and one of kind in a limited run usually of no more than twenty-one pieces.  Each tie comes marked with a number and every customer has the option to register their tie online with Sette.  

We are proud to have recently become the owners of our first seven fold necktie and we're even more proud that it comes from an independent business owner right here in DC.  The customer service and purchasing experience of a Sette customer is no less than stellar.  We've had several products and exclusive pieces sent to us over the years and we are hard pressed to remember a more thorough presentation and packaging.  The tie arrives in a sleek handmade box with a handwritten thank you note from Mr. Watkins himself, a signed "about us" card, instructions for maintaining your Sette and a registration card.  Our Sette is a regal solid, woven purple.  This option is certainly exclusive since it will not be available on the site until summer.  

These are some of the best ties in the world and they come at a cost.  They range anywhere from $265 to $445.  We realize these may be some of the most expensive ties on the market, but they are every bit worth it in quality, construction, aesthetics and customer service.  We're highly anticipating tying it on for the first time and feeling the difference between a true seven fold and all the rest.

About your Sette

Thank you from Sette

Hand written note from Mr. Watkins

Sette registration

The "flower" and slip stich on front blade

Slip stich on rear blade

Individualized number 1 of 21

Self tipped blades and "7" threaded bar tacks