IN CONTEXT | MARK MCNAIRY TWO TONE SADDLE SHOE IN NAVY

If Menswear had its own Chinese new year style calendar (now there's an idea...), this would most definitely be The Year of the McNairy.  After garnering notoriety as the respected lead creative director of classic American label J.Press, the past couple of years have seen Mark McNairy collaborate with some of the most prominent brands in the industry such as Engineered Garments, Bass, and Pro-Keds. Most recently he's recently taken the helm as creative director of Woolrich Woolen Mills.

These Two-Tone saddles are hardly new - for that you should check his Kilte Loafers for Bass Weejun - but they've have had quite a run as one of this year's most recognizable models. Made for his own line New Amsterdam, these suede saddles are crafted in Northamptonshire, England, using traditional American and British cobbling techniques. Typical to McNairy, the attention to detail is fastidious resulting in a top quality shoe. Plus, while they look substantial they're surprisingly light and supple.

Despite their Internet fame, I've barely seen these on the street and when I have it's been in a pretty standard fashion, (with a navy suit or rolled chino).  As it's spring-ish now, I've been fixated with the idea of seeing them with shorts, (oh, c'mon live a little!), and threw together the below as a bit of insipiration in that vien. Purchase the shoe at MarkMcnairy.com (US) or End Clothing (UK) and if you're a lady, they're available (in store only) at Epaulet in Manhattan. - M

[IN CONTEXT]

Mark McNairy Two-Tone Saddle Loafer for a Rainy Spring

Mark McNairy Two-Tone Saddle in Navy
Our Legacy Chambray Shorts
Folk Clothing Light Rain Mac
APC Short Sleeve Madras Shirt
Left Field Deadstock Crossgrain Sweatshirt
APC Woven Belt
Illestiva Lennox Tortoise Frames (removeable shades)

Previously [In Context]  :
Left Field NYC Ivy Crew Sweater
Nike Air Royal Mid QS 'Workboot' Sneaker
Mr. Hare Mailer Loafer

IN CONTEXT | MR. HARE MAILER LOAFER

You'll notice that the image above contains ample negative space and one bombastic pair of shoes. Mind you, I know these aren't for everyone and certainly intimidate most, but they also promise to be the crowning sartorial glory of any man's shoe collection should he be ballsy enough to take the leap. These loafers just have that much gravitas.

This phenomenon is not unusual for Mr. Hare shoes. The company began as the mission of one man - yes, Mr. Hare - to create footwear that he, simply, liked. Nearly three years and four collections later, he's created a fleet of shoes, boots and loafers that a great many like, if not revere. Mr. Hare's offerings are distinct in almost every way that counts - in silhouette, manufacturing and materials making them some of the more unique pieces on the market. These are no exception.

The Mailer loafer upper and tassels - which appear more substantial than most - are made with Vacchetta leather, an untreated animal rawhide that is traditionally used for the trim of luggage and bags. Vachetta is susceptible to sunlight, which means care is important, but also that the shoe will darken in shade over time, creating a natural patina.  The lasts for the shoes - those old-timey looking wooden shoe molds - are crafted in Northampton, England and then sent to Italy where the shoe is then constructed over the last.

Available in Tan, Navy and Black they retail for a cool £405, or approximately $656 depending on the exchange. The Tan version, featured here, are a solid option for Spring if you want to class things up a bit; one that will surely hold its own amidst this, the season of ornate footwear, (read: an increasingly aggressive double monk takeover).

To purchase or for more info you can contact Mr. Hare directly by reaching out to the spectacularly helpful James Hayes [email]. For more about Mr. Hare check out this excellent interview with the man himself on Style Salvage. Cheers and Happy loafering. - M

[IN CONTEXT]

Mr. Hare Mailer Loafer + Dressy Spring Essentials

Mr. Hare Mailer Loafer
Seven Alan Spring Peak Lapel Blazer
Epaulet Tapered Rudy Trouser
Folk Clothing Buckley Belt
Ines Melain Solid Sport Shirt
Mismo Full Grain Canvas Carry-all
Stowa Marine Automatic Timepiece
Tom Ford Single Man Glasses

Previously [In Context]  :
Left Field NYC Ivy Crew Sweater
Nike Air Royal Mid QS 'Workboot' Sneaker

IN CONTEXT | NIKE AIR ROYAL MID QS 'WORKBOOT' SNEAKER

The Nike Air Royal Mid comes in two colorways, black & wine each with leather uppers, white contrast stitching & white mid-soles. A perforated Swoosh marks them as Nikes. $150 at sneakerhead.com.

Sure, this post is kind of apropos of nothing and yes, I am more than a bit behind the game on these considering they debuted in 2009. But who cares. Look at them. They're spectacular. They need to be revisited.

I found these these while doing my sneaker homework on sneakerhead.com, and realized I was looking at a perfect love child of classic and street. And I so here I stand, seduced. While they're definitely not snow ready, they'll do the trick for the dry times of a colder season and, if the customer reviews are true, they get points for durability.  Also, they're Nikes? Who knew?

Both have black outsoles &
burgundy patterned laces held by gold eyelets
on the wine pair and silver on the black.

Quick aside: The cult of the sneaker has recently peaked my curiosity. I find it to be the antithesis of what usually attracts me - functional, classic, sustainable, small brand - which is probably why I'm intrigued. The whole 'buy a pair of $300+ kicks and keep them in a plastic box in your closet for 20 years' thing? Mystifying, yet I'm fascinated.  As sneakers go, this pair is decidedly more subdued, but they've whet my appetite none the less.

Anyway, below you'll find a freshly inspired [In Context] and pics after the jump. I could definitely get the hang of this sneaker thing...  - M



PS. I don't profess to know much (read: anything) in the way of Nikes, but if you do, I'd love some impressions from an aficionado's perspective.

[IN CONTEXT]

Nike Air Royal Mid QS + Other choice things

Nike Air Royal Mid QS
Mackintosh x Kitsuné London Jacket
Tellason John Graham Mellor Selvedge Denim
Fred Segal Bd Baggies Foundry Button Down
Henry Vibskov V-Scarf in Green
Need Supply Chunky Knit Cap
Wings + Horns Black Cashmere Cardigan
Uniform Wares 200 Series Calendar Wristwatch
Makr Canvas Fold Weekender Bag

Click 'Jump' for more pics

IN CONTEXT | LEFT FIELD NYC IVY CREW SWEATER

Mosey over to Left Field NYC's online store for the complete trinity of sweaters, organic chinos, and some impressive Japanese flannel shirts  –all made in in Queens, NYC.

Winter is officially here and with it comes a great conundrum: needing to be as comfortable in front of the fire place as you are trekking cross the urban tundra. Enter the Left Field NYC crew sweaters. In three basic colorways, (Bark is pictured here), they instantly make me think of the tried and true classics my stylish grandfather swore by –right down to the no-frills stitched label. As Left Field deftly puts it, "think old ivy league, but without the big school letter on the chest."

Made from Canadian Merino wool these will layer up sans-bulk, keeping their wearer warm, ventilated and dry. It's likely you'll wear them with everything and anything so, for this first 'In Context' post, I've paired one with this season's other staples, just in time for wish list season... - M

[IN CONTEXT]

Left NYC Bark Ivy Crew Sweater + Fall/Winter Staples

Left Field Bark Ivy Crew Sweater
Garbstore Mountain Providence Parka
Alden x Context Roy Boot
J.Crew Secret Wash Button Down
Epaulet Slim Walt Trouser
Need Supply Blue Plaid Scarf
Tanner Goods Belt
Stowa Vintage Watch
Archival Clothing Field Bag