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| Do
I have to get someone I just started dating a Valentine's Day
gift (and if so, what)? |
Whatever
you do, don't ignore the holiday—that holds whether you're
going on date number 3 or 300. While it might seem like a trite
celebration to you, it's not to her, so plan on acknowledging
it in some way. If you want to do something that's more of a
token than an outright statement, consider flowers and chocolates—there's
a good reason why they're a cliché: they always work.
To make your sweets a little less expected, pass on the heart-shaped
box from the drug store and go with something from an upscale
chocolate shop or gourmet grocer (classic macaroons in fancy
wrapping are my go-to). If you feel comfortable making more
of a declaration, I'd go with jewelry—I don't know a single
woman who feels she has too much of it, and it comes at all
price points (and better yet, it's one size fits all,
so you avoid that potentially messy gauntlet).
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| What's
the best way to pull off a winter scarf? |
I
try not to overthink scarves: I think they look best when they're
thrown on a bit haphazardly. I'd also say they only really
work when they're worn to keep you warm and not as a fashion
piece, so I tend to wear mine with coats and jackets and that's
it. As for how, I simply wrap mine around my neck a couple of
times and sort of tie it in a knot in the front, but you should
wear yours however it comes naturally—keep it simple and
you'll be fine.
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| Snow boots with a suit—yes or no? |
Yes,
absolutely. Trying to navigate messy winter streets in dress
shoes is a surefire way to look ridiculous (which is what, I
presume, you're tying to avoid). If you live in an area
that gets snow or slush, boots are a grim reality of winter.
Personally, I wear my Red Wing® work boots all winter long,
no matter what else I'm wearing—if I happen to be
in a suit, I'll bring a change of shoes for the office.
If you really don't like this idea, you could opt for
a pair of classic galoshes instead (I like the ones made by
Tingley). They slip on right over your shoes and will protect
the leather while giving you a bit more traction on slippery
winter streets and sidewalks.
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| How often should I wash my selvedge jeans? |
It's
a matter of personal preference: each time you wash a pair of
jeans, the color will fade slightly, and all denim (especially
selvedge) will shrink to some degree—so it really depends
on what sort of look you want your jeans to have. I like the
saturated color of my selvedge jeans, so I try to wash them
as little as possible and rely on spot cleaning for any real
stains. If you want to wash yours with any frequency, you can
minimize shrinking by using cold water and laying them flat
to dry; if you're concerned about preserving the color,
turn them inside out and use detergent sparingly. Want a more
in-depth answer? Check out our handy denim care guide.
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| I
can't figure out what to wear under sweaters—dress shirts seem
too stuffy and tees too sloppy. Thoughts? |
Try
wearing a workwear-inspired shirt instead of a traditional button-down.
Our vintage chambray and poplin utility shirts both look great
worn under a V-neck sweater. Add a corduroy sportcoat for a
look that's casual but still totally pulled together (without
looking like you tried too hard).
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| Is there an acceptable alternative to the basic black suit? |
You've
probably heard some form of the expression "navy is the
new black," but it actually happens to be true at the moment—especially
in suiting. A navy suit can be as elegant and sophisticated
as a black one and just as versatile too. Paired with a crisp
white dress shirt, a dark tie and wing tips, it's refined enough
to wear to a wedding, but worn with a chambray shirt and Jack
Purcells®, it feels unbuttoned and modern. Right now I'm into
our navy worsted wool suit—it's got these cool narrow
lapels reminiscent of a suit from the '60s, and the color isn't
as dark as traditional navy, so it seems fresh and new. Also,
the fabric is made from this great wool and mohair blend, so
it has a really distinctive finish that's sure to make you stand
out (and not in a sore thumb kind of way).
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