Women wearing pants, suits and cufflinks: A look back in history and today's trends

Let's start with a look back in time. (from Wikipedia) Since the adoption of trousers in Western Europe in Late Antiquity, trousers have been largely worn by men and not by women until the early 20th century. Amazon wearing trousers and carrying a shield with an attached patterned cloth and a quiver. Ancient Greek Attic white-ground alabastron, ca. 470 BC, British Museum, London. During World War I, women wore their husbands' (suitably altered) trousers while they took on jobs previously assigned to men, and increasingly wore trousers as leisurewear in the 1920s and 30s. And for a period in the 1970s, trousers became quite fashionable for women. In the United States, this may be due to the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which ruled that dresses could not be required of girls. Dress codes changed in public schools across the United States.

Oh yeah, I was caught up in the Title IX. Me and by "best friends" ALL decided to buck the system by wearing pants to school. The plan was set. I was going to wear a really cool pink and green pantsuit complete with a little vest with gold chains down the front. I bounced out of the house that morning feeling like a rock star. Low and behold, my "best friends" chickened out on me. So, off to the principal's office I went. The assistant principal got in her station wagon and drove me home so that I could change my outfit. I have to say I remember she had a look of " I have no choice" on her face, but nonetheless, this matter had to be taken care of. So I go in the house and mom quickly helped with my costume change. As I was heading out the front door, she said, " Honey I won't tell anybody okay?" What the heck was that all about? I need to drill down into who implemented that little regulation.....for another day.

Sportswear and tailored fashions: Unfussy, tailored clothes were worn for outdoor activities and traveling. The shirtwaist, a costume with a bodice or waist tailored like a man's shirt with a high collar, was adopted for informal daywear and became the uniform of working women. Wool or tweed suit (clothing) called tailor-mades or (in French) tailleurs featured ankle-length skirts with matching jackets; ladies of fashion wore them with Fox furs and huge hats. Two new styles of headgear which became popular at the turn of the century were the motoring veil for driving and sailor hats worn for tennis matches, bicycling and croquet.

 

Below is my take on the look and feel of the "Power Suit". Feminine but yet Owning it!

Oxfords or heels, ties with tie bars, statement earring and a gorgeous pair of cufflinks. Featured products are from our Etsy Stores. One of a kind designs.

Metallic flowers, rhinestones and gold & Iridescent wired crystals: Cufflinks for ladies

Big, Bold & Beautiful: Cufflinks for ladies

Classic elegance in sapphires and pearls: cufflinks fore ladies

Statement ladies cufflinks in abalone & mother of pearl

A modern take on the suit. Magnetic cufflinks with silk covered back buttons. Can be worn with any shirt.

Cufflinks featured are Czech glass with antique blown glass pearl button backs.

Featured are a pair of polished stone horseshoe cufflinks.

Esther Quek can rock a suit! www.estherquek.com/A fearless lady, Esther Quek is the distinguished group fashion and beauty director of luxury publications. Featured are a pair of amazing watermelon crystal cufflinks for ladies.

The feminine twist, Ruffled blouse and french cuffs

Classic, Sexy & Timeless. Women wearing menswear.

from our client's mouth to your ears

an open letter to men: from our guest blogger

As a fellow 'male' I am continually baffled at how easily most men are quite content with just following the crowd, or copying what their friends do just to fit in. In the world of fashion, I have noticed that most men on dates in restaurants continually dress as though they are going to a sports bar with their buddies to watch a game.  At best, if they do wear a suit, it is without a tie and pocket square.  The ladies however, are ALWAYS dressed to 'visually' impress their dates (i.e. jewelry, makeup, sexy shoes, stylish dress etc.).

Why doesn’t a man reciprocate and dress sharp for his lady?  If you think 'sharp' means a suit jacket WITHOUT A TIE . . . . YOU ARE DEAD WRONG!   I have been in many restaurants with my wife (4 and 5 star category) where all the ladies were dressed to the MAX, but the men were at worst, wearing just casual slacks and an open plain shirt; and at best a suit but without any tie. 

If you want proof that your lady secretly wants her date to look sharp, I can testify that in almost every restaurant my wife and I go to, there is at least one lady who turns her head and stares at my suit / tie combination while I leave; and they are with dates!  One glaring example, my wife and I were eating at the PLUME restaurant in Washington DC.  (Just ‘GOOGLE’ this name and look at the pictures of this restaurant.)   This is probably the most elegant and exclusive 5 star restaurant I have been to.  Every woman in the restaurant was dressed in FORMAL evening wear.  I think I was the only man wearing a full suit / tie / pocket square in the place.  When I got up to leave, at least 3 tables of ladies dropped their forks and just stared as I walked by.

Guys, wake up!  Women appreciate men in FULL suits when going out!  You not only feel good about yourself knowing you look sharp, but you are showing your lady that she is special and deserves an escort dressed as special as she is.

What NOT to wear: Plain slacks with plain open shirt - - Jeans and T-shirt with baseball cap - Suit jacket with jeans - Suit without a tie.

WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR: Full coordinated suit / tie / pocket square. Pay attention to color coordination between the tie, shirt and suit jacket.

Generally, wear a lighter color shade of tie or a tie of a complementary color if wearing a dark suit.  Example: For a Black suit, wear Red or Blue or Yellow colors in your tie with a WHITE shirt. Never black tie with a black suit.  People need to see the tie as an additional visual element to the entire look.

For a pocket square, try to use the same or similar color shading as the tie color.

Trust me; I have been proven right over and over again.  Women appreciate men in fine suits and ties.  Just think, if you follow this dress code, you will stand out head-and-shoulders above the other men in the room who are still clueless.

Carlos

a treasured client of our ETSY store: Modern Renaissance Man.

From a woman's point of view: Fact, women love guys in ties. They love seeing them put them on, and taking them off.

There are a few jackets and jeans looks that work in non formal settings. Business casual with a little Peaky Blinders/ Deadwood worked into the mix.

Historical Fashion Inspiration

There are certain details that pass the test of time as just good design. This blog post is just my take on the subject. Going back through history, men have enjoyed a bit of dapperness. When watching shows like Peaky Blinders, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, my eye is drawn to the details, the accessories.

The unknotted necktie with a tie tack up high. Get the look with a Mag TAK. Made with magnets so you don't ruin your nice silk ties.

Boardwalk Empire guys are all over the collar bar. It is an easy add on functional accessory. It has a way of totally tightening up the whole look. Badass in the boardroom.

Tie adornment details from left to right: Victorian gold painted black glass magnetic Mag TAK. Victorian metal picture button of an angel Mag TAK. Mantique Vintage "Churchill" hat pin upcycled into a Mag TAK.

Lapel pins have always been a part of the mix. Icons of clubs, legions or just a decorative element. I like to think this is the perfect way to add a bit of personality to your outfit as well as a way to draw people in. A little bit of something that grabs people's attention, they ask about what it is or what it means......Then my friend you have a conversation going. Shown above: A brass Victorian antique button featuring a soldier wearing a helmet,  Upcycled into a magnetic pin. Mag TAK. This can be worn on a jacket lapel, hat or necktie.

LOVE the polished, buttoned up look here. Pocket square, scarf, cufflinks, the whole nine yards. The Mag TAK is a great substitute for the stick tie pin shown here. Don't poke holes in your beautiful silk ties.

Demystifying the Cufflink

First step: Throw out all of the Rules. If you like the concept of cufflinks, wearing art on your cuffs, there are some great options for you. Let's talk about the cuff styles.

1) Traditionally, cufflinks are worn with a french cuff shirt. This is a double layer of cuff. A rather formal look. Stiff fabric can support a fairly heavy cufflink, where as a ladies french cuff may be of a lighter weight fabric so the cufflinks need to be lighter weight as well. French cuff shirts lend themselves to either a post style cufflink, a chain style cufflink or a mesh wrap.

2) Most shirts have a barrel style cuff with a sewn on button. A single layer cuff. This is where it gets interesting. To create a more casual look, there are several ways of working with this style of cuff so that you can Rock the Cuff Art.

a) You can snip off the button on a cuff and have your tailor create a button hole so that your barrel cuff would then have two holes to work in a cufflink.

b) If you really want to keep things versatile in your wardrobe shirt options, Just throw on a pair of our New Mag Linx™! Super strong magnets used to create one of a kind designed cufflinks with a silk covered back button. Just open up your barrel cuff and add your links to your cuff.

Imagine the possibilities! As a bonus, these cufflinks can be worn separately on other pieces of clothing, just like our Mag TAK™. Wear it on your hat, your jacket lapel or your scarf.

Mag TAK™  &    Mag Linx™

The most versatile accessories on the market, created by

The Modern Renaissance Man

The look and history of suspenders & braces

Below are excerpts from an article by By Mary Bellis Inventors Expert.

During the 1820s, British clothing designer Albert Thurston began to mass manufacture "braces", the British word for suspenders. These "braces" were attached to trousers by leather loops on the braces to buttons on the pants, rather than metal clasps that clasped to the trouser's waistband. At that time, British men were wearing very high waisted trousers and did not use belts.

On December 19, 1871, Samuel Clemens received the first of three patents for suspenders. Samuel Clemens' pen name was none other than Mark Twain. Twain is the famous American writer and the author of Huckleberry Fin. His suspenders described in his patent as "Adjustable and Detachable Straps for Garments," were designed to be used for more than just trousers. Twain's suspenders were to be used with underpants and women's corsets as well.

The first patent ever issued for modern suspenders the kind with the familiar metal clasp was issued to inventor David Roth, who received US patent #527887 issued in October of 1894.

The first suspenders were joined together to make a "H" shape in the back. In later designs, suspenders were "X" shaped, and finally, the "Y" shape became popular.

Original designs show suspender straps made of a tightly woven wool known as "box cloth".

According to some American companies, braces usually refer to the leather or cloth strips with button ends that attach to pants. For the British, however, braces refer to all suspenders. After losing popularity during World War I, as men became accustomed to uniform belts, braces (suspenders) were still regular attire throughout the 1920s. Because of their image as 'underwear', some men switched to belts during the 1930s as the waistcoats which had hidden braces became worn less. This also signaled the switch of position of the securing buttons from outside of the waistband to the inside. Life magazine stated in 1938 that 60% of American men chose belts over suspenders (braces). Though the return of fuller-cut trousers in the 1940s revived braces, they did not dominate over belts again to the same extent, however in the UK they remained the norm to wear with suits and dress trousers
 

So through out history, men have been sporting suspenders & braces. It is indeed a manly look. Whether they are worn with flannel, a worn white button down shirt and denim or all tightened up with a crisp business suit....The look is a winner.

mRm accessories: a his and her's accessory store

Why not? Whether you are shopping for yourself or your significant other, certainly convenient, wouldn't you say? Showcased below are some fantasy match ups. Back in the day, men were gentlemen and women were ladies. Accessories are the perfect doable way of adding just a dab of dapper and glam. Establish your personal style. Accessories should say something about yourself. Your love of history and antiques. Or maybe your nerdy side of loving insects. Maybe you like the look of steampunk with it's rich deep colors, velvet, cameos, waistcoats and top hats, without all of the clockwork orange. Eclectic you} Velvet blouse, cameo accessories with a maxi and boots. Gentlemen sporting a great cut wool suit with waistcoat style vest (kind of Hell on Wheels, Anson Mount) a great tie and Victorian button Mag TAK & collar bar(a tad Boardwalk Empire).

Antique pin in a deep fushia, magenta & navy geometric pocket square and gorgeous boho glam rhinestone bits of loveliness.

Fresh and sporty pop of color classics for the gentlemen. Paisley silk pocket square, and vintage vegetable button button Mag TAK. Vintage West German glass upcycled "Chick Magnet" and Czech rhinestone opal peach statement bracelet.

Victorian Black mourning glass button Mag TAK. Czech dangle earrings in cognac amber and dark purple #Gypsy Winter. Chick Magnet, barbell collar bar and textured silk pocket scarf in Rich deep colors.

BoHo Glam + Hippie Chic + Gypsy Spirit = The Eclectic You

The best elements of all of the styles blended together making the most of your individuality. This look embraces Casual ease with femininity. Materials showcased: Leather, lace, cashmere, rhinestones, beads, faux fur, lace & denim. It really is a timeless look for all ages of women who want to express their carefree personal style. The Ultimate Mix & Match.

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http://seaofgirasoles.blogspot.com/

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Mag TAK "CHICK MAGNET" magnetic Bohemian Czech iridescent peach Rhinestones, lavender flower under glass dome with a black Leather Back

BIJOUX MG Vintage Bohemian Czech Rhinestones, pale pink with Iridescent clear crystals. The perfect Cuff bracelet for a bit of Glam Sparkle.

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Czech Rhinestone watermelon bracelet. Statement Style

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Mag TAK "CHICK MAGNET" Bohemian blue & fushia rhinestones chamois leather back

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West German Upcycled Polished glass "Chick Magnet" Mag TAK. Scarf Pin, Hat Pin, Brooch.

Magnetic Bohemian Czech iridescent baby pink rhinestones, rose metallic swirl, pink leather back

Bohemian Czech Topaz & Gold Rhinestones, Aqua flower under glass dome center. Lace camisole with tobacco leather jacket.

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Boho Glam Hippie Chic Mag TAK "CHICK MAGNET" magnetic Pin Vintage Czech Rhinestones, Pink Leather Back. Up-cycled to be admired all over again.

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Faceted BoHo Glam iridescent Pink wired crystals, silk covered back scarf or hat brooch. Mag TAK™ Vintage Up cycled scarf brooch. Magnetic Made with powerful magnets, vintage silk covered button back.

Hello Gentlemen, Meet ETSY

If you have decided that shopping online is the way to go, you are halfway there. Instead of bouncing all over the place, just save yourself the time and head over to ETSY.com first. That is, if you prefer to not go the cookie cutter route and prefer a look that reflects your individual style.

Where else would you be able to shop all for of your personality layers in one place, from your ipad, in one shopping cart. If you are looking for the perfect statement piece for your den, shopping for pocket scarves to stock up on, or even a sweet gift for someone special ETSY is #homegrown business. So not only are you able to score on incredibly unique items, you are supporting folks that are in the business of doing their part to rescue as much great art from our past for you to enjoy in your future.

Celebrating the design and craftsmanship of the past

I have always had a place in my heart for antiques and vintage things. Not only for their unique design styles but for the history that they brought with them. The fact that something lasts that long is in itself a testament to the quality in which it was made and then there is the design. Even the most mundane, utilitarian things like a cash register was a piece of art with it's scroll designed silver details and enamel finishes. When we are on our hunts, it takes all I have not to ooo and aawww my way into a complete hoarder situation. So we push ourselves to focus on what make sense for our business model. Thus the Victorian Button. What a perfect little specimen of micro art. The designs are a perfect blend function and art. The making of these buttons incorporated the talent and skill of craftsmen like the jeweler, the silversmith, the painter and the glassblower. The materials used in the creation of these glorious buttons covered, cut steel, brass, wood, glass, enamel, etc.

Victorian buttons are the current focus in our Mag TAK product line. The Picture Button, the Perfume Button as well as the Victorian Black glass mourning button. The picture button (1870-1900) depicted scenes of fables, mythology, the mystery of the East and the theater. Amazing detailed micro art to be admired. The designs of the buttons usually had a framed look to highlight the image like a framed piece of art. Secondly the Perfume Button, one of the best romantic concepts ever invented. These buttons were designed with an inset piece of velvet or fabric to hold the perfume drop that was added to the button. A lovely lady would offer her scented button to her suitor or soldier so that they could sew  it under their collar and enjoy the beautiful scent of her while they were apart. The black glass mourning button was created as an affordable option to the Jet Black Glass as worn by Queen Victoria of England after the death of Prince Albert as a sign of mourning. "Wear A Bit Of History"!

An example of a Victorian picture button designed in a floral motif using brass and wood.

Floral design in Cut steel

Victorian black glass mourning button UPCYCLED as a magnetic Mag TAK. Beautiful delicate gold filled floral design, with a velvet covered back button.

the art and design of a pocket square

You see all of these great charts on really cool ways to style your pocket square. When you gather up enough textured scarves to work with, sure play around. But the reality is ....... you know it is most likely that you won't. So just get the basic fabrics and prints covered in the line up and you are covered. The fun part of sporting a Pocket square is to just add a dab of design and personality to what you are wearing. Little lapel pins that have an interesting history, a super sexy textured silk pocket scarf that the ladies just have to touch. So,  to the basics:

Straight Fold, stiffer fabric, like a crisp silk, a linen, lace, or cotton. Ironed into a nice fold.

The tip or the poof: I have found that if you gather up the tip or poof in your hand, wrap a rubber band around it, stuff it in your pocket, it helps it to keep it's shape and stays firm in your pocket.

This well dressed fellow has it all put together perfectly. Proportion, lapel detail,  a bit conservative on the Pocket Square, mostly likely he had a serious business meeting, you can always switch out that detail for after hours.

Magenta contrast stitched edges. Add this floral to a dark navy suit, or white linen jacket.

Thumbprint silk.....this fabric is amazing, top shelf sexy. the texture is like a yummy silky chocolate. Shown is a vintage silk fabric in a regal gold with really rich maroon and navy. When you use this type of fabric, there is no way to end up with a bad pocket poof. Sexy folding fabric.

Here is an example of the crisp silk. It has some body to it so it really lends itself to either a straight fold or the tips. Conversation starter, featuring vintage men's neckwear silk with a sketched theme of ducks in a marsh. Personality in your pocket.

Tech Dapper: a pop of color for your pocket and the perfect microfiber to keep your glasses and cell phone all nice and shiny all the time. Seriously, this microfiber is the top of the line. You can use it on your camera lens. read more of the tech details on the t2 TECH Square in the Etsy Store.

Bottom line: gather up a good variety, different textures and colors, and for God's sake don't go matchy, matchy with the tie. #Dealbreaker

Okay, yes a bit of contrast is good but wow, you gone too far Lad!

A look back at men's styling

Early 1930's. Sidney, Australia. Dashing gentleman getting Poppy pinned on Remembrance Day. Quite the mod tie worked in with a great vest and jacket.

1937 The Sydney Cup. Top hat and tails. Details: pocket watches and FOBs.

1986 Seville Club Tallahassee, Florida. Men's fashion show. Put together, tie tack and vest, on lookers donning the pocket square.

Est. 1903 at the Imperial Hotel. A group of dapper gents, looking very confident. All of the distinct styling details: Velvet collar, rounded collar with collar bar, bow tie, pocket square....these fellas have it goin' on!

1924 Fred Piper, who's father was a steam circus proprietor. Nice pocket square and tie match up Fred, well done sir!

In 1808 the inventor, Richard Trevithick, developed a new locomotive he called Catch Me Who Can. In the summer of 1808 Trevithick erected a circular railway or steam circus in Euston Square in London. During the months of July and August people paid a shilling a time to ride in a carriage pulled by Trevithick's locomotive. Trevithick had plenty of volunteers to ride on Catch Me Who Can that could travel at speeds of 12 mph (19 kph). However, the weight of the locomotive caused the rails to break and he was forced to bring the experiment to an end

Minnesota, Science teacher 1970. The train is officially of the style track. I think of these as the LOST years. Bad color, tie as wide as the Mississippi, plaid pants, mercy, mercy me.

Men's accessory history 101

Welcome to the very first blog from the Modern Renaissance Man. I thought I should start things off with a bit of a "tip of the hat" to the History behind some of the Classic Men's Accessories companies.

Hickok: S. Rae Hickok, founded in 1909 by buying a small jewelry plating business for $350. He led the company's expansion as a major manufacturer of wallets, belts, pants, suspenders, cuff links, tie clasps and other men's accessories. Mr. Hickok also developed prototypes of safety seat belts, which ultimately became standard automobile equipment and are credited with saving many lives. Because of his own early struggles as a business official, Mr. Hickok decided to help other fledgling executives by founding the Young Presidents Organization, which drew thousands of members worldwide. He was also a co-founder and honorary chairman of the World Presidents Organzation and a leader of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization.

Swank:  Swank, Inc. was started in 1897 in Attleboro, MA as the Attleboro Manufacturing Co., and specialized in making and selling women’s jewelry. Not long after the start of production of women’s jewelry,  however, a massive fire destroyed the factory as well as an entire city block of Attleboro. Some jewelry as well as some machinery was saved and the company moved its manufacturing to a nearby building, which remained the center of the company’s business for the next 100 years.

When the United States joined WWI, the company contributed by making metal dog tags for soldiers, as well as other emblems for the military. Around this time, the men’s jewelry line had really taken off, so the women’s jewelry lines were discontinued.

The company then focused all of their attention on producing men’s accessories like tie clips, pins, collar buttons and dress sets. The name Swank was used in one of the company advertisements as early as 1927, but the company did not form Swank Products, Inc. until 1936. In 1941, the company shortened the name again and they became what we now know as Swank, Inc.

Krementz: Collectors prize Krementz jewelry pieces for their beauty and for the incredible quality the company put into creating costume jewelry. The Krementz jewelry story began in the 1860’s, when George Krementz founded his company in Newark, New Jersey. Their original intent was to create men’s jewelry, such as collar buttons and cuff links. In 1886, they turned to the use of gold overlay to create their jewelry. They used rolled gold plate to create a high quality jewelry that was, although technically costume jewelry, by no means cheap. According to Krementz jewelry advertisements of the time, they used gold 30 times as thick as that used in the production of most costume jewelry. The intention was to create a high quality line of jewelry to be sold in department stores. By the 1930’s Krementz jewelry is being sold internationally. A salesman would take a yearly trip to many exotic destinations to sell the jewelry in countries such as India.

Anson: Olaf Anderson emigrated to the U.S.A. from Sweden in 1929 and founded, as president and treasurer, in 1938, the Anderson Tool & Die Co. of Providence, RI making tools and dies for the jewelry manufacturing business up until WWII (1941) when the machinery was converted into milling machines making war production work. After the war, in 1945, when the war contracts were completed, the company started manufacturing men’s jewelry that included a new type of a collar holder and a complete line of men’s jewelry, cuff links, identification bracelets, tie clips, stick pins, tie tacks, tie chains, collar holders, key devices and money clips comprised of sterling silver, gold and silver filled metal bases. The company changed its name in 1948 to Anson Inc. In 1967, along with the men’s jewelry lines, women’s jewelry of stick pins, brooches/pins and silver beads were added to the manufacturing output that used rhodium, bronze and pewter along with the sterling silver, gold and silver filled base metals. The Tiffany Company sold Anson jewelry in their department stores.