Match up Ties and Pocket Squares via Modern Renaissance Man on Etsy
Tracy Xavier
Just a few ideas for matching up ties and pocket squares from our Etsy store. Let us know if we can match some items up for you!
Blog
A look at the history of men's fashion and style. Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, Gatsby style accessory icons. How to's and color print match up advice.
Classic Style by way of Hollywood Icons
Tracy Xavier
Just a quick, fun look at some looks that never go out of style.....in my opinion
Friday Quick Look
Tracy Xavier
Store snapshot from Woman's Renaissance
How buying vintage and gently used can save you big bucks and up your style game
Tracy Xavier
If you are the type of person that has honed in on your personal style, you should seriously consider stocking your accessories wardrobe with vintage or gently used items. When you shop on line at the big box stores, you are limiting your style options. Their focus is on the new trends only. If you have a good sense of what style you like and look good in, there is no better option for you than vintage as well as gently used. Not only does it lend itself to helping you achieve your personal style but you can save money while doing your part to recycle.
Below are a few examples from our collections from our Men's Etsy store: Modern Renaissance Man and Mr & Mrs Renaissance store.
Gorgeous Talbott studio for Nordstrom silk necktie. Abstract floral design in a kelly green, pale green, magenta and gold. $28
Robert Talbott Best of Class thick woven silk necktie. Rich, deep gold with swoosh icons in baby blue and navy. $32
Tall size, Extra long, Rare City of London by Ferrell Reed for Nordstrom hand woven in England silk necktie.Classic style in burgundy and pewter gray geometric. Pristine condition. Shown with one of our antique upcycled magnetic tie tacks. Mag TAK. $38
Rare Cox & Hawkens paisley textured silk necktie. Mustard, scarlet red and copper paisley design. Peaky Blinders styling. Elegant hand feel. The colors are just incredible. Zoom in for fabric texture. Shown with a MagTAK, magnetic tie tack. $28
Classic and timeless authentic old school Austin Reed of Regent Street all wool slim necktie. Plaid, woven wool in creamy tan, charcoal, gray and light grape. $32
Drop dead gorgeous Beau Brummel Soho woven silk necktie. Rich maroon with paisley design in a periwinkle lavender blue. Guaranteed compliments on this one. Quality craftsmanship. Shown with one of our Mag TAKs. Magnetic tie tack worn high on the tie. An antique silver and lavender piece upcycled from a cufflink worn 100 years ago!
As you can see we cover all seasons year round. We offer a huge selection of Nordstrom ties of the highest quality with customer service to match. Also, order several items and we will package your items all together in a unique vintage gift box.
Fashion Inspiration: Mad Men & Downton Abbey
Tracy Xavier
So there is Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey, Mad Men and movies like Casino providing great inspiration for style design. I love the fact that you can just add a few little elements into your look to get the vibe that you are looking for without having to go full tilt costume. That is the fun of accessorizing your outfit. It's Friday, you feel a bit Mad Men. Just toss on a mod scarf with a vintage Mag TAK. Maybe you are heading out on a date and feeling a bit romantic, Go with Downton Abbey with some delicate roses or a cameo.
Mad Men style in pink rhinestone and silver beaded bag. Courtesy of our Etsy store WomansRenaissance
Dangles and crystals. Instant feminine touch. Upcycled iridescent rhinestones and cufflinks and "Chick Magnets"
The best of vintage with beaded evening bags, brooches and scarf clips. Courtesy of our Etsy Store (WomensRenaissance)
You are your own costume designer. Authentic accessories to add the perfect touch
The colors and design of the early 60's recreated to make them wearable as cufflinks and magnetic brooches.
The romance of accessories with Velvet perfume buttons as brooches and a beaded Shag swing beaded black bag (WomansRenaissance on Etsy)
Add a bit of authentic Glam. Crystal rhinestone chandelier earrings and upcycled crystals as cufflinks
Hot pink mod with bling and fur. Instant Mad Men style transformation
Sweet flowers as statement cocktail rings and beautiful silk floral scarves
Vaa Vaa Voom. Citron and pink rhinestones
Downton Abbey femininity. Just a little touch to your sweater or scarf. Mag TAK "Chick Magnets"
Antique pieces with amazing craftsmanship. Upcycled as cufflinks and magnetic brooches.
It's all about the prints, textures and color scheme. Feminine scarves and pins
Cameos and Antique stick pins. A perfect way to add a dab of Downton into your day
The romance of Downton Abbey. Upcycled little gems to make you feel wonderful. Antique Victorian button "Lovely lady with Parasol"
True confession: I could do this all day. Feel free to reach out to us in our stores if you are interested in putting together a Theme gift. We save beautiful vintage boxes that we pick up while on our hunting expeditions for special projects.
The Images used are from the following sources:
http://www.amc.com/shows/mad-men
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
Be true to your style by recycling fashion with vintage and gently used
Tracy Xavier
Once you've honed in on what your style is, you can do yourself and the environment a big favor by shopping vintage and gently used clothing and accessories.
Vintage is a solution to the eco issues surrounding the apparel industry, while also allowing individuality through creativity. For people who are constantly marketed individuality it is truly ironic the lack of individuality in fashion. Most people who consider themselves “fashion forward” fit themselves into prescribed style. A vintage shopper, however, is able to discover her personality through the clothes she picks throughout the periods of our history without having to fit into the fashion trends today. Apparel that is accessible now is not trendsetting but rather trendy for today and “so yesterday” tomorrow. This is partially because clothing has become disposable but also because fashion has slowed in creativity and instead become a pastiche of past trends.
A true fashionista finds originality in the sea of redundancy. It is a myth that in order to be considered fashion forward, you have to fit yourself into a certain look and style. Fashion is not a dictatorship, be brave and bold with your style and find what flatters you! Every fashionista is also an artist, her body is her canvas, and she paints her emotions and wears them literally on her sleeve. Her style exudes her direction in life, her dreams, her emotions, and makes a lifestyle statement. By adding vintage to her closet, she is introducing a whole new realm of originality, while also making a statement about her eco-lifestyle.
Sincerely Yours,
By Dow-Yung Kou, LuxEco Editorial
Here are a few more articles on the subject of Fashion Waste:
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/jul/29/fashion-must-fight-scourge-dumped-clothing-landfill
https://www.npr.org/2016/04/08/473513620/what-happens-when-fashion-becomes-fast-disposable-and-cheap
https://www.alternet.org/environment/its-second-dirtiest-thing-world-and-youre-wearing-it
In the case of our three stores, not only do you support recycling fashion, save pieces of fashion history, celebrate individual creativity and craftsmanship, but directly enable a homegrown husband and wife business that survives and flourishes with your support.
We appreciate our customers and enjoy earning their business with every order placed.
Sincerely,
Mike & Tracy
Peaky Blinders
Tracy Xavier
Do you love Peaky Blinders? Good news.......New seasons are coming as well as a Peaky Blinders Bar & Accomodation in the UK!
Cillian Murphy says the new season is ‘the best yet’. Filming is complete.Season 4 expected to return in October. Tom Hardy is back, and Adrien Brodie and Aidan Gillan will be joining the cast.Season 5 ordered too
Vintage Silver horse head tie bar and cufflink set. Marked. Forged metal, Gorgeous set to add to your collection.
Polished up with Renaissance wax to give them a gorgeous luster and protect them from the elements.
Check out the loop tie bar. We offer these brass style loop tie bars with the addition of authentic antique buttons from the 1900's from Birmingham
Brass loop slip style tie bar, Peaky Blinders style!
Mr & Mrs Renaissance loves the styling of Peaky Blinders. Below are a few of our products inspired by the styling mode from Birmingham England.
Our special line of brass tie bars that feature actual antique Victorian buttons from Birmingham England
Beautiful raw brass slip style loop tie bar with a mounted vintage brass lucky horse head and horse shoe embellishment. Peaky Blinders style
His or hers dark navy soft wool Ivy, drivers, newsboy cap or hat. Charcoal chambray lining
Add the perfect authentic touch with a brass collar bar.
Vintage upcycled loop style tie bar. Brass hardware with a vintage gold salmon fish embellishment.
Old school vintage gold brass loop style tie bar with necktie link chain. Get your Boardwalk Empire & Peaky Blinders on!
Throw on a tweed waistcoat. Boardwalk Indeed.
Old Hollywood and Classic styling
Tracy Xavier
Just in the mood to share some of my favorite classic fashion images, Glamour & Dapper at it's best.
Express yourself! With Novelty brooches and pins.
Tracy Xavier
We have always had a soft spot for fun lapel pins & brooches. What fun to be able to wear a little accessories as a conversation starter and to show your personality. We hunt shop estate sales and have seen some amazing pieces of art. Unfortunately we can't purchase them all but below are a few that we have listed on our Etsy stores: Modern Renaissance Man & Woman's Renaissance.
What makes shopping with us special? Unique gift presentations for starters.
Tracy Xavier
All three of our stores offer a very unique take on things. We have found a way to combine our love for accessories and our fascination with creative vintage boxes. While we are out on our accessory hunts, we run across the coolest boxes and just can't resist. These wonderful finds let us to put together a very unique shopping opportunity. When you purchase a few items from our stores, we package them all together in a matched up box to create a very special gift presentation for someone or yourself. These little trinket and stash boxes can also be purchased for single pieces as well. Little porcelain boxes for our Mag TAKs, carved wooden boxes for a set of special cufflinks or a neat vintage tin for a silk scarf and "Chick Magnet". Below we have put together some examples to get the ball rolling. Please reach out to us in any of our three stores if you would like for us to put a gift package together for you.
Below are a few examples of match ups and samples of some of the beautiful boxes that we have available.
Glossy wood cigar box packaged with two woven silk ties, Mag TAKS & a silk pocket square
Hand painted brilliant blue wooden box with little pink flowers, perfect for Chick Magnets
Two woven silk ties, Mag TAKs and a silk pocket square in a gorgeous glossy black cigar box.
Gorgeous gold and pink floral porcelain trinket box with a silk scarf and magnetic MagTAK
2D carved buffalo lid box presented with a striped woven silk tie and magnetic tie tack Mag TAK
The BoHo box. Decoupage butterfly wooden box packaged with a embroidered velvet halter top and suede choker necklace with crystal dangle.
Egyptian warrior ceramic trinket box, perfect packaging for a cufflink & tie bar set.
Little blue painted box with top floral design packaged with two silk scarves & matching Mag TAK "Chick Magnets"
Embossed box with rattan and brass latch details presented with a woven silk tie and Mag TAK
Mod vintage Vera silk scarf packaged in a fun flower heart shaped tin with Opal magnetic scarf brooch Mag TAK "Chick Magnet"
Making your gifts very special and thoughtful with just the right little box to put them in.
Faux antiqued ivory & brass little box and little Japanese bird art. Whatever your style.
Lacquered wooden octagon box with warrior scene & carved, painted round trinket box.
Gorgeous, painted jungle & parrot wooden box presented with a silk Oscar de la Renta scarf and blue crystal flower magnetic "Chick Magnet" scarf pin.
We can never pass up a sweet little heart box, porcelain, glass, marble. Perfect size for a Mag TAK or pair of earrings.
Wooden inlay box presented with three Batik cotton pocket squares. A gift that will be remembered.
Rattan design box with a flower and butterfly theme, presented with three floral ties and a mother of pearl bird magnetic tie tack Mag TAK.
Floral painted vintage box for a scarf and Chick Magnet set & pin point painted little wooden box sized for a pair of cufflinks.
Little cylinder wooden painted box with real sea shell and sand scene on the lid.
Romantic Renaissance scene porcelain trinket box & painted boat theme wooden box.
Fish carved wooden box with white wash finish. Presented with woven silk paisley tie and silk pocket square
A magnetic wedding
Tracy Xavier
Out newest line of Magnetic Mag TAK™ s. For the groom, a magnetic boutonniere, boutineer, tussie mussie, flower lapel pin or groom corsage. What ever the title, they are perfect for the groom & groomsmen. A bit of history below. We can offer our services to help you put together your wedding kit to include: matching pocket squares & boutineers. Just convo us to start the process with a presentation of ideas.
Color options to match your wedding theme. Silk & velvet covered back magnetic button design. Mag TAK™
Mag TAK™ Boutonnieres, Custom orders welcome. . Cotton batik pocket squares
Mag TAK™ Boutonnieres, Custom orders welcome
Custom wedding groom packages available, just convo us for pricing & ideas.
The reviews are starting to roll in!
Magnetic Tie Tacks, what are they and how to wear them.
Tracy Xavier
Fashion always repeats itself, but now with a magnetic twist. We invented a tie tack that not only serves a purpose of securing your tie without poking holes in your fine fabrics, but also lends itself to a revived fashion statement from the early 1900's. We have put together some styling examples for reference.
Our line of Mag TAK™s are constructed with very powerful magnets that can be used on ties, jacket lapels and on hats as a hat pin. The style options of the Mag TAK™ s that we offer range from modern and minimal designs to authentic antique pieces from the 1900's upcycled as magnetic pins.
Worn high on the tie right below the knot. Make a statement and start a conversation
Examples of upcycled antique pieces from the 1900's. Incredible detailed designs and picture stories told by the artists of their day. Interesting article on our blog " The History of the Button" by Charles Dickens.
You pick a tie and we will hook you up with a MagTAK to go with it
Striped enamel upcycled Mag TAK™ with paisley silk covered back button
Upcycled elements with a fun twist with a magnetic silk covered back button. Here you go Charles!
Order 2 or more from any of our stores and get them packaged in a unique vintage trinket / stash box FREE! Looking for a particular style or color? Just contact us for ideas. Do you have some ties that you would like to match up with some Mag TAK™s? Just send us some images and we will present back to you selections for your consideration. Have some fun with your accessories while starting a conversation. The ultimate nod to historical fashion and style while doing your part to recycle.
Own the office....women wearing cufflinks
Tracy Xavier
Office elegance to after work happy hour. Cufflinks are such a fun, sexy way to add an accessory to your outfit. Whether you are an attorney or work in a ad agency, wearing cufflinks with a silk french cuff blouse and suit or with some jeans and heels. We are in love with the cufflinks. Our stores offer the best selection of women's cufflinks on line. Upcycled beautiful pieces of art created as statement cufflinks. Our cufflinks are not men's cufflinks pitched as a feminine design. Our full line covers crystal clusters, stone, Czech glass & pearls. Our clients enjoy our innovative and special packaging. When you order a few items, we package them in one of our vintage trinket boxes.
Embroidery Beauty & History
Tracy Xavier
A beautiful trend with an impressive history. Works from China have been dated to the Warring States period (5th–3rd century BC). There have been different styles of stitching, different fabrics & different technique but all appreciated as an artistic expression. I found a few interesting articles to share with you.
It is a striking fact that in the development of embroidery ... there are no changes of materials or techniques which can be felt or interpreted as advances from a primitive to a later, more refined stage. On the other hand, we often find in early works a technical accomplishment and high standard of craftsmanship rarely attained in later times.
The art of embroidery has been found world-wide and several early examples have been found. In a garment from Migration period Sweden, roughly 300–700 AD, the edges of bands of trimming are reinforced with running stitch, back stitch, stem stitch, tailor's buttonhole stitch, and whip-stitching, but it is uncertain whether this work simply reinforced the seams or should be interpreted as decorative embroidery
Depending on time, location and materials available, embroidery could be the domain of a few experts or a wide-spread, popular technique. This flexibility led to a variety of works, from the royal to the mundane.
Elaborately embroidered clothing, religious objects, and household items often were seen as a mark of wealth and status, as in the case of Opus Anglicanum, a technique used by professional workshops and guilds in medieval England In 18th century England and its colonies, samplers employing fine silks were produced by the daughters of wealthy families. Embroidery was a skill marking a girl's path into womanhood as well as conveying rank and social standing.
During the 17th century padded satin stitch became very popular, in order to create bas-reliefs on fabrics. Golden yarns were still popular, as ribbons and sequins. A new technique was developed to apply more volume to fabrics, a sort of bullion knot, which was made with silver yarns and looked like a modern cylinder shaped bead. The most important innovation in fashion history was represented by the introduction of lace. Lace in the 17th century was applied on collars, camisa, socks and gloves.
This is from an amazing blog: http://www.afashionhistory.com/fashion-history/an-introduction-to-the-history-of-embroidery/
We have just launched our first few pieces in our women's store on Etsy WomansRenaissance
Men using Pinterest
Tracy Xavier
So if you are one of those men out there that says "What is Pinterest?", we are going to break it down for you. It's not just for women but a great tool for organizing your ideas, saving project to do lists and shopping.
First of all super easy to get started. Just add topic boards such as, bar ideas, fashion likes, hairstyles, art, food and cocktail recipes. Then just cruise the web for your ideas and build your boards. It is like a pin board, so when you get around trying that recipe you saw, just pull up your Pinterest account and without printing out the recipe you have your usable reference. We have been on Pinterest for years now, below are some screen shots of our Men's Boards.
