Manolo for the Men

Ridiculously large bow ties (made of what appear to be Shantung silk) have become the sartorial trademark of Alber Elbaz, artistic director of French fashion house Lanvin. Though they given him a whimsically clownish appearance, they do at least make him look friendly and approachable, in contrast to the cold hauteur of so many fashion designers. And to those in the know, the colossal bow tie pleasantly brings to mind the flamboyant aesthete Oscar Wilde.

Barack Obama just announced that he is no longer going to wear an American flag lapel pin, the accessory that became popular among politicians after September 11, since it has become “a substitute for…true patriotism.”  Though that claim is surely too strong, Izzy has long suspected that some politicians wear the flag pin like it’s a Boy Scout merit badge or military medal, and to that extent would like to see them with unadorned lapels.

While a low lapel can make you look like a maître d’ or Bill Clinton in his first term as president, a high lapel can fool people into thinking you’re a member of the aristocracy. Just don’t tell the gentry that you got the cotton twill jacket on sale at J. Crew for a proletarian $79.99.

Created by a former designer for Paul Smith, Garbstore is a new British line of authentic-ish reproductions of vintage workwear. The doohickey stub of a pocket flap on this shirt is visually delightful, but Izzy is hesitant to wear “classic” clothing with a visible logo (see above the left pocket), which is of course inauthentic.

Izzy wasn’t aware that Joseph Abboud was in the shoe business, but he was pleased to see that they offer a model with antiqued leather, a finish that creates visual depth.