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Kicking Off: IronThread Wallets
As Herman Melville once said, “To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.” Indeed Richard Roedel’s book, The Polaris Effect, an overview of the loss of manufacturing jobs in the USA, is a mighty subject and has been a must read for anyone interested in the Made in America movement since it […] -
Flylow Outerwear
Winter has been wrapping its icy death grip around parts of the country this week. Thanks Polar Vortex (Jerk). Despite wicked cold temperatures and uncomfortable commutes; its ski season and there’s plenty of powder packing the slopes this year. For the record the oversized puffy down jackets are behind us too (Amen). A combination of new fabric technology and fashion forward […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Leandro Justen
If you are based in New York and find yourself at a swanky event downtown, most likely you will run into Leandro Justen. For three years he has been biking around town photographing rowdydowdy fashion, art and social events that later end up on A-list websites, magazines and even celebrity Facebook pages. But this Brazilian […] -
Belle Helmets – Style Statements for Sartorial Cyclists
Come January, it’s a traditional for mankind to crave a healthier way of living. After the gluttony of the holidays fades, our minds wander to ambitious exercise regimes, detox diets and our semi-forgotten dust-coated bicycles. Yes indeed, January is the time of year to wipe down your two-wheeled steed and get back on the road […] -
Meet Up Mondays: David Hart
Meet Up Mondays is a new column here at The Manual where we sit down with designers who inspires us and learn more about them and their brand. New York’s fashion design landscape has never looked more exciting with a new generation of modern American sportswear brands such as Public School, the menswear brand, stealing the […] -
What to Wear: Snow Day
Brrrrrrr…if you’re on the East Coast right now you’ve probably just experienced several inches of snow and below freezing temperatures. Don’t let that snow day get in the way of your daily routine! Although most of us will probably be sticking indoors if we can help it, those of you who need to go outdoors […] -
Keeping It Short And Stylish With Peter Manning
Not everyone is 6′ 1″. It would be nice, but it’s not realistic. We’re all different shapes and sizes, and sometimes it can be frustrating to find clothes that fit – and don’t require and expensive trip to the tailor. For you gents who are slightly shorter – there’s Peter Manning. Peter Manning specializes in […] -
Feel Good Friday – ReFleece
With combined degrees from Northeastern, Stanford, Harvard and Yale, you would expect this power couple to be on Wall Street or CEOs of a Forbes flaunted company. Instead, Sam Palmer and Jennifer Feller have founded ReFleece, a company that designs iPad and tablet sleeves out of reclaimed fabrics. They work with some of America’s best […] -
Gant Rugger opens in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
When it comes to classical, time-honoured American clothing brands, Gant is way up there with the greats. Steadfast and timeless. Naturally then, we were thrilled to hear that the brand is planning a huge expansion and has opened a second store in Brooklyn just months after the success of the ‘tasting table’ concept store that […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Matt Pierce
Now here is an interesting concept: Start a blog about your DIY projects. You attract loads of fans but they simply want to buy the DIY project you already made. So you start your own business and sell said project and land collabs with the likes of Club Monaco and Pendleton. That’s either serious ingenuity […] -
Five New Year’s Resolutions for your Wardrobe
Can you believe it’s resolution time again? We’re still trying to remember our optimistic dreams and vows from last year… Anyway. While you’ve been debating over whether to join a gym and actually turn up once a week or not, we have five resolutions that you will want to keep and won’t involve you hauling […] -
The Portland Leather Renaissance
Portland’s come a long way from its original days as a gritty, old frontier/port town with a predilection for logging. Hell, Portland’s changed a lot since its heyday as the epicenter of all things good and grungy about the 1990s; this despite that TV show Portlandia and the concept of retro-cool. Since start of the […] -
What’s In Your Bag? – NYE
New Year’s Eve !! Are you celebrating the end of this year, or the beginning of a new one? Whichever is your point of view, many people spend it out of town. We here at The Manual wanted to suggest a few options for you when beginning the #dreaded pack. Graf & Lantz – Pack […] -
Feel Good Friday- Authentic Apparel
Every fall/winter when we start hearing what is trending in menswear, the ‘military look’ is always bandied about. It makes sense since men like utilitarian clothes and wear military items such as bomber jackets, cargo pants and tees on a daily basis. Not to mention the camouflage craze occurring at the moment. Well finally someone […] -
Mad for Plaid – Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers may be all-American, but they have been mad for plaid for sometime now, and even have a Signature Shop. Tartan, or plaid as we call it over here in North America, is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. Originally woven out of wool, Tartans are made in […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Maximillian Chow
Max Chow may just be one of the funniest people you will ever meet. He always has a one liner to drop and a story to tell. One story he rarely mentions in casual conversation is his incredible family history. His late mother, Tina Chow and his father Michael were superstars of the 80s social […] -
SoHo’s Newest Hook: Miansai
Five years ago Miansai founder Michael Saiger kickstarted something of a revolution in men’s accessories. Not only did his nautical rope bracelets become the wrist accessory of choice for the stylish set; the brand ushered in a new way of accessorizing: where one statement watch or bracelet sufficed in the past, today it’s stylish to […] -
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY – Wounded Warrior Project x Under Armour
Perfect for your gift giving time, Under Armour has partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for our injured military members and their families. Ending December 2014, Under Armour will make a donation of over $1 Million to Wounded Warrior Project. Offering a great range that includes graphic […] -
Marwood London – Shaking up Neckwear Since 2010
Some of the most worthwhile designs ever produced were created because someone, somewhere, felt that what was available wasn’t good enough. This was the case for Becky French in 2010. After compiling a blog of inspirational images of razor-sharp neckwear and sketches, the London-based creative decided to call off the search for the perfect necktie […] -
Handvaerk Luxury Basics
When you put an investment banker and an art curator together, you are bound to get a well executed and well designed luxury brand. So is the story with handvaerk (yes it is meant to be lower case you heathen!). In Danish the term means ‘Hand Crafted’, and all of the products in this new, well […] -
Worn Out Wednesday- Simmons and Burke
Contemporary art isn’t something we normally cover on this site, but Case Simmons and Andrew Burke are music and barbecue enthusiasts who just happen to make incredible art. The boys met in high school in North Carolina and kept in touch through college. As Andrew told us over the phone from Los Angeles, “When Case […] -
Isaora: Modern Genius
Over the past several years, Marc Daniels and Ricky Hendry of the cult brand Isaora (pronounced “ee-sah-or-rah”) have been pioneering a brilliant new look to performance sportswear as well as designer menswear. Residents at the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Incubator on 7th Avenue in New York City this year, the duo […] -
A Breath of Summer with Onia Resort
It may be cold, cloudy and wet where you are living at the moment so we thought we would post some pictures of warm weather wear to remind you it won’t last forever. Onia has rolled out their resort collection, just in time for those New Year getaways to tropical spots. In fact, Carl Cunow […] -
USA-Made Foot Candy
We like style that’s a bit understated and never forced, and that’s exactly what we discovered in the line of rugged, long-lasting footwear crafted by Zuriick, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Brand founder Mike McCaleb got the whole thing started in the summer of 2005 when he decided to make his own shoes when […] -
Feel Good Friday – Capsule Market Square
If you are in New York City this weekend, be sure to check out this shopping experience linked to a great cause. Capsule, the premiere fashion and lifestyle trade event, is launching Capsule Market Square, a two-day shopping event featuring over 75 of the most sought-after men’s and women’s apparel and accessories labels (many we […] -
Chukka Boot Guide
If you’re like me the first time you heard about the Chukka you might have thought it was some kind of East Coast slang. Turns out they can be the best go-to footwear a man owns. What’s not to love about a shoe that you can easily wear to a business meeting or to a […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Hunter Perrin
If you think you multi-task, you haven’t met Hunter Perrin. Growing up in Houston, Texas, Perrin came from a musical family and started playing instruments when he was really young. He and his uncle started a blues band when he was in high school and then when he went to college at University of Texas […] -
Rain Man: The Better Alternative to Overshoes
Work-appropriate footwear is tricky business: go square-toed and everyone thinks you have zero style; go Alden and everyone thinks you have too much or that you’re after the boss’s job. Enter Japanese footwear brand Rain Man, which offers shoes styled just right so they don’t draw too much attention to the wearer while offering one […] -
What to Wear: Work Holiday Party
Holiday parties are in the air, including the one where you get to get wasted with all the people you work with. Now let’s get to what you’re supposed to wear. Take a good look at the invitation. Does it say whether the party is casual or cocktail attire? What’s the venue? Is it a […] -
5 Bold Scarves to Rock this Winter
As the weather gets colder, we’re looking for ways to stay handsome while staying warm. And it’s no easy task as those of you who live in colder climates know. We love layering and overcoats and big boots, but piling on the winter accessories can be a little daunting. You need to keep your head, hands […] -
Even Dryer Denim: Naked & Famous Snowpants
Snow pants…not the most fashionable clothing option in your closet. Thanks to those wacky denim scientists at Naked & Famous, the same team that brought us “scratch ‘n’ sniff” denim, “stainless steel” denim, and thermochromic denim, we now have an excuse to go play out in the snow. Naked & Famous uses unique and rare fabric […] -
The Ultimate Holiday Style Gift Guide
Although there are gadgets and gizmo’s a-plenty to gift during the holidays, many people simply need something new (and practical) to wear to work or on the town. And while a big box from Macy’s is easy, it can be rather underwhelming to some of the more style conscious people in our lives. As you […] -
Billy Reid’s New Orleans Store
We are never as intimately acquainted with stores as we are at this time of year. Visiting boutique after boutique, you really come to appreciate the worth of a well-designed store; are there seats? Are the fitting rooms comfortable and is the lighting flattering? These are all needs that Billy Reid’s brand new New Orleans […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Dylan Hales
If you have ever spent a quality amount of time drinking in Manhattan, you will find a surprisingly large number of bars and restaurants owned by Australians. We have never figured out why, but we think it is because Aussie’s know how to have a damn good time. Dylan Hales in no exception. Hailing from […] -
Lookmatic’s Vision Quest
Until recently finding a pair of great looking glasses was about as challenging as finding a great pair of pants. It wasn’t just abou nailing the style but nailing the fit and price. Fortunately a few folks in the eyewear industry decided to bring technology into the picture to develop eyewear you could not only […] -
The Manual’s Top Five Button Downs
You cannot beat a good button down. Undoubtedly, this classical garment forms the basis of the modern man’s wardrobe, for both work and play. Here’s five versions we are really excited about right now… Poplin Cotton Shirt by Sunspel $175 You can always rely on Sunspel for a beautifully crafted, expertly cut shirt. This super […] -
Cadet Salutes Classic Menswear
Post war military outerwear is always timeless and ripe for reinvention. So hold attention for Cadet, a modern menswear brand handcrafted right in Brooklyn. They’ve combined inspiration from the post war era with “Made in America” clothing. The brand gives a modern salute to clothes that will last long and look great. The creative duo […] -
Happy Black (Velvet) Friday with Chubbies
Happy Black Friday Y’all! While we could give you a list of the best deals on the interweb for today, we have something very special right here just for you! Well for three of you… Our favorite shorts company in the universe, Chubbies, is debuting their very first Tuxedo short just in time for the […] -
Feel Good Friday- Shinola Kicks off Makers Monday
The Shinola brand sure has come a long way in a year. They went from ‘Who’s That?’ to superstars of the Made in America movement. We thank them for that (and their quality product) and were pleased to hear about their latest endeavor ‘Makers Monday’. Starting on Monday December 2nd, Shinola is encouraging all consumers […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Brandon Thornton
For someone who didn’t really know what he wanted to do in life, Brandon Thornton surely scored an epic gig. Growing up in Virginia, Brandon played a lot of sports but also had interests in art, design and drawing. When it was time to go to college he opted for an engineering degree but that […] -
Stephen Kenn – A New Heritage
Heritage brands in menswear are #everything these days, but approaching furniture with a heritage esthetic, SK Collection, does it right!. Canadian born and raised Stephen Kenn, based in Los Angeles, is an artist and designer that pays homage to the past with a modern point of view.. From leather bags and canvas furniture, Stephen is […] -
Best Cold Weather Accessories for Fall 2013
With Old Man winter bearing down on most of the country this week, you’ll want to reach for a good pair of long johns or wooly socks. Lucky for you, base layers and socks have come a long way. Not only are they more breathable, softer and warmer without being overtly performance-oriented—a case in point […] -
The Manual’s Gift Guide for Women
With Thanksgiving a mere few days away, it’s prime time to start thinking about holiday gift giving. Even if you hate to shop, this is the one time of year you need to buck up, get to the store and start crossing people off your list. But don’t stress too hard because we’re here to […] -
Alchemy Works Opens in L.A.
If you’re planning to tour downtown LA’s buzzing Arts District anytime soon and want to glimpse the future of retail, be sure to stop by Alchemy Works. The latest mixed-space project by Raan Parton, who pioneered social entrepreneurship in fashion almost eight years ago with his Apolis brand, Alchemy Works functions not only as a rotating […] -
What to Wear: Cooking With Your Gal
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to cook a nice, romantic dinner with your gal! After you’re done sorting out what you should make — we suggest checking out Not Without Salt — now you have to figure out what to wear! Don’t select anything that will snag or get too hot, and definitely […] -
The Coldest Day AW13/14 Collection by Penfield
When it’s cold outside, we’re not fantasizing about central heating and cups of cocoa; we’re dreaming of Penfield, in all its fleecy, blankety glory. There aren’t many brands that can compete when it comes to bundling up for the grey and snowy season. In fact, when Harvey Gross established the brand in 1975, he was […] -
Feel Good Friday- Cole Haan & Friends
With Black Friday just a week away, it’s time to get shopping for the season and nothing makes us feel better about letting those Benjamin’s fly than when there is a good cause and craftsmanship involved. Cole Haan partnered with up-and-coming fresh faces of today who are making good things happen to highlight what they are giving, […] -
Comstock and Co. for the urban explorer
Dressing well is not always about wearing a suit and tie. Here at the Manual, we believe in letting your passions inspire your style. Robert Comstock, a 30-year veteran of adventure-inspired clothing did exactly this with his new fall line Comstock and Co. As an avid traveler and lover of the outdoors he was naturally inspired to create […] -
Worn Out Wednesday – Will Wick
A straight man who sells antiques and runs an Interior Design company? Hey it’s the 21st Century! Based in San Francisco, Will Wick is founder of Wick Designs, as well as a product designer, antiques dealer and will be rolling out his own line of furniture soon. That is one half of his life, the other […] -
Bills Khakis: An American Classic
Bills Khakis is the definition of fall and winter wear. Whether you are looking for a leather jacket, a flannel shirt or the perfect pair of khakis, Bills has your back. The collection is made in America and ranges from casual wear to dressier items. Bills Khakis also makes some impressive accessories – like the […]
