Threads...

Aight fellas now we all know it's easy to do jeans and a polo for the summertime, but just in case you're tired of the monotony of the mundane and contrived try these threads on for size...

Gingham:
When originally imported (in the 17th century), it was a striped fabric, but from the mid 18th century, when it was being produced in the mills of Manchester, England, it had become woven into checked or plaid patterns (often blue and white). It now comes in an array of colors and sizes. You can dress it up under a suit and tie, or keep it casual with some nice chinos and flip flops, however you decide to wear it you'll always make a statement.





Seersucker
Deriving its name from from the Persian words "shir o shakar," meaning "milk and sugar" this thin, striped, all cotton fabric which resembles the smooth surface of milk and bumpy texture of sugar.Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. This feature causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, facilitating improved heat dissipation and air circulation. While it initially only came in a grayish blue, and light blue and white you can now find this fabric in numerous colors from yellow, to purple to lime green. Seersucker has originally be characterized as a "country" fabric but hey I'm a southern boy so I love it. This wonderful fabric can be dressed up as a suit with bow tie, and suede loafers, or can be worn as shorts with a silk v-neck sweater with some velvet slippers on, while enjoying that casually luxe life....at least that's how I wear it.




Madras

Madras fabric is a light, cotton fabric that is typically that at first glance may appear to look like plaid however it is associated with summer clothing. The name is based on the initial inventors of the madras fabric style, the Eastern Indians and especially on the black and red check fabric that was exported from Madras, India. The fabric now comes in a rainbow of plaids and in recent years has been patched together to create unique patterns. I like the contrast of one bold color paired with madras for instance try pairing some madras pants with a cool polo that are also in the pants and put on some athletic inspired shoes, or drivers, a leather/suede belt and go on your merry way. Or you can pair a madras jacket with some basic pants or shorts and pair them with a bold dress shirt sleeves rolled up with some statement making shoes as seen in the picture...




These are just a few of my paints that I use to paint pictures of casual elegance I can't wait to see how you use these tool to create your own artistic composition.