magnificent bastard

Not sure if you should wear that Tommy Bahama shirt out tonight? The magnificent bastard is here to help. Go ahead. Ask away.

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channel: outerwear

Ask the MB: Trench for Short Guy
Q: What does the MB have to say about trench coats for short guys? I'm around 5'6" and looking for a new coat for the winter.
--Don

A: Follow the example set by the indomitable Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther cartoons. The Pink Panther is about 6' tall, so Clouseau has to come in at around 4' (including the hat), and he goes with a shorter trench that ends above the knee.
posted:
11.26.08
filed under:
- ask the MB
- outerwear
Ask the MB: Black Coat
Q: Need a good black winter coat. Got any favorites?
--Tripp

A: Tripp, your email comes from Duke University, so we'll assume you're at least somewhat on a college guy's budget, and it ain't like Durham gets that nippy even in January. Anyhow, Spiewak always provides great value. For the price ($132.00) we sure like their McKenzie Coat. For a little more dough, this season Banana Republic has a surprisingly good peacoat. If you've been saving up your beer money, for whatever reason, Diesel makes Dean's List.
posted:
11.24.08
filed under:
Ask the MB: Leather Motorcyle-Inspired Jacket
Q: Alright, I've been looking for a bastardly leather jacket for a while. Motorcycle inspired without being too Joey Ramone. Found some really nice and really expensive ones from the likes of Rick Owens and Burberry among others. Of course the ones I really like are the most expensive. Any suggestions for a nearly as cool but not nearly as pricey option?
--keska

A: "The ones I really like are the most expensive." Funny how that works when you're an MB. It's our burden.

Anyhow, we don't really have an answer you're going to like. If you want to get into a motorcycle-inspired leather jacket and don't want to veer into Aurthur Fonzarelli territory, you'll have to pay.
posted:
10.24.08
filed under:
- outerwear
- ask the MB
Ask the MB: Winter Trench
Q: I've been looking for a new fall/winter coat. I really like this coat from J. Crew, but I wanted your opinion. It's the J. Crew Sutherland herringbone topcoat.
--Matt

A: Great silhouette. Nice price. Model has collar properly turned up. We endorse this purchase, Matt, but only if you are > 6' 0" and fairly svelte. Otherwise you may be headed into herringbone bathrobe territory.
posted:
10.10.08
filed under:
Ask the MB -- North Face Fleece
Q: Fall and winter are looming on the horizon and the need to stay warm is quickly becoming a concern. What is your opinion on "The North Face" craze? Past peak? I hope not since I own several of their jackets for casual/ski wear and still love them.
--Matt

A: Matt, is there a resale shop near you?

North Face fleece violates at least three MB principles:

1. Principle of organic materials.
2. Principle of no logos.
3. Principle of not looking like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
posted:
9.23.08
filed under:
- outerwear
- ask the MB
Ask the MB -- Tie Extinction
Q: I am saddened to think that I will see two great things become extinct in my lifetime: the internal combustion engine and neckties. Richard Whitbread, marketing manager of Tie Rack, said: "Since the doom and gloom (bad economy) set in, sales of ties have picked up. We have seen a 10 percent increase in sales over the last quarter. When people start to be more concerned about their jobs, they start to smarten up. Also a lot of people are looking for jobs at the moment." What he forgets to mention is that necktie sales are 15% of what they were 15 years ago. That's such a huge decline, it leads me to believe that hasty Father's Day gifts and funerals make up the bulk of necktie purchases. In your opinion. will neckties go the way of knickers?
--Eric

A: We'd expect the increase in tie sales to continue. Also incoming for Fall 2008: flannel suits, long topcoats, hats of all shapes and sizes, and general black-and-whiteness.

Top: Run on bank then.
Bottom: Run on bank now.
posted:
7.16.08
filed under:
Spiewak 'Snorkel' Parka
via Nordstrom. $155.00.
NFC Championship Game Outerwear
Some of the MB staff are headed to the NFC Championship Game this weekend, and given Sunday's forecast in Green Bay (inset) this Spiewak parka is going to come in handy. Along with a few fur-lined cheeseheads.
posted:
1.16.08
filed under:
Ask the MB
Q: Dear MB: I like to think of myself as an MB in training and the one thing that I want for Christmas is a new coat. Preferably one as MB-like as possible. Does this Three Quarter Coat from Banana qualify? Or should I go the moleskin route? I need your guidance!
—Chauncy

A: Well, given the two choices, go with the wool/cashmere option. The moleskin version looks like something ol' granddad would wear (if he were still alive). Chauncy, we gotta tell ya: on a lark we ordered a couple of coats from Banana this season and were appalled by both the quality and the completely un-MB-like fit. Use Banana only for the basics, like this wonderful pair of cashmere socks.
posted:
12.13.07
filed under:
Spiewak Dugan Peacoat
via Evo. $159.00.
Michael Kors Sucks; Spiewak Not So Much
As regular readers know, this season we've been on the hunt for the perfect peacoat, ordering about 8 or 9 of them, and they've all been returned.

We're fucking cold!

The worst of the bunch by far was this Michael Kors travesty. Fit like a goddamn smock and made in China (imported!). The guy has absolutely no business holding court on Project Runway.

Anyhow, our last best hope is this very affordable version from one of our favorite outerwear sources: Spiewak.
posted:
12.11.07
filed under:
Dolce & Gabbana Quilted Metallic Blouson Jacket
via Saks Fifth Avenue. $2265.00.
D&G Taking Inspiration From Old Woody Allen Films
This Dolce & Gabbana quilted metallic blouson jacket ($2,265), inspired by a costume from Woody Allen's 1973 classic Sleeper.
posted:
11.19.07
filed under:
Dictators Always Wear the Coolest Clothes
Check it: Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf declares states of emergency in style with this natty fabric-buttoned military jacket. Who needs elections and all that democracy bullshit when you're rocking it to this extent?
posted:
11.5.07
filed under:
- military
- outerwear
And Now a Note From This Site's Secret Admirer
From the MB mailbag:

Dear Magnificent Bastards,

If you'll indulge me a brief roundup of your recommendations to date:

1. White jeans are gay.
2. Jute mandals are gay.
3. Unless you're in an 80s period movie, you wear brown shoes and belt with a navy suit.
4. Tucking in part of your shirt screams "trying too hard to not be a toolbag".
5. Like it or not, a velvet blazer is almost required apparel for any New Year's party.
6. The UPS Whiteboard Guy looks almost cool next to the smug "I'm a Mac" guy, particularly since a human Mac would be something more along the lines of Carson Kressley.
7. If you buy a coat with a fur collar, you might as well wear it over your Michael Vick jersey.

Otherwise I agree with everything you're doing. Keep up the good work.

—Andre

MB.com Response: New Year's Eve parties are for fucking amateurs.
posted:
11.1.07
filed under:
'Nobody Wears a Trenchcoat With the Collar Down'
That's Dan Rather's quote from this clip sent to us by reader William Schroeder, which shows Mr. Rather debating for 19 minutes and 42 seconds about whether to wear a coat, and if so, whether the collar should be turned up or down.

These are big decisions.

In a previous post we were down on popping collars up, but that was specifically for polo shirts. Here, Mr. Rather is correct. What you see him struggling with in the video is achieving the correct amount of artful dishevelment, as demonstrated by Mr. Bogart (aka MB) is "that scene" from Casablanca.
posted:
10.30.07
filed under:
3.1 Phillip Lim Hunter Jacket
via Barney's Co-Op. $595.00.
MB Endorses: 3.1 Phillip Lim Hunter Jacket
The quintessential MB style is defined as "modern twists on the classics," and 3.1 Phillip Lim captures that beautifully with this epauletted take on the "Pennsylvania Tuxedo." Versatile too: you can shoot squirrels in this thing in the afternoon, then wear it out for a night on the town.
posted:
10.17.07
filed under:
Dsquared2 Gabardine/Fur Coat
via YOOX. $1928.00.
Suck It, PETA!
A couple of months ago we praised the fur collar trend, admired what Dolce & Gabbana had done with it, and predicted those beautiful coats would go on sale and soon. Indeed, YOOX has a Dsquared2 version (that looks like an entire fox or raccoon family may have given their lives for) for about 1/2 price.
posted:
10.11.07
filed under:
Helmut Lang Heavy Felt Coat
via Tobi. $645.00.
Like a Lion Tracking Down a Gazelle
Regular readers know we're on the hunt for the perfect peacoat, and the scent has led us to this Helmut Lang version from Tobi. We can't wait for delivery.
posted:
10.2.07
filed under:
In Pursuit of the Perfect Pea Coat
Just like Lexus is in the constant pursuit of perfection, we're in constant pursuit of the perfect pea coat. Two new contenders:

TOP: Extremely expensive, but in order to look good, you gots to pay. Comme Des Garcons Quilted Broadcloth Coat, via Tobi.

BOTTOM: Polyester, but we trust Theory. Theory Dyson Drake Pea Coat, via Saks Fifth Avenue.
posted:
9.2.07
filed under:
Michael Kors Wool Peacoat
via Neiman Marcus. $495.00.
In Search of the Perfect Peacoat
We'd written off Michael Kors for good after his douchebag-r-riffic Project Runway performance, (and the fact that he actually designed this shirt), but we're considering letting him back into our brand universe if he continues making clothes like this: a contender for Perfect Peacoat.
posted:
8.23.07
filed under:
Dolce & Gabbana Plaid Coat
via Neiman Marcus. $3760.00.
Shearling and Fur and Animal Carcass
In the world according to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, you're out this fall if you don't have either shearling or fur or some other animal carcass snuggling your neck. Magnificent Bastards the world 'round heartily agree. They've both gone completely mad for fall 2007 with some ridiculously good-looking (and ridiculously expensive) coats; our favorite being the grey plaid coat with shearling collar. Worth embezzling from your employer for.
posted:
8.14.07
filed under:

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