theory

Ask the MB: What to Wear With Blue Seersucker Pants

June 3, 2010

Q: I'm going to a large picnic out of town and want to look my sharpest. I just bought a pair of blue and white seersucker slacks and a very sharp pair of navy suede loafers with a brass buckle on them. What I was wondering is, what kind of shirt should I wear to complete my summer themed look?
--T.R.

A: T.R., the pants and the shoes aren't having an argument, but they're definitely carrying on a rather loud conversation. In this case the role of the shirt is to observe, quietly. Wear a simple white sport shirt with this outfit, like this slim-fit Theory option. The fabric's subtle lustre offers the desired texture contrast to the puckery seersucker and nappy suede.

A couple of other strong suggestions while you're on the line:

1. One way to make seersucker less Gregory Peck and more 21st century MB is to remove the crease. Assuming they're flat front (and they really need to be), simply staple a "no crease" note to a belt loop for the cleaner.

2. Definitely show some ankle and wear these no-show loafer socks.

Ask the MB: Beige Suits

November 3, 2009

Q: What's the word on beige suits? I think they're pretty tough to pull off, but I'd say it can be done. I really like this one (although I'm not a fan of the 3 buttons). Where could I find this one with two buttons?
--Christopher

A: This looks more like "khaki" to us, and they're not difficult to pull off at all. Just not now as we head into winter. Wait until baseball season starts again.

Unfortunately you'll likely have to wait until then to pick one up as they've disappeared off the sale pages, but Theory usually makes a good one.

MB Endorses: Gilt Man

October 20, 2009

We were introduced to Gilt almost a year ago and have been digging it ever since. Now we're digging it even more as they've separated out all the girl stuff with Gilt Man. Deep discounts on great brands. Well worth signing up. Right now: Theory.

Tip the MB: Theory Cashmere Sweaters

October 19, 2009

Theory Cashmere Sweater via bluefly.com, $114.75 — Theory Cashmere Sweater via bluefly.com. $114.75.

Just noting after seeing the Malo cashmere endorsement (and 100% agree with), Theory Cashmere is 40% off at Bluefly right now, just noting for the more frugal MB.
--Jonathan

Point noted. Though having owned cashmere from both Theory and Malo, we'd argue that 1 Malo > 2 Theory.

Ask the MB: Age-Inappropriate Girlfriend

December 4, 2008

She's looking mad, even while clothed in Theory cashmere. Nice.

Q: As an aspiring MB in my early 20s, it's troubling my otherwise attractive and eloquent girlfriend almost exclusively sticks to clothing with style that would better suit a tween at a "Twilight" premiere. Any suggestions on how to ween her away from the kiddie clothes and towards a more age-appropriate look without inciting rage?
--Sean

A: We love it when an attractive, eloquent, early 20-something women gets mad.

Our guess is she's still shopping in juniors with the other Twi-hards. She needs to shift to contemporary, which unfortunately for you is a bigger budget commitment, but better quality and fewer tacky midriff-baring tops. Try a gift certificate from BCBG, Club Monaco, or French Connection. If her pockets (and yours) are a little deeper just go straight to Theory and be done with it.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ask the MB: Flared Dress Pants

October 30, 2008

Theory Thomas Avenue Pants via Saks Fifth Avenue, $185.00 — Theory Thomas Avenue Pants via Saks Fifth Avenue. $185.00.

Q: I love flat front dress pants that appear to have a slight flare at the bottom of the leg (think "Doug" in Mind of a Married Man). But, I have a difficult time finding the cut and fit. I have a great pair by Theory, they are totally MB. Can you point me towards any makers with this fit? Any thoughts on this look?
--Rich

A: Rich, you indeed are an MB. Theory's slight bootcut dress pants make most men look great, and perhaps because of this, fellas have a little extra swagger in their step when they wear 'em. Heck, look at the MB-style pose of the model in this picture! One thing we do not and never will understand is the slim/skinny pant trend, which seems to be peaking (hopefully) in Fall 2008. About 5% of the male population can make this work satisfactorily, and 4% are under-fed hipster doofuses who play in some crap band. For the rest of the guys out there, all this cut accomplishes is making their ass look big.

Anyhow, finding what you want in the slim tsunami is difficult, but John Varvatos is a good option (inset).

In Pursuit of the Perfect Pea Coat

September 2, 2007

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.

Theory Goes Long

August 21, 2007

Theory Long Sleeve Dress Shirt via Nordstrom, $125.00 — Theory Long Sleeve Dress Shirt via Nordstrom. $125.00.

One of our favorite brands is Theory, for its clean lines, good quality, and reasonably good value. But their shirts' sleeves were always a little short for Magnificent Bastards with long arms (and you know what they say about guys with long arms).

They've finally addressed that problem with new, more traditional dress shirt sizing like R 15.5 and L 16.5, and now they fit nicely.