Magnificent Bastard

Wednesday, November 20, 2024



tip the mb

Tip the MB: A Cache of Vintage Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Tip the MB: A Cache of Vintage Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Tip: Allyn Scura has a cache of Ray-Ban "Caravan" frames in both cable and standard temples in a variety of sizes. They’re so bad assed that they'll make anyone look like a tin-pot dictator. I bought 5 pairs. I suspect that should last the rest of my life.
—Ben

Thanks for the tip. A few thoughts:

1. We fully endorse binge-buying and hoarding lifetime supplies of great gear. You never know when something you love is discontinued, permanently out of stock, or the company that makes it goes brown. And if you die before your inventory runs out, you'll leave your progeny something of value beyond great genes: tons of cool shit that will serve as mementos ... or as inventory for a killer eBay store.

2. While you may have dented Allyn Scura's Ray-Ban Caravan inventory, we're told there is still a cache of all the other Ray-Ban styles on their site. According to AS — eyewear supplier to the Fargo and Elvis productions — vintage Ray-Bans are making a comeback, as well as vintage Carrera, and Faosa.

3. We're not sure Caravans are the right frame for the tin-pot dictator look. All we could think of was Manual Noriega, and we're not sure they're Caravans. Tin-pot dictators tend to gravitate towards more bold, slightly more angular frames:

Dictator Eyewear

Tip the MB: Bad Styling Tips from Esquire

Tip the MB: Bad Styling Tips from <em>Esquire</em>
Q: Not an ask so much as a heads up. Noted this month's Esquire advises to NEVER roll sleeves above the elbow. It seems to be a sincere attempt at advice, unfortunately.
—Robert

A: Yes we saw that too (right) on page 78 of the June/July issue. Esquire is an odd case. On the one hand, in the Spring 2012 Big Black Book, fashion director Nick Sullivan wrote the most timely and insightful essay on suits we've ever read (not online, unfortunately). On the other hand, Sullivan and his staff hit at about the Mendoza Line when dispensing style advice.

Anyhow, back to sleeve rolling. Take a look at the images below and decide for yourself where to stop the roll.

above

below

Tip the MB: You're Wrong About Tie Width

Tip the MB: You're Wrong About Tie Width
Not a tip, but I need to point out where you have made an error. GQ has certainly not given up on skinny ties. (See previous post in question.) The tie Ryan Reynolds is wearing is probably 2.75 inches wide, which is about what Gitman Bros runs. If you are still not sure, just compare it to the width of his wrist right on top of it. They are the same. My wrist is 2.5 inches wide. Still don't believe me? Look at the Michael Kenneth Williams spread later. The only tie over 3" is the Tom Ford. Now, I get that you like wider ties, but you have been calling the peak of the thin tie trend for two years. It is starting to feel like wishful bastardly thinking.
--Miller

A: You know what, Miller? You are right and we are wrong. We regret the error. That black herringbone tie worn by Ryan Reynolds on the October GQ cover is in fact exactly 2.75" wide according to Gitman Bros, not the 3+" we suggested.

We're glad you brought up Tom Ford, though, because he's the canary in the lapel and tie-width coal mine. For F/W 2010 he's widening pretty significantly (top) and everyone else will follow.

Meanwhile, to switch the metaphor from mining to parade-going, EXPRESS is the equivalent of the dudes at the end sweeping up the elephant shit, and from their advertisement from the same GQ issue, they're still in the 1.5" - 2.5" range (bottom).

Tip the MB: 'The Situation' Wrote a Book, Dawg

Tip the MB: 'The Situation' Wrote a Book, Dawg
The forces of evil are everywhere, MB must be the light.
--Andre

From the inside cover:

Listen, dawg. You're probably hitting the gym, doing your tanning, and picking up fresh laundry every day. And maybe you've had some success beating up the beat and creeping on chicks in the club. But do you really think your situation is where it needs to be? Be honest with yourself, bro.

This book here will take your game to a level thought unattainable, given your physical limitations (because we can't all look like Rambo, pretty much, with our shirt off). We start with GTL-the bedrock of life itself. And then we hit the GTL Remix-the rules for getting your personal grooming did. From there it's my guide to the Jersey Shore, battle plans for the club, a primer on grenades and wingmen, and tips for ridding yourself of all levels of clinger. Then I look at the big picture: how to cook the perfect lasagna, how to find a life partner, and how to deal with being one of the most famous people on the planet-which is guaranteed if you follow my advice.

This is the bible for Situation Nation. Read it, live it, and crush it.

UPDATE: Reader Dan astutely observes: "Just in case you missed it, the amazon link you provided for The Situation's book has only two tags: 'hey ma' and 'euthanasia.' Perfection."

Tip/Ask the MB: Biased Cut Shirts

Tip/Ask the MB: Biased Cut Shirts
Tip: Biased Cut is also holding a sale. Four of their shirts are at $50.

Question: I'm really digging the Bona Fide. It fits the season well and it's very understated. Your thoughts? Also, I'm a little unsure about Eucalypt. I need your guidance on this one.
--Albert

A: 50 bucks for a custom shirt should get everyone's attention, and Biased Cut shipped the best-fitting shirt of the ones we reviewed.

Regarding your questions, Albert, if you like the Bona Fide, go for it. But because you're unsure, sit tight on the Eucalypt. We've learned to hold apparel to the same burden of proof as potential partners/spouses: even if there's only a hint of doubt about an item, pass on it or return it. It really cuts down on the trips to the resale shop. And divorce court.

NB: One thing we weren't crazy about with the Biased Cut shirt was the 1/8" collar stitching and the 1/4" stitching everywhere else. If you make the request for consistent 1/4" stitching, Biased Cut will accommodate.

Tip the MB: Cary Grant Sunglasses

Tip the MB: Cary Grant Sunglasses
In your recent post "Cool Sunglasses for Summer 2010", I believe the Cary Grant sunglasses from North by Northwest are Persol P0714's. Just thought you and your readers would want to know in case people wanted to get a pair for themselves!
--Alex

A: Alex, you're getting your classic movie sunglasses mixed up. Steve McQueen wore Persol 714's in The Thomas Crown Affair (bottom). While Persol 714's are folding sunglasses, Grant's sunglasses broke in half while he was being stowed away by (the ridiculously sexy) Eva Marie Saint. And that's not the only reason we're virtually certain Grant's aren't Persols:

* They're lacking the trademark silver arrow
* The first known big-screen sighting of Persol was on Marcello Mastroianni in Divorce Italian Style (1961)
* Persol was first introduced to the U.S. in 1962
* North by Northwest was made in 1959

A definitive ID of Grant's sunglasses definitely requires more research, and we've got some of vintage eyewear's best minds working on it, but we suspect they're what we originally thought: horn-rimmed eyeglasses fitted with tinted lenses.

Tip the MB: Andy Garcia at Lakers/Celtics Game

Tip the MB: Andy Garcia at Lakers/Celtics Game
Did you just see Andy Garcia at the Lakers/Celtics game? He just made my weekend. This is worth noting. And celebrating.
--DC

A: Yes, we did note Andy Garcia at last night's game, and we're not sure if it was Andy Garcia or What Robert Downey Jr. Will Look Like in 10 Years.

TOP: Andy Garcia, 54, at last night's Lakers/Celtics game.

BOTTOM: Robert Downey Jr., 45, at the Iron Man 2 premiere in April.

Tip the MB: Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Clothing

Tip the MB: Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Clothing
I work in Detroit and found a great option for safety and MB style, Miguel Caballero's line of bulletproof clothing. I just bought a few of these. They are custom fit and have 3 levels of protection. This polo can stop a 44 magnum SJHP at close range and it's stab proof. I thought you should pass this along to all working in cities under fire. Please truncate if needed.
--Jerry

We were unfamiliar with Miguel Caballero until now. Thanks for the tip.

Reportedly worn by amateur lawman Steven Seagal, perpetual president of Venezuela and talk show host Hugo Chavez, and many others, the Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Polo starts at $4000. For half that price, you could buy 200 polo shirts from Target and wear them all on top of each other, creating an inpenetrable wall of combed cotton. But think of all the laundry! The Caballero Bulletproof Polo is obviously a much better option, and if you're in the market for one, we recommend that you pay full retail. This is definitely a shirt that you don't want to buy used on eBay.

Tip the MB: J. Crew Chino Ludlow Blazer

Tip the MB: J. Crew Chino Ludlow Blazer
Q: The Chino Ludlow Sportcoat from J. Crew is currently on sale for an appealing $78.00 with the use of the coupon code EXTRA20. Just saying...
--Salvador

It's only late April and J. Crew is already having its spring clearance sale? Call this one more reason we love climate change. We wish the lapels were 9/16" wider for long-term ownership, but at this price it will do fine for S/S 2010.

Tip the MB: The Clothes on How to Make it in America

Tip the MB: The Clothes on <em>How to Make it in America</em>
This link should help you answer all the inevitable "what is that piece of clothing from" that was in How to Make it in America.
--Joe

Season 1 is over and that discussion thread is a little light at the moment, but you can ask, an apparently costume designer Stacey Battat is willing to help provide answers. There's also a video of Ms. Battat discussing her background and approach to styling the cast.

Tip the MB: HBO's How to Make it in America

Ben Epstein, played by Bryan Greenberg
Ben Epstein, played by Bryan Greenberg
Great new show on HBO from the producers of Entourage. It's called How To Make It In America. Starring Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Lake Bell, Kid Cudi and Luis Guzman. It's a modern-day New York version of two twenty-somethings trying to achieve the American Dream. Great style, awesome wardrobes and beautiful cinematography. It's only 3 episodes deep in its first season and it even has a cameo by John Varvatos in the second episode. Worth a watch, Bastards.
--Sean

Tip the MB: Remember the Maine

Tip the MB: Remember the Maine
If you enjoy a good whiskey drink, how about the Remember the Maine? Totally old school, great for the fall, and a drink named after a battle cry? Not too shabby.
--Juany

A: We heartily endorse the Remember the Maine, though we'd feel a lot better about the cocktail if the Spanish had actually been responsible for sinking her.

Anyhow, after some Googling we came across a pretty excellent video from the LA Times Magazine demonstrating how to make a Remember the Maine, by Eric Alperin of The Varnish, a new speakeasy on Sixth St. in downtown Los Angeles. (Skip the atomizer, however, and simply swirl the absinthe. Definitely TTH.)

Ed. note: We will soon be embarking on the quest to create the Magnificent Bastard, a cocktail that will one day take its place alongside such legendary balms as the Rob Roy and the martini. And we'll need your help. Stay tuned for details.

Tip the MB: Fleur-de-lis the New Skull?

Tip the MB: Fleur-de-lis the New Skull?
I'm sure you're totally aware of it, but many guys aren't. I searched MB.com and haven't found much about the fleur-de-lis, but this shit is out of control. I work for a boutique chain that carries men's and women's clothing and a lot of our stock is great, but I swear there must be over 2000 of these damn French flowers floating around the store. They're all over t-shirts, wovens, razorbacks, hats, belts, and even jeans. When is this going to end? A few brands which are completely ridiculous and paste the fleurs-de-lis all over their clothing are: Rebel Spirit, Affliction, Rock Revival, Crash & Burn, Sinful, and Monarchy. I apologize if you already have a piece on the site dedicated to fleur-de-lis awareness, but I think people should be informed of the absurdity associated with wearing one of these on your person. Only the New Orleans Saints should be allowed to don this symbol of heraldry.
--Cody

Tip the MB: MB Deal of the Week

Tip the MB: MB Deal of the Week
Following the Spiewak outerwear tip, I dug up some crazy deals at 6pm.com. Including that snorkel parka at $80.50! Now the dilemma is *which one*?!? (or, at those prices, two?)
--Andy

A: Unless you live above 45° N, an MB only needs one snorkel parka. (Incidentally, we're at 44° N and change here in Pulaski, WI.) If you insist on buying two pieces of outerwear, make the 2nd one this McClary Field Jacket in charcoal.

Tip the MB: Prairie Oyster

Tip the MB: Prairie Oyster
In reference to a recent question regarding breakfast drinks, may I suggest a Prairie Oyster? The mix of egg yolk and vinegar to fine cognac qualifies as senseless lack of utility, and also as Anglophilia, thumbing one's nose at fine French cognac tradition. Some may argue that the Prairie Oyster is strictly a hangover cure, but if one is not hungover every breakfast in Hawaii, well, they don't really deserve to be there do they?

Prairie Oyster (from David Embury's Fine Art of Mixing Drinks)

1 oz Cognac
1 tbsp Vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire
1 tsp Catsup
1 tsp Angostura Bitters

Drop the yolk of an egg into the mixture, add a small dash of cayenne. Swallow, without breaking the yolk of the egg.

--RL

POURCAST

BETA

Sazerac

  • 3 shots rye whiskey (or to taste)
  • 1 sugar cube
  • Peychaud's Bitters
  • quarter shot of Absinthe
  • lemon twist

Soak the sugar cube with the bitters and place in the bottom of a highball glass. Mash with the back of a spoon (or muddler, which we hope has not been used to make a Mojito), add the rye whiskey and fill the glass with ice. Stir for about 30 seconds and then strain into another lowball glass that has been rinsed with Absinthe and filled about halfway with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

In-Depth Sazerac Coverage:

Ask the MB: Spring Cocktail Guide

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