Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/174813
SHOP THE CITY FAR LEFT: The late Alfred Fiandaca, a Boston style icon. LEFT: Tailored looks from Kent & Curwen. The Boston Gent MENSWEAR DESIGNERS DELIVER A TWIST ON THE TRADITIONAL THIS FALL. BY SARAH LIEBOWITZ 100 Dapper Duo Billy Reid and Coach offer upscale accessories. KNOWN FOR INJECTING QUINTESSENTIAL Southern style into classic American design, Billy Reid is collaborating with Coach to create timeless accessories for the modern gent. "My favorite is the croc tote," says Marc DuCharme, manager of Coach at Copley Place. "It's a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind piece." Copley Place, 617-262-2063; coach.com BRYAN RAFANELLI, Event planner and designer: "It's all in the details. Keeping my accessories— cuff links, scarf, and glasses—unique is how I find my bespoke influence. I also try to keep my shoes interesting. You can never go wrong with color, especially on the soles." PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FASHION DIGEST (FIANDACA) A s menswear designers showcased their vision for fall, the international runways were flooded with dapper suits and smart details. Double-breasted jackets from Bottega Veneta and updated vachetta shoes from Ralph Lauren define the trend, and men in Boston are likewise displaying a new focus on old-world tailoring, sporting waistcoats in nightclubs and three-piece suits outside the boardroom. Answering this call for smart styling, Bloomingdale's in Chestnut Hill is bringing the venerable British brand Kent & Curwen to Boston for the first time this fall. Charles, Prince of Wales, is a fan of Kent & Curwen, as was the famously sharp dresser Cary Grant. In the new collection, sophisticated separates like fitted blazers and cable-knit sweaters made of Loro Piana cashmere are accented with Kent & Curwen's signature cricket-inspired motif, and quilted leather jackets layer perfectly with winter staples. While the gent trend recalls the formality of decades past (embodied by Boston designer and style icon Alfred Fiandaca), ABOVE: Boston Street Style men this season are finding ways to make the look wearable and photographer Dave modern. "They're playing with patterns and keeping things Kavaler. BELOW: Godfrey shoes, Ralph Lauren ($695) casual," observes Boston Street Style blogger and photographer Dave Kavaler. "Even when I see a man in a full suit, he often finds a way to make it look relaxed and comfortable." Responding to this sensibility, says Kent & Curwen Creative Director Michael Sondag, "We have updated the brand in a way that will make it more accessible, but still luxurious for a fashion-conscious customer." So dandy up that jacket with a waistcoat and pocket square, or tailor your button-down with one of Kent & Curwen's signature hunter-green neckties, sure to bring a hint of the cricket fields to your next important meeting. Bloomingdale's, The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 617-630-6000; kentandcurwen.co.uk BC BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 100_BC_SPR_S_ShopCity_LateFall13.indd 100 9/16/13 11:05 AM