Shawn (Virilitas) left a comment on 7/5/2012 at 10:55 PM:

Pre-distressed or not, the shorts are a great traditional color that are well-matched, in the photograph. Thanks for sharing.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 3:47 PM:

@SFR—I don’t see this as desperate at all. Washes are a bit of a science in the fashion industry. It’s about experiencing the look and feel of a beloved piece the moment you pick it up and touch it in the store. I don’t really care to spend the first half of my summer breaking in my summer chino shorts (given I even make it to the water 3 weekends a month). You don’t like washes on your chinos, to each his own.

SFR left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 3:41 PM:

@Fred - thanks for your reply. Jeans may start our dark and stiff, but after wearing them in they break in, get soft, develop character, etc. More specifically, the shorts you’ve pictured are faux-weathered to appear “salt” worn….as if they’ve been worn on a boat, on the beach, in the sun for years, etc. Are standard cotton shorts uncomfortable? Why not wear your shorts to the beach/on a boat and let them wear in naturally?

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 3:32 PM:

@C.L. Young—Thank you. I’m glad to have provided some sartorial nostalgia for you. Your vintage Wayfarers sound really great. You do realize that Wayfarers presently, taking into account inflation since 1988, are only approximately $12 more in 1988 dollars. The price for Ray-Bans is fair…the free market (and there is plenty of competition in the sunglasses market to qualify it as a free market) determines what is fair.

@SFR—Sometimes I just want to pick up a pair of shorts, or jeans, or chinos that just feel really good…that feel like we’ve already been friends for for awhile. Do I want my Barbour feeling like that? Not necessarily (but if I do, eBay is a good start). So, if you wear jeans, you don’t want any wash to them at all? You just want dark indigo, stiff denim? Not the most comfortable thing in the spring or summer.

@Cam—This boat shoe by Ralph Lauren is the best boat shoe I’ve ever come across. The silhouette and details are classic yet the craftsmanship is taken to another level by the factory in Maine. This shoe retails for $300 (almost 4x times as much as Sperrys, but they feel 4x times better crafted).

@Matt—I am not sure of what manufacturer makes this boat shoe, but my best educated guess would be Rancourt & Co.

C.L. Young left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 1:41 PM:

Awesome look! I especially like the Wayfarers! I have a pair (B&L 5022) that I bought back in 1988 from some optical company that advertised from the back of GQ Magazine for the grand sum of under $40.00. Looking at the price you paid (or not) for yours gives me a new perspective on how the “Classic” things I love from MY era are now inflated in price.
It’s ashamed that quality is hard to be gotten at a fair and reasonable price for all! Especially products (such as my “vintage” Ray Bans) for a fair price! I love the boat shoes as well…brings back alot of 1980’s memories and makes me feel “Classic”. Well done, F.E.!!

SFR left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 12:02 PM:

I too am curious about your take on fake-vintage, pseudo pre-worn items….I’ve always just worn my own clothes in naturally…wearing faux worn stuff has always struck me as phony….and, ironically, counter to much of the ethos you attempt to channel on here. Thoughts?

Stephen left a comment on 6/1/2012 at 9:23 AM:

@Cam - I own a pair of white Telfords and they’re amazing. Check out ebay, as that is where I got mine, and I’m pretty sure there are a few floating around for far less than retail.

R. L. H. left a comment on 5/31/2012 at 4:09 PM:

Well done FEC. Legitimately dig the look.

DaveT left a comment on 5/30/2012 at 7:16 PM:

That is a really nice photo with, I’m guessing, the early evening lighting.

emjkmj left a comment on 5/30/2012 at 6:25 PM:

@CAM—I would guess these guys are doing the manufacturing.  Rancourt, Eastland still makes shoes in Ma.  www.rancourtandcompany.com

cam left a comment on 5/30/2012 at 5:56 PM:

@F.E.—Overall rating of the RL boat shoe? I was thinking about getting these the other day esp since they are on sale.

Felix left a comment on 5/30/2012 at 5:22 PM:

I have the same RL boat shoes.  Top notch quality and Made in USA.

Matt left a comment on 5/30/2012 at 12:58 PM:

Who makes the boat shoe for RL?

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/29/2012 at 10:58 PM:

@emjkmj—While I can’t speak on behalf of J.Crew, this particular day I simply wanted to shorten the inseam a little.

emjkmj left a comment on 5/29/2012 at 10:53 PM:

Looking good!  Question though, What’s with the up-turned shorts?  Seen it in JCrew this winter, is it to shorten the rise or to make it looked cuffed?

Matthew left a comment on 5/29/2012 at 9:24 PM:

Why, yes, yes this is pretty much the perfect outfit! Head to toe, I could live life in this.