CHAD GETS AN ITALIAN SHAVE @ NEW YORK BARBERSHOP

Last week I had my very first Italian shave at New York Barbershop, located in Hotel New York, once the head office of the Holland America-Line. When you enter New York Barbershop it feels like you are going back in time. The retro interior, including the American Barber chairs gives you the feeling like you are in an original Brooklyn Barbershop from the roaring 30s. While waiting you will be enjoying an excellent espresso and the sounds of jazz music from the record player. I was pampered for half an hour with an Italian Shave, hot & cold towels to ease the skin and after the shave my face was splashed with the limited edition fragrance of Aqua di Parma called Colonia Intensa Oud.

This was a great experience, great hospitality and nice staff, I'll be back!

STREET STYLE NEW YORK BY JUSTIN BRIDGES

Justin Bridges runs a blog called Tucked Style and shot some great street style pics for GQ.

Make sure you check out both for more great pictures of inspiring looks of menswear from the city that never sleeps.

BARACUTA G9 - THE ICON FOR ICONS

If there is one thing which is constant in Manchester, England - it's the rain. In a city where it rains more often than it doesn't, Rainwear was big business in the early 20th centuary. Brothers, John and Isaac Miller ran the Baracuta factory, making rainwear for brands such as Burberry and Aquascutum. When they branched out into their own brand, Baracuta soon became synonymous with the finest Raincoats. 

By 1937, the Miller Brothers were looking for a new, functional design for a working man, and which would also keep them dry in the rain. They came up with what would eventually become the Baracuta G9. This shorter jacket meant the wearer would have the benefit of a shower proof coat while he was still able to move around, unhampered by a longer raincoat or mac. With the design including collar button fastening, elastic waistband and cuffs and button fasten pockets nearly finished, the Miller Brothers took their idea to Beaufort Castle, Scotland. In the presence of Lord Lovat, the head of the Fraser Clan, the Miller brothers requested that they be granted permission and licence to use the famous red Fraser tartan in the lining for the new Baracuta Jacket. With the agreement in place, the Miller Brother's began manufacturing the Baracuta Jacket in the classic G9 style, as well as other variations.

Over the years the Baracuta G9 built up a reputation. In the 1950's Baracuta G9 Jackets were being exported to the US as 'Sports Coats' for the early Mods looking for that Ivy League look. In 1958 Elvis Presley wore the Baracuta G9 in the flim, 'King Creole' propelling the jacket to the forefront of fashion. Other fifties and sixties icons picked the Baracuta G9 as thier jacket of choice - Frank Sinatra, Arnold Palmer, Gregory Peck, and perhaps most famously, The King of Cool - Steve McQueen, who made the Natural coloured Baracuta G9 an integral part of his 'look'.

The Baracuta G9 is back for Spring/Summer 13 ready for another generation of aesthetes to take it to their hearts.

STORE LOCATOR: VMC ORIGINAL - ZURICH

The shop was opened in 1986 by Markus Cadruvi and after a few years Roger Hatt, who owns together with his wife the shop today, joined the team. Roger began his career as a mechanic, but it was in the world of denim he found his passion. Back then, VMC used to have a small second hand area with vintage Big E’s and, as the first Japanese denim brand in the shop, Roger (who’s featured on the cover of the latest edition of The Heritage Post) introduced Evisu to the Zurichers 15 years ago. Today 40% of denim sales in the shop are based on Japanese jeans from brands like Iron Heart, Flat Head and Warehouse. VMC is divided into three sections, the latest being a women’s department. From cash register and the men’s shoe department you enter the sportswear department. The basement is dedicated to denim with an entire wall of indigo with all kinds of shades, washes, shapes and sizes. The basement is also where you find the extensive boot selection. Everthing is piled up and neatly folded. The shop the packed with vintage props like orignal Buddy Lee dolls. (for more pics and full story check Denimhunters) Whenever you are in Zurich check VMC @ Rindermarkt 8

THE "GO TO HELL" POLO

As the temperature is reaching higher figures, it's time to get yourself some new Polo Piques.

The Go To Hell polo's are a great summer staple combine it with your colored chino's or with a white jeans.

Love 'em or hate 'em, "go-to-hell" is a cornerstone of the Ivy American style. The first embroidered clothes, where pants designed with whales. In 1976, prominent author and dandy Tom Wolfe coined the term “go-to-hell” in an Esquire article about country club communities and the preps that inhabit them.  Wolfe explained that the pants were prevalent throughout these regions, as men paired them with their traditional navy blazers and OCBD’s making the pants nearly impossible to miss.  Around the same time that Wolfe came out with his article larger menswear companies such as Brooks Brothers, J. Press, and Ralph Lauren began producing their versions of the pants, making the pants a cornerstone in any traddy summer wardrobe. (polo's from below to top - Gant, Carhartt, Tommy Hilfiger)

LET'S MAKE A PARTY TODAY

ESQUIRE & GANT BLOGGER EVENT

Yesterday I joined a "Dinner with Esquire & Gant", with some fellow bloggers like Ajanaku, Our Bubble and Selectionneurs. The Gant Haarlem Store was turned into a Brooklyn style restaurant. The food was served by De Jongens Haarlem, a local restaurant. Along with the food we tasted some great local beers called Jopen beer. But that wasn't all the challenge is to make 4 different sets and the winner will win a trip to Stockholm for an exclusive interview with Christopher Bastin, Gant's Head of Design.

May the best win!!