Because a coat with no sleeves makes sense

For the past two September issues, Details has promoted the down puffer vest as a must item for men in the fall/winter months. They always look cool, particularly when styled with denim--both urban and rustic at the same time (they kind of remind me of hunting gear...). That being said, I don't think I've ever actually seen someone wearing one of these things.

I'm convinced that, although many designers try their hand at the puffer vest, most men invest in a whole jacket when it's cold out. The vest doesn't fit well under a pea coat, much less a top coat. It doesn't work as anything other than a top layer. So you're chest and back are warm, but aren't your arms a little cold? Maybe I don't get it. But I still kind of want one!

I think that I may get a puffer vest for this F/W. Land's End has a great one for $25. You can get the cool look without the investment the LV or Moncler version requires. And if you never wear it again, it's ok because it cost about as much as a steak. I think it'll work until the temperature reaches the 30s, and I start to pile on the layers. That's when the big guns will come out. Or at the least the jackets and coats with sleeves!

Photo: jcrew.com

Farrah, pimps, and Barneys

I ended up ordering the "Farrah" sunglasses. They are massive. I feel a bit like Kanye West when I wear them--but the thing is, I am no rapper so the look he rocks is a bit lost on me. Part of me feels like I should be wearing a dyed-fur coat when I wear these shades. Tom didn't say anything about that!

I think the size of Ford's aviators work for some folks, and not others. I may just wear them ironically--they don't necessarily go with my button-up and chino uniform...but they could.

Despite their hugeness, I think I will be keeping them. They do still look good, and they step up my accessory game. They're a high on the "bla-dow" effect--something neither of my other pairs of sunglasses have. I'll be in NYC next week, so I think I'll test them out for real then.

Speaking of NYC, Barneys' warehouse sale starts Thursday. I've never been, but I'll be there for sure next week.

Picture: not the Farrah on 'Ye, but something like it. You see what I mean about how they look good on some people. I had trouble finding a bad picture of someone in large aviators. I'm hoping they'll look differently on me later as I just recently buzzed off my hair. Maybe when there's more of it, my head won't be dwarfed by my sunglasses.

Tim and Michael.

Of the current batch of new-ish American designers, I love Tim Hamilton and Michael Bastian. Anyway, Mens.style.com has a feature with Hamilton and his ten essentials and it kind of makes me love him more. He picked i-D magazine as one of his essentials, and it reminds me: has anyone else seen the September cover? Gemma Ward looking all kinds of beautiful. That makes me love her more.

And if I'm going to talk about Hamilton, I should shout-out Michael Bastian for his new deal to design the Bill Blass men's collection. Between Som doing the women's and Bastian with men's, the new Blass will be something to look forward to.