Flannel gets a boost at the hands of the Followill clan, three brothers and a cousin who form the popular band Kings of Leon. The band from Tennessee has created a new fashion line with the Paris-based fashion collective Surface to Air. The result is countrified hipster collection that includes flannel shirts, a black leather jacket, patched jeans, a red bandana and a black fedora. Those who want in might be in need of a passport the line will only be available at the Copenhagen boutique Paris Texas. The store's blog has complete pictures of the collection and reports that pieces will hit the store in early December.

[via Black Book]

Louis Vuitton has just released two new Monogram watch cases. While Louis Vuitton has been making watches for a while, it is not clear whether or not they have previously made watch cases. Though it makes total sense for the luxury bag and luggage maker to do so. One case is trunk style, and suitable for 8 watches. While the other is more like a roll case, and sized for 3-4 watches. Each are made in France, with the brand's usual style and noticeable exterior.

The inside is made of a microfiber material that should be nice on your watches, while pads are used for the watch themselves (which are removable). The smaller case has a brass buckle, while the larger mini-trunk case uses a lock and key. They both make good travel cases - something which is hard to find for watches as most travel cases take up more space than they are worth. Louis Vuitton also suggests that the cases are ideal for storing watches in while they are in a safe. I'm sure you'll think of all sorts of good ways to show these Monogram cases off. Prices are up there - $620 for the 8.3 inch wide smaller case, and $4,070 for the 13.4 inch wide mini-trunk.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

High end online optical boutique Eyegoodies has come out with limited edition customized Persol sunglasses modeled on the ones Steve McQueen wore in 1968's classic The Thomas Crown Affair. The super stylish shades are made using Persol's 714 folding model, the one favored by McQueen recently re-introduced by the famed Italian eyewear firm and shown in our Essential Summer Style feature. To make the Thomas Crown edition (above), Eyegoodies' Frank Scious removes the lenses and replaces them with top quality French optical lenses manufactured by Essilor, custom tinted to the perfect shade of blue like the ones made specially for McQueen to wear in the movie. Scious also offers the bespoke blue lenses for another classic Persol style worn by the King of Cool, No. 649. The Thomas Crown edition shades cost $389 - not bad considering a similar pair from Mcqueen's personal collection was auctioned off in 2006 for $70,000.

One of our favorite menswear collections for fall is from preternaturally stylish Nautica founder David Chu's LINCS line, which he relaunched earlier this year as a full sportswear collection. The name is of course derived from golf, but Chu has expanded its horizons considerably this season. He aptly describes it as "a modern expression of style inspired by a life in and out of the country club - of travel, of sport, of classic chic." The theme of the fall collection is a modern take on the "gentleman explorer," characterized by classic rugged yet elegant styling in a color palette of loden, navy, and charcoal, with fabrics like waxed cotton, cashmere, wool and flannel.

"LINCS is grounded in authentic, classic style, but updated with details and textures men can relate to," Chu notes. "Many of our shirts for example have a contrast color / pattern detail that's subtle. You'll find a surprising detail or color at the cuff, on a collar, or the inside liner. Part of the LINCS concept is the fusion of sporty, easy authentic looks together with performance fabrics and the technical. In outerwear, you'll see a classic piece like a blazer, but designed with quilted nylon and stuffed with down for a look that's rugged and elegant." Also worth noting are the very reasonable price points. Outerwear is between $199 - $399, sweaters are about $119 - $129, shirts are $89 - $99, pants are $79 - $89, available at select Nordstrom, Dillard's and specialty stores.

Key looks include a military style parka in waxed cotton with a sheared rabbit collar (above), a blazer-style coat made of quilted waxed cloth, a loden cashmere cardigan with a leather buckle at the collar, a tan safari-style parka with a removable navy liner, and a quilted navy nylon rip-stop down-filled blazer with suede detailing under the collar. "When I named it LINCS, people automatically thought it was a golf line, but it's not," Chu notes. "LINCS is about sport, about design, and more importantly, this person's lifestyle and an extension of it, which includes easy pieces that can be tailored and elegant, but mixed in with more casual elements for a dressy, but sporty look."



Chu also has his eponymous David Chu Bespoke line, featured in The Classicist's "Best of Men's Style" roundup, a custom-clothing atelier located on the penthouse floor of his "Townhouse" HQ in New York that embodies the deisgner's "ultimate statement on style, sophistication, and the well-lived life," blending the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring. In addition to Bespoke, Chu is also working on a new project with famed golfer Jack Nicklaus to develop the Nicklaus brands worldwide under a unified creative direction and make it more of a lifestyle brand with a distinct point of view. More on that later.

Will real men wear pearls? Male model and reality television star Marcus Schenkenberg hopes so. Schenkenberg has partnered with German pearl specialist on YOU ROCK by Marcus Schenkenberg a line of pearl jewelry for men. Designer Mayk Holländer created the black-silver collection with black brilliant-cut diamonds, highlighted by vividly colored Fiji cultured pearls. Black chokers made of leather, silver, knotted silk or stingray leather are combined with pendants that represent an anchor, a cross or a skull and highlight a single pearl. Matching bracelets made of black knotted silk are also adorned with brilliant cut diamonds and Fiji cultured pearls.

[via CIJ]

We're not sure why you'd want a topographical map etched on a set of sterling silver cufflinks. However, like the judiciary, if it's legal then we don't need to concern ourselves with your intentions, and neither, for that matter, will Fluid Forms. The Austrian company will be glad to etch a section of the huge prairie deal you just closed in Montana -- or that Arcadia to which you and Mary Jane retired after senior Prom -- onto a small sliver of 925 silver for some 'links, a brooch, even a pendant.

And because, like the Earth, you're made of many things, Fluid Forms' work isn't limited to corporeal jewelry in silver. If it can be rendered in three dimensions, they can probably fashion it. Their Serene Salt & Pepper Shakers are particularly intriguing, the QR barcode belt buckles are a geek fashionista's dream, and they make Earth Bowls that look like they do their best work supporting your fruit collection. If you'll excuse us, we're going to see if we can have them create a topographical map of... Mary Jane...

Duncan Quinn, the London-born, New York-based menswear designer whose Savile Row-with-a-twist togs are favored by the likes of Sean Combs, Entourage star Adrien Grenier, LeBron James and alt-rockers Green Day, has come out with a new collection of killer looks for fall. Quinn's inspiration for the season "comes from a misspent youth and perennial love for the gentleman, the rogue and the gentleman rogue," the designer notes, citing as influences Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair and Peter O'Toole in How to Steal a Million. Suits are made from the finest fabrics, in chalkstripes, sharkskin, mohair and cashmere, woven in England to Quinn's specifications in understated colors like black, charcoal and gunmetal. Above is a bespoke gunmetal wool and mohair suit with a ticket pocket ($5,000), worn with a pink cotton herringbone french cuff shirt, "gangster chic" motif silk tie, fleur-de-lys enamel and sterling silver cufflinks and a bespoke wool and cashmere overcoat, photographed outside Robert de Niro's Greenwich Hotel.

What makes a pair of rubber boots worth over $400? The ones from France's Le Chameau are not your ordinary wellies. For one thing, each pair is handmade by a single boot maker from start to finish using only 100% natural rubber, which provides superior resilience and elasticity compared to synthetic rubber. Besides forming an excellent barrier to water, natural rubber offers a high resistance to wear, cutting and tearing, and results in a much better fit and a more comfortable boot all around. They're also lined with the highest quality full-grain, glove-soft calf leather which prevents that clammy feeling and heat buildup other rubber boots are prone to. Many models also feature a full-length proprietary waterproof zipper making them extremely easy to put on and take off, while the soft but aggressive tread grips almost any surface.

Of course Le Chameaus are also damned stylish; they recently appeared in our Fall Sporting Style feature starring the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and while gaining popularity with connoisseurs here, in Europe they're the hunting boot of choice for everyone from royalty to gamekeepers and as much a part of estate shooting as a bespoke shotgun. In 1927, M. Claude Chamot hand-crafted the first pair of Le Chameau boots in his factory in Northern France. It takes nine months of intense training to become a Le Chameau boot maker. Unique skills and techniques are passed down through generations, from master boot maker to apprentice, ensuring that each pair of boots is created with the same care, quality and craftsmanship as in M. Chamot's day, with the benefit of modern technology of course. Under normal conditions a pair of Le Chameaus will last for decades, making the best boot money can buy well worth the price.



The classic olive green Chasseur hunting boots are our favorite, but a range of models is available for both men and women. There are special versions for cold weather and even some fur trimmed ladies' models in interesting colors. On a historical note, these type of boots are known as Wellingtons or wellies after a softer, closer-fitting style of cavalry boot originally designed by the first Duke of Wellington, who had the first ones made of leather in the early 1800s. They were not made of rubber until the 1850s when Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization process for natural rubber. You can check out a video of Le Chameau boots being made here.

Online luxury retailer Gilt Groupe is taking serious aim at men's style with the launch of Gilt Man. Gilt Groupe has already been selling some men's items on the main site but the new platform offers new and expanded men's categories in a "guys only" e-tail destination. Like the original site, Gilt Man will offer items through invitation-only sales each day with top brands available at up to 70 percent off retail in sales lasting 36 hours. The sales will include clothing as well as gadgets, sporting gear and other lifestyle items. Initial sales include Strida, Bogner, Helly Hansen, Harry's of London, Alexander McQueen, Porsche Design Adidas, Outdoor Research, Ducati Watches and Gianfranco Ferre. The site will also feature editorial content on style and trends.

Montreal is a fantastic destination, but like any city, it can be hard for a visitor to get to know. To that end, Tourisme Montreal has engaged five in-the-know locals to basically blanket social media from Facebook, to Twitter, to blogs, sharing all of their knowledge about their city -- and answering questions from travelers in town. Katerine Rollet is one of these insiders, and she recently selected these 12 can't-miss experiences in Montreal for Luxist.

1- Go for tea at the St. James Hotel. This chic boutique hotel is where the likes of the Rolling Stones and Madonna stay when they're in town, and the tea at newly renovated restaurant XO is a a great way to experience a proper British tea with a modern twist. UPDATED: The St. James no longer serves afternoon tea, but the new Salon XO is worth a visit.
2- Experience the spa at Place D'armes -- one of the best places in town for a mani-pedi, not to mention one of the few places in Montreal to experience a hammam, or Turkish bath. Wrap up with a drink on the terrace.
3- For men: at Québec's own Phillipe Dubuc -- the place for a man to fill his closet with stylish, business appropriate clothing with an edge.
4- For women: fill your suitcase at Montreal's achingly stylish, unfailingly feminine Marie Saint Pierre.
5- For everyone: visit Oglivy, a lovely shopping mall filled with charming boutiques, great book stores, stationary shops, international designers and more.
6- For the shopping-shy: Engage the style hounds at Les Effrontes to have your own guided tour of Montreal's up and coming designer's ateliers.
7- Dine at Joe Beef, on raw bar and steak in up-and-coming neighborhood Little Burgundy ("Petite Bourgogne") .
8- Or, hit Toque -- widely considered one of the best meals you can have in Montreal. Try the tasting menu.
9- Or reserve the chef's table at Europea, and dine in the kitchen of charismatic Chef Jérôme Ferrer. 10- After dinner drinks: check out Hotel St Paul's bar for cocktails with Montreal's chicest.
11- Sweet treats: visit Point G for waffles, artisanal ice cream, and most importantly, macarons.
12- Brunch the next day: La Cantine in the Plateau neighborhood, for a traditional Québec brunch revisited.

Polished semi-precious stones are usually reserved for women's accessories, but thanks to Vivre there's an exception in this collection of sleek (and yes, beautiful! Get over it guys) cufflinks. Above is Rose Quartz & Purple Fluorite, and other favorites of mine in the set are the Turquoise White Jade pair and Rock Crystal Cube & Jade. Whether you choose them for their color, the sentimental value of a particular stone, or simply to coordinate with a certain suit, any man wearing these cufflinks will surely stand out as someone with unique, contemporary taste. $175/pair.

Hugh Simms is an L.A. based designer with degrees from Cornell and Fashion School F.I.D.M., where he first developed what he describes as his "Ivy League Grit" style. Passionate about supporting the American way and the Los Angeles manufacturing revival, all of his Handmade Patchwork Neckties are made in a small workshop in the heart of L.A. and each pattern, full of details, has significance and meaning. In the photo above Simms is wearing "Lost Library," which takes its inspiration from dusty broken-spined books filled with a paradox of both intelligence and toughness.

See after the jump for a Luxist Q&A with Simms and then see more of his designs, and the meanings behind them, at hughsimms.com and in the gallery below.

At the launch of the Brooks Brothers "Mad Men" limited edition men's suit, available from October 19 to November 8 (the date of the season finale) for $998, the actors on the AMC show fessed up to how much their personal wardrobes - and lifestyles - have changed since they started the show. It turns out they've learned their lesson: the power of the well-tailored suit.

"Before the show, my inspiration for clothing came from Pearl Jam and Nirvana: ripped clothes and long hair," says Rich Sommer. "I had zero suits. I was living in New York, temping, and when they'd ask us to wear suits, I'd always say I don't have one." But since he began playing Harry Crane, head of the television department at Sterling Cooper, his style has changed. "I've become more of a fashion conservative. When my time on the show ends, I think I'll wear suits. I love the masculinity of wearing a suit. People respect you. Today I was riding a bus in my scrubs and a guy elbowed me full on. In a suit that wouldn't happen. There's something that commands respect. Growing up, I never understood my dad wearing a suit, the presentation of a suit, but there's something about it, it's a put togetherness. There's a status that comes with the suit. It's not explicit, it's implicit." Sommer has started adding accessories to complete his new look. "I like cufflinks, I have one pair I wore to the Emmy's – I got them for Fathers' day, from my daughter, she's 2 years old. They have a locket with photos of my daughter, and they're monogrammed. I love them. I always wear them with a French cuff shirt."

"I usually wear jeans or hiking pants and comfortable shoes," says Michael Gladis, who plays Paul Kinsey, a copywriter on the show. But he's been wearing suits more often: Thanks to "Mad Men," he now has 13 or 14 suits in his closet. "There's something intangible about it," he says. A guest at the party chimes in: "I'm always attracted to men who wear suits." He accessorizes with a pocket square, just in case he encounters a woman crying, he says.

"Janie turned me into a suit guy," said Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell on the show. The suit goes along with the exciting life he has growing out of the show's success. "To put on a suit is a celebration, to say that there's something fantastic going on. If you own a lot you have a lot of celebrating to do," That description fits him. "The greatest thing" that has come as a result of the show's success "is that there's this group of artists so moved by the show who we get to meet." For example, he recently met Swiss film director Barbet Schroeder. "He was telling me stories of being with Polanski when he was trying to sell 'Knife in the Water,' Kartheiser recalls. As far as other ways his lifestyle his changed: "I get more manicures." Just then a waiter swoops by offering him fried chicken. Kartheiser passes, and the waiter says, "Would you like me to bring you some dessert?" "See, that's how good my life is now: that happens."

You no longer have to visit Asprey's exclusive polo shop at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in the UK in order to purchase its aristocratic apparel and accessories made for the sport of kings. The storied London luxury goods firm, suppliers to the gentry and royalty for 200 years, has now made their polo gear available to order online. The full range (above) is on offer, including their leather and suede saddles ($1,100), Italian leather polo boots ($1,200) and stylish bridle leather polo holdall ($1,200), along with the requisite bridles, whips, mallets, helmets and more. In addition Asprey offers a bespoke trophy making service. Asprey also fields its own polo team, which won the prestigious Queen Mother's Centenary Tournament 15 goal trophy at the Guards Polo Club this year, and sponsors the coveted Prince of Wales Trophy.

[via Duncan Quinn]