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.

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.

CAVI, the luxury menswear line known for its distinctive designs as worn by the likes of John Legend, 50 Cent and the Black Eyed Peas, has unveiled its new 2009 Holiday Collection blending casual chic with masculine elegance. The designs range from a Herringbone Vespa Track Jacket, exuding a sense of refined ruggedness, to the classic, tailored cut of the Williamsburg Pullover that evokes an unexpected hint of edge with bold color details. One of our favorite pieces is the Commando Crew (above), a military-inspired sweater in a houndstooth pattern with suede shoulder patches and epaulets, gold buttons and a CAVI crest. Having recently introduced an inspired style to the world of motorsports through an unprecedented partnership with NASCAR racecar driver Chase Austin, CAVI is also taking on the realm of surfing with the exclusive launch of CAVI Sport, as previewed here in August.

Luxury publisher Assouline and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have come out with a new book called American Fashion Menswear, billed as "the most authoritative and exciting book to date on the evolution of menswear in the United States over the past century. " The book begins by noting that the individualists and adventurers who settled America required garments that were functional and well-designed in order to survive the challenges of a new environment; those qualities continue to endure at the very heart of American menswear. Author Robert E. Bryan has divided the volume into seven different sections based upon the diverse identities of the American man, covering everything "Levi Strauss to the Ivy League, lounge suits to Zoot suits, and cowboys to counterculture," with cameos from the likes of Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Ralph Lauren and more.

It is cold here in the Midwest this week (-18º F last night, brrr!) so even though these cashmere scarves by Franco Ferrari are meant for men they're looking pretty darn inviting. Soft, cozy, and reversible, the scarves come in a few different designs that are all interesting and stylish but still versatile enough to justify the expense. The multi-colored stripes/polka dot design is my favorite because it's bright enough to add a punch of color to your winter style but the colors are toned down just enough. $245

Men's pants have always been pretty strait-laced: there are the Brooks flannels, dorky Dockers, a few hipster skinny jeans here and there. Menswear designer Bonobos is attempting to liven things up by "policiticizing pants" according to HuffPo. The design team has crafted trousers to accompany your electoral wishes for November: the "charismatic, well-traveled" pair of Obamas versus the "conservative, clean cut" pair of McCains.

Each pair retails for $120, and Bonobos will track the trouser competition on its site until November.

[via The Huffington Post]

Make a quiet statement of individuality with these men's ties from Hlaska. At first glance they appear to be fairly standard patterns and stripes, but look closer and you'll see a definite scientific influence, especially to do with the stars and solar system. Available in light to dark colors, you can be wearing stripes that double as strings of dna helixes or binary code, or even the rings of Saturn.

We'll leave it up to you whether you want to enjoy your somewhat geeky (said with all the love in the world) fashion statement in relative silence, or go pointing out the details to everyone in the office. $125

Via acquire

Fashion designer Donatella Versace took a timely inspiration for her latest fashion show. The woman who once said she wanted to dress Hillary Clinton in more feminine outfits and less pantsuits has turned her attention to Barack Obama. Versace dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection presented Saturday evening to Obama. Of course she had some fashion tips for the Presidential candidate as well, she urged him to shed the tie and "jazz up the shirt." Her collection was certainly short on ties and long on jazzy colors, offering suit jackets with double lapels or no lapels at all, slim shiny trousers and shirts in summery pastel shades of pale blue, lemon yellow and lavender.

[Thanks, Lana]

If you've ever felt the urge to drop over a grand on a hoodie, look no further than Great China Wall. Simply the most luxurious casual gear that money can buy, Great China Wall designs feature crystal detailing and limited edition tattoo type airbrushing reminiscent of Ed Hardy graphics. Made of that trendy delicate soft cotton, you definitly won't want to put them in the washer/dryer...this brand is far too high maintenance for me and truthfully I'd be a little wary of any man sporting it! Hoodies range from $900-$1400, check out the collection online and decide for yourself if it's worth the loot or just another brand that's trying way too hard.

French luxury powerhouse Hermes will open a men's-only store, the first of its kind in the world, across from its Madison Avenue flagship in NYC this fall. The 6,000-sq.-ft. space, designed by Rena Dumas of the architectural firm RDAI in Paris, will carry the brand's entire range of men's leather goods, watches, clothing, sportswear and accessories, and will have a full floor devoted to custom and made-to-measure merchandise, DNR reports. As my colleague Deidre Woollard related earlier this month, Hermes recently announced that first-quarter sales increased 13.4 percent to 415.1 million euros, or approx. $621.7 million. Sales in the Americas were up 23 percent. Men's merchandise accounts for 45 percent of the luxury brand's total sales, DNR notes. Last June, the company opened a 5,000-square-foot shop in New York's financial district with an emphasis on menswear, catering to the Wall St. crowd.

Stylish men all over the globe are obsessed with hot new fashion line, Limoland! Limoland is for wealthy men who consider themselves eternal adolescents, who don't take themselves too seriously and who like to have fun with their wardrobes, it's couture with a sense of humor. Fun colorful street wear made out of the most expensive materials available, Japanese cottons and the finest cashmere, completed with exquisite hand detailing. So far Limoland is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols, prices are comparable to other luxury men's line, the most popular piece is the hot pink V neck sweater which retails for around $800. Check out the Limoland website, or browse the collection at Harvey Nichols London!

If you've ever felt the need to spend $600 on a pair of jeans you are in luck. Dior designed these "radioactive" men's jeans that are made of 100% cotton, in a dark wash, with a shiny metallic finish. The five pocket cut and button fly appear pretty standard, as does the slightly tapered leg, so my guess is you are paying for the unique silver "radioactive" look, unless they also repel spills.... or are wind resistant, who knows! Available online and in Dior boutiques for $600.

Kiton was created forty years ago, by Italian designer Ciro Paone. Today it is regarded as one of the most exclusive and distinguished men's lines in the world. For as long as ties have been fashionable, Kiton has been making the most stylish ones available. Handmade in Italy, 100% silk and featuring signature prints recognizable by their organic look, you can guarantee that wearing a Kiton will bring you a slew of compliments. Available in luxury men's boutiques worldwide, the green flower tie is also available online for $235.

The Tom James Company has created an intriguing new idea for your business suit, putting your name in pinstripes. Starting in January 2008, the company will offer the Tom James Signature Collection, which is a collection of custom suits, made of the fabrics available from Saville Row's Holland & Sherry. Anyone can personalize their suit's pinstripes using family member names, company mottos or even, in some instances, logos. The Signature Collection suits are available for both men and women range from $13,000 to $25,000.

Manolo Blahnik is much beloved of the ladies but he hasn't done much for the men lately.That's about to change. Vogue UK reports that Manolo has created a six-piece collection for men. The designs that Vogue shows are not for the average man. Sure, the red Oxford isn't too far out there but it would take a special man to pull off the leopard-print sandal or the lace-up peep-toe slingback. The collection should be out in stores in February.

Think Manolo is the only one with daring designs for men's shoes? Check out more intriguing men's shoe options in the gallery below.