Cotton | J. Kent Ltd.

Pocket Squares: Silk or Cotton?

Jun 01 2016

The type of fabric used to create your pocket squares determines the weight, dressiness, and appropriate folding methods. A silk pocket square adds color without weight. The lightweight, flexible fabric is more difficult to fold-but looks fantastic when simply gathered into a “puff” and slipped into the pocket. Silk also has a glossy sheen that is your best choice in formal occasions, as it’s inherently dressier than cotton. A cotton pocket square is matte rather than shiny, making it eminently suitable for everyday businesswear and summer suits. Cotton’s relative stiffness makes it easy to fold and achieve crisp edges if desired. Rather than limiting yourself to pocket squares made of only one of these fabrics, we suggest you collect several cotton and several silk, so that you can be prepared with the perfect square for any occasion....

J Kent Erickson

Accessories & Jewelry

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Suits

The Classic Khaki Suit

Jun 06 2014

Khaki, or tan, is best known as the color of choice for casual trousers and military uniforms, but it’s also a fantastic way to create an air of relaxed elegance. Instead of limiting your use of tan fabric to Fridays or weekends, consider crafting a sophisticated custom suit out of this appealing color. A cotton khaki suit never looks like it’s trying too hard. It brings a comfortable nonchalance to your business wardrobe. It also offers a great opportunity to try out a variety of new colors and textures in your shirts and ties that work well with the softer feel of cotton. During warm weather, the breathability of cotton can be a lifesaver in the heat, as can a tropical light-weight worsted wool. Pair your suit with tan, brown, or burgundy shoes instead of black for all-around style. To create a sleek look, consider selecting peak lapels and a single button for...

J Kent Erickson

Suits

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Footwear & Hosiery

Fiber Choices for Socks

Feb 24 2014

The type of fibers in the socks you wear can have a big difference in how comfortable you feel. The scoop on several popular fiber choices for socks: COTTON is affordable and easy to find in a wide variety of colors. Although cotton does not wick moisture away like wool or linen, it is comfortable and cushiony. Socks woven from Sea-island cotton, with its long-staple fiber, offer a soft, silky feel. WOOL is available in a variety of thicknesses, including heavier socks for warmth during cooler weather. Modern wools are itch-free and smooth, while still providing the insulation and breathability that make wool a timeless favorite. CASHMERE delivers the ultimate in sock luxury. The lightweight fibers warm without adding bulk, giving you a good fit and unsurpassed comfort. BLENDS combine the attributes of two types of fibers. Supplementing natural fibers with small amounts of spandex often gives socks better elasticity without sacrificing breathability....

Dressing Up The Tweed Sport Coat

Feb 03 2014

Tweeds hail from the leisure traditions of the English countryside, and offer you a more relaxed look than your workday suit—but that doesn’t mean your tailored tweed sport coat can’t look fantastic. Tweeds are a perfect bridge between dressy and casual options in your wardrobe: it’s all in the pairings you create. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Consider adding a light-gauge sweater under the jacket. A vest offers another great opportunity to add a splash of color without overwhelming the eye. If you’re looking for a lighter option, skip the sweater or vest, and bring in one of your more casual ties. A tweed sport coat looks great over a checked shirt with a plaid tie. Don’t forget to accessorize—a pocket square can work with a tweed jacket. Be sure to choose colors for your square that work well with the jacket. Matte fabrics will often harmonize better with...

J Kent Erickson

Coats & Jackets

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Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

The Versatile Vest

Oct 04 2011

Vests can be excellent mix-and-match wardrobe pieces. Rather than limiting their use to the three-piece suit, use versatile vests as coordinating pieces for sport coats and trousers. Consider having vests personalized to your taste—lapels, pockets, fabric, and fit can all be custom-crafted to create timeless pieces that will give you extra options with your existing shirts, trousers, and coats. Traditionally, vests are made of the same fabric as a jacket or trousers. They can also draw on contrasting colors, or simply use a base color from the jacket or trousers. When creating combinations, keep fabric choices (tweed, silk, cotton, wool) similar enough to avoid an awkward pairing....

J Kent Erickson

Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

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Seasonal Attire

Summer Wardrobe

Jul 31 2010

The blustery days of spring turn into a distant memory when the weather warms up. And your warm winter suit, so helpful a few months ago, can soon seem too heavy to wear. Keep your cool this summer—without losing your professional look—by crafting a summer wardrobe with style. Your tools? Summer wardrobe-worthy fabrics in wool, linen, silk, and cotton. Wool can still be your wardrobe’s best friend during the sun-friendly months. Simply keep to lightweight versions (look for tropical or summer weight fabrics) to retain the breathability of wool’s natural fibers without the warmth of the winter weights. Linen fabrics offer a looser weave than wool, which lets air circulate to keep you cool without compromising style by dressing down. Minimize your linen suit’s wrinkles by tailoring the fit to your shape. Baggy trousers and an oversized coat will wrinkle more than a suit that moves with you. Silks and silk blends drape beautifully...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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