All a twitter

I was mindlessly checking my phone last week as I waited at the bank. It was a random thought that I tweeted from @designerDEPT728 to @mrjoezee: you need a tee that says 'you may not think so now, but I will be right by the end of this episode.' Mostly because as the mentor of Sundance Channel's All on the Line, Joe Zee has amazing insight into the fashion industry, and also because the designers that don't listen to him wind up paying for it in the end (who goes into a huge buyer appointment, and wants to come out of it without an order, seriously!). As luck would have it, Joe Zee saw the post, retweeted it, and replied! I was super-excited! So I figured the least I could do is actually make him the tee. I had to do a little research to get his office address, and I guessed the size, so let's hope it fits, and he likes it (I'm crossing my fingers).

Midwest to West Coast

For a long time I really thought that I would spend my whole life in Chicago. I love the city, and I feel a deep connection to the area. Recently, though, I took it upon myself to go somewhere new. I am now a resident of Los Angeles, and I am excited to get to know the new city. Things are definitely different here. I find that more of the people I interact with are creative, and a lot more of the men in the area are the athletic build that DEPT728's athletic fit t-shirts are made for! I may not be at home yet, but I think LA will grow on me.

Being a Square

Men at the beach fall into 3 different categories: Guys who work out, guys who are naturally thin, and those who should be wearing a t-shirt. For some reason I have seen the swimsuit of choice for most men be distinctly against the type of body they have. For example, there have been quite a few times that a man who needs to get to a gym show up at the beach in a Speedo, and the guy with the 6-pack is lounging in a pair of long board shorts. While everyone should feel comfortable at the beach I don't think that a big man in a small Speedo is good for the other spectators who will be subjected to the view. On the other hand, though, the muscular guys really should look into more revealing swim wear. The board shorts are fine, but square cut swimsuits are far more exciting. Someone who works that hard on his body should really show more off. It used to be that small bathing suits on men meant that they only belonged to certain parts of society, but I think that it's about time for the square cut to make it into mainstream society. Women have already passed the point where backless and super short dresses are considered acceptable attire so men should be given a little slack as well. Besides, us girls will be much more tempted to go sightseeing at the beach.

Oil and Water

Boys: Gals notice your shoes. We know that you do not own thousands of pairs (except for the hipsters who collect sneakers...but that's another story). We expect you to take care of the ones you have. Mink oil is your best friend. Shoes get dirty. Mink oil reconditions the leather and emulsifies the dirt and grime. The most expensive shoes can look cheap after a lot of wear and tear. Take care of your shoes. Oil them up.

xoxo,

Ruth

The Birds...

The warmer weather tends to bring about more opportunities for men and women to engage in flirtatious behavior. Remember that the more there is to look at the longer the female eye will will stay in one place. Take a chance with your spring wardrobe and give us girls something to compliment. Even the most shy girl will take the opportunity to compliment an attractive, well dressed man. Make that work in your favor this season.

xoxo,

Ruth

Popping the Cherry

Since the very beginning we have had a following within Chicago. A few of my old contacts and friends became big fans of the clothing Dept 728 has to offer. Thankfully those few people have spread our name by word of mouth over the last year and a half that we have been in business. Since putting up the website we decided to actually incorporate the ability to purchase online. While lots of people have gone to http://www.dept728.com/ they had yet to actually buy something straight from the website. This week was the beginning of our online retail success when we started receiving orders through the website. I am so excited to show people across the country what Dept 728 is all about. I am obsessed with fit and proportion. The lines of the menswear are specifically engineered to work with the body and fit men in a very streamlined kind of way. I believe that we have something very unique to offer the fashion world, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do so.

xoxo,

Ruth

I Know What Boys Like

When I was in design school my construction-oriented design sense was considered somewhat subdued. Now, it is a reflection of my design sensibility that appeals to lots of men. Menswear is generally an area where a little bit of designing goes a long way. Overly complicated clothing is too much of a hassle for men, and overly designed pieces can be overwhelming. The simple updates to classic pieces work well to update a guy's closet. Well used details give a lot of style to a basic ensemble which is what Dept728 has come to be synonymous with. Who knew designing basics would be so much fun?

xoxo,

Ruth

The Cotton Condom

Somehow I never tire of talking about the cotton condom. Let me explain exactly what this is: Men with truly fantastic physiques who only seem to wear t-shirts that are entirely too small for them. The t-shirt is so tight, in fact, that the fabric is pulling underneath the armpits in an attempt to stretch itself across the buff wearer's chest. So essentially, the garment is no longer considered a t-shirt, it's more like a cotton condom. I used to think it was amusing, but now I just want to shake the guys wearing them and tell them to get a clue. I am sure that with all the hard work that they do at the gym they deserve to show off their physique, but enough is enough. Fit is something that everyone needs to find. Sometimes it's harder to get clothes to fit correctly when you are shaped differently than most of the population, but that is no excuse. Dept728, for one, created an athletic fit specifically for the gym rats so that they can wear something that shows off their v-shaped torsos without pulling too tightly in the chest or being too loose in the waist. Other lines do have some sort of athletic fit shirt as well. So sometimes it takes a little more effort to find something that fits, but wearing a t-shirt that looks like it's from the kids department is not the answer.
xoxo,
Ruth

Argyle

It used to be that argyle was reserved for only stuffy older gentlemen in navy sport coats. Nowadays even Wyclef Jean will wear an argyle sweater. The tricky part of sporting an updated look with argyle is in the context. A basic argyle sweater worn alone over jeans looks more modern than a sweater vest over a button down shirt. A screen-printed argyle hoodie can be worn under a sport coat for a more funky look, or an electric aqua argyle sweater will look modern with a flat front trouser for something more traditional. The interest will lie in the details with argyle. It can be in the color, the method, or the application. As long as it's a new interpretation of a classic the look will not draw any associations with being stuffy.

xoxo,

Ruth

P.S. Looking for some funky argyle? Check out Dept728's argyle

t-shirt vest at www.dept728.com/bt6x.html

Small Man, Big Clothing

I receive many questions regarding sizes for men. For those that are big and tall there are many options available (though skinny jeans are not one of them). For smaller men, however, it gets a bit harder to find clothing that fits correctly. Most designers start at a 38 or 40 jacket, and go up from there. For those that are 36 jacket and below it is even more important to find close fitting clothing. Loose clothing on a small frame looks a little like a boy his dad's clothing. Swimming is a great sport, but not something that should be done while a person is dressed. Finding clothes that fit closely to the body make a narrower man look broader. Obviously, tailoring will also be necessary on most clothing in order to really suit the smaller man's build. Darting in woven shirts, hemming on pants, and a little shaping on jackets will make everything look custom made.

xoxo,

Ruth

P.S. For any style questions of to get custom made t-shirts from Dept728 email me at Dept728@gmail.com

Metallics

Shiny things are the first things to catch my eye. Most babies are responsive to shiny objects from an early age. The funny thing about metallic clothing and accessories is that there is a very thin line between glam and garish. For women, it is best to keep metallics to a minimum. A simple metallic shirt under a cute jacket, or a great metallic shoe can make any regular outfit pop. As for men, metallic clothing is bound to look like you are channeling an early Elton John. A little metallic in a tie, shoe or belt, however, can add interest to any man's look. Patent leather is also an alternative if you are looking for the gloss without the metal. For the most part, though, it is safe to say that if you are a man adverse to incorporating metallics into your own wardrobe, buying some for your girlfriend instead is an acceptable course of action.

xoxo,

Ruth

Socks

Socks are a strangely important part of a man's outfit. Here are a few necessary guidelines for socks and the modern man:

1. Dark trouser socks are the best bet when you can't tell what to wear

2. White tube socks are never appropriate (unless you are in the movie Juno)

3. Low cut athletic socks are great as long as they are paired with casual clothing

4. Themed trouser socks are only good for a laugh (do not wear them to serious functions)

5. Going without socks is very European, but not appropriate for more formal occasions

Dapper

Men look so much better slightly over-dressed. Women respond to clothing as a cue to the stability of the man. A man in a suit is more attractive than a guy running around in a tee shirt and jeans. Some women are attracted to the bad boys and are more attracted to the man in ripped jeans, hoodie, and leather jacket, but they are making an unconscious effort to find someone unstable. Men tend to underestimate how important their clothing is. A little bit of ironing and tailoring goes a long way. Subconsciously it indicates a confidence that women read as a sign of stability, and stability is more attractive than looks. When shopping for clothing, men should find items that fit really well on their bodies, but also that can be a little more dressy if necessary. Dark denim will go more places than a pair of distressed jeans. The darker denim will also look a little more clean and classic. Even if a guy wants to wear nothing more than tee shirts and jeans there are ways to make that a bit more dressy. Tee shirts made of fine fabrics (rayon and silk knits, or combed mercerized cotton) which fit very well are leagues ahead of that $2 Hanes tee. Smart graphics and interesting details (not illustrations of bikini clad women) will add interest as well. It may take a little more time to find, but in the end it will ratchet your look into another echelon of style.

xoxo,

Ruth

P.S. To see some of our interesting graphic tees go to www.dept728.com/graphict.html

Shoes

I saw a really funny sticker the other day which said "I have more shoes than my girl does." It was amusing to me because it is a rather recent development that men have developed a shoe fetish. All the really bright sneakers and limited edition shoes out there have created a culture of men who collect shoes with more gusto than a woman drooling over some Jimmy Choo heels. Perhaps because men are naturally more competitive, or just because they are trying to make up for lost time, I feel they are surpassing females very quickly in this area. The only downside I see is that the man used to be the one to make sure that his girlfriend's shoes didn't get dirty as she walked down the street. Now, they are more concerned with their own kicks to bother watching out for ours. I watched my male friend clean his favorite white sneakers the other night for over 30 minutes! As long as it keeps men silent about how much women spend on shoes, however, I am willing to embrace the change.

xoxo,

Ruth

Top Ten for Men

1. A very well tailored jacket with a surprising lining
2. Pocket squares will slightly alarming prints
3. Button down shirts with great texture
4. A chunky watch
5. Dark rinse denim with a straight leg
6. A graphic tee which has a graphic in an unexpected place
7. Layers
8. A great face-framing haircut
9. A 'man'-icure (trimmed, buffed nails)
10. Interesting athletic shoes

Food

One of my guy friends explained to me that men can only know colors as blue, yellow, orange, etc. Salmon and mango, are not colors to men, they are food, and food alone. What I think is strange about that philosophy is that some of the best colors out there are described by foods. Sage, tangerine, persimmon, cerise, candy apple red, salmon, butter yellow, peach, eggplant, and berry are fantastic shades. In our current collection of basic tees we have a shade called butter. Food, like color, is delicious and should be indulged in regularly. I know, as a woman, I am constantly overjoyed when I meet a guy with a fantastic sense of style which is almost always coupled with a great sense of color. I don't see it as being 'manly' when a guy doesn't know of a certain color. In fact, guys get more kudos for being aware of them. Clearly he is either well read or pays attention to the other women in his life enough to know.

xoxo,

Ruth

P.S. To see our butter tee go to www.dept728.com/bt2x.html

The Skinny

Ties for men, are similar to women and shoes. Some women have 100s of shoes, and some men have 100s of ties. Just like whether or not a woman has the build to wear shoes with ankle straps (note: most women should not, it visually cuts off the leg) men cannot always pull off a skinny tie. The skinny tie is a definite fashion statement. It is hip, mod, and very chic. Most trends, however, are not suited to all people. Skinny ties are the same. For most men, proportion is everything. The smaller the man, the better off he is with a smaller (skinnier) tie. Dior Homme has skinny suits and skinny ties for skinny men. Medium builds can usually wear skinny ties as long as they are paired with a sport coat to narrow the visual field. Larger builds, though, should stick with a more traditional tie. The proportion of a traditional tie on a broader man will make for a more attractive ensemble, or forgo the tie completely and buy a fantastic pocket square.

xoxo,

Ruth

1...2...3...Piece Suiting

Some say that American men have become overly casual. There are days where I walk down the street and think that this statement is true. Tuesday, however, threw me for a loop. Ironically, I was in the loop in Chicago. I had been downtown on a job and was walking through a building on the way back to the train. Down the corridor I notice a handsome, tall, well dressed man walking in the opposite direction. He was wearing a fantastic light brown suit, and had worn a lightweight maroon zip sweater over his collared shirt, and underneath his jacket. The suit was impeccably tailored, and the dash of color in the center was genius. I am sure I stared at him a bit too long because he caught me looking at him. I know that I must not have been the only woman to notice him that day. Kudos to the American men out there who understand the art of dressing!
xoxo,
Ruth

P.S. If you are thinking of rocking a vest underneat your sportcoat check out DEPT728's argyle vest at www.dept728.com/bt6x.html