Back With a Bang

A Polo by Ralph Lauren unlined wool/angora jacket, 1980s Ray Ban shooting glasses, and 12-gauge Beretta shotgun make for a classic hunting look. Clay pigeons only, natch.

The Brilliant Mister Bastian

The weather is finally getting nicer and already this guy's got me longing for fall. Check out some of my favorite looks from two Michael Bastian-designed collections for fall: his eponymous line,




and from his much-talked-about collaboration with Gant.

This guy's unstoppable. Fall 2010, here we come.

Seven Days of Fall | Day 7

The Sneak Peek

Preppy fave Vampire Weekend has made waves since their self-titled debut in 2008, laying Cape Cod-inspired lyrics over African drum beats to create an upbeat sound all their own. Though their new album, Contra, isn't due to be released until this January, they've uploaded their first single "Horchata" for free download on their website. (N.B. - horchata is a milky drink made from the tiger nut, actually the root of a Middle Eastern plant.) If this is a taste of things to come, I'll be drinking horchata all winter.
"Horchata," free download, vampireweekend.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 6

The Custom Slipper

I'm a sucker for a good slipper. Not the fuzzy kind, mind you, but the velvet variety with a leather sole and grosgrain trim. (You can even wear them out of the house!) It's a great way to express one's personality in a subtle, or not so subtle, way. Stubbs and Wootton, a brand once favored by crusty Locust Valley types, has become something of a crossover hit with a younger generation. They've supplemented the traditional family crests and floral motifs that adorned their shoes for designs a bit more subversive - NYC manhole covers, for instance, and ones that read "Screw You" in clip art (aptly named "College"). Of course, the old styles are still there; we wouldn't want to offend the Upper East Side too much, would we? My favorite new feature, though, is their new virtual bespoke service, where you can pick out your own colors and designs and preview them online. Here are a few of my own designs:

These are probably what Tom Wolfe would refer to as "go to hell shoes" - perfect for Palm Beach:

Stubbs and Wootton Bespoke, $550, stubbsandwootton.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 5

The Gin

Plenty of people I know, who aren't ordinarily selective about their hooch, take strong objection to gin. (I won't name names.) (Judy.) And I understand why - the vast majority of it is basically Christmas tree-flavored vodka. But then there's Aviation, which has little in common with your run of the mill gin. Batch distilled in the Pacific Northwest, this is the kind of gin you'd actually want to drink with a splash of club soda - it's clean, light, and aromatic. It's also perfect in martinis, with a dry tonic like Q tonic, or simply on the rocks with a lime wedge. Save the Christmas trees for Christmas.
Aviation Gin, around $30, better liquor stores and bevmo.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 4

The Puffer Vest

A staple on college campuses everywhere, these versatile layering pieces are perfect for the brisk fall air. Countless designers have shown their take on the puffer vest, ranging from Elizabeth and James' navajo-inspired number (Mary Kate and Ashley's debut menswear collection, might I add) to Brunello Cucinelli's classic gray cashmere version. But if you're not looking to drop two grand on this piece (and who is?), I give you Lands' End, a steal at just $29.50. Hell, you can pick up a few different colors at that price. Layer it over a shirt and sweater or under a blazer and you'll be ready for whatever weather October happens to throw at you.
Men's Down Vest, $29.50, landsend.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 3

The Pumpkin Peel

While the socialites and celebs prefer summering in the Hamptons, for my taste, early fall is the best time to be out there. When the obnoxious hordes head back to the city after Labor Day, the leaves turn gorgeous golden colors, it's a cinch to get a res at Nick & Toni's, and the farmstands bring out the best squash, apples, and pumpkins. And not all of those pumpkins get turned into pumpkin pie and jack-o-lanterns - natural beauty products company Naturopathica harvests them into a face mask. It smells good enough to eat (but don't) and it gives your skin a warm glow that you haven't had since that August tan faded away. Deelish.
Naturopathica Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, $56 for 1.7 oz, naturopathica.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 2

The Bean Boot + The Ragg Sock

With all the buzz about Red Wing boots the past couple seasons, people seem to have forgotten about my personal favorite foul weather friend, the Bean Boot from L.L. Bean. Handsewn in Maine with a chain-tread sole, this low-cut moc is the same one Lisa Birnbach featured in The Official Preppy Handbook. While it's also available in a high-lacing model, why not throw on a snuggly ragg sock to keep your ankles warm? J.Crew's got a pair from Vermont that should do the trick. With cuffed selvedge denim, you walk the (thin) line between Brooklyn yuppie and New England boarding school alum.
Bean Boots, $59, llbean.com; J.Crew Camp Sock, $16.50, jcrew.com

Seven Days of Fall | Day 1

Considering October's right around the corner and the weather is just starting to change, fall seems to finally be here (even in oft-humid D.C.). Time to break out the tweeds and cableknits! With that in mind, here are the seven things I can't live without this fall.

The Cashmere Flannel

Once-stodgy New Haven shirtmaker Gant has been revitalizing itself over the past few years, reviving classics from their archives and hawking their Americana in upscale stores like Barneys. This year, they're celebrating 60 years with six shirts representing the six decades they've been in business. They're all pretty great, but this cashmere/cotton blend flannel stands out in my book. Pair it with a navy blue puffer vest and you won't even need a jacket.
Gant Cashmere Flannel, $235, available soon at gant.com