Bulletin Board 25

Pulling off the sweater-over-shoulder look, some Father's Day hits, and a reason to join Triple A

Given that Father’s Day is in two weeks, there is no way your inbox isn’t filled with gift guides from every brand you’ve ever bought from and then some. But this isn’t a gift guide! It’s a round up of some Wm Brown merch and collabs that you might have missed! Shameless promotion alert! 

Father’s Day Fatigue with Clara

First up, I signed a whole pile of books— The Cocktail Collection (which includes both martini and Negroni books plus some cool coasters), my cookbook, A Man and His Watch, A Man and His Car—and you can order them through my site on these links. There’s also the Wm Brown swag like the target hat, pin, lighter, the handmade ceramic ashtray from Italy, and we just got more Judy Ross x Wm Brown Target Pillows made and in stock. Please order any of the above by June 5 to make sure it arrives on time—our last shipping will go out on June 7. As for my recent collabs, there’s a new watch travel case, and knife and watch rolls from my Negroni tweed collab with Wolf besides the other products we always do with them. You can pick up my latest Sunspel polo in new color ways, and my Venetian slipper collab with Scarosso in five different color combos. For the kitchen there’s my apron collab and the boning knife. The travel umbrella which is handmade in Milan is fantastic–expensive but dad is worth it. Lastly, my friends from Hudson Ranch and I curated two different gift boxes—filled with great stuff like my cookbook, great pantry items, snacks and more….and one that is all of that plus the Wm Brown apron. All of the collabs above ship directly from them, so check on their shipping times to make sure they will arrive on time.

THE ENDORSEMENT

Around this time each year I’ll walk into the Newbury Street Ralph Lauren and catch sight of a cable-knit cashmere sweater tied jauntily over the shoulders of a doeskin blazer or a white linen sportcoat. I’m instantly tempted to replicate the look myself—and then remember that I’m looking at mannequins, not human beings. 

Is the ol’ sweater-tied-around-the-shoulders move something actual human men can pull off? Or is it, like the popped collars that also proliferate on RL mannequins, best left to the window-dressers?

To test out the theory, I gathered intelligence from a couple well-dressed guys known to enact the move with regularity. Learn from each below—and then maybe find the courage to do it yourself. —ERIC TWARDZIK

My ‘80s self has always been torn with the idea of the sweater over the shoulder with arms looped in front. My conflict is that this look was usually worn by some preppy asshole character in a John Hughes movie. The sweater here is some pastel cable knit worn over a white oxford or polo with the collar popped. Those guys had thick blond floppy hair and great physiques. I hated them but secretly wanted to look like them, drive those cars, and get those girls—even though I was a less cool character that John Cusack would have played. Decades later, I still like this style, and admire people who can confidently pull it off. My version of this look is most often a navy merino or cable knit grey cashmere that’s good for the plane, worn over a safari jacket or blazer to dinner on a cool night. I might even wear a sweater over my shoulders with a polo and the collar popped, dreaming of thick floppy blond hair being tossed by the wind in an ‘80s sports car—straight out of a John Hughes picture. —MH

I love the style of wearing a cashmere sweater tied around my neck as it exudes a casual yet sophisticated charm that’s often associated with the preppy aesthetic. This look, which was popularized by style icons of leisure and affluence, combines practicality with elegance, allowing  me to effortlessly layer and adapt to changing temperatures. Lastly, I think it’s cool to see the contrast of a larger man such as myself that typically gives off a more abrasive and even barbaric vibe softened by such a preppy staple. In my opinion it allows more men to appreciate juxtaposition and feel more confident coming out of their comfort zones as well. —ANGEL RAMOS, founder and creative director of Angel Ramos New York

The style of wearing a sweater over the shoulders comes from the necessity to have both hands free—and not being cold enough to put the sweater on. It’s the perfect way of keeping the sweater on you while not having it on you. We wouldn’t call it a style per se, but it does come with some connotations of an easy, unbothered lifestyle. Maybe that’s why it’s so appealing: it adds a bit of drama, bundling up around your neck with the sleeve ends free flowing. You look less put together in a good way! —OLIVER DANNEFALK & CARL PERS, founders of Rubato

Wearing a sweater over the shoulders for me stems from pure function but obviously has a stylish bonus to it. During the winter and transitional months of the year, tossing a light merino or cotton sweater over the shoulders adds just the right amount of warmth needed for my commute to the shop in the crisp air when a scarf isn’t needed or wanted. —GLENN AU, founder of Junior’s

TRAVEL INTEL

There was a time when, if you were going to Europe and renting a car, it was the norm to go to Triple A to get an international driver’s license. But then it seemed that most rental agencies were accepting US licenses, so it had been ages since I had one. Until there was that one time in Sicily when I had reserved a car from Enterprise, and they wouldn’t rent it to me without an international drivers license. Nothing like having to figure out a new car rental when you’ve just landed, there’s the longest line, and you’re tired and starving.

So, when I had the opportunity to grab one, I did. I passed a Triple A in LA (I’m a member and highly recommend it at least for the roadside assistance and towing features!) walked in, and within 10 minutes I had one in hand. An international license is also important if you’re abroad in a rental car and get stopped by the police—you’re subject to a lot of legalities and fines. We witnessed this in front of our apartment here in Rome—an American driver who had parked illegally and didn’t have an international license was fined at least double and held up with red tape. So, go get 'em if you’re planning to rent a car in Europe.