Off the Cuff

TDestination: Sun Valley, Idaho
TDestination: Sun Valley, Idaho
Photo credits:  Halsey Pierce Sun Valley, created by New York railroad scion Averill Harriman and winter playground for names like Hanks and Eastwood, is known for its 300+ days of... Read more...
Indian Wells Tennis Gardens
TDestination: Indian Wells
  Fans of the game agree, the PNB Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Gardens is a Top 10 must-see in the world of pro tennis tournaments.  Some would argue that, due... Read more...
TDining: Adana Restaurant, Seattle
TDining: Adana Restaurant, Seattle
Photos credits: Suzi Pratt Photography Reborn to Reconnect We recently sat down with young-chef-old-soul and self-described "hopeless romantic", Shota Nakajima, to talk about his newly re-launched restaurant, Adana, his personal journey... Read more...
Maple Leaf Bar, New Orleans
TDestination: NOLA
  Friends of Thomas Dean, Scott and Jean Manning, met and lived in New Orleans for over a decade.  To say they're enthusiasts would be vastly understating their passion. The... Read more...
TDesign: The Right Fit - Big & Tall
TDesign: The Right Fit - Big & Tall
Fit FAQ Q:  "I want to buy my boyfriend a Thomas Dean shirt for his birthday. I'm looking in his closet and his TD shirts say XLT.  But I see... Read more...
To Tuck or Not to Tuck
To Tuck or Not to Tuck
When did the simple act of donning a shirt become so complicated?  Do you really need to be told when to wear your shirt tucked in or out?  Yeah, you... Read more...
Father's Day: On Clothing and Lessons Learned
My father, who passed away late last year, had many beliefs. Punctuality is next to godliness. Good pitching beats good hitting. Never let the truth interfere with a good story. But from a wardrobe standpoint, he believed most fervently in one thing: the sportcoat. Even though he was a top-flight executive in the sports world for half a century, he never owned a suit in his adult life. When the family packed up my parents (who'd both recently turned 80) to move to their more modest cluster home, my sisters... Read more...
No-Risk Style Upgrade #1: Denim
No-Risk Style Upgrade #1: Denim
  Fear not the denim!  The most versatile of fabrics, it's no wonder denim became the workhorse of the working-man's wardrobe.  But you don't have to look like a cowboy... Read more...
Dean Holly: On Russell Wilson’s Good Man Brand of Clothing
BRIAN: Dean, your friend, Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Russell Wilson has partnered with Thomas Dean to start a line of clothes. How’d that come about? DEAN: Good luck and good timing, I guess. It happens that my wife, Trudy, shares a personal trainer with a Seattle Seahawk player’s wife, and being the great ambassador of the brand that she is, Trudy invited them to take a look at our clothes, which they both just loved. It took off from there. Russell Wilson started noticing how well put-together that player... Read more...
Volume 3 of Thomas Dean Team's Holiday Film Faves
It’s snuggle time. And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the final installment of Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves,  THE FILM: Miracle on 34th Street THE ERA: Late 1940s THE CLOTHES: Lady hats, shoulder pads, and lots of nice wool suitings, wide lapels, dress shirts, ties, and one Santa outfit. WHY IT’S GREAT: The twinkle in the eye of Kris Kringle alone should be enough to convert even the most cynical of heart. THE FILM: National... Read more...
Volume 2 of Thomas Dean Team's Holiday Film Faves
It’s snuggle time. And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves, Volume 2. Check back later for more picks. THE FILM: Elf THE ERA: Early 2000s THE CLOTHES: Peter Dinklage in contrasting collar & cuffs plus shawl-lapel vest, Will Ferrell slaying a pair of curly-toed slip-ons. WHY IT’S GREAT: It’s a good-natured family flick that’s charming, funny and features Zooey Deschanel & Will Ferrell totally nailing “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” THE... Read more...
Volume 1 of Thomas Dean Team's Holiday Film Faves
And what goes great with a couch and a loved one? A list of binge-watch worthy holiday classics. I humbly submit the Thomas Dean team’s all-time faves, Volume 1. Check back after the 15th for more picks.   THE FILM: Eight Crazy Nights THE ERA: Early 2000s THE CLOTHES: Referee’s uniforms, winter coats, judge’s robe. WHY IT’S GREAT: It is the rare holiday musical whose lyrics include, “ass” and “porta-potty.” THE FILM: A Christmas Carol THE ERA: The 19th century filmed in the 1950s THE CLOTHES: Top hats, overcoats, and... Read more...
TDesign: Is It Time to Change Your Pants?
TDesign: Is It Time to Change Your Pants?
The best style tip I ever read was this: On a day when you're feeling a little taller, standing a little straighter, and you’ve got an unexplained bounce in your... Read more...
I Shall Wear the Bottoms of My Trousers Rolled” –TS Elliott
The Cape in Autumn: sand dunes, oyster shacks, a cigar stroll amid the wildflowers. There is a very definite style to the architecture here, but even more so to the clothing. Whether you’re checking out the cranberry festival or relaxing on the ferry back from Provincetown, you’ll notice that the natives have an effortless style that seems perfectly appropriate for clambakes and concerts alike. Sure, the pant legs might be rolled up for a sunset walk on the beach, or clipped to keep your bike chain from catching, but the... Read more...
TDesign: How the Chambray Blazer Bridges Summer, Autumn
TDesign: How the Chambray Blazer Bridges Summer, Autumn
Depending on where you live and the time of day, late summer can present you with sartorial challenges. Blistering sun? Cool evening breeze? Light drizzle? How do you prepare for... Read more...
Looking Hot, Staying Cool; Solving Summer
Style doesn’t have to take a vacation just because it’s summer. June, July and August are three months in which men generally swap fashion for comfort. The cargo shorts, the jerky t-shirts, the “mandals” all have their place, but that place is in your driveway, washing your ride, not squiring your girlfriend around downtown, or dining al fresco with friends. Ditto your younger cousin’s graduation, your sister’s outdoor wedding, or when the boss springs for club seats at the ballpark and there are waiters, not vendors involved. So what’s a... Read more...
Healthy, Robust Pink
Blue for boys, pink for girls, right? Well, it wasn’t always that way. In the early 20th century, and right up through WW2, pink was seen as synonymous with health, vigor and strength...just right for an early 1900s boy. Blue, on the other hand was thought of as more delicate and dainty – a better fit for a little girl. Fellas, it’s time to reclaim pink. It’s a shade of red. Red like a matador’s cape. Red like a firetruck. Red like Michael Jordan’s jersey. See? Nothing to be afraid... Read more...
TDiversions: Totally Subjective Top Ten Love Stories of All Time.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day here’s my: Totally Subjective Top Ten Love Stories of All Time.   Spoiler alert, you will not find The English Patient or anything with Hugh Grant in it on my list. 10. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Gangster chic. Two beautiful people meet, fall in love and, very elegantly, rob banks. Remember the banks were the bad guys in the foreclosure-heavy 1930s, so this criminally well-dressed duo was sticking it to the enemy. 9. Say Anything (1989) Putting the “boom!” back in boombox, John Cusack... Read more...
What’s So Great About 100% Zegna Baruffa Extra-fine Merino Wool? (Turns out, plenty.)
  1. It’s light, and crazy warm: Punching way above its weight class, it has a weight-to-warmth metric that other materials can’t come close to. 2. It’s a 3-season material: It is called extra-fine for a reason. It breathes, and unlike bulky wool sweaters, can be layered in late September or fly solo in early May, and all of the days in between. 3. It’s the highest grade of Merino wool: Remember the Cadillac Cimarron? The Chevy-Cavalier-with-a-hood-ornament was a Cadillac in name, but it didn’t fool anyone. Those big box... Read more...
Musings of a Thoughtfully Dressed Gentleman
If the place you work is populated with enough characters, you may notice that there are certain roles that people play. Maybe there’s The Crossword Puzzle Guy. Or The Gossip. The Crisis Magnet. The Oversharer. The Lady with Three Cats, All of Whom Have the First Name of Mister. I’m the Style Guy where I work. People stop by, if not daily, then at least thrice weekly to see what I’m up to clothing-wise. They’ve seen polka-dot socks, Ivy-league inspired sport coats, and a bangin’ pair of suede oxfords that... Read more...
Cloaked in confidence: Notes on dressing well.
Just off a flight from LaGuardia to Cleveland, I was returning home from a speaking gig in New York.  Still dressed in my keynote best, I was staring ahead, zombie-like, on that moving sidewalk thing at the airport when, from the other direction, came a voice. “You’re killing that blazer!” smiled this perfect stranger. (I actually was killing that blazer).  “Thanks!” was all I could manage as we were moved at 3 MPH toward opposite ends of the airport. A total stranger just complimented not only my sport coat, but... Read more...
The Easy Day to Date Details
Women have it easy. Day to date means adding a little more eyeliner, tossing on some stilettos and adding a chunky necklace. Simple. But for guys,  how do you make the transition from day to play when you barely have enough time  to catch the train, never mind make a stop at home? It's not as difficult as you might think. It's really all about the colors and the accessories which are easy enough to toss in your briefcase or backpack. First, if you have scheduled dinner plans with a... Read more...
Top Ten Best Things About Fall
  10. Pumpkin- and cinnamon- flavored everything. 9.  Cardigans, Quarter-zips and pullovers. 8.  The colors of the leaves turn every outdoor scene into a painterly masterpiece. 7.  Two words: Plaid blazers. 6.  The marching band at the local high school (unless you live next door to the local high school). 5.  Casseroles, stew, chili  and soup. 4.  Friday night football.  Saturday afternoon football.  Sunday football. 3.  Oktoberfest 2.  Long-sleeved cotton shirts. 1.  Daylight Savings Time. Read more...
Why You'll be Wild About Wool This Season
When you were twelve years-old your grandmother probably bought you a wool sweater for the holidays. Maybe it had snowflakes on it. Maybe it was in a weird shade of brown. Whatever the exact sweater looked like, you don't remember. What you do remember is itching. Sitting in class, you scratched at your neck and pushed at the sleeves. You couldn't wait to take it off the minute you got home. Things are different now. On a farm in New Zealand is a field with happy sheep under sunny skies.... Read more...
Fit for Fall
Some lucky fellows have been genetically gifted with the lean gene.  Some of us have to work harder to stay trim. As more American males are logging hours to stay fit, so are they looking for a leaner, meaner wardrobe to flatter their physic. There is a trending "slim fit" phenom in men's fashion.  If you're not ready to dive into the uber-trim fit look quite yet, consider the option of a "tailored" fit.  Designed for an athletic build, tailored cuts fit closer to the body than a traditional shirt... Read more...
Trending Now: The New Colors of Fall
The brilliant folks over at Pantone always have their pulse firmly on color trends, like naming Radiant Orchid the Color of the Year for 2014. So, when we started pinning our fashion boards for men's fashion this fall, we, of course, turned to Pantone to see what they recommended. While autumn typically suggests muted and rich colors (navy, eggplant, evergreen and rust) for the cooler seasons, this season is lighter and brighter. Think Bright Cobalt and Royal Blue, Aurora Red and Sangria. Even the expected slate grey and dark brown are lightened... Read more...
The 5 Shirts Every Man Needs in His Closet
The blue oxford shirt is ubiquitous. So is the blue blazer. Throw in a pair of khakis and that is pretty much the safe uniform for any guy in any season. It's classic and it works. So, we started thinking about other must-have's starting with shirts. If you had to narrow down your closet to just five essential shirts, what would they be? Here are our suggestions for your top five shirts that are a good base for the rest of your wardrobe. The White Shirt Linen or cotton, the... Read more...
Get Ready to Tailgate!
Summer is easy. It's sunshine, corn on the cob, barbecues, t-shirts and shorts. In just a few weeks though,  it's back to school, sweaters, crisp autumn air and tailgating. Here at Thomas Dean, we think tailgates are an ideal way to kick off a game. We wondered what makes a tailgate party memorable. So we posed this question to some of our favorite tailgating friends  and here is a compilation of advice to help you create your own perfect tailgating party. Even if you're not a Gator Tailgater, check out... Read more...
Celebrating the Fourth: Beach, Baseball, BBQ and Boardwalk
Earlier this morning, as we were planning for the week, here in the studio we started talking about our plans for the Fourth of July and what we decided is that Independence Day is just such a perfect holiday. There are no gifts to buy, no deciding whose house you have to go to on which day and no stress. It's just a holiday where we remember our history and we relax with the people we love. So, we started to make a list of the things we love about... Read more...
The Pleasure of a Saturday Morning
  Summer Saturday mornings. Those three words are meant to be together. They roll off the tongue lazily like warm taffy in the sun. Saturday mornings are the best because they're languid. On Saturday mornings, we grab the dog and head out to the city park for a walk, stopping along the way for an iced espresso. There's the farmer's market for bright, still dewy produce, samplings of small batch blue cheese or Haddock fresh off the boat. Saturday mornings are top down trips to the harbor, bicycle rides through... Read more...
Who's Your Daddy?
What defines a dad? He fixes things like flat tires and broken hearts. When we were little, he taught us to shake hands like we meant it, to look people in the eye when we spoke, and to always follow through on promises.  With or without biological ties, he showed us that caring for someone isn't exclusively a feminine trait. So, whether you're called pop, dad, daddy, father, grandpa or uncle, or even by your given first name, this message is for you.  This Father's Day, we may be getting... Read more...
Cool Summer Style
Summer days. These two words go together like beer and baseball, Nantucket and sailing, convertibles and the Beach Boys. Summer days are long, hot, sunny, perfect. They can also be humid, mosquito-filled and unbelievably broiling. There are ways, however, to keep your cool, to look like you own this whole summer thing. The key is cotton and linen. Lots of it. Cotton will keep you cool. Linen always looks fresh. Yes, linen gets wrinkled but really, that just gives it soul. We wouldn't recommend a linen shirt under a suit... Read more...
Great Gifts for Grads
Sure. They just completed four years of higher learning and now they are about to launch themselves into the big grown-up world but that doesn't mean the graduation gift has to be boring. If you have a graduate in your life and you're looking for the perfect, clever gift, try one these items below that will make them as grateful as the day they finished their last final exam. 1. A toolbox complete with tools. When I graduated from college, my grandmother presented me with my first toolbox. I thought... Read more...
How to Dress Like a Star (hint: it's about the fit)
George Clooney always looks good in photos. So do Michael Buble and Don Cheadle. These are men who know how to dress. Whether it's a pale blue linen shirt worn with a pair of khakis or a tuxedo, these men wear clothes with ease. It isn't that every piece of clothing is tailored to them. It's that they know how to dress. Somewhere along the line, a costume designer, a publicist or maybe a fashion conscious significant other taught them that when a shirt fits like it was made for... Read more...
How to Care For a Shirt
  It seems easy enough. You shop online or you're browsing in your favorite store and you find "The Shirt." It's just the pop of color you were looking for. You know the cut of this brand fits you like it was designed for you. You  slip it on, you go to work, out to dinner and then you toss in the laundry, right? Wait, or do you dry clean it?  There really is an art to caring for a shirt and we're about to make it easy to remember. Start... Read more...
The Best Spring Break Beaches
Spring Break used to mean Ft. Lauderdale, 6 college students to a room, sunburns and cheap booze. Sure, if you really wanted to, you could still do that, but you're older and you're wiser and frankly, the days of living with 5 other guys in one hotel room are over. We wondered what else was out there for best beaches and we found so many tantalizing options that we're ready to pack our bags: swim trunks, polos, shorts and a few linen shirts. Good to go. Here are our picks... Read more...
The TD Aisle Style Contest
Creamy white Gardenias with trailing cornflower blue Sweet Peas in silver Mint Julep tumblers.  A reclaimed wooden sign with you and your beloved's name carved into it. An ivory gown with delicate silk buttons that falls perfectly, gently off your shoulders. You thought of everything that will make your day special, a day that will make you smile every time you glance at the photo of the two of you laughing together, backlit by the setting sun. It will be perfect.   The girls will be in their pale blue silk... Read more...
How to Wear Radiant Orchid, the Color of the Year
If you're wondering why you saw Emerald Green everywhere last year, you can thank the folks over at Pantone for that. They were also the ones who called 2012 The Year of Tangerine Tango and 2011 The Year of Honeysuckle. So, who exactly is Pantone and why do they get to choose the Color of the Year? Pantone is, in fact, a subsidiary of X-Rite Incorporated, a world-renowned authority on color. They are the company responsible for forecasting which shade will be the one trending throughout the design industries from... Read more...
Sochi - Opening Ceremony Style
 (Phil Noble, Reuters) We were all set to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Olympics. We had cocoa. We had popcorn. We had a scorecard.  Sure, most of the opening ceremony fashion was predictable - wintery, puffy jackets and snow pants. However, some attire just thrilled us to pieces. Take the Tongans. I mean, seriously, palm trees on a down coat? Gold! (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) We also gave high style points to the French. Their puffy grey blazer and khaki pants reminded us a bit of parochial school... Read more...
Top Ten Reasons To Wear a Pink Shirt
[caption id="attachment_278" align="alignleft" width="198"] The Thomas Dean Windowpane Button Down Sport Shirt[/caption] Last summer I was having dinner with a friend at Brant Point Grill  on Nantucket. It was a balmy night in early June and I arrived a little earlier than my dining companion did, but when he arrived, we all turned to look at him in the doorway. Backlit by the setting sun like the hero in a romantic comedy, in his khakis, navy blue blazer and crisp pink shirt, he made quite the appearance. There is something... Read more...
The Perfect 'Big Game' Coat
So, you were lucky enough to score tickets to The Big Game coming up. Have you looked at the temperatures in the greater New York region? Zero. Zero degrees. Luckily for you, you can cheer on your favorite team in the Thomas Dean Ultra-Light Down Jacket. Sure you might have worn a 'puffer' coat  in college but hey, now you're grown up and you know that you can have both style + warmth if you know what to look for. Our version of the quilted classic is lightweight, remarkably packable... Read more...
Lansky's, Elvis & That Johnny Cash Myth
Here at Thomas Dean design, we are fascinated by style. We live and breathe it. We dive into archives and we love meeting clothiers who share the same passion for design, cut and style, like Julie Lansky, granddaughter of Bernard Lansky, Clothier to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Memphis, Tennessee, wander over to The Peabody Hotel and discover a shop called Lansky at The Peabody. Why? Because as any resident of Memphis will tell you, this is where one young star... Read more...
TD Style Council No. 1: Holiday Parties
Q: What do you recommend for a holiday party? I'd like a look that's different from what I usually wear to the office. A: Rule #1 – Be comfortable and you’ll be confident. Have immaculately fitting foundation pieces always at the ready.  Spend the money to get one classic blazer or suit tailored to perfection.  Have shoes and a belt that match.  Done! Now the fun begins.  Remember, you’re going to a party, not the office!  If your doorman/daughter/date can’t tell the difference, head back to the closet. Look for that... Read more...
As Seen on TV: "Hart of Dixie"
One of my favorite TV indulgences is watching The CW's  "Hart of Dixie." It makes me yearn for sweet tea and warm afternoons rocking on the front porch. This week during the cold snap I curled up in front of the fire (wishing for those warm summer days) and caught up on several "Hart of Dixie" episodes. That is when I saw it -- Mayor Lavon Hayes wearing a very familiar shirt. I know that shirt well. It is, in fact, one of my favorite Thomas Dean shirts and actor... Read more...
December 10th: get vested
There is something about a man in a vest. It reminds me of Cary Grant, crisp autumn walks in Central Park with hot apple cider in hand and classic movies. A man who wears a vest knows fashion. He knows that throwing on a vest with a pair of dark jeans and a blazer works for both work and date night. It gives him that edge but it doesn't look like he's trying too hard. Now is the perfect time to be that classic guy. Today (December 10th), buy a... Read more...
this week's thomas dean giveaway
My grandmother used to tell me that a good way to judge a man was by his shoes. "If he takes care of his shoes, tj, he is one to hold onto." I know what she would say about a man who wears Thomas Dean Made in Italy shoes. "This a man who knows quality. This is a man you bring home to meet your grandmother." Grandmothers always give the best advice, don't they? Here's another piece of advice: This week enter to win Thomas Dean's Suit Yourself for the... Read more...
The TED way to tie your shoes
[caption id="attachment_132" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Choose a pair of Thomas Dean chukkas to test out your new skills.[/caption] Since the day your parents taught you to tie your first pair of shoes, you've actually been tying your laces wrong. Watch this TED talk and see the right way to form the knot. We tried it. It worked. You're welcome. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFcV7zuUDA] Read more...