Off the Cuff

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...
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...
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: 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...
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...
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...