A note on influences.

Before we begin making specific recommendations regarding items of clothing, we thought it would be appropriate to acknowledge our influences for the sake of "full disclosure." While we don't strictly follow a certain identified men's style, we are probably most often influenced by the "trad" and "preppy" traditions. A paragraph from the article linked in the last sentence helps explain why trad influences our choices:

All of which helps explain the current appeal of American “trad,” short for traditional: an Ivy League–inflected style that’s managed to retain an old-school sensibility without seeming dated or costumelike. Trad is, quite simply, a safe haven for sartorially selective gentlemen amid the ever-growing chaos of department stores and runways.

In the more conservative Midwest, trad-influenced clothing choices represent a safer way to upgrade your daily wardrobe. Many trad looks may be considered "normal," albeit dressier, which makes it a great option for a blog focused on upgrading your daily business dress from the short-sleeve polo shirt and your casual wear from t-shirts and cargos. Preppy is often thought of as an Ivy-influenced style that is more fashion-forward than trad, so it may be a better choice for those of you looking to stand out a bit more.

That being said, we don't limit our influences to trad and preppy and wouldn't recommend you do, either, unless you're certain you're content with those styles. Our recommendations for finding your own style include sources that will present you with options far beyond those found in the trad or preppy traditions, so consider them as you continue to develop your personal style.