First of all I welcome you back to Expressions Realia. Things are a bit different around here, but it’ll get easier to navigate with time.

You can’t mention Winter without wool. Being this season’s staple, wool is worn in many ways and produced bearing many patterns. One of which is the highly esteemed herringbone pattern. With it’s history as being widely used in various art forms, any article of wool clothing with the herringbone design becomes an instant classical addition to your wardrobe as well as an effective way to add detail to any outfit.

Brief History
The term “herringbone” is used to refer to a unique pattern appearing in trades such as masonry, clothing design, and parquetry (decorative wood). Borrowed from the interesting skeleton of the North Pacific & Atlantic Ocean Herring fish, this pattern has been used especially in Europe for hundreds of years by skilled craftsmen. Herringbone twill has been seen in fabric samples dating as far as 400 B.C., among the remains of Celtic people found near present-day Vienna. Clothing produced with a herringbone pattern is usually intended for use as an outer layer. Tweed, a popular fabric in England, is often produced with a herringbone pattern. Twill fabric is also made with this pattern, where alternating lines appear ‘ribbed’, creating a raised pattern.

Diagram displaying the v-rib (Herringbone) skeleton of a Herring Fish

Noteworthy
• Knit Beanie – J. Crew
• Wool Herringbone 3-button Blazer – Lew Ritter, Vintage, Thrift**
• Chambray Utility Shirt – J. Crew
• Haverdclock Enbion Wools Bracelet – Kiel James Patrick
• Paisley Tie (DIY accent) – Robert Talbott, Nordstrom
• Leather Cashmere-lined Gloves – Fownes
• Wool Herringbone Trousers – Polo Ralph Lauren**
• Distressed Heritage Lacer Boot – Ariat
• Suede Duffle Bag – Kenneth Cole

Details
Let me first start off by mentioning this was one of my greatest thrift finds to date. Both the herringbone blazer and trousers in such very unique, versatile colors. The blazer is a vintage Lew Ritter, a Beverly Hills clothier since in the early 50′s. Now I’ve been preaching the thrifting gospel for quite some time, but you won’t experience it’s goodness until you get out and try it for yourself. The two colors accent each other when worn together, but the trousers can stand alone with this chambray. I appreciate the trouser design by Ralph Lauren because of the interesting and clean waist with only two adjustable straps at either side which removes the need for a belt. I had the inseams tailored to fit and am very happy with the outcome. What wonders some small alterations can do. These leather gloves were a cheap eBay find and black is always a versatile color.

Some brief insight into a little trick I began before I started wearing ‘certified’ pocket squares. Honestly when you’re on a budget you need to get creative, in which I ended up creating a folding method for paisley-patterned ties to create a uniquely designed pocket accent. A little way to break the rules, but also effective when you need added flare to a casual jacket but have maybe overused your solid-colored squares. Ingenuity is the weapon of champions. The suede duffle bag is convenient for carrying items around as well as throwing the jacket and accessories into if need be.

Lastly these boots are ones I’ve been looking at for some time. They’re more than affordable for leather boots, with an interesting history purposed for rugged use. The vintage distressed look put them right up my alley in terms of design. It was a natural choice.

As the season winds down, look towards herringbone items for classic appeal and a unique change from plan twill wool.