Dappered | In Review: The J. Crew Ludlow Slim-fit KNIT Blazer in Italian Wool

[Dappered | In Review: The J. Crew Ludlow Slim-fit KNIT Blazer in Italian Wool]() --------------------------------------------------------------- - [In Review: The J. Crew Ludlow Slim-fit KNIT Blazer in Italian Wool](#1) - [In Review: Banana Republic’s BR Standard Athleisure Collection](#2) - [In Review: Grant Stone Fairfield Oxfords](#3) [In Review: The J. Crew Ludlow Slim-fit KNIT Blazer in Italian Wool](r/Dappered/~3/v4d8QOHX2J8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 16 Mar 2021 03:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. [J. Crew Ludlow Slim-fit knit blazer in Italian wool – $199.50](//www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy) ($450) Note: At post time this thing is 55% off, which is quite the steep discount since “normal” J. Crew codes and promos seem to fluctuate between 30% and 40% off. Sale ends Thursday March 18th. This is not a replacement to a timeless navy blazer. You’ll want to head to [Spier and Mackay]( or [Suitsupply]( or wait for a mega sale on the J. Crew Legacy (seen [here]() for one of those. What this IS, is an incredibly comfortable, super versatile, luxury “swazer” hybrid made from extraordinarily nice knit Italian wool. And it can also fit and look a little wonky sometimes, because it’s a touch short in the tail and lays more like a sweater than a structured, smooth, tailored sportcoat. Got all that? //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy Size shown: 40R Ludlow fit on 5’10” / 190 The fabric really is something. Most knit blazers are made from cotton or cotton/poly blends. Sometimes they’re even super casual, and cut from sweatshirt material. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. A sweatshirt-like knit blazer [looks great with beat up jeans and a t-shirt](. But this J. Crew Italian wool option isn’t that. //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy Not your average swazer fabric. This stuff is amazing. Made from a fabric created by the Italian Mill [Lanificio Subalpino](, the knit [is noticeable]( but not overly chunky, the 100% wool is smooth to the touch, and the thing feels like… a hug? A good hug. Not a creepy “Get this weirdo off me” hug. No, a good, welcome hug. It’s soft but not gooey. It feels great. Not gross. It moves really well too. The sleeves are lined for easy on/off, and the back is just butterfly lined. The weight of the fabric is… medium? Again, it’s part sweater, part blazer. I don’t see it excelling in sweltering heat. For that you’d want an airy, crisp, unconstructed fabric [like the Bonobos Italian wool hopsack](. But for three-season use, this fabric will breathe, regulate your temperature, and be all sorts of comfortable. //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy Could maybe use [a touch more length](. The tail could be a touch longer. But again, most knit blazers don’t carry with them the standard of an almost to fully butt covering tail like a suit jacket or sportcoat. They’re basically a sweater after all. Longer than a cardigan, but almost always shorter than something more traditional. Gives off a bit of a modern vibe. But that can look chopped on some frames. Combined with the slightly lower slung button stance of the Ludlow template, from some angles it feels like it’s missing a half inch or inch of fabric on the length. But, thems be the times, shorter jackets and all that. They do offer this jacket in more precise chest measurements, as well as short and long options. So those of various non-average heights won’t be out of luck. [Drape is closer to sweater like too](, because, well, it’s a knit. It won’t have quite the precise lines and smooth look of a [suit jacket or blazer or sportcoat](. There’s a bit of squish here. It’ll be more relaxed looking. Because it is. //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy Versatile and comfy. So what do you wear it with? A lot. Since (again) it’s basically a super nice sweater, pairing it with dress slacks and a crisp dress shirt seems like a mismatch. Wear your true, smooth, sharp navy blazer for that look. But anything “below” that in terms of formality and it should do the trick. OCBD and chinos as shown throughout this post? 100%. Polo and tech 5-pockets? For sure. Even a t-shirt and jeans for a quick outdoor Tuesday [Taco Night]( meetup would look awesome. Just try to keep the Cholula off it. Since it’s wool, dry clean only. And since it’s spendy, a fumbled burrito could end in tears. //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/suits_tuxedos/ludlowpremiumsuit/ludlow-slimfit-knit-blazer-in-italian-wool/AS793?color_name=navy ff/Dappered?a=v4d8QOHX2J8:SYtT-ATZJdQ:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=v4d8QOHX2J8:SYtT-ATZJdQ:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=v4d8QOHX2J8:SYtT-ATZJdQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ [In Review: Banana Republic’s BR Standard Athleisure Collection](r/Dappered/~3/4S8KnuebFgw/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 15 Mar 2021 02:00 PM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. [Banana Republic BR Standard Launch Collection]( EDITOR’S NOTE: Yes, this already sorta-kinda-ran at the very bottom of [the recent Banana Republic Friends and Family post](. But let’s be honest, not everyone scrolls that far down, AND, nobody is gonna find it if they google “BR Standard Review.” So here it is. Also note that these things are half off through today, 3/15… but up until very recently BR had excluded them from all codes and promos. In January, Banana Republic shut the doors on their men’s Lululemon competitor brand, Hill City, which I [reviewed in the Fall of 2019](. The product was fine, but not overly noteworthy enough to survive, let alone truly compete with [Lululemon](, [Rhone](, [Tracksmith]( and countless other high end athletic wear brands (yet the GAP inc brand Athleta is super successful on the women’s side). The body wasn’t even cold before they introduced Hill City’s replacement: BR Standard. Is this just Hill City version 2, or is it a true expression of the Banana Republic brand? “The new spirit of luxury for today’s explorer.” Uh… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ When Joe asked if I was interested in taking a few items for a spin, my initial assumption was BR had a ton of leftover Hill City inventory and simply decided to rebrand it. It was a logical thought, given how quickly BR Standard launched after the Hill City shutdown. But, [is this reality?]( Yes and no. Some pieces seem to look and wear (possibly) identical to their deceased Hill City counterparts, while others are related yet unique. Let’s get after it. And as a sizing note, I (Jason) am 5’7″/175. [Train Performance T-Shirt – $50 ( fifty!)]( [BR Standard Train Performance T-Shirt]( The most egregious Hill City clone of the bunch, this REALLY seems like a 1:1 identical shirt to the Train Tee formerly offered by Hill City. And while the Hill City t-shirt [was $38](, they’ve priced the BR Standard option at an eye-watering $50. A comfortable shirt, for sure, with great moisture wicking properties, an athletic cut, and ample stretch and natural movement – but not twice as nice as the [MK-1 shirts from Under Armour](. Still, if you’re looking for a logo-less, fitted but not shrink-wrapped workout shirt, this fits the bill. If it IS identical to the Hill City version, it should retain shape wash after wash, keep you dry, and wear with all-day comfort. But, so does the MK-1. And therein lies the issue with the value, here. One big advantage if you have an eye toward sustainability: the shirt uses an 80% polyester, 6% spandex, 14% modal fabric blend, with 72% of the polyester coming from recycled plastic bottles. Size shown is a large. [Motion Tech Short – $59]( [BR Standard Motion Tech Short]( Keep moving, technologically! And boy, do these move. Perhaps the stretchiest item in the group. If your body can handle it, you can do a full split in these. I can’t, but not at fault of the shorts. 100% polyester fabric, like just about everything else in the catalog. These are breezy but not weak, water repellant, and have a zippered pocket in the rear, a zippered pocket at the hip for phone/keys/etc. and 2 open hip pockets for additional storage. The zippered hip pocket is clever – it’s offset from the hip bone, so the zipper itself doesn’t create any discomfort or hotspots the way some zippered hand pockets do on pants or shorts. Smart. There is no liner, so know that before you buy. The waistband is another smart feature – the drawstrings are tightly contained within the elastic, so as to prevent disappearance into the abyss. We’ve all been there. Only one knock against this item, which keeps it from being best in show – clown pant crotch. The cut in the groin is a bit odd, and causes billowing in this area. It’s not a deal breaker, but depending on your physique it could look a bit off. It’s a small complaint, but details matter for a $59 (FIFTY NINE!) pair of gym shorts. They really, really gotta open this new BR Standard line up for codes and promos. Size shown is a large. [Motion Tech Jacket – $129]( [BR Standard Motion Tech Jacket]( This jacket is the most obvious window into BR’s intentions for the BR Standard brand. More fitness-origin brands are designing and producing non-athletic gear season after season to milk the athleisure cash cow, and instead of being a true fitness brand (which the train tee and tech short could be part of), BR Standard also offers non-sporting gear in athletic fabrics. The Lululemon effect. The jacket itself is exactly fine. Nothing noteworthy, while nothing overly offensive either. The 100% polyester fabric, as with the entire launch collection, is stretchy and swishy. I wouldn’t recommend wearing this with the joggers if you’re trying to sneak up on someone. The fit is true, with a nice athletic cut and room in the shoulders and chest. But, I do wish BR had opted for raglan sleeves, or at least drop the seam a few inches. There’s a crisp shoulder line where the sleeve meets the torso, with a bit of a loft to it. This may soften over time, but out of the package it’s kinda sharp. Your mileage may vary, and you may even love this look! Otherwise, the rest of the jacket works well. Elastic cuffs produce that sporting vibe and keep wind out, while an elastic cinch around the waist can do the same. While the shoulder is a minor quibble, there is one major mark against the jacket for this reviewer. The flap pocket on the upper left chest seem as if it was tacked on after the design phase, as if the production team said, “WE NEED MORE POCKETS!” It feels random and out of place, and the whole jacket would look substantially better without it. It’s an unnecessary detail, and at this price range and in this segment, details make or break a brand’s success. Size shown is a medium. [Motion Tech Blazer – $229]( [BR Standard Motion Tech Blazer]( This one is just silly. Yes, this is a blazer built in technical 100% polyester fabric to promote motion, but it’s weirdly cut and it’s just not working. I would not recommend any of you dear readers spend your hard-earned money on this. The cut is straight through the torso with nearly no taper. And that motion? It comes with the classic swish-swish of old school tech fabrics. That’s fine for the joggers, shorts and maybe even the tech jacket, but not for something that’s supposed to look and act like a sportcoat. If other brands can manage to build basic athleisure pieces for the gym and lounging with no swish-swish, a blazer should follow (wait for it) suit. The hidden zip pocket in the sleeve is bizarre. Product photos show this as a stash spot for wireless earbuds, but what’s wrong with regular pockets? I’m not sure who, in the real world, needs a blazer like this. Except, maybe [this guy](. Size shown is a medium. [Motion Tech Jogger – $89]( [BR Standard Motion Tech Jogger]( The final dose of technological motion. The best, was saved for last. I didn’t want to close on a sour note with the (to me) dreadful blazer, so we close with the surprisingly above average tech jogger. Again, 100% polyester with noticeable swish-swish, but the stretch is bountiful and beautiful; comfortable for deep squats, lunges, or box jumps. A real go-hard pant for the gym, while properly fulfilling in the athleisure aesthetic, too. Especially when paired with the tech jacket. Lots of zippered pockets to keep your phone, earbuds, wallet, or other necessities for your workout or on-the-go secure, and zippers at the ankles too for added ventilation. Sill pricey at $89, but that seems to be the going rate for a hybrid athletic/athleisure pant. Given the dual functionality of the pants, these are the best bang-for-buck of the batch and my top pick. Final Thoughts: The BR Standard products are average, but overpriced when excluded from hefty codes or promos. Not a winning combination. BR needs to spend more attention to details to fine tune the product in order for it to be a real competitive threat to the brands mentioned at the top of the post. Details separate the decent from the damn good. And as a late entrant to the category, at these prices, would be wise to phase in quarterly promos. It’s difficult to gain ground on a stalwart like Lululemon, and offering somewhat comparable items at a lower entry price from time to time is a reasonable route to maintaining viability for the brand. Hill City rarely ran discounts, and look what happened. It got a second chance as BR Standard. I don’t think another resurrection is in the cards, so BR needs to make the most of this afterlife. About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA ff/Dappered?a=4S8KnuebFgw:zKxVcYLQwQs:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=4S8KnuebFgw:zKxVcYLQwQs:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=4S8KnuebFgw:zKxVcYLQwQs:gIN9vFwOqvQ [In Review: Grant Stone Fairfield Oxfords](r/Dappered/~3/_XZMS4yW_8I/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 15 Mar 2021 08:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. [Grant Stone Oxford in British Tan – $295]( About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure. So, you’re probably thinking to yourself: “Why does Dappered keep recommending and reviewing dress shoes? Aren’t most people working remotely or going into the office a lot less than they were last year? I don’t even need to dress up anymore in my career. These sweatpants are practically tattooed on my legs now. Aren’t most people dressing more casually now than ever before?” Yep. You’re right, the American people at large are dressing more casually than they were even just a few years ago. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t dress nicer than you have been. Lots of recent studies have found a direct link between getting up, getting dressed, and having more positive mental health. Even if it’s just changing out of your PJs and putting on something different, that old adage of “look good, feel good” really does make a difference. At least, it does for me! So, here lately I’ve been making a conscious effort to dress a little nicer than I have been over the past year. Instead of going to work in a tee and jeans, I’ll throw on a polo or switch to an Oxford shirt and chinos with boots, bluchers, or loafers. I’m still comfortable AF, but I feel way better about myself and that seems to make a difference. [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( When it comes to a needed mental boost… gotta be the shoes? Speaking of looking good, today we are taking somewhat of a deep dive into Grant Stone’s newish Fairfield brogued Oxfords. If you’re a regular reader of Dappered, you probably already know that Grant Stone produces some of the best made [boots](, Oxfords, derbies, and loafers within the Under-$500 price tier. What you might not know is that the family behind the brand has been in the shoe business for over 100 combined years, both here in the U.S. and abroad. I believe that’s one aspect of why their products regularly outshine many other brands that cost significantly more money. Grant Stone has earned a reputation for superior value. For under $300 USD, you’re getting Goodyear welted footwear, constructed with well above average materials, and put together by well-trained craftspeople who do impressive work from their Xiamen, China factory. So, how good are these Fairfield brogued Oxfords and how do they compare to other common brands? Let’s find out. [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Goodyear Welted The Adam Review Scale of Excellence (A.R.S.E.) - 5 – Excellent! No issues and highly recommended. - 4 – Good. Above average, but not perfect. - 3 – Average. Minor issues, might be good at the right price. - 2 – Fair. Below average due to defects, flaws, or imperfections. - 1 – Poor. Significant issues, not worth purchasing at any price. [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Leather for the uppers is [sourced from France]( Details - Brand: Grant Stone - Style: Semi-brogue cap-toe Oxford - Size: 10.5 US (~44 EU) - Last: Oliver - Construction: 270° Goodyear Flat Welt - Upper: Annonay French Calf - Lining: Full-grain cow from Milwaukee, WI - Sole: Vegetable tanned outsole with leather and rubber combo heel - Details: Blind eyelets and foam heel pad - Extras: Two cloth shoe bags, a shoe care mat/cloth, spare waxed laces, and a mini shoe horn - Country of Origin: Xiamen Island, China - Price: $295 USD Ordering/Delivery/Returns My pair of Fairfield Oxfords was ordered on a random Thursday, shipped out the next day, and arrived… a full two weeks later. That was due to what UPS calls “significant weather events” and had nothing to do with Grant Stone, just some untimely Winter weather passing through the areas around us. Normally, UPS Ground would have been here within two to three business days, which is perfectly fine with me. FYI: Grant Stone offers truly free returns within 15 days of purchase. As usual, your returns should be unworn with no signs of wear on the soles or any creasing on the uppers. They recommend trying on your shoes on carpet or on the included cloth shoe bags, which is actually pretty genius. Score: 5/5 Stars – Easy ordering, normally quick shipping, and two week FREE returns policy. [Grant Stone Shoes Box and Accessories]( Spare laces. Shoe horn. Thank you note. [Shoe bags too](. Packaging/Unboxing As I’ve said before, Grant Stone nails the packaging design and shoe unboxing experience. This pair of Fairfield Oxfords arrived in an elegantly simple cardboard box with minimal branding and an antiqued bronze pull loop. The box itself is better than it looks at first glance, having some noticeable density. Inside, the shoes were safely wrapped in a [three foot long by one foot wide piece of fiber cloth wrap](. I’ll bet you could use that to stand on when trying on your new shoes or boots. Also included is a [pair of flannel cloth shoe bags](, an extra pair of waxed cotton laces, a mini metal shoe horn, a shoe care guide, and a hand signed thank you notecard. Very, very impressive, especially at this price point. Score: 5/5 Stars – Excellent kit. The box and accessories are great; the signed card is a lovely touch. [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Pretty close to AE’s Walnut in terms of color First Impressions Fresh out of the box, the first thing you’ll notice is the lovely warm tan color of these Oxfords. Grant Stone calls it British Tan and the colors on their website are pretty accurate. If you’re an Allen Edmonds fan, this is your “walnut” shade. Alden fans would call it “burnished tan”. I’ll call it whiskey, and we’ll drink to that. There’s a very light dusting of darker burnishing on the toe, heel, and along the edges where the leather layers overlap, giving the shoe’s color some depth. The final polishing has left a nice, matte shine to them. Grant Stone sources these calfskin leathers from Tannerie d’Annonay (owned by Hermès), which is a fairly well-known tannery in France that’s been in business for over 180 years. Annonay provides French calf hides for a lot of brands, including Meermin, Allen Edmonds, Alden, Carmina, and many more. There are no areas of loose grain or noticeable defects on my particular pair. The upper stitching is clean and on target throughout, as best I can tell. The pinked edges and punched brogue holes are also finely done; I’ve seen worse on my Alden Shell Cordovan shoes that cost more than twice as much as these. This model has six eyelets, as is traditional on the more Americanized styles, and each hole is backed by a blind metal eyelet. Brown, waxed round laces come pre-laced from the factory and there’s an extra pair in the box, in case you wear through or snap your original set. Finally, the leather welts are sourced from Barbour Welting Co. in Brockton, Massachusetts. The welts are dyed “antique brown” and are wheeled, which adds a minute layer of decorative detail that most will never notice. [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Really nice work on all the pinked edges and punched brogue holes Inside, you’ll find “buttery-soft” kip leather lining running the full length of the interior. One of my favorite features here (and most people overlook this) is the smooth heel cup. A majority of other brand’s have a seam at the rear of the shoe, probably for ease of manufacturing or cost-cutting reasons, but Grant Stone takes the extra step to move that seam around to the medial, ankle area. This, along with a full grain leather heel counter (instead of firm plastic), should help cut down on hot spots, heel slip, and heel pain that other brands are notorious for during break in. There’s also a leather heel pad with some light foam padding underneath, which sits on top of the thick vegetable tanned leather insoles. While you can’t see it, there’s a cavity beneath the leather insole and above the leather outsole. Grant Stone chooses to fill this void with granulated cork which will naturally compress and adapt to your specific feet for a more comfortable fit in time. There’s also a triple-ribbed steel shank hidden underneath the cork that helps provide additional stability as you walk. For comparison, some Goodyear welted shoe brands choose to fill that cavity with synthetic foam. While that stuff might provide some initial comfort, it generally doesn’t last as long as cork, nor does it conform to your foot as well in time. Smooth heel cup = an extra detail/step that should increase comfort Flipping the Oxfords over, you’ll see vegetable-tanned leather outsoles and combination leather and rubber dovetailed heels. The oak bark-tanned leather soles look thick, dense, and strong; quality wise, they feel similar to the top tier JR soles on my custom shell cordovan Allen Edmonds Strands. Obviously they won’t be as slip resistant as studded or lugged rubber soles, but personally I prefer the look and durability of smooth leather soles on my dress Oxfords anyways. If you’ve ever owned a pair with soles like these, you’ll know that leather soles can be very durable so long as you avoid large puddles of water, slush, or super salty conditions. Also, any local cobbler worth their machine will have leather soles available. The sole stitching is clean and on track within the channel carved into the leather. Finally, the stacked leather and rubber dovetailed heels are both elegant and well done. I’m a big fan of [the brass nails]( used to help secure the heel tops! Another small touch that many overlook is [the “Gentleman’s Notch”]( on the inside corner of the leading heel edge. This shaved corner helps to prevent your heels from snagging your pants’ cuffs, although personally, that’s never been a huge concern. It’s just a nice touch and shows that extra attention was paid during the design, manufacturing, and QC processes. Score: 5/5 Stars – Great! Top quality materials, craftsmanship, and design details. Well done, GS Team! [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Can certainly hold their own with the likes of Allen Edmonds as well as Alden Comfort, Fit, and Sizing Comfort is always subjective, but I find well-made dress shoes to be very comfortable IF they are sized and made correctly. The vegetable tanned leather insoles are firm on the initial wear, but over time, they will take on the shape of your feet. The cork filler underneath the insoles and the full-grain leather heel counters will also start to mold themselves to your feet in due time – normally 5-10 “outings” in them, whether that’s around the house or the office. After a good break-in period, these should feel great. The Oliver last runs true-to-size, so I’d recommend that you start with your normal Brannock sizing. This pair in 10.5D fits me rather snug, like a firm handshake, with my favorite midweight wool socks. They’re not uncomfortable at all, but my taller-than-average arches are stretching the laced “V” facings out a little bit. I could probably take a wider width and be happier, but after a few trips to the office and back, I suspect that most of this tightness will go away as the footbed sinks in and molds to my feet. Up front, I have a little bit over a thumb’s width in front of my toes (which feels right) and there’s little to no heel slip around back. All in all, a decent fit out of the box, but I’d like to try a wider width for reference. Note: If you know that you’ll need a wider width, Grant Stone also offers the Fairfield Oxfords in an E width (and some pairs in an EE), which is only slightly longer but over a half-size fuller. Grant Stone says the E width is perfect for those that are looking for a little extra room in the instep or ball area/tox box. For reference, I am a 10.5 D/E on a Brannock device and usually take a 10 D in wider-fitting dress shoes, including Alden’s Barrie last and Grant Stone’s Leo last. I take a 10.5 E in Allen Edmonds 65 last, as that last runs too narrow for me. I also take a 10.5 in Vans and an 11 in most Adidas or Nike sneakers. Score: 5/5 Stars – Snug fit that will break in over time. Go true to your Brannock size! [Grant Stone Oxford Men's Shoes]( Grant Stone is here to make you think twice about the “usual” brands Final Thoughts I’ll keep this short and sweet: just buy them, you won’t regret it. Seriously. If you need new dress Oxfords for school, work, or an upscale event later this year, Grant Stone should be your first stop. Personally, I’d pair them with anything from crisp Oxford shirts and slim jeans to more formal “Southern smart casual” dress shirts and dress slacks. Their wheelhouse is with business casual sportcoats and suiting in shades of navy, mid-grey, and especially earthy tones like brown and green. These Fairfield brogued Oxfords are a home run: they look great, they’re comfortable on foot, and they’re built to last. Grant Stone continues to be my benchmark for quality – both design and construction – at this price tier. Quite frankly, I’d put them up against my more expensive Allen Edmonds and Aldens any day, and nine times out of ten, Grant Stone comes out the victor. And to the victor goes the spoils. Check them out for yourself and let us know what you think. Cheers, y’all! Avg. Score: 5/5 Stars – Strand killers. I wholeheartedly recommend Grant Stone and the Fairfields. ff/Dappered?a=_XZMS4yW_8I:gyh-WUJpb7Q:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=_XZMS4yW_8I:gyh-WUJpb7Q:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=_XZMS4yW_8I:gyh-WUJpb7Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ You are subscribed to email updates from [Dappered Style Mail](). To stop receiving these emails, you may [unsubscribe now](. Email delivery powered by Google Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States