Men’s Top 10 for Fall 2007

1 - The ID Jacket from Corneliani – a little bit of deception with a whole lot of style. This sport jacket features a zip out liner that gives the appearance of a full zip neck sweater vest underneath. Naturally, it’s from Italy. It’s the Italian revolt against the “Ward Cleaver sweater under a jacket” look. Great with dress trousers or denim – and full of little details you’ll notice like functioning button holes.

2 - French cuff dress shirts – just another extension of the tie-less elegance look for the professional man at work or a night on the town. Worn with a suit, sport jacket and trousers (or denim) it looks absolutely proper anywhere you may go. We have outstanding offerings from Robert Talbott, Ike Behar and Gitman Bros.

3 - The Etro Collection – Etro was big hit in its debut this spring, so we doubled up for the fall. Funky color schemes are the norm – but not so funky you’d feel silly wearing it. We have great spread collar shirts, tweed sport jackets, scarves, pocket squares and belts. And more is coming. But what you really should check out is the incredible Etro luggage collection we have on hand…beautiful stuff.

4 - Mountain Khakis –We will be welcoming Mountain Khakis to the mix this fall. Somewhere between Carharts and Bills, these khakis are perfect for a weekend in the mountains, fly fishing on the Clinch, touring at home or abroad or just running errands. Featuring triple stitching on the seams, riveted front button, a hidden front security pocket and a gusseted crotch – these khakis are durable and comfortable. It’s for the adventurous souls among you.

5 - Shoes from Rhune – These are new for fall 07. A sister company of the well known Børn Shoes, Rhune is a dress or casual shoe with a little bit of a contemporary edge. We will carry three styles - The Torino, a dress loafer that can do double duty with your denim; Richard, a casual Venetian loafer with a lug sole (perfect with Agave Denim) and Darden, a great tan suede chukka for any fall gatherings.

6 - Crocodile belts from Torino – These 1 5/16” belts are perfect for casual wear with jeans or khakis. They’re so unique you’ll covet one right away. They are a big hit in a sueded croc in cognac and chocolate and a hornback croc in whiskey.

7 - Baby Alpaca Crew Sweatshirts – we will have these on hand in a wide array of colors from the basics (black and natural) to seasonal (loden and russet). It’s a marled yarn for a country laid back look, but it’s perfect worn over a Scott Barber, Etro or Talbott sport shirt with cords. Great with a t-shirt and denim, too.

8 - Scarves – We joked around here about doing a trends section on “the scarf as a top coat.” With the exception of about 14 days, the fall/winter season in Knoxville is hardly brutal, but for the days when there’s a chill in the air and an overcoat is too much – a good scarf is just the answer with your suit, sport jacket or vest. Lends a little “sprezzatura” too. We’ll have a variety of Skull and Crossbones scarves from Pantherella that look sinister and dashing, brilliant colored chenille from Loominus and, of course, Matthew will order a healthy supply of tartans.

9 - Tennessee Items – It wouldn’t be fall if we didn’t plug some new items for the Big Orange. This season we have three great items that deserve your attention. Official University of Tennessee ties from Vineyard Vines. We sold out of the first delivery. We have many more on hand plus bow ties. Power T Stadium Pants from Pennington & Bailes. Brought in late last season, we sold out of three re-orders. We will be well stocked this season and new for this year is orange brushed khakis with white Power T’s. They’ve been hot from the moment they hit the store. It’s worth noting that we can get most of the Div. 1 schools if you like. Alumni blazers from Colony Sportswear. These aren’t really new, but it’s worth letting you know we have these in house. We have the original navy blazer Tennessee blazer, and we have the orange blazer in tribute to Ray Mears. Top quality blazers for a great price.

10 - Funky Formal Wear for the Holidays – Just because you get formal invitations during the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and show a little personality. Coming in late fall in time for Christmas and New Years, we will have some unique (but proper) formal shirts from Talbott, Gitman and Ike Behar. Of note – Ike’s white pleated formal bib with a black and white houndstooth body and Robert Talbott’s horizontal stripe formal shirt. Also in the mix, hand woven cummerbunds from Smathers and Branson featuring penguins and skull & bones.

And Two More For Good Measure – a beautiful exploded black and white glen plaid crew neck sweater in cashmere from The House of Carrington. A beautiful must have sweater – but limited to only a few pieces coming in September. Also coming soon, M. S. McClellan’s exclusive fragrance called TARTAN. Our special brew is the result of many testing sessions with Knoxville’s finest ladies at Knoxville’s Best Place to Party…The Palace-formerly Michael’s. All our testing ladies said this stuff will fly off the shelf…who are we to argue?

What’s Old Is New Again
- The Story of Nat Nast

You can’t help but notice that the bowling shirt is becoming more popular with passing time as witnessed by the appearance of them on shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Friends, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and even guests of The Tonight Show. Long thought to be a cultural relic of the 1950’s, the bowling shirt has made a huge comeback not only for nostalgia‘s sake, but as an American art form. Nat Nast is reminiscent of a romantic time that was filled with adventure, grace, authenticity and of course style.

Then, as now, you have one person to thank for this cool and hip piece of American style – Nat Nast. He was known through the 50’s and 60’s as the “King of The Bowling Shirt”, but it is somewhat surprising when you find out that Nat Nast never even set foot into a bowling alley. Nat has since left us, and in fact his company disappeared for many years in the early 1960’s, but his legacy and attitude is carried on today by his daughters Patty and Barbara. Despite the grungy image of bowlers as beer guzzling yahoos wearing ugly two tone shoes, Nat’s original creations are highly coveted among the stylish and informed – a recent E-Bay auction had an original Nat Nast shirt with original tags go for $800. The story of Nat Nast and how he came to create a lasting art form is a remarkable piece of American fashion legend.

Nat Nast was started in 1946 in Kansas City during the post WW II boom years after Nat returned from service in the Navy. Nat was a dapper and sharp businessman with a strong acumen for the marketplace – it also helped that he had retail in his blood. And while the man had never stepped into a bowling alley much less seen one personally – he zeroed in on the bowling American public. It makes perfect sense given the time. In the 1940’s there were 12 million bowlers – by the 1950’s that number had doubled. It was the American leisure pursuit of the time. Two big reasons account for the increase – the postwar baby boom and the advent of the automatic pinsetter. Inside air conditioning and a growing suburbia only increased the attraction.

Placing his shirts in bowling alleys and limited clothing stores, Nat’s shirts became a rapid hit. Nat single handedly created the action back shirt with an inverted pleat on the shoulder blades to give more freedom of movement. Often as a style detail the pleat was contrast colored. As for the stereotypical embroidery and decorations associated with bowling shirts – back then there was no limit to what one might do. According to H. Thomas Steele, author of Bowl-O-Rama, since bowling was nothing more than organized fun - “Bowling shirts are this sport’s proof of the engrossing sense of humor of it’s patrons”. Much of the elaborate stitching and details of Nast’s shirts are now considered a lost art form. Many shirts were also left undecorated for the classic color block look. In a very real sense, the sport shirt was born during this era and Nat Nast shirts were the first casualwear shirts worn by American men. And despite other competitors in the bowling shirt arena – Nat Nast was considered tops earning him the moniker “The King of The Bowling Shirt.”

As bowling waned in the 1960’s so did Nat Nast’s business. He went public in 1961 and his name was eventually sold and re-sold before going extinct. When Nat died in 1986, his daughters – Patty and Barbara – began collecting Nat’s original creations. They saw the value in the artwork and craftsmanship with an eye toward rejuvenating the line. In 1999 they did just that. Originally there was thought of orienting the designs to the young, urban and hip – but it was discarded in favor of keeping with the vision Nat always had – luxury, elegance and fine tailoring. Patty and Barbara settled on a luxury collection with an eye toward the romance and nostalgia of the 1950’s – and they have succeeded brilliantly. When they launched in 2000, they presented a minimal line of just a few shirts, pants and jackets. They hoped to get a space in Nieman Marcus, a spot in LA’s Fred Segal and possibly get Friend’s Matthew Perry to don a few during the sitcom’s season. Just their luck they got all three and they have rejuvenated a fashion classic.

The nostalgic appeal of Nat Nast is undeniable but as Barbara points out, the reason Nat Nast strikes a chord today is emotional. “This collection evokes an image of a more innocent, quieter time” she says. It’s no surprise then that sales of Nat Nast rose somewhat after September 11.

M. S. McClellan carries a varied selection of Nat Nast for spring 2004. We have the original bowling shirts in 100% silk, and 100% linen in varied designs from color block to the Swingster (think Kozmo Kramer). We also have retro knit shirts in 100% pima cotton that would make any golfer look hip on the links even if your game isn’t. We encourage you to drop by and check out our collection for spring.

HIS FIRST by Hickey Freeman Introduced
March 2004

Hickey Freeman is now offering an exciting in-stock suit program specifically for young men (age 4 to 15) called HIS FIRST. It’s the perfect program to introduce “the little man” to the art of dressing well and make it a habit. HIS FIRST covers all young boys from size 4 to size 20 in a basic palette of patterns and colors with style options to choose from. The selections offered are basic suits of navy, gray, black, and pinstripes; a basic navy blazer; trousers in gray, navy, camel and olive; and even a full tuxedo and accessories. HIS FIRST also accommodates dress shirt needs in royal oxford cloth of white, blue, pink and blue bengal stripe. Whether it’s a wedding, confirmation or any other rite of passage where quality dress clothes are desired, you can dress your son in top drawer style. An in-stock program also guarantees that you can get your son suited up without custom made charges. It’s a program that is perfect at any age. Please call your sales associate for details.

Profile – Ike Behar CEO shirt program
November 6, 2003

We are pleased to introduce for Fall 2003 an outstanding new custom shirt program from Ike Behar. It’s the Custom Express Originals (CEO) program, and as much as it is a great shirt for you – it makes an even better gift for the Holidays for father, son or husband.

The CEO shirt gives you the flexibility of choosing your fabric and your style options. As a gift, you pick the fabric which is elegantly packaged for wrapping. The lucky recipient chooses his collar style, cuff style, size and style details. You (or the recipient) can mail the fabric directly to Ike Behar or bring it in to M. S. McClellan and we will handle shipping. In about three weeks a truly custom designed dress shirt will be delivered back to your (or your gift recipient’s) doorstep.

The CEO program has already been a big hit since its debut here in September. In the first of November we re-ordered a more selective assortment of fabrics and patterns. We will continue to do so through the Holidays so as to keep the inventory attractive and fresh.

What makes this a great gift for the Holidays is that the CEO program allows you to shop for the hard to fit man, the man who has everything or the man who only likes, say, French cuffs. The options are all theirs. The elegant box with a see through window is an impressive packaging that suggests your recipient is getting something truly special. And more importantly –you can rest assured that they will appreciate your gift and actually wear it. Additionally, should your recipient not like the fabric or pattern selected they can come into M. S. McClellan and easily exchange for a fabric they do like and loose none of the customization.

Come in and see these exciting selections the next time you get a chance.

The Elusive Perfect Shave – Found
September 5, 2003

It’s something that all men will do over 20,000 times each morning during their lifetime yet it damages your skin more than you can imagine and you probably never give it a thought. The Art of Shaving thinks your face deserves better.

The Art of Shaving is a unique grooming concept for the man looking for that oh so elusive perfect shave. The Art of Shaving is based on aromatherapy (that’s the ancient practice of using scents for overall wellbeing), and has taken the country by storm and become an incredible success. Personal use from employees here at M. S. McClellan supports the praise.

Started as a small boutique in New York City by Eric Malke and Myriam Zaoni in 1996 with $12,000 and a vision, The Art of Shaving has found a loyal following who thoroughly embrace their mission and philosophy of bringing back the ritual of the shave. Today, The Art of Shaving has four boutiques in New York, Dallas and Miami and over 50,000 men every year visit their stores for the Royal Treatment of shaving. Years of frustration and irritation bring men to the doors of The Art of Shaving since they are the recognized experts in the field.

The Art of Shaving is a system and as such there is a process. To those who feel time is of the essence in the morning, you will find the system only costs you a few extra minutes. Minutes that will save your face – quite literally. The process itself is three steps with a fourth optional step to be done every other day or once a week.

The Art of Shaving System

Writing into M. S. McClellan
July 2, 2003

Lately we have been receiving a good number of e-mails through the Advisor section on the MSM web site inquiring about sepcific goods in terms of availability, ordering and in one instance a complaint.

We certainly want to help in any way possible (as well as address your dissatisfactions), but writing through the Advisor has some problems. Specifically, your request is placed "live" on the web site and more importantly we have no return e-mail/contact information. The result has often been having an answer for you but nowhere to send the answer to. Hence your concern is unaddressed.

For your future reference, please send all inquiries about specific articles of clothing in the store or our ability to order to bob@msmcclellan.com and please, please, please make sure you give us a name, e-mail and phone so we can address your needs. You can also write your sales associate directly and their e-mail addresses are available on the Meet The Staff page on our web site.

Thank you!

Profile – Paul and Shark Yachting

Paul and Shark is a line rooted in the sea. For the founders and those who build Paul and Shark, their product is a calling, a vocation and a vision. It is, in short, a passion for clothing that speaks to the spirit of those who follow their own drum beat – the creative and the entrepreneurial. Paul and Shark embraces a style meant to conjure images of vigor, grace, speed and adventure, and it’s a lifestyle selected and “lived” by those who go to sea, play golf or tennis and immerse themselves in leisure and traveling.

Paul and Shark truly got their start in the 1920’s in Varese, Italy. It was the ambition of a family of Tuscan origin to build the best garments. Through hard times, a World War and the decline of Italian fashion in the 1970’s; Paul and Shark persisted and reinvented themselves to be one of the top casual lines in the world. Located in the Italian manufacturing equivalent of Manchester, England, P & S has passed through three generations of family and continues to set standards – not follow them.

While many events – economic and political – shaped what Paul and Shark are today, nothing had as much an influence on their direction than the decline of Italian clothing and style in the 1960’s. In fact, by the 1970’s, Italian clothing had become synonymous with vulgar. The English had led the way in all things sartorial since the mid-1960’s. Under the direction of Paolo Dini, P & S charted a new course going back to the basics and starting essentially with one garment – a pullover. The decision was made to blend colors and invent new shapes. Little by little, P & S pullovers came to be coveted among the affluent and a new brand was off and running. It was in 1975 while in Maine and on the heels of the success of “Jaws” that Paolo named his enterprise Paul (Paolo) and Shark. A return of all things Italian in the 1980’s quickly catapulted P & S to the forefront as clothing deemed elegant and stylish.

Paul and Shark’s name spread rapidly through Europe and points beyond, but the move that made them most coveted was a bit of marketing “genius” when P & S put their famous pullovers in canister tubes. Something that was already special, became even more so. The cry for retail locations in Europe became deafening and P & S answered, but it was in 1998 in New York City where Paul and Shark made their much awaited American retail debut. In an event most noteworthy, all matter of celebrities and officials turned out for the P & S’s grand opening on retail’s golden street – Madison Avenue.

Paul and Shark is now available in the finest retail stores in America, and M. S. McClellan is proud to be counted in that company. We are offering our first season of Paul and Shark this spring, and the response has been good. While there is no “sea” to speak of here in Knoxville, there is certainly no reason to not avail yourself of clothing that compliments your active lifestyle.

Book Review - A Well Dressed Gentleman’s Pocket Guide
October 2002

If ever there was a Holy Grail for style and the rules of dressing, this is it. At 216 pages, (and small enough to fit in your bureau) “A Well Dressed Gentleman’s Pocket Guide” is indispensable for the style guidelines it provides. With this book you will be armed for any occasion. The history “lessons” alone are fascinating. The book covers all aspects of a gentleman’s wardrobe from suits to jewelry. There are even summary style charts to provide quick glance guidance. The tone and language is decidedly British (“turn ups” instead of “cuffs”), but that takes nothing away from the content’s relevance to the American man. The book is not meant to be a full instruction manual for telling you how to dress. That’s the antithesis of style, but rather as the author says, “The rules which have grown out of tradition should guide rather than govern….” This book does just that, and very well.

We are currently talking to distributors about bringing this book into the store for sale. Please let us know of your interest.

Profile – Luciano Barbera

If you have wandered by the M. S. McClellan window lately you have probably wondered what’s up with the lone coat hanger and the word “Sprezzatura.”

An Italian word for quite confidence, or studied non-chalance, sprezzatura is what Luciano Barbera is all about. And M.S. McClellan is very pleased to be exclusively offering this line of suits and sportcoats to our customers.

The Barbera family has long been recognized as the best in the world when it comes to fabrics. Started by father, Carlo, the Barbera family has had the highest quality standards against which all others are measured. It’s the supreme compliment in a manufacturing world where Barbera’s competitors have gotten bigger. Barbera has only gotten better – and therein lays the difference.

Having learned the art and craft of cloth making at the feet of his father, Luciano broke out in 1965 to use his special gift for design to produce his own collection for the gentlemen trade. It is a highly exclusive line shown only in the finest shops.

Among the cognoscenti (those in the know) Luciano Barbera is a living legend and icon. His sense of style and elegance – or his sprezzatura – has truly made him the standard. His Renaissance man quality (he is an actor and equestrian by hobby) has made him a man worthy of intrigue. He has elevated Italian style to a sophistication and class that had previously been thought to be the domain of the British and European gentry.

Barbera’s clothes reflect his philosophy of simple (yet noticeable) elegance that approaches the level of an artisan. Selecting only the finest natural wool, cotton, linen and silk, is the first step toward creating the most luxurious and beautiful cloth available. Being a small concern, the Barbera’s do not produce the large yards of fabric that other mass manufacturers do. The Barbera mill also shuns any cost saving innovation that compromises their standards. In the end, the result is a fabric that is used to create a truly exceptional and one-of-a-kind garment.

Luciano Barbera’s collection reflects the attitude of a man who appreciates the finer things. A man who is elegant but not gaudy. And a man who knows that self expression is not being overly contrived.

M. S. McClellan will be carrying the Luciano Barbera line exclusively for the first time in Fall 2002. It’s a collection of fall color browns, blues, greens and rust. It reflects English coloring and Italian styling – which is precisely the influence that Barbera intends.

The first pieces have already arrived, but the full Barbera Collection should be in by October 2002.

Profile – Trafalgar Limited Edition Braces

September 2002
M. S. McClellan has long prided itself on offering exclusive and one of a kind articles. It is what has set us apart from the crowd. One of the items that we have offered since the early 1980’s is the Limited Edition Braces from Trafalgar. Trafalgar is the only company in the world that can produce the 100% silk limited edition fabric used in this collection.

Wearing the Limited Edition braces is without a doubt the most discreet and elegant manner of expressing one’s dash, style and sense of humor. Trafalgar has created a true collectible and wearable work of art, and many of the sold out styles created by Trafalgar are bought by collectors who pay several times their original worth.

Most of the designs come from the collections of the International Society of Bracecollectors and noted New York City haberdasher Calvin Curtis. Other sources have been used as well. From the eccentric to the whimsical and humorous, the Limited Edition Braces are an addiction to the man who loves to wear braces. And they are truly one of kind and unique.

Where it not for the persistence of Trafalgar founder Marley Hodgson to resurrect a dying art form, these braces would never have come into existence.

In the early 1970’s, Marley discovered eight disassembled 200 year old looms that had the unique ability to weave intricate patterns from delicate denier silk. Denier silk cannot be woven using today’s looms which are built for speed weaving. The looms were found in an abandoned European carriage house. The looms were originally built like fine pianos, and Hodgson had each loom re-built and refurbished over a two year period.

The looms have been housed in barns built into the homes of the artisans who actually weave the braces. It’s unusual to be sure, but it is respectful of the European family weaving tradition. It’s also due to the fact that the most skilled of the weavers can turn out only five yards of narrow silk fabric a day. (Consider that the Limited Edition Braces are made in lots of 1000 and you see the scale of the task.) This skill in weaving has been passed down from generation to generation and the looms themselves are respected as symbols of the families’ livelihood.

Unfortunately, something that is already rare and unique may become more so in the next few years. As the world is getting smaller, fewer families are taking the time to pass down the skills necessary to operate these looms. As each generation of artisan retires there are fewer young people who have the skill or inclination to carry on the tradition. So purely by default, the Trafalgar Limited Edition Braces will become even more valuable and rare.

This fall we will have some new editions come into the store.

One of the designs we will carry is the America Hurrah (pictured here) which was designed by Calvin Curtis for FDR in the 1940's. This edition is already sold out. We will have two sets at the most. It is a fitting and elegant show of force for rememberance on September 11.