The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » organic flannel

Kenai Flannel & Georges Laraque’s New Image

joshuakatcher — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:45:39 +0000

• This "Kenai" flannel hooded jacket in organic cotton is half-off from Loomstate! A lightweight flannel zip-up jacket with a foldaway hood hidden in the zipped stadium rib collar. Body is lined in organic cotton flannel. Features an interior chest pocket and two snap closure waist pockets. • Georges Laraque's days of checking people on the ice are over as of last year, but he's been busy getting people to check themselves before they wreck themselves with his vegan restaurants in Canada - Crudessence, with four locations in Montreal. Political office may also be in his future as Canada's Green Party chose him to be their new deputy leader for showcasing such passion and eloquence concerning ethical and environmental issues. A recent article in Canada's National Post says:

On the surface, the causes and activities Mr. Laraque, 34, has embraced seem worlds away from his life as a professional athlete. But the way he sees it, they are in keeping with the defiant approach to life he has taken since he was a child. “If you tell me I’m not going to make it, I’m going to make it,” he said in an interview at his restaurant, Crudessence. It is an approach shaped by his experience of racism at a young age.

Plaid Lads & Organic Sweaters

TheDiscerningBrute — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:09:35 +0000

As the weather gets cooler, so shall you! Go for plaid this chilly season - just looking at it makes me feel warm, protected and tough. Plaid is classic, sexy, and bold. It's REALLY easy to find in a thrift store, and it's even OK to mix and match! Don't shear a sheep! It hurts. Go for organic cotton sweaters, and keep the the cold out!

Wax Weather

TheDiscerningBrute — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:00:11 +0000

Waxed canvas could be my favorite new fabric. It's waterproof, wind resistant, supple, and shares many characteristics with leather (minus the whole killing-of-animals part). Autumn is known for crisp air, rain, and chilly breezes. My advice for fall is waxed cotton all the way from boots to hats. Stay dry, warm, and light! The good thing about these jackets is that they'll last you forever, and since they're classics, they never go out of style.

Barbour

Barbour makes several styles of really nice waxed jackets and hats. I recently got to view four different jackets, and I was told that all their labor is done in Europe (no sweatshops) and their waxes are totally animal-friendly. The Flyer, below, is my favorite for this fall. It's lightweight, insulated, and has nice detailing. The jacket has a 100% cotton Barbour tartan lining with 30 gauge wadding for extra warmth. Two way front zip under a studded front, cord inner collar with buckle front tap, knitted rib hem and cuffs. Retail $375

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If you are looking for a more edgy jacket, the International Trials Short Jacket, below, is a slimmer, shorter length version of Barbour's iconic motorcycle design. I suggest wearing this style over a slender suit, open with the belt buckled. This jacket is in Barbour's medium-weight 6 oz. Sylkoil wax with a 100% cotton Barbour tartan lining. Two-way front zip under a studded storm fly front with set-in sleeves and ventilation eyelets. PU Coated polyamide inner drip strip for extra weather protection, corduroy collar and cuffs, and multiple pockets. Retail $379 Goes Great with:

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Finally, if you're looking for a longer coat, the Cowen Commando is one of Barbour's most famous styles. this modern wax jacket was designed from a historic British army pattern, with a Union Jack badge to prove it. Barbour's heavyweight 8 oz. Weathered wax with tartan lining. The jacket also features reinforced shoulder panels, a drawcord waist with adjustable toggles and multiple pockets. Retail $419.Goes Great with:

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Belstaff

Belstaff's waxed cotton is more expensive than Barbour (averaging around $530). They are gorgeous and leather-free, but they do incorporate Teflon in their canvass, which is toxic, and made by DuPont, a known vivisector and environmental polluter. Therefore I cannot recommend these jackets, and I suggest writing a kind letter to DuPont expressing your disdain for outdated and cruel animal testing, and CC Belstaff! ___________________

David Morgan

For a more affordable autumn jacket, David Morgan offers a oil-finish, waxed cotton jacket called the Shelter Cloth Jacket (retail $160). It has a marbleized color, utility pocket, and moleskin collar (don't worry, moleskin is actually cotton). David Morgan also offers a pretty bad-ass trench coat called The Duster (retail $285).Goes Great with:

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Goes Great with:

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Wax It Yourself

Do you own a pair of canvas boots or sneaks, a jean jacket, or even a cotton hat? If you want to waterproof it, and give it a chic, slick appearance, you can buy wax and DIY!