VintageGent’s Menswear Daily

Be Conspicuous and Earn Points

I know some of my readers regularly revolve around the neighborhood searching for treasures. Sometimes I wish someone would fill my gas tank up or pack me a lunch. What if you could get points for stopping at businesses that fall in your path? Those points would translate into cash. Well, it might not be something you could quite your job for, but there is a new form of mobile marketing that WeReward covers. If you have a smart phone, like a iPhone or Android (Blackberry coming soon), you could make a few dollars while you are on the road doing what you normally do.

Tasks might be something like taking a photo of a business front or stopping in. It might not be worth going out of your way, but if you plan to eat at that restaurant anyway, or are driving on that side of town, why not rack up a couple points? It might just end up covering part of your phone bill for the month or go towards your gas. You just might meet new people, as they inquire what the heck you are doing snapping a photo with your phone and wearing such fashionable duds.  Who knows…that could be enough for them to hand you a stack of 1930s fedoras or grant you an interview for your website.

Have you tried it? If you have, let me know what you think.

(By the way, you can’t swipe photo from the internet or take it with your regular camera because it KNOWS somehow that your phone took it because computers and phones and networking platforms talk to each other and secretly rat you out. Like Hal9000.)

Vintage and Handmade for a Cause

Several vintage and handmade merchants have joined forces to raise money for Saving Shelter Pets, Inc. 20% of all proceeds goes to the charity. The fundraiser only lasts for 2 more days, but that’s still plenty of time to snap up some vintage finds. There is not as much menswear as ladieswear, but there are plenty of items for the home, including cufflink boxes, shoe stretchers, kitchen items and more. Even if you don’t take advantage of the promotion, it still gives you a chance to put some new sellers on your favorites list that you know are supportive of good causes and lending others a helping hand. What am I buying? I won’t tell you, because then you’d snap it up first, right? Have fun exploring.

You Can See Dead People With Ghost Whisperer

Thanks for the guest post from our friend Kristofer Bartlett

I was annoyed when Joan of Arcadia, one of my favorite television shows at the time, went off the air, to be replaced with “Ghost Whisperer,” another show with a supernatural theme but a worldview that was much less Christian and more New Agey.

I was determined not to like it, but then I happened upon an episode in which Melinda Gordon, a young antique shop owner who is capable of communicating with the dead, befriends the ghosts of several orphans who were killed in an orphanage fire several decades earlier. Her task was two-fold: to convince the boys to “cross over” and to persuade their onetime companion, now an elderly mogul, not to destroy the building where they still reside.

I found myself so touched by the story that I couldn’t help giving the series a bit of a pass. One thing I had to say for Melinda: she was a lot less angsty than Joan. Played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melinda is a very kind woman who never charges for her psychic services. She also tells very few people what she is capable of doing. Her husband Jim knows, though, and is used to her abilities taking her life in very strange directions.

Now, whenever I catch “Ghost Whisperer” on tv since I had my satellite dish installation, I tune in to see how Melinda will help the ghost of the week.

One, Two, Three Four: I Declare a Toe War

Last month, I was yammering about the unusual appearance of the Five Toed shoes. Actually, they are properly called the Vibram Five Fingers. It’s actually a misnomer because they don’t have any fingers. What is actually going on is separate toe compartments to simulate the experience of walking barefoot. Some of my readers scoffed a bit, wondering about toe injury, but I don’t blame them. Anything a bit out of the ordinary just computes as weird to the brain.

The real story behind the story is that the different toe-regions areas are intended for muscle movement. Being able to fully use your toes, such as a raccoon or ring-tailed lemur strengthens them. In other words, maybe I will be walking around with either the most shapely or muscular toes after wards. Maybe I could finally peel a banana with my feet like the monkeys at the zoo. As I recall, I don’t know if I have actually seen one peel one with just feet. Rather, they might hold it steady with a foot to actually strip the banana with their hands…or maybe they are called their “front feet.” Yeah, that’s what I probably will call my hands when my toes become just as dexterous.  The playground chants of the next generation will be: One…two..three…four…I declare a TOE war. Thumb wars would be “so last century.”

I guess these are my big questions about Vibram Shoes:

1) What if someone has big toes, or there “index toe” (?) is just a hair longer than their “big toe?” Is there something like a size “9 long” where the regular 9 and the long 9 are the same length but the longer toe one is a larger toe-to-sole ratio? I totally get the swim shoe style, the material flexes easy, but in the leather styles, I would imagine it would be an issue.

2) How do they address people who hate wearing flip flops because they don’t like things between the toes? Or are feet cushioned like a comfy sock?

3) What if you break your toe when you are not wearing a Vibram shoe. Will your toe fit or will you have to go barefoot?

I wonder if its something I will kick myself for not ferreting away every color so in 30 years from now when we are watching “I Love the 2010’s on VH1″ I will be prepared for the nostalgia purchases on them.  Maybe not. At any rate, depending on the style, they run in the $80-130 range (Free shipping and sales tax at Kayakshed.com, I do believe). In other words, pretty comparable to other non-tennis shoe sports shoes.

It remains to be seen if pretty soon we will be making sure we are buying Real Vibram Five Fingers or the ones people are knocking off on the street corner because they became so popular. I have a feeling either patents are in place, they are hard to duplicate or people, except hardcore extreme sports enthusiasts are still weirded out.

Be a Sole Man (or Woman): If the Shoe Fits…Buy It

There are a lot of micro auctioning sites out there. Some of them try the penny auction format, some try to compete with eBay but just don’t have the steam, and others are for niche areas like antiques. Even so, they often have something to be desired as sales rely solely on the advertising of the auctioner. One site that may catch on is If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit. It’s an auction site for just shoes. And boots. And clogs. You get the drift. Not only can you auction off shoes, but folks can buy them directly, or you can swap ‘em as well. In this case, it doesn’t really matter if there isn’t a bidding war because you are just cleaning out your closet, right? Also, after a brief scan, folks seem to be listing them at a price they’d be happy with them going for, like $10-25 rather than starting them off at $1 with a reserve.

Right now, it looks like there are some shoes from commercial clients, but if you search the criteria, you can find shoes from individuals. What, you think there is an ick factor here? Who would want old shoes? Well, its not really for that. If you have shoes you bought for a special occasion and wore them once, or just never got around to wearing your impulse purchase, this site is for you. It especially is economical for folks with rapidly growing mini-mes.

It is $1 to list a pair of shoes, but since the site is new, they are offering a special deal to VintageGent readers. Just put in the code SHOES as a coupon code when you register, and you will receive 5 free listings. If you look around, there is also a coupon on the actual site that will give you another 2 (Use code SOLES). This might just work for them to entice folks to list because there’s nothing to lose. Right now, I see a couple of men’s shoes among the ladies, but no vintage shoes yet. I guess I’ll just have to fix that.

There may be a few  Vintagent-ette shoes going on the site tonight, so we’ll see what they are. Check back here later and I’ll tell you what they are, or better yet, take your own treasure hunt to see if you can spot them tonight. As V-Gette says, “If the shoe fits, buy it. Oh wait a minute. I don’t need all those shoes. Okay, if they fit and if they’re comfortable and they’re bright green or patent leather and you don’t have anything like it….okay…go ahead. If you have the money/”

Friday Night Lights Makes My Friday Night

Guest post compliments of my friend Dong Wood

Direct tv has brought me many hours of great viewing. One of the finest is “Friday Night Lights,” which airs, appropriately enough, on Friday nights on NBC. Although this series has never garnered a huge audience, critics continue to appreciate its complex characters and realistic plot threads, and this year, both of its leads received long-deserved Emmy nominations for their work.

Kyle Chandler plays the tough but ethical high school football coach Eric Taylor, who molds students both on and off the field, making them into better players and people. His wife Tami, played by Connie Briton, also influences young people frequently in her job as first a high school counselor and then a principal. The two enjoy one of the warmest television marriages since The Cosby Show and struggle together with their teenage daughter Julie.

The Taylors anchor the show in familiar territory as starring students graduate from high school and move on to other ventures. Two teenage characters who have remained prominent from the beginning are the rugged Tim Riggins, a guy who is rough around the edges but wants to be a decent person deep down, and Matt Saracen, who starts out as a shy young man forced into the role of quarterback after the team’s star player is critically injured.

New characters emerge each season, winning our hearts and challenging our prejudices.

A Virtual Coupon Corral

(At left: Roping in a very big deal on the ranch.)

It may shock you that I sometimes buy brand new things from the store that aren’t vintage, antique or at least retro. Folks need underwear and efficient freezers sometimes (offers of Home Depot coupons work on me), too.  Yeah, I like old fashioned appliances but the frugal me puts them on display rather than paying $100 more in electricity to run them.  I realize the frugal goodness of coupons, but when I buy something online, I need to have the coupon code in my hand that put the bug in my ear to hurry up and buy it in the first place or I don’t use it. I just buy it and kick myself later when I see codes that I hate searching for. Frugalness definitely costs time.  They have all sorts of services out there to analyze yourself like Billshrink so you can see where you are leaking money, but to me, discounts are the way to go.

Over at Savings.com, they have a lost compiled of every possible code for things from Sony computer coupons to a wide variety of fashionable and current clothing.  I spotted Bulgari, Diesel, and Sean John, just to name a few.

What I liked is that I could search designers and brands by name, and then the site tells me what online shops have discounts available, rather than choosing a store name and then sifting through and finding an offer that fits. It’s a veritable coupon corral, rather than lists of lists.  Toddle on over and rope yourself a bargain.  Alternately, post the deals and coupon codes that you have found to share with the community.  Might be a good way to promote yourself, dear marketing managers of online stores with coupon codes.

Retro Wartime Posters at Cafepress

While tooling around on the internet, I realized I had forgotten all about Cafepress. How could I have done that? Everyone and his roommate’s girlfriend’s uncle’s first girlfriend’s dog sitter’s favorite television personality did up their own custom Cafepress t-shirts . In fact, I had tried my hand in it, too.  Since I haven’t been thinking of buying or making anything, it sort of slipped off the radar in my mind.  I remember the margin on paper products was slim, but now there are all sorts of  funny motivational and inspirational posters, as well as classic posters sold directly through Cafepress.

I was surprised by the selection of retro posters. There are movie posters, such as the Godfather poster, but I had seen those all before.  There is also a selection of retro images, such as posters from WWII.  Some look familar, but I am wondering if some were created with new artists in the old style.  There are so many images from the War that exist just as a couple copies of a poster, so it is not surprising if many are unfamilar. Either way, if you want to create a retro decor, they fit the bill.  Some are available in the typical Cafe Press format of poster, mini-poster and framed print.

Of course, always surf around to find original designs from individuals, but if you are looking for classic copyrighted images, Cafepress itself has a lot to offer now.

Speaking of poster, I was wondering where the word originated. The snippet on posters from Wikipedia states, “A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface.” Really? That would include wallpaper. However, Merriam-Webster also insists its “intended for public display.”  The word came into vogue during the 1830–40 period.

Red Handed…I Mean Wristed

Do you wear a funky watch, or is it something a bit more pedestrian? I am actually contemplating going back to a pocket watch because whatever I pick can’t possibly match every season, activity and occasion. Silly me, I didn’t know I was supposed to have a trove of 20 watches. If you think watches that aren’t plastic and $10 come in other than in white, black, or pearl faces and black or tan straps, check out this jacques lemans watch.

Um…it’s just really “out there” isn’t it? When you see it, you can’t un-see it, but it definitely coordinates in an all-red outfit or provides contrast to black.  There are parties these days where everyone is supposed to wear white or orange or something, and if someone has a red party, you are all set.  Everyone will know if someone has stolen your watch and will make the pilferer own up to it.

On a serious note, if worn judiciously, it can be a signature accessory. In addition Jacques Lemans has provided different time measuring devices, such as chronographs to race tracks and airlines.  If a plane can be landed on time, or at least that’s their aim, or a race can be measured in tenths of a second, you surely can get to the meeting or the open mic night on time.  The watch will do its job, you just have to do yours and pay attention to it.

The Jacques Lemans watch retails in the $150-175 range and is available at retailers and BlueDial.com

Remote Access is Tron-proof

(At left: That is the amount of staff dad needed when he first started learning how to send an e-mail-technical director, button depressor, and supervisor.)

Just imagine if you were James Bond or some sort of retro 80s cyber hacker and somehow were able to reach into someone else’s computer and move the cursor across their screen while they were looking at the screen. That would be pretty cool, wouldn’t it? Not really. It is a frightening idea that someone could do that, but what if you couldn’t access any of their files, but rather could just play a joke. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen, but there is such thing as remote desktop software, where an admin computer could be used to help out someone on a different computer.

Something like that would help out if someone was so classic, old fashioned and retro that they still use their 1940s Royal exclusively to type off missives. The computers, of course would both have to have the software. Don’t worry, you couldn’t go skulking around in just anyone’s computer, but could access files or provide remote tech support for someone you work with or a relative who is terrified of breaking their computer. I remember when my dad sent me blank emails thinking that if he talked while looking at the screen that I’d hear him and get what he said. It usually involved several phone calls, and by that point, what was the point of saving money by emailing him?

By the way, with remote access, you are pretty stuff. You will not suddenly be transported and trapped in either your computer or the others. Thankfully, there will be no Tron scenario where that guy got sucked in and had to compete with laser-trail-emitting vehicles to fight for his life.  I shouldn’t say “the guy,” as it is clearly Jeff Bridges.  Either way, I know I am reassuring or disappointing many people by saying that.

Finding One’s Self

I wrote a few articles awhile ago on attending live auctions, and didn’t know, but a few folks had quoted the article and I was not aware of it. Wordpress has a handy dandy area that shows what other blogs are linking to you, but its not always in real time. Oh, and if the quoter had a regular non-blog website or didn’t link back to you, the info doesn’t show up.

I found that Blog Copy has a tool for finding out where your stuff is. Pop some code into your template and it will automatically look around the internet for you. You’ll have to register at blogcopy.com first. Everything will show up in your control panel there.  If the writer gave you credit, but just didn’t link to you, you can happily go over and post a comment on their blog in thanks.  If they just lifted your material..well..then take a two by four. No, don’t do that, but you can send a helpful note.

Rugby Team Wows the Crowd…on Their Shirts

The French Rugby team Stade Français has a new rugby jersey, and its not striped or color-blocked. “The Crowd” will debut at the August 14th match. The uniform will inevitably scramble a few television camera and is certainly atypical for a sporting team. Part of it harkens back to the days of 70s photo prints on button-down shirts, albeit far more cartoonish. T

here is a method to the madness. It’s all about merchandising. The team hopes to rope in sales from design aficionados, rather than strictly Rugby fans. This kind of potential shark jumping also gets the team a lot of press.

There was a study years ago that suggested sometimes the color of a uniform made a difference in the mindset of a team. What does having 70 people on a uniform do? Give the athlete the impression they are being cheered on by a crowd, or jeered at? Time will tell, and certainly sales figures will tell once the design is made available to the public at large.

What do you think? Brilliant marketing or a an ill-fated move?

Truth in Advertising

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of MeetLocals.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

The name of the subtle, nuanced cinematic masterpiece “Snakes on a Plane” was going to be changed to Pacific Air 121, but according to Collider.com, Samuel L. Jackson balked, “ We’re totally changing that back. That’s the only reason I took the job: I read the title.”

Not since SOAP has there been such truth, but almost blatant tackiness, in advertising as the website named Shop4Guys.com. It is exactly what you think of it as. Women look on the website to find guys, and of course the guys used in the banner and graphics are all models. That being said, would the same concept fly if it were called Trolling for Ladies or Buying Women? Probably not?  Perhaps the marketers thought folks would think it was humorous and perhaps they do.

If I were to make a dating site, what catchy name would I use? Meetlocals.com is one of those “self explanatory” ones that is already taken.  Hmmm…. I think North Meets South, elegant matches for Civil War-reenactors, would be a hit.  It may attract non-reenactors who just pretend they ‘respect the hobby’ so much, but I am sure the diehards could weed out the womanizing petticoat chasers and the gals that are just attracted to the uniform who will inevitably leave them for the local mall security guard.

However, if there is to be another “total truth in advertising site, how about UseU?  UseU could be the site for folks who don’t really want a relationship but just want a date with someone who is far higher on the attractiveness scale to go out with them, but only where their ex, or the guy or gal they REALLY want to date will see them.  That doesn’t sound very ladylike and gentlemanly, but at least everyone is being honest with each other.