SNOW (PART II)

(posted by pai)

Fact: I look better than you when I shovel the snow on my driveway. Now, you're probably thinking that it doesn't matter what you wear when you shovel your driveway, and you couldn't be more wrong. What's the point of practical clothing if you look silly? I always want to look my best, whether I'm popping bottles at the club, or shoveling two feet of snow out of my driveway. You can say I'm insecure, but I'm just going to stop you there and tell you to not make assumptions like that about my character. There's no room for things like that on this blog, sir.

The goal is to find clothing that is both practical and looks good. What do I wear? My Krane Emory Hooded Bomber, of course. An even better choice may be the Krane Mathias Mod Coat, especially on a weekend like this when we are expecting 18+ inches of snow on the ground.

Krane Mathias Mod Coat in Olive

$825 (ON SALE: $660)

First off, this is one of the best looking coats we've ever carried, but it doesn't stop at looks. The waxed cotton shell is great for keeping you dry and the inside is lined with recycled Italian military wool blanket. What does that mean? It's warm. It's really warm. Ken Chow really killed it this past season with the Krane coats, and the Mathias is one of the last ones we have left, and it's on sale. You can save almost $200 off retail on an amazing piece that's going to last you forever, so be smart and pick one up!

If you're in DC or anywhere else where they are expecting mass amounts of snow, I hope you skipped the lines at the grocery store and hit the liquor store instead, because it's going to be a long one. Have a good weekend snowed-in and don't try to drive anywhere unless you absolutely have to (especially if you hit the liquor store instead of the grocery store).

And don't forget to shop at ShopFarinellis.com when you're stuck indoors all weekend!

SEE OUR ENTIRE KRANE COLLECTION ONLINE

KEEP WARM!

(posted by pai)

The winds are howling and it's effing freezing in Arlington today. See for yourself:

I went ahead and circled the most disturbing part.

Readers, you may not know this about me, but I react to cold-weather the same way I would react to a tidal wave, or a fire-breathing dragon: I run for cover, usually while crying. Every time someone opens the door, the wind rushes in to slap me in the face like an angry ex-girlfriend, and like the aforementioned scenario, I have no idea what I've done wrong to deserve this punishment.

Naturally, I've gone into survival mode, and it got me thinking-what can I use in my surroundings to keep me warm? Luckily, I am at the right store, because we are up to our asses in warm gear here at Farinelli's. Here are a few pieces that might keep you warm if you're living in the area and you are insane enough to go out and walk around:

Michael J. Krell x Farinelli's Barn Coat Collaboration
$385

Probably the warmest coat we have in the store. Heavy wool outer shell with a quilted Japanese flannel interior-if you're not wearing it, you can just take it off and use it as a blanket. On days like today, I think it's a good idea to buy one in your size and one in 2 sizes up so you can wear them at the same time and turn yourself into a baked potato with legs.

Krane Mathias Mod Coat
On Sale: $660

I really can't say enough about Krane's jackets. Seriously, I think I've blogged about them four or five times. The quality is tops and the design is epic. You will not find someone wearing something similar to this thing. It's also warm as shit. Why? Because the inside is recycled Italian military wool blanket-and the Italians are very serious about keeping their servicemen warm. The rabbit fur-lined hood and heavy waxed cotton outer also help. This jacket is basically the coolest thing you can wear that isn't a suit of armor. It's on sale too. Why are you still reading this? I'm not a good writer, go click on the picture above and buy it.

Wolf vs. Goat Pea Coat in Navy (also available in Maroon)
On Sale: $452

22 oz. Italian melton wool outer shell, 8 oz. denim twill interior. Put this jacket on and sweat out the winter season. Our very own Mauro Farinelli and Heather Karpoff designed this thing to have a modern slim fit as well, because really, what's the point of being warm if you don't look good? I'd rather freeze to death than wear an ill-fitting coat, and I'm sure you would too.

There you have it. The three reasons why I haven't frozen to death in this store and turned into a modern day Encino Man. Most of those jackets are still on sale until New Years for our holiday sale too, so don't stay cold, and don't drag your feet on these purchases!

DON'T GO OUTDOORS, IT'S TOO COLD! SHOP AT HOME ON SHOPFARINELLIS.COM!

THE VARSITY JACKET

(posted by pai)

The idea of wearing a varsity jacket is scary for some guys. You felt like the coolest kid in the world when you wore one in high school, but now look at you. You're working the nine to five, paying the mortgage, spending your afternoons at Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond, and you've found that you've grown strangely fond of The Outback Steakhouse. And who can blame you? Have you had the bread at The Outback Steakhouse? It's proof that someone, somewhere wants you to be happy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to sit here and assume that everyone wore a varsity jacket in high school. I didn't wear one, but I didn't do a lot of things in high school. I spent a lot of time crying and writing what I thought were clever song lyrics in a pocket-sized journal, but that's neither here nor there. The point is you didn't wear a varsity jacket in high school because, presumably, you were too cool for one. And you know what? You were too cool. Good for you, sir.

The point is whether you used to wear one and stopped, or if you just never wore one at all, you need to be wearing one now. Not just any varsity jacket either. You need to be wearing the best looking varsity jacket since Boobie Miles rocked one on the sidelines in Friday Night Lights:

Krane Laird Varsity Jacket in Gray
$675


Krane Laird Varsity Jacket in Navy
$675

What makes these jackets so rad? Well for one, they're made by Toronto-based Krane, and Ken Chow, designer of the aforementioned outerwear line, simply knows what's cool, more so than even I do, and I like to think of myself as a sort of ambassador to anything cool. Not only does the guy know what looks good, but he puts a ridiculous amount of time into making sure all of his pieces are well-made and of high-quality fabrics. Case and point: the body of the Laird Varsity Jacket is made of 100% wool military blanket. The sleeves and trim? 100% super-soft lambskin leather. When you start considering this stuff, $675 starts looking like a steal!

This varsity jacket also looks a lot better than the one you wore (or didn't wear) in high school for two more reasons: 1) Krane's tailored the silhouette so that it's more fitted than the baggy thing that you see on football field sidelines, and 2) it comes in two great muted color palettes (see above). Have you seen some of the colorful varsity jackets people are wearing these days? My high school's colors were yellow and green, and that's fine, but I don't want to wear a jacket that makes me look like I'm trying to be a spokesperson for Mello Yello.

So, to review: the high-quality fabrics, tailored look, and muted colors are why this jacket is BAD ASS. If you wore one in high school but you're scared to wear one now, now's the time to throw it back to the times when rules were only suggestions for you, because this jacket says "I don't play by anyone's rules, not even my own." If nothing else, you'll be the best looking guy in Bed Bath and Beyond. If you didn't wear one in high school because you thought you were too cool, you should pick one up to be ironic, because who doesn't love irony and all of the times people misuse it?

SEE THE ENTIRE KRANE FALL/WINTER 2009 COLLECTION

LOOK OF THE WEEK

(posted by pai)

Hello world! We're starting the new week off right with another Look of the Week! Who doesn't love looks of the week? We love styling outfits, you guys love looking at pictures of me, and Nathan gets the chance to make witty remarks like "please stop making that MySpace page face" when I am trying to get my model on. Your classic win-win-win scenario.

Last time (click to see last time) we tried to add some color to our look without looking like we were screaming "HEY, LOOK AT ME!!!" so naturally, this week we hit the grayscale button and kept it monotone. Without further adieu:

This look is called "Magnum"
Krane Emory Hooded Bomber
APC Cardigan
Band of Outsiders Multi-Crest Tie
Band of Outsiders White Overdye Oxford
Spurr Pipe Leg Jean in Grey

You're probably thinking, "pai, why so serious?" I'm looking very serious in that picture because that is a seriously good-looking outfit. Notice that I've got a couple layers on underneath the Krane jacket, but my upper half doesn't look bulky. The reason for this is two-fold: 1) I haven't had a chance to the hit gym and really put some work in on my pectorals, so I have a bird chest, and 2) Krane's jackets are made to keep you warm in the Winter, but they're also tailored really well, so the cut is fitted but you still have plenty of room to layer underneath without looking like you're an eight month pregnant guy (like Arnold Schwarzenegger in that movie Junior... On an unrelated note, can you believe he is a governor? Gotta give it up to California...).

APC Cardigan
Band of Outsiders Multi-Crest Tie
Band of Outsiders White Overdye Oxford
Spurr Pipe Leg Jean in Grey

This picture is intended to show you what I've got on underneath the jacket. (Please disregard the 5 o'clock shadow and the beginnings of what appear to be an incredibly creepy mustache.) This outfit says "I can dress in black and white and not look like a penguin." That's not to say there's anything wrong with looking like a penguin. I challenge you to watch March of the Penguins and not cry... It can't be done!

And that is our second look of the week. If there any pieces you'd like to see us style into one of these posts, feel free to comment and let us know what we can do for next week!

Sit On It

Nary a day goes by here at Farinelli's without someone commenting upon our seating. Yes, they're real (how do we know? we just know mm'kay). Yes, they're for sale (if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it, as the adage goes). And no, you cannot *borrow* them for the blowout you're throwing at your frat house this weekend.

Mostly, though, they're just freakin' cool looking and rather comfortable to lounge in. See? Even Mauro likes them. And he doesn't like anything. Oh wait - that was Mikey. From the cereal commercial. Anyhizzle...


Where were we? Ah yes - seating. We like to think of Farinellis as more than just a store. It's a lifestyle, non? Every pair of raw denim or silk skirt deserves a lovely place in which to rest. So we've picked out a few of our favorites.


Oh Herman Miller, you stylish stalwart, you. Always something new with this one. You might be more familiar with their Limerick or Aeron models, but this new one - Embody - has really turned our heads. First off, the chair is 95% recyclable if (or even when) you've decided to move on. See how the back of it mimics the appearance of a spine (reminds us of that sick Alexander McQueen for Samsonite luggage from a few years back) so as to cushion and support your actual spine. Neat-o. And the seat has this cool thingy that encourages "seated movement," so you don't crunch down into a blobbering pile of aching muscles and poor posture. We like.


Another chair that fits quite well into the Farinellis aesthetic is the Buttercup from Blu Dot. This ain't yo Grandma's rocking chair! Molded wood: check. Stainless steel legs: check. Complete and total awesomeness: check. We like the retro futuristic lines, the simplicity of design, and the fact that it would look equally at home in nursery, dorm room, or loft. We really like.


Now say, for example, that you live in a den of opulence and sophistication (like Payman does) and only the best of the best will do. You, my friend, must acquire this chair from Rick Owens' furniture exhibit. Made of only the finest concrete and fisher fur, this giant hunk of manliness is nothing short of perfection. Kinda reminds us of the Krane Jonas Officer Coat, with its waxed cotton and goat fur lining. Costing, of course, a fraction of Owens' chair. Worn, of course, my Mauro. Guess that brings us back full circle, eh? We really, really like.

JUST IN: KRANE

Well the wait is over: Krane outerwear has landed at Farinelli's! I had always heard great things about the brand, but after handling the garments in person, I can tell you this stuff is going to blow all of your expectations away. The attention to detail is absolutely jaw-dropping. You will seriously find something new to love about these jackets every time you wear them.

I got a chance to speak with Krane designer Ken Chow last week and he told me a little bit about Krane and the Fall/Winter 2009 collection:

Ayling Pea Coat in Recycled Wool Italian Military Blanket
$810

THE COLLECTION

This season's collection is heavily influenced by Remembrance Day posters that Ken designed as a child. The military themes are prevalent throughout the entire collection from the color palette (black, olive green) to the materials used (recycled military blankets). Although he was inspired by military themes, Ken didn't want the collection to be too "army surplus," so he used a lot of different accents and leather trims to give the jackets some edge. Ken also noted that this season is influenced by industrial design due to the fact that many of his friends work in that field. For this reason, his eye is naturally drawn to industrial design and you can find traces of it in his outerwear.

Laird Varsity Jacket
Available in Gray and Navy
$675

THE LABEL

Krane is still a relatively new label, and as such, Ken is still developing themes; however, each season has been a continuation of the last one. For example, many of the silhouettes from this year are similar to the ones used in the Fall 2008 collection, except that they've been slimmed down. In designing for Krane, Ken noticed that there has been huge focus on mass market menswear, and although he's not against it, he wanted to create something that would bring a personal touch back to men's clothing. That's why he's placed heavy emphasis on hand-sewn buttons.

Anyone who is local should definitely swing by and take a look / try on the Krane stuff. Pictures and words really don't do these pieces justice. They are worth every penny and they'll last a lifetime. We'll have the jackets up on the website this week. We only received a limited run of sizes in the first shipment but we are expecting more later on this season!

COMING SOON: KRANE

We are very excited and proud to announce that we will be carrying Krane outerwear this coming season! If you haven't heard of Krane you've really been missing out on some ridiculously nice stuff. The line is based out of Toronto, and the founder/designer, Ken Chow was trained at FIT in New York. He's also worked with acclaimed designers Marc Jacobs and Robert Geller (at Cloak).

Emory Hooded Bomber
Dark olive waxed cotton with fur-lined hood

Growing up, Chow used to enter Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day poster design contests, and this affinity for a military aesthetic has stayed with him in his designs at Krane. You can also expect to see a lot of waxed cotton and leather fabrics in their outerwear.

Ayling Pea Coat
Olive recycled wool Italian military blanket

Stay tuned as we might be bringing you an interview with Ken Chow next week! Also, be sure to check out their newly revamped website (KraneDesign.com) to check out their entire lookbook for Fall/Winter 2009