Wearing Trafalgar's conversational Limited Edition Braces is, without question, a most discreet and elegant manner of expressing one’s dash, style, and sense of humor. Many of these hand-loomed silk braces have already established themselves as collectible and wearable works of art. In fact, there have been numerous gentlemen willing to purchase braces from early sold-out editions for several times their original worth.

Some notable and celebrated individuals wore the originals, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Benjamin Disraeli, and Oscar Wilde. Recent limited editions of these braces are enjoyed by a diverse and worldly group of aficionados - from royalty to rockstars, Supreme Court justices, film directors, sports heroes, diplomats, novelists, and adventurers. Pick a pair that suits your fancy. Wear them with your casual, business, or evening attire and enjoy the wonderful new dimension they bring to your life. But beware! If not already a devotee, you may soon find yourself collecting these timeless braces.

The intricate designs seen in these pages a rewoven using only the finest denier silk yarns. Yarns that are so very delicate, they could not be used on today’s high speed looms. In the early 1970’s, Marley Hodgson, the founder of Traalgar, discovered eight disassembled 200 year-old wooden looms in an abandoned European carriage house. Originally built like fine pianos, Hodgson had each loom re-built and refurbished over a two-year period. Today, one of Europe’s finest weavers is producing these brace fabrics in limited editions, in part, because even the most skilled crafts men can only weave five yards of narrow silk fabric a day.

The artistic and sometimes whimsical designs of the Limited Edition braces come from a variety of sources. Many have been generously loaned for reproduction by collectors, some of whom were members of the original “International Society of Brace Collectors”. Over twenty-five are faithful reproductions of pre-WWII New York City haberdasher, Calvin Curtis - who designed eccentric, often humorous braces for influential men of the period. He created America Hurrah for Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the early 1940’s.

One of the perks of paying artisans for the privilege of selling their products is that some of them will send thank you gifts this time of year. I don't expect it (which makes for the best gifts), but it's nice to see what different vendors come up with. I can safely say that Robin Rotenier's gift this year blew me away. 

Robin did not design the Fly & Swatter Cufflinks for us, but of course I have an affinity for that pair as I love to kill innocent insects. Oh, and it might have something to do with On The Fly. But the pair I received as a gift were in a brand new alloy that we have never seen before, which sounds like might be a standard option on Robin Rotenier cufflinks next year: Black Rhodium.

I don't know how he's doing it. I don't know if it will cost more. I don't know when the option will be available on our website. But I will try to post a good photo of the actual Black Rhodium pair I'm wearing to a party tonight. 

In a matter of days, we will have photography for Martin Dingman's new Lexington Collection made of very smooth equestrian bridle leather in three colors: Chocolate, Palamino (a very, very light tan), and Persimmon (a soft orange). Unfortunately, that means the end of the Ambrose line of soft, tumbled leather in Antique Tan and Black. All Ambrose small leather goods are marked down 25% off while stock is available.

In addition, the "Henry" line of matte Alligator products is being phased out. All Martin Dingman matte alligator products are marked down 25% while supplies last. 

You can find all of their wallets here.

There are a number of new Limited Edition braces that will be added to the site shortly (Cigars, Golf, Poker, and Sailing), some that are already live (Cocktails Anyone and Bull Market [poorly timed, we know]). 

There are also a number of braces that have been re-issued, including Muy Caliente, Scales of Justice, and Tranquillite D'Esprit. 

And lastly, there are a few that are being cleared out, and are on sale for the low, low price of $85. These braces are moving quick, and we only have 1 of each, but those still available include Third & Long, Silky Slim's Jazz Band, Grand Prix, Checkmate, and The Open. You can see any clearance-sale braces left here.

While we focus exclusively on the men's market, Davek umbrellas have been such a tremendous seller for us that we will always be committed to carrying their entire line. As such, it's worth noting that the Traveler -- the most compact umbrella made my Davek -- is now available in 4 new colors: Fuchsia Pink, Sunflower Yellow, Royal Blue, and Kiwi Green.

Then again, we're firm believers that real men wear pink! 

A new Bill Lavin catalog has been delivered, and we will have a ton of new belts up on the site shortly. To make room, we need to move some of the inventory we already have. Dozens of Bill Lavin belts are on sale 50-60% off. While supplies last! 

As always, Martin Dingman is introducing some gorgeous new products for Spring 2009. Here are some of the highlights...

• The Keeneland "1936 Collection" is a line of leather accessories made of an elegant, equestrian saddle leather with a clean European cut edge stitching. The line comes in 3 colors: Chocolate, Palomino (a natural/nude leather color), and Persimmon (a nice orange). Thirteen pieces comprise the line: a Penny Loafer, Belt, Billfold, Business Card Case, Money Clip Wallet, Credit Card Case, Passport Cover, Travel Wallet, Checkbook Cover, Eyeglass Case, Pen Case, Portfolio, and a Shaving Kit. The Keeneland line will be available in November (yes, we recognize that is technically Fall).
  
• Our favorite piece from the Signature Stripe line (Dingman's collection handmade in Italy) is a "Rock Star" shoe & belt combination called the Bala Belt, and the Arlo Inlay shoe. We wish we had a photo (we'll work on it as fast as we can), but it's a vintage Cabretta Venetian leather with a genuine lizard inlay. It's probably the "fastest" piece we've ever seen from Martin Dingman, and we think it will appeal to the guy who wants to be noticed.
  
• The Arlo will also be introduced in a North American deerskin version, available in November.
  
• The Bob Shoe will be done in a "Baroque" pattern that should go over well with those that already like the casual Bob Shoe.
  
• And it wouldn't be Spring without a Spectator, which we have coming in a classic penny loafer.
  

Mulholland Brothers' "Urban Sport" line has finally arrived, and are they going to turn heads. The idea behind the line was to introduce bags designed to hold a lot of stuff, and to take a beating. In the words of the company's CEO, Jay Holland, the line features "a plethora of pockets and padding".

Each piece is made of a practically-bulletproof ballistic nylon (we are not claiming that it is actually bullet-proof!) with leather accents. Each bag features contrast stitching and contrast zippers in two colors: Cayenne or Lime.

The International Carry-on Trolley is probably the most interesting piece by pure serendipity. Designed to fit on international flights where carry-on sizes are usually smaller, it should not be surprising to anyone if U.S. carriers begin to shrink carry-on sizes too. With surcharges already being added for luggage, fuel, pets, meals, etc., the lighter you can travel, the heavier your Classic Billfold will remain.  

You can see the first 7 pieces of the Urban Sport line here.

With the success of the new M-Series line in the sable grey color, Mulholland Brothers will be adding an all Black line as well in the early part of Summer. In addition, there will be a couple of new pieces added to the line in the sable grey, including a standard Carry-On Trolley (to complement the International Carry-on Trolley they already produce), a Rolling Trolley (same size as the 26" Packing Bag), a Large Rolling Duffel Bag, and a Rolling Valet.