Dallas-Based Verum Clothing Does Monochromatic Minimalism

Leather-sleeved hoodie and zipper tee with python pocket

Verum, a new local unisex clothing line, launched a few weeks ago, but I finally got to look (and touch and feel) the pieces last week. I’m impressed. The spring collection, made up of only three pieces–a hoodie, a tee, and button-up, all made in the US–showcases what will be the line’s signature details: leather trim and exposed zippers. Co-owner Reham Choudhury (along with partners Rey Banaban and Haris Fazlani), who brought the collection to our offices on Friday, calls the aesthetic “dark” and “monochromatic,” a look he modeled after his own taste. Although Choudhury doesn’t have a design school background, he’s been tweaking, altering, and creating his own clothing for years. When friends wanted copies of his creations, Choudhury thought broader scale. But quality, he says, is key: “The moment I go cheaper, I’m going off track.”

Splashy branding isn’t the point either. You won’t find find obnoxious logos interfering with the clean lines, but you will find limited edition numbers sewn subtly into each item. Currently, production is small, so each garment is special and the number designates which piece you own. Spring, for example, included three designs and only 36 pieces were produced in total. (The sweatshirt above is marked with a black embroidered 5/12, marking it as the fifth of twelve hoodies made in initial production.) It’s like couture fashion with a streetwear twist. Oh, and crazy good prices. The python skin pocket tee with zippers is $75, the button-up with leather sleeves and trim is only $125, and the hoodie is a steal at $250. As you can guess, spring was devoured and sold out immediately, but as only a developing fashion business will allow, you can send the team an email with your size and have a custom piece made. info@verumclothing.com or 214-729-6487

If black isn’t your thing, stay tuned for fall 2013. Choudhury spilled that the line will made up of solid white.

The button-up shirt with leather sleeves and trim

Subtle logo

Peek Inside Traffic Los Angeles in Downtown Dallas

Traffic mens store Dallas

I told you how much I loved my first visit to the Traffic Los Angeles menswear shop, the first new shop to open in Tim Headington’s downtown makeover. You’ll find a mix of sophisticated suits, colorful dress socks, funky, paint-speckled designer denim, basic tees and tanks, gorgeous Moma Italian leather shoes, and adventurous pieces (hello, pink leather moto jacket). This shop is not for the subtle. Daring guys on fashion forward side of the tracks welcome.

Moma Italian shoes

Traffic is at once for dapper gents and edgy fashion lovers

The textures of the sneak preview women's section

SEE MORE PHOTOS.

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It’s Official: Traffic at the Joule is Open (Well, the Men’s Side)

Head over to Traffic immediately. It opened today and there are cocktails being served tonight.

The new LA-based shop has it’s men’s store open for business, and quite frankly, it’s killer. The store is gorgeous, with a dark, industrial palette and warm wood, and a curated batch of merchandise that will have men who love to dress drooling. I was drooling as co-owner Michael Moldovan (his counterpart is wife, Sara) walked me around showing off his exclusive lines ands their flawless craftsmanship thinking, Okay, if I bring this to my tailor, how I get this to fit?

Opening later this spring are the women’s store and Comme des Garçons PLAY store.

Dallas Residents Launch New Activewear Line

Rozik's The Analyzer trousers with tabs to roll up pant legs, reflective pocket flap for safe riding, and raised back coverage to keep rearends undercover. (photography courtesy of Rozik)

Designed with bicycle commuters in mind, Rozik is a new Dallas-based line of “every wear” clothing that allows you to bike to work, or hurry to happy hour afterward, without the annoying wardrobe change. Launched in 2012 by locals Anne Clarrissimeaux and Anthony Rosich, Rozik sells what appear to be classic men’s khakis–except they’re made out of comfortable, breathable material, making it easy to transition from work to play–and everything in between. (And since the owners are cycling enthusiasts, the pant legs even have tabs that make them easy to roll up to keep clear of bicycle chains, and there’s a hidden reflective flap for extra visibility when riding at night.)

Not only is the line owned by Dallas residents, but all of the clothing is produced right here in North Texas. Clarrissimeaux and Rosich say they are working hard to re-establish the clothing manufacturing industry in Dallas, and they’re helping local charities along the way. The company has partnered with Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind’s Sewing Center, which helps with the final stages of manufacturing the clothing, and in return, a portion of the profits from t-shirt sales go to benefit the organization.

Rozik currently sells only men’s clothing, but a women’s line is in production and should be hitting stores sometime this summer. Until then, you can purchase the men’s merchandise from Transit Bicycle Company and Richardson Bike Mart.

Jessica Mitzner is a ShopTalk intern.

Update: The clothing is not created exclusively as a workout pant, but as a pant that allows lots of activity.

Introducing Blaine’s Menswear Picks. Up First, a Smooth Pair of Cole Haan Brogues

Cole Haan Air Madison Wingtip Oxford (photography courtesy of Cole Haan)

New to ShopTalk, let’s give a round of applause to Blaine Mountain, who will be bringing you a fresh bout of men’s style news. Founder of local menswear blog, The Culpr.it, Mountain will highlight his favorite shopping picks each month. Up first, his new favorite brogues:

The winter is the optimal season to beef up the brogue game. An unexpected cold front is the perfect excuse to find those argyle Happy Socks of yours a good home, and Cole Haan’s Air Madison Wingtip Oxfords ($248) are as cool as a loft at The W with a view of American Airlines Center. The best part about this brogue isn’t the calfskin leather, syrupy brown color–like a Lite batch of Mrs. Butterworth’s goodness–the magic is in the Nike Air cushioning technology.

It’s like Lebron and Nick Wooster had a baby. Imagine yourself balling in and out of the boardroom in wing-tipped, hand burnished brogues. (Granted, it may be a little over the top to hoop in them, laces dangling, pump faking, and pulling up from fifteen feet like OJ Mayo, but the horizontal groves implanted in the soles do provide extra traction.)

So instead of copping a pair of retro Jordan’s that have been rereleased for the third time this year in a slightly altered color-way, roll into Cole Haan at NorthPark and cop a pair of these brogues for $248.00. –Blaine Mountain

Blaine Mountain is a blogger for TheCulpr.it, a Dallas menswear site. While at Texas Tech University, he studied American Literature, and in his spare time, devoured everything concerning Japanese lifestyle and fashion. He is fond of knitted ties, narrow notch lapels, and pants with no pleats. He’s also an 8th grade language arts teacher.

Hang On To Your Hat: Debut BLKLN Menswear Collection Includes Tanks, Silver Denim, Sequins

Head to any cool fashion event in town, and you’ll probably see Jim Duran. He’s the guy in the head-turning outfit. It could be a perfectly tailored jacket with his slicked back locks, a wildly printed tee, or even a drapy, sheer shirt with an exposed midriff. He’s also sporting some sort of fashion statement, which is why it comes as no surprise he’s decided to launch his own menswear collection. Called BLKLN Clothing (pronounced “black line”), the collection is full of “creatively tailored shirts, trousers and other essential wardrobe staples for me.” That’s according to the press release. Emphasis on “creatively tailored.” During a media sneak peek, I discovered slender lines, a variety of textures, a glam rock-and-roll vibe, and a generous dash of dazzle. Key pieces include shiny silver cargo pocket denim; a vest with black patent, subtle houndstooth print, and a hood; long, low-neck tanks; leggings; slim fit pants; black tees with sequin panels; and even a floor-length tank (/maxi dress). The collection is edgy and androgynous, and I would personally wear most of it. But will Dallas dudes? Duran says the goal is to give Dallas guys an alternative set of fashion-forward threads. Read my Q&A with Jim below and click here to attend the (free) November 13 debut event at DISH and see all 15 looks.

Me: How do you feel men in dallas will react?

Jim: I think the style here in Dallas for men is pretty formulaic and they seem to adopt a uniform. What I did in launching here in Dallas is give an alternative perspective to those fashion forward thinkers. I’m not saying I’m here to change the Dallas fashion scene. I just want to give them a different option.

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Party for the Boys at Timothy Oulton Tonight

Stacks of cool things everywhere. (photography by Joslyn Taylor)

That killer cool home store on Henderson (that threw the grand opening party with top hats and profusion of bubbly) is having another party tonight. This time it’s for the guys. But we’re invited, too. Timothy Oulton is serving scotch tastings, vodka cocktails, and free haircuts by Hair by Charlie stylists. Plus, there’s cigar rolling, light bites by R&D, and a look of the new in-house bag collection. And that’s not all. The shop is sharing the spotlight with soon-to-open boutique, Rye 51 + Q Custom, which will be operating a little in-store pop-up shop. So grab your guy and bring him over. Help him trade his tired ‘do for a fresh cut and his canvas laptop bag for this vintage-tinged leather case. Free booze should make this process easier. And you can go stare, wonderingly, at the submarine in the fish tank, while you map out a plan to make one of these antique chandelier floor lamps your own.

Where: Timothy Oulton
When: 6 pm to 9 pm

Wallets, Cufflinks, and Cool Guy Gadgets on CuffLinks.com’s Sample Sale

Naturally, my purple loving heart led me to these Duncan Walton Purple Spaced Out cufflinks on sale for $65 (usually $120).

Local men’s accessory dealer, Cufflinks.com, to whom we gave a Best of Big D award in 2009, is having a sample sale. Through Sunday, October 21, you can pick up discounted cufflinks, wallets, pocket squares, flasks, and other manly sartorial merch from lines like Scott Kay, Alfred Dunhill, Jan leslie, and Tokens & Icons. There are more than 400 items to browse. Plus, since you likely live in or around our fair city, you can drop by the Knox Street studio and pick up your order instead of spending on shipping. I smell early holiday presents. Click here to do a little gentleman’s shopping and cross off a few names on your nice list.

Coming Soon: Warehaus Men’s Shop to West Village

The sign looks ready. (image via Warehaus' Facebook page)

I love that men’s fashion is back in style. Guys, it seems, have finally remembered that ladies love a sharp dressed man. They’re breaking out the layers, prints, textures, adding bits of vintage, watching their tailoring, and experimenting with accessories. Even grungy types are perfecting their look with perfectly scuffed boots. The time is right for a new men’s shop in Dallas.

Welcome, WAREhaus, which opens doors in West Village this month. Brought to you Patrick Ware, former general manager at LFT; Erin McBriar, former fashion buyer at LFT; and Tony Medley, the shop’s new business manager, this gents’ boutique will feature casual separates, formal attire, denim, outerwear, and more in a cozy space equipped with a bar.

“We want our customers to feel like they’re coming into our home,” Ware says. “They can watch TV, have a drink at our bar, or get a cup of coffee.”

Brands include Riviera Club from Santa Barbara, Nicholas K from New York, Wolf vs. Goat a brand fully sourced around the U.S. , and Pervical from London.

“We’re kind of going coast to coast with American lines and then adding a kick-back to our roots with a few British lines,” McBriar says.

Expect to see these guys on the shop’s floor. “This is going to be an owner operated store,” Medley says, with customer service at the top of the priority list.

We can’t wait. Store opens Saturday, September 22.

His and Hers Giveaway: Kale Naturals Skincare

Kale Naturals is a local mens grooming line that aims to capture both the green factor of the natural product world with the quality and satisfaction provided by luxury skincare lines. Products are aimed at him (3-in-1 face, hair, and body washes), but are delicious enough for us girls. (Trust me, I know. I hijacked the Smooth Shave Cream for my legs.) Today’s giveaway includes their Smooth Shave Cream, Body Repair Cream moisturizer in peppermint, 3-In-1 Washes in citrus and wild mint, Daily Shampoo, Daily Face Lotion, and Bamboo Face Scrub.

Enter here to win. Good luck!

New, Dallas-Based Mizzen+Main Moisture-Wicking Dress Shirts Are Here

Mizzen+Main textured dress shirt, $99. (photo courtesy of Mizzen+Main)

When SMU grad Kevin Lavelle spent an internship in Washington D.C., he didn’t realize it would lead to an invention, but when he watched a man dripping in sweat head into a meeting with a congressman, he knew there was a need for a more comfortable men’s dress shirt that could withstand a little heat. Yesterday, his new business launched online. Introducing: Mizzen+Main, U.S.-made moisture-wicking, wrinkle fighting, dry clean-free men’s dress shirts. Heard of Under Armour or Nike Dri-Fit? It’s sort of like that, except in the form of trim-fitting, button-front, business-friendly men’s shirts that look like their starchy, less comfortable cousins. Two versions of the shirt are now up for grabs. (In waffle texture or smooth, both in white.) If the special launch price of just $99 per shirt–or the fact that you can toss these babies in the washing machine and hang them up to dry–doesn’t get you e-shopping, head to the Mizzen+Main Launch Party on Thursday, July 26 to cop a feel of these smooth, sweat-proof shirts in person at the Fashion Industry Gallery. There will be bites by Bolsa Mercado and an open bar from 6 pm to 8 pm. Plus, Mizzen+Main will donate a portion of each purchase to wounded veterans and their families. The evening’s honorable recipient is Taylor Morris, wounded Navy explosives specialist, who lost all four limbs in Afghanistan in May 2012. RSVP here.

Drab to Dapper: 17 Stylish Office-Friendly Accessories for Him

Skip black and shiny. How about one of these? (photography by Elizabeth Lavin)

The look of a busy business man often falls under one sad category: boring. Not necessary. This month’s issue of D CEO sheds a little light on some stylish (and bold) accessories for the office man. So help him compliment his humdrum white button-downs/black slacks look with these spring hued ties, paisley pocket squares, and colorful loafers.

Manly Man Beauty Giveaway

Ladies, think of your man, who likes all the manly stuff–grilling, roughing it in the woods, leaving the toilet seat up–but secretly likes to borrow your pumice stone. Otter Creek is a new line of grooming gear for him. It keeps it simple with shampoo, moisturizers, and body wash, but comes tubed in manly packaging depicting forest camouflage and snakeskin. Argh! (That’s a manly grunt, not pirate jargon.)

We’ve got one Essentials Kit to give away. It includes Spit Shine Body (which smells like cedar, coffee, and leather), Grit Happens Scrubbing Body Wash (with tropical coconut and lime), Hair of the Dog Birchwood Shampoo and Snakeskin Body Moisturizer (which is subtly citrusy).

Come to think of it, you might not want to give this stuff away. I won’t tell if you won’t. Either way, enter here to win.

Where to Shop for Father’s Day in Dallas

Shopping for dads can be kind of tricky. We’d like to think we’re making your lives a little easier with this quick Dallas Dad’s Day guide full of simple gift ideas.

(clockwise from top left) Paris Texas Apparel Co ties, Hadleigh's slippers, The Gents Place shave, and Moonshine cologne at Stanley Korshak (photography courtesy of vendors)

For the Texas Dad
Where: The Squire Shop
What You’ll Find: Attire for any occasion: suits for work, polos for golf, casuals for chasing kiddos, and outdoor gear for adventurous types.
Our Gift Suggestion: Paris Texas Apparel Company tie made in Texas. Each Texas-made tie comes in a custom tin box, $75.

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Lean & Light: New Summer Sport Coats from Q Custom

The Texas temperatures are already hovering around triple digits, and that can only mean one thing for men: uncomfortably warm work attire. But don’t sweat it. Thanks to the careful and considerate designs of Q Custom Clothier,  the Lean & Light collection is made specifically for the extreme summer heat. I spoke with Q’s founder and president, Raja Ratan, to get the scoop on this lightweight design.

“We have some really summer oriented silk, linen, and wool blends that are more conducive for summer,” Raja says. “They’re lighter weight, breathe better, and have a softer construction with almost no shoulder padding and half the lining.”

Even though the construction might seem a little more casual than a classically constructed sport coat, Raja insists they’re still appropriate for the office with a pair of trousers. Pair the Lean & Light sport coats with  jeans for a weekend stroll or khakis for a casual summer wedding to get the most out of the versatile collection. With several hundred fabric choices, there are no limitations to the color or print of the coat. Q Custom Clothier caters to its customers by scheduling appointments as well as welcoming walk-ins to create bespoke designs that are perfect for any Dallas man.

Kristi McCann is a shopping intern.