Fall Financing

In the business of wardrobe-building, only time can tell whether a purchase will be a dead investment or if it will be the gift that keeps on giving. Here's a couple of pieces for the fall that I might consider taking a risk in once I've raised the funds to purchase them:

Guidi donkey leather oxfords

They're ridiculously expensive, and have to be broken in. My feet will have to bleed, partially heal, and then bleed again before they become wearable. But it's this old-world charm that makes the shoes quite enthralling; you'll see it in the details:

exposed nail heads on the footbed,

meticulous hand-stitching, and leather laces.

They're very plain and borderline dowdy, but I remain smitten. I envision them going with every piece in my wardrobe; they will provide that much-needed back note of artisanal handsomeness to every outfit without screaming to be star of the show.

As a French flourish for the fall, possibly my first Hermes scarf?

Hermes Jardin des Metamorphoses scarf, design by Francois Houtin

It's an elaborate depiction of an enchanted forest wherein boars, deer, foxes, and bears morph into trees and shrubbery and vice-versa and everything in between. The scene is dreamlike, and the feel of the hand-rolled silk scarf is dreamy.

the scarf knotted

I intend on wearing it tied loosely around the neck over a dark sweater (image from Hermes Spring 2011 Men's catalog),

nonchalantly looped around the neck,

or worn inside a shirt, ascot-style. This fall, what are you planning on putting your money on?

first three photos via Atelier New York

the rest via Hermes