Jay Sjoholm

Building an Heirloom—Gator Style

By Jay SjoholmBelle DecorJune 28, 2012

An American alligator belt is something I consider an heirloom piece—something to keep, cherish, and, eventually, hand down to the next generation. Not only is it an investment, but it’s also a unique personal accessory. If you've ever wondered what goes into making an alligator belt, my friend Martin Dingman shed some light on the process.  

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Sid Mashburn's New Suit

By Jay SjoholmBelle DecorJune 14, 2012

Sid Mashburn, the owner of the Atlanta men’s store of the same name, has taken a sockless leap forward with the recent release of his own suit. Made in Italy with Bemberg lining, horn buttons, and a lot of by-hand detailing, each suit features a slimmer cut with natural shoulders, a slightly shorter length, and, perhaps most appealing, an uncommonly low price point (starting at $995 - $1395 off the rack—custom has approximately a 20% premium).  It’s a timeless look.  And what’s better, the more miles you put on the suit, the better it fits, thanks to full-canvas construction (wool and horsehair fabric sewn between the outer and inner linings act as the skeleton of the jacket), which allows the suit to breakdown naturally to your body.

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Barbour Jacket Reproofing

By Jay SjoholmThe Sporting SouthMay 21, 2012

When making an investment in anything—hunting gear, a new skiff, one of Ted Juracsik’s famed fly reels—it’s a great idea to commit to regular maintenance and upkeep. Clothes are no different. And, with the rainy months nearly behind us, now is the time to send that well-worn Barbour jacket out for a little TLC. The worst thing that can happen to a waxed-cotton jacket is for it to dry out. Since it can’t be washed, the exterior cotton fabric is dependent upon wax to help keep its sturdiness and weather-fighting characteristics in tact.  Bottom line: If it dries out, it rips, and if it rips, you’ve got a much bigger repair bill on your hands.

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A Classic Shirt Tale

By Jay SjoholmBelle DecorFebruary 29, 2012

Inspired by Savile Row tailors, the Southern guys behind Ledbury Shirts create quality garments one spread collar at a time. A runner-up in last year's Made in the South Awards, Ledbury is a story of two Pauls, one from Virginia and one from Louisiana, who met in business school in London (Oxford, of course). Obsessed with high-end tailoring options across the pond, they found themselves increasingly disappointed by the lack of similar craftsmanship stateside. When the economic crisis derailed the finance jobs that seemed like their “safe” career paths post-business school, they decided to focus on their passion for menswear instead

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