The wife gets to see the inside of cool houses, you get to taste wine and food. Winning.

Just one of the eight or so books of new swatches that just arrived.

This is the sweet spot, the new fabrics are in, last season’s fabrics that you’ve been eyeing are still available, the pricing hasn’t budged. It’s win-win.

“What?” You say. “That’s because it still is last season… .”

Yes and no. Remember, this isn’t an off-the-rack piece of …. clothing… this is your Leviner Wood custom-tailored garment waiting to be commissioned and made up. And that, my friend, takes about five weeks to make happen. Which puts us smack at Spring’s door.

I’d put up more photos, but they don’t do the fabrics justice. There is some beautiful stuff here, come take a look. Call Larry to schedule an appointment today. 804.928.7946.

This was the year for the smartphone and tablet wasn’t it? I think that everyone I know, with the possible exception of my mother, carries some sort of cool touch-screen device. Which means that we use them all the time. And, if you’re like me, you are frequently running out of juice for your iPhone. That’s where the SOL Hybrid Solar Powered Charger for iPhone comes in. Leviner Wood Client and exclusive man-on-the-street dealer for the SOL brought us one to try out. We were so thrilled, we asked to carry them for our gift line.

Triple your iPhone battery’s charge with the integrated solar charger! What? Cloudy, you say? No problem. The solar charger also uses indoor lighting to power you up where ever you are. By the way, it does that three time faster than your wall-charger, comes with a built-in flashlight in the protective case and three screen protectors.

Yeah, awesome. The Solar Charger, a great gift for him or her: $89.00 (click through to our website to be able to access our shopping cart feature and purchase the charger online.)

Look closely at the tabs above. Notice anything new? Announcing Leviner Wood’s new gift initiatives. We’ll be adding gift suggestions for Him and Her just to make your life a little simpler. All unique, most of local manufacture, all wrapped and available for shipping, delivery or pick-up at The Studio. So stop in, or click through often for new notions. (We’ll be adding the shop online option as soon as we can figure it out.)

We get a lot of this question from our clients: How do I prevent yellow armpit stains on my shirts?

Begin by wearing an undershirt. That didn’t help the Wood-man up there though.

The staining is caused by an interaction between your sweat (and pH balance) and the chemicals in the antiperspirant. A roll-on or gel will exacerbate the problem. Make sure it is completely dry before you get dressed.

I’ve had a lot of success from switching from an antiperspirant to a combination of deodorant and talcum powder (Shower-to-Shower, for example.) That hasn’t worked for Larry as well.

Another solution is to use less product (that comes right from Gillette Co., by the way). Most men assume that more works better — that’s not the case. A thin layer of protection is all you need.

If you launder your own shirts, pretreat the armpit with Oxyclean and then wash. You might also have your shirts laundered and ironed instead of dry-cleaned.

Any other solutions are more than welcome. What works for you?

You don’t get elected the President of the Continental Congress by accident. Preceded by his reputation as an influential politician and successful shipping magnate, the other members knew that John Hancock, a representative from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was unquestionably the man to lead them, and AE created this shoe to capture this special kind of inherent authority. Sculpted on the 97-Last with an ultra-soft lambskin lining, this six-eyelet blucher’s commanding presence is attributable to the dynamic perfing on the cap toe and eyestay and the refined artistry of the toe medallion. As a result of matching the artisan Independence leather sole with a shoe shaped with the highest-grade burnished, double-tanned calfskin, they’ve further bolstered the style’s confident bearing, making it a must-have for the man to whom colleagues inevitably turn when the going gets tough. By affixing a brass plate on the outsole engraved with the vintage Allen Edmonds script logo, this top-of-the-line model has everything it needs to become your signature shoe. Also available in Jefferson, Adams and Williams models by request.

$445- woodlore shoe trees included (a $29.95 value) at no charge. Call Larry today: 804.928.7946

Williams Shoe

The Jefferson

Adams Model

This year make a resolution to look good even on your days off. Tweed trousers are a good start as this still from the new movie “The Artist” proves.

When is a gift certificate not just a gift certificate? When it comes from Leviner Wood.

Last minute doesn’t have to mean last ditch effort. Beginning December 15th and ending December 24th, we’re offering the last minute gift that’s on-time and on target.

Purchase a $250 gift certificate and choose to accompany it with one of the following at no extra charge:

• A bottle of Central Virginia’s own Lazy Days wine.

• A subscription to Men’s Journal, GQ, Esquire or Richmond Today.

• A fine writing instrument from Paradise Pens in Stony Point Mall.

• A pair of Byford cashmere socks.

• A no-charge membership to The ICON Collection of custom designed and made clothing inspired by the golden age of men’s wear.

Purchase a $500 gift certificate and walk out with any two of the above choices.

A $1000 gift certificate adds on your choice of:

• One custom tailored shirt.

• An Allen Edmonds driving shoe. Or,

• a Jean Paul Germaine raincoat.

You have just nine days to take advantage of this very special offer. December 24th is the last day for the best last minute deal in Richmond! The gifts and certificates are wrapped and ready to go for pick-up at the Studio (2012 Monument Ave.), delivery or shipping.

Don’t forget the gift certificate! This year we’re featuring more than just an envelope. Check tomorrow’s post for details!

Paolo Conte, the famous Italian singer, has a catchy little tune called “Happy Feet“. We can only imagine that it is because he is wearing Byford’s Cashmere socks this holiday season. Unbelievable luxury, quietly stated. The perfect holiday gift.