• SumoMe

 

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Recently, Lumina Dry Goods reached out to me to offer up some examples of why they rule so much. I’m always looking for great new brands, especially ones based or made in America. Lumina is both of those things, setting up camp in Raleigh, North Carolina. They sent over their Oxford in rust stripe, and their Forsyth tie. The best way to show them off is to commentate on some pictures I took.

Lumina Oxford ($78)

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First of all, I thought I should show the fit on this shirt. I have a “Small +” on in this photo, which is in-between a small and a medium. You should definitely look at Lumina’s sizing guide to see what will work for you best. I love their sizes because the standard S/M/L sizing is often troublesome for guys in my shape (tall and thin). The sleeves, when extended, are not long enough at all. However, I knew that would be the case when I chose the size, and I chose for better fit in the chest and neck because I almost exclusively roll up long sleeve shirts.

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Here’s a shot of the shirt without anyone in it. The greatest thing about this shirt is how thick the fabric is. You’re not going to find any flimsy stuff made by exploited factory workers with Lumina–only the best fabric for a truly superior oxford.

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Lumina is all about the details. Here you can see some blue detailing around the button hole and cuff button’s thread. This is not on all the button holes, just the lowest one. Personally, I love this touch, because you can tell it was given a degree of care and craftsmanship that other shirts are not. Some may like it, some may not–count me in the former.

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Lastly, I thought it would be helpful to show the shirt in a complete outfit. This is how I’ve worn the shirt before on a colder day. I note the weather because, again, the fabric is very thick and sturdy, and I’m not sure how cool it is during a summer afternoon. However, for chilly days, you can’t go wrong.

Forsyth Tie ($42)

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Since fit isn’t as important with a tie, I figured close-up pictures of the Lumina Forsyth tie would serve you better. The tie is, just like the Oxford, very thick and substantial. It is also another piece that is great for the winter, and would work well with the wool tie strategy for winter.

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The stripes on the tie are very subtle, which may be good or bad, depending on what you want. I think it worked well with many options in my admittedly-basic wardrobe, so overall I think the pattern is great.

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Here is a close-up of the pattern so you can see the detailing and subtleties that make Lumina dry goods a really fantastic group. When I wear this tie I can feel the craftsmanship on it, and I truly appreciate it. The price at $42 is a steal because I’ve tried on ties for well over $100 that didn’t even come close to Lumina.

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And, as promised, here’s one way to wear the tie. Again, given how thick and warm the tie is, I featured other fall to early winter types of clothing. You could trade out the green corduroy for some khakis or jeans if you’re feeling less adventurous.

Overall, Lumina dry goods thoroughly impressed me. Their prices aren’t for a guy on a budget, but they are certainly within reach of many guys out there. The key with Lumina is while you can certainly find an oxford for a cheaper price, you can’t find one for the same type of quality. This oxford will last me at least 10 years, and that’s something worth the price. Lumina is why I love American-made goods: they have a unique craftsmanship, a great philosophy about helping local North Carolina agriculture and manufacturing, and is driven by only 4 guys with a dream. I strongly suggest you give Lumina dry goods a look so you can find your own reasons to love them.

What do you think of Lumina dry goods? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.