Man From the North Country

The North - where Nordic prints meet heritage boots and the Italian way of wearing white pants year 'round.

Over the past couple months, I’ve been writing five days a week.  I’ve learned a lot about what I value and how I perceive the world through composing short blog posts.  These ditties are a nice change of pace from the long pieces I write for newspapers and online media outlets.  I find gratification in writing from a personal standpoint - you get to cover what interests you.   

With that in mind, I’m making changes to the blog.  After careful consideration, I decided that Granted With Style focuses too much on myself.  The North doesn’t have a men’s style and lifestyle blog to represent it, and I see an opportunity to build one.

That’s why I’m renaming both my blog and Instagram account “Man From the North Country.”  While I don’t see myself living in Minnesota forever, I come from the North and am inspired by the style and sensibility of the region.  The North is not part of the Midwest, buta place that combines regional heritage, Nordic minimalism and - without trying to - Italian warmth (since it’s one of the few things that stop Minnesotans from freezing to death in the cold months).  While the North isn’t limited to Minnesota, it’s a state of mind that values quality, form and function, coziness and a lifestyle driven by the seasons.

Coffee - the drink that fuels Northerners and keeps them warm during biting winter days.

Man Of the North Country will feature other men and women of the North who have flair and style of their own.  Minneapolis isn’t a style capital like New York, but I’ve noticed more people over the last several years who put care and consideration into their outfits.  I’ve met some of these people, and have learned from them that style is about more than brands - it’s about knowing how to put an ensemble together and living well while looking good.  This retooling reflects my belief that style isn’t consumptive - it’s expressive.

The lifestyle component of the blog will amp us as well.  I love sharing haunts that I frequent, new places or things that I discover or an anecdote about a favorite drink, book or recipe.  After all, winter in the North causes cabin fever and a few tips on how to weather it is the best remedy.

Let’s journey across the North together in style.  Life is for exploring and enjoying, and there’s nothing more stylish than doing it well.

Sweater: J. Crew, Shirt: Vintage Navy-Issued Chambray, Pants: Uniqlo, Coat: Barbour, Boots: Red Wing Heritage

Location: Spyhouse North Loop