Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 7/25/2014

Hot damn, when I first started writing this up I didn't think I was going to have much to share, but after a little digging I have a ton of great finds for y'all. First, our usual little spiel:


"Every weekend, check in on the blog for a collection of the best (read: my favorite) deals and steals on the interweb for some quality shopping over the weekend. Have any to add? Share them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail. Also, if you're biting on any of these hooks, I'd love to hear about it!"
And here we go:
'Contemporary Collections' up to 90% off at Gilt:

Striped Cotton-Wool Pant | Gant by Michael Bastian via Gilt

When it comes to shirts, though, Gilt has you covered in another umbrella sale:
Button-Ups Under $50 at Gilt:

Solid Oxford Sport Shirt | Brooks Brothers Red Fleece via Gilt

If you're looking for something a bit brighter and bolder, Brooks Brothers has you covered there as well with a bunch of options in very seasonal, madras-esque colors. Of course, my favorites are the popovers, and I have my eye on this number, clocking in at just $35 (originally $70):

Plaid Popover Sport Shirt | Brooks Brothers Red Fleece via Gilt

No-Show Socks from PACT:

Campground Stripe No See Ums | PACT

Zig Zag Picnic Stripe No See Ums | PACT

Even if you aren't a big fan of the colors/patterns, I still say check them out - the whole point, after all, is that you can't see them, even in your low-cut loafers and boat shoes.
Up to 75% Off Online and In Stores at Gap:

Botanical Print Shirt | Gap

Next is a pair of skinny white jeans, which I actually just picked up a few weeks ago (see me in them on my Instagram here and here). Normally $70, this style is now just $46:

1969 Skinny Fit Jeans | Gap

Alright, last from Gap. I saw this field jacket pop up on From Squalor To Baller (one of my newer blog finds that I've been kinda hooked on):

Fatigue Jacket | Gap

Alright, it's getting late so I'm gonna wrap this puppy up. However, there's still plenty of sales, so here's a list of honorable mentions:
30% Off Bonobos Sale: Thank the folks at Dappered for this one, they managed to score an early code for Bonobos' upcoming discount. Link directs you to Dappered.



First up, Gilt is running a bunch of non-brand-specific sales with pretty extreme discounts. Brands are wide-ranging, especially if you check out some of the other 'collections.' My method was to pick a sale, and then narrow it down by picking out the brands I knew I liked. Whatever your method, I recommend applying some filters, otherwise there's just too much to see. Anyway, my favorites from this sale were mostly trousers from Gant (either Gant Rugger or Gant by Michael Bastian), like this pair in a very fine grey stripe:
I'm loving the cotton-wool blend on these bad boys - the 62% cotton will keep them light and cool, plus make care a bit easier, while the 38% wool will help them stay wrinkle-free and up the dressiness of the pair. Originally pretty damn pricey at $375, Gilt has these knocked all the way down to $79. Also catching my eye were these chinos with patch pockets ($49) and this rugby shirt with button-cuffs ($49), both from Gant as well. Other brands I checked out included Brooks Brothers, Ben Sherman, J.Press and more. 


Again, I filtered by brand to narrow things down. Of course, my favorite picks were the OCBD's, with solid options from Grayers, Gitman, and Brooks Brothers, like this option in classic solid white from BB's younger Red Fleece line:
Crisp, white, and slim-fitting - what more needs to be said? Oh, maybe that it's marked down from $70 to just $45. Sold.

Like I said, very summery colors, and I've been hooked on popovers since picking one up from Frank & Oak a few months ago. Normally, pretty hard to find at affordable prices, so this is a steal worth checking out.

Moving right along, the good folks at PACT have marked down a few sets of their no-show socks, which are my absolute favorites and a must-have for a stylish, sockless summer. I think they're affordable at full price ($15 for a three-pair set), but discounted to $9, they're too good to pass up. The two sets available on sale:

As usual, my go-to at gap is the lived-in slim khaki, but I've hyped that enough so I picked out a few other options. First is a bit outside the box, but very on-trend with the latest reemergence of Hawaiian floral shirts. If you ask me, the trick to not looking like your weir uncle on vacation is to keep it to one color and avoid the huge, big-petaled, stereotypical Hawaiian flowers. This short sleeve shirt hits all the right notes - I even checked it out in-store the other day, and was pretty impressed:
The big risk with shirting at Gap is that it can be hard to find slim enough cuts, but this is listed as a tailored fit, plus the casual nature means you won't be wearing it tucked in anyway, which gives you a little more leeway as well. Originally $45, you can pick this up for just $27. 

Now, I'll admit, I'm not positive this was the cut I got, so it might be worth stopping into a store to see if you need slim, skinny, etc., but they have a few different fits on sale so you should be good to go regardless. I think the white denim looks perfect paired with a dark blue chambray shirt and boat shoes - kinda nautical, preppy, and summery.

I've really been digging the military aesthetic lately, and the cut of this jacket is very classic M-65. At the same time, the navy color keeps it a bit out-of-the-ordinary, and for a guy like me who already rocks a ton of blue, will fit in very well with the rest of my wardrobe. At $70 (originally $98), it's very reasonably priced as well. 


40% Off Final Sale Items at J.Crew: Plus free shipping if you break $100. As we've mentioned, they keep freshening up the selection, so take another look.
50% Off at The Knottery: Haven't tested this one out myself, and I'm not sure how long it lasts, but supposedly code BURFDAY will get you half-off of these affordable, stylish and well-made ties.
Hugh and Crye Summer Sale: Damn, some really nice prices here. I have yet to try these guys out, but I hear awesome things, and this sale might be a great chance for a first buy. The question is, shirt or blazer? Shirts start at $39, and blazers at $149.
FRIDAY ONLY - Twitter Day at H&M: Never heard of this before, but apparently if you show a cashier that you follow H&M on Twitter, they'll give you 25% off. Not a big fan of H&M quality, but they have a lot of fashion-forward items and can be a cheap way to test out recent trends.

Picking up anything good this weekend? Share in the comments!

Outfit Post - Saturday at the Dog Park

We finally had an absolutely beautiful weekend here in Chicago, so Christine and I took advantage of the weather and took a long walk to Wiggly Field (yes, that's the official name) with our puggle, M.C. Hammerpants (yes, that's his real name). As we were walking, it dawned on me that I rarely post really casual outfits on here, and most of what you see of me is in my work or more dressed-up weekend duds, so I figured this would be a good chance to feature a really laid back (but still sharp) look:

If you'll recall from my list of summer style goals, I decided recently that I wanted to start wearing chinos more in a casual setting, as opposed to turning to denim every time I'm off duty. I grabbed these Alpha Khakis from Dockers with just that in mind...the bright color is a little bit much for my law firm day-job, but it's a perfect summery punch of color for a weekend look. I love the fit of Dockers Alphas, but they are just a tad long on me. Since I haven't had the chance to hit up the tailor with these, I rolled the cuffs, which added an extra casual vibe to the look and emphasized the bare ankle (one of my favorite parts of summer).

Up top, I picked this striped tee that I got during the last big Bonobos sale for about $10 (similar here). Not only was it a steal, but the blue and white stripes give a nautical vibe that is very on-trend for spring (and summer, and fall, and pretty much all the time except dead winter). I really like it in this combo as an added bit of color that stays neutral and subtle enough to not come off as clownish in combo with the bright pants.

I also said I wanted to step up my summer footwear game, and I'm in the process of doing so with some Jack Purcell's on the way from Mr. Porter. Meanwhile, though, I really can't go wrong with my Sperry Topsider boat shoes. I picked these up last summer and wear them all the damn time and they just keep getting better and better. In fact, I used to be really OCD about keeping my kicks pristine, but after these got covered in mud at Lollapalooza, I kinda accepted their beat-up-ness and since then have really come to love the personality that some hard wear can give a pair of shoes. I'm also rocking a pair of Pact No-Show loafer socks, which I consider a must-have for the summer, and allow me to kick it sockless without worrying about gross, stinky feet and shoes.

Last, as I was stepping out, I realized it wasn't quite as warm as I thought, especially in the shade. Instead of bringing a light jacket, which honestly would have been a bit much and I would have ended up carrying most of the day, I made a smart choice by throwing on this Frank & Oak OCBD. It's one of my favorite pieces from F&O (you all know my love of an OCBD by now), and I wear it all the time, whether it's to work with a knit tie and a blazer, or on the weekends with jeans and some Chukkas. Here, I took it to new territory by kind of using it as an extra-light jacket. While I normally steer clear of the untucked and unbuttoned look, using this as a jacket let me lighten up on the sartorial 'rules' and embrace the laid-back nature of the look (and the gorgeous day).

For accessories, I topped things off with my brown braided leather belt, which has become my favorite thrift-store find. I literally spent about a dollar on it, and I think it's become a signature part of my style (more on that later). The Form*Function*Form watch that Christine gave me last year was the perfect finishing touch, and was a spot-on match for the brown leather of the belt and shoes. I love that this watch straddles the casual and at least semi-business line very comfortably - I'll wear it with jeans and a Tee one day and with a dress shirt and blazer the next. Versatility is key, my friends.

Anyway, ended up really happy with the 'fit, and had a fantastic day - we hung out at the dog park, took a leisurely stroll home through Lincoln Park, stopped in for cocktails and bacon-wrapped dates (and some treats for the pup) at a neighborhood cafe, and just soaked in the summery Chicago vibes.

How do you relax, sartorially? Do you have a go-to casual look, or are there new trends you are trying to work into your rotation? Share in the comments!

Outfit Details:
T-Shirt: Bonobos (similar) (use our referral link for $25 off)
OCBD: Frank & Oak (use our referral link for $25 off)
Chinos: Dockers Alpha Khaki
Shoes: Sperry Topsider (Editors Note: You can grab these on sale right now at Nordstrom for just $60. Great deal, I'm grabbing a pair if I can).
Socks: PACT No-Show Socks
Watch: Form*Function*Form via Huckberry
Glasses: Grant frames by Penn Avenue Eyewear
Belt: Vintage Thrifted, suckas.

Product Endorsement: Pact 'Farm' No-Show Socks

So, summer weather is finally here in Chicago! Which can only mean one thing (ok, it means many things, but one of those things is...): it's time to go sockless.

One of the great things about summer is shedding your socks and letting your ankles show. Not only is it cool and comfortable, it's a very stylish look as well. However, if you've ever tried to wear leather shoes without any socks, you know darn well just how quickly cool and breezy becomes sweaty, stinky and blistered. The good news is that there are numerous ways to avoid these problems. Foot powders seem to be a popular option, but my favorite remedy has become these 'no-show' or 'loafer' socks by Pact:

Yes, I suppose this is kind of cheating as you won't really be sockless, but honestly, you really get all the benefits with no downside. If you're wearing leather shoes, your actual feet won't be breathing anyway, but these socks let you look the part, plus having your ankles bare increases your circulation and cools you down the same way that rolling up your sleeves does. There are other loafer socks out there, but I highly recommend trying these ones out. Little rubber nubs in the heel keep the sock from sliding off in your shoe, and the cotton/spandex/lycra composition is soft and comfortable. The profile is just high enough on the foot to stay secure, while still staying low enough to be hidden in all but the skimpiest of footwear. Add to that the fact that Pact is an uber-eco-friendly company (these socks are made using 100% wind power, pretty cool), and these become a no-brainer. The icing on the cake? You can snag a three-pack of these at Nordstrom.com, with free shipping, for only $12.00. Get some funky colors like those above like I did, or take a safer route with the more neutral grey/blue combination also offered at Nordstrom, but honestly you shouldn't be able to see the sock anyway, so go with whatever tickles your fancy. They make a women's version as well, and I've already convinced my galpal to get her own pair, and she loves 'em as much as I do.  'Nuff said.