Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 11/8/2014

Here we go with your regularly-scheduled Deals and Steals for this lovely fall weekend.

"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 this week's deals are...


25% Off Select Fall Styles and 30% Off Clearance at J.Crew (code GETWARM):
J.Crew has been running a pretty constant extra discount off their clearance goods, but the selection is always shifting, and this week they've got some newer, fall-centric items getting knocked down as well. From the clearance section, I spotted these camp pants, and they're already in my shopping cart:

Camp Pant | J.Crew

First, the color is perfect for fall - an almost military green, but just a shade brighter to keep things from getting too dull. Second, I love the patch pockets...just another small detail that sets these apart from your everyday chinos. Last, the price is damn hard to beat, with these coming in at just $24 (normally $100). Jump on em, just don't buy the last pair in my size!

Shifting over to the fall items, my first pick is this cotton fishtail parka:

Cotton Fishtail Parka | J.Crew

It's not going to get you through winter, but will make a great mid-weight jacket for the next month or two. The fishtail style is pretty popular these days, and often hard to find at an affordable price, so it's nice to see it here for just $163.50 (regularly $218).

Another piece of outerwear that caught my eye was this M-65 jacket from J.Crew's Wallace and Barnes line:

Wallace & Barnes M-65 Jacket | J.Crew

I just reviewed the classic Alpha Industries M-65 earlier this week, with the main complaint that the cut was way too large. This version, while more expensive, is sure to be much more slim-fitting and true-to-size (as well as warmer, thanks to the wool lining). The navy color is a nice touch, and the price is knocked down to about $275 from $368.

Last, I'll probably pick up one of these slim lambswool sweaters:

Slim Lambswool Sweater | J.Crew

I've found that you normally have to choose between a slim but lightweight merino sweater, or a warm but boxy lambswool option. Here comes J.Crew to save the day with a combo of the two - slim-fitting, warm lambswool, all wrapped up in one package. Comes in a huge range of colors, at just $52.50 a piece (originally $70).


Weekly Promotions from Uniqlo:
My picks here aren't anything crazy or out of the box, but fit perfectly with my go-to fall style this year: button-down shirts under crew-neck sweaters or sweatshirts. First, Uniqlo's slim OCBD's are an affordable go-to for many budget-conscious fellas, and this week they've been tossed into the sale section:

Oxford Slim Fit Long Sleeve Shirt | Uniqlo

Regularly $30, you can now grab them for a mere $20. Personally, I'm looking at the more saturated colors, like the navy shown above - I think it's a nice seasonal change from the more washed out light blues, greys, and whites.

For the crew-neck, I'm thinking of picking up a grey number from their Pure Blue Japan project:

Pure Blue Japan Sweatshirt | Unqlo

Granted, it's not on sale, and it looks like a pretty standard option, nothing exciting. That said, $40 is far from expensive, and it's got all the details I want: raglan sleeves, off-color accent stitching, and a reinforced V at the neck.

Now, if you want something a bit more interesting (and conveniently, on sale), check out their artsy SPRZ collection. Lots of bold prints and patterns, but my choice is this fella:

SPRZ NY Graphic Sweat (Jean-Michel Basquiat) | Uniqlo

The Basquiat crown is a cool touch, but not too in-your-face or try-hard, and the military green is on-point for the season. Regularly $30, now insanely affordable at just $15.


20% Off Merino Sweaters at Bonobos (code PRIMOMERINO):
In all transparency, yes, I do now work for Bonobos, but if you've been following the blog or my Instagram for long, you'll know I've long been a fan of their merino sweaters. I usually pick one up whenever they land in the sale section, but this discount code sends some of their newer, full-priced options into affordable territory. This season, I'm particular to crew-necks, like this one in charcoal:

Yorkshire Merino Crew Neck | Bonobos

Super easy to match, incredibly soft and comfortable, and marked down to $78 from just under $100.

If you've got some extra bills and want something a little outside the box, try their 'Boston Waler':

Boston Waler | Bonobos

Where most merino sweaters are pretty lightweight, this pick is a bit chunkier. Plus, subtle details like the chest pocket and asymetrical collar will help your layering game stand out from the crown. Regularly $138, the discount puts these at just over $110 each.


Lots of picks to keep you warm as it keeps getting colder! Any other good fall-weather finds out there? Share in the comments, and happy shopping!

Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 10/4/2014

Fall is continuing to roll in (as seasons tend to do), so we'll keep rounding up awesome deals on fall style. This week, we're focusing on sweaters and flannel, two of my favorite fall staples. Enjoy:


Frank and Oak Fall Sale (Up to 60% Off):
First, gotta suggest that everyone take a look at the new full-price October collection from Frank & Oak - a lot of great stuff, including their second endeavor into the world of footwear with some sneakers and slip-ons. I just got a pair of the black Park Leather Low Tops delivered today, and though I haven't gotten to wear them yet, I'm pretty impressed with how they look. Don't forget to use our referral link if you're a new customer, hook us both up with $25 free credit!

Anyway, as they released the new line this month, it looks like they transitioned from 'Summer Sale' to 'Fall Sale,' and appropriately have some nice fall duds at a good discount. To me, the sweaters are some of the real winners here, with picks like this patterned cotton sweater:

Patterned Cotton Sweater | Frank & Oak

True, the description does say spring, but the dark colors make this perfectly appropriate for the transition into colder seasons as well. Also, cotton sweaters won't be quite as warm as wool come winter. However, they can be easier to layer as you won't get as hot-and-sweaty once you're indoors and out of the cold, so we've picked out a few of em today. Normally $65, this one is knocked down to $45.

I also caught my eye on this color-blocked sweater in similarly fall-appropriate grey and blue, discounted to $50 from $75:

Textured Color Block Sweater | Frank & Oak

I've seen a lot of knitwear with the color-blocking, but this might be the first time I've seen a brand change the knitting pattern along with the color, and I think the result could be pretty cool (and definitely unique). This guy is a wool/acrylic blend, promising to be warmer than the cotton, but not quite as itchy or rough as 100% wool (sweaters are one of the few instances where I don't mind some percentage of artificial fibers).

Again, check out the entire the October collection, and rock the referral link if you're just now signing up:


Uniqlo Weekly Promotions and Other Markdowns:
This is one I'm personally really pumped about - lots of great fall style at discounted prices (plus, their impressive Pure Blue Japan collection is on sale). I'm planning on stopping into the SoHo store tomorrow to take a look in-person. Among the items I'll be checking out are their huge stock of flannels, already affordable at $30 each, but now available at a two-for $50 deal. I'm thinking of grabbing one in a blue and black check like this:

Flannel Check Long Sleeve Shirt | Uniqlo

I had a heavier winter coat in a very similar pattern that I used to love, so I'd rock this more as a shirt-jacket or light layering option. It's a great, pretty traditional flannel pattern, but not quite as lumber-jack-y as a red and black option would be.

Also pretty excited about this number in a brushed blue:

Flannel Check Long Sleeve Shirt | Uniqlo

Notice how much it looks like chambray? It's a pretty awesome way to translate the awesome versatility of a light chambray summer shirt into a winter option. Definitely dig the button-down collar too, especially for something I'd wear just as a shirt (rather than light outerwear like the above pick). It's also available in a dark grey, which looks kinda chambray-ish too, and a light grey that doesn't quite bring the same chambray vibe, but is still damn cozy looking.

Uniqlo is also a fantastic place to pick up some surprisingly inexpensive knitwear, like $90 cashmere sweaters, now discounted to an even-better $80. Sure, cheaper cashmere probably won't be quite as thick or warm, and also might wear out a bit quicker, but some of us want that unbeatable softness, without having to pay an arm and a leg. Lots of colors available, but my favorite is this dark burgundy wine:

Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater | Uniqlo

While on the topic of affordable cashmere, I also recommend checking out Everlane's stock of v-necks and crewnecks (scroll below the other fiber options), slightly more expensive at $120, but perhaps just a bit higher quality. I've heard great things!


Extra 30% Off Sale Items at J.Crew (code STYLETIME):
Yep, another of J.Crew's seemingly never-ending extra discounts on sale styles, this time around taking those sale prices down another 30%. Still a lot of summer clothing in that sale section, but also a good (and growing) number of cold-weather pieces. There's a ton in there, actually, so take advantage of the filters to make the selection a bit more manageable. I started off with sweaters, and this is by far my favorite:

Alpaca Shawl Sweater | J.Crew

Sure, even with the discount knocking the price down to $91 (originally $148), this fella ain't cheap, but that alpaca wool is some comfy, cozy stuff. Plus, I love the marled blue color, and you know my propensity for shawl-collars, so this one is a winner in my book.

I'm also feeling this ribbed cotton sweater in a rich, dark red (they're calling it 'Vintage Burgundy'):

Ribbed Cotton Sweater | J.Crew

I don't own a ton in red, but I have a sweater from Frank & Oak that I picked up last year in a similar color, and really enjoyed last winter - especially around holiday season. Again, it's cotton, not wool, so it won't be quite as insulating, but a bit easier to wear.

A few winners in the flannel shirting department as well, with brighter-than-usual colors like this pick in 'Nordic Sea Plaid' for $42 (originally $80):

Flannel Shirt in Nordic Sea Plaid | J.Crew

Where most flannel plaids come in darker, more muted colors, this is almost spring-timey, and could inject some fun color into a winter outfit.

If you want something in slightly more seasonal colors, my personal favorite is probably this blue/yellow/white check:

Flannel Shirt in Classic Herringbone Plaid | J.Crew

I love the color combination from the get-go, but the clincher is the subtle herringbone weave (hard to see in this pic, but much more apparent when you zoom in) that just sets this a step above a flat flannel fabric. This one also gets knocked down to $42 from $80 for almost 50% off when it's all said and done.


Alrighty, I got a way late start on this round, and it's getting laaaate so I'm wrapping it up. Share any good fall finds of your own in the comments!

Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 9/25/2014

The weekend nears (weird that I'm still excited about that, considering I don't have a 9-5 at the moment), and that means it's time for Deals and Steals! Here's our 'deal':

"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!"

I'm still pretty damn pumped about this fall weather that is slowly (but surely) heading our way, so here's another fall-centric list:

30% Off Fall Jackets at H&M (and free shipping with code 2288):
Editors Note: Damn, looks like the 30% off has ended already. Thanks to @mh1990 for pointing this out below. Looks like free shipping is still on through tomorrow, but can't grab that extra discount. Lamesauce!
Couldn't be happier about this sale, especially considering my H&M mention in last week's Deals and Steals. Remember how I said I'd be keeping a watch out for discounts to stack with the free shipping code I pointed out in that list? Well, here's that discount! It's not site-wide or anything, but there are some great fall outerwear options included - even that same blue baseball jacket has been marked down to $42 from $60. I went ahead and selected two new picks for this week, as well. First up is this blue canvas parka, regularly $50, now $35:

Canvas Parka | H&M

I've mentioned that my personal style has slowly been shifting from sharply tailored to a bit more rugged and casual (in part as I transfer out of a law firm work-place). As I've been making that shift, I've been digging the rustic look of a canvas parka more and more - and the best part is it won't look half bad over a blazer, either.

I also think this duffel coat in a rich burgundy color is fantastic:

Duffel Coat | H&M

I love the duffel style and the great color, but what's especially cool here is the way they've adapted the coat for fall, rather than winter. I have a great Gloverall wool duffel that I wear all winter, but is heavy, wool, and definitely too much for these transitional months. This coat, on the the other hand, is made out of a cotton canvas fabric, which a) makes it much more fall-appropriate - ready for rain, not snow, and b) let's them keep the price down to $70 - actually, now below $50 with the discount.

Just act fast, as the free shipping code is only good through 9/27.


Extra 30% Off Final Sale Items at J.Crew (code PICKASALE):
Man, J.Crew manages to make it onto this list almost every week, and I'm not complaining. However, to shake things up a bit this time around, I turned my focus away from their main line and took my picks from their higher Wallace & Barnes line, or their co-branded 'In Good Company' items. From Wallace & Barnes, the first thing that stood out was this shawl-collar cardigan:

Wallace & Barnes Indigo Shawl-Collar Cardigan | J.Crew

You already know I love shawl collars, so this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. That said, I usually stick to solid colors, as I think that patterns like stripes, etc., make the look too casual (and I love throwing a shawl-collar cardigan over an OCBD with a tie for a cozy dapper look). This one, however, manages to inject some 'fun' with the color block front, but stays sharp enough for my tastes. Like most good things, originally expensive at $150, but knocked down to just over $90 with the discount.

Also from Wallace & Barnes, I'm digging this take on the bomber jacket - it's like an higher-quality, but maybe more casual version of the cheaper options from brands like H&M:

Wallace & Barnes Colorblock Bomber Jacket | J.Crew

I dig the subtler color-blocking, the faded blue tones, the grey trimming, and the fact that it just looks cozy. If this was in my closet, it'd probably be my first grab for any of your standard-fare outdoor fall events - from tailgating to a cookout to a stroll in the park. Regularly a whopping $188, now a more manageable $112.

Not into the fall colors, or just want something brighter? Turning even farther from J.Crew's main line, this jacket by Penfield (in the 'In Good Company' collection) might just hit the spot:

Gibson Jacket | Penfield for J.Crew

The water-resistant Gibson jacket by Penfield is often highly sought after, and (if I'm not mistaken) often hard to find below full price, so this is a great chance to grab it in a vibrant yellow for a solid discount (down to $98 from $150).


New Arrivals at Uniqlo:
Not a proper sale, per se, but I told y'all I was excited for fall arrivals from the always-affordable Uniqlo, and they've recently added some duds that have made it onto my wishlist. First up, it's the first appearance of their seasonal tweed blazers! And damn, do they have some sharp designs...my personal favorite is this blue window-pane:

Tweed Slim Fit Jacket | Uniqlo

Sure, it's bold, but it's a casual blazer anyway, so you have more room to get funky. I'd rock this, for sure, and rock it hard. The only downside is that the material is not 100% wool, but it's so damn affordable they might just get a pass on that one. Currently full-priced at just under $100, and also available in a grey window-pane, as well as a few more neutral solids.

Scrolling down to the knits, I'm not surprised to see tons of great sweaters coming into play. I'm sure I'll grab a few of the insanely-affordable lamsbwool cardigans, or the very popular merino v-necks, but this cable-knit is the one I've got my eye on now:

Heavy Gauge Cable Crew Neck Sweater | Uniqlo

This may just be my memory failing me (call me out if I'm wrong), but I don't recall seeing these cable-knit and patterned options last year, so I'm especially happy to see them show up here. Love how cozy this looks, especially in the marled blue color. Even at a full price of $40, it's a hell of a bargain.

Lastly, I've had my eye on a Uniqlo wool chesterfield top coat to get me through the winter for a couple of years. Every year, though, either they don't have the coat when I'm looking, or they're sold out in my size/color, or something, so I'm really trying to jump on that train fast this year. However, Uniqlo has made a few changes - both of which I dig. First, they are finally offering it in a camel color:

Wool Cashmere Chesterfield Coat | Uniqlo

Now, again, I may just not remember ever seeing a camel color, but I'm pretty sure this is a first, and I love it. Not in-your-face by any means, it's still a step away from your standard grays and blacks and will help you stand out in style. Second, they added a cashmere blend to their wool fabric, which, sure enough, raised the prices marginally. That said, $150 for a cashmere/wool top coat? Still a damn steal. And that cashmere is only going to make the coat more comfortable and warmer.

All right, we're calling it quits after that one, before I'm tempted to spend all the money I have set aside for rent and bills! Have a great weekend, and happy shopping.

Washing Wool - Sweater Care Instructions

Laundry care can be a minefield that will leave you with stained, torn, shrunken clothing with just a small misstep. Even if you do all of your research, you'll find dozens of conflicting opinions all over the Internet, and all from reliable sources. The long and short of it is just simply that what works for some people, doesn't for others, and it's pretty darn close to impossible to find out why. Your best bet is to use trial and error (hopefully on not-too-expensive clothing) to lock down what works for you, and stick to it.

Personally, the most difficult category of clothing to safely clean and care for has always been sweaters. I've followed instructions on labels, used tips I've found online and tactics handed down from friends and family, and time after time ended up with completely unwearable knitwear. Now I approach all my sweaters with extreme caution, and opt for a careful hand wash and lay dry method that has (so far) yet to fail me. If you don't have a tried-and-true method yourself, this is probably a pretty fail-safe place to start. Here is my process:

1. Fill a bucket with cool to lukewarm water - make sure the bucket is clean, as you don't want to be accidentally contaminating your sweater with any leftover grime or cleaning solutions. The water should be cool (definitely not hot), but if you go too cold your hands will be freezing halfway through this, so anything up to lukewarm will do.
2. Add a small capful of detergent - I use Woolite, as I've heard many people recommend a wool-specific detergent (usually a bit gentler). If you have problems with itchy sweaters, I've also heard people vouch for using hair shampoo and conditioner instead of laundry detergent, although I have yet to try this myself.
3. Gently submerge your sweater - From what I've read, the real damage from washing machines to wool sweaters is the agitation, not the heat or water. Rubbing the sweater against itself or other clothing, especially while wet, will cause the fabric to pill and turn into a flannel/felt-like consistency. Therefore, you want to be gentle as you soak your sweater. Move it around a bit to make sure the soapy water is thoroughly absorbed, but don't go crazy.
4. Allow the sweater to soak - I usually let mine sit for 10 minutes or so. I'm not sure if this is even necessary, but it doesn't hurt, and makes me more confident that my sweater will actually be cleaner when this is all said and done.
5. Empty the soapy water and rinse - I usually squeeze out as much of the soapy water as possible, refill with clean water, submerge and repeat 3 or 4 times. Again, you want to be careful that you are not agitating the sweater too much or allowing it to rub against itself. After the last rinse, again squeeze out as much water as possible.
6. Roll the sweater in a towel - I actually sandwich mine between two towels, and then roll it tightly to sop up as much moisture as I can.
7. Lay the sweater to dry - Last, find a flat space where you can lay it to dry (I'll warn you though, sometimes this can take even a few days, especially with thicker knits). At this stage, you can reshape the sweater (while still wet) to remedy any stretching or shrinking that may have occurred. Here's another time when having your measurements can come in super-handy, as you'll be able to form your sweater to your exact body type. Once the sweater has dried, it will hold the new shape you've formed - at least to some significant degree. 

Again, I want to emphasize how much laundry care techniques seem to have a case-by-case success rate, so don't kill me if this doesn't work for you. And with that spirit in mind, please feel free to share your own methods in the comments!