Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 1/31/2014

Finally back on the grind with a working computer. Also home sick today, so I have some time to throw together a Deals and Steals!

Free Shipping at J.Crew Factory (Today Only, Code FREESHIP):
First off, J.Crew Factory is offering free shipping today (and today only, so jump on this fast). There aren't any other markdowns, but this is a great opportunity to snatch up some cheap accessories. I'll be grabbing this wool tie at just $15.

Wool Triple-Stripe Tie | J.Crew Factory

I've been a big fan of every J.Crew tie I've bought, and the clearance discount plus free shipping puts this one at a less-than-Tie-Bar price. Easy pick.

I also recommend picking up this card-holder/wallet. A slim wallet like this is a great chance to reduce your bulk and keep your silhouette trim. I have one myself, and the leather is nice and has aged well over time.

Leather Card Holder | J.Crew Factory

Again, the clearance markdown to just $15 makes this an easy buy on any budget. I'm a big fan of the classic brown, but they have a few other colors available as well.

BONUS: My girlfriend is a big fan of J.Crew (and factory) necklaces, and they've got a 40% off sale going on in their women's jewelry section. V-day is coming up....


Additional 40% Off Sale Items at Bonobos (Code TOASTY):
This one has been going on for a while, but now everything is knocked down to Final Sale. Stinks if you are unsure of your sizing, but this also means that the seasonal sale is probably on it's last legs and won't be around much longer. So, if you're thinking of grabbing something, now is the time! I'm a huge fan of the fit of Bonobos pants, and even with the Final Sale, you should be safe going with your regular size, in a slim-straight fit. Sizing is getting pretty limited, but luckily they have these maple brown cords in my size:

French Corders in Maple | Bonobos

I have yet to pick up a pair of cords this winter, and they are one of my favorite seasonal fabrics, so I'll most likely be jumping on this last chance, especially at the affordable price of $40.

It's also worth taking a look beyond the pants that Bonobos is known for. I bought a few of their sweaters lately and have been loving them (slim-fit in the merino wool and you can't go wrong). This time, I'm looking forward to spring and taking advantage of some super low prices on tees. I'm really digging this one in a nautical stripe:

Vintage Wash Tee | Bonobos

At under $10 with the discount, I'll probably grab one or two in classic white as well...it's a menswear wardrobe staple, and mine are getting a bit worn.


Additional 30% Off Sale Items at Original Penguin (Code OPSALE30):
I don't shop at Original Penguin too often, but everything I've gotten from them has been solid and stylish, and this sale has some good deals available. For one, I'm still on a huge warm-sweater kick as the weather stays nice and crappy here in Chicago. OP has a V-neck lambswool option for under $25 after the discount:

Hector Lambswool V-Neck Sweater | Original Penguin

Not much more to be said...that's a steal of a price and a darn cozy-looking sweater.

While you're at it, you can grab a sharp dress shirt to wear underneath. They have several options, but this windowpane is classy, and would be very versatile as well:

Windowpane Dress Shirt | Original Penguin

I don't have personal experience with Original Penguin dress shirts, and there isn't a fit description, but at $30, you should have a few bucks left over in case this needs a quick trip to the tailor.


Clearance Sale at Imogene + Willie:
Ever since Imogene + Willie was featured in an episode of Alternate Route (by the way, Esquire is killing it with their TV Network), I've been dying to get a pair of their jeans. Unfortunately, their super-premium denim is usually way out of my price range. However, there are some HUGE discounts in their sale section right now that have me tempted to whip out my credit card. For example, these black rigid straight-legs are sharp, and marked down to just $105 from an original $275.

Willie Black Rigid | Imogene + Willie

Everyone is all about their indigo blue jeans, but black can be just as versatile and sometimes even better-looking. I've been on the lookout for a pair, and might not be anymore.

The rest of the sale ain't cheap, but the discounts are still hard to beat. If you've been considering dropping some dough on a premium button-down, Gitman did a line for Imogene + Willie, and this dark blue shirt stands out in the shop:

Navy Gitman for IW | Imogene + Willie

Like I said, $80 for a shirt isn't a steal, but when you consider the original price of $165, it just might be a deal.


I'll leave you with a final recommendation: check out sales in person! I'm an online shopping addict and do most of my buying from the comfort of my couch, but you can catch some crazy good discounts in-person. Perfect example: I stopped in at Gap on a whim last week, walked out of the store with a pair of buttery-soft and cozy-warm moleskin Chinos for less than $10. I can't even find the damn things online, so there's no way I would have gotten a deal like that without actually walking into the store. Goes to show, it's worth getting off your ass every so often!

Trashness - In-Person Review

Be proud, this post was done without my personal computer whatsoever. Also, keep that in mind if critiquing any formatting and/or spelling errors.

I had seen shirts by a brand called Trashness popping up here and there on the internet at pretty awesome prices, and ended up suggesting that you all check them out in one of my 'Deals and Steals' posts. I also commented that I hadn't seen a ton of reviews around the web, and a few weeks later, Trashness shot me an e-mail to see if I'd like to help fill that void, so here we go!

The Brand:

As has become tradition, first we'll give the folks from Trashness the chance to tell us about their brand and plug themselves a little bit. I spoke with Amin Eftegarie, co-founder, via e-mail. Here's what he had to share:

"We're based in the Netherlands, in a small town called Nieuw-Vennep (suburbs of Amsterdam). The rent is low here. The Dutch are known for trying to save money in every situation you can think of. That state of mind helped us to cut costs. And as you noticed we offer free worldwide shipping on all products, so 99% of our orders are outside NL. (our top destinations: USA, Italy, UK, Japan etc). We care a little less about our profit margins, and a little more about getting students across the world the style and quality of clothing we wished some company was offering when we were broke students. 

We've been around since 12-12-12. At least officially, on this date we registered Trashness at the Dutch chamber of commerce. But my co-founder Maarten and I were obsessing about menswear long before that. We often discussed what other brands were doing. And sometimes we wondered why they were doing it (in such a way). Why aren't they doing it another, to us more rational/gratifying way? We went on a journey which ended with the establishment of Trashness. 

Perhaps all those company background stories might sound the same. The best communication we do, is trough the quality and branding of our products and the awesome custom service we give when something's not up to our standards."

I selected probably their most classically styled shirts, but they also have a lot of more aggressively styled options, including a wide selection of extreme cut-away collars (not quite my style, but if that's your thing, definitely take a look). They also offer accessories from ties to pocket squares to bracelets, and recently I saw a line of cotton cardigans pop up that looked mighty tempting.

The Shirts:

Trashness was kind enough to actually send me two shirts to try out. The fit on both shirts was pretty darn nice, for right off the rack. Trashness had actually cautioned me that their shirts run extra slim, and since I have yet to find a shirt that istoo slim for me, I was hoping this would be darn snug. It comes pretty close, there's still a bit of room, which is probably for the best, as most slim guys will probably have a few inches on me anyway. As it is, I don't think I will need to tailor it at all. Points! (Editors Note: Fit pictures will come, pending more cooperative outdoor lighting). 

The first shirt I picked was their white OCBD ($44 via the Trashness store). 

OCBD White | Trashness

http://www.trashness.com/product/ocbd-white

Not only is this shirt a staple that no man can have enough of, I've been on a huge kick with them lately, wearing them almost everyday. I love how much I can play around with the rest of an outfit when it's anchored by a classic like a white OCBD. Anyway, when it came down to it, this was the least impressive of the two shirts, mainly due to lower quality fabric. While the shirting felt sturdy enough, there was a lot of fraying along the edges, seams and buttonholes. 

One instance of fraying fabric.

Additionally, there wasn't quite a nice roll to the button-down collar...when worn with a tie I kept getting weird dents and crinkles, and the collar wouldn't just lay flat. 

Just not the best collar roll ever.

In all fairness, Amin also mentioned that they will soon be upgrading their OCBD fabric, so all this might be moot in a short while.

That being said, My second choice was a spread collar denim shirt ($44 via the Trashness store), which I thought was fantastic:

Spread Collar Denim | Trashness

http://www.trashness.com/product/spread-collar-denim

I've been hunting down a spread collar denim dress shirt that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg, and this fits the bill nicely. The fabric here is much cleaner, and I'm a big fan of the heft. It's a bit thicker than a lightweight chambray, but doesn't feel like you're wearing a jean jacket. Amin told me, "It's enzyme washed. We had another denim shirt which was great, and softer after a couple of washes. So this shirt is already pre-washed, giving you the softness right from the start." The spread collar and lack of chest pockets keep the silhouette trim, and I'd definitely wear this with a tie and/or a blazer. Just a few areas they could improve: why no collar stays? Or at least slots? A curled up collar can be so detrimental to a look, and it's such an easy fix! 

Some collars should roll, but these shouldn't.

Also, I can't decide if I like the contrast stitching (reminiscent of denim jeans). 

Contrast Button-Hole

On one hand, I like the way it hearkens to the stitching on your jeans, but on the other, I think it takes away from the formality of the shirt in a slightly out-of-place way.

My only other beef, with both shirts, is the embroidered logo at the hip. 

Too much branding! Also, more sloppy needlework.

I just like my shirts (dress shirt especially) to be logo-and-embellishment-free. I won't even buy Polo Ralph Lauren shirts if the little polo man is embroidered in a contrast color. While it's a nifty little logo, keeping it on the tag should be enough. It's not a huge deal, but I think it detracts a bit from an otherwise clean, sharp look. Maybe my tailor can pick it out without leaving any noticeable holes...

The Bottom Line:

There are indeed better shirts to be had, but they will be hard to find at $45. If fit is your biggest concern (rather than high fabric quality), this is definitely not a bad choice. Fit is sharp and modern, and better than you'll get from most OTR choices, but construction and fabric quality seem to be a bit sub-par, at least on certain options. The branding on the shirt keeps them from being 100% office-ready (although said branding is easily hidden under a cardigan or blazer).

This was a sponsored review, and the products reviewed were provided to me free of charge. The article, however, remains objective and unbiased and is published without prior editing or review by Trashness. While I love to be given products to review, don't worry, I will never endorse a product I wouldn't wear myself. 

My Weaknesses - Socks and Ties

My computer is in the shop, which is the worst. Fortunately, my lovely girlfriend had her work laptop handy and let me jump on for a few minutes to throw a short post up.

I was doing laundry this weekend and was inspired to share my two wardrobe weaknesses, items that I have a zillion of, but will still buy in a heartbeat if something catches my eye: ties and socks.

Ties because they are the ultimate game-changer. Add one to a tie-less look and you automatically take your style level up a notch. On top of that, swap out the one you have for a completely new look, in a move that takes two minutes and zero laundry. I love knit ties, and The Knottery has some great ones (check out the polka dots) at very affordable prices. Also, I've recently started working with Peter Field here in Chicago (more on that later), and they have some really nice wool ties that are seasonally appropriate for this miserable winter weather!

Socks because they are comfortable and functional, but let you add this almost-secret dose of pizzazz to any outfit, no matter how formal or informal. You can take the simplest, monochromatic look and make it fun with a bright sock on the bottom. My tip for building a collection is to keep an eye on sales sections at retailers that offer free shipping. I've ammassed a respectable collection, rarely spending over $10 a pair. Nordstrom has a pair by Polo Ralph Lauren in a snazzy polka dot for around $9.00.

Hopefully my computer will be back in action soon, I have some larger features in  the works!

Deals and Steals Fail

Big apologies folks, no deals and steals coming your way today. My computer decided to 100% crap out on me last night, so it (along with all my drafts and articles) is undergoing surgery with the good folks at Geek Squad and I am writing to you from my iPhone. Fingers crossed, we'll be back to normal by next week. Meantime, take a few minutes to go through some old posts, participate in some discussions if you feel so inclined, or just shoot me an e-mail and say hi! Have a great weekend!

Dapper Plaid - Putting It Into Practice

Earlier this week I wrote a post on how to wear plaid without looking sloppy, frumpy, or lumberjack-y. Over the weekend (after writing the post), I incorporated some flannel plaid into a sharp outfit myself, and took the opportunity to snap a few pictures so I could show my tips in action:

Nope, no decent pics of me looking at the camera. NO EYE CONTACT!

Let's take a look, one tip at a time:

First, I recommended dressing up your shirt. During the week, a blazer would be a perfect addition that would make your flannel office-appropriate, but we were headed out to the barcade (beer + old school arcade games = gold, pure gold), so I kept things a bit more casual, opting for a chunky cardigan instead of a jacket. The effect is similar though, allowing the hearty pattern of the shirt to come through but not dominate.

The cardigan is the cozy man's blazer...I made that up.

Next, I advocated dressing up your pants or trousers a bit as well. I actually encouraged choosing something other than jeans, but here I show how jeans can work. Like I said on Monday, just keep them dark and crisp, and by doing so you channel more city-casual than woodsy-careless.

Third, you can't really tell in the picture since I am wearing the cardigan buttoned-up, but I avoided the workwear look by sticking with a slimmer fitting shirt (this one happens to be from Frank and Oak). Even with the cardigan, picking a slim shirt is smart as it will reduce bunching as well as open up your options to unbutton or take off the sweater if things warm up.

Last, I told y'all to tuck it in, which I clearly did here! Along the same lines, just make sure the way you are wearing it is neat. Little touches like a clean 1/4 inch (or so) of cuff showing past the cardigan, and keeping the plaid collar points contained by the shawl collar help keep the whole look put-together and avoids any sense of sloppiness.

The rest of the pics (including a shot of my awesome new Polo Ralph Lauren boots...if you'll remember, I recommended these a while back, and I do listen to my own advice):

Also, gotta love $5 Target Boot Socks.

The Details:

Shirt - Frank and Oak

Cardigan - H&M

Jeans - Levi's

Socks - Mossimo Supply Co. for Target

Boots - Polo Ralph Lauren

Mad for Plaid

Plaid is everywhere these days, doubly so now that we are fully into the winter season. I love the pattern, for the visual variety it lends an outfit, for the rugged warmth it exudes, but it's really easy to lose the sharp edge of your style and to slide quickly into lumberjack territory.

So how do you rock seasonal plaid without looking like you're about to build a log cabin while hunting a grizzly bear? Here are a few ways to keep your plaid city-appropriate:

1) Dress it Up:

Plaid is a pretty inherently casual pattern, especially when made from a thicker flannel cloth, as is wont in the colder months. However, this doesn't mean your whole outfit has to be way laid-back to match. Try keeping a bit of formality by wearing a plaid button-down under a blazer. I suggest a thicker wool fabric for the blazer to match the heft of the plaid. A tie and a pocket square seal the deal with a look that is definitely business casual, rather than redneck.

2) Don't Wear Jeans:

This is one of your easiest options. Instead of reaching for your favorite beat-up blue jeans, go for something a bit sharper, like some dark chinos. Those black and red buffalo check flannels that are so appealing look great with a pair of black chinos, while some of your lighter options will pair well with khaki's, or even some winter whites. If you do go for jeans, opt for a dark, dressier pair rather than your beat-up 501's.

3) Pay Attention To Fit:

This doesn't mean only wear super slim fitting plaids, but to know the fit of what you're wearing and treat it appropriately. A heavy, looser flannel shirt that you can pick up at your local thrift store will look way better used as a light jacket (say, over a sharp white tee-shirt, or even a turtleneck sweater) instead of trying to pull it off as a dress shirt. 

4) Tuck It In:

This is a huge one. I'm definitely not saying that there is no style or class in an un-tucked casual shirt, but the loose plaid shirt is definitely a cabin-ready look. You can feel much more appropriately dressed hitting the city with your tails tucked. Again, though, pay attention to fit, and avoid billowing at the waist or sleeves. 

Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 1/17/2013

First, the 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 now the deals:

Ralph Lauren Winter Sale:
Ok, starting off with a repeat, cuz it's just that crazy of a deal. Remember these colorful suede Chukkas I recommended a few months back? 

Casterton Suede Chukka | Ralph Lauren

At that point they were around $60, if I remember correctly, already a great deal. Well holy hell, look at 'em now. ONLY $40. Need I say more? If these are as nice as they look, this is an unbeatable deal. Come payday tomorrow, I know I'm grabbing a pair. Hell, for that cheap, I might get one of each color.

While we're on Ralph Lauren, I highly recommend taking a look at the Hats/Gloves section of their accessories sale. We've made it through a few months of winter already, but it's still far from over. There's a great selection of hats and gloves as well as scarves that will keep you toasty through the rest of the season at a reasonable price. Personally, I'll probably go for these cashmere-lined leather gloves:

Nappa Cashmere-Lined Gloves | Ralph Lauren

I bought a pair of dress gloves from Frank and Oak earlier this year, but they started to fall apart way too quickly so I had to return them and have been looking for a replacement ever since. These should fit the bill pretty perfectly, and at $42 (down from $98), they won't leave me broke.


Lands' End Canvas:
Not a designated event, but Lands' End Canvas has some darn good-looking deals going on right now. I've read that LEC is being phased out, which is a shame because they offer a more contemporary, slim-fitting take compared to the Lands' End standard. As such, there isn't usually a huge selection, but WOAH, did they just add a ton? Or did I unknowingly have some search filter on yesterday? Regardless, I've got my eye on these slim-fit herringbone chinos, down to $35 from an original price of $88:

Men's 608 Slim Fit Elston Chinos | Lands' End Canvas

I've been dying to get some really wintery trousers (I'm thinking tweed, flannel, etc.). These certainly look nice and wintery, but by using a cotton blend rather than wool, it looks like LEC has kept the pricing down. I'm also hugely impressed by the fact that inseams are offered at 1/4 inch intervals. I've never heard of that before, it's practically a free custom hem-job. On top of that, you can get them cuffed or un-cuffed (or un-finished if you want to go pay to have them hemmed yourself). 

My other recommendation isn't even on sale, but it's still a pretty darn good deal, and I'm considering it myself. Everyone loves a good white OCBD, and I've been wearing mine even more over the past few weeks. I'm not sure why, but I don't really need a reason! Either way, it's made me wish I had a fresh one to wear every day of the week, so this number jumped off the page:

Men's Washed Oxford Shirt | Lands' End Canvas

Even without a discount, these are very affordable at $39, and come with all the necessities: button-down collar, 100% cotton, 'close to the body fit,' a hemline that can be worn tucked or not, you name it. Get both of these (or any other combo over $50) and shipping is free.


Extra 40% Off Final Sale Items at J.Crew:
Ok, this one is kind of a cop out because a) there's only one size left - 32/32, and b) this is definitely a 'planning ahead' purchase that you won't be able to use until the summer. BUT, if that's your size, you're getting and incredible deal, and come summer, you'll be so glad you bought these. I have a pair of oxford-cloth pants from Bonobos that are the most comfortable thing I've ever worn and breezy-cool in the hot summer, and J.Crew's version looks just as nice: 

Bowery Slim in Oxford Cloth | J.Crew

Offered in the slim Bowery fit, these come at a ridiculously low price of $24 after the discount (originally $88). Get it.

To make up for the limited availability and delayed reward of that recommendation, here's a much more season-appropriate and widely sized option, also at an incredibly low price of $24:

Vintage Cord in Slim-Straight Fit | J.Crew

These deep red corduroy pants in slim-straight fit may look like a bold choice, but the softer texture helps mute things a bit, and honestly, the warmth of the color can be a welcome element to your wardrobe on a dreary winter day.


MLK Day Sale at Gap:
There's not a ton of things that I will regularly go to Gap for, but these 'lived-in' chinos are one of them. They are crazy comfortable, and in my experience a bit slimmer than the photos indicate, which leaves them at a perfect balance between casual and dressy. I've worn these with a t-shirt to music festivals and with a dress shirt, tie and blazer to the office. 

Lived-In Slim Khaki | Gap

Lately, I've been on the hunt for a pair of chinos in brown, and at $24 (hmm, popular price for pants these days) these are too good to pass up. 

While you're at it, grab another staple at a steal. A white tee may seem too simple, but throw one on with a pair of dark blue jeans and you'll be rocking a timeless look, comfortable but sharp, rugged yet refined. 

The Essential Crewneck T | Gap

This one is only $9, so you get above-Target quality for below-target prices. Again, too good to pass up.

Happy shopping, and have a great weekend!