J. Crew holds a unique place in the retail industry.  They’re upper end American fashion, but they’re also down to earth and accessible.  And they dominate that segment of the market.  That exclusivity can lead to their stuff getting pretty expensive pretty fast, but their sales also offer up some decent deals.  You just have to watch for them and hope they’ve got what you want in your size.

And guess what.  They’ve got a sale going on.  Here’s three of the best items that have been market down for the current J. Crew Summer Sale…

Wide Stripe Old School Tie – SALE $29.99 for Classic Burgundy or Fountain (reg. $49.50)

Perfect width and perfectly styled.

Simple but still bold thanks to the thickness of the stripes, these ties can be dressed up with any wool or cotton suit, or dressed down with jeans and a lightly structured blazer.  2 3/4″ width means they’re slim but not too skinny.

J. Crew Ludlow Striped Cotton Blazer – SALE $99.99 (reg. $148.00)

Killer cut, great color.

Solid Blue blazers are tough to wear with dark jeans because the blues are often just too close.  That’s not the case with this medium navy blazer.  The stripes also set it apart from your denim, and it’s structured enough to also pair up with chinos for a summer business look.

J. Crew Cotton-cashmere V-neck sweater – SALE $19.99 – $39.50 (reg. $59.50)

Sweater in Desert Smoke and Irish Moss

Cotton cashmere is smooth, breathes like crazy, and is thin enough that you can layer up with minimal extra warmth.  These are the sweaters you want to put on over a rumpled up oxford for the cool and breezy nights of summer.  Tons of color options, sizes are scattered all over the board.

It’s worth saying again.  The problem with outerwear, is that it looks weird when you wear it indoors.  I think we’ve all worn a short sleeved shirt, then ended up somewhere with the air conditioning cranked to the max.  You put your light jacket back on inside and it just looks off.

You do need a spring jacket, but if you’re in the market for a sweater and also want something that could act as a warm weather jacket, consider picking up one of these cotton shawl cardigans from Rugby.

The five button placket keeps the shawl collar from dipping too deep, making it more modern and less grandpa.  Rugby is the little brother of Ralph Lauren, and the patch on the left sleeve carries over that American Prep look.  It works equally well as a jacket, or as a traditional chunky sweater.

Don’t be scared off by the use of the word “Fleece.”  This isn’t polar-tech.  It’s 100% cotton.

Also available in a true Green.

These are kind of like those wing-tip brogue boots that have been showing up.  Only for your torso.

They’re a cable knit sweater with smooth jersey-sweat material for sleeves, leather-like buttons, and finished off with a shawl collar.  It’s as if the designer was inspired by a Vegas Style buffet, where you can take everything from crab legs to pancakes and put it all on one plate.

And like those Vegas Style buffets, this sweater is pretty sweet in it’s own, very unique way.

Perfect for the weekend, after work, or at your favorite bar, as long as your buddies won’t give you too much sh*t for the preppy cable knit.  Under $30 for the gray, just over $40 for the Navy version.

American men usually wear cardigans at two stages in their life.  When they’re in college, or when they’re in a retirement home.  If you’re somewhere in-between, you can still pull one off but keep these rules in mind:

• Keep it fitted.  Bulky sweaters add extra weight to your frame.  Especially cardigans.

• These aren’t something you wear out to a decent restaurant.  Use them to upgrade your weekend style.

• Stripes and other details are great.  Just don’t go overboard with logos.

• Dark Navy and Black are safest.  Gray and brown starts to look a little elderly.

• A cardigan can double as a spring jacket, only unlike the jacket, it still looks great indoors.

Keep those tips in mind, find a great cardigan like either of the two above, and you’ll hit the direct mid-point between incoming freshman and outgoing Grandpa.

The J. Crew Final Extra 30% off sale gives you a good opportunity to stock up on a couple of warmer weather casual essentials.  Like any clearance, sizes can be extremely limited.  So that’s why we combed through the sale and made a few picks that are available in the widest array of sizes.  At posting time, there were larges and mediums left in all the items below.  Here are the picks:

Long-sleeve broken-in pocket jersey polo – $24.50

Use Code EXTRA30

Your new favorite non button up weekend shirt.  Perfect mid to light-weight cotton.  Good trim fit.

Cotton Cashmere V-Neck Sweater – $21.00

Use Code EXTRA30

For most of us, cashsmere just isn’t worth the price.  Why pay that huge markeup for softness?  You’re a guy right?  Get over it.  But when a sweater is this cheap, well then I suppose we can deal with the soft fancy pants-ness.

Tipped Cotton Socks – $4.90

Use Code EXTRA30

Sure nobody but you gets to see the bright white tips on these cotton socks.  But so what?  They’re still pretty sweet.  And who knows, maybe you’ll be wearing them one day when someone makes you take your shoes off at the door.

Free shipping on orders over $150, which might be tough to do.  Unless you also get a great new summer suit:

Y’know how cotton sweaters sometimes stretch out and don’t feel all that different from a sweatshirt?  Y’know how wool sweaters can be just a bit too scratchy for the warmer months of the year?  Wouldn’t it be nice if a retailer made a sweater that mixed the shape and texture of a wool sweater with the light and casual feel of a cotton one?

Hey look.  Martin + Osa just did.

At 92% Cotton and 8% wool, this is a sweater you’ll want to have on hand for cooler spring and summer nights, but you’ll never put away once autumn rolls around.  The contrast at the collar sets a nice point of difference between it and the legions of plain v-necks already out there.  It’s a lightweight layer that would work over your favorite oxford or under your go-to blazer.

Plenty of Colors (even orange) and plenty of sizes. An all around good and affordable way to upgrade your after work/weekend style.

So you want to splurge on something that’s extremely sporty, and extremely… yours.

That’s what the folks at Ralph Lauren’s Rugby line are counting on.  Head to their Make your Own Apparel generator, and you can design any number of cardigans, crew necks, rugbys and polos.

None of it is cheap, but most of it looks pretty damn good.  The price includes all customization, so they won’t ding you for even more as you add on.  Select the color, the patches you’ll want on there, and finish it off with your initials.  Going with a rugby? You can even get your last name across the back.

All of the look and feel of a good outdoor game shirt, with none of the cauliflower ear.

Is it a little much in both cost and style?  Probably.  But the site is definitely fun to play around with.  And admit it… you know you’d like to have a custom felix on hand for those spring and fall games of touch football.

Felix Rugby - $99.99 & Navy Cardigan - $148.00

]]> http://dappered.com/2010/02/rugby-make-your-own-apparel/feed/ 1 http://dappered.com/2010/01/tommy-hilfiger-v-neck/ http://dappered.com/2010/01/tommy-hilfiger-v-neck/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:02:16 +0000 Joe http://dappered.com/?p=5048 Tommy Hilfiger Essential  V Neck – $39.99

Tommy Hilfiger’s Essential V Neck Sweater is a real easy way to upgrade your weekend style.  Just because it’s a day that starts with the letter “S”… doesn’t mean you should spend it in your pajamas.

The sweater is Cotton, has a thick V-Neck, and looks better in person than on the web.  The stripes are nice and thin, and you can throw it over any manner of collared shirts.  Got some old beat-up button-up you haven’t worn in awhile in your closet?  Put it on under this and it’s like having a whole new shirt.

And feel free to leave that collared shirt un-tucked.  It is the weekend after all.

The sweater is versatile enough that it can transition from your couch, to a barbecue, to a bar without any trouble at all.

Cardigans don’t have to look like they came out of your Grandpa’s closet.*

Believe it or not, there are cardigans out there that fit well and look good.  Their seams actually hit at the shoulder, the fabric is clean and sleek, and the body doesn’t schlub out around the mid-section.  Those cardigans do exist and now is the perfect time to buy one.

Retailers are starting to get their spring lines in the stores, and thus their colder weather merchandise is on sale.  But it’s still plenty cold outside.  And a good button up cardigan is something you’ll love having when you’re in need of one more not-too-bulky layer that offers some style.  Here’s three of the best available at different price points.

…

Urban Outfitters BDG Marled Stripe Cardigan – $29.00

Some of the cotton blend used to make this sweater comes from recycled bits and pieces that are left over from producing t-shirts.  So, that’s kinda nifty.  It’s a marled fabric which means it’ll have some thickness to it, and the stripes give it a good laid back feel.  Solid width on the placket makes it substantial, which is more than what can be said about the skin and bones fem-dude that’s modeling it.

…

ASOS Merino Shawl Collar Cardigan – $42.49

Most Shawl Collar Cardigans have a collar that’s so big and obnoxious it weighs the rest of the sweater down.  Not so for the ASOS Merino Cardigan.  Perfect weight in the collar, merino wool, and the not too deep neckline gives it a great shape.  This is the right shawl collar cardigan for anyone who wants to wear one, but doesn’t want to look like a linebacker with one of those neck roll pads.

…

Ralph Lauren Wool Cardigan – $79.99

The standard for all cardigans.  Yeah it’s expensive but it’s also marked down from $165.00.  From jeans to khakis, cords, and dress pants, Ralph Lauren’s Wool Cardigan will look terrific with anything.  Amazing fabric, quality buttons, and pockets that stay close to the body all show that it’s designed supremely well.  You get six color choices and all of the sizes are available.  Don’t want to put on a blazer or suit jacket when you head into work?  For $80.00 you can mix it up with this sweater and refresh your getup a slightly retro feel.

*Unless your Grandpa was a terrific dresser.  Then you want them to look like they came out of his closet.

Some see gift cards as a cop out.  They’re easy, don’t require much thought, and you can even pick one up for a major big-box retailer while standing in line at the grocery store.  If it’s the thought that counts, then there’s not much to count for when it comes to gift cards.

Unless, you’re the kind of person who knows what they want, and likes to go out and get it for themselves.  And then they’re a tremendous gift to receive.

Macy’s, Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Starbucks consistently finish at the top when it comes to the most purchased gift cards of the holiday season.  Here’s three suggestions for each that’ll guarantee you get the most out of that little piece of plastic.

— Best Buy / Amazon.com ——————————

Logitech Cordless Opitcal Mouse – $24.93

It’s light, portable, and feels great in your hand.  And it has a wheel that can stand up to some vigorous scrolling.

The Bourne Trilogy – $26.99

The Bourne Trilogy starring Matt Damon has been one of the few action movie series of the last decade which avoided the pitfalls most other movies with explosions fall victim to.  The Bourne flicks don’t depended on CGI, weren’t dragged down by horrible dialogue, and actually had great acting and real suspense.  Perfect to have on hand for those days when nothing is on TV and you want an adrenaline boost.

AC/DC Bonfire Box Set – $60.99

This is AC/DC at their best.  Their tribute to original singer Bon Scott has five discs which include the soundtrack to their famous Concert Flick “Let there Be Rock.”  You also get BBC live Recordings, other rarities, and even Back in Black which was recorded after Bon’s death.  One can’t live life with a never ending soundtrack of melancholy mid-tempo songs.  Sometimes you have to put on something you can turn up and let the neighbors experience with you.

— Macy’s ——————————————————–

Kenneth Cole Reaction Top Class Plain Toe Boot – $66.99

The Macy’s winter clearance sale is on, and you will not find a better price anywhere on a more stylish and simple pair of boots.  Period.  Plain toe, smooth leather, nice detailing at the top of the ankle.  A must have.  List price is around $135 at other retailers.  Endless.com has a better view of the boots if you want more detail than what Macys.com offers.

Tommy Hilfiger Raven Striped Crew Neck – $29.99

Mr. Hilfiger has made a career out of producing classic, purely American clothing at about half the price of what Ralph Lauren does it for.  We all need a thermal or two for the weekends.  The bold stripes on the Hilfiger Raven Striped Crew neck make it stand out in a great way.

Michael Kors Classic Check Dress Shirt  – $19.99

Because sometimes a plain white Oxford under your well cut suit can get a little boring.  Perfect semi-spread collar, good weight in the cloth, and a pattern that’s business like but fun at the same time.  perfect to match with solid suits and solid ties.  These shirts aren’t fitted so if you’re of a more athletic build, you’ll need some tailoring.

— Starbucks ——————————————————–

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson | Break Up – $11.99

Sure you could buy a cup of coffee or an espresso or whatever it is you like to drink at Starbucks… but that cup of hot liquid unfortunately doesn’t come with the sultry sounds of Scarlett Johansson.  Pete Yorn is amazingly talented.  Enough so that he was able to take one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, vocal flaws and all, and still produced a terrific album.  You’ll find it near the register.

Starbucks French Roast Extra Bold – $28.07 for 3-Pack

Because some mornings you’re too hungover and just want to drink your coffee at home.  Bold, thick, smokey, and pre-ground so your splitting headache isn’t exacerbated by the damn whole bean grinder.

DCI I am Not a Paper Cup 10oz Porcelin Travel Cup – $17.45

So maybe you do want to save your giftcard for hot beverages.  Buy this and the baristas will gladly put your purchases in it for you.  Strangely light ceramic with a soft silicone lid.  Microwave and dishwasher safe, the now famous DCI “I am Not a Paper Cup” reduces waste and gives you something to put that bold French Roast in for your commute to work.

(all products are available at each individual store, but in case you didn’t get a gift card to that location and you still want the product… Amazon.com links are provided to some listings with free super-saver shipping for your online shopping pleasure.  That way you won’t have to fight the post-holiday shopping crowds.)