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Consider these to be power rankings. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month. The best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Agreements, disagreements, and additions are more than welcome in the comments section below. Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months. Top Photo Credit: andrew_j_w .
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5. J. Crew Ludlow Herringbone Suit Jacket & Pant – $331.98* $409.98 ($620)
Something to keep an eye on here. Looks like some suit pants just got restocked in tons of sizes over here, and at post time, there were jackets in 36R, 38R, 40R, and 44R. Both are “preium wool” from the Italian mill Lanificio di Tollegno. Both are labeled as “Charcoal Herringbone”, and their descriptions are almost identical. If they match, and if these make it to the next extra 30% off sale code… (quick math = $286.97)… well then that’d be something. Got a set on the way to see if they are in fact a matching set.
*UPDATE: Well that was fast. STYLEFIND takes an extra 30% off sale items, but for some reason the pants are “Excluded from Promo”. Something seems odd here. Tread carefully. Still don’t know if they’re an exact match. Drops the total price to $332, which is a screamin’ deal if it works out.
4. Jack Spade Wesson Leather Davis Brief – $159.75 w/ MINUS25 ($425)
Finding a simple leather brief for under $175 can be a pain. Luckily, Jack Spade has taken an additional 25% off all of their sale items with the code MINUS25 through 1/13. The sale section is jam packed, and right at the top is this guy. Leather has a subtle cross-hatch pattern to it that gives it some depth. Jack Spade stuff almost always has that “imported” tag on it, but it’s built pretty well and looks great. Especially at this bit of an investment, but not budget crushing price. Ships free.
3. Pewter Stopper Decanter – $49.99 ($69)
If you were lucky enough to get a bottle of something nice over the holidays, consider taking it out of that bottle and transferring it instead into something more table-top ready. Less logos & labels, right? Also particularily handy if you’ve got a liquor cabinet with shelves that are too short for some of the taller bottles.
2. Ciro Lendini Suede Chelsea Boots – $109.00 ($158)
Mercanti Fiorentini is to DSW as Ciro Lendini is to YOOX. In-house brands that make shoes in Italy for affordable prices and deliver better than average quality. Deep brown suede here with those elastic gore sides that are a Chelsea boot hallmark. No half sizes available.
1. BR Blue Birdseye Blazer – $225
| Grey Jacket
& Pant
– $227.99 w/ BRSALE40 ($535)
For the Blazer: First… it’s not really navy. It’s more of a true blue that leans darker. It’s a bit darker in person than the pics on Banana Republic’s website, but only a bit. It’ll be lighter than most dark wash jeans as seen in the pic above (larger version here). The birdseye patterned fabric is terrific. It moves extremely well, and the true 2/3 roll for the buttons is a nice touch. The sleeve buttons are functional, BUT… these sleeves seem to run pretty true in length. No goofy long arms this time. A 38R was showing a bit of shirtcuff on my 5’10” frame. Center vent, and the interior back lining is a nice blue checkered cotton. Sleeves are lined in poly. Does have self-fabric elbow patches.
For the Suit: That shot isn’t the most flattering. The jacket on the model has to be a size too big, and his arms are drowning in the sleeves. That said, BR’s basic suiting line is one of the best when it comes to fused suits, and at this price, it’s got potential to be a fantastic deal. Haven’t seen this particular ticket-pocket equipped version in person, but the tailored line has higher armholes, slimmer sides, and more often than not, surprisingly nice fabrics compared to other fused suits. Lots of jacket sizes but the pants are a bit scattered. One reviewer said it’s a shade darker in person. Extra 40% off sale code BRSALE40 expires today.
BONUS: Original Penguin Bernardo Thermal – $19.99 – $41.99
You’ll never reach for that hooded sweatshirt ever again. Y’know when you stumble across a shirt or sweater that fits perfectly and you want to buy backups just in case? Right. These fit incredibly well. A medium fits a 165-170 torso spot on. There’s no extra junk around the middle, they’ve got just enough spring to the medium weight fabric, and the waffle thermal-knit keeps them casual. They even manage to look decent over a button up. Hard to find, but going for as low as $20 via 6pm.com. Sizes are scattered. They do sometimes show up on Gilt.
Ordered the BR suit and pants last night. Ended up getting pants that were 2 inches too long but should be a cheap tailor fix.
I picked up that Ludlow herringbone suit the other day when the 30% off code was still active… came out to $265 after tax. The suit & pants do match perfectly and it’s a great buy, even at around $400. They also offer a slim fit version of the pants for slightly more (scroll to the bottom of the product page).
I picked up the Ludlow herringbone suit the other day when the 30% off code was still active… came out to $265 after tax. The pants do indeed match perfectly and it’s a great buy even at $400. They also offer a slim version of the pants (scroll to the bottom).
30% off code just landed in my inbox – STYLEFIND, picked up the suit with it.
Looks like the pants aren’t included in the promo- anyone get it to work?
Just contacted their support and they said the pants *are not* excluded from the promo. They were able to apply 30% off once I placed the order.
I just had the exact opposite happen to me. Contacted support too. Hmm.
FWIW, crystal decanters are something I find fairly regularly in thrift shops for $2-4. Thrift shops are a good place to check in general if you’re looking for interesting or vintage-looking glassware.
Have been looking for a nice brief for several months but did not want to spend $400+. The Davis brief from Jack Spade was at the top of my list in several material variations. Seconds away from pulling the trigger a while back when Nordstrom had the canvas/leather on sale for $200 but glad I didnt. Ordered the Wesson leather over a week ago and could not be happier. Fantastic bag from a look and quality standpoint and only $160.
Are the Ludlow slim fit pants true to size? I am interested in the waist size in particular. Is 30″ truly 30?
If anyone is looking to order the J Crew herringbone suit, I have a pair of the matching pants in 30/30. They’re too short for me so I was planning to reorder. They’re brand new with tags and I’d sell them for $90 (you’d be saving around $30 since the promo doesn’t work on pants). Email me if interested (uncleguito at gmail dot com).
Regarding the Ludlow suit…I highly recommend calling your local J. Crew store. After the suit pants on the website ran out in my size, I called my local store and the Ludlow suit featured above has even further markdowns on it. The pants are $99 with an additional 30% off. The jacket came down to $139. The entire suit cost me $209 and some change, shipped! When you call skip the “talk to a search specialist” on their phone message. Choose to talk to someone in your local store (I think it’s option 5). Hope this helps someone out.
I’d recommend this as well, but from what they told me at my local NYC store, the style is discontinued for 2013 and most stores are sold out nationwide. Still worth a shot, though.
Also, the slim pants are online exclusive (never sold in stores).
Is the BR birdseye season-specific? Would it work in the summer?
How does the Ludlow fit compared to the Banana Republic Suit?
I was able to get a live chat CSR to apply the 30% off coupon to the pants after the fact. He said the pants are excluded, but he will make an exception. Just keep trying I guess.
ludlow pants are fairly easy to find on ebay for about $100, may take a while to find herringbone and a specific size