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J. Crew Factory New Arrivals, $65 Suede Wingtips , & More – The Thurs. Handful

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Sales that deserve some attention heading into the weekend, or sometimes, a bit earlier. Might not be some massive once a year event, but still worth a look. Those are what make up these handfuls. Expect these things when necessary. Five of the better sales, one for each finger, are below. Included are a few picks worth pointing out.

 

J. Crew Factory: 30% off New Arrivals

factory new arrivals handful

It’s still January, right? Might be a little early for spring suiting, but if this year’s Corded Cotton suit jacket & pant are as good as last year’s (as pictured above and reviewed over here) then these are gonna be quite good for the price. Will probably drop into the mid $100s for the set in the coming months. Also, many thanks to Derric for pointing out that they’re now offering the Thompson Worsted Wool Suit Pants in SLIM. That’s a big deal, since one of the major drawbacks before was how roomy the pants were compared to the relatively tailored jacket.

UPDATE: Hang on a second… despite it saying, clearly, 30% off prices are as marked, the Thompson corded cotton suit jacket, pant, and wool slim suit pants aren’t reflecting that as of early this morning. 

UPDATE II: Looks like they’ve fixed it. Prices on their site now reflect the 30% off.

 

Macy’s: Extra 25% off $100+ Men’s Sale w/ JANMEN

DKNY Pindot on the Dappered.com - Thursday Handful

Almost wrote that up as “25% off Men’s Private Sale”. Sounds painful. Anyway, they’re calling it a private sale, but it’s clearly on the website when you head to the men’s section. Also going on in-store, but you might need one of these savings passes. Interesting to see the code working, at post time, on Allen Edmonds. A note about the strands: Check Amazon. They’ve got some sizes going for $232.

 

Express: 40% off Everything

Express 40% off, part of the Thursday Handful on Dappered.com

Excellent. They’ve brought their outstanding “signature”, no-logo polo back at least in some kind of form. And the chambray placket actually looks pretty good. Pocket on the chest. Should be a trim fit. Also like the looks of those suede wingtips in the summer-ready “chalk”  for just $65.

 

Billy Reid: Up to 60% off End of Season Sale

Billy Reid End of Season Sale, part of the Thursday Handful on Dappered.com

Not cheap, but often very much worth the extra cost. Hat tip to B.A. over here for suggesting heading to Nordstrom to see if any of the Billy Reid Stuff is on sale for less over there.

 

Frank & Oak: Winter Sale

Frank & Oak Winter Sale - part of the Thursday Handful on Dappered.com

Once again, know that Frank & Oak’s return policy flat out stinks: “If you’re not happy for any reason, you can return your item(s) for Frank & Oak store credit within 15 days of delivery.” But they can make some tempting pieces.

Also worth a mention

Comments

  1. There is a Frank and Oak sample sale on here in Ottawa until Sunday and last night they had a decent selection of blazers for $75. Shirts were $25 and pants $30 but the place was hopping so I am not sure if there is much left.

  2. Debating grabbing either a pair of the bourbon Strands or a pair of McAllisters. Haven’t priced AE’s around too much, is the sale price a decent deal on a pair of AE firsts?

  4. BR is running a 30%/40%/50%-off sale through 1/26. You get a random discount rate when you access the site.

  7. In my opinion, the Macy’s price is pretty good at $259. The amazon price at $239 is about as low as I’ve ever been able to find AE firsts. Nordstrom Rack will often have AEs–I saw a pair of strands in my size there a week ago–and I assume they’re first-level quality, but not sure. The lowest they go at the Rack seems to be $199.

  8. Express is junk anymore. Their brand is now synonymous with tacky Shahs of Sunset crap to me now.

  9. Just got into this site. Awesome job guys. Too bad I’m not single. Hopefully my wife likes me dressing better!

  12. Re: Express Oxford blazer –

    “Get your accessorizing started with the dotted chest pocket lining – it pulls out to double as a pocket square!”

    >:(

  13. Welcome! Feel free to introduce yourself in the Threads forum, they’re a good bunch of guys in there and are happy to answer all the questions you might have starting out.

    Some suggested reading to catch you up on the D.Basics-

    The Fit Priority Rankings – http://dappered.com/2012/08/the-fit-priority-rankings/

    When NOT To Buy It – http://dappered.com/2012/06/when-not-to-buy-it/

    The 10 Commandments of Fit – http://dappered.com/2012/05/the-10-commandments-of-fit/

    And, the one that’s going to be most important, How to Take a Compliment – http://dappered.com/2012/01/how-to-take-a-compliment-or-two/

  14. If you’re slim, Theory is having a warehouse sale and a much of it is 80% off. Theory isn’t worth full retail by any stretch of the imagination but their cuts are outstanding.

    My pick – 100% wool Wellar suit marked down from $869 to $255 after 5% ebates discount. 36-44R still available (no long or short sizes, sorry)

    http://www.theory.com/warehouse-sale-suits/warehouse-sale-suits,default,sc.html

    If you don’t have ebates yet and wouldn’t mind clicking a referral link to get to their site, you can click through here – http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=YwbmWrVDzSV9M0gq9PMITw%3D%3D

  16. What seems to be the problem, officer? Seems like a good idea to me, and it’s not like it’s a floral pattern full of nasty colors. A navy blue pocket square would be pretty appropriate there and it seems like the “where’s the harm?” variety of innovation.

  17. DEAR LORD, does Frank & Oak’s return policy stink! Zombies have a more pleasant aroma (i imagine). Not only does their site only allow store credit on returns, they take literally WEEKS to get around to giving you credit, and the tracking numbers they provide you with only show your return going as far as Champlain NY. Then the package just disappears into the frozen Canadian north, and it’s anywhere form 3-10 days AFTER THAT that you might see some credit on the site. With their single month window for each collection, if you liked a piece but need a different size, the odds that it will still be available by the time your return is credited to your account are very, very small. Why they can’t have two types of returns, one for store credit and one for an exchange, especially when they know that they deal in such limited quantities, is a mystery of Holmes-ian proportions. I understand that there are some shipping issues re: being in Canada, but wow, I’ve ordered things form the UK with greater ease. (The shipping form Liverpool Football Club’s e-commerce site is fantastic, btw. Found a super cool LFC tie bar there… but I digress.)

    Meanwhile, I echo what Jason said below about odd sizing. their shirts are all over the place and poorly made. Their pants are tailored only for 25 year old rock stars without calves. That said, I have 2 of their blazers, and the fit is consistent and the quality is good, especially for the prices. I also have a quilted jacket from them that is my go to everyday warm layering piece, and it’s great. In general, I’d say stick to their more expensive pieces, as they seem to put more care into things with higher price tags.

  18. theres going to be a lot more discounts. from cnbc,

    The pain retailers felt at the end of 2013 isn’t showing signs of relief in the new year.

    Following the worst holiday season since 2008—one that was underscored
    by dramatically reduced prices and lower margins—the heavily
    promotional environment has persisted into January, according to Morgan
    Stanley analyst Kimberly Greenberger.

    “Our data indicates not
    only are promotions more widespread this year, but also discounts are
    deeper,” Greenberger said in a research note. “The ‘Polar Vortex’ likely
    hindered week one, but our mall visit indicated week two was only
    marginally better, despite temperatures essentially in-line with last
    year.” http://www.cnbc.com/id/101355774

  19. Thanks. I was just reading one of your articles on finding a great tailor. So, I have 2 suits that I wear. One is a blue suit that I bought for my wedding. Are you saying it’s worth bringing this suit to a tailor to “update it” today? It’s still in great shape. But I did get married 9 years ago. Could the tailor modernize it?

  21. If the mark is a hole drilled into the sole, they are less than seconds quality. Or as an AE store rep (who has been honest about everything with me) said, “Not even thirds.”

  22. It really depends on a lot of things that may not be fixable. If the shoulders are in good shape (I.e – fit you), and it doesn’t have pleats, etc, it might be doable. I suggest posting a picture of it on you in the “how does this fit” thread. But be prepared to have things you didn’t notice or care about be pointed out 😉

  23. I’ve seen what your talking about on ebay, and that’s not how they’re marked at the rack. It’s more like a permanent marker type of mark near the heel–and I’m not sure what AE considers that type of mark to mean (if anything).

    I assumed the rack did it so you can’t run over to a regular nordstroms and exchange the shoes for a profit.

  24. I have 3 MTM suits with custom lining and pull out pocket squares. It’s a lining. More if a fail safe , and it tucks back in if you want to switch it up. Dunno about thT one tho.

  25. If you’re only looking for a somewhat trendy “beater” jacket and you’re a fan of the pattern, I say go for it. For fit, get others’ opinions as I’ve never purchased from them. Personally, I’ve become a huge fan of Suitsupply’s jackets during their online winter outlet sale.

  26. Ackowledging how hit or miss F&O is, the blazers of theirs that *have* worked for me are some of my favorites, for the price. I’ve had more luck with unlined, and definitely more luck with wool (the cotton and linen ones I’ve tried were super stiff and draped very poorly). For me they fit true to size, but beware they are a little on the short side. Nothing crazy, but the bottom ends maybe halfway down my butt (I’m 5’9″ and wear a 36)…the button stance is also a bit high. If you grab them on sale though, I think it’s a great deal. Of the ones currently available, I have the Wilcox Herringbone in Nazy, and it’s one of my favorites for the winter (although unlined, the fabric is quite warm), and the Hunstman, although in a different color, which I like as well for a midweight wool. Hope that helps!

  27. All of the popping up of chambray items/linings/trim has piqued my interest in buying a chambray button-up shirt. Any dressier options that aren’t both sandpaper feeling or really terrible quality? I found a halfway decent-looking one on 20jeans.com, but have never purchased from them. Any input on 20jeans or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  28. Stay away from the polyester blends and buy on sale. My corduroy jacket fit great off-the-rack.

  30. On a suit jacket, here’s my personal breakdown. I rarely go beyond section 1 and don’t expect a great result when I do:
    What a tailor can fix without too much drama: Collar fit (if there’s too much or too little), sleeve pitch/length/width, waist suppression
    What a tailor would have to work hard to fix (but could do if money was no object): shoulder structure/size, reducing jacket length, pit-to-pit width
    What no tailor will be able to fix, no matter how much they charge you: notch height, button stance, fusing (glued vs floating interlining), arm opening size, increasing jacket length

  31. How dressy? Like you could get away with wearing it with a suit dressy? I have one from Danolis and SuitSupply makes one

  33. Not even suit-worthy. More towards I can wear it tucked in to work (very casual office setting) if I wanted to or untucked to hit a bar. Collar stay slots would be a huge bonus, but are far from required. The one from 20jeans is $20-30, and as a more casual shirt, I think $50 would be the cap.

  36. maybe you’re talking about a different mark, but all the allen edmonds 2nd’s i’ve purchased directly from AE have had a mark on the sole under the midfoot. not a hole, but a definite mark

  38. Not sure why they get so much coverage given the above seems a very common experience w them (certainly was mine and every one of my friends who tried F&O). When they started out they were intriguing because the prices were pretty great for seemingly well made, well considered clothes. Not the case now, it’s pricey and that combined with almost zero quality control and the return issue—bleh.

  40. As someone whose wardrobe is now about 80% F&O (I HAVE to be their #1 customer… seriously), one of my few gripes is the slow creep of polyester into their sweaters and suits/blazers. That said, the few sweaters and one suit (United Tailor 90/10 blend) that I have purchased that had poly blend feel like pure wool to my hands. I think it’s a mental thing that was probably beaten into my head by my mom as a kid to avoid Poly outright, but I have to say in this case I haven’t noticed a difference. I don’t know about some of the more recent fall/winter blazers with poly blend though as I haven’t tried those. I don’t like how they don’t at least state the poly %.

    Also, fwiw I’m a 38R in every F&O jacket I’ve ever tried on EXCEPT the corduroy ones I’m a 40R. Have no idea why that is.

  41. lol @ “their pants are tailored only for 25 year old rock stars without calves”… it certainly does seem that way sometimes. I will say that their Newport Chinos fit me pretty well (just have to be careful with washing/drying), as have a couple of the one-offs (Harvey plaid trousers, etc.), but in general yea, I don’t know who could have a 32” waist and calves that skinny.

    I used to be 100% satisfied with the fit of the shirts. I was a Large every single time, but lately some of the Larges are way big in some areas like the bicep, so I’ve had to try the mediums. Now I’m kind of in Medium/Large limbo and have to make a judgement call based on the picks. Only now does the return policy bother me.

    Unlike the poster below though, I have not seen significant quality control issues. I got a tee shirt once where the pocket was making a run for the armpit and they promptly sent me a new one with a hand-written apology note inside. Now I have a free undershirt :-)

  42. Those chalk suede wingtips should look great with dark blue denim and anything fall/winter appropriate on top. I’d also rock them with chinos or cords in deeper subdued colors like navy, burgundy, dark green, even tans/browns. Dare say you could pull them off at the office in a business casual environment (assuming you can keep them clean) but in all cases expect to get some attention! I like the navy ones, but I bought a navy suede wingtip (F&O actually) a few months back and have worn them like twice. Much trickier. I’d stay away from the darker grey.

    I’d also advise against that F&O Khaki windowpane blazer if you’re just building out a blazer collection. That’s one people will remember. I’d stick to solid colors (or very subtle patterns) in various fabrics/weights for my first 5 or so blazers. That said, it looks pretty baller on a darker skin tone like that. Don’t think I could pull it off with my pasty white winter complexion.

  44. I’m also in that Large/Medium Limbo, and it’s why I have such frustration with their return policy. I ordered a grey oxford from them when they had the offshoot brand Custom Tailors, and it fits fantastically. It’s a large, but no other shirt I have ever ordered from them fits the same. Kind of a bummer. I have about $65 in credit from them (a returned X-mas gift), but as soon as that’s gone, I’ll be done with them, with one exception. While bagging on their service and fits, their style is impeccable. I’ll use their site for inspiration in the future, but that’s about it.

  45. Final sale scares me because I am big, and oddly sized so I have no f-ing clue how something would fit me.

  47. Awesome. I was looking for a pair of dark brown AEs to go on sale to pair with the navy suit I’ll be buying shortly, and the strands in bourbon should work excellently. It also helps that I was gifted a $40 Macy’s card that is sitting around, still. Whee!

  48. Awesome. I was looking for a pair of dark brown AEs to go on sale to pair with the navy suit I’ll be buying shortly, and the strands in bourbon should work excellently. It also helps that I was gifted a $40 Macy’s card that is sitting around, still. Whee!

  49. Ain’t that the truth. I only buy online if I know the fit or can do free returns. Or can wear it on my normally sized and proportioned feet.

  50. Can anyone comment on Frank & Oak’s blazers? The size guide says that the chest of a 46r measures somewhere between 43-45 inches. Can anyone verify if their blazers really run THAT small?

  51. I found the one I purchased ran very small. I wear a 38R Ludlow and the F&O 38 was too small to button.

  55. anyone own Alfani sweaters? They’re 15.00 now on Macys. Looks like a great deal but have had no experience with them. Advice about sizing and quality are appreciated

  57. DD-I don’t own any but just pulled the trigger on 6 sweaters thanks to your post. I will report back with quality after they arrive later this week. How can you not buy them when you can return in store and they all cost under 20$??

    Thanks again,

    -Mondo

  60. Go get professionally measured by a tailor (think Brooks Brothers), and write down your measurements. Then, compare online. :)

  61. A great tip. Yeah I do that quite frequently but sometimes this works well, other times, not so much. I have learned the hard way not to totally trust the internet’s sizing guides.

  62. JCF Corded Cotton is NOT the same as last year’s.

    The 2014 version is fully lined, and traded the poly sleeves for acetate.

    “Thank you for inquiring about the Factory Thompson Suit Jacket with Center Vent in Corded Cotton.  The composition of this item is 100% Cotton; Front Body Lining: 80% Polyester, 20% Cotton; Back Body Lining: 100% Cotton and Sleeve Lining: 100% Acetate.  The body of the jacket and the sleeves are fully lined.

    If there is anything else we can do to assist, feel free to email – we’re always happy to help.

    Best,

    Sharon  
     
    J.Crew Factory Customer Service”