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 potential 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. Top Photo Credit: andrew_j_w
5. Warby Parker Polarized Griffin in Whiskey Tortoise/Blue Lenses – $95
A deeper, darker version of the blonde tortoise first featured over here. 53mm lenses are some of the larger lenses that Warby Parker makes, but know that these won’t work for those who have an enormous noggin. Fantastic blue lenses and super-dark tortoise frame combo. They’re calling these a limited edition, and who knows when they’ll stop selling them.
4. GAP Wool/Nylon Turtleneck – $69.95 (but always on sale)
No, turtlenecks aren’t for everyone. But this one, especially in that ad, has an awfully cool and/or authentic-nautical look to it. Not as much on the gap site, but, that ad.
3. Wenger Swiss Military Terragraph Watch – $97.46 w/ ALAUG4 ($129.95)
Great, vintage-like texture to the dial on this one. 42mm diameter face. 100m water resistance. Nice placement of the date window at 6 o’clock instead of the standard 3 o’clock position. Swiss made. Should drop in price even more if you can score a 30% or more off code (that ALAUG4 is good for 25% off $125+, 30% off $200). Could certainly use a new band though. That leather & nylon combo band doesn’t do the watch much justice. And the lugs are listed at 21mm. Might be able to squeeze a 22mm band on there, might have to do a little razor-blade work, might have to search out a 21mm wide strap.
2. Everlane Chunky Wool Shawl Cardigan – ???
They’re not going up for sale until October 29th, but you can sign up to get on the waitlist. Currently, they’re offering just a tease when it comes to design/colors. That inset pic is the only photo seemingly available of their “chunky wool” offering (it pops up when you hover over the “coming soon” option in their main menu). Price? No clue.
1. Suitsupply York-Fit Super 110s Blue Suit – $499
Quite possibly the best bang-for-your-buck sub $500 suit out there. The York fit is pretty much the Napoli, only with a slightly lowered button stance (see an in person with a Summer York Fit here). Traditional length tail. Super 110s Italian wool. Half canvas. Lightly padded shoulders. Waist has some off-the-rack contour to it, but not too much. Functioning button holes at the sleeves, BUT… the sleeves tend to run of average length, and they offer tons of tall & short options. Actually, they offer a ton of sizes… period. It’s Suitsupply, so it ships & returns free.
BONUS: Christopher Ward C3 Malvern Chrono MK II Blue Dial – $345
Holy moly. They made a blue one. Black band is awfully mean looking with that dial. Yes it’s quartz, but it’s also one stunning chronograph. Big fan of the circular date cutout at 4 o’clock too. Brushed sides to the case. Rounded off rectangular pushers. Design elements inspired by the dash of an Aston Martin. One of C. Ward’s newer arriavls.
Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.
Chunk cardigan looks great.
FYI: C. Ward Just raised the price on the Malvern MkII
Annnnd I caaaaaannnnnnnt stopppp. And I woooooooonnnnnt stoooppppp
Semi related – what’s the verdict on everlane’s sweater blazers? How’s the fit and quality?
I found SuitSupply to run bigger than JCrew, it’s probably worth trying in person to see if you can size down. If not, you might need to bring the waist and jacket in on a SS 38.
I was at the State Street/Chicago GAP yesterday for the 40% sale and I didn’t see that turtleneck on the racks. I would’ve picked one up, if only to look as cool as the huge advertisement of it in store. I did, however, get a cotton sweater tie on Clearance + 40% off–$2.00!
Is it just me or do the lapels on the York suit look a little wide? Maybe I’ve just been looking at the Ludlow too much.
Bigger? I found just the opposite. I wear a 36r in Ludlow and found the 38r in the SS Lazio to fit about the same.
I guess all the more reason to go try it on.
Yup 34S in Jcrew fits like a glove – 34S in Suit Supply like an overall. Even the sleeves on the Jcrew were perfect fit so maybe I just got lucky?
that escalated quickly…
I wear a 38R in J Crew Thompson, but I guess I don’t have a big enough chest for SS, since their size advisor gives insane results. For 71″ tall with 36″ chest and 33″ waist it says I should try a 32R. Somehow I don’t think so.
Weird. I wonder if there was some sort of pre-sale pricing that just expired? Was just $299. Updated above. Thanks Jeff.
Yep. Wide compared to the Ludlow, which many traditionalists stomp their feet about being too skinny. I, honestly, like both. But the Washington’s peak lapels from suitsupply? Good grief. Aircraft carriers.
If you are in NYC I would highly recommend you head to one of the 2 stores again (Madison & 59th; Broome & Mercer) and ask a sales associate for assistance. Tell them what you are looking for and let them know how the Ludlow fits you. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Regarding sizing generalizations, you have to be specific on the fit. For example, there is a pretty big difference in the way a Washington fits compared to a Napoli (I wear different sizes for each). Best way to figure it out what works for you is to try them on. (Note: Be assertive with the staff if you choose to tailor with them. Generally they are great about making the suit look perfect on you, but some can get a little aggressive on taking it in for that “second skin” look.)
Make sure you measure using their method. 32R is crazy though, gotta be something going wrong there. If it’s the system screwing up, maybe give them a call or chat.
I’ve almost always heard (and experienced) bigger, but it could just be one of those things that depends on build. Definitely would try on if possible.
I saw this over the weekend too. I was pretty disappointed. I know CW has to keep its prices flexible to account for inflation, exchange rate, etc., but an overnight 15% price hike seems pretty steep when you consider they have actually downgraded* some of the watch’s features (no longer comes standard with a butterfly clasp), and Ronda quartz movements are not subject to the same supply and demand problems as ETA automatic movements.
Now that it’s developed a loyal following, CW is getting more comfortable moving into the ranks of luxury and exclusivity. But CW may be shooting itself in the foot – there is a LOT more competition for luxury watches in the $1-5k range than in the <$1,000 range. Just by reading the reviews on its website, you can see that value-per-price is one of the brand's main attractions.
*I hate butterfly/deployment clasps on straps so this isn't a downgrade from my perspective, but I know I'm in the minority on that.
dang where can I find that jacket in the Gap image? Looks great
Based on the name alone, I was ready to say no. Based on Everlane’s pictures, I’ll go out on a limb and say HELL no.
IMO a structured, tailored piece of menswear like a blazer has no business appearing in a stretchy, structureless knit material. Plus the fit looks way wonky – super chopped in length, super high button stance, saggy-looking shoulders, the pockets are undersized and weirdly placed. If you’re looking for pajamas or a cardigan, you can do better, cheaper elsewhere.
Put your credit card back in your wallet and back away slowly….
Really depends a lot on the fit. Napoli definitely runs bigger than Ludlow in the same size. But the Havana (my favorite Suitsupply fit so far) has a softer, more natural shoulder and a less aggressively-suppressed waist than the Ludlow. I wear a 36R in both the Ludlow and Havana, but I prefer the Havana by far.
Maybe, just maybe, Gap sells it!? 😐
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=989601
You talking about the price increase, or the fact that they just disappeared from CW’s site? Both are a bummer.
**Edit: False alarm. Still on the site, but if you try to find them by clicking through to men’s dress watches, they won’t be there.**
That button stance though…way high.
Sloth love Chunk
That’s not really something I look at with cardigans, but those who want a blazer-like stance will want to look elsewhere.
The traditional Navy is too dark for my tastes. I’m a fan of Suitsupply’s slightly bluer suit options that don’t look downright black in certain lighting. Will be one of my next purchases from them.
WOW – that sucks.
I am very glad I purchased mine over a year ago. I think I paid about 180 dollars for it on sale and then paid about 20 dollars shipping and handling.
This is my favorite watch in my collection ( I don’t have a big collection of watches as this hobby is expensive). I really did not like the deployment clasp when I first got it but I got use to it. In my opinion this watch looks fantastic and is great for day-to-day use. For the price point it’s an excellent value even at its current price.
Just visited to have the security tag taken off the jeans I got with my tie. (I bought them, I swear!) The GAP worker advised that the sweater and other items from the “normal” promotion line will be in stores on Thursday September 4th.
For the record on Wenger’s own website it lists the lug width at 22mm.
I bought my pair of Griffins from the Warby flagship store in SoHo in nyc. They’re really wonderful and a cheaper alternative to those Steve McQueen Persols I had planned on dropping a good chunk of money on.
Also walked away with a date with one of the cute associates.
Got ’em.
Ha. Can’t argue that. Thanks for being the cold bucket of ice water to my sweater/blazer challenge.
I work at the Michigan Ave location, we just got the Fall collection Monday overnight (shipments usually come in Sunday night, but because of labor day it got pushed up a day). The “launch” date is tomorrow, but that adult was already placed on the salesfloor today. Check out the stores (preferably Michigan, we’re better than State 😉 ) next Thursday for the “Style’d By” event. There’ll be free drinks, live music, and **coughdiscountcough**.
On a side note. I really love that turtleneck, but dry-clean only drives me away from a lot of stuff.