The Best in Affordable Style from the Month that Was – July ’15

A wise man once asked: “What the hell just happened?” And for good reason. There is value in looking back. It gives us all a good gauge as to what is good, and more importantly, what is not good, going forward. Sure, the “clip show” is mostly a cheap (affordable?) device to create new content out of already published stuff. But they’re also a good way to catch up in case you missed something. So cue the flashback music. Here’s the very best from the month that just was…

 

Best Sale: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

This was actually pretty close. J. Crew Factory ran a 50% off everything + Extra 20% off everything but suiting code to start the month. And that’s up there with their Black Friday deal (if not better). But if you were looking to buy something higher quality, then the Nordstrom Sale was, and still is, the place to be. The Nordy sale does tend to lack suiting & sportcoat deals, but Allen Edmonds Strands for $257 is nothing to turn a nose up at. Everything ships & returns for free of course. Sale ends Monday, August 3rd. Picks here.

 

Best Luxury for Oddly Low Cost: Lardini & Alfred Sargent

• Via J. Crew: Alfred Sergent Suede Double Monks – $100ish SOLD OUT ($525)
• Via Club Monaco: Lardini Made in Italy Smoking Jacket – $139.30 SOLD OUT ($1500)

Far from conservative cap toes and a basic blue blazer, but if you’re into dressing with a little more flourish, and you were quick… then this might have been a great month for you. J. Crew tossed those English made suede double monks into their 75% off (yes, seventy five) final sale section, and they got snapped up in a hurry. Meanwhile, Club Monaco had already marked down that Italian made smoking jacket a few times, then dumped it in the extra 30% – 40% off section. Again, it’s flashier stuff, but… c’mon.

 

Worst Pool Party: The Cosmopolitan Casino, 7/25

Oh. Oh no. Well, at least you would have looked halfway decent while evacuating? Fake, flammable trees = not a great idea. Hat tip to Clark County’s Finest who had to high-tail it up the stairs from their station nearby.

 

Biggest much-ado-about-maybe-nothing: “J. Crew Mercantile”

It’s just J. Crew Factory stuff. Right? Maybe? Yet more than a few media outlets have claimed that J. Crew has “developed” this “new” brand, J. Crew Mercantile. But early signs seem to indicate that… there’s nothing new about the clothes. It’s simply J. Crew Factory, with a different name, in locations that aren’t stuck in the drudgery of traditional outlet malls. Yet, more than a few of us love J. Crew Factory. It’s most of the style of mainline J. Crew at a more palatable price. If this is just branding slight-of-hand? So be it.

 

Best fall blazer to keep an eye on: UNIQLO Wool Blend – $99.90

UNIQLO’s new arrivals have started to hit their site, but not everything is stocked up yet, including the above blazer in a “wine” plaid pattern. 70% wool & 30% nylon. It is UNIQLO, so expect a short tail and higher button stance. UPDATE: Annnnd just like that, they’re in stock. 

 

Best Reason to Anticipate November: The New Bond Trailer

At this point, it looks so friggin’ good that it can’t possibly meet expectations. The topcoat. The car(s). The continued use of blue ties on blue shirts with grey suits. The turtleneck. The… Monica Bellucci. Ms. Bellucci is 50. FIFTY YEARS OLD. We live in amazing times.

 

Best Dressed-Down Dressed-Up Look: Navy Suits + Single Monks

It’s summer. If you’re going to wear a navy suit (and why not, depending on the construction and material), then opt for something a little less stiff compared to traditional oxfords. Like single monks. And skip the tie.

 

Best Reason Not to Spend: New Fall Arrivals are starting to come in

Many of us believe that fall is the best season for style. And it’s not even close. We’ve still got a long ways to go in terms of weather, but at least autumn is starting to make an appearance on the racks. Shown above: Banana Republic’s Heritage (unlined?) Wool Utility Blazer, and J. Crew’s Garment Dyed Italian Cotton Sportcoat.

 

Best Reason to start the 1st Monday of August on this website

Because you could win that. A made in the USA duffel made of all U.S. sourced leather that’s softer than a velvet tote bag full of kittens. You can enter to win here on this website starting early on Monday.