Watch This

I've had RealMenRealStyle.com in my Suggested Reading list since the creation of this site, but this 11 minute video is particularly great at explaining many of the principles this site is founded on. 

Some key points from the video: 

• Thrifted Style can be timeless and not subject to idiotic fashion trends.

• Thrifted items can be found in like (or literally) new condition.

• High quality shoes (Such as Allen Edmonds or Alden) can be recrafted to near-new condition for 1/4th the cost of a new pair.

• Finding (unwanted) ties or other clothes from family members (if they fit) can be a great way to build your own wardrobe for free. (Just avoid the gaudy 1970's style and look for classics)

• Tailoring (either by a tailor or on your own) will gain you near perfect fit which speaks far louder than most material or price based qualities of an item..

• Knowing how and when to buy at retail by monitoring sale cycles and buying out-of-season will save you a lot of money, rather than buying for the immediate or upcoming season as retailers want you to.

For more videos from Antonio Centero, visit his site here

Tied and True

I came across some wonderful vintage finds for my tie collection-- apparently from someone fond of wool ties- as none of these contain silk, instead opting for other natural fibers. A wool or cotton knit tie has a certain texture that silk ties often lack, giving a more casual appearance that can look great year round.

One under-appreciated aspect of thrifting is the history behind some of the items you'll come across. A little bit of research turns up all sorts of details and anecdotes about the past culture of small haberdasheries and how every little town had their own. These have since been replaced by the Jos. A Banks and Men's wearhouses putting out the same cheaply made goods in strip malls across America- with no variation or individuality between them.




From Left to right: 


The tartan (labeled a "Lime Tree Isle") is from a small but famous London shop called the Scotch House which has been shut since 2001 apparently. The two locations now hawk Burberry instead...a sad transformation.

Next we have a cotton madras tie from Rooster, a company known throughout the 1950's and 60's for neckwear, and producer of many trad-friendly designs and patterns.

The red wool repp has a tag from a store called A.S. Cooper Bermuda, which is a store still in business on the island today.

We then have offerings from the holy J. Press and Brooks Brothers. The Press is all wool with a classic tag bearing the name of the San Francisco location which closed its doors in the early 1980's. The Brooks Brothers tie features the Brooksgate logo, used throughout the 1970's as a separate line of items designed for younger men, kind of their "collegiate line" in a sense. 

Image from a vintage Brooksgate Catalog 

The solid blue knit (with a square end) is the only tie without a makers tag, but it does say "Made in England 70% New Wool 15% Mohair 15% Alpaca" so at least it has the bragging rights of being made from 3 different species.

Best part is, the whole lot was only $3 due to a store-wide 50% off sale. Pretty hard to beat that!

Brooks Semi-Annual Sale Details

I received the details on the sale via a mailing today so I thought I'd just quickly share here.

Sale will run: June 20th-July 3rd 2014
Suits, Sport coats, pants and accessories: (up to) 30% off 
Sportswear: up to 50% off 
(Casual outerwear, casual pants, etc)
Dress and Sport shirts: 3/$179(Will go crazy if there are no deals on single purchases....as I put off buying during the 30% sale)
Ties: Buy 2 or more save 50% 
Women's apparel: up to 50% off 
Red Fleece: up to 50% off


Fine print reads: Not valid at factory stores or on Black fleece. May not be combined with other discounts (so I guess the AAAC card/Student discount is out)

There will probably be separate sales going on at the outlets but I haven't received confirmation of this yet. 

I'll post some of my recommended buys on Friday once the sale prices are live. 

Thrifty Retail

 Retail doesn't always have to be expensive, and with some intelligent shopping, you may never need to pay "full price" for anything. Retail stores have limited room for products, and as new items come out, the previous stock must go somewhere. If you're clever with combining discounts, you can score exactly what you've wanted at a price that's friendlier on your summer paycheck. With many stores preparing to offer their summer clearance sales, now is a great time to look for big-savings when it comes to preppy style.

Here's a great example. I was recently in a J.Crew store and noticed they had a sale section. These ACK red chinos for example, originally retailed for $75.00.
They had been marked down to $50, and then again $40, as you can see on the tag.

Now the day I happened to be in the store, all men's sale items were an additional 40% off. That brings the price down to $24.  But it gets better, as I learned that the student discount would apply in addition to the previous markdowns, (an additional 15% off in-store purchases) knocking the price down to about $20.
So by careful selection (and some luck) I was able to get these for less than 1/3rd of their original price

Even better were the grey herringbone trousers which (origionally $88) only ran me $15 after the discounts.

A similar story can be had at a recent trip to a Brooks Brothers "factory store" where I picked up this D-Ring belt (A mainline Brooks product, not made for the outlets) for under $10. The MSRP was around $58.

Continuing with Brooks, who hold frequent sales, I took advantage of a recent sale which offered (If I remember correctly) an additional 40% off on clearance items. I'd been eyeing this particular OCBD with a grosgrain ribbon trim on the placket. 

This ribbon-trim feature I had only previously seen on shirts by Thom Browne (The designer behind Brook's Black Fleece line of what-the-hell fashion). These retail for over $300 so finding a more affordable version (with details such as flap pocket and a slim fit) was a real treat. With the discount applied, I got the shirt for just under $30, and for fun added on a cotton pocket square that was under $10 with the discount applied. 

Further taking advantage of 2-day free shipping (offered when you sign up for a trial of ShopRunner) my $100+ dollar order was reduced to under $40 for an incredible shirt and square...saving me money for future purchases. 

A word on ShopRunner...

One must be careful when signing up as the whole ploy is that this subscription based service will be happy to charge you on a monthly basis even if you aren't buying anything. A discerning consumer however, will be able to cancel before the trial period ends. When I did this, they offered an extension for a few months. I'll have to make sure they don't end up charging me after that but in the meantime it's free shipping so I'm content. Certain American Express cardholders are eligible for a free membership as well so check it out if you've got one. 

So what's next? Well Brooks should be having their summer semi-annual sale soon, which in the past has been ~40% markdowns store wide in mid-late June (after Fathers Day). 

Here are a few items look for: 

THE Brooks Brothers OCBD
Must-Iron, 100% Supima Cotton
Made in USA.

Madras Flip-Flops 

Bow Ties, including some of the reversible variety

Belts, including this one I find really unique from Kiel James Patrick

A variety of boat shoes that may spark your interest. I know these got my attention.

Aside from retail, thrift finds haven't been particularly amazing lately, but here are some things I did catch. 

J.Press Oxford in yellow. I sold it due to the extra-baggy fit but these are a trad holy-grail item, and to think that I found it in a ratchet part of Worcester Ma is even more baffling. 
Paid $5. Retail $101. Sold.

5-Pocket shorts by Rugby Ralph Lauren. Since this (beloved to some) brand doesn't exist anymore, eBay and thrift stores might be your only way to shop for it
Retail ??? (estimated ~$80) Paid $6.

An L.L. Bean Made in USA sweater- Again, a product I don't think is made anymore. I practically want to buy everything I find that's made in America given the rarity at this point, and the fact that it's pretty close to my school color didn't hurt. 
Retail ???. Paid $4.