Essential Reading

Modeled after Machiavelli's The Prince, The Suit is both a fascinating take on the history of men's fashion and a defense of its tradition. Buy it HERE. While you're waiting for it to arrive in the mail, treat yourself to THIS discussion between its author, Michael Anton, and National Endowment for the Humanities chairman Bruce Cole.

"Fire On The Soles Of My Feet"

Crooked Legs by The Acorn from Paper Bag Records on Vimeo.

Court 50-70% Off

Always some amazing deals to be had at Court on Mulberry St., particularly now that everything is 50-70% off. We warn you, though, that its well-curated selection of vintage wares and indie labels is purposefully kept lean.

If you're a size S, the price of this perfect leather bomber is unbeatable at $100

And Court's shelves are always lined with Zig-Zag's coveted footwear for just $30

Court - 178 Mulberry St at Broome - 212-925-1022 - Map

Ina Resale 70% Off

Our favorite downtown resale shop, INA, just kicked off its biannual sale, where you'll find (up to) an additional 70% off existing resale prices. Despite its small size, the INA men's boutique on Mott St consistently carries the best selection of designer resale merch in the city, while we generally have less luck at INA on Bleecker St. Today, on Mott we found:A prestine YSL two-botton three-piece suit in size 40 for a mere $400

These Prada laceups, going for just $80, still have years left in them

Hyden Yoo hooded -- and toggled -- lambs-wool sweater for $150

INA Men's - 262 Mott St between Houston & Prince - 212-334-2210 - Map

INA NoHo -15 Bleecker St between Lafayette & Bowery - 212-228-8511 - Map

At In God Sale

Go with sharp elbows, but go to the In God We Trust sample sale, which is wide open to all comers until 8pm, tonight. In a particularly tight space, we found piles of Rachel Comey canvas lace-ups for $140, versatile Hyden Yoo cardigans for $40, plenty of the house label's wares, like button-downs for $80... Can't make it, tonight? Saturday and Sunday, sales hours are 11am-6pm.

In God We Trust sale - 265 Lafayette St between Prince and Spring - 212-966-9010 - Map

Beggar Approved

For the record, a product doesn't have to be on sale to win our affection. It's "Sales, Deals, and Trends," remember. What is rare is for a piece of J. Crew footwear to earn our approval. (The quality of the brand's clothes has improved, but we still put its shoes in the same bush league as Kenneth Cole.) With the experienced help of Sperry, however, Crew just released what we consider to be the essential Spring '09 top-sider for the reasonable price of $100. [High Snobiety]

Coto 50% Off

Online, whimsical accessories maker Coto is taking 50% off its entire collection of ties and cuff links. Very cool stuff. To indulge, you'll need the promo code, HALF.

Don't Rock The Boat, Brother

Tyler and Josh are back and setting some very strict style parameters for job interviews. Definitely be taking notes.

Dunderdon 80% Off

Friday and Saturday only, Swedish label Dunderdon will be taking up to 80% off its minimalist men's wear. Online, have at lesser markdowns. Apparently, the daily hours are 4pm-8pm.

Dunderdon sample sale - 25 Howard St nr Crosby - 212-226-4040 - Map

Obey Nypull

It's buy-one-get-one-free week at the two eclectic downtown boutiques that are Nypull. Both locales feature a mix of pieces from up-and-coming designers along with stalwart NYC labels like Obey.

Nypull- 265 Lafayette nr Prince - 212-625-2000 - Map
Nypul - 129 St. Mark's between 1st & A - 212-228-8855 - Map

Mosley Tribes 60% Off

Gilt.com just kicked off its second Mosley Tribes sale of the season. Created by the founder and creative director of Oliver Peoples, Mosley’s retro- and street-luxe frames typically retail for $200 to $350. Gilt's got 'em for $110 and under. HERE's your invite to the members only site.

N.D.C. Footwear 50% Off

Plenty of guys swear by n.d.c. handmade footwear. We're not big of the trademark toe-rise action, but not every n.d.c. shoe and boot falls victim to it. Either way, their quality and superior construction has never been questioned, and at 50% off they're a very solid investment. Check out available models HERE.

Select Margiela 80% Off

Definitely a few deals to be had at the soon-to-shutter etailer eluxury.com. While one might question the practicality of a cream-colored wool jacket from Martin Margiela, it's hard to argue with the price tag: $240 down from $1,200.

Seize sur Vingt Final Daze

Racked reports that the Groupe Seize sur Vingt sample sale, which goes through Saturday, "still has plenty to offer." By our own estimates, and readers', offerings were slim by Day 2 of the sale. ... And once again, we're reminded that this whole business of evaluating sales is not a perfect science.

Groupe Seize sur Vingt - 267 Elizabeth St between E Houston & Prince - 212-343-0007 - Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm - Map

Acne "Holiday" 30% Off

Beginning Thursday, Acne Studios will begin taking 30% off its "holiday" collection. Separately, F/W merch was, is, and will continue to be about 50% off. Can't make it down to Greene Street? Then consider consoling yourself with comparable deals online.

Acne Studios - 10 Greene St between Canal & Grand - 212-625-2828 - Map

Marmot 60% Off

Through Friday, get to private sample sale site RueLaLa.com for 60% off one of our favorite sportswear brands, Marmot. (Once you follow the link, select "Invited by a Member," and then enter the email address VIP@ruelala.com as your key to get in.)

Mulberry 50% Off

Online, exclusive British bag maker Mulberry is taking 50% off select models. We've always been a fan of the Morgan, which is presently down from $1,000 to $500. Want to inspect the merch before pulling the trigger? Stop by either of Mulberry's two NYC boutiques:

Mulberry Midtown - 605 Madison Ave between 57th & 58th - 212-835-4700 ext 102 - Map

Mulberry Downtown - 387 Bleecker St between W 11th & Perry - 212-209-8956 ext 101 - Map

Cherry Bomb

The proprietors of our favorite West Village vintage shop, Cherry, have papered-over their windows and put out a "For Rent" sign. We hear some of the men's stock could make its way over to the women's boutique next door, but it just won't be the same.

Cherry - 17 8th Ave between Jane & W 12th - 212-924-5188 - Map

Score One For The Outlets

Don't expect anymore sample sales at Earnest Sewn. We just got word that the denim specialists now plan on trucking overstock out to their new outlet in Deer Park, Long Island. What a crock.

Online, ES is presently taking 35% off many of its more popular cuts‎.

Earnest Sewn - 821 Washington St‎ - 212-242-3414‎ - Map
Earnest Sewn - 90 Orchard St, New York - 212-979-5120 - Map

Adam 70% Off

The Adam sale at Gilt.com just got underway, and we're eyeing a few items like this wool buffalo plaid blazer down from $500 to $150. HERE's your invite to the members only site.

Also, find additional markdowns at Adam online.

Obedient Sons Last Call - Take 2

Apparently, last week's Obedient Sons going-out-of-business by-appointment-only overprice-non-sample sample sale didn't have the desired effect. As a result, this Wednesday and Thursday, they're opening wide their studio doors and unloading the label's remains at significantly lowered -- yet hardly rock-bottom -- prices. We're talkin':

$45 T’s

$75 button-downs
$125 shorts
$150 trousers
$295 jackets
$350 outerwear
$195 sweaters
 

Obedient Sons sample sale - 110 Greene St between Prince & Spring - Suite 306 - 12pm-6pm daily - Map

In God We Trust Sample Sale

This sale isn't until Friday, but we couldn't sit on it. In God We Trust has long been high on our list of favorite boutiques around town, and -- particularly if it features items from Obedient Sons, Rachel Comey, etc -- this is bound to be a solid event... or, as the ticket reads, "Sweet shit for wicked cheap."

**Officially, the preview on Friday from 4pm-8pm is "invite only," but such protocol is rarely followed. If you want to be extra careful, just bring a printout of this ticket.**

In God We Trust sale - 265 Lafayette St between Prince and Spring - 212-966-9010 - Map

Tic Toc

Kanye just called in from Paris, and he asked us to remind you that, while there are some very cool sales comin' in February, markdowns at the larger retailers wind down this month. "Tell 'em what they need to know!" said Kanye. As always, you've got the 'Sales' list on the left to refer to. Oh, and Kanye also wanted us to tell you to be more like him. Get started at Calvin Klein where wool suits are down from $1,295 to $518 through February 1.

Calvin Klein - 654 Madison Ave at 60th - 212-292-9000 - Map

Touché

Of the 9 less than earth-shattering guidelines in Esquire’s new “Style Manifesto,” we’re loving Number 3: “Something on your person should always make a statement, and that statement should preferably be 'Go to hell.'" Yes! We love it! "Say it with socks, with a tie, or with a great pair of pants, and say it often." But do it intelligently, we must add, and do it with style. We're not alluding to clown paraphernalia here. 

Make It Work

Just in case you thought you were missing something at Paris Fashion Week. [Romain Kramer via The Fashionisto]

Choosy Beggars

Hustling down Varick Street on Friday, we caught Hunter here taking a smoke break on that particularly mild winter day. What caught our eye -- and what we hope this image captures -- is his effortlessly smooth style and refined-yet-whimsical proportioning. But, apart from his blue YSL pocket square, what we found most intriguing about Hunter's clothes were their humble origins. The jacket? "Club Monaco, and ten years old." But it fits! The shoes (which from one angle we actually mistook for Common Projects laceless oxfords)? "Aldo. Yeah, I know, Aldo." And, the hat? Nice Collective, and stolen from a friend the night before.

Winter-Spring Collection

Nolita boutique INVEN.TORY -- which carries current collections at wholesale prices -- recently got a new shipment of goods. We stopped by this weekend and liked what we saw. Looking ahead to slightly warmer weather, we were all over two lighter jackets -- the above grey wool quasi-varsity from Orthodox for $14o, and the below green fine-cord 3/4-length from Corpus for $100.

INVEN.TORY - 19 Kenmare St nr Elizabeth - 12pm-8pm daily - Map

At The Groupe Seize sur Vingt Sale

As we predicted, the Groupe Seize sur Vingt sample sale got off to an early start Friday. If you're planning to stop by Saturday or Sunday, the price list is above. You'll also likely find a very limited selection of jackets priced from $200-$400. And, the only shoes left are size 12 and 13.

**Update: This thing actually runs through Feb. 1, but pickings were slim on Day 2.**

Groupe Seize sur Vingt - 267 Elizabeth St between E Houston & Prince - 212-343-0007 - Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm - Map

Hollander & Lexer 50% Off

Beginning Saturday, the smartly curated Brooklyn boutique Hollander & Lexer will be taking 50% off select F/W items from the likes of Barbour, Y.M.C., Gilded Age, and Helmut Lang. It's just a few blocks from the Nevins St subway station, and Atlantic Ave presents the perfect opportunity to do a little antiquing with your significant other.

Hollander & Lexer - 358 Atlantic Ave between Hoyt & Bond - Brooklyn; 718-797- 9190 - Map

Cole Haan 80% Off

Saturday through Wednesday, find up to 80% off Cole Haan shoes, bags and outerwear at private sale space Soiffer Haskin. Online, you can still find far less remarkable markdowns.

**Update:  "Men's selection is pretty weak unless you're in the market for sneaker shoes," one helpful reader reports from the sale. "There was a small spattering of outerwear, and a few nicer shoes, but this is mostly a women's sale."**

Cole Haan sale - 317 W 33rd St between 8th & 9th - Sat-Tue 9am-6:30pm, Wed 9am-5pm - Map

"I Found A New Way, Baby"

Paul Smith 50% Off

In store and online, Paul Smith has finally gotten with the program and taken a full 50% off much of its F/W stock. The above wool peacoat is down from $830 to $415. The below ankle boots, meanwhile, are down from $435 to $220. Can we look forward to a sample sale in February? Corporate has yet to decide, but we'll keep you posted.

Paul Smith - 108 Fifth Ave at 16th - 212-627-9770 - Map

Paul Smith - 142 Greene St between W Houston & Prince - 646 613 3060 - Map

Smack Down

In a column of compliments, NY Times writer Mike Albo condemns Brooklyn boutique Smith + Butler for stumbling on the critical issue of fit. If you subscribe to the popular notion that clothing should fit your body -- rather than billow, bunch, and swell -- then the rugged work-wear that Smith + Butler carries just doesn't fit. “With every garment, I was confronted with the boxy proportions of yesteryear,” Albo writes. “Smith & Butler’s selection was either disappointingly untailored, or the beginning of a new trend arc, when the men’s silhouette will fill out again.” Being the Steven Alan diehards that we are, we pray not.

If you are big on the billow, however, the boutique is presently taking 30% off select flannels, vests, and jackets.

Smith + Butler, Carroll Gardens - 225 Smith St at Butler - 718-855-4295 - Map

"Despite It All"

Friendly Fires 'Skeleton Boy' by Clemens Habicht from Nexus Productions on Vimeo.
[Kitsune Noir via The Pursuit Aesthetic]

Adam Kimmel 85% Off

In lieu of a sample sale, revered men's wear designer Adam Kimmel has unloaded his F/W overstock on Century 21 and, to a lesser degree, e-tailer Yoox.com. Fortunately, no one's ever died from a quick trip down to Century 21, which is taking 50% off most everything through the end of the week. And we can't tell you how good it feels to descend upon a stash of superior pieces like Kimmel's -- nestled among Century's racks of fashion detritus -- as other shoppers walk by oblivious to the treasure in their midst.

**Underneath and atop the main staircase** we found the smartest moleskin coats down from $1,260 to $200

"Duster Walker" driving coats down from $1,000 to $150

A select few tuxedo jackets down from $1,450 to $230

A select few blue double-breasted fine-cord jackets down from $1,200 to $175

Cardigans down from $500 to $150

More cardigans...

Oh, and we also found this beautiful Ralph Lauren Purple Label wool/cashmere jacket down from $2,200 to $400!

Century 21 - 22 Cortlandt St between Church & Broadway - 212-227-9092 - Map

Stop That Train! We're Leavin'

In case you thought you were missing something at the Milan men’s shows, here’s one look from Gamme Blue -- designer Thom Browne’s new collaboration with high-end sportswear brand Moncler. [The Fashionisto]

Now, once some guidelines are established, it’s healthy for every man to enhance their dress with personal twists, accents, and even some rule breaking here and there. Ever the mad provocateur, Browne consistently takes this concept to an absurd level where extreme restraint and excessive flourishes paradoxically coexist. The result? A few are challenged and inspired, while the rest of us are left scratching our heads... which is all Browne might expect. Who knows?

As usual, however, we’re much more fond of what they’re wearing in the streets of Milan and Florence than on the runways. These images, captured by The Sartorialist, portray men far more subtly (intelligently?) pushing boundaries -