Patrik Ervell Sample Sale

Friday through Sunday, 10/2-10/4 (unofficially, Thursday evening), Patrik Ervell (emphasis on the "-vell") is hosting a sample sale featuring up to 70% off past seasons' stock. We're talking tailored shirts for $75-$100; outerwear for $175+; sweaters for $100-$150; ...

Twitter Update: Friday afternoon, JoseRMejia said: "Patrik Ervell is, once again, the best sample sale in the universe."

Patrik Ervell sample sale - 35 Howard St between Broadway & Crosby - Suite 4B, Buzzer #4 - 12pm-6pm daily - 646-912-9083 - Map

Uniqlo's +J Drops Thursday

Jil Sander's Uniqlo line +J hits Soho tomorrow, Thursday, 10/1 . Diffusion lines are generally a recipe for disappointment, but this isn't your typical diffusion line. The critics have been raving. Now it's time to judge for yourself.

Friday, 10/2, Update: Sample Sally is reporting that Uniqlo received a second shipment of +J Thursday night. [SS via Racked]

Lunchtime Report From The Field: "Line was getting insane when I left half hour ago. Got some sick jeans, shirt, and a jacket. Skipped the changing rooms, trying everything on at work now! No way they'll sell out today. Sales guy says they'll restock."

Here's the price list:

• Outerwear: $80-$150
• Shirts: $40
• Pants: $50
• Cut and sewn: $20-$40
• Cashmere: $130-$150
• Accessories: $30-$100

Uniqlo - 546 Broadway between Prince & Spring - 917-237-8800 - Map

Dept. Of Self-Referential Artifice

Albo checks out Odin's new West Village locale where Oliver Spencer once resided. We love Oliver Spencer (which is slated to take over Odin's East Village shop Den) and the fact that we can always count on its 65%-off store-wide sales. Odin, which we love just the same, is more resistant to such extreme plunges. [Critical Shopper]

Also, Albo's portrait of today's on-trend man is priceless: "Steeped as we are in decades of postmodern self-referential artifice, we don’t just want to look like backwoodsmen; we want to look like actors from the 1950s playing backwoodsmen of the 1890s, but in a totally fresh, laid-back 2009 kind of way."

A Rare Opportunity

Unless you're happy taking your chances with fit and authenticity on eBay, quality vintage men's wear can be hard to find... even in this city. Come October 5, Rare Vintage on 57th Street will make the search a little easier. [We Are The Market]

Claiborne by Bartlett Warehouse Sale

Whoa, We definitely recommend this one. Tuesday through Thursday, 9/29-10-1, get to the Claiborne by John Bartlett warehouse sale for 60-70% off the critically acclaimed colab, including fall '09.

Report from the field: "All sizes available in all categories of garments. Tons of button downs and light suits. Blazers were $50. Button downs were $20. Pants were $20."

Claiborne by Bartlett Warehouse Sale - 1441 Broadway at 41st St, 3rd Fl - Tues-Wed 11am-8pm, Thurs 11am-5pm - Map

Post-Game Analysis

With Blanks in tow, Thoreson and Peskowitz "nerd out" on the spring '10 shows. Key trends: Masculinity, maturity, optimism, and attention to detail.

Project No. 8 Sample Sale

Saturday & Sunday, 9/26-9/27, get over to Chinatown for Project No. 8's sample sale featuring up to 85% off S/S, and select past seasons' stock. For better or worse, these guys fancy themselves more as artists than clothiers. We're talkin' Stephan Schneider polos for $66, and Tom Scott mesh v-neck shirts for $150.

Project No. 8 - 138 Division St between Ludlow & Orchard - 212-925-5599 - Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm - Map

Built by Wendy Sample Sale

Friday through Sunday, 9/25-9/27, Brooklyn boutique Built by Wendy is hosing a sample sale featuring Campbell plaid button-downs for $50. Find select pieces online, too.

Build By Wendy - Williamsburg - 46 North 6th Street between Wythe & Kent - 718-384-2882 - Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm - Map

Not Your Daddy's Double Breast

E. Tautz S/S10 from Michael Williams on Vimeo.

Eubiq 75% Off

Thursday through Saturday, 9/24-9/26, not-so-known New York-based Eubiq is hosting a sample sale featuring up to 75% off fall friendly outerwear and other gear. The stuff at least appears wearable, if a bit generic.

Eubiq sample sale - 270 W 39th St between 7th & 8th - #1300 - 917-553-2300 - 12pm-7pm daily - Map

Hermès Sample Sale

Through Saturday, get to the Hermès sample sale for $100 silk ties, $250 flannel trousers, and $450 loafers. The lines are reportedly less insane than usual.

Hermès sample sale - Metropolitan Pavilion - 123 W 18th St between 6th & 7th - 212-463-0071 - 10am-6pm daily - Map

Domenico Vacca Sample Sale

Tuesday through Thursday, 9/22-9/24, luxe Italian designer Domenico Vacca will be cutting prices significantly on men's wear and accessories. We're talking button-down shirts down from $540 to $140.

Domenico Vacca - 14 E 60th nr Madison - Suite 900 - 10am-6pm daily - 212-920-1211 - Map

Tag Heuer 50% Off

So, someone just tipped off Madison Avenue Spy to a secret LVMH employee site, which is presently hosting a Tag Heuer friends and family sale. We're talking 50% off retail at lvmhpartners.com when you type in: ffsalefall09. You've got through Wednesday, Sept 30th. [MadisonAveSpy.com]

Had Dean Lived

Do As They Do

Rather than the looks they shoot or show on the runway, we've always paid closer attention to what photogs and designers wear themselves. The Sartorialist, who's style you'd be smart to embrace, suggests three fail-safe pieces for this fall, and every fall to follow. Also, here's a quote to live by: "People make the mistake of buying a lot of jeans ... You just need one pair that fit well and look really good." [British GQ via Selectism]

There's A Party Over Here!

Brilliant! Most inspired line we've seen at the shows in years! "Why not get trendy with accessories?" Exactly!

50% Off At The Bureau

The Bureau -- a Belfast-based boutique we found through h(y)r collective -- is presently taking up to 50% off some very cool pieces from the likes of Dries Van Noten, Engineered Garments, Kato, and Woolrich Woolen Mills (pictured).

Also, since we first mentioned Hejfina's closing sale, it's gotten very real over at the Chicago-based shop. We're talkin' current and past seasons' Band, Engineered Garments, Nom de Guerre, Rag, Robert Geller, Surface to Air, ... all at up to 50% off.

Barker Black 65% Off

At your request, we no longer report on every Gilt.com sale, but because we get so many inquiries about Barker Black -- and too few men own a proper pair of shoes -- it's worth noting that they'll be on sale at 12 noon, tomorrow, Wednesday, 9/16. HERE's your invite to the members only site.

Here's To Hair On Your Face

Facial hair -- full beards and mustaches, specifically -- are gracing the faces of ever more stylish men. (BlackBook's just the latest to note the trend.) Now, there's a right way and a wrong way to wear face hair, so we strongly suggest consulting a knowledgeable barber before proceeding. Otherwise, we completely endorse the movement. Not only do beards and 'staches promote boldness and whimsy, but they're two of the few accessories that the human body produces naturally, free of charge.

"Classic Is Always Better"

Dumb Donald Hits Fashion Week

If you hadn't heard, it's New York Fashion Week, which means two things: Plenty of posing, and more confusion for an already disillusioned male consumer. Thanks, Thom Browne. (Browne's S/S '10 Dumb Donald look pictured above.) It's no wonder Trad's resonating with so many guys, today, as this recent NY Observer story explains.

Brooks Brothers Warehouse Sale

Brooks Brothers' second ever warehouse sale kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, 9/12. Expect up to 70% off suits, sports coats, trousers, shirting, footwear, ... Says a company rep: "I saw the selection -- and it is amazing!"
Brooks Brothers Warehouse Sale - 346 Madison Ave at 44th St - Through Mon., 9/21 - Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-7pm - Map

Groupe Seize sur Vingt Moving Sale

As we mentioned last week, the distinguished yet irreverent men's wear makers at Groupe Seize sur Vingt are moving from Elizabeth to Greene Street at the end of the month. The requisite moving sale begins tomorrow, Saturday, 9/12. "We're discounting much of the current stock in both Groupe and Seize sur Vingt," a store rep tells us. "Some reductions may be as low as sample sale levels!"

Groupe Seize sur Vingt - 267 Elizabeth St between E Houston & Prince - 212-343-0007 - Map

Paragon 50-80% Off

Sportswear shrine Paragon kicked off its biannual warehouse sale, today. There you'll find 50-80% a massive selection of athletic apparel, kicks, and other random gear.

Paragon - 867 Broadway between 17th & 18th - 212-255-8036 - Map

Go Dutch

The Times presents a superb interactive feature on Dutch bicycles -- those old-fashioned rides that are slowly but surely taking over New York City. Their indestructibility; their charm; their shielding of the splattering elements; their leisurely leaning -- What's not to love?

Big Finale

Thom Yorke, "Harrowdown Hill" from Bent Image Lab on Vimeo.

Ring-a-Ding-Ding!

Marriage can wait, but, thanks to the recession, it's never been a better time to execute one of the biggest purchases of your life -- the engagement ring.

“There's a lot of inventory in the United States that needs to get sold,” one diamond-industry analyst tell WSJ Magazine. “It’s in an evolutionary change and the consumers are the big winners." [WSJ.]

"One-carat high-quality diamonds (those with high marks for color, cut and clarity) have dropped in price by more than 20 percent in the past year, with a polished rock now selling for around $8,600, down from around $11,100. Five-carat gems have dropped more than 30 percent, down to around $57,000."

But remember, independent and small chain stores -- through which half of the $60 billion industry’s sales flow -- is always where the real deals lie. Where, exactly? "At Dales Diamond Store in the heart of New York City’s diamond district on 47th Street, for example, half-carat princess-cut diamond stud earrings can be had for half price, down to $393 from $850. The store is also unloading one-carat solitaire diamond rings in 14-karat gold for around $1,000, about 60 percent off."

Traditional Look, Modern Fit

How does one sum up smart dressing, today? "Traditional look, modern fit." Simple as that. Men.Style's got a few products to fit the bill for fall. [Men.Style]

Back To Basics

The New York Observer looks at the reemergence of traditional (Trad) men's wear, which it sees as a retreat from/reaction to the insanity that is modern fashion. "Trad is, quite simply, a safe haven for sartorially selective gentlemen amid the ever-growing chaos of department stores and runways." [NYObserver]

But, while "Trad’s entire purpose is to defy and transcend the whims of fashion," the fact is that Trad is presently quite fashionable. It will be interesting to see how the trend evolves, and how the fashion industry responds. As one traddy tells The Observer, “This stuff lasts forever, which I don’t think fashion people like because they need to sell new stuff."

Another J. Crew Sample Sale

Thursday through Thursday, 9/10-9/17, Clothingline is hosting another J. Crew sample sale. In January, and then again in April, we found an so-so selection of $25 shirts (medium only), $35 dress shirts, $60 cashmere sweaters (medium only), $35 cotton and wool sweaters (medium only), $20 shorts, and $25 chinos and cords.

Report from the field as of Thursday afternoon: "Decent -- If you wear MEDIUM shirts and sweaters, and 32 x 32 pants. There are a few larges in shirts, sweaters, vests, and blazers. I scooped up a large sweatshirt, and a bigger cut medium shawl collar cardigan. That was it for me. There's a good selection of outerwear - peacoats, raincoats, a few topcoats, some puffer vests...lots of jeans, and some cords. TONS of cashmere sweaters -- mostly in medium, but a few other sizes too. "

Hats off to Prepidemic Magazine and Debonair Magazine for the heads up -- definitely two resources to check out.

J. Crew S/S sale - 261 W 36th St between 7th & 8th - 2nd fl - 11am-7pm daily - Map

Rogues Gallery F/W '08 60% Off

Rather than a S/S line, Rogues Gallery is presently unloading F/W at 60% off. 08' that is. Plenty of great gear.

Rothman's Clunker Sale

This we love. Rothman's -- where respectable stock can indeed be found -- is now taking $100 off the purchase of any suit -- including those already on sale -- when you bring in an outdated and/or ill-fitting "clunker" suit.

Rothman's - 200 Park Ave S at 17th - 212-777-7400 - Map

Urban Outfitters Denim Sale

Through this fine Labor Day weekend, Urban Outfitters is marking down all denim to $40. We generally encourage investing in jeans that will stand the test of time -- and these jeans are not necessarily those -- but sometimes a guy just needs a pair of jeans. Find a locale near you HERE.

Hejfina Going Out Of Business Sale

Whoa. Chicago-based boutique Hejfina is closing its doors at the end of the month. That's bad. Until then it's taking 70-90% off past seasons' stock, and 25-50% off new F/W stock -- We're talkin' Acne, Adam Kimmel, APC, Band, Engineered Garments, Nom de Guerre, Rag, Robert Geller, Surface to Air, ... That's good.

Barneys: Additional Friday Deals

New markdowns at Barneys Warehouse Sale as of Friday, 9/4. (You've got through Monday, 9/7.) [Racked]

· Sneakers: 60% (was 50%)
· All other shoes: 50% (was 40%)
· Neckwear: 50% (was 40%)
· Non-Red Tag Sportscoats: 50% (was 40%)
· Trousers: 25% off (new discount)
· Suits: 30% (was 25%)
· Sportswear: 60% (was 50%)
· Accessories: 75% (was 50%)
· Blue Tag Imperfects: 75% (was 50%)

Barneys Warehouse Sale - 255 W 17th St between 7th & 8th - 212-450-8400 - Aug 20-21 8am-9pm, Weekdays hence 10am-9pm, Weekends 10am-7pm - Map

Barneys Warehouse Update

No, we haven't spent much time at the latest Barneys Warehouse Sale, but we couldn't call ourselves Beggers if we didn't provide you with a few updates. Here's the rundown as of Thursday evening, 9/3. Feedback has been mixed, to say the least. You've got through Monday, 9/7.
Barneys Warehouse Sale - 255 W 17th St between 7th & 8th - 212-450-8400 - Aug 20-21 8am-9pm, Weekdays hence 10am-9pm, Weekends 10am-7pm - Map

Oak Sample Sale

Friday through Sunday, 9/4-9/6, Oak's Brooklyn outpost is hosting a sample sale featuring upwards of 80% off whatever samples and merch didn't sell during its recent end-of-season bonanza. Also, treat yourself to your own private sale online.

Oak Brooklyn - 208 N 8th St between Roebling & Driggs - 718-782-0521 - Map

Seize The Day

At some point over the next month, estimable men's wear maker Seize sur Vingt in planning a move from Elizabeth to Greene Street, which can only mean one thing -- Moving sale! More details to come. [Racked]

Update: Expect the sale to begin next Saturday, 9/12, and include markdowns on current stock from both Groupe and Seize sur Vingt approaching sample sale levels.

Mad Man

Some good copy from an experienced ad man: “Women like to wear the newest thing in their closet; men like to wear the oldest thing.” Slightly less elegant, but no less profound: “You don’t want to spend too much time on your clothes, but clothes are important.”

Bape 50-75% Off

This is rare. Starting Thursday, 9/3, Japanese streetwear brand Bathing Ape will be taking 50-75% off past-season's polos, Tees, button-downs, jackets, and kicks. Sale starts at 12noon.

Bathing Ape sale - 286 Lafayette St between Prince & Houston - Map
Bathing Ape NYC flagship - 91 Greene St between Prince & Spring - 212-925-0222‎ - Map

Hickey Sample Sale

Here's your second reminder that Thursday, 9/3, Hickey -- which just lost its NYC address -- is hosting a sample sale featuring $200 suits, $150 sports jackets, and 80% of "everything else."

Report from the field: "Very disappointing sale. Very little stock. Prior Hickey sample sales had 3x the number of product. Less than 15 suits and none that would be considered work appropriate much less in good taste. There was a broader selection of shirts and sweaters but we're talking on a relative basis. I picked up 1 shirt for $20."

Another Warning: We're talking true sample sizes here, i.e., mostly 40 regulars and mediums, and it doesn't look like cash will be accepted.

Hickey sample sale - Hickey showroom - 745 5th Ave between 57th & 58th - Suite 500 - 10am-4pm - Map

Sizing Up Syms

In a depressing turn of events, Albo momentarily resigns himself to a life mediocrity with a trip to Syms. [NY Times]

What does he turn up? Miles of "marked-down cubicle-wear," too faux leather, too blocky shapes, "goofy weekend-dad outfits" interspersed with "wacky standouts," ... Pretty much what you'd expect from a retailer that caters to guys who a) are not inspired by clothes, or b) are not aware that clothes can inspire. (Neither cardinal sins, by the way.) Borrowing a slogan from another agent of averageness, could a Syms shopper like the way he looks? With the right direction and expert tailoring, sure. But he most likely doesn't care. (Again, not a criminal offense.)

At the risk of sounding naive, we do take issue with Albo's implication that finances alone determine a man's exterior. There are just as many poorly dressed millionaires as dapper bohemians in this world, which leads us to believe that one's "relationship" with clothing -- both emotional and functional -- and "sense" of style matter a great deal.

There's also the matter of a patient, educated consumer -- something that, despite its own slogan's claim, we don't image most Syms customers to be. Indeed, as we attempt to regularly demonstrate, knowing when and where to execute purchases can make all the difference.

Welcome To The Jungle

Esquire breaks down salesmen into four species -- the "owner," the "lifer," the "after-schooler," and the "retiree" -- each of which should be approached and utilized differently.

The magazine has also assembled a list of the country's best men's shops -- many of which, not surprisingly, can be found right here in the city.

Discretion Advised

The Times (of London, not New York) reports on high-end retailers and their efforts to keep sales under wraps. [Times Online]

Not a big surprise, and perfectly understandable. Discounts devalue a brand's image, even though they generate necessary revenue. The trick for retailers, therefore, is attracting (discount) shoppers without drawing too much attention. The practice creates a cat and mouse game that we're plenty familiar with, and is sure to continue for years to come. We do wonder some days whether we -- and other sale sites -- are more of an annoyance or an asset to retailers in the process of unloading merch at a discount. We get feedback that skews both ways. At the end of day, though, it doesn't much matter seeing as how we exist to serve consumers, not retailers.