FALL MAILERS (Continued) - Bergdorf Goodman

Here is a selection of my favorite pages from the Bergdorf Goodman Fall catalogue. I picked it up in the store today while I was having lunch. As I was flipping through, I was really astounded at the quality of the images and the conservative styling. Compared to a Barneys, this is pretty simple at first sight, but the quality of the clothes lies in the sophistication, fit, and details that come with the the price tags well into the thousands of dollars that populate these pages.

Lanvin: Gray washed leather trenchcoat with boiled wool zip-off sleeves, $5,350

John Varvatos: Gray glen plaid wool quilted vest, $895/ Grey wool jacket, 41,195

Burberry Prorsum: Olive wool double-breasted coat with beige dyed shearling lining, $3,795

Ralph Lauren Purple Label: Dark sage green suede down vest, $2,995 / Plaid cashmere sport shirt, $1,295 / Light olive cashmere cable-knit crewneck sweater, $895 / Dark gray wool flannel pants, $695

The Row: Brown leather jacket with brown dyed shearing collar, $1,895 / Plaid cotton flannel button-down shirt, $725 / Charcoal cotton T-shirt, $175 / Fray cotton denim straight-leg jeans, $495

Red, White, and Green

Who else is feeling the military trend this season? No, it's not just for girls. I just got a new Edun military parka from Bloomingdales (post to come once I get proper photographs) and I'm loving it. This season all of the designers are doing them from Acne to Marc by Marc Jacobs to Gap, which means there are plenty of options at plenty of price points [coats in collage (clockwise from top, center): Club Monaco, Burberry, Paul Smith Jeans, Barbour]. Pick one up and pair it with some jeans and boots and your good to go!

Collage by me, photos courtesy of: VMan, Details, GQ.com

SPLURGE - Spring 2011 Pre-Orders

I know, I know, I have been doing a lot of splurges lately, but can you really blame me for this one? I go for a quick view of luisaviaroma and discover that they have pre-orders for the Spring 2011 collections online already! And by look! I always think it's exciting to see what actually makes it into stores after the runway shows, and judging by the selection on luisaviaroma, it's a fair amount, but under half of the runway offerings (at least so far) for the majority of the collections. Anyway, I went through it all and pulled my favorites from the Dior Homme, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, KrisVanAssche, Dsquared², and Neil Barrett shows. The prices are out of control, but there is no doubt that these are some beautiful garments (and shoes). Splurge - come Spring.

(Burberry Prorsum Coat - $2,495.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Belted Leather Jacket - $3,899.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Side-Zip Sweater - $1,095.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Trench - $2395.00)

(Dior Homme Jacket - $2,258.20)

(Dolce & Gabbana Ripped Faded Jeans - $544.90)

(Dolce & Gabbana Faded Jeans - $461.00)

(Dolce & Gabbana Lace-up Shoes - $527.10)

(Dolce & Gabbana Shorts - $522.20)

(Dsquared² Double-Breasted Jacket - $1,836.00)

(KrisVanAssche Belted Jacket - $1396.00)

(Neil Barrett Khaki Jacket - 1,032.90)

Burberry - Spring 2011 - Review

Since this is my first collection review I will try to be candid. I am a huge Christopher Bailey fan, this is no secret. If any of you wonder why, all you have to do is take a glance at his recent collections for Burberry Prorsum. Bailey has taken the house that once produced trench coats for the British military from an old dusty name to a mega-brand that resonates with both young and old consumers. Personally, I think his collections always hit the right note and feel current without being trendy (a word I don't like in fashion). While one may argue that a leather moto jacket with gold spikes is not the most timeless piece ever designed, I believe that the quality and design make it a garment that you would want in your closet, even if it is just to try on in front of the mirror at home because it looks so damn cool.

That said, no collection is perfect, and this one is no exception. While the outerwear is usually flawless, the other separates and accessories are somewhat silly at times. Though they are all meant to evoke rocker-chic, I would be hard-pressed to find any man that would wear a black sheer button down or white mesh sweatshirt out of the house, let alone an oversized tote bag covered in silver studs (though I would have no problem finding a girl that would kill for it).

The glamorous vibe of this collection seems fresh to me after the play on basics that owned most of the fall/winter runways a few months ago. Almost all of the runways with the exception of Versace, a house that has always dressed a man who is not afraid of a leather pant. Come to think of it, this collection is reminiscent of what went on at Versace last fall: leathers, studs, and slim fits all meant to take the man wearing the clothes and put him front and center.

While I believe that Bailey's man has always been in the forefront as a result of his timelessness and chic sensibility, the studs, suede and mesh are just another way to separate ones self from the mundane in order to make a statement, a trait that, in my eyes at least, is a requisite for great style.

SPLURGE - Burberry Prorsum Military Coat - $3612

Summer has just begun and stores are already offering pre-orders on fall coats. While I, along with most of the fashion industry, think this is a ridiculous standard, when it comes to coats with this price tag, you're going to need a full three months to save up.

That said, I can't say there is much I enjoy looking at more than Christopher Bailey's outerwear. His F/W 2010 collection for Burberry Prorsum offers even more spectacular outerwear options than the last. Just when you think you can't possible look at another gold-buttoned, military inspired, knee length coat ever again, he finds a way to re-interpret it by adding a cool zipper and finding just the right color, length, and fit to make it all relevant again. I usually splurge for the perfect coat, so expect a special post come my birthday in August for all that is winter worthy in the outerwear department, but for now, I'll say my goal is to reach $3,000 by the end of the summer. Splurge.

Check out this coat as well as the other available Burberry Prorsum Pre-Orders here.