SAVE - Lark and Wolff by Steven Alan Waxed Country Jacket - $198

It appears this is the year of diversification at Steven Alan. Adding on to an already lengthy list of collaborations with brands and stores like Dockers, Chari & Co. Bike Store, and Warby Parker Eyewear, Mr. Alan has done a collaboration line by the name of Lark & Wolff for the hipster chain store Urban Outfitters. Alan manages to achieve a significantly lower price point while still retaining his signature rinkled-cool aesthetic in garments that don't stray far form what he is offering in his full price line.

From a quick review of his website, you would see that the Waxed Country Jacket I have suggested here is a fine example of this fact. Reminiscent of a classic Barbour waxed cotton jacket, this piece is an affordable substitute with a slim cut and simple look. And, like I said, it also happens to resemble his Rain Slicker, which runs around $330. Save.

SPLURGE - Moncler x VISVIM Down Jacket - $618

This simple and stylish jacket is exactly what you would expect from a collaboration between the luxury ski jacket supplier Moncler and the Japanese streetwear fashion authority VISVIM. Moncler's classic shape is updated with a clean design in a beautiful blue grey that should look good with most anything.

While those label-whores among us will be upset to find that the Moncler logo has been dialed down to merely a white silhouette of its former self, I for one am happy to see an absence of branding alongside a strong presence of style and sophistication. Splurge.

SPLURGE - Billy Reid Waxed Cotton Coat - $395

If you haven't yet found your winter coat, look no further. I stumbled upon this Billy number at Bloomingdales and haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw the price tag. $395 for a shearling lined, waxed cotton pea coat? Where do I sign? I've deemed it a splurge because it's still not exactly an impulse buy, but compared to four digit prices of the coats in the outerwear section ($999 and up for a Moncler), I would call this a serious save.

The waxed cotton ensures that you will be completely dry come rainy or snowy days, and the shearling provides warmth and comfort. I would recommend buying a size up to allow for the layering of sweaters and the like. Splurge.

SPLURGE - Nigel Cabourn Storm Parka - $857

Nigel Cabourn finds inspiration for his impeccably executed outerwear and separates from his collection of over 3,000 vintage British military pieces. With its waxed cotton/ grey wool paneling, oversized collar, snap button/zip closure, durability, and above all, warmth, it's not hard to imagine this coat being a valuable asset in battle. Splurge.

BRAND PROFILE - Acne

A new (and exciting!) category is making its debut on Natty NYC: Brand Profiles. From now on, I'll be picking my favorite brands and profiling them for you guys, as well as choosing a few of my favorite items and sharing them with you. In honor of their new store opening in London, I decided to dedicate the first post to one of my favorite brands: Acne. I know the joke has been made about the unfortunate name, but don't let that turn you off, because if you do, each season you'll be missing out on an amazing collection of garments that offer incredibly designed and constructed basics, as well as more avant-garde pieces.

If you are unfamiliar with the brand, start with a quick peruse of their online store. It's one of my favorite, not just because of all of the fashion porn on display, but because they truly upload every single piece that is produced. Doesn't it bother you when you see something in an ad or a magazine, and the brand doesn't have it listed on their e-commerce site, even though they clearly sell it? Well it bothers me, and this is just another reason why I love Acne: you see it, they got it. Online. Every time.

Next, lets talk about the clothes. Oh the clothes! They really speak for themselves. Classic pieces reworked with clever details, features, and fabrics, all incredibly comfortable with a modern fit. Examples: A perfecto leather jacket lined with thick shearling, a grey cardigan with fingerless clove inserts, and high-top moccasins with leather panels meant to look like metal plating. Apart from these, there are simple chinos, sweatshirts, turtlenecks, blazers, and tees that would be great additions to any man's wardrobe.

And then there are the jeans. Originally, Acne got its name for their denim, and looking at their selection, it's certainly not hard to see why. There are a variety of interesting washes in addition to the everyday blue, black, white, and grey offerings, as well as a collection of fits.

I know the price point may seem a little "exclusive," but I really believe that the design and construction of these garments makes them worth every penny. So head down to their location on Greene St. in New York and check out the new collection. Below, find a couple of my favorite looks for fall/winter and some shots of their new store, curtesy of Susie Bubble.







Sources: Style Bubble, Acne Studios

SPLURGE - Moncler at Bloomingdales - EXCLUSIVE Preview

I sat next to the nicest buyer from Bloomingdales on the Luxury Liner out to Southampton today. Apart from discussing the retail industry, she also gave me a sneak peak of their Moncler buy for Fall/Winter 2010. They bought 25 styles all together, but these are my three favorites. They are all new this season, and one is even exclusive to Bloomingdales, so head over to their 59th street location when they arrive in August and pick up one of these super warm coats for this winter. Splurge.

This model is reversible and also comes in navy. My favorite!

SPLURGE and SAVE - Bergdorf Goodman 40% off sale

Sorry it's been a while since my last post! My summer internship has begun and it has been pretty crazy. I won't disclose where I'm working, but I will tell you that it is a major fashion corporation and that with every day I learn to appreciate fit, quality, and style more and more, especially when I walk into a store like Bergdorfs.

Their 40% sale is pretty extensive, at least in regards to the more contemporary merchandise on the 3rd floor of the men's store. They have a whole table piled high with jeans and 40% signs on at least 2 racks for each designer. Needless to say I didn't leave with anything because even at 40% off, Bergdorfs is a little out of my "weekday after work shopping" price range, but I did snap a few pictures:


Rag & Bone coat - Around $325 (on sale)


Rag & Bone mannequin = my wardrobe for fall/winter 10 (not on sale)


John Varvatos Boots - Somewhere around $230 (on sale)


George McCracken Sweater - $175 (on sale)


Margiela Sweater - $610 (not on sale)

I loved the Rag & Bone brown coat, which apart from fitting me perfectly, seemed like it would be surprisingly warm for the fall, despite its leight-weight feel. The Margiela sweater, while expensive, is just a classic piece that will only get better with wear. The John Varvatos boots will look great with everything. The George McCracken sweater was the perfect length and color, and I love a good pocket. The coat on the Rag & Bone mannequin is like an updated Barbour and looked great with this striped sweater.

Also, there was a TON of John Varvatos Ready-to-Wear on sale. Everything from T-Shirts and henley's to cashmere sweaters in great charcoals and grey's, perfect for layering next fall and winter.

While I acknowledge that almost everything in this post is virtually useless for the summer season, the prices make it worth thinking a little in advance. Splurge and Save.

UPDATE: The sale is not online (as of yet), so make sure to get to the store before they sell your size!
On another note, it really annoys me that Bergdorfs puts hardley any of their merchandise on their website...

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.