FALL MAILERS (Continued) - Barneys CO-OP

Here are a selection of my favorite pages from the most recent Barneys CO-OP mailer. CO-OP always does a great job of styling their clothes in interesting and urban looks that, while not necessarily my style, definitely show off the offerings. A great shoot always makes for clothes that I want to buy, and these pages have both.

(From Left to Right, guys standing) Woolrich Woolen Mills, Stone Island, Duvetica

PS Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans

Rag & Bone

JunyaWatanabe Man, Comme des Garçons

Gant by Michael Bastian

Fall Buy - Barneys, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman

Earlier this week I hit my three favorite B's (Barney's, Bergdorf, Bloomingdales) for you guys in search of the best buys for Fall 2010. This fall will be all about the play on workwear and military inspired garments mixed with lush knits. I've tried to find garments that are not too trendy and will give you the most wear for their price.

Barneys:

My trip to Barneys began and ended with my search for the perfect toggle coat. While the classic Barbour or Peter Elliot option is certainly viable, I'm looking for something a little bit more modern, and a little less bulky.

This Gloverall coat was interesting, but still restrained with the exception of the leather panels on the upper chest. At almost $600, I was hesitant.

The search was over, though, when I came across this Oliver Spencer version. Priced at $100 less than the Gloverall (probably the best price in the whole store), this option is much more intriguing (plaid with contrasting brown leather detailing), light, and fitted. Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner! Sorry the picture is quite blurry, but I had to be secretive. Barneys is strict about the whole taking photos thing in case you didn't know.

Bloomingdales:

Bloomingdales has really stepped it up this season. Usually their men's selection is one of three things: extremely basic (they specialize in mountains of Theory, always for sale), incredibly outlandish ($2000 Marc Jacobs vests anyone?), or cheap. I guess I didn't give them enough credit because their fall men's wears are, for the most part, reasonably priced, on trend, and chic. Here are some examples:

John Varvatos Toggle Cardigan (Around $700)

Michael Kors Khaki Jacket with Grey Hoodie Insert (Around $325)

Comme des Garçons Parka ($1,100)

Paul Smith Fair Isle Sweater (Around $275)

Moncler Hidden Hood Parka (Around $780)

I think the John Varvatos sweater is a great statement piece, the Michael Kor's jacket is warm and the perfect take on workwear, the Comme des Garçons parka is full of design details (EX: a plaid patch on the upper back and rich brown leather elbow patches), the Paul Smith sweater is chic and phenomenally priced, and the Moncler coat is comfortable and simple.

Bergdorf Goodman:

BG was pretty dry with the occasional breath-taking piece that I could never afford, though I did manage to find a nice Lanvin scarf (still ridiculous at around $300), and some really cool bracelets.

At the end of the day, I'm going back for the Oliver Spencer Coat, the Paul Smith Sweater, and possibly a Moncler OR the Comme des Garçons jacket. Where the money is coming from for all of these is still a mystery...

UPDATE: A better look at the Comme des Garçons parka courtesy of Trés Bien Shop.

SAVE - Comme des Garcons Zip Wallet - $68

I'm not sure if they carry this model at Opening Ceremony any longer, as I purchased it over a year ago as a present. I just discovered it, and since the recipient still had it in the wrapping, I decided to claim it for my own! Despite the fact that this is essentially a zip-up card holder (less of a wallet), it stays slim in my pocket, even when I stuff it with bills and cards. And no more loosing that loose change on the floor when I pull it out of my back pocket! Save.

UPDATE: I tracked down the same model, for sale online and in-store at Dover Street Market. The new model comes with a glossy black outside and a neon pink or turquoise inside. Probably too feminine for me, but a great looking wallet none the less.

Comme des Garçons - Spring 2011 - Review

Cool kids with disposable cash take note: skulls are in for spring. Rei Kawakubo, the fashion-world renowned tastemaker, has deemed that all things goth are a must for the warm weather days of 2011. Isn't it fitting that a cult-like collection of garments has been produced for a label with a cult following?

With the exception of some reworked white shirt and black pant combinations, the skull and checkerboard motif's were prominent in almost every look, and when they weren't, there were skulls painted directly onto the backs of the models' heads. A gaggle of models even walked the runway in full skull print dresses with blazers. I doubt those looks will make it in store (at least not in the men's section).

I would say the most interesting pieces in the whole collection were a series of 5 leather blazers in white, black and red. Though they stood out from the rest of the collection, the classic Comme des Garçons avant-garde aesthetic was present throughout the show in baggy shorts, man-skirts, and cropped skinny trousers.

As a whole, I thought this collection was intriguing. Maybe the skulls and checks add to the the wears for some customers, and take away for others. Personally, I could see any of the skull blazers as a statement piece with a pair of jeans and a white button down. On the other hand, they will probably be priced well over $2,000, and at that cost, will one really get enough wear out of them? Either way, Comme des Garçons pieces have always been, and will always be, like works of art, an investment.