TO SPLURGE OR TO SAVE - Gifts

I know, I hate it when the holiday season prepping has to come before even Thanksgiving has had its chance, but all the magazines and blogs are putting out gift guides so I figured I would just hop on the bandwagon.

Here are a few gift ideas for this holiday season. Usually I find clothing harder to buy, so I've included mostly accessories and objects in this selection. All objects are listed and linked below, and the collage was made on Polyvore. Happy shopping!

Clockwise from the top center:

Acne Special Edition T-Shirt

Engineered Garments Scarf

Woolrich Shirt

Moncler Vest

Gant Rugby Shirt

Nixon Watch

FujiFilm Polaroid Camera

Vans Sneaker

Property of... Wallet

Tod's Loafer

Super Sunglasses

BILLYKIRK Belt

Oak Fingerless Gloves

Converse by John Varvatos High Top Leather Sneakers

BILLYKIRK Messenger Bag

John Varvatos Boots

Fjallraven Backpack

Oak iPad Case

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

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.

AD WATCH - Y-3 - Fall/Winter 2010-2011

I love when the fashion ads break. Every time the seasons change I flip through the men's magazines to see each brands distilled vision for the season. Ad Watch will serve as a collection of all of my favorite ad campaigns, as well as ones I find interesting and worth sharing for whatever reason. Rather than bombard you with separate posts for each campaign, I will simply continue to add to this one post, so that all of the shots can be collected each season. I hope you enjoy my take.

1. Y-3

Y-3 has done an excellent job of composing their Fall/Winter ads into a series of 3 images (1 displayed above) made up of a group of models covered in Yohji Yamamoto's offerings for the Adidas owned brand, styled by Nicola Formichetti (Lady Gaga's personal stylist), and photographed by Alasdair McLellan. The styling is impeccable and every piece just makes me yearn for those chilly days when I throw on a big coat and walk around the city.

2. Versace

Though their clothes may be a tad overwhelming at times, Versace has done an amazing job with their campaign this season. The models' long hair resting on fitted garments perfectly evokes Versace's rock star vibe. Despite its rather simple set and composition, the black and white, sharp nature of the images creates a bold scene that is a standout in any publication.

3. Bottega Veneta

A quick trip to Bottega Veneta's brand new website reveals that they put much time and thought into their campaigns, all of which have been collaborations with well known artists and photographers. This season Tomas Meir turned to Robert Longo to evoke the motion of his pieces for Fall. The result is a simple, yet dynamic set of photographs.

4. Hilfiger Denim

A little crazy, a little edgy, a little fun, a lot of Hilfiger. Tommy Hilfiger has captured a great group of models in a rather large collection of quarkey images that is perfect for a brand that is all about putting a spin on cool American classics.

5. Dolce & Gabbana

Does anyone else think this is a little queer (in both senses of the word)? Not that I care, but I thought the Dolce & Gabbana man was supposed to ooze masculinity... Here is looks like the one model with a drink is observing all of the others undress, and Adam Senn is just happy to have him watch. Even the tailor is looking a bit uncomfortable.

6. American Eagle

I saw this American Eagle campaign on a pay phone booth and thought it was a great new direction for the brand. The ads looked so polished and clean, two things that American Eagle usually is not. I was pretty proud of them, but then I saw the ad un-cropped: Looks a lot like the old Burberry ads with Agyness Deyn and Lily Donaldson doesn't it? All of the models draped over each other and staring up at the camera. Oh well, at least they are trying...

7. Lanvin

These two ads are beautiful. The clothes, the models, the simplicity... the clothes...

8. John Varvatos

After 10 years in the fashion industry, John Varvatos has managed to stay consistent with his rocker chic style as he has with his advertising campaigns featuring rock Gods decked out in his stage worthy wears. For this season, though, Mr. Varvatos has done an excellent job of creating the perfect mashup of the past 10 years with wit, humor, and style.

9. Yves Saint Laurent

Bold and to the point, YSL's Fall/Winter campaign will surely pop off of the page with its striking composition and, of course, stylish clothing.

10. Tom Ford

Tom Ford usually focuses his ad campaigns on the chest and up, allowing for his neckwear and eyewear to stand center stage, and this season is no exception. For the past few seasons Nicholas Hoult has served as Mr. Ford's muse (both in fashion and in film), and Fall/Winter casts Hoult along with a flock of black birds (ravens or crows?). Is it just me, or does Mr. Hoult look somewhat like Ford himself this season?

11. D&G

D&G never fails to disappoint with their ad campaigns that just make you happy. Don't they all look so giddy to be beautiful, rich, stylish, and somehow not cold in their revealing ensembles? I would be too.

12. Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy's new campaign for fall, entitled "The Ultimate Tailgate," is more than just a picture. I'll leave it to WWD to fully explain the scope of the marketing blitz, but all I can say with regards to the print ads is that they have done an amazing job of creating a preppy, stylish, and diverse group that accurately represents the DNA of the Tommy Hilfiger Brand.

13. Dior Homme

Chic and simple ads that put the clothes in the forefront.

14. T by Alexander Wang

Another modest ad with a relaxed setting and relaxed clothes. The brand name is graphic but not overbearing on the clothes. Somewhat similar to what Dior did above, but more casual. Overall a pretty solid starting point for Alex Wang.

John Varvatos - Spring 2011 - Review

I am now thoroughly convinced that rocker-chic is the prominent trend of the menswear spring 2011 season. Though John Varvatos is not the best example of a rocker trend in fashion as he continues to produce Mick Jagger on the Bowery quality clothing each year, his man seems the most fitting for this season.

Beautifully slim blazers and pants, both rolled up, in every material necessary for a night at CBGB's, rule the runway. Paired with exquisite leather bags and modern aviator sunglasses, every look is styled effortlessly and somewhat messily, while still retaining the polish that comes when one buys from Mr. Varvatos. Delicate cashmere and sheer wools are layered beneath the hard exterior of suede and leather coats, creating a dynamic contrast in each look.

Overall, the rich browns in luxurious fabrics are worn with style and confidence on the runway and combine to create a look that any man would desire to inhabit, weather or not he has a concert tour and platinum albums to back it up.

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...