Keep Style Simple

Hot Fall Color = Purple

2009-10-10T13:52:00.005-04:00

Yes Purple, Plum, Egg Plant you name it!

Ann Taylor and Banana Republic have jumped all over this trend, just check out their coats, sweaters and blouses. J Crew miss the boat? I'm even seeing lots of purply (word?) tones at Kohl's!

So what's a guy to do, buy a eggplant colored wool pea coat? nah... update yourself with a nice deep purple sweater. It's easy enough to incorporate into your current wardrobe without stepping out that much.

Men's Casual Fall Style Guide

2009-08-24T15:17:00.006-04:00

Ok well not really a guide, more like a Top 5. Anyway, here are a few of the trends I'm seeing out there.

1. Slim fit Jeans. I hade to go with Levis, afterall they are the classic.
2. Pair of Chucks or Jack's. Personally I like the Leather Jack Purcells.
3. Tee's in fall colors. American Apparel has the best fitting tees out there.
4. Broken in Blazer. Who better than J. Crew
5. Self Winding Automatic Watch. Swiss Made please...

Always the copycat

2009-08-15T06:58:00.000-04:00

Apple should be flattered once again I guess. Link

Retail Traffic

2009-03-19T20:59:00.002-04:00

Retail Traffic is one of my favorite Retail Blogs. It's where I get the dirt on who is closing next, plus it has tons of insight regarding real estate strategy.

Retail Traffic

Merona Ultimate Polo Lives up to its Name

2009-03-11T08:41:00.002-04:00

I've seen a lot of polo's in the last few weeks and Target's Merona Ultimate Polo for $14.99 lives up to its name. I'm voting it my favorite. Gap, J. Crew, and the department stores are selling their polo's $25 and up for similiar or lesser quality.

When I look at a polo shirt I make sure the collar and sleeve cuffs colors match the pique body, the placket is straight and the fit is reasonable.

If you want the distressed polo look, simply take a file to a couple of the corners then wash it a few times with your denim.

The Ultimate Torture is a Glow Amp with No Speakers

2009-03-06T22:43:00.003-05:00

I took the plunge and bought a new sound system. I owned the typical black box stack set up from Sony and lets face it, its boring looking and I was getting tired of surround sound. Music coming from all corners of the room became tiresome. I decided to go in a different direction and purchased Glow Audio's amp and speaker system. I can only tell you the amp and sub woofer are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and not yet to the ears, because the speakers are back ordered. It's killing me to have the amp and letting it sit silent....

Retail is Tough

2009-03-06T22:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been so busy at work lately and had no time to blog....

2008-10-05T21:04:00.003-04:00

I'm not the hunting type, but I love this vest from J. L. Powell.

Waxed Canvas is one of my favorite fabrics, because of its durability and the handsome patina waxed canvas acquires with wear.

I own an original wax canvas Timbuk2 messenger bag from 1999. Ok, at this point this bag has a little more than a patina, but it's still going strong in semi-retirement.

Just so you know, I'm the type who would be waiting in line for a cup of Café Corretto wearing this vest.

PS Don't forget to check out J. L Powell's Clearance Sale.

Extra 20% off Gap This Weekend

2008-09-26T06:42:00.002-04:00

Thought I pass this to the web. It's available online and in stores. The online code is Sale20

Brooks Brothers Friends and Family 25% off

2008-09-24T06:52:00.001-04:00

For the next few Days you can get an extra 25% off your order in stores or online. The Online code is Friend60, for an instore coupon click www.brooksbrothers.com/friends

20% off J. Crew, If you can handle the used car sales man pitch

2008-08-14T05:45:00.003-04:00

I know, I know thats mean. I actually like the friendly customer service J Crewers provide at the stores. I've never done the personal shopper gig though.

Gap Outlet Coupon

2008-08-12T20:38:00.004-04:00

This doesn't happen very often! I would take advantage of this coupon!

Why Not Organic Cotton

2008-08-07T21:37:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking Organic Lately.

An estimated 1/10 of the world's annual fertilizer supply is used for cotton production.

Quite an impressive amount of fertilizer. Cotton is a 300 billion dollar industry.

I wonder if the price of conventional cotton keeps rising (in part due to fertilizer costs) will organic cotton become main stream?

Everyone including Wal-Mart (who is the biggest buyer of Organic Cotton) has fringe lines devoted to organic cotton, but nothing that would be considered the meat of the assortment is made from organic cotton. Something like 2% of total cotton production is organic.

Imagine if Gap or American Eagle sourced part of their assortment from organic cotton instead of conventional cotton I think it would be a major marketing coup.

Take Gap's basic denim, Tee's or Khaki's and fabricate it from Organic Cotton. I think their customer would eat it up.

On the flip side, if there was a major shift to organic cotton how much oil and natural gas would be freed up because of the decreased demand for fertilizer?

Just some food for thought.

Ben Silver Warehouse Sale

2008-07-29T06:28:00.003-04:00

I've never made it down to Charleston for this sale, but I've heard there are great deals to be found.

Hickey Freeman Rue La La Sale

2008-06-11T21:12:00.003-04:00

Rue La La is holding a Hickey Freeman Sale until Friday afternoon. I've never really seen this caliber of Hickey Freeman on sale, so I'm pretty pumped about it and may pick up a suit and a few dress shirts.

I'm kinda digging the Rue La La concept as of late. Upcoming is a Doir sale. I can't wait! Let me know if you need an invite.

2008-06-11T21:11:00.001-04:00

Sorry been busy with several projects of late...

Macys.com Coupon Code

2008-05-31T15:51:00.002-04:00

Here are the details :
From May 23, 2008 through June 23, 2008, enter promo code XJ0EQ1F6T20Z at checkout, and we'll take 20% off your next online order of $100 or more

JCPenney.com Coupon Code

2008-05-29T18:33:00.003-04:00

JCPenney's latest mailer came in the mail today. The code is "BLAZING" and it ends 6/13/08. The offer is 30% off regular price and an additional 10% off clearance merchandise.

Gap Coupon Code $20 off $100 Purchase

2008-05-23T13:40:00.003-04:00

This coupon for Gap.com is good through June 8th. The code is "D1C16M6ZMTF6"

J. Crew In store - online 20% off Coupon

2008-05-22T05:56:00.003-04:00

A nice little memorial day sale from J. Crew. Print out the coupon to use in store or online the coupon code is "SALESHHH." The catch is you must spend $175 or more.

Rue La La - Fashion, ooh la la!

2008-05-21T22:35:00.004-04:00

Need an invite to www.Ruelala.com? Just shoot me an email. I'll invite ya!

Jerry will you twirl my Prince of Wales Swaine Adeny Brigg Umbrella

2008-05-21T19:53:00.004-04:00

The umbrella twirlers have been busy the last few days. Remember the patented Seinfeld Twirl? I love that episode! I own a nice black Totes umbrella that has the button to pop it open and close it down. It's been reliable for the past few years and I thought my umbrella was pretty fancy until I came across Swaine Adeny Brigg's website. Their collection of umbrellas is iconic. They make my handy Tote umbrella look like it came from the Family Dollar. If you too are impressed with these umbrellas, I noticed that J. Peterman has one for purchase on his website for $350, which may be a steal considering the shipping expense from the UK you would pay ordering direct from Swaine Adeny Brigg.

Banana Republic Factory Outlet Store Coupon

2008-05-16T05:52:00.005-04:00

OK, this is easy enough. print out this coupon and bring it to a Banana Bepublic Factory Outlet Store for great savings. Its good now through May 28th.

Who Made Indiana Jone's Hat?

2008-05-12T23:32:00.006-04:00

Now this is Provenance!

I stumbled across this while looking for a new umbrella.

"Before Herbert Johnson moved to its present location sharing the store with Swaine Adeney it was situated at 13 Old Burlington Street. One rather uneventful afternoon two gentlemen came in and introduced themselves as Mr. Harrison Ford and Mr. Steven Spielberg. Little did we envision at this point that the following conversation involving hats was going to produce one of the most instantly recognizable iconic pieces of headwear of the decade."

What an amazing story. The rest of the article is here and oh yes you can buy the hat as well.

Brooks Brothers 25% off Coupon Code

2008-05-07T20:10:00.003-04:00

Brooks Brothers is holding a Friends and Family Event May 8th through May 12th online, catalog and in stores (including Factory Stores which is very cool). For phone and online orders use code "friend47" or "friend57." I'm not sure whats going on, but my postcard is printed friend47 and the website printed friend57??? I hope one of these works!