Everyday Swag

The first step in dressing well

text

Ramen Noodle Budget: Where to Shop

putthison:

The absolute best deals you’ll find anywhere will probably come from thrift stores, eBay, Etsy and StyleForum’s Buy & Sell. The downside to these is that you have very little control over the selection, quality, and opportunity. You also need a lot of patience. 

Thrifting: This is the most hit-or-miss, but it’s got a lot of distinct advantages. The prices are often very cheap and you can try things on first before you buy them. You may also find very nice things from a period when garments were better made. Jesse here at Put This On wrote a great series of articles on thrifting. So has Alex at A Fistful of Style and Trent at Survival of the Fittest. Be sure to give them a read. 

Not sure what brands are worth buying? Read Put This On’s Loosey-Goosey Brand Guide for Thrifting Suits & Sportcoats.

eBay: This is a more expensive and risky than thrifting, but there are some great advantages. Obviously, the selection is spotty and random, but you can at least zero in on things quickly. Unfortunately, you can’t try things on before you buy, and you’re vulnerable to losing your bid to someone hungrier (or wealthier) than you. My advice is to set up a few saved searches, hone in on better items using the option bar on the left-hand side, and always ask sellers for measurements. And be sure to ask the seller if the piece smells of smoke or body odor. 

Here’s some guides to get you started:

Etsy: This is one of the most under-used areas for online shopping, but it can be a pain in the ass as well. The search functions are pretty rudimentary and there aren’t many filters available. Still, you can search for key terms, filter by gender (i.e. men’s clothing), and sort by “most recent.” If you find a good seller, bookmark the store. 

StyleForum B&S: This is where most of the good stuff is, but you need to watch it like a hawk and not hesitate when you see something you want. The downside to this forum is that you’ll probably pay higher prices than thrift stores or online resellers, as people know what things are worth. The seller’s feedback system is also very new, though I’ve never had any issues. The upside is that there aren’t any bidding games. 

Again, I just tend to sort by recently updated items to see the latest stuff and then go backward in time. You can filter by item type, but I find that sometimes it’ll miss listings (whether that’s the fault of the poster or the new system, who knows). 

The one real upside to SF/B&S is that you get a lot of high-quality items at below retail prices on there with great frequency. I just got in the mail a Drake’s of London navy pindot tie for $45. Good luck trying to find that anywhere else. If you have a moderate amount of money but limited time, I’d invest your attention here.

(This post is part three in a series of five. Read other Ramen Noodle Budget posts here. Our next post will be on Monday, on the topic of online retail deals for new clothing. Previously: Getting Started.) 

The basics of this tumblr are essentially wrapped up in the PutThisOn Ramen Noodle Budget posts.

link

What is Minimum Viable Wardrobe?

thisfits:

minimumviablewardrobe:

On a basic level Minimum Viable Wardrobe is a project where I try and take a cold hard look at my wardrobe and throw out everything I don’t need until I have exactly as many items in my closet as I am years old. I’m trying to have only 27 pieces of clothing by the end of 2012 not because I don’t think clothes are important. I love clothes. It’s because I think it’s better to have 1 really good suit than 5 mediocre ones and I want to see how far I can push that concept.
 
On a slightly larger level than that it’s a blog about applying a certain methodology to menswear. It’s about having a very specific goal and taking measurements to find out how much I’m progressing toward that goal and then figuring out what the best next step is. It’s a blog about being a nerd.

I love this premise. Followed.

photo

putthison: Drake’s is having a sale on January 17th. 30% off selected ties, bow ties, scarves, and handkerchiefs. Might be good to figure out what you want now, so that you’re not wasting time when the sale actually begins. Things are sure to sell out quickly. I will own some ties from Drake’s one day. But for any of you who are just starting to wear ties, here are Drake’s of London’s Tie Etiquette rules: We tend to agree with the maxim that men of style are never too fashionable, that idiosyncrasy always plays its part in stylish dress. And yet there are unspoken rules that a gentleman ignores at his own peril. Not exactly an arcane code, but there are unwary subtleties of dress. The smaller points of wearing a tie make a good case for adhering to a certain form. 1. There are really only two knots worth considering: the four-in-hand and half-Windsor; and only the four-in-hand for knit ties. Other knots are novelties. 2. The self-loop at the back of the large blade, sometimes called a “keeper” but often merely the makers label, needn’t actually be used in fact to hold the smaller blade, better not to, for a freer, more stylish note. 3. The blade ends should ideally reach the top of the trouser waistband and should match up in length. Not as easy as it looks to the uninitiated. 4. A small dimple at the base of the knot shows a certain je ne sais quoi of finesse. 5. With tie bars, as with mens’ jewellery generally, anything other than tasteful discretion can be hazardous, and probably should be avoided. 6. A tie should always be untied carefully after wearing.  As Miss Adelaide says in Guys and Dolls, “We are civilized people.  We do not have to conduct ourselves like a slob.” 7. Fabric ties (silk, wool, cashmere, cotton) should be rolled after wearing and then hung; knit ties should be rolled and never hung. 8. A four-in-hand or half-Windsor knot should just fill the tie space at the collar button and be taut enough to arch out from the collar a bit; the mid-section of the tie should be completely hidden under the collar at the back. 9. Bow ties should never look perfectly tied.  Ceaseless practice usually suffices to produce the precise look of subtle imperfection. 10. The proper length for a bow tie is achieved when the ends sit within the edges of the collar.  This necessitates buying bow ties with sized graduated bands or with an adjustable slider. Occasionally these rules are a bit difficult to follow with a standard length and width tie.  Then you might consider a bespoke version. I personally have found the Pratt knot to be a fine alternative to try from time to time, better looking that the four-in-hand, but a little bit more fitting with the standard dress code at my office than the half-Windsor. Your mileage may vary.

putthison:

Drake’s is having a sale on January 17th. 30% off selected ties, bow ties, scarves, and handkerchiefs.

Might be good to figure out what you want now, so that you’re not wasting time when the sale actually begins. Things are sure to sell out quickly.

I will own some ties from Drake’s one day.

But for any of you who are just starting to wear ties, here are Drake’s of London’s Tie Etiquette rules:

We tend to agree with the maxim that men of style are never too fashionable, that idiosyncrasy always plays its part in stylish dress. And yet there are unspoken rules that a gentleman ignores at his own peril. Not exactly an arcane code, but there are unwary subtleties of dress. The smaller points of wearing a tie make a good case for adhering to a certain form.

1. There are really only two knots worth considering: the four-in-hand and half-Windsor; and only the four-in-hand for knit ties. Other knots are novelties.

2. The self-loop at the back of the large blade, sometimes called a “keeper” but often merely the makers label, needn’t actually be used in fact to hold the smaller blade, better not to, for a freer, more stylish note.

3. The blade ends should ideally reach the top of the trouser waistband and should match up in length. Not as easy as it looks to the uninitiated.

4. A small dimple at the base of the knot shows a certain je ne sais quoi of finesse.

5. With tie bars, as with mens’ jewellery generally, anything other than tasteful discretion can be hazardous, and probably should be avoided.

6. A tie should always be untied carefully after wearing.  As Miss Adelaide says in Guys and Dolls, “We are civilized people.  We do not have to conduct ourselves like a slob.”

7. Fabric ties (silk, wool, cashmere, cotton) should be rolled after wearing and then hung; knit ties should be rolled and never hung.

8. A four-in-hand or half-Windsor knot should just fill the tie space at the collar button and be taut enough to arch out from the collar a bit; the mid-section of the tie should be completely hidden under the collar at the back.

9. Bow ties should never look perfectly tied.  Ceaseless practice usually suffices to produce the precise look of subtle imperfection.

10. The proper length for a bow tie is achieved when the ends sit within the edges of the collar.  This necessitates buying bow ties with sized graduated bands or with an adjustable slider.

Occasionally these rules are a bit difficult to follow with a standard length and width tie.  Then you might consider a bespoke version.

I personally have found the Pratt knot to be a fine alternative to try from time to time, better looking that the four-in-hand, but a little bit more fitting with the standard dress code at my office than the half-Windsor. Your mileage may vary.

photo

thisfits: It just occurred to me that this 40% off + free shipping sale at Lands’ End is a good opportunity for someone on a shoestring budget to pick up a first basic suit.  If you’re, say, a graduating college senior looking to start a job search in the next six months, you probably won’t find a better deal for under $120. Promo code DONNER, PIN 1585. Jacket, trousers.

thisfits:

It just occurred to me that this 40% off + free shipping sale at Lands’ End is a good opportunity for someone on a shoestring budget to pick up a first basic suit. 

If you’re, say, a graduating college senior looking to start a job search in the next six months, you probably won’t find a better deal for under $120.

Promo code DONNER, PIN 1585. Jacket, trousers.

text

Anonymous asked: FYI - the LEC Button-neck Cable Sweater can now be he had for ~$33 shipped with Promotion Code DONNER and PIN 1585 (40% off order + free shipping // including LEC)

notasenator:

thisfits:

Oh snap. It’s under $30 before tax.

Keep in mind, it’s the camel color that’s being reblogged appears to be sold out in S and M.

I just got this in the Dark Charcoal color, as I could use a new grey sweater.

Check it out, bargain-hunters. This is a good deal.

photo

nicetrybro: epitomeofstreetstyle: Brad Goreski, NYC Thanks to Lawrence, Justin and Sean I am entirely too hungover to be caustic and witty, so instead this will have to do: “Look at me, I’m a fucking idiot.” While nicetrybro is basically the polar opposite of what I want to do here, they present some great takes on what happens when you just say “Hey, this will certainly stand out! That’s good, right?”

nicetrybro:

epitomeofstreetstyle:

Brad Goreski, NYC

Thanks to Lawrence, Justin and Sean I am entirely too hungover to be caustic and witty, so instead this will have to do: “Look at me, I’m a fucking idiot.”

While nicetrybro is basically the polar opposite of what I want to do here, they present some great takes on what happens when you just say “Hey, this will certainly stand out! That’s good, right?”

(Source: streetpeeper.com, via howtotalktogirlsatparties)

photo

thisfits: graemewa: svpply: We’ve just launched our big Holiday Wish List Contest. We’re pretty excited about it. If you build one of the three best Wish Lists on Svpply, we’ll give you $1,000 to buy it. There are two ways to win: (1) Get the most votes from the Svpply community, or (2) get selected by our great judges: Steven Alan, Swiss Miss, Mat Sanders, and Nerd Boyfriend. The Contest ends in two weeks. Read more details on the official page. AGHH MUST MAKE WISH LIST BETTER  Because I’m dumb, I’m going to give away my strategy for this. I’m not super familiar with Mat Sanders, but I know the work of the other judges enough to know one thing: they’re minimalists. The temptation that Everyone’s going to have is to cram every last thing they can into their Svpply wish list. The judges are going to get these huge Lists of Stuff from hundreds or thousands of people, and it’s going to be overwhelming. But you’re not Everyone. You’re a Curator. You’re a Tumblrer. So curate. Got ten items? See if you can get it down to eight. Got five items? Get it down to four. Got twenty-five? You’re dead. Kill your darlings. Ruthlessly eliminate Stuff from your Wish List until it’s pared down to those key items that express one strong, singular representation of your Taste. You’re a Curator. You’re a Tumblrer. You’ve prepared your whole life for this. Go get ‘em. I’m definitely entering this and stealing all of these great ideas.

thisfits:

graemewa:

svpply:

We’ve just launched our big Holiday Wish List Contest. We’re pretty excited about it. If you build one of the three best Wish Lists on Svpply, we’ll give you $1,000 to buy it.

There are two ways to win: (1) Get the most votes from the Svpply community, or (2) get selected by our great judges: Steven Alan, Swiss Miss, Mat Sanders, and Nerd Boyfriend.

The Contest ends in two weeks.

Read more details on the official page.

AGHH MUST MAKE WISH LIST BETTER 

Because I’m dumb, I’m going to give away my strategy for this.

I’m not super familiar with Mat Sanders, but I know the work of the other judges enough to know one thing: they’re minimalists.

The temptation that Everyone’s going to have is to cram every last thing they can into their Svpply wish list. The judges are going to get these huge Lists of Stuff from hundreds or thousands of people, and it’s going to be overwhelming.

But you’re not Everyone. You’re a Curator. You’re a Tumblrer.

So curate. Got ten items? See if you can get it down to eight. Got five items? Get it down to four.

Got twenty-five? You’re dead.

Kill your darlings. Ruthlessly eliminate Stuff from your Wish List until it’s pared down to those key items that express one strong, singular representation of your Taste.

You’re a Curator. You’re a Tumblrer. You’ve prepared your whole life for this.

Go get ‘em.

I’m definitely entering this and stealing all of these great ideas.

photo

putthison: This Fits has a good tip about a Lands End Canvas sale right now. There are certainly better oxfords out there, and he’s right about the disappointing collars, but the pricepoint can be very attractive if you need affordable options. A better oxford would  be Brooks Brothers. Those go on sale for about $40-50 once the season ends, so make the chioce that’s right for you. thisfits: TODAY ONLY: Lands’ End Canvas Heritage Oxfords for $20 Shipped Use promo code STILLTIME (PIN 4268) for no minimum free shipping. This month, Lands’ End Canvas is running one-day-only promotions through the 20th. Today’s deal is pretty good: $20 for select shirts, including their well-regarded heritage oxfords. With their fairly slim fit, LEC’s oxfords are some of my favorite shirts. In fact, if they redesigned them with slightly beefier collars, I’d probably not look elsewhere for OCBDs.  Today’s sale is a bit of a rare event: I’ve watched the price on these oxfords steadily increase since LEC launched two years ago, and they’re now sitting at nearly $50 full price. While a number of them go on sale, a few staple colors almost never do, including the blue-striped oxford above. If you’re looking to stock up on a few basic shirts, don’t miss this. The biggest issue with taking advantage of the incredible sales around Christmas is that they happen around Christmas when you are dumping your limited funds into buying decorative soap dishes for family members you only see once a year. If you are trying to build up staple items, you can’t go wrong with the basic striped oxford. These are the types of items that can go with a massive amount of outfits that you’ll be classing up a bit.  Just for starters, take a look at a few of your casual outfits that you have in your closet today, the standard jeans and a shirt look, and imagine how much nicer you’d look wearing the shirt in the photo above.

putthison:

This Fits has a good tip about a Lands End Canvas sale right now. There are certainly better oxfords out there, and he’s right about the disappointing collars, but the pricepoint can be very attractive if you need affordable options. A better oxford would  be Brooks Brothers. Those go on sale for about $40-50 once the season ends, so make the chioce that’s right for you.

thisfits:

TODAY ONLY: Lands’ End Canvas Heritage Oxfords for $20 Shipped

Use promo code STILLTIME (PIN 4268) for no minimum free shipping.

This month, Lands’ End Canvas is running one-day-only promotions through the 20th. Today’s deal is pretty good: $20 for select shirts, including their well-regarded heritage oxfords.

With their fairly slim fit, LEC’s oxfords are some of my favorite shirts. In fact, if they redesigned them with slightly beefier collars, I’d probably not look elsewhere for OCBDs. 

Today’s sale is a bit of a rare event: I’ve watched the price on these oxfords steadily increase since LEC launched two years ago, and they’re now sitting at nearly $50 full price. While a number of them go on sale, a few staple colors almost never do, including the blue-striped oxford above. If you’re looking to stock up on a few basic shirts, don’t miss this.

The biggest issue with taking advantage of the incredible sales around Christmas is that they happen around Christmas when you are dumping your limited funds into buying decorative soap dishes for family members you only see once a year.

If you are trying to build up staple items, you can’t go wrong with the basic striped oxford. These are the types of items that can go with a massive amount of outfits that you’ll be classing up a bit. 

Just for starters, take a look at a few of your casual outfits that you have in your closet today, the standard jeans and a shirt look, and imagine how much nicer you’d look wearing the shirt in the photo above.

(Source: canvas.landsend.com)

text

The Essentials for Getting Started

To put together a decent wardrobe, especially in a tougher economy, second-hand and bargain pricing is your best friend.

You can spend your time peeling through the local thrift stores, and that is always recommended, especially if you live in a city where the selection will be good. However, you will still be somewhat limited, and that’s where the internet comes in handy. Using these tools will get to you a wide array of quality pieces at bargain or reduced prices.

  • An Affordable Wardrobe - advice on thrifty shopping as well as a shop with great bargains
  • The Choosy Beggar - a site that catalogs online discounts and sales
  • Ebay Searches for Good Suits - Ebay is a wonderful tool for finding secondhand or discounted clothing items, as it is essentially the world’s largest thrift shop. Jesse at PutThisOn came up with a list of suit brands to look for, and This Fits compiled it into a pair of handy ebay searches.
  • Gilt - This is a slightly pricier method at times, but basically they are an “exclusive” (meaning “invite-only”) overstock reseller. They get in things that are usually last year’s lines and they resell it at sometimes highly reduced prices. I’ve gotten some really good things from here at less than half the list price, but even then they can run a bit more expensive. That’s part of the lesson - you will have to pay a lot for some nice pieces, there’s no getting around that, but you can always be smart about which items you spend more on, and still get a reduction when you pick them out. If anyone needs an invite to Gilt, just drop me an ask and I’ll send one over. It gets me money too if you buy something.

This is another one of those lists that will be growing over time, but I think this is a good start.