Retail Therapy

   

So maybe the New Year hasn’t worked out as well as you’d hoped, maybe you’ve been worked senseless recently, or maybe you’re still bitter you didn’t go to Pitti Uomo, as much as you’ve heard “money can’t buy happiness” you’re familiar with the good feeling you get when a box of new clothing arrives on your doorstep. Retail therapy is as old as retail itself. This is a post for those who are looking to do a bit of self-gifting–nothing less, nothing more. In the spirit of reason over indulgence, this piece starts with the four strongest pieces at Uniqlo.

The Japanese fashion mecca usually will receive either overwhelming praise or the most scathing of reviews–we like to think of it as a nice place to fill in a few gaps as they always have some great pieces, but a whole wardrobe by the brand will leave you looking a bit cheap and utilitarian. Right now, their light-weight down jacket is the strongest item in the collection and at $80 it’s a fantastic layering piece for winter. This jacket is seriously warm. Along with the jacket, their merino-cashmere crewneck sweater is quite the value, we like it even more than their $99 cashmere sweaters that our friend Agyesh is always talking up. Fill in with a $30 cashmere scarf and a pair of slim fatigue cargos under $50 and you can get quite a lot out of a final receipt that reads $200.

Uniqlo Down Jacket, $79
Uniqlo Merino-Cashmere Sweater, $79
Uniqlo Slim Cargo Trouser, $49
Uniqlo Cashmere Scarf, $29

 

 

Stepping the price point up a level, two of the most classic American brands, Ralph Lauren and Paul Stuart, are having nice little sales at the moment. One can pick up Phineas Cole’s killer doeskin navy suit under $900, perfect for the financier who hopes to be the best-dressed guy in the office without breaking dress code. Another one of Phineas Cole’s best pieces, their flannel Prince Albert slipper, is a little more attainable at $198. Perfect piece for those looking to diversify their footwear collection. Another unique piece that ought to shine in any man’s wardrobe is one of Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s brushed cotton cutaway collar shirts. While it is still pricey at $250, this brings it in at well under half of it’s retail cost. Pair it up with RL’s brilliant quilted sport coat and you’ve got a great look on your hands.

Phineas Cole Doeskin Suit, $898
Phineas Cole Flannel Slipper, $198
Ralph Lauren Quilted Sport Coat, $191
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Tattersall Shirt, $250

Tom Ford puts on a suit every time he needs a confidence boost, so following his lead we picked out three of Suitsupply’s best options for the season. At $469, $569, and $639, respectively, these suits are some of the best values on the market. Mills like Barbaris, Larusmiani, and Guabello are usually only associate with four-figure suiting prices, but these suits all use piece goods spun by these three. Famous for their suits that won The Wall Street Journal’s blind testing in construction quality, the attractive price point means that a guy can get a great corduroy suit or wool three-piece for a fraction of the price of what their competitors in quality do.

Sienna Navy Suit, $639
Brown Wool Washington Suit, $569
Corduroy Copenhagen Suit, $469