Tim Little

The skinny on Tim Little is as follows: former PR (check out these name drops) and career shoe guy decides to start his own line.  Originally produced by Alfred Sargent, but now by way of Grenson, which Tim Little happens to own, his selection of shoes range from traditional country style brogues to Sart Inc's favorite, the double monk.  Word on the street is that Tim's shoes are made to Grenson's Rose Collection standard and are a serious bargain when on sale.  Guess what?  Tim Little's double monks, along with some other handsome styles, are on sale as we speak - full size run as well.  After hunting down some amateur photos on the internet and comparing them to the product shots, I was able to make two important observations: 1. The product shots actually make the shoes, and especially the leather, look cheaper than they actually are and 2. The double monks have a more elongated toe box than the product shots give off.  Overall, it's a sleek and well made shoe that should come in under $300 after shipping.  That's something I can get down with on a Monday.

-L.A.S

UNIONMADE Gems

UNIONMADE is one of those stores that keeps me coming back thanks to their ever evolving and ever growing stock of impressive collaborations and must-haves.  A recent browse yielded two specific items that most definitely warranted a little Sart Inc face time.  First up is a really interesting take on their already popular varsity jacket collaboration with San Francisco's own Golden Bear.  The varsity vest is not for everyone, but is a great example of multiple styles coming together to create a "new classic", so to speak.  It's something you don't see as often as varsity jackets or vests and is a bold entry into the Americana canon.  While I'm not sure I could pull it off, I can appreciate people putting their own unique twist on beloved items and I can for sure appreciate that tartan lining.  Next up is a shoe that is as surprisingly hard to find as it is not so surprisingly perfect.  Alden's beefroll penny loafer speaks for itself - it does not need any clown on the internet singing its praises.  But, like I said earlier, it is surprisingly hard to find for whatever reason so a shout out was necessary.  It seems that Alden accounts are so focused on exclusive makeups these days that they neglect to stock up on the essential to end all essentials.  Whether you want black or brown, you're covered.  UNIONMADE - don't sleep on 'em.

-L.A.S

Thursday Sale Round Up

Two Sart Inc regulars are currently having sales that you should probably know about.  J. Press is having its Fall Private Sale through the 24th in which trad favorites are marked off up to 25%.  If I were you I'd pick up the best tie in the history of the world and a dandy new scarf.  Lands End also has their Friends & Family sale going on - use that link to automatically activate the goods.  You can expect 30% off everything and free shipping when you spend over $50.  They've got pretty much everything you could ever want so you can check that one out for yourself.  However, I will say that I am a big fan of these as a dude who sleeps as late as humanly possible, thus leaving no time for trivial shit like ironing.  The sale includes Lands End Canvas so don't forget to check out all their new arrivals.

-L.A.S

[Editor's Note: You can pick up these guys for around 100 bones at the LE sale.]

Kiton F/W 2010

Kiton is one of those brands that doesn't really need to answer to anyone.  They do what they've done since 1968 (or 1956 if you count CI.PA.) and sell to the <1% of men who can afford their stuff.  Are the prices justified? That's hard to say.  Having been to Kiton's NYC cathedral I can vouch for the brand's sheer epicness of quality and craftsmanship, but I'm not a fan of everything they produce in an aesthetic sense.  The sportcoats, awesome.  The shirts, not my thing.  Checking out the F/W 2010 collection only reaffirmed my previous sentiments - some stuff kills, while other stuff misses the mark.  And combining everything together?  Well, that's just not a good look.  It's kinda like the incredibly high class Italian version, at least in principle, of when you see a dude kitted out in full EG.  The best stuff ends up getting watered down by mediocre counterparts, which is a bummer when all you're looking for is inspiration.  When stuff is this expensive, buying doesn't even remotely cross my mind.  Judge for yourself below.  And lest I fail to mention those blue suede whole cuts - wowsers.

-L.A.S

Attn: Steven Alan Online Sample Sale

You crazy for this one, Steven!  It's that time of the year again, folks.  The time when a certain server crashing, blood donating, wife and kids leave you, Gilt shaming (no shots) online sample sale hits the internet.   The steals and deals that abound here are borderline illegal and the fact that there is actually killer in season gear makes it that much better.  This sale is so comprehensive that literally any gap in your wardrobe can be filled without the fear of how selling your first born is going to tear your family apart.  I highlighted my favorites below so don't forget to Paypal ya boy a finder's fee after you pull the trigger.

-L.A.S

C'H'C'M' F/W 2010 Arrivals

C'H'C'M' always blows me away with their stock.  They pride themselves on a selection of "classic, timeless garments for everyday use" and I am very inclined to agree with them.  Honestly, I don't know how these guys don't get more love from a blogosphere obsessed with all of the things mentioned above - maybe they're just that under the radar?  Anyhow, if you have some coin saved up and are still looking to make that one, or couple of, purchases for F/W you should do yourself a favor and check out all their new arrivals.  This season they've got an equally incredible and rugged wool blazer from Japan's Sunny Sports that would complete any Northeast or Midwest winter wardrobe.  C'H'C'M' also has some seriously lust-worthy accessories from everyone's favorite "damn, I'm poor as shit" brand, Drakes.  The two-tone, 100% lambswool, made in Scotland hats are as next level as knit caps can get and you already know all about Drakes' scarves.  Finally, C'H'C'M' has some of the finest hiking boots money can buy if that's the kind of thing you get into on the weekends.  They take some damn fine product shots, that's for sure.

-L.A.S

The "New" Norwegian

By this point everyone knows that L.L. Bean's iconic Norwegian is back and, yes, knit in Norway out of 100% wool.  Some of you might even know that L.L. Bean recently introduced a new quarter zip version to add to the knit's already illustrious legacy.  So what's the new news, you ask?  Well, I had no idea that L.L. Bean had just released their newest incarnation - the Norwegian stripe.  I can't say for sure if this is a wholly new style or based on something from the archives, but I sure as hell have never seen it before (update: archive).  It's virtually exactly the same as the original, but now comes with striped ribbing around the neck, wrists and waist.  As of now only a natural and charcoal colorway is available, but if sales are good I can definitely see L.L. Bean introducing some others (I'm on team navy and mountain red).  The pricepoint on the Norwegian stripe is the same as the original ($129), but, since it is much less likely to be seen around town, a much better bang for you buck.

[Editor's note: I had these last two images saved in an image folder on my computer so my apologies if they are in fact yours and I stole them from you.]

-L.A.S