A Few F/W eBay Tips

I don't consider myself an eBay aficionado by any stretch of the imagination.  Some guys just posses a knack for auction wizardry and I am not one of them.  However, I have been buying gear on eBay for a long time so there are a few truths I hold to be self evident.  I'd like to share a few of those with you today.  I'm not going to waste your time talking about sniping services or how to properly low ball sellers.  Instead I'd like to quickly do my best to point you in the right direction of a few F/W staples that are always better on eBay.  What do I mean by better you ask?  In this case, better means cheaper.

Let's start with L.L. Bean boots as they are my favorite thing ever in the history of the world.  When I want a new pair I head straight to eBay.  For starters, there are more Bean boots than you can shake a stick at living on The Bay.  If you are unfamiliar with Bean boots let me tell you right off the bat that the sizing on these babies are very peculiar.  They can often run up to a size and a half too big (depending on your feet of course) and are very wide.  What does this mean for you?  Well, lots of people have bought Bean boots over the years that straight up do not fit.  They also don't take advantage of L.L. Bean's best in class customer service and instead of exchanging them put them up on eBay.  Their loss is your gain.  You can easily find a fresh new pair of Bean boots (in many different styles, both new and vintage) for less than half price.  And if you don't have a problem wearing someone else's used boots (I mean, you're gonna be wearing socks anyway, right?) you can easily grab a pair for like $30 or less.

Shipping costs aside, eBay UK is also a great resource, especially when looking for one of Barbour's many classic styles.  Barbour is practically a lifestyle across the pond, which means a lot of guys are constantly unloading their old jackets.  I know most of you guys probably want to break in your own jacket, but I also realize most of you don't have upwards of 400 bones to drop on a brand new joint.  For all I know your entire clothing budget for F/W is around that much.  I've seen used Barbour's sell in the $30-$180 range depending on the wear/tear and the popularity of the model (i.e. A Beaufort will run you more than a Border).  If you can find a Barbour being hawked by an independent seller (aka some random dude in Northampton), as oppose to a vintage "shop" on eBay, you can easily save around $300 plus dollars.  Buy some wax, put a little effort in on a Sunday afternoon and you've got a great classic jacket for fall.  Happy hunting.

-L.A.S

My F/W Novelty

I would surmise that those of us who read and/or write style blogs take ourselves fairly seriously to some extent or another.  We appreciate looking a certain way and how that makes us feel.  Whether for ourselves or others (or a combination of both), there seems to be a definite level of thought that goes into dressing.  Never is this more so the case than in F/W.  The weather is serious.  The colors are serious.  The layering is serious.  Hell, even the fabrics are serious.  And the results, while often very well put together and admirable, can often come off as a bit joyless.  I realize I don't speak for everyone, but I am sure some of you will agree.  And you know what?  Some people really dig that and that's totally fine.  At the end of the day you should always dress comfortably both in the literal and figurative sense.  But for those of you looking for a little levity don't believe for a second that you can only go that route when the weather dictates.  I'm not advocating wearing your next-level "go to hell" S/S wardrobe in the dead of winter by any means, but merely putting forth the idea that you can find an aesthetic middle ground.  Being deadly serious or seriously lighthearted are not mutually exclusive.  Maybe you start wearing a lapel flower on your tweed sportcoats.  Or maybe you grab some lively socks to go with those 2" flannel cuffs.  Or maybe you buy a L.L. Bean boot novelty tie on eBay for twelve dollars that a friend sent your way.  Just sayin'.

-L.A.S

Gant By Michael Bastian S/S 2011 Multimedia

With one collection already under their belt, Gant by Michael Bastian obviously has a better idea of how to present their brand.  This strong sense of identity means cooler multimedia to not only reinforce and progress said identity, but give customers more content from which they can base potential purchases.  Since this blog doesn't pretend to be even remotely high brow I'll cut right to the chase.  Videos!  Cool!  Watch!  Hot girls!  Clothes!





-L.A.S

S.E.H Kelly F/W 2010

More brands/designers should follow S.E.H Kelly's lead. As in, there is nothing wrong with putting out a smaller collection comprised of great clothes.  There is something to be said about those purposely releasing less goods to ensure nothing is sacrificed in terms of materials and construction.  If the gear happens to look great on top of that then you are doing something right.  And what looks great? How about slim pleated trousers, club collar overshirts, and twill cutaway collar shirts.  In this case everything exists within a framework where simplicity trumps all.  No crazy prints. No pockets for the sake of having more pockets than all your friends.  I'll take clean lines and refinement over that shit all day every day.  It appears S.E.H Kelly feels the same way.  There's an equally strong and signature aesthetic, which I appreciate.  It's workwear, but with a focus on tailoring thanks to the brand's Saville Row pedigree.   I don't know of many brands walking that fine line today, which makes everything all the more impressive.  And seriously, did you see those trousers? That right there is the real deal with grown man appeal.

-L.A.S

Drizzy

Nope, not this cat. These guys.  Asos has gotten their share of love on Sart Inc and as you may have heard now have a fully operational US site.  With free shipping currently on the table you might want to consider picking up some Drake's accessories that are on sale.  If you're like me, you've lusted after this stuff for a while, but have never pulled the trigger thanks to their ludicrously expensive prices.  They're hands down some of the finest accoutrements a guy could possible hope of ever owning and if you hurry funding won't be as big of an issue as it would normally be.  Grab a spotted tie or scarf, post up at your favorite table and stack your money to the perfect height - well, maybe not perfect...

-L.A.S

Texture And Mild Disappointment

For a while Gap was getting some serious play around these parts.  Patrick Robinson had taken over as Head Designer and was leading an admirable mall store revival reminiscent of J. Crew or Martin + Osa.  While "buy better, buy less" was always the mantra, not everyone could spend upwards of $150 on a single item.  Not to mention, Gap was slowly becoming a place where you could actually start buying "better".  Somewhere along the way Gap started being, well, Gap again.  New items were less "classic" and the good stuff, often seen in the pages of major magazines, wasn't making it into production or their American stores (read: duffel coats, Cowichan sweaters).  It was a shame, but I don't think anyone was losing sleep over it.  As of right now there are only a handful of new F/W 2010 items I would even consider buying from Gap.  One of which is their new textured shawl collar cardigan.  The 80% lambswool sweater is interesting thanks to its use of, you guessed it, texture.  I saw this sweater in person and was impressed with the waffle thermal like body and the overall fit.  Gap's knits have always fit me better than J. Crew's (higher armholes, etc.) so if you find yourself in a similar boat this may be something you want to check out.  I should also note that you'll probably be able to fit into two sizes, so depending on the look you're going for you may want to try this on in store if possible.  Also, if the pricepoint is a little to rich for your blood, this being a Gap sweater and all, you probably want to wait until this goes on sale in, say, a couple months - they always do.

-L.A.S

The Windmill Club F/W 2010

My dude K. Burrows and is back with his latest collection of handmade, self-tipped, dead stock silk and New York City made neckwear.  We've seen some impressive stuff out of The Windmill Club already, but this is by far the strongest collection Kevin has pulled together to date.  The club ties, featuring whimsical crowns and old timey bicycles, are instant favorites, as are the great tartan bows.  I was recently hanging out with Kevin and I remember him mentioning something about widening his ties a little for an even more classic style.  Anyhow, check it all out below (these guys are making the best videos in the game by the way) and be on the lookout for some new 2.75" joints to round out your tie rack.  For more on Kevin and The Windmill Club be sure to hit the tag at the bottom of the post.


The Windmill Club AW 2010 from Buffalo Picture House on Vimeo.

-L.A.S