Return Of The Yale Co-Op

This exciting news comes via Christopher Bastin himself.  New Haven, Connecticut is getting it's very own Gant campus store.  This joint venture with Yale is much more than a return to their roots.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is a return to their birthplace.  The store will house Gant's main line as well as select pieces from the Rugger and Gant by Michael Bastian lines.  This will also be the only place where you can find a limited edition run of "Yale Co-Op" shirts.  These beauts will be hitting the store in March and will feature many of the same vintage fabrics that were sold at the original Co-Op.  Ivy style may have never left, but it is sure as hell back.  Also, in somewhat related news, the Union Made stamps featured on Gant Rugger's shirts are being removed.  Thanks to feedback, some of which can be seen in various Sart Inc post comments, Chris has decided to change things up.  In his own words, "The Union Made stamp used is a replica of the one that has been on the shirts since 1949.  But, you're right, it shouldn't be there if it ain't made in the US by union workers.  I've been a bit ambivalent about it too, reading blogs like this and keeping an ear to the ground really helps us do better and get our shit together.  Stamp is gone starting from Spring 11 and onwards."

-L.A.S

Attn: Gant F/W 2010 Sample Sale

If you live in the tri-state area you best get your ass to NYC October 12-15th to take advantage of the glory that is the Gant F/W 2010 sample sale.  I would probably plan on being there as soon as possible since the Rugger and Gant by MB stuff is definitely not going to last long.  I know for a fact that the prices are right and that the selection is good.  If you wear a 40R jacket, 32 waist and consider yourself a medium this sale should be a priority.  Your mental preparation begins now.

-L.A.S

Patch Adams

Forgive me for the title, I'm trying my hand at pandering to the untapped market potential of Robin Williams fans - lately everyone has been telling me this blogging thing is a numbers game.  Moving on.  Some of you guys don't get down with Brooks Brothers' extra-slim fit.  When it comes to clothes, and shirts specifically, the name of the game is fit.  Certain cuts work better for certain folks.  That's just the reality of it.  I, for example, can't do Band of Outsiders.  End of story.  For those of you who find yourselves continually going back to Brooks Brothers' slim fit (or even regular fit in this case) shirts you've seriously lucked out.  BB is showing you guys a little love.  Enter their new flannel sport shirts complete with elbow patches.  As it stands right now, there is both a tan and gray option in the perfect cotton and wool blend for fall.  For those feeling left out, don't fret.  Dry your skinny little eyes and grab one of these as an overshirt.  See what just happened?  Everybody wins.  That's sartorial democracy at it's finest.  God bless America.

-L.A.S

Get Down

Despite its lack of anything remotely resembling "exclusivity" or "cool guy status" the one down vest you hear about all the time is Lands End's down vest.  From the holy annals of GQ all the way on down to that one terrible style blog you just can't quit (i.e. Sartorially Inclined), this vest has showed up and for good reason.  The common strategy is to size down and grab yourself the one down vest you need for 6-8 months out of the year depending on the weather where you live.  It's normally really cheap, but if you hit the link above you will find yourself in Lands End's overstock section where really cheap has been replaced by its much more lovable younger brother dirt cheap.  I think everyone reading this can spare $15 for a F/W essential, especially when the colors available are pretty great.  You want the color of the season? Olive is represented.  You want to keep things brooding as hell so girls think you're mysterious or some shit? The pewter gray is on point.  You're still looking for your F/W levity? You could do worse than rich red.  For reference here is the vest in the wild as worn by my buddy CB.

-L.A.S

Pitti The Wrist

I guess this is kind of an addendum to my treatise on F/W novelty.  But, then again, it's really just a typical product recommendation.  Anyway, this whole camo thing has really blown up lately, eh?  I mean, it makes sense.  Military influence has been a part of menswear since the beginning and this is simply its latest and greatest (subjective) incarnation.  Not everyone is down with it.  In fact, a lot of people find it foolish.  For those of you who appreciate it to some degree or those of you trying to appreciate it, why not start with a new NATO style strap?  This little number was floating around the interwebs yesterday so I naturally sought out this new thing called Google to track down some more options since not everyone rocks with 18mm spring bars.  I, of course, ended up at RLT watches who have been featured on Sart Inc before.  No surprises there.  The UK watch dealer has lots of great NATO straps, and offers both a 18mm and a 20mm camo NATO G10 strap.  They're about $14 before shipping and, like I said before, a great entry point into all this traditional military by way of Italy steez.  Wondering what it's gonna look like paired with your Rolex?  No?  Me neither.

-L.A.S

First Look: Gant Rugger "Pre-Fall" 2011

I'm not sure if you've checked out Christopher Bastin's blog recently, but the Gant Rugger designer just put up some new looks for what he's calling "Pre-Fall" 2011.  I have no idea if this gear is separate from the full F/W 2011 collection or a preview of what's to come.  Regardless of where it does end up, I can appreciate the simple, yet classic layering and the super clean lines.  Is that a half lined plaid sport coat I see in picture #4?  I talked with Chris recently about Gant Rugger F/W 2011 and things sound really rad.  Without giving too much away, things are shaping up for an "art students from the 60's meeting lower east side kids on vintage Triumphs" vibe.  Can you dig it? I know I can.

-L.A.S

Rose & Born Redux

Good friend of Sart Inc, Antonio, was recently in Stockholm on business and was kind enough to snap some shots of menswear mecca Rose & Born for those of us less prone to jetsetting.  For a certain style set things don't get much better than this.  In fact, I might go as far as to call Rose & Born the best kept secret in menswear.  Below you can see some shots of R&B's spectacular F/W 2010 collection, their private label double monks and a glimpse inside their retail space.  Who's up for a field trip?

-L.A.S