Owner: Keep Style Simple URL:http://keepstylesimple.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:25:50 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Style, Fashion & Shopping Advice for The Conventional Man. Site statistics:Click here
Holding the Line. Where are all the Sales? 2008-04-02 06:28:00 Where have all the sales gone?Just wait...Retailers are holding their breath until May hoping for a boost from the tax rebate checks.I don't think that is going to happen. My feeling is people are going to use that money to pay down debt and we are going to see some great sales early June.Until then I'm going to pick and chose my buys.
Read more:Sales
Get those Critters off my Pants! 2008-04-01 17:04:00 What is the allure of these pants? They're again showing up in every catalog for spring. Is this is a market trend gone awry?I am of the firm belief that no man over the age of 5 should wear pants with critters, whales, or flamingos embroidered on them.I have to wonder who wears these pants. Over the hill yuppies? The country club set? I'm not exactly sure.Take my advice. Don't wear pants with critters on them.
Read more:Critters
, Pants
Ride to Work in Style with Jorge & Olif's Retro City Bike 2008-03-31 06:15:00 I'm jealous.I have to drive my gas guzzling car when I could ride in true style on a Scout Citybike from Jorge & Olif. The bikes are very slick. Maybe when gas hits $5, I'll make the switch...Meantime check out Jorge and Olif.
Read more:Style
Madras is to Summer as... 2008-03-29 06:00:00 Madras Shorts are going to be big this season.In the market there tons of shorts styles, but I think a pair a Madras Pants would look really sharp and stand out from the crowd.Coordinate a pigment washed tee or polo with the pants and you have a classic summer's night outfitThe trouble is finding the pants. Only J. Crew carries them currently.
Read more:Summer
Salt Lake Silver Ring Company Coupon 2008-03-28 06:29:00 If you aren't a watch type of guy, why not try a sleek looking bracelet? It's a nice little change up from the same old watch routine. Wear a bracelet for when going out instead of a wristwatch to keep your look fresh.Salt LakeSilver
has an awesome selection of Men's Bracelet, Money Clips and Tie Bars.I've ordered several times and have been pleased each time. Prices are great and you won't find some of their merchandise anywhere else.Their current promotion is 30% any order. The coupon code is: newbracelet30.
Read more:Coupon
Doc Martins, UK, Seattle, Starbucks & Curt Cobain 2008-03-26 21:04:00 I'm being nostalgic and reminiscing about my Doc Martin's. I heard they were being made in the UK again. I checked and its true!I had a pair 8 hole black patent leather doc's. They were a great pair of shoes. I don't remember what happened to them. I'm getting old I guess. Remember the days of Grunge music (Seattle
was ground zero not WTC), Flannels (Top designers had models walk the catwalk wearing them), Moshing (kids today wouldn't know what that is because there isn't a you tube of it, after all this is while the internet was in its infancy). I can easily see the classic Doc Martins
styles make a come back. All it takes is one star or one great product placement to make the brand hot again. I heard they were doing ads in several fashion magazines.The world has changed a lot since the Read more:Starbucks
, Cobain
Spring Cleaning & Worn Out Dress Shirts 2008-03-25 20:58:00 I was spring cleaning mode this weekend and sorted through my dress shirts for ones showing wear. Sounds like a ton of fun huh, but it's something that has to be done. I don't want to be that guy at work with the frayed collar or dirty cuffs! You don't want to be that guy either.Check the collars and cuffs for worn spots, fraying and discoloring. Wear will show up in these two places first. At the collar fold is where wear will first appear on a dress shirt.On average my dress shirts lasts 18-24 months, which is a pretty long time.I launder them myself. Always wash cold which helps color retention (a dry cleaner will use hot water). Wash only dress shirts together and avoid washing shirts with heavier garments or garments with zippers. The less the shirt can rub up agains in the washing ma Read more:Spring
, Cleaning
, Shirts
, Spring Cleaning
No Luck Finding a Decent Polo Shirt 2008-03-24 21:30:00 I shopped around for a few polo's and have found nothing to my liking or standard, so I have nothing to report... I'm also doing my wardrobe spring cleaning. More on that later.
Read more:Decent
, Shirt
J.Crew Coupon Code 2008-03-21 17:14:00 J. Crew is offering free shipping on $150. The coupon code is FAVORITE. The offer expires 3/23 11:59 PM
Read more:Coupon
The Power of Price Adjustments 2008-03-21 06:14:00 Yesterday I went back to the Banana Factory Outlet Store.I needed to return some of merchandise that I bought and I wanted to get my price adjustment. It was the 7th day from the original purchase date. Getting price adjustments is part of my shopping routine. I'm always espousing the benefits of price adjustments.Right now you probably are making a bizarre face and thinking eww, he gets price adjustments.I have no idea why there is a bad stigma associated with them. It's like buying the store brand! What a faux pas that is.Back the story. Remember those pants I bought? I used my 20% coupon to give me a $48 price tag. Now they are runnning a 40% off sale and I picked up an additional $19.20 in savings. The $59 pants now cost me $29. Quite a savings when all said and done.If I had known abo
Update - Pigment Dye Tee's 2008-03-20 18:29:00 I've been hoodwinked by Target! My post on pigment tee's is incorrect. I will have to search for a new brand of pigment dye tee's to buy.I finally got a chance to buy a few pigment dyed Merona Label Tee's at Target last night and I noticed they changed the neck construction this year to what J Crew is doing!!!!I hate it when they use an overlock stitch to attach the neckband to the shirt body. Please! Please! Please! Use a top stitch!!!Of course the Cherokee Tee's have the neck the way I prefer, but they aren't pigment dyed and the sleeves are way too long. Now I'm bummedHere's a few photos of what I mean.The neck construction that I hate!The neck construction that I like!Trust me, the construction on the Cherokee shirt is far superior.
Read more:Update
I Almost Cheated on my J. Peterman Mail Bag. 2008-03-19 18:12:00 My mouth watered when I came across this bag. It's beautiful, iconic, and sexy all rolled into an alligator bag. The wow factor is off the chart!For a split second I thought of straying from my beloved mail bag, but then I saw the price tag, $12,400.00! That's FOUR dates for Eliot Spitzer!J.L. Powell has some terrific looking merchandise, but I found the prices to be slightly extravagant for readymade clothing.
Read more:Almost
No Chance at Walt Witman's Pants at J Peterman 2008-03-18 06:32:00 I waited too long to buy a pair of J Peterman's interpretation of Walt Whitman Pants
and now they are only in big sizes left (at a great price). Hopefully, they will be back next fall. I frequently shop Peterman's Last-Chance Dept. There are some great deals to be had!
Bought a Pair of Flat Front Pants at Banana Republic Factory Store 2008-03-17 19:14:00 This weekend I bought a fantastic pair hounds tooth, light weight canvas flat front pants from the Banana RepublicFactoryStore
. I believe they are based on the Banana's Dawson Fit. They are a great weight (100% cotton) for when temperatures warm up and the fit is awesome. The ticket price was $60, but I used my 20% off coupon for a $49 out the door price.Need help finding the perfect style pant? Reed this article.Overall the store looked fabulous! There was lots color and novelty in the Apparel. This has to be eating into the flagship stores sales.
Read more:Pants
, Front
The Secret to Buying the Perfect Pique Polo Shirt. 2008-03-14 17:51:00 As spring arrives there is the annual onslaught Pique Polo Shirt
s in stores. Just about every retailer has a table of Pique Polo Shirt
s (AKA Golf Shirts or Tennis Shirts) front and center. With so many options, it's hard to choose which brand is best.I look for a combination of quality, fit and price. The brand doesn't matter to me much, but I do have a soft spot for the Alligator and own a several Lacoste Shirts. That is more a love affair than anything.Here are the Key features found in a Quality Pique Polo Shirt1. Pique Fabric should feel soft and buttery. Stay away from Pique fabric that is overtly fuzzy. This usually means that is cheap fabric that the mill brushed to have it appear to be nicer than what it really is.2. Make sure the color of the collar and ribbing at the armhol Read more:Buying
, Perfect
Brooks Brothers Sale 2008-03-14 06:38:00 Thought I'd pass this a long. For whatever reason I just received my BrooksBrothers
mailer. The sale ends 16th.The deal is 15% off in store and online. 25% of you use their credit card.My friend just bought a few Brooks Brothers Shirts and Loves them. When I get a chance, I have to buy a few and maybe add to my list of preferred shirts.
Where to Buy Vintage Pigment Dye Pocket Tee's 2008-03-10 22:27:00 I'm a self confessed J. Crew Junkie and have always bought their pigment dyed t-shirts until J. Crew changed the design of the shirt. The neck rib is now thinner and no longer is their top stitch a long the neck that helps keep the neck flat. I was pretty bummed. I love the the way a pigment dyed t shirt wears and looks, but did not like the way the neck looked on the J. Crew Tees. I often pondered what would I do when my shirts wore out....My mood dramatically changed when one day last summer I was in Target and I saw a table of pigment dye tees! I rubbed my eyes. I couldn't believe it! I excitedly tried a medium on right in the aisle. It Fit! It Fit! I bought two right away. The shirts had the Cherokee Label in the neck. They were only $9.99. Ha! J. Crew, your shirts are $24!This year Ta Read more:Vintage
, Pocket
Banana Republic 20% off Coupon online and in store 2008-03-07 06:27:00 Since apparel sales are in the toilet, everyone is trying to get the shopper's attention.The Banana Republic
20% off coupon I received this morning is good for online
redemption (code ACCESS) AND in-store (this is very rare) if you print out the coupon. There will be some killer clearance deals in the stores with this coupon. The deal expires on Sunday 3/9.Coupon
:
Finding the Perfect Undershirt 2008-03-06 18:01:00 I'm real picky when it comes to undershirts. The reason why is that the inferior undershirt can ruin the best fitting dress shirt.I hate undershirts that have no form, that are scratchy, and short in length. If you ever get the combination of all three watch out!!!I have to say that there is no worse sensation than having your undershirt become un-tucked underneath your dress shirt. Just thinking about it skeeves me out.Let's talk about what to look for in an undershirt:1. Softness is Paramount. Stay away from undershirt made from carded cotton. You tell carded cotton by the hand. It feels stiff and scratchy. Buy undershirts made of 100% Ring Spun Combed Cotton. They are soft and fuzzy and will last longer.2. The person who invented tubular cotton should be shot. This is a method where co Read more:Perfect
Banana Republic Factory Outlet Store Instore Coupon 2008-03-03 21:59:00 Ok. Ok. Here is the last post regarding Banana RepublicFactoryStore
s for awhile. I thought you might lie this though. I received this in store coupon in my email last night. 20% off anything and it expires 3/16/08. I hope it prints out ok. Enjoy!*Offer valid March 3-16, 2008 at any Banana Republic Factory Store in the U.S. only. Offer not valid at Banana Republic stores or online at BananaRepublic.com. Discount applies to merchandise only, not value of Gift Cards purchased or applicable taxes. One coupon per customer. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts including Gap Inc. employee discount. No adjustments on previous purchases. Banana Republic Factory Stores are not responsible for lost or stolen coupons. Cashier use reason code: 893
Read more:Coupon
, Outlet
How to get Coupons for Factory Outlet Stores 2008-03-02 13:45:00 Here are some additional tips on how to obtain coupons to stores at the Outlet
Malls.1. Always check out the mall's website for promotions. Retailers will post printable coupons on the individual mall website, so click through to the location you will be visiting.Here are the 4 major outlet center's websites: a. Prime Outlets b. Tanger Outlets c. Chelsea Premium Outlets d. Simon Malls2. Stop by the mall office. Sometimes stores will give coupons to mall management to hand out.3. Stop in a near by hotel or restaurant. Sometimes they will have coupons as well.4. Sometimes there are Senior Citizen or AAA Discounts. Ask the mall office.
Read more:Factory
, Coupons
The Banana Republic Factory Outlet Store 2008-03-01 12:09:00 I love shopping the Banana RepublicFactoryOutletStore
. The prices are better than in the flagship stores and quality is similar on most products. Remember, the merchandise at the Gap Outlet and Banana Factory stores are made for these stores and are not seconds.On my last shopping trip to the Banana Factory Store I found a pair of gray wool plaid pants. The quality was fantastic, fabric great and the price was $36. A total score!Always try to get on the factory store's mailing lists. I completed a register receipt survey for the Banana Republic Factory Store and now I receive promotional emails and coupons.Yesterday in the mail, I received a 20% off coupon from the factory store. The great thing about their coupons is that nothing is excluded, so I could buy clearance merchandise and
Chino Khaki Colored Merona Blazer On Sale @ Target.com 2008-02-27 06:36:00 Get it Quick! I saw this coat in the store and should have picked it up. It's only $30. When I checked online, only a size 42 was left. Similar Sports coats at J. Crew and Banana Republic were significantly higher priced.Hunting through Target
.com's clearance is so much fun.
Read more:Khaki
, Colored
, Blazer
Remember how to Tie a Knot in a Necktie? I Don't, but Ben Silver does. 2008-04-04 06:27:00 I have my first wedding of the season next weekend and I need to brush up on my Half Windsor Knot technique.Honestly, every spring I must do this. My office does not require neck wear, so the only time I wear a tie is at weddings, galas and sometimes meetings.The best place I've found for step by step instructions on neck wear knot tying is Ben Silver
. Every knot you need has step by step instructions. I should print out these instructions, laminate them, and post them in my closet.Type of Tie you ask? I'm a Brooks Brothers Guy. Nice prices, good quality, and great patterns year after year. I've assembled a fantastic collection of ties because of Brooks Brothers.
Read more:Remember
Banana Republic Online Coupon - in store Sale 2008-04-03 06:45:00 I still believe the discounts will get deeper much than this Banana Republic
sale in a few weeks. We're in a recession folks! It's only 20% in store and online. Use code "SAVESALE20." They also have a free shipping for orders over $125. That code is "BRFSTODAY." Looks like both offers end 4/16. I'm not sure you can use both codes at the same time...
Read more:Coupon
No Jobs Equals No Customers 2008-04-06 12:27:00 I was out window shopping a little bit this week and wow the malls seem dead. Where is everyone? I guess thats what happens when reports of the economy shedding 250,000 jobs in 3 months, you scare everyone not to spend.I guess now more then ever coupons are a must.
Read more:Equals
It's Spring! Roll up those Sleeves 2008-04-07 06:34:00 So you've worn merino sweaters over your dress shirts all winter. It's a great look, but now Spring
has arrived. What to do? Well you can stretch this style out a few more weeks while freshening up the your look by simply rolling the cuffs up slightly giving your cuffs some exposure.
Smart Bargains 20% off Link 2008-04-08 19:14:00 I just went through my email, so this is slightly late, but I'm posting it any way because I think its worth it. Smart
Bargains is running 20% off today for new customers. The offer ends April 8th at 11:59PM PT. I just ordered a rug from their home goods section and was completely satisfied.One Day Only: 20% Off New Customer Orders! - Ends 4-8
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