Merry Thriftmas
I have no qualms with buying expensive clothing. When I have the means, I am comfortable spending top dollar on investment pieces that I will wear for twenty years. That said, I’m not always flush and I acknowledge that most people can’t casually drop thousands of dollars on clothing without a second thought.
I believe in buying with intent and training the eye to find deals when they arise. I wouldn’t call myself thrifty. Rather I know what I want, where to splurge and where to save. I have a list of pieces to buy in my Google Docs, and by knowing my style and having a certain look in mind, it’s easier to acquire clothes with meaning than letting oneself jump at countless impulse buys that get worn once. Also, I know my size, so this extends the realm of possible purchases from the mall to boutiques, vintage stores, online shops, eBay and Grailed.
The beautiful things about the holiday season - beside fresh coatings of newfallen snow - is the abundance of sales that happen after the occasion (and the freely given gift cards that encourage spending sprees). Here are some of the best to look through, as well as some places that offer investment pieces worth the outlay regardless of sale or not.
In Minnesota
Askov Finlayson: For Northerners looking for a casual topcoat, outdoors jacket or a Barbour for warm winter days, Askov Finlayson has you covered. Right now, all outerwear in the store is 25% off. Once that happens, the rest of the store is soon to follow. Nowhere else in Minneapolis can you find shirts from Schnayderman’s and Freemans Sporting Club, as well as sportcoats from Ring Jacket and Boglioli. Askov Finlayson has been named a top men’s clothing store by several different publications - including GQ - and it’s their unique selection and authentic narrative that puts them in this pantheon, on par with stores in larger cities.
MartinPatrick3: While MartinPatrick3 isn’t advertising a special sale per se, check out their clearance room for some discounted treasures. Last time I was there, I found a pair of high-waisted Billy Reid selvedge chinos and a white Eidos Lupo shirt that would look great under a sport jacket. They have strong selections of both tailoring and casual wear, plus one of the best tailors in town that will hem and taper any purchase to perfection.
BlackBlue: BlackBlue hasn’t announced a winter sale yet, but they’re one of my favorite places to shop after the holidays. Their selection of rugged workwear is appropriate for winter, and I have my eye on a navy S.N.S. Herning Fisherman Sweater that would pair well with jeans or dress trousers. Pick one up with a Filson jacket (made in America) and selvedge denim from A.P.C. or Baldwin, and you’ll have an outfit that will get you through the harshest of winters for ten years. Despite the initial outlay, the clothes will pay for themselves before the one-year mark.
Online
Brooks Brothers: Brooks Brothers’ quality has gone downhill since their heyday, but one is wise to pay attention when they have a sale. For one, their Black Fleece line of shirts pair classic designs with slim fits, and it’s easy to imagine Don Draper wearing one off duty. Brooks Brothers also has a strong selection of footwear, from special edition Red Wing Boots, to unlined leather Alden loafers and their house line of shoes often made by Crockett & Jones. Right now, Brooks Brothers are offering up to 50% off on their website, so there’s no better time to spring for a couple shirts and some Edward Green boots than the present.
Mr. Porter: There are several high-end online stores worth looking through during sale season. End Clothing has a strong selection of avant garde design houses and American heritage styles, but I prefer Mr. Porter for their proliferance of Italian and English brands. For those who can afford it, Tom Ford and Maison Margiela have amazing knitwear for half off. For those of more modest means, take a look at the casual clothing from Eidos Napoli and Drake’s for pieces that will stand the test of time in both looks and quality. For men of any means, peep the cashmere sweaters from William Lockie. The high price of the sweaters normally makes them prohibitive for the average guy, but at 50% off, they become a well considered splurge since there’s no better cashmere around.
No Man Walks Alone: Few online stores offer a selection as curated as No Man Walks Alone. Based out of New York, the shop combines storied makers with newer designers, creating a selection that’s at once timeless and of the times. While No Man’s larger sale begins later than others, their sale section offers a few pieces worth a look. Barbanera shoes - a new company from Italy whose quality matches the sexy designs - are on deep discount, and they have a few Inis Meain sweater that will keep you warm all winter long. No Man also carries the Japanese brand Niche, which reinterprets South American heritage clothing and American surplus gear. Their Delgado trousers and 1970s fatigue pants are casual essentials for both outdoorsy and urbane men. Pair them with one of their colorful shirts, and you have a vibrant off-duty uniform that will add a little warmth to the darkest days of winter.
Paul Stuart: If classic style is your thing, look no further than Paul Stuart. The New York stronghold has dressed stylish men of different stripes for decades. There’s nothing more subversive than wearing traditional clothes in an artistic manner (just ask Miles Davis,Bill Evans and loyal customer Paul Sevigny - yes, Chloë Sevigny’s brother), and with 50% off on select items, you’d be smart to stock up on a few pairs of trousers, sport shirts and sweaters. If you’re feeling rogue, opt for one of the brand’s gorgeous suede jackets or their loden and leather Ghillie boots. If you have the means, buy one of each pair of their impeccable shoes and your footwear collection will be set for life.