Recent Finds: Equestrian Edition

I know I recently suggested other options for logos and even recommended going logo-less but at $2 a pop it's was too hard to pass up on the below Ralph Lauren polo shirts and the Ralph Lauren Polo Harrington Jacket for $3.50, also the belt was $3 (Salvation Army has 50% off sales on Wednesday)!

Summary: 4 Ralph Lauren polo shirts, 1 Ralph Lauren Windbreaker, 1 Belt - Grand Total $15!

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The Most Interesting Man in the World, on Drink Umbrellas

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What does $100,000,000 look like?

I saw Basquiat movie the other day (14 years later), and wondered how much he and his buddy Andy Warhol's paintings were going for.  I found that Andy has the distinction of being one of the five $100 Million Dollar men.  Below are the top five most expensive (without time adjustments) paintings ever sold in USD.

5. Andy Warhol's "Eight Elvises"(WTF), 1963 sold for $100,000,000

 4. Pablo Picasso's "Garcon a la Pipe", 1905 sold for $104,168,000

3. Gustav Klimt's "Adele Bloch-Bauer" I sold for then record $135,000,000 in 2006

2. Willem de Kooning's "Woman III", sold for 137,500,000 in 2006

 1. Jackson Pollocks's "Number 5 1948", 1948 sold for a rumored $140,000,000 also in 2006 
(I wonder if the art bubble also burst in 2006).

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Style, Art, Past and Present

I stumbled across the photo of Teddy Hill shot by James Van Der Zee and it immediately reminded of the Lupe Fiasco Food and Liquor album cover created by Chuck Anderson.  Two very stylish subjects, and two very talented photographers.

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60% Off of PaperDenim&Cloth

Sale on PaperDenim&Cloth at eBay Fashion Vault they retail around $100 but you can get them for $40. Sale ends Apr 28, at 9:00 PM PST. 

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You've Got Options with Military Watches - A Guide

I was introduced to the 1940's style Military Watch collaboration made by J. Crew and Timex perusing the pages of GQ.  The watch which comes with a black strap retails for $150 at J. Crew and additional watch straps are $20 or two for $30.  This watch opened my eyes to the interchangeable watch strap and as a buy low value shopper this appealed to me.  Whether you want to coordinate or get board easy, it almost like getting a new watch or transforming an old watch for $20 or less.


Ok, that's enough talk, $150 is not bad because of the options this watch gives you but here's where/how you can pay even less.

The cheapest way would be to remove the the strap from a watch that you currently own and just buy the strap(s).  The straps usually come in 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm widths (with wider or narrower options available) and the length is usually 9 to 12'' so make sure to buy the right sized strap for your watch.







Or you can buy this Citizen Eco-Drive watch for $80 or for even less Timex watch for $26!  Also you can find Watch Straps on eBay or at Central Watch on sale 5 for $30.

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25 Rules to Dressing on a Budget

Nice Slide Show over at GQ, Highlights include shopping at local Army Navy Store where you can often find $5 belts and perhaps a typo $5 boots (or maybe not), 3 stores with great suits for $200, eBay Shopping and mixing the high end with the low.  Check it out (Here).

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Style Icon a Retrospective

Nice observation made by the people over at Start&Finish.

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Another Option for the Auction

Don't wanna dig through loads of unorganized clothes at the Goodwill or Only have a couple or none in your area? Solution: Shopgoodwill.com , shop at Goodwill Locations nationwide from the comfort of your home.

On the Auction Block now:

From the Nevada Goodwill - Louis Vuitton Wallet Currently @ $13 retails for $300 here.

From the San Diego Goodwill - Lot of 49 Vintage Ties Currently @ $14

From the Orlando Goodwill -NWT Converse All Stars Currently @ $7

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The Real Fresh Prince

Here's an example of how you can date your yourself when following trends from the bowl-haircut to the multicolored leather jacket Will's wardrobe yells early 90's.  On the flip side the Carlton character with the custom fitting polo shirts, V-neck sweaters and chinos are timeless pieces and aren't attached to any era, at least in our lifetimes.

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Wash Your Own Shirts and Save

Summary of Article from AskMen.com, full article here.  See steps below:

1. Remove Collar Stays

2. Button up collar and a few chest buttons to prevent the shirt from getting tangled

3. Wash on a delicate or hand-washable setting

4. Warm and cold water are best for maintaining a shirt with color, white shirts will require hot water

5. Opt for detergent without dyes or scents

Photo: Esquire.com

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Hold Your Horses! Name that other logo.

Although it's perfectly acceptable in my book I don't endorse being a walking endorsement, but if you prefer polo shirts with the stitched insignia on the chest switch it up.  Here are some other options for your polo shirt outside of Ralph Lauren.

See the names of these designers after the break.

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The Shortened Tie Bar

Jake Gyllenhaal is wearing a shortened one-inch tie bar perfect for slim ties on the May issue of GQ.  According to GQ.com you can get the same tie bar at TheTieBar.com for only $15.

Or

You can get them even cheaper 5 for $15 here or 2 for $7 here on eBay.

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The "Tweener" Bag

Here's an article from Smart Money Magazine where they describe the Satchel as a bag that "walks the line between briefcase ("too traditional") and backpack ("too college").

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Penny-Pincher's Guide to Style: My Latest Finds

This is inspired by this months GQ article about dressing better without spending more.  There are several options outside of regular retail to shop below are some of my favorite spots:

1. Thrift Stores

A Treasure-Hunter's dream, but you will have to hunt.  Thrift stores are often not organized (and even when they are it may be only by color) and they accept everything so it's a lot of digging.  I usually go "Thrifting" to find labels for cheap.  Button-up shirts range from $2.50 to $6, Pants/Jeans range from $3.50 to $7, T-shirts/Polos $1 to $5, Ties $1.50 to $5.  My guesses for why someone would give away 'like new' and new clothes for free is because of fit issues and gifts they didn't want/not their style.  I go to some Mom&Pop spots but it's basically Goodwill and Salvation Army (which has a 50% off clothing sale here on Wednesdays).

2. Consignment Shops

Consignments shops are normally well organized but you will pay more for the organization.  Also they only accept clothes in good condition and frequently only accept certain brand names.  I mostly go to consignment spots for shoes/sneakers.

3. Ebay

I also use eBay for labels-for-less and for exclusive items.  To avoid "bidding wars" I try to predetermine the highest amount I will pay for an item before I begin placing bids.

4. Outlets and Low-Cost High-Style Stores

If the above are too radical there's always outlet malls.  I frequently see Nike, Gap, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Polo and Lacoste Outlets.  GQ suggest stores like H&M, J. Crew, Uniqlo, Banana Republic and Topman you can find reasonably priced items there.

Here are some of my Latest Finds:

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Gems from Kanye's Book

A Few of my Favorite Kanye-isms from his book, Kanye West Presents Thank You and You're Welcome a freebie back from the Glow in the Dark Tour.

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Desert Dozen

Here are the 12 Best Desert Boots for the Spring season by Complex Magazine, they didn't include the J. Crew desert boots but I really like the Topman and Opening Ceremony desert boots.  Check out the list here.

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Swallow Your Pride and Save

For the guys 5'9'' and under, 155lbs and under and prefer that slim or skinny fit look the below article reveals a fiscal advantage to being slim and not too tall.

Continue to Article.

Spoiler Alert: Boys pants sizes go up to a 30 waist and 31 inch inseam.  Shirts and Blazers go up to a 41 chest.

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The Kennedys: Kings of Esquire

The Kennedy's have graced the cover of Esquire Magazine about 20 times if you include animated and shared covers.

Coming in Second is Woody Allen with 6 Covers.

Third is George Clooney with 5 Covers

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Throwback "Swagger" at it's Peak

The word dates back to the 16th century but it resurfaced in rap on the Jay-z Blueprint album in 2001.  Since then it's often been shortened to just "Swag" and has become one of the most overused words in rap, with an average of at least 1.3 references per song [citation needed].  Hopefully Jay-z will D.O.S. this soon (and while he's at it D.O.F. - Death of Fro-hawk).



Below is the performance of T.I.'s Swagger like us featuring Kanye, Jay-z and Lil' Wayne.
"Thanksgiving, Do We Even Gotta Question
Hermes Pastelle, I pass the dressin'..."

LIVE Kanye West Jay Z Lil Wayne T.i. - Swagga like us Grammy
Uploaded by NeKsoN. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

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