New York Mag endorses “the lightweight and refreshingly simple” backpacks from Swedish outdoor label Fjällräven (f-yall-raven) availalbe now at Opening Ceremony for $80, and J.Crew in a matter of week. [NYM] Update: And ContextClothing.com. Opening Ceremony – 35 Howard St between Broadway & Crosby – 212-219-2688 – Map

As the S/S ’09 sale season slowly winds down, we’re sad to report that some stores seem unlikely to cross the 50%-off threshold. For one, eschewing the 75%-off markdowns of last season, the city’s Paul Smith boutiques are packing up S/S as we speak. Thankfully, though, our favorite “hipster high-end” boutique Aloha Rag is now… Read more »

Tuesday and Wednesday, 8/4-8/5 (along with a private event, tonight, 8/3, which you might or might not be able to waltz right into), the Metropolitan Pavilion is hosting an Alexander McQueen sample sale featuring up to 80% off S/S ’09 — and previous seasons — ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories. Despite the economy and the month,… Read more »

… is good! That according to crack Times photog Bill Cunningham who challenges a popular belief among trads (and ourselves, on occasion) that men were better off under the regime of the gray flannel suit. Unlike the 50s, say, “it’s this marvelous deconstruction of rigidness of men’s clothes that really is what today is all… Read more »

Damn that Bartlett! We’re just getting word from The Shophound that John Bartlett hosted a “private” sample sale on Thursday night. No word yet on whether it will continue through the weekend, but we’ll keep you posted. John Bartlett – 143 7th Ave South at Charles – 212-633-6867 – Mon-Sun 12pm-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm – Map