The Choosy Beggar

This weekend, the LA Times featured a trend piece on men’s-only retail stores, filled with market insights, along with a sneak peak of the soon-to-open J. Crew men’s store in Tribeca.

Apparently, in the current economic environment, men’s shopping has been one of the few bright spots. Why? According to WSL analyst Wendy Liebmann, men traditionally take a more optimistic view on the economy, and there’s “a new generation of style-savvy 20- to 40-year-old male shoppers” making their mark.

Rather than, “just running in with their heads down to buy a blue button-down and a pair of chinos,” this new type of male shopper is “more apt to absorb and experience fashion,” says Liebmann.

And about J. Crew’s new men’s-only space in the former Liquor Store bar at 235 W. Broadway?

”When the Liquor Store location opens later this month, it will be with the original fixtures — including the bathrooms and the bar itself — intact, as a showcase for the pricier men’s pieces in the line, including Japanese selvage denim and broken-in chinos, collaborations with Red Wing and Thomas Mason and an assortment of old-school brands like Mackintosh coats and Timex watches.”

From Tuesday to next Thursday, in stores and online, outdoor brand Patagonia is taking 40-60% off tons of spring/summer apparel, shoes, luggage and bags. [Racked]

Tuesday morning, Patagonia’s Upper West Side location is opening two hours early, at 8 a.m., for the event.

Patagonia – 426 Columbus Ave between 80th & 81st – 917-441-0011 – Map
Patagonia – 101 Wooster St between Spring & Prince – 212-343-1776 – Map

Indeed, for a certain breed of male shopper, we do think the forthcoming Paul Stuart sample-sale outshines the Barneys Warehouse Sale, which kicks off later this week. If you’re the type of guy who appreciates topnotch quality at serious discounts, don’t dally on this once-a-year opportunity:

Tuesday through Friday, the fine menswear mecca is taking up to 70% off (!) its superior grade of suits, sports coats, shoes, sportswear, and “men’s furnishings,” i.e., pocket squares, belts, ties, and the like. [Racked]

Paul Stuart Sample-Sale – 207 W 38th St at 7th — Tues – Thurs 10am-7am, Fri – 10am-5pm — Map
Paul Stuart flagship – 10 E 45th St between 5th & Madison – 212-682-0320 – Map

Until the end of the month, Aloha Rag’s online store is taking over 60% off high-end hard-to-find labels like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Ann Demeulemeester, Golden Goose, Henrik Vibskov, Ksubi, Lanvin, Lucien Pellat-Finet, Mark Jacobs, Martin Margiela, Obedient Sons, Rivy NG, Rogan, and Tim Hamilton, among others.

Along with with above Obedient Sons club jacket for $300, we like:

• Marc Jacobs peak lapel coats for just $400

• Marc Jacobs jackets for $440

• Martin Margiela leather shoes for just $300

• Lanvin knit cardigans for $580

Right this minute, London-based men’s boutique oki-ni is taking over 70% off hard-to-find items from labels like Alexander McQueen, Raf Simons, and Miu Miu. Even with the weak dollar and shipping costs, there are still some amazing deals to be had like the above Miu Miu hooded tech jacket for just $210, along with:

• Raf Simons armour jackets for $428

• Alexander McQueen check cotton bombers for $228

• Alexander McQueen nylon multi bombers for $225

• Raf Simons technical cropped jackets for $261