The Choosy Beggar

The best advice is often the simplest advice. Blogger Unabashedly Prep says, “Go Brogue, Not Broke.” Sure, at some point in his life, every man deserves a pristine pair of Church’s to care for and call his own. (It’s potentially the best investment he’ll ever make.) But, as U.P. explains, “A used pair can tide you over until you’re ready to splurge.” Last summer, I scored an immaculate pair of Allen Edmonds McAllister‘s (retail price $325) for $30 at a moving sale in the West Village. U.P. found the above Cole Haan’s for $20 on eBay.

Used dress shoes also make perfect “kick-around” shoes — ideal for rough treatment, and one’s off-hours when lesser men resort to ratty kicks and those inexcusable hybrids (part dress shoe, part sneaker). You know who you are.

• Beyond The Rack – Ben Sherman accessories, Buffalo watches, Time Force watches
• Editors’ Closet – X
• Gilt Man – Smith snowboard goggles, Bonfire snowboard gear, French Connection, Vestal Watches (pictured)
• Haute Look – Jules Jurgensen watches
• Ideeli – X
• Reverse (pass: Reverse) – X
• Row Nine – X
• Rue La La – Tommy Bahama
• The Top Secret – X

Beginning Monday, 2/22, Robert Marc locations around town with be taking 50% off select optical- and sun-glasses. The “Mad Men” frames pictured above will be down from $400 to $200. The sale — if not the stock — goes through mid-March.

RM – 1046 Madison Ave between 79th & 80th – 212-988-9600‎ – Map

RM – 190 Columbus Ave between 69th & 69th – 212-799-4600 – Map

RM -551 Madison Ave between 55th & 56th‎ – 212-319-2000 – Map

RM – 782 Madison Ave between55th & 67th‎ – 212-737-6000 – Map

RM – 400 Madison Ave between 47th & 48th – 212-319-2900 – Map

RM – 450 W 15th St between 9th & 10th # 605‎ – 212-366-0656 – Map

RM – 386 Bleecker St at Perry‎ – 212-242-6668 – Map

RM – 436 W Broadway between Spring & Prince‎ – 212-343-8300 – Map