The Choosy Beggar

Layering is big this season, along with vests and slender outerwear. Touching all three bases, GQ endorses this Land’s End down vest for $30 coupled with Uniqlo‘s +J tweed sports jacket for $130. This pairing is smart for several reasons. Not only does it look great, but its versatility — from the office to the bar to the Rangers game — guarantees plenty of use. Also, each piece is made extremely well for its price, particularly the +J jacket, which we’re praying will raise the bar for all “fast fashion.”

Uniqlo – 546 Broadway between Prince & Spring – 917-237-8800 – Map

Whoa, sale season has definitely arrived. Thursday through Saturday, 10/22-10/24 (unofficially, Wednesday, 10/21), the Misorena showroom is hosting its annual John Varvatos sample sale featuring up to 75% off what’s sure to be an impressive selection of stock.

Wednesday afternoon update: Sale’s open to all ’til 8pm, tonight! Quiet at the moment. Less stock than last year (likely because of sample sale #2 at Metropolitan Pavilion). Suits for $300; leather jackets for $200; thick cashmere sweaters for $200; …

Typically, this sale begins a day early for “friends & family.” We’ve never had any trouble getting in early, but we can’t guarantee that you will. The solution? If you get in early, tweet about it (including @thechoosybeggar in your tweet), and we’ll tell everyone else.

Note: Don’t confuse this John Varvatos sample sale with the John Varvatos sample sale that Metropolitan Pavilion is hosting Friday through Saturday, 10/23-10/25. We’ll post details about that sale tomorrow.

John Varvatos Sample Sale #1 – Misorena Ltd. 260 5th Ave between 28th & 29th – Map

Thursday through Sunday, 10/22-10/25, get to m0851 for 70% off samples and past seasons’ stock, along with 20% off this season’s stock. This Montreal-based brand is highly regarded for the quality of its minimalistic leather bags, coats, and knitwear.

m0851 sample sale – 106 Wooster St between Spring & Prince – 212-431-3069 – 11am-7pm daily (Sun 12pm-6pm) – Map

Thursday through Saturday, 10/22-10/24, get to Metropolitan Pavilion for the Robert Marc warehouse sale featuring 50-90% off the famed framer’s house brand of sun- and eye-glasses, along with Lunor glasses down from $475 to $49, Gimme:Glasses down from $395 to $59, …

Robert Mark warehouse sale – Metropolitan Pavilion – 123 W 18th St between 6th & 7th – 4th fl – 212-675-5200 – 10am-7pm daily – Map

Wednesday, 10/21, through 11/23, Maven Collective is hosting a sample sale pop-up featuring up to 90% off the likes of Anzevino & Florence, Orthodox, B.Son, Conference of Birds (pictured), Mike & Chris, … Courtesy of Refiner29.com, mention the word “cobra” at check-out to receive an additional 10% off your purchases.

Maven Collective sample sale – 65 Spring Street between Broadway & Lafayette – 10am-7pm daily – 949-209-7583 – Map