The Choosy Beggar

Marriage can wait, but, thanks to the recession, it’s never been a better time to execute one of the biggest purchases of your life — the engagement ring.

“There’s a lot of inventory in the United States that needs to get sold,” one diamond-industry analyst tell WSJ Magazine. “It’s in an evolutionary change and the consumers are the big winners.” [WSJ.]

“One-carat high-quality diamonds (those with high marks for color, cut and clarity) have dropped in price by more than 20 percent in the past year, with a polished rock now selling for around $8,600, down from around $11,100. Five-carat gems have dropped more than 30 percent, down to around $57,000.”

But remember, independent and small chain stores — through which half of the $60 billion industry’s sales flow — is always where the real deals lie. Where, exactly? “At Dales Diamond Store in the heart of New York City’s diamond district on 47th Street, for example, half-carat princess-cut diamond stud earrings can be had for half price, down to $393 from $850. The store is also unloading one-carat solitaire diamond rings in 14-karat gold for around $1,000, about 60 percent off.”

How does one sum up smart dressing, today? “Traditional look, modern fit.” Simple as that. Men.Style‘s got a few products to fit the bill for fall. [Men.Style]

The New York Observer looks at the reemergence of traditional (Trad) men’s wear, which it sees as a retreat from/reaction to the insanity that is modern fashion. “Trad is, quite simply, a safe haven for sartorially selective gentlemen amid the ever-growing chaos of department stores and runways.” [NYObserver]

But, while “Trad’s entire purpose is to defy and transcend the whims of fashion,” the fact is that Trad is presently quite fashionable. It will be interesting to see how the trend evolves, and how the fashion industry responds. As one traddy tells The Observer, “This stuff lasts forever, which I don’t think fashion people like because they need to sell new stuff.”

Thursday through Thursday, 9/10-9/17, Clothingline is hosting another J. Crew sample sale. In January, and then again in April, we found an so-so selection of $25 shirts (medium only), $35 dress shirts, $60 cashmere sweaters (medium only), $35 cotton and wool sweaters (medium only), $20 shorts, and $25 chinos and cords.

Report from the field as of Thursday afternoon: “Decent — If you wear MEDIUM shirts and sweaters, and 32 x 32 pants. There are a few larges in shirts, sweaters, vests, and blazers. I scooped up a large sweatshirt, and a bigger cut medium shawl collar cardigan. That was it for me. There’s a good selection of outerwear – peacoats, raincoats, a few topcoats, some puffer vests…lots of jeans, and some cords. TONS of cashmere sweaters — mostly in medium, but a few other sizes too. “

Hats off to Prepidemic Magazine and Debonair Magazine for the heads up — definitely two resources to check out.

Rather than a S/S line, Rogues Gallery is presently unloading F/W at 60% off. 08′ that is. Plenty of great gear.