Last call on Ralph’s Winter items.

It’s a really great time to pick up items for some late season use, especially for those of us still stuck well under the freezing mark. It’s important when you are buying things this late in the season it’s not just for the great prices. You won’t have a lot of time to wear them so you have to make sure it’s something you will wear next winter as well. Ralph Lauren is always a great source for timeless items that you can get a lot of wear out of and they have a lot of really nice items on sale right now. Two of my favorites are pictured above.

The wool and apalca blend mockneck sweater is really nice. I normally would never endorse a mock but this one has more of the feel of a shawl collar sweater when left completely unbuttoned, otherwise you might as well get your dad’s zipper mockneck.

I also like their Preston cotton pant in navy. It has a great brushed cotton texture that gives it a refined comfortable feel that takes it beyond your typical chino. Also, it thankfully has no prewashed finishes keeping for a clean look.

Beauty (& Youth)

From beast (see previous post) to beauty… Beauty & Youth’s Nordic Knit Cashmere sweater is the perfect option for when your thrift store ugly joke sweater isn’t appropriate. There isn’t room for many of these sort of sweaters in most men’s wardrobes but if you had to have just one, this would be worth tracking down.

Ugly (Sweater)

According to CBS Sunday Morning it’s all the rage for “the younger generation” to get together around the holidays for Ugly Christmas Sweater parties. There are a couple examples of what I’m talking about pictured above. In fact these examples aren’t even close to the worst options available. I’m not saying I condone this sort of behaviour, but I do like that people are finding uses for fashions discarded monstrosities.

Victor Glemaud Grunge Crew Sweater

Victor Glemaud makes a lot of very nice knits but my favorite from his Fall/Winter collection is the Grunge Crewneck sweater. Besides the great palette of primary red and heather grey (there is also a black), it is a lightweight knit perfect for layering. I particularly like the thin cuffs at the sleeves and hem and there is a very nice split cuff detail on the sleeve that adds a tattered nonchalance. Available at Odin’s new and improved online store.

Graphic Cardi

As I mentioned before, I’m starting to feel drawn to bolder graphic patterns and although I don’t think I would buy Folk’s Textured Cardigan, I do love multicoloured squares. The color combinations and checker texture are very nice elements. It perhaps isn’t versatile but it could be a fun piece to mix in here and there. It’s available here.

Nordic with a twist.

Wood Wood’s Soeren Sweater is a nice twist on the classic nordic sweater. I’m all sweatered out this season but this is a great pickup for those in need. After swearing off all but classic patterns over the last couple years I’m beginning to feel drawn to more bold non-traditional graphic patterns lately. And I suppose this falls under that. The ‘butterly’ pattern around the body of the Soeren brings in enough edge and color to make this a fun item to wear. It’s available here.