Summer Shirts from J.Crew

It seems that, at the moment, everybody loves J.Crew. Even the Obamas. A few years back, I had the privilege of meeting the man responsible for the company's turnaround from plain vanilla mall store to destination of chic, Mickey Drexler. Fascinating guy. I was working at their store in the Hamptons, and he popped in for a visit. He's quite hands on, and was very interested in hearing opinions from salespeople and customers alike about the product and what could be done differently.

Anyway. They have some great mens's shirts right now, which, paired with some great white jeans, give you that casual Hamptons summer vibe. The first, pictured below, is their linen-cotton camp shirt, $98, in cool dusk. Even the color sounds perfect for dinner alfresco at Sunset Beach. The epaulets remind me of that cobalt blue Ralph Lauren number that twink icon Zac Efron was wearing in GQ this month, but this one seems much more wearable.

Next up is this chambray specimen, also $98. Say what you will about the whole workwear trend, but I feel like blue chambray has a certain classicism about it that's got definite staying power. Just please, don't wear it with blue jeans. Every few years someone comes out with a horrible proclamation that says it's okay to wear denim with denim as long as the colors don't match (ie dark jeans with a light denim shirt). I don't approve of this practice; I still think it makes you look like a farmer. I love the way this color looks with stonewashed khakis or white denim.
Then we've got this blue irish linen shirt, $79.50. I really think linen might be the perfect summer textile. The more you wash it, the softer it gets, and I love the way it wrinkles just so. Looks great with a tan. This particular shirt reminds me of a version Brunello Cucinelli did this spring, but J.Crew did it for about $400 less. Simple, classic, elegant, and not breaking the bank.
Grab a shirt in the city, hop on the LIRR's Cannonball, and you're ready for Hamptons cocktail hour.

Guilt Groupe

For as much as I love members only discount shopping sensation Gilt Groupe, it seems to have a few inherent flaws. Sales start daily at 12 noon (EST) and last for about a day, with blue chip designers like Ralph Lauren, Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Badgley Mischka, and their ilk well represented. Unfortunately, because it has become so popular, it is nearly impossible to grab your size in the item you want. This frustration makes the item all the more desirable, and buyers frantically click away, hoping that the customer who currently has the size will relinquish it after the 10 minute hold limit is imposed. Then, the sense of pride in winning the item takes over, and one immediately buys it. And yet, you usually end up with an item which, at 11:58 am, you had no need for. I've seen this happen to both myself and my friends, this frenzy of winning an item (like on eBay) that eventually subsides and turns into guilt. Or buyer's remorse. Or, plain old debt.

Phew. If this still sounds interesting, click here to snag an invite. Just be warned.

And perhaps you might also be interested in a pair of size 9.5 lace-ups that I "accidentally" bought the other day...?

Accessories from J.Press

I love J.Press. Outside of certain Boston-New Haven-D.C. circles, they fly under the radar, which is totally fine by me. I usually skip their sack suits and pleated trousers (a favorite of U.S. Congressmen, but too bulky for my taste) and head right for their accessories. They have a great selection of repp ties and bowties in a variety of school colors, fabulous blazer badges for various Northeast colleges, cotton gingham pocket squares, braces, and colorful watch bands. Notably, they are the official purveyor of the "Chuck Bass Scarf," a crazy silk dot patchwork number. If you don't happen to live in one of the four cities where they have retail locations, there's always the online option. Pictured: a cotton madras bowtie ($49.50). Pair it with a seersucker suit, white cotton oxford, and bucks and you've got the perfect outfit for the Virginia Gold Cup or the Foxfield Races.

J.Press, stores in NYC, New Haven, Washington, and Cambridge, and online.