A big thanks and shopping review (nyc)

First of all, thanks to everyone who provided input on the shoe thread.  I'm still trying to figure out how shoefan has acquired his collection at such cheap prices... (I thought I was doing well by paying b/w 40-60% of retail).  

On that note...two more questions for the resident shoe collectors.  Where can I acquire a pair of JM Weston or Edward Green oxfords at a discount (or what do believe is fair market value)?  Secondly, how much do they differ in terms of longterm durability?  I know the second question will illicit some variability, but we can't agree on everything... Oh, btw, I excluded Lobb from my research/questions since I didn't find anything I particularly liked (plus I think they are a bit more expensive).

Since reciprocation seems appropriate for this forum, here are my impressions following two days of heavy shopping (I consider fashion a hobby--close in expense as my second hobby, stereo equipment/live jazz and vocal music).

Woodburry Common Outlets (45 minutes outside of NYC):  I'm usually not much of an outlet shopper...the second best outlet I've visited is Gilroy in California, which is pretty pathetic.  I have no idea how people find such great deals at Off Fifth and Last Call--I fought through the "early bird" shoppers and the best pieces I found were Ike Behar dress shirts for $30 and a pair of RL PL jeans for $60 (would have purchased but didnt fit).  The department stores outlets were my first destination due to the "EB" shopper special at Saks and the great stories I've read on this forum.  Total disappointment.

Next stop: Loro Piana.  Decent stuff, too bad I can't afford $250 on a medium weight cashmere sweater.  Runner up to Loro Piana, Malo.  Bingo.  I made a bad impulse buy and snatched up a camel colored V-neck for $95 (I was thinking, this is the same price as the BR stuff...why not, I need to get something if this place turns out to be crap).

Shoe time: Bally was an embarassment.   Bruno Magli and Ferragamo were both pretty poor in terms of discounts.  On to Tod's... despite the relatively negative comments on this forum about Tod's being overpriced... they are, BUT when factoring the comfort of these shoes combined with the generous discounts that can be found by the savy shopper, Tod's are relatively competitive with other mid-luxury brands.  I snatched the last pair of Brown boots for $155 including tax (my other two casual trainers were approx ~135-145 with tax).

Shirt time.  I now believe in Ascot Chang.  Relatively form fitting, single needle stiching, 100-120s fabric (based on my touch test), and I didn't check pattern matching for $40-45.  Merry Christmas dad (2 for him, 1 for me).  WB Common also has an Etro store.  I've never tried Etro (pseudo-Paul Smith guy).  Nice slim fit, on par with the CoSTUME Nationale  stuff I've browsed at Barney's.  Unfortunately (fortunately), some hipster with overly snug clothes snatched everything up in my size while I was in the dressing room.  Even at $65, I think I'll wait for the Zara sale for trendy club clothes... I might soil myself if I get another Cosmo or Apple Martini spilled on a designer shirt (disclaimer: I don't drink Apple Martinis).  Zegnas were reasonably priced...I especially like their Napoli Couture ties.

Other finds.  Hugo Boss had a really nice sale.  I was tempted by a pair of navy slacks with fine purple pinstripes (think subtle) which could pulll double duty for clinical appearances followed by dinner... ack, show some restraint.  A/X was a zoo-crap piled sky high with too many damn people squeezed into the store (FWIW, as an Asian-American, why does half of Taiwan shop in that store?  The C-Americans in the US must like supporting sweatshops in Far East...). I'm tempted to head back after Christmas for some jeans at Theory...Tristans are a great fit for skinny guys.  I settled for two pairs from Club Monaco...not exactly designer but a functional sixty bucks spent for both...

In short, I could have dropped an easy 1-1.5k but decided NOT to spend the rest of my financial aid... oh well, this is better than when I was actually living in NYC...

peace,
norcal...to nyc...to westchester (yeech) transplant

On that note...two more questions for the resident shoe collectors. Â Where can I acquire a pair of JM Weston or Edward Green oxfords at a discount (or what do believe is fair market value)? Â

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I wish I knew for sure. I would imagine that you might be able to find some of the Ralph Lauren Purple Label EG shoes at end-of-season sales at the Ralph Lauren store. You might also be able to find them at Saks Fifth Avenue sales, although most of the styles that I saw there were basic enough that I can't imagine that Saks would mark may of them down. JM Weston is probably even tougher. Perhaps the New York store has some sales, but I doubt that the classics like the split-toe penny loafer, the demi-chasse, and the Hunt shoe ever go on sale. You might get lucky with one of the handful of retailers that carry JM Weston, too.

Secondly, how much do they differ in terms of longterm durability? Â I know the second question will illicit some variability, but we can't agree on everything... Oh, btw, I excluded Lobb from my research/questions since I didn't find anything I particularly liked (plus I think they are a bit more expensive).

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Generally speaking, JM Weston shoes are more formidable than EG shoes. Still, I would think that if you take proper care of them and get them resoled and reheeled when they need it, there's no reason why shoes from either maker couldn't last indefinitely provided that you don't go traipsing through swamps in them on a regular basis. Nothing that you particularly liked from Lobb? Forsooth.