#italist

Brooks Brothers: Up to 50% Off + Extra 15% Off

No code needed. Extra 15% off expires Friday, 12/27.

Yes, this sale was slightly better yesterday.

But 49% off shell cordovan shortwings (pictured above) is not something to sniff at. Honestly, I’m a little shocked these aren’t sold out like the shell cordovan boots.

And Brooks Brothers’ classic OCBDs are also 49% off if you pick up four of them.

Plus, Rakuten is offering an additional 12% cashback at Brooks Brothers. If you’re not yet a Rakuten member, you can get an extra $10 off your first $25+ order (on top of the 12% cashback!) by signing up through my referral link.

Click here to see everything in Brooks Brothers’ Semi-Annual Sale.

Italist: Up to $690 off John Lobb and Edward Green

John Lobb William Double Monkstrap. $759.99 at Italist, shipped free.

Like its better-known competitor Farfetch, Italist is an aggregate online storefront for luxury boutiques. While Farfetch supports boutiques worldwide, Italist focuses exclusively on retailers in Italy, handling the oft-complex aspects of e-commerce: technology, fulfillment, customs, and shipping.

A few months ago, Italist introduced free express shipping worldwide, regardless of purchase total, a considerable departure from Farfetch. By building customs and duties fees into the prices, Italist avoids surprises when checking out: the price you see is the price you pay (in most countries, see exceptions here).

The downside is that you’re on the hook for returns, including shipping to Italy, insurance, and any customs-related fees. If that’s a risk you’re comfortable with (e.g., you know your size in specific brands), Italist’s sale section is quite compelling.

Of particular note is their selection of shoes from premier English makers John Lobb and Edward Green. Italist carries loafers, oxfords, and bluchers from both brands priced in the $700+ range. Still steep for many of us, but a considerable discount considering MSRP can be as high as $1450.

See Edward Green and John Lobb footwear at Italist.

MR PORTER Sale: Up to 50% Off

I have a Mr. Porter Sale Shopping Guide, but here’s the gist of how I shop this sale.

When to Buy

For something you really want, probably now. For something that merely piques your interest, wait a round or two for additional price drops. Remember that if your credit card carries price protection, they will refund you the difference should the price drop on something you buy.

Browse by Designer First

With over 10,000 items on sale, a good first filter to make things manageable is browsing by specific designers.

You can narrow things further by focusing on categories that a brand is best known for.

Accessories: My first purchase ever from Mr. Porter was my first Drake’s tie, ever. Drake’s is perennially great for ties and pocket squares. Also look to Falke, Marcoliani, and Pantherella for socks.

Outerwear: Aspesi, Barbour, Belstaff, Private White V.C., Schott and Valstar.

Refined casual basics: Albam, Alex Mill, AMI, APC, Sunspel, and Todd Snyder. You could also add Drake’s and MR PORTER’s in-house Mr. P line.

Shoes: Cheaney, Church’s, Common Projects, and Tricker’s.

Sweaters: Howlin’, Inis Meáin, John Smedley, and William Lockie. Nobody actually buys Brunello Cucinelli, right?

Browse by Size

Once I’ve run through the designers familiar to me, I take advantage of MR PORTER’s convenient “Shop by Size” pages. This is a great way to discover designers I’m not familiar with.

Shop XS (includes XS, XXS, and 3XS)

Shop Small

Shop Medium

Shop Large

Shop XL (includes everything from XL through 6XL)

Browse Shoes

MR PORTER now has direct links to browse by shoe size. Or you can browse all shoes on sale.

Mr. Porter’s House Brands

Finally, I usually like to do a quick skim of Mr. Porter’s tasteful in-house brands, Mr. P and Kingsman. The latter in particular is handy for their collaborations with other makers, such as shoes by George Cleverley and ties by Drake’s.