BillyKnowsBest

Final Clearance at eLUXURY.com

I remember trying on this scarf at Neiman Marcus when Philip Lim's summer collection first arrived in the store.  Cute, but at $450, it was clearly a fashion choice with an exceedingly low ROI I would later regret.  Today, it's on eLUXURY.com for $90.  (I've made a no-new-clothing-purchases 'til September pact with my friend Sam, but it would make a lovely Christmas-in-July present ;)  eLUXURY.com is getting out of the e-tailing business, and has started clearing out their inventory.  All sale/clearance merchandise (including some very fancy women's shoes) is now 50% off (the sale prices listed are before the discount, which will appear in your shopping cart.  Hurry -- most items are available in very limited sizes and quantities!

Prada-Like Sunglasses for $12.99

These "Pearlized Shield" are my cheap fashion sunglasses for Summer 2009.  They've been getting lots of complements.  I wore them at the pool opening day at the W Ft. Lauderdale, and was asked if they were Prada.  They're not.  They're Avon, and they're $12.99!  Choose "Direct Delivery" and use coupon code "MFSWR" for free shipping. 

30% Discount Coupon for Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy

When it comes to clothing sales, if 70% is the new 30%, 30% is the new full-retail.  When the economy collapsed, it was too late for many retailers to reduce their inventory orders for next season.  so the discounts we saw this winter are going to continue for at least through the summer.  And while retailers may look for creative ways to avoid blatantly discounting their merchandise, discount they will - even on brand new spring collections. Today's great offer: 30% off (nearly) everything at Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy from March 12-15, 2009.  You can't use the discount online, but Click Here for a coupon that you can print and share.  You get a 30% discount, and 5% of what you spend will be donated to the Global Fund. 

Marc Jacobs Collection and Steven Alan on Sale Today on Gilt.com

I've written before about Gilt.com - the member's-only fashion  clearance site.  Every week brings a new round of sales, each lasting just a few days.  Today, two great deals debut:  Marc Jacobs Collection for women at 70-80% off, and Steven Alan reverse-seam dress shirts for men for $68 (regularly $168.)  If you're not a Gilt.com member, click here for a free invitation.

UGG Cardy Crochet Boots in Stock

Like the Wii Fit, the UGG Cardy Crochet boot is nearly impossible to find this holiday season.  And, of course, they're the only thing my 12-year old niece Caroline wants for Christmas.  What's a good uncle to do? Search the web, as I did, on behalf of Caroline's desperate grandmother.  Here's what I found.  There are a couple of websites that seem to offer them in stock, but seem shady*.  Nordstrom's shows them in stock at a couple of stores, but this turned out to be phantom inventory, as calls to every one of those stores confirmed.  That leaves ebay.  There are lots of UGG Cardy's on ebay, and it's a good bet that a lot of them are fakes.  I am particularly wary of sellers who are shipping from Hong Kong or China, where knock-offs are king.  I chose a US-based "power seller" with a significant number of positive feedback, including positive feedback on UGG Cardy purchases.  It's still possible they are knock-offs, but the positive feedback at least gives me confidence that my 12-year old neice won't be able to tell the difference.  And if she does, paying by paypal through ebay gives me some recourse. 

*Steer clear of web retailers who have hotmail or yahoo email addresses, and accept only western union or paypal payments.  (Paypal offers great protection when you're shopping on ebay, but not when you're sending money to some random Etailer in who-knows-where.)

Gilt.com Luxury Fashion Clearance Sale Website

Gilt.com is a unique members-only deep-discount shopping site for high-end fashion and luxury brands at up to 70% off retail. Sales are announced at the beginning of each week with a video preview of each sale, which features hand selected styles from a single designer.  Once opened, each sale lasts just 36 hours.  It's most useful when you're familiar with the designer and fit, so that when the sale opens you can buy decisively and quickly: some items are non-returnable, and the rest offer gilt.com credit only.  An invitation is necessary to get on the gilt.com mailing list -- BKB readers can get one by clicking here.  For a calendar of this week's sales, click here.

FeedWind

The Best Pants for Casual Friday: Bonobos

My friend Sara told me about these -- they're all the rage in her husband Jon's office.  Bonobos were created to give guys with an average build a flattering, stylish pant that fits like a comfortable pair of jeans, at a reasonable price through a consumer-friendly online shopping experience.  They eliminate the "diaper butt" that plagues so many standard issue Khakis, with a curved waistband to prevent excess fabric from collecting under the beltline, a fuller thigh, and a seat that doesn't sag.  They come in a variety of colors and fabrics: cotton twill, two weights of corduroy, seersucker, wool and cashmere, some with stylish linings that peek through the pocket flaps. They're made in the USA, only available online, priced according to the fabric cost (and starting at a reasonable $120), with free shipping on exchanges, so you can find the size that fits you right without paying three times to get them. Check 'em out at Bonobos.com.

Mosley Tribes Sunglasses on Sale

For two seasons now, my favorite sunglasses have been a pair of Mosley Tribes I picked up at Neiman Marcus.  They're a little pricey (though less expensive than their Oliver Peoples brethren), but subtly distinctive, with their modern take on classic shapes.  They're on sale today through Friday at Gilt.com, a private sale shopping community.  You need an invitation to join -- click here for yours.  I picked up a silver pair of my favorite "Enforcer" aviators, for $98 -- less than half what I paid for my first pair at NM.  You can also find selected styles on sale at bluefly.com.

Psycho Bunny Ties: 25% off at NeimanMarcus.com

Once upon a time, ties were the definitive Father's Day gift.  Fathers don't wear so many ties these days, but guess who does: their hip kids!  And nothing says "hip" more than a Psycho Bunny tie.  If you're looking for a cool gift for a 20-something hipster, go counter-retro with one of these.  They're on sale at NeimanMarcus.com for $83; use coupon code "SHOPNM" for free shipping!

The Best New Casual Clothing Brand: Martin + Osa

My friend Stella Hagenburger finally had enough of Barneys New York (Beverly Hills), and walked out six months ago.  Last week, she started working at Martin + Osa, the new "refined casual" clothing brand from American Eagle.  The shopping experience is a pleasure.  The fresh scent of cedar permeates the store (and the clothes you take home!), dressing rooms feature a staff call button and bottled water, and the sales staff is friendly, helpful and engaging  Oh, and the clothes are great!  Inspired by the lives of naturalist adventurers Martin and Osa Johnson, the casual designs are comfortable, stylish, well-crafted and well-priced. Shop online with free shipping and free returns, or check out one of their 20 U.S. stores in person.  If it's the LA outpost in Century City, ask for Stella, and tell her Billy sent you.