The Deal: Winter Sale begins at Banana Republic! Hurry for the best selection. Ends 1/4/10.

The Lowdown: Shop the winter sale at Banana Republic and save up to 40% on men’s shirts, jeans, suits, outerwear, tees, pants, suits, sweaters & jackets and underwear.
Our Picks:
Straight stonewash black jean – Black denim, was $79, now $44.99.

Double-space waffle-knit long-sleeve crew – Green marble, was $40, now $34.99.

Pima cotton rugby-stripe long-sleeve polo – Treetrunk brown, was $50, now $39.99.

Merino wool rugby-stripe v-neck – Ox blood, was $70, now $59.99.

Wool/cashmere tipped v-neck sweater – Light gray heather, was $70, now $59.99.

Shop: Banana Republic

The Deal: Shop the Sale at Bodenusa.com and save up to 50%!

The Lowdown: Save up to 50% off on menswear at the Bodenusa.com sale. This offer is valid through 1-07-2010 while supplies last.
Our Picks:
Panelled Half Zip Sweat, was $84, now $58.

Heavy Jersey Jacket, was $98, now $58.

Lambswool / Cashmere Crew, was $98, now $49.

Bright Stripe Shirt, was $74, now $49.

Multi Stripe Shirt, was $74, now $37.

Shop: Bodenusa.com

The Deal: Sale! Up to an Extra 50% off on yoox.com

The Lowdown: Shop the men’s sale at Yoox.com and get up to an extra 50% off on their fall-winter collection. This offer is valid until 12/31/2009.
Our Picks:
MASAI – Long sleeve shirt, was $75, now $29.

CARHARTT – Sweatshirt, was $75, now $59.

GOING FOR THE GUSTO – Sweatshirt, was $56, now $45.

RALPH LAUREN – Sneakers, was $45, now $20.

REEBOK – Sneakers, was $158, now $49.

Shop: Yoox.com

Ever bought a shirt at one price, only to return it to the store the following week to see the shirt at a higher price? One of the biggest questions I get asked is if it is illegal to raise the price, and the answer is as simple as the differencet between sale and clearance. If you purchased your shirt on sale, which is a temporary price reduction, the price can be raised back to its original price. If you had purchased your shirt on clearance, a permanent price reduction used to help merchants clear out excess inventory, the store wouldn’t be able to increase the price.

An easy way to remember the difference is that sales are the deals and clearances are the steals.
Department stores especially use the sales strategy to lure you into stores, for example, when stores have Labor Day Sales, etc. Sales give retailers a way to figure out the demand for the item as well as how much you are willing to pay for an item. A store might have a pair of jeans on sale for $50 for one week, but raise it back to $95, if a celebrity wears the brand, thus increasing demand for the product and the price trendsetters are willing to pay for the item.

Photo Credit: Difei Li

The Deal: Men’s Shoes Up to 65% Off at Shoebuy.com

The Lowdown: Get savings of up to 65% off on men’s shoes at Shoebuy.com. This offer is valid until 12/31/2009
Our Picks:

Rockport Margin – Chocolate, was $95, now $89.95.

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original – Classic Brown, was $75, now $64.95.

Stacy Adams Concorde – Black, was $80, now $69.95.

Hush Puppies Mall Walker – Antique Brown, was $77, now $72.95.

Shop: Shoebuy.com

A few years back we wrote about the rise of heavage, male cleavage, in men’s fashion. According to the Wall Street Journal, the trend is gaining steam, for which total credit should be given to the patron saint of heavage, rockstar Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi (and you too Richie Sambora) were the first, post Saturday Night Fever celebrities to proudly display their heavage, thus opening the door to a trend that has spread across our great nation.

Here’s how you can get your heavage on:

Heavage for days:

1. Jean Paul Gaultier Deep V Neck Sweater, $371.00 (on sale) at Zappos.com
2. The Echelon Pullover Sweater, $78.00 at Karmaloop.com

Acceptable Heavage Options:

3. Murano Baruffa Italian Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater, $85.00 at Dillards.com
4. Wool Cashmere/Silk Blend V Neck Sweater, on sale for $55.00 at J Crew.

A bit more modest options:

5. Merona Black V Neck Sweater, $27.99 at Target
6. Banana Republic Silk/Cashmere blend sweater, $69.50 at Banana Republic.

The Deal: All shirts are now $40 at T.M. Lewin! Offer is valid December 14th through December 24th.

The Lowdown: All men’s formal shirts are now only $40 at T.M. Lewin. Hurry, offer ends on December 24.
Our Picks:
Purple Plain Twill Stripe Prince Of Wales Double Cuff Shirt

Navy White Graduated Check Prince Of Wales Button Cuff Shirt

Blue Tonal Bar Stripe Windsor Classic Fit Double Cuff Shirt

Pink Grey Stripe Duke Of York Slim Fit Double Cuff Shirt

Black Grey Double Pinstripe Rovereto Button Cuff Shirt

Shop: T.M. Lewin

The Deal: Save $10 on orders above $100 at Ashford.com. Use coupon code: 10offdec

The Lowdown: Save $10 when you order above $100 at Ashford.com by using coupon code 10offdec. This offer is valid until December 31, 2009.
Our Picks:
Kenneth Cole Men’s Chrono, retail price $185, Ashford price $94.06.

Bulova Men’s Bracelet, retail price $175, Ashford sale $99.

Bulova 96G61 Strap Black Dial Leather Alligator Men’s Watch, retail price $175, Ashford price $96.

Hamilton H17311625 Gramercy Cream Dial Leather Calf Skin Men’s Watch, retail price $345, Ashford price $89.70.

ESQ by Movado 07300958 Golf White Dial Crocodile Leather Men’s Watch, retail price $175, Ashford price $78.71.

Shop: Ashford.com

The Deal: Spend $75 and get $20 Off at HotTopic.com

The Lowdown: From December 10 through December 16, spend $75 and get $20 off at HotTopic.com
Our Picks:
Black Clear Lens Glasses, $9.99.

Metallic Silver Stud Belt, $24.

Blink-182 Blocks Slim-Fit T-Shirt, $20-$22.

Black Grey And Turquoise Striped Hoodie, $36.

Social Collision Black Moto Zipper Hoodie, $36.

Shop: HotTopic.com

The Deal: Tilly’s – Get 20% Off any single item. Use Promo Code: SHARE20.

The Lowdown: Get 20% off any single item at Tillys.com by using code SHARE20 at checkout. This promo is valid until December 24, 2009.
Our Picks:
DC Smith 2.0 Mens Shoes, $69.99.

QUIKSILVER Balance Mens Shirt, $47.99.

BLUE CROWN House Mens Hooded T-Shirt, $29.99.

EZEKIEL Keaton Mens T-Shirt, $29.99.

LAKAI Manchester Select Mens Shoes, $54.99.

Shop: Tillys.com.