Online Shopping Picks: Cyber Monday Deals

Doing any shopping this Cyber Monday? Have that credit card at the ready, and shop responsibly.

Doing any shopping this Cyber Monday? Have that credit card at the ready, and shop responsibly.

Editor’s note: For a full rundown of shopping picks from plenty of brands, be sure to click here.

While some brands have taken a step back from the madness that is both Black Friday and Cyber Monday (and kudos to the folks from REI and elsewhere), others have been going full-tilt on sales since the week before Thanksgiving. So shopping around these times should always be about balance. Having covered some Black Friday madness in my past life as a student journalist, it’s certainly stuck with me, and the same craziness can still apply to online shopping when brands push deals so early. I’ll definitely be doing some shopping too, and my thought is this: Check out the brands you like, peruse through the offerings and if you’ve shopped there before and had your eye on something — now’s the time to get it while saving some cash. It’s also a great time to find out about new brands, who often offer nice deals to entice shoppers. What follows below is a rundown of brands that meet the tricky balance between quality and price — so there are some familiar names, to be sure. Yet, that dependability and reliability can be welcome in the world of online shopping. What deals do you have your eye on? Let me know and thanks for reading! Happy shopping.

The Deals:

Frank & Oak: Extra 15% Off Sale Items with Code EXITROW; New Customers Get 25% Off First Purchase with code FNOFIRST25

What To Look For: Discount Knitwear, Tailored Wear & Sweaters

A glenplaid sweater and a colorblocked henley are but two of the picks you should look for from Frank & Oak.

A glenplaid sweater and a colorblocked henley are but two of the picks you should look for from Frank & Oak.

So these guys have two deals going — their regular deal for first-time customers (25% off your first order) and then that extra 15% off sale items discount. Frank & Oak always seems to nail it with its monthly Hunt Club Crate launches, and particularly its nice mix of classic and on-trend styles across the board. And now is as good a time as any to hop on a statement piece, like this unique Prince of Wales Wool Blend Sweater at a reduced price, or some solid knitwear like the above henley. This chambray blazer also wouldn’t be a bad bet, either (although only two sizes are left — get the full rundown of sale picks here).  On the shirting front, there are some decent picks available (like this Blended Plaid Shirt), although sizes on sale items are going EXTREMELY quickly A solid selection of ties and small accessories shouldn’t be overlooked, either.
Florsheim

J. Crew Factory: 50% Off Everything Sitewide; Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or more w/ code SHIPGIFTS

What To Look For: Casual Shirting and Sweaters

An on-trend pick, and a classic pick -- both at agreeable prices from JCF.

An on-trend pick, and a classic pick — both at agreeable prices from JCF.

J. Crew Factory indeed does get things right when it comes to the balance of quality and price they provide — some of the items on-tap are mighty similar to what J. Crew itself produces. The brand’s sales are notable for both their frequency and the markdowns they provide, and this year’s offering is no different — they made this list last year for that same reason. And if it’s a basic wardrobe refresher you need, something like the slim washed shirt pictured on the right would be a very solid, four-season purchase for under $30. Conversely, if you wanted to dip your toes into a trendier style without throwing down a lot of money, the brand has this sharp Fair Isle number on tap.

Bonobos: 30% Off Sitewide w/ Code MONDAY (Up to 60% Off Sitewide)

What To Look For: Splurge Outerwear and Knitwear

A killer topcoat and a killer henley, both items you should consider picking up on sale.

A killer topcoat and a killer henley, both items you should consider picking up on sale.

There’s no question that Bonobos’ product offering and design has expanded markedly from the stellar pants it started out selling (in the interest of full disclosure, I interned for the brand in 2014, but that in no way impacts my view of them). For as great as that’s been, some of the brand’s prices are still just a bit much. That’s why, given the discount they’re offering, it makes sense to pick up a staple piece of outerwear like the Mainline Topcoat. It’s an elevated take on a topcoat you can wear with everything from a grey crewneck sweater to a crisp blazer.  And yes even with that 30% off code, it’s pricey. But it’s a great investment piece. And a heads-up that you can knock 35% off your purchase of $500 — so maybe throw in a pair of socks? In that same vein, the brand’s knitwear is well-made yet also often pricey — this is another time to perhaps snag a more expensive piece you’ve had your eye on, like this waffle henley or a reliable and warm-looking navy bomber jacket. Of course, don’t sleep on the brand’s classic chinos or its corduroys or versatile brushed buttondown shirts.

JackThreads: 50% Off JackThreads Cashmere Crew & Vee Sweaters; Various Sale Deals [90% Off Warehouse Items, 70% Off Outerwear, 60% Off Boots and More]

What To Look For: JackThreads Collection + Third-Party Footwear

You can snag two sweaters for the price of one from JackThreads' new menswear line.

You can snag two sweaters for the price of one from JackThreads’ new menswear line. Photo courtesy of the brand.

JackThreads is yet another brand that made last year’s Cyber Monday shopping list, and it only makes sense — the E-commerce retailer has done a great job launching its own line while still dishing out some nice third-party goods. Exhibit A in that regard are the boots that Crevo has produced for the site — that’s a solid, rubber-sole captoe for under $70, along with a whole host of other footwear brands, including some decent-looking J75 chukkas for under $50 (sizes are going way quick, though). Of course, the brand’s newly launched menswear line is nothing to laugh at either — those cashmere crew and V-neck sweaters are an insane steal at just a shade under $50, with 33 colorways available. On another note, taking a swing through the site’s sale section can offer up some great deals, too (as much as 90% off in some cases).

Ben Sherman US

Where Else To Look: Old Navy (40% Off Everything, No Exclusions), Target (30% Off New Styles & More)  & H&M (20% Off Orders of $25 Or More w/ Code 2020, 30% Off Orders of $30 Or More w/ Code 3030, 40% Off Already-Reduced Sale Items w/ Code 4040)

A striped henley from Target, a solid chambray from Old Navy and basic sweats from H&M -- all with the chance for discounts today.

A striped henley from Target, a solid chambray from Old Navy and basic sweats from H&M — all with the chance for discounts today.

With so many brands offering up a multitude of discounts and sales for such a huge shopping day, there’s a lot to sort through in terms of getting a great deal and a quality product. Target is one such outlet that’s upped its menswear game in recent years, as has Old Navy. Both brands are always worth a look if you need budget knitwear, like henleys or pocket tees (case in point: this striped Target Merona Henley for under $10). Old Navy’s denim even stacks up decently well in terms of quality for the price, and that 40% discount brings the price down below $23 (look for something slim with some built-in stretch); plus, its chambray shirts are a solid pickup. So to snag an item (or two or five) at further discounts could set you up well if you need a bit of a style upgrade for the holidays. A place like H&M is now pushing items at even deeper discounts for Cyber Monday (witness that 60% off Black Friday deal they just offered), so sales are an optimal time to pick up a trendier piece or just a basic pair of sweatpants for not a lot of dough — and given that quality can sometimes be suspect, it’s always good to keep some cash in your wallet.

And it’s worth one final mention that more premium retailers like Todd Snyder often offer up sale items at even further discounts than usual — this writer was able to snag a sweater for $50 that was originally priced at $175 last year. The same can be said of some of the more premium American brands we all know and love, like Allen Edmonds (sale shoes as low as $125) and Apolis (20% off sitewide through the end of Monday). If you’re in need of a less dressy footwear upgrade, Brooklyn’s own GREATS has a series of tiered deals going on throughout the day, including some discounts on its premium Italian-made sneakers. Move quickly and you might be able to solidly restock and refresh your wardrobe with enough leftover for Christmas gifts (hopefully).

How much Cyber Monday shopping will you be doing this year? What go-to brands do you look for?

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Starter Style Review: Target

Editor’s note: Building great style on a budget can be difficult and expensive. This is the first part in an occasional series chronicling great locations to start a wardrobe and buy affordable, good-looking style staples. Look for more in the coming weeks! 

Bullseye. Starting things off with Target. Yep, Target.

Bullseye. Starting things off with Target. Yep, Target.

Putting together a great wardrobe can seem a daunting task at first. Starting from the ground up, particularly trying to build in style essentials on a budge, is also taxing to a certain degree. But thanks to the explosion of an interest in men’s fashion, plenty of stores are now carrying more style staples than ever before — and at great prices.

In fact, when style inspiration comes from so many places (including affordable brands like Old Navy and Uniqlo), it can actually be tough and tiring getting bogged down in a long list of locations. That’s why it’s wise to keep certain stores from slipping under the radar. Chains with surprising names are increasingly stocking everything you could need to build some a basic wardrobe, including Target, however unlikely it might seem (witness Target’s collaboration with noted designer Phillip Lim this past fall).

A look at some of Target's shirt selection.

A look at some of Target’s shirt selection.

Target’s Merona line offers fantastic men’s style items, including, at varying times, a nice selection of blazers.  A recent trip through a Super Target revealed just as much. Keep in mind that Super Target is larger than the typical Target store, of course, but just as many style essentials were on-hand.  In addition to the Merona line, the rest of the men’s section was well-stocked with Mossimo polos in a variety of colors, v-neck and crewneck t-shirts with stripes, patterns and bright solid colors, and some shorts with interesting patterns for spring and summer.

Shelves were also stocked with short-sleeve and long-sleeve henleys, two pieces that can become layering staples year round. There was also a nice selection of corduroys in seasonally appropriate shades (as seen below), and slim-fit jeans from Denizen, a branch of Levi’s. The store’s Merona Oxford cloth button-downs are a particular personal favorite, and at a nice price point, too. For under 25 bucks a pop, it’s tough to turn down an item that can pair with so many different outfits.

A rich shade of orange in a seasonal corduroy.

A rich shade of orange in a seasonal corduroy.

Along with some style staples, the store also offered pieces with a slightly trendier take (like the sweater below). An item like that isn’t for everyone, but through collaborations with designers like Phillip Lim, the chain is offering affordable pieces with a more fashionable bent that could be worth taking a risk on if you fancy changing things up. In addition to those trendier pieces, the store’s shoe collection is also solid, featuring some solid desert boot-type silhouettes, along with loafers and dress shoes.

Classic crewneck sweater with a trendy pattern.

Classic crewneck sweater with a trendy pattern.

Accessories are a high point, too. Things like socks (in mainly solid colors, but with some wild patterns) can also be had at low prices, as can, for example, undershirts. Notably, Target offers one of the better deals on the versatile, casual and ultra-affordable Timex Weekender and Timex Easy Reader, two watches that, when paired with the right outfits, are as versatile as any below $100.

In addition to these items, there are certainly some hidden gems waiting to be uncovered in Target’s shelves, all at great prices most likely. When stores like Target do something as unexpected as men’s style in such a surprisingly good fashion, it’s definitely worth checking out. Keep that in mind as you browse the shelves for groceries on your next trip to the bullseye.