Just in from eBay - Patchwork

Yep. I bought another one of these horrid ties. I hate that I love 'em so.

Just in from eBay - Silk Knits

Coming from three different sellers, I managed to grab all three ties for about $34.

Just in from eBay

Just in from eBay - Stocking Up for Summer

Just in from eBay - Linen Gingham Tie

~$5. Not bad.

Just in from eBay - Colorful Cashmere

I've been very lucky finding cashmere on eBay these past few months. Since October, I've picked up eight Polo cashmere cable knits, but these are my two most recent acquisitions. Since purchasing my first Polo cashmere a few years ago, I've slowly accumulated various colors, only to have purple and pink elude me until now. The pink sweater (Nantucket red-ish, really) cost $45.99, a little more than I'm normally willing to pay, but the seller was asking $60 and we worked a compromise. The purple sweater was an even greater deal in more ways than one. Not only was the piece a bit cheaper at $41.50, but it had never been worn. In all, I've spent $288.64 on my eight new sweaters. Sure, that's a lot of money, especially for an avid thrifter slowly working his way off a college kid's budget. However, at $36.08 a piece, I've saved, on average, more than 90% off the retail cost of a single sweater. Also, at the $288.64 mark, I'm still $133.12 shy of the $398 original price... and that extra cash should be enough for another four sweaters.

Just in from eBay - Talbott Paisley Tie

Sweet Sweet Shantung

I love finding these old ties with the tags still attached. New Polo ties cost around $120. This tie originally cost $20. I bought it for $7.

Shantung silk is a great substitute for heavy wools when you want a well-textured tie without the heat.

Just in from eBay - Madras Ties

Almost looking forward to spring.

Just in from eBay - Shantung Tie

Just in from eBay - Cashmere

Both of these sweaters just arrived from the wonderful world of eBay, and at under $30 a piece, I've saved more than 90% off retail value. If you've never worn a Polo cashmere cable-knit sweater, I highly recommend picking up one. They're incredibly soft, well-knitted, and rather lightweight for year-round use. Rather than paying retail for merino this season, spend some time on eBay and you're sure to find these $400 sartorial gems under $50.

CKC Shoppe on eBay

As part of my fall cleaning effort, I've decided to clear out most of my argyle collection. The following sweaters are available on eBay. Click on each image to view its respective auction. If you happen to win an item, send me a message at ckcshoppe@gmail.com and I'll take 10% off your purchase price (before shipping).

 

 

Just in from eBay - Ties

Polo linen tie, Faconnable textured silk tie - $17

Just in from eBay - Fair Isle

This Polo sweater was sold last holiday season for around $200. 

It just arrived at my home for the not so grand expense of $15.

Cashing In

My newest cashmere sweater just arrived from eBay for only $36. A warm, golden brown, this color is perfect for fall and goes with just about anything.

Tie Trifecta

My latest eBay scores cost a measly $22. Clearly, people have their minds off madras so I'm stocking up. Cheap. 

Brooks paisley from last season, surrounded by very vintage Lands' End bleeding madras.

Today's Outfit - Fair Isle for Fall

Polo oxford - Macy's, $20

Polo fair isle cashmere sweater - $40, eBay

*Countess Mara vintage solid silk tie - thrift shop, $1

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

(not pictured) Club Room yellow socks - Macy's - $3

J. Crew vintage saddles - thrift shop, $2.49

*This tie was originally sold at Schwabe-May, a legendary menswear store in Charleston which, quite sadly, closed in the last decade. The finest menswear could be found here - suits from Oxxford and Hickey Freeman, fabrics from Loro Piana and Holland & Sherry.

Today's Outfit - Thursday Blues

Polo pima cotton sweater - eBay, $16

Polo broadcloth shirt - Macy's, $19

Polo tie - eBay, $6

Vintage worsted wool gabardine trouser - thrift shop, $3

River Island striped cotton socks - $3 (out of $15 five-pack)

Florsheim vintage Custom Grade shortwings - thrift shop, $1

Today's Outfit

Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren poplin - ralphlauren.com, $37

Sweater - Polo Ralph Lauren silk v-neck - eBay, $20

Tie - Polo Ralph Lauren repp stripe - eBay, $15

Trouser - vintage cotton/linen - thrift shop, $3

Socks - North Country marled cotton - Marshall's, $4 (two-pack)

Shoes - H. S. Trask bison loafers - thrift shop, $1

Summer in September

Once again calling on family for inspiration, I assembled today's church outfit in honor of my uncle Philip. Though he wintered in Coral Gables and spent summers here in Charleston, he shared a single wardrobe with both locales. That wardrobe was one of impeccable fit, vibrant colors and preppy styling. Living somewhere it's always summer has its sartorial benefits. For my uncle Philip, this meant bespoke linen and silk jackets of spring green, coral and lavender, crisp white linen trousers and equally crisp, monogrammed pocket squares. And though I now own those jackets and trousers, today's outfit is influenced by Uncle Philip but is all my own, pocket square (accidentally) not included.

Blazer - Paul Fredrick (very) lightweight wool/cashmere blend - paulfredrick.com, $75

Shirt - vintage Polo 120s broadcloth - ralphlauren.com, $36

Tie - Ralph Lauren Purple Label - eBay, $16

Trouser - Polo cotton chino (as mentioned here) - ralphlauren.com, $52

Socks (not pictured) - Club Room light blue (matches blazer) - $1.50

*Shoes - Allen Emonds - eBay, $22

*These are my favorite shoes - the most comfortable, (nearly) most beat up, most patinated, most burnished shoes I own - and I wouldn't have them any other way.