I know, guys. You're just sitting around at home, knocking back a couple cold ones, reading MOD, and thinking, "Dude. Why isn't there a sale with carefully curated collections just for me?" Well right now, there is!

• Perhaps these shorts could be yours, for half the normal price

There is NO WAY I am wearing my stupid rain pants today, I don't care how much water is coming from the sky. It's August!
I'll just deal with wet pants.
That's not an okay strategy for a daily bike commuter during the long rainy winter...but I can't bear to put on the rain pants ever again!
Here's my NEW strategy.
On top: the killer red anorak from the Stand-Up Comedy/Slow and Steady Wins the Race collaboration. It's long enough to cover my thighs. If you like it call Stand Up Comedy and get on the wait list—I'm on it already.

Maybe it's because Oregon turns 150 this year and Pendleton turns 100...but I've been on the lookout for vintage Pendleton field shirts all summer. You know the style: wool plaid, two buttoned breast pockets. They're what your grandpa wore to the cabin in the 1950s.
It seemed like a fruitless pursuit until I visited Winn Perry.
Well, they've got about ten vintage shirts that match my description—for only $30 each. How often do you ask for something and then get it? This is going to be a good year.
I know we've got two good months of summer left (if I get what I ask for), but the selection is pretty choice. Go and check them out before they sell out.

• The selection at Winn Perry

A co-worker of mine sent this to me as a joke, but just think about it, okay?

That dude looks awesome.

I've been complaining pretty much non-stop about my search for summer footwear. It's a well-known fact that men's sandals are uniformly ugly. I like my Converse and Vans, but I feel like I should move on. So what's hot-weather friendly and, according to the New York Times, totally NOW?
Men's Espadrille's. Nationale has a bunch and I hear they're pretty inexpensive. I'm on the fence. They seem like something the very tan gay couple who lived across the street from me when I was a kid in Florida and had a parrot and a lot of wicker furniture would wear. But maybe that's a good thing? What do you all think?

So tomorrow you'll see my first Sold Out column—men's summer picks—in the paper. I'm totally excited about it, make sure to check it out!
One thing I didn't get to mention (so many things, so little space) is swimwear. In my extensive research for the column (umm...shopping) I found a bumper crop of great styles, all at Local 35.
Owner Justin Machus said he's never carried so many swimsuits; this season he just kept finding pieces he couldn't pass up.
They've all got an early-80s trunk kind of feel—mid-thigh, sleek, so much cooler (and more comfortable) than the baggy board shorts you'll find at the mall.
A pair from Modern Amusement:

My favorite mens-only boutique in the city, Winn Perry, is having a memorial day sale. Today and tomorrow only, save 25% on any one clothing or shaving item! Mention this promotion to get the discount.
It's the perfect opportunity to take a chance on an interesting piece, something you might not normally buy. Like this madras jacket from What Comes Around Goes Around! Usually you see madras in bright, garish colors best suited for the golf course. This subdued palette is a lot more versatile, but still has a ton of personality. It also comes in pants and a vest, but please don't wear them all at the same time.

I've recently warmed to the idea of wearing a suit. The kind of two button, slim cut suit Paul Newman would have worn in the 60s.
Finding this style, however, has been a bit...challenging. Last week, I asked the people at three of my favorite vintage shops for guidance. If you're in the market for a suit with style (and don't have the cash for a custom-made Adam Arnold or Duchess suit) check out the tips below.

Avalon Antiques & Vintage Clothes
Unlike most Portland vintage stores, Avalon has a pretty tight focus on formal wear. Owner Simon Cheesman advises trying on suits all over your size range (two sizes above and below your normal jacket size). Look for fit in the shoulders and length—everything else can be tailored. To make it easy, they have a tailor on site every Thursday and Friday. Don't be afraid to ask which suits can be tailored to fit you!

Keep 'Em Flying
What this tiny store on West 21st lacks in volume, it makes up for in quality. Every suit is stylish and in great shape. Employee Alicia Justus suggests coming in regularly, as stock is updated every day. Apparently I just missed out on a YSL jacket and vest, which was sold hours after it hit the floor. Bummer.

Hollywood Vintage
With possibly the largest suit collection in the city, Hollywood Vintage can be a little daunting. According to employee Rodney Bender, suits are arranged by era, so If you're looking for a particular cut, research the period before you shop. Otherwise, you're going to have to do a lot of digging.

My favorite men's spring show this year was Burberry. I loved the slouchy, wrinkled jackets, skinny pants and floppy hats. So many elements I'd like to incorporate into my wardrobe.
One thing I'm on the fence about are the liberty print shirts. In the early 90s I went through a tiny floral print phase. I didn't think I would want to revisit that trend, but...

...check out the way it's incorporated into one of the Burberry looks and...

...consider the way Shipley and Halmos (availabe at Parallel for $170) handled the print

Comments? Thoughts?

I know we've got about 359 days left, but I don't think anything will top this.
Winn Perry has reduced the price of this gorgeous (I know, I tried it on) wool-cashmere Mjolk coat from over $800 to only $253. That's not cheap, true, but this is a quality, classic piece you'll keep forever (more on that sentiment later).
As of Saturday, they had a full range of sizes. Keep in mind that it's a rather slender cut—I usually get swallowed up by coats of this style and end up looking like Mickey Rooney, but this one actually made me look taller and slimmer.

Guess who's carrying "dude clothes" now? That's right, it's Frances May (1013 SW Washington), with What Comes Around Goes Around and Denim & Thread. Handsome jacket, dontchathink?

Go check it out!

Yesterday, I visited the relatively new men's shop Winn Perry for the first time. Owner Jordan Sayler has assembled a fine collection of Cary Grant worthy clothes, which at first glance seem a little intimidating.
I shy away from suits, wing tips, and pocket squares for two reasons: I don't want to look like I'm wearing a costume and I hate being uncomfortable.
Luckily, Sayler has a bunch of tips for dressing elegantly, yet looking modern, and most importantly, keeping it all comfortable!
His 5 tips after the jump.

Jordan Sayler

More on men's jackets... Now that the weather has irrefutably turned to chill, it will all too quickly become apparent whether or not your fall wardrobe is adequate to withstand the season (there's a spread in the new Vogue about how global warming has influenced designers to produce their fall styles in lighter fabrics. I am not feeling that at all, gimme warm!). I think it's safe to say that since last year there are more interesting options for Portland men than there were in '07. Brett mentioned some good waterproof jacket options previously, but I'd like to call attention to another option with unique design elements, which are designed in Portland (yay!) but made in China (oh...). That would be La Merde, the work of No Star's Erik Prowell, who, along with partner Josh Hindson, designs jackets that crisscross the borders between hoodie, blazer, and cargo to make something that's both interesting and utilitarian. They run from $180-260, and you can find them at Frank James (729 E Burnside #103), Lizard Lounge (1323 NW Irving), and Chapter Four (4705 N Albina).

Follow the jump to get a peek at what La Merde has cooking for Spring.

Last year, my first in Portland, I bought a very uncool North Face jacket. I was determined to bike everywhere and needed something practical, sporty and, most importantly, rain proof.
I felt like crap every time I put it on.
This year I was determined to find something a little bit more fashionable. My first find: this great Spiewak jacket at Local 35. Love that it's fitted. Love that it has a tiny gray herringbone print. Love the buttoned pockets.

Spiewak, $140 at Local 35

My second find is a more suited to strolling than cycling. Still, this Trovata wax-coated trench repels rain and looks very sharp. Get it at Parallel Boutique.
Trovata, $374 at Parallel Boutique

Lastly, Lizard Lounge has three different jackets from Scapegoat. They're as technical as my horrible North Face jacket, but in a slim silhouette that's lot closer to cool. These jackets are on the warm side, worth it if you're going to be biking all winter and still want to keep a measure of style.

Scapegoat, from a selection at Lizard Lounge