Monaco’s mad men
Men might find the trend for tailored dressing troubling: Though new suits can cost up to four digits, their wallets aren’t getting fatter. Club Monaco is addressing this conundrum by launching a collection of trendily tailored mens suits that retail for less than $500 and transition easily from work to weekend, dressed up with a white shirt and tie or dressed down with Converse sneakers, a cardigan and jeans.
“Although our suits are under $500, they have everything a high-end suit has,” says Tim Farah, Club Monaco’s vice president of men’s design. Farah, who previously worked with Thom Browne on the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Collection, said he joined Club Monaco this year with the intention of designing an affordable suit for men 25 and older.
The suits, in stores this month, come in two styles: the Wright and the Kennedy. The Wright suit is more fitted, with narrow lapels, higher button closures and slim-cut pants. The Kennedy comes in a more relaxed fit, with straight-leg, barrel-cuffed trousers. The modern touches on both suits are shorter backs and multiple interior pockets to stash gizmos such as a cellphone.
Farah says he based his two suit styles on classic silhouettes popularized through the television show “Mad Men.”
“There are a lot of guys who aren’t in the fashion industry who want that style,” he says.
For fall, the suits are made in an evening-ready black herringbone, Prince of Wales plaid, tropical weight wool and gray flannel. A tropical weight wool jacket is $349 with $139 pants, and a nailhead weave jacket is $369 with $149 pants. Pebble tweed and cashmere options will be offered in November.
Farah, keeping in mind that Club Monaco is still a bastion of casual separates, invites guys to wear the suits with pulls from their own closets.
“I never want to dictate to someone what they need to be wearing,” he says.
www.clubmonaco.com
OPENINGS
The Cooper Store: Cooper Design Space, which houses fashion showrooms, has opened a shop that offers great deals on overstock and sample fashions. The first round of sale merch is from labels Jenny Han, Sheri Bodell, Karta, Wein Gallery and Alexis LaMontagna. All proceeds from a special “Katrina” rack will go to New Orleans’ Musician’s Village. Credit cards accepted.
721 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
www.cooperdesignspace.blogspot.com
Teen Vogue Haute Spot Saturday through Sept. 27: Naturi Naughton, star of the new “Fame” movie, will make an appearance at 2 p.m. Saturday for the opening of this Teen Vogue lounge, a pop-up in the Carousel Court area of South Coast Plaza. At 3 p.m. Sept. 6, the Haute Spot will screen “The September Issue,” the new film about Vogue magazine. At 4 p.m. Sept. 7, the Haute Spot will have a model casting call, open to girls ages 13 and older (applicants younger than 18 will need to bring a parent along). Throughout the month, the Haute Spot will be open for shopping, consulting with wardrobe stylists, browsing Teen Vogue’s online lookbooks and more. Gift with purchase of products from Teen Vogue sponsors including A/X Armani Exchange, Billabong, Burton, DKNY and Quiksilver.
3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (800) 782-8888. Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
www.southcoastplaza.com
www.teenvogue.com
SALES
Lacoste ongoing through Sept.6: The French alligator-logo brand is having a back to school sale at its Camarillo Premium Outlets store, lopping an additional 25% off sale items for savings up to 75%.
740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (805) 389-5365. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.
www.lacoste.com
SPAS
Organic Pharmacy ongoing through Sept.15: The London-based spa’s back-to-school promotion offers a $40 homeopathic consultation for children (regular price $50). A homeopath will put together a regimen of supplements and tinctures that the pharmacy says can help kids avoid bringing home schoolyard bugs.
453 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 272-7275. 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
www.theorganicpharmacy.com
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