Despite all the designer duds you scored.

So it couldn’t be more perfect timing that Tim Hamilton, this Fall’s hottest menswear line, just hit Den (Odin’s sister store). Formerly of classic American labels J. Crew and Ralph Lauren, Hamilton’s collection ruled the runway this season, wowing the fashion crowd with its muted color palette and casual touches.

Inspired by his father’s Midwestern style, the line’s jackets, silk shirts and Italian knits have been pared down to reveal a look that is both refined and rugged. To strike a balance, Hamilton complements his shirts with slim-but-not-skinny tailored pants. For his current collection at Den, the 36-year-old designer delivers a rumpled-yet-chic look that straddles the lines between work and play. Think cardigans in reds and blues, tapered dress pants, thin cashmere sweaters, and jackets lined with super soft coyote fur.

Fall just got cooler.


The Tim Hamilton collection is available at Den New York, 330 East 11th Street (near Second Avenue), (212) 475-0079, dennewyork.com. View the latest from the designer at tim-hamilton.com

It’s the weekend-in-Williamsburg-look that causes sartorial struggles.

For a style that’s more “refined rockstar”, check out THECAST. Started by Lower East Side all-stars Ryan Turner and Chuck Guarino with a few hundred dollars, the label has been an instant hit. Not bad since the two designers have no formal education in fashion.

This Fall, THECAST introduces men to more hand-printed tees, Victorian-style suit vests, smartly cut blazers, and of course, skinny leather pants (every rockstar needs skinny leather pants). Their inspiration for the current collection is simple: whatever they think is cool. For you, that means threads that look effortlessly bada*s with a hint of “decadence and decay”.

Rock on.


THECAST
To view the current collection by THECAST, visit thecast.com.


THECAST collection is available at BBlessing, 181 Orchard Street (between Stanton & Houston Streets), (212) 378-8005, bblessing.com.



You socialized and modelized. And you may have heard the buzz about Carlos Campos, the newest star of the menswear scene.

Believe the hype. Carlos studied at Fashion Institute of Technology before tag teaming with Marko Kalfa to launch Guido New York. A few years of dressing Justin Timberlake, Scissor Sisters, and The Killers later, he flew solo to launch his signature collection.

For Fall/Winter 07, Carlos drew inspiration from playboys of the ’40s and ’50s, such as Frank Abagnale (remember Leo in the hit movie Catch Me If You Can?) and Porfirio Rubirosa. The finest fabrics are cut slim for suits and lined with bright purple satin. The well-tailored look extends to dress shirts, cashmere vests, and devilishly handsome coats.

“The attitude of my Fall 2007 collection is extreme masculinity… with a style that evokes images of Rat Pack sex appeal and lines that blend elements of ’50s and ’60s tailoring, this collection aims to reintroduce a very masculine cool”, says Campos.

Mission accomplished.


The Carlos Campos collection is available at Carlos Campos Studio, 248 West 35th Street (between Seventh & Eighth Avenues), 9th Floor, (212) 244-2377.


Carlos Campos
To view the current Carlos Campos collection, visit carloscampos.com.

Enough about us.

Meet the newest collection of neckwear from Alexander Olch, Manhattan’s hottest tie maker. Olch started making ties a the grand ol’ age of 18. Inspiration was sourced from his preppy, Upper West Side high school, Collegiate School (the oldest independent school in the United States) and four years at Harvard.

For his latest collection, Olch stitches classic good looks with unexpected details. Sure, each piece is handmade with only the finest fabrics (Superfine English Wool). But to set it apart from the competition, Olch introduces materials like soft corduroy, Belgian cashmere, and embellishments such as raised decorative stitching, and patterns just slightly larger than the norm.

The result is a refined masterpiece that complements your power suit.

Somewhere, Ralph Lauren (who started out as a tie designer) is smiling.



The Alexander Olch collection is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue (at 57th Street), (212) 753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com.


Alexander Olch
To view the current Alexander Olch collection, visit olch.com.

Now, it’s time to break out the best threads for Fall.

For a look that affirms toughness and elegance, consider the new Robert Geller Fall/Winter collection. Geller started designing at Marc Jacobs before joining Alexandre Plokhov in revamping Cloak. The dynamic duo proceeded to win several prestigious awards, including the Ecco Domani award in 2003 and a Vogue/CFDA grant in 2004.

For his first solo men’s collection, Geller drew inspiration from Parisian playboys of the ’60s. Think finely tailored dress shirts, classic knits, dapper hats, dress shoes, and handsome coats. To complement the refined-side, there is also a sportier collection of henleys, polos, parkas, and college sweaters.

Best of all, the collection arrives in colors you’ll appreciate (deep blacks to shades of gray) and reasonable price points.

Looking sharp just got easier.


The Robert Geller collection is available at Odin, 199 Lafayette Street (between Kenmare & Broome Streets), (212) 966-0026, odinnewyork.com.


Robert Geller
To view the current Robert Geller collection, visit robertgeller-ny.com.

In three weeks, models take Manhattan for Fashion Week, and it’s officially okay to think about Fall.

Which is an excellent thing for Gilded Age, a new handcrafted line with Old World charm.

Inspired by the techniques and craftsmanship of the early 19th century, company founder and designer Stefan Miljanic cranks out premium clothing with vintage appeal. The complexity of his artful line lies in the details: natural indigo dying, textured stitching, hand knitting, and the materials: organic cotton, fine Mongolian cashmere yarns.

Fall 07 features even more high-end denim, handsome, naturally worn-in wool suits, soft coats, and an accessories line (think distressed belts, cashmere hats, and scarves in a variety of textures and gauges).

According to Miljanic, “Our brand is an attempt to bring to the present a small part of the craft that originated in the Age of Gild.”

Good move.


Gilded Age is available at Barney’s New York, 660 Madison Avenue (at 61st Street), (212) 826-8900, barneys.com and Steven Alan, 103 Franklin Street (near Church Street), (212) 343-0692, stevenalan.com.


Gilded Age
To learn more about Gilded Age, visit gildedage.net.

Simon Spurr has worked for some of the very best men’s labels.

So after three years of successfully helming Ralph Lauren Black Purple Label and Black Label as Menswear Design Director, it was only fitting that he launched Spurr, his namesake label.

Now sailing into its first season with a full menswear collection, the line mixes simplicity and sophistication of design. The staple: perfectly fitting, premium denim with ultra-saturated indigo finishes.

For the upcoming Autumn/Winter collection, Spurr marries luxurious fabrics with superior craftsmanship to produce elegantly cut spread collar shirts, fine Italian cashmere sweaters, and impossibly soft motorcycle jackets.

A new collection with style and substance.

Awesome.


Spurr is available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue (58th Street), (212) 753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com.


Spurr
To view the current Spurr collection, visit spurr.tv.

Fear not.

Phillip Lim’s mission is to make everyone look better, one beautiful piece at a time. From launching his first collection 3.1 Phillip Lim in the fall of 2005 to his Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) nomination for the Fashion Fund Award in July 2006, Lim’s star just keeps rising.

So it only makes sense that exactly one year later his picture perfect 3.1 Phillip Lim Flagship debut on Mercer Street in SoHo. An elegant, spare interior provides the perfect backdrop for Lim’s carefully detailed pieces. Bamboo and white walls, geometric wood floors and mirrors flank the neat row of perpendicular racks - one for men, and one for women.

And on those racks? The clean, slightly imperfect (by design) clothing the designer is known for. Unique elements like suede-covered wooden buttons, light as air sweaters, and perfect draping are found throughout the collection. Each piece is carefully planned, yet subtle enough to never look overdone.

Even the basic pocket tee can’t escape Lim’s attention - his version is slightly askew, with raw cotton edges to remind you that this is no ordinary Hanes.

Imperfection never looked so perfect.


3.1 Phillip Lim Flagship
115 Mercer Street (Spring Street)
Tel: (212) 334-1160
31philliplim.com

The Reiss Spring/Summer Collection looks even better when it’s on sale. Take up to 50% off everything in the store.

Reiss, 387 West Broadway (Spring Street), (212) 925-5707, reiss.co.uk

Need another weekender bag? Head to Jack Spade and take 50% off. Sale includes wallets, ties, and assorted stuff.

Jack Spade, 56 Greene Street (Broome Street), (212) 625-1820, jackspade.com

Fill that bag with the perfect weekend wear at Nicholas K’s sale. Spring and Summer pieces including jackets are dramatically reduced. Cash only.

Nicholas K, 27 West 27th Street (6th Avenue), 6th floor, (212) 532-8988, nicholask.com

Get some office-worthy clothing at Emporio Armani’s Summer sale. Trousers, shirts, suits, and shoes are up to 50% off.

Emporio Armani New York, 410 West Broadway (Spring Street), (646) 613-8099, emporioarmani.com

Your home loves a sale as much as you do. Get it something new and nice at ABC Carpet & Home’s Storewide Summer Sale. Ends 7/22.

ABC Carpet & Home, 888 & 881 Broadway (19th Street), (212) 473-3000, abchome.com

Now, thanks to the late Cargo Magazine, you need to actually think about your weekend wear.

Is this tee edgy enough? Dark green or light green shorts? Am I wearing too much H&M?

Relax, literally, with Distilled, a new menswear collection with a little West Coast edge. A leap beyond basic threads, Distilled infuses art with fashion. Each piece is a collaboration between founders Matty Merrill and Sep Kamvar, and rising artists.

Look for unique materials and intricate details in every shirt, jacket and denim. Contributing architects, graphic and multi-media designers add something unexpected inside and out, whether it’s a hidden credit card pocket or a cutting edge illustration.

The goods are also produced in limited runs of 300 which means you won’t look like the average Joe.

Not that you would in this post-metro era.


The Distilled collection can be viewed at distilledclothing.com and purchased at Atrium.