If you’ve ever doubted that Gear Patrol had your best interest in mind, let this be a lesson. After our interview with the founders of Bonobos, we worked with them to secure an exclusive discount for Gear Patrol readers.

Here’s the skinny. Bonobos will take 20% off your entire purchase (first time buyers) for dropping the fact that you read Gear Patrol. Use the coupon code: GEARPATROL during check out. Additionally, after you make the purchase, Bonobos will refund the cost of shipping.

Sending this page to your significant other as a hint is fully encouraged.

Editor’s Note: Our personal favorites are the Graham Slackers ($110 $88 with discount) and the Clean Slates ($120 $96 with discount)

Shop: Bonobos (Expires 1/09/09)

Premier Brands. Private Sales. Awesome Prices.

What if there was a way to get the best in men’s fashion at insider prices? What if you could enjoy the most exclusive sales on your favorite brands, right from the privacy of your own home? Well now you can.

Gear Patrol, in fine fashion, is glad to present a special offer to our readers. An exclusive invitation to join Rue La La, a membership only site that gives you access to online private sale Boutiques, where you can enjoy your favorite designers at the best prices (up to 80% off). Each Boutique is devoted to single designer brand and only open for a few days. Short, but sweet.

You can also receive email reminders and text alerts so you never miss a sale.

For Gear Patrol Readers: How’s this for starters, sign-up today and you’ll get access to the Hickey Freeman Men’s Boutique (ends November 12, 12pm EST), a private sale where you can enjoy up to 80% off their latest styles. Oh, and don’t blame us if your significant other goes ape over your “invitation” with Rue La La. A few extra points with the lady never hurts.

Simply follow the instructions after the jump to sign up for Rue La La and a sneak peak at some upcoming Men’s Boutiques.

Read the rest of this entry »

That, And An Interview With The Men Behind Them

A sampling of the pants Bonobos has to offer.

Fall is here and if you don’t live in a place where the hottest drink they serve is a rum runner, then pants are now wardrobe de rigueur. Unfortunately though, if you’re like me and don’t want the hassle and cost of tailoring every pair you buy then you were relegated to ill-fitted off the rack choices.

That is until now.

Unlike many sartorially-lazy men; the founders of Bonobos, Andy Dunn and Brian Spaly, saw the problem and decided to fix it by starting a company with one purpose in mind: make quality pants that look good and fit great on everyday guys. No wonder they graduated from Stanford Business School, but more on that later.

Bonobos pants can only be purchased online and that’s part of their genius. By avoiding the costs associated with maintaining a brick & mortar store and hiring sales clerks, Bonobos channels the funds towards high quality fabrics and a customer service department second to none. In other words every dollar of your purchase goes to what matters most to you as a customer, the pants. Furthermore, there’s no need to worry about paying for clothes you can’t try on first, because Bonobo’s return policy is unconditional (literally, read it) and covers all shipping costs.

Experiencing the product spurred my desire to know more about the men behind them, and any advice they might have about starting a business from the ground up. After all, we’re all about advancing mankind.

Luckily the founders were nice enough to sit down with me for an interview (the perks of writing for GP), which we’ve got right after the jump.

So read what they have to say. Prosper from it (sartorially or otherwise).

Read the rest of this entry »

Double Certified True European Goose Down. Sounds Nice.

If there’s a clothing outfitter I’d like to see make a decent comeback it’s Eddie Bauer. Call me old school, but the brand had the right roots, but somewhere, somehow a bunch of penny pinchers and incompetent marketers decided to take the brand towards a world of ill-fitted flannel and pleated khaki.

Looks like they’re getting back on the path to resurrection.

The EB800 down vest uses double-certified true European Goose down imported from Hungary. The high-loft qualities of the goose-down give it higher compression qualities and it’s incredibly soft and warm.

Better yet, it’s priced incredibly well for a down vest.

Editor’s Note: Sure, this is what you want on your next ski trip, but it’s also perfect over a well-weighted blazer. We’re American, we invented the concept of mixing & matching sports/formal wear.

Cost: $99 @ Eddie Bauer

Also See: Lands’ End Canvas Field Coat | Merrell Gatherer Jacket | J.Crew Premium Officer’s Chino

Sharp English Style. Little U.S. Money.

You may have never realized it was gone, but the classic Lands’ End Canvas Field Coat is back due to popular demand. That’s a good thing.

For fifty bucks you can get yourself into a sharp looking rugged coat made of lightweight canvas and flannel plaid lining. The front patch pockets even have handwarmer pockets above them. Looks best in Spice Brown, Hazlenut or traditional Coronet Gold.

Editor’s Tip: Hunting attire is actually making a splash in men’s fashion, but take my advice and use sparingly. Pair the Lands’ End Canvas Field Coat with a properly weighted Fall shirt, wool slacks and a tie. You’ll pull off English Countryside without looking like a cliché.

Cost: $50 @ Lands’ End

Just Add… Anything

With Fall now quickly approaching, temperatures can start to vary wildly as the day progresses. On your next outdoor expedition (or hike) be prepared for anything with the Merrel Gatherer Jacket.

Designed with the hikers and climbers in mind, the jacket packs light while still giving the wearer the flexibility to use any form of insulation they can put there hands on to add warmth. So whether it’s leaves on the trail or that pair of underwear you had on the day before, you’re assured complete control of your comfort anywhere, any time. Just remember the jacket’s semi-transparent, so choose used clothing with care. [via Popular Mechanics]

Cost: $99 @ Merrell