Steel Yourself, NYC: Barneys Warehouse Sale

If you haven't already gone to the Barneys Warehouse Sale in NYC, you've got until Sept. 4.

Last year, I scored several dress shirts (one of which I'm wearing today), an armful of black dress socks. The year before that, my best find was an assortment of pocket squares, most of which I've since lost in several apartment moves. Nevertheless, it stands as my finest achievement at the Warehouse sale.

For those new to the battle royale-like atmosphere at the Barneys Warehouse Sale, it's a great way to pick up fine menswear at reasonable prices -- if you've got the guts. And by that, I mean that the place is a madhouse of ransacking: everyone is scurrying around, or digging explosively through boxes of shirts, socks, and sweaters, burying their spouse or kid underneath a pile of slacks, or dropping trou to try on suit separates right there in the aisle.

It's much worse for women, who are one floor above (as usual, the menswear is relegated to the basement) where I've witnessed actual fights breaking out in the footwear area. Not pretty.

At any rate, down in the cramped, dimly-lit menswear floor of the Barneys Warehouse Sale, there are usually tons of suits in most sizes, and *always* a great variety of dress shirts, sport shirts, socks and underwear, and other basics. Occasional gems can be found among the sweaters, ties, shoes and sportswear.

New crap comes in daily, so it behooves you to brave the masses more than once -- a monumental effort, to be sure, but worth it if you're like me, and simply enjoy the sheer chaos of humans rooting through boxes of slacks and undergarments like truffle-hunting pigs.

If you live in L.A., you missed it -- the sale ended on Aug. 20. Also, your city's pollution is worse. Cheers!

BELOW: Some recent menswear from Barneys.



Barneys New York woven shirt, $145.00


Etro woven shirt, $265.00