GIVEAWAY: And The Winner Is...

Alright, you filthy animals! The time has come.

We want to thank you guys for your interest. We've loved reading the stories of your old, faithful, ratty backpacks. The new opportunities, the ending chapters. The big-boy jobs and the style transformations. We feel like we know each of you a little better, and that's a wonderful thing in our book. 

Our winner is Josh Krasovec, the Kansas City police officer who plans to use the Bleecker Utility Tote to schlep around gear for his newborn daughter, and then pass along this beauty of a bag to her when she comes of age. Brilliant. (And we're already picturing you motoring down the road on your motorcycle with this thing, Josh. Badass.)

To be honest, all your stories were excellent. We especially loved Jerry Stoffl's hilarious empathy for the duped New Yorkers. Brad Rice's philosophizing on the process of reinventing his style. And of course, ThreadWise's courageous husband, who's soaring above Iraq and Afghanistan and protecting our freedom. A humble thanks to both of you.

BUT: Before you walk away with heads hung low, know that we've got several more giveaways just ahead in the coming weeks—everything from winterwear to illustrated stationery. Don't miss 'em!

And, of course, a huge thanks goes the team at Coach for their generosity and damn fine bags.

GIVEAWAY: Coach + The Sartorialist Tote

UPDATE: Don't forget to "like" the Coach Men's Facebook page! Extra props for tweeting at @Coach and @TheMidwestyle, too.

These giveaways just keep coming, eh? And there are even more on the way.

A household name for decades, Coach wanted to reward you guys, our readers, with a new bag as midterms end, new jobs begin and the seasons change. We leapt at the chance, of course. Earlier this year, Coach teamed up with The Sartorialist, who did his usual good work photographing stylish urbanites carrying Coach's latest Legacy Series collection. Have a look:

The Bleecker Legacy Utility Tote, photo by the Sartorialist for Coach

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

• What you'll get: The tote pictured above.
• Contest starts: Now, October 18, 2012.
• Contest closes: Sunday, October 21, 2012 — at 11:59:59 p.m.
• Announce winner: Monday, October 22, 2012

HOW TO ENTER:

• Answer this: "Why you need to ditch your current bag and update to this beauty?"
• Like the Coach Men's Facebook page and us, of course!

We've been fans of Coach for quite some time, and we know firsthand just how well their product holds up over time. Here's Jeff's recently acquired Coach backpack:

And Seth's Legacy Field Bag has become an instant favorite:

Hell, it only gets better as the leather ages and softens, as you can see from the vintage Coach finds we've stumbled across. What are you waiting for? Let's hear it!

midweSTYLE: Fullerton

While I was in New York last month, I did some damage. 

Single twenty-something guy who is caught up on most of his students loans and was looking to get some transitional pieces for my fall wardrobe. Plus, I had a really great month in sales. So, on Thursday night I decided I was going to pull some strings*, jet set to New York in the morning for the weekend. It was my first time to see the city for the first time. (First time? I know, right)

 Let's just say I walked away with a head-turning prize from Opening Ceremony (post to come soon) and an armful of goods worthy of asking, "Can you ship this?" back to Chicago from rag & bone. 

Rag & Bone was among the brands that caught my eye the most when it came to their inventory, that and the price was nice, considering it was their end of season sale. It also didn't hurt me either considering all the malnourished gentlemen of New York City missed out on grabbing the leftover smalls, 36 chests and 28 waists. Because this guy did. 

Two of my many finds were:

• A midnight (read as: navy) medium rise seersucker trousers.
• A white button down that looks like confetti frosting.
  (You can't really see the color speckled through the top in these photos, blame Seth.)

I feel classy, polished and fresh when I wear the navy and camel combo. Something about it pairing these colors together channels a very relaxed yet refined vibe that adds a pep in my step. A clear and fresh face along with catching the L train just before it departs doesn't hurt either.

On Jeff: Feather suede jacket (thrifted $15) by Lanvin; confetti white button down (sale $70, reg $200) by rag & bone; navy seersucker trousers (sale $90, reg $300) by rag & bone; Lexington oxfords (sale $50) by Florsheim; leather clutch (yard sale $2) by Coach; 


*My cousin is a flight attendant. Cheap flights. Bingo.

midweSTYLE: Yalie duds

Two summers ago when I visited a buddy of mine who went to Yale, I checked out the thrifting scene. Thrift stores and microbreweries. Those are the first places I check when visiting a new town.

Shoes and belts galore, I found—although at separate stores. The shoes and the belt matched each other so well in color and texture. Rich and buttery. The shoes were from a hole-in-the-wall thrift store a block or two away from Yale's campus for $8, and the belt was about $2 belt at another location that escapes my mind.

Probably some Yalie's duds. Now mine.

Is that a purse? Listen, on my beanpole frame I wear slim jeans, slim shirts and slim jackets. Hauling around a wallet, phone, house keys, Motorola pager, roll of quarters, sunglasses, compass and other goods in my pockets kills the sleek silhouette. And "No, I'm not going to carry a cross-body." I loathe those scoliosis-inducing, foul creations. Not for me.

Ok, a clutch?

I had been looking into clutches/dossier/pouches for a while and stumbled upon one while looking at garage sales over the summer over in West Plaza. It's an original Coach clutch, in horrible (read as: "great") condition for $2. Sold. I'll carry it to weddings, running errands or throw it my tote to hold my planner.

Look, function over gender. It's like a big leather wallet, really. It may be woman repelling, right next to my dress shoes with the inch heel. Somebody hand me a fur coat and I'll be ready for Halloween.

On Jeff: Cotton oxford shirt (retail, $58) by American Apparel, small; charcoal welt-pocket trousers (retail, $69) by American Apparel; woven leather belt (thrifted, $2); leather dress shoes (thrifted, $8); vintage clutch (garage sale, $2) by Coach; grey sportcoat (reg. $680, sale $220 at Halls) by Billtornade, small (Halls for $680, sale $220); light grey tie (thrifted, $1.50).

Photography by Jarred Donalson

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BONUS: If you like sports photography, check out Jarred's latest updates to his photography blog.

midweSTYLE: Jayhawk territory

Last Friday, I went to Lawrence, Kan., for work to drop off promotional materials on campus.
And by work, I mean, I visited sorority girl houses. I dressed for the occasion and needed to blend in. Know your audience, right? Red and blue tie? Sure.

Being a graduate of Mizzou, I am required by law to dislike the state of Kansas, University of Kansas, KU fans, ChickenJayhawks, red and blue and anything related to the likes of supporting KU.

However, I do enjoy the town of Lawrence and college towns in general. Cool vibe, great local eats and unique shopping experiences. I had a tasty lunch with Mallory and Carolina at Free State Brewery and scored a sweet leather and wool varsity jacket that should be featured on Thrifty Thursday soon...

ABOUT THE LOOK: The schoolboy tie complements the crisp white button down and shrunken sport coat. It just looks sharp. A golf club tie bar adds a little quirk to the outfit, along with the Sperrys to keep it casual. I also particularly like wearing the unwashed and finely aged denim with the dark sport coat.

WHAT THE CLUTCH: When you wear slim jeans like I do—the only kind that look good on my frame mind you—squeezing a wallet or an iPhone in your pocket completely kills the profile. I carry this aged leather clutch as my big wallet. Essentially, it holds my wallet, Field Notes, iPhone, pens and keys perfectly. Go ahead and hate on, haters, but the pouch is convenient for me.

Seth's edit:

WHAT THE TIE: Good morning, Jeff. What's going on with that tie? Do tell, por favor.

Red and blue silk schoolboy tie (thrifted, $1.50); Grey sport coat (Halls, reg. $680, sale $220) by Billtornade, small; Golf club tie bar (antique mall, $5); "The Henley" 11.5-ounce dry stretch selvedge (Standard Style Boutique, $198) by Baldwin, size 30; Brown leather Top-siders (thrifted, $6) by Sperry, size 10.5; vintage leather clutch/dossier/pouch/document case (garage sale, $2) by Coach; White button-down oxford (retail, $60) by American Apparel, small; Camper watch (retail, $19) by Timex; Brown leather belt (retail, $4.99) by J.CREW.

Photography by Mallory Wiegers.

Next time I visit, let's grab some free food & dessert at your sorority house, mkay?