Cheap Trick

• The sizing does run a tad "mass," so order one size down.

At a recent fashion party, one gent's shirt, among the Champagne-swilling sea of stylish guys, stood out. At first, I simply noticed a familiar flag-clutching eagle on the chest pocket of his button-down oxford cloth shirt. But then I noticed some details at the gusset, a well-proportioned collar and a fit that seemed to suit him. "Who makes that shirt?" I finally asked. "Dude, it's from JCPenney," was the gentlemen's answer. That was it! I recalled the eagle was, in fact, the logo of American Living, the line of home-grown classics created for the department store by Ralph Lauren. While the label doesn't bear the Lauren name, nor does it include any polo ponies, the clothing does reflect its parent company's appreciation for heritage and attention to detail. I immediately looked into the shirt and found that it's marked down, just in time to pick up a few for spring. Does it mean you should turn your back on Band of Outsiders?  Of course not, but these sure would make some fine weekend wear.

$19.99 (on sale) at JCPenney