Black Friday is technically less than a month away, but as you, frugal reader, are no doubt aware, you needn’t wait to notch some actually good discounts. Yes, the best Black Friday clothing deals are still yet to come, but we rounded up a few that are worth your time.
See, we’re old guards at this game. The motley crew of editors and writers of GQ Recommends have been covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday since what feels like internet-time immemorial. We know firsthand that navigating holiday clothing sales can be a tough row to hoe, but since GQ is the name and menswear is our game, we’ve gotten quite good at separating the wheat from the chaff.
This year, Black Friday falls on Friday, November 29, but trust sales will drop early. In that spirit, I went ahead and collected the best deals you should shop right now, along with some general tips for navigating end-of-year sales with gusto. Be sure to check back in, as we’ll be updating this story as more sales roll in.
Our Favorite Early Black Friday Clothing Deals
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch
Oversized Stitchy Sweater Vest
Take inspo from the OG sweater vest king himself, Doug Funnie, and plop this over your favorite white tee.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Baggy Workwear Jean
Abercrombie’s denim program really impressed us and is undoubtedly some of the best pairs of jeans you can get for under $100, let alone under $50.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic
Signature Italian Hopsack Double-Breasted Suit Jacket
For those of us in the market for a new suit, we’d happily point you toward Banana Republic whose recent renaissance includes a healthy dose of Italian fabrics applied to a range of deftly tailored sportcoats and trousers.
Banana Republic
Cotton-Linen Utility Shirt
This workwear-inspired button up taps into Banana’s origins as a safari clothing outfitter, minus costume-y look.
Gap
Gap
Vintage Soft Arch Logo Full-Zip Hoodie
Gap’s iconic collegiate-style logo has been drawing crowds for decades and its hoodies are among our favorites, with or without it.
Gap
GapReissue Utility Jacket
Even with all that dough you forked over for Oasis tickets, you can still manage to squeeze in a Liam-shaped getup thanks to Gap’s incredible sale.
Huckberry
Sanders
Wilson Unlined Apron Derby Boot
Famed English shoemakers Sanders produce some of the finest dress shoes and boots on the planet and these handsome kicks are ready to power through the cold season.
Universal Works
Parachute Liner Jacket
Layer this military-inspired jacket over your coziest hoodie and you’ll have your autumnal fits sorted.
J.Crew
J.Crew
1988 Rollneck Sweater
J.Crew’s legendary rollneck sweater should be inducted into some kind of hall of fame, if not your own closet.
J.Crew
Classic Chino Pant
We crowned these chinos the best overall chinos for their impeccable fit, surprisingly good fabric, and classic range of colors. And the only way they get any better is when they’re on sale.
Levi’s
Levi’s
Garage Jacket
Trucker this, trucker that … what about the garage?
Levi’s
527 Slim Bootcut Jeans
The secret to unlocking your wickedly stylish inner cowboy is a pair of hip-hugging, bootcut jeans.
Madewell
Madewell
Oversized Cargo Pants
Go big or go home. Go oversized and achieve menswear glory.
Madewell
Cotton Shaker Stitch Crewneck Sweater
Shaker stitch sweaters have been trending for a few seasons and Madewell’s rendition is one of our favorites. With a thick cotton yarn, it’s full of chunky texture without causing you to overheat.
Mr Porter
Brunello Cucinelli
Padded Cashmere Bomber Jacket
The situations that call for a fully padded cashmere bomber jacket are very few…but they’re not zero.
Acne Studios
Distressed Leather Jacket
Leather biker jackets have been the de facto cool guy virtue signal for decades, but this oversized version from Acne takes it to another level.
Nike
Nike
Air Jordan 1 Mid SE Shoes
What if we told you that one of the cleanest pairs of Jordans on the market isn’t a hyped up collab?
Nike
Zoom Vomero 5 Shoes
Those other dad sneakers had better watch their backs because the Zoom Vomeros are coming up from behind.
Nordstrom
Lacoste
Regular Fit Piqué Polo
Rene Lacoste’s contribution to fashion was a mega wave that we’re still seeing ripples to this day. And while there’s an endless amount of great polos out there, there’s no substitute for the real thing.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Corduroy Faux Fur Lined Trucker Jacket
The ’70s called and they say that you’re doing a really great job, actually.
Percival
Percival
Check Anderson Wool Fleece Jacket
You’ll hardly even notice winter when you’ve got this toasty wool fleece number on your back.
Percival
Paros Stripe Polo Shirt
What do Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, and Michael B. Jordan, all have in common? Yes, crazy ripped physiques, but also Percival polos.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo
Double Face Coat
If you slept on Clare Waight Keller’s first menswear drop with Uniqlo, you’ll find much of it on sale now, including this handsome coat, which will look clutch whether you wear it over a hoodie and jeans, a nice suit, or something in between.
Uniqlo
Drawstring Shoulder Bag
From Uniqlo U, the brand’s sub-label with Christophe Lemaire, comes a welcomed riff of Uniqlo’s smash-hit shoulder bag, equipped with a side pocket and enough room to keep your pockets free.
Black Friday Clothing Deals FAQ
This year in the US, Black Friday is on Friday, November 29, which is a day after Thanksgiving. But you should expect sitewide sales to drop at the beginning of the week, if not earlier.
Cyber Monday falls on Monday, December 2. Note that most sales will extend through the end of the week, but that won’t be a given.
Are clothing deals better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer equally good clothing deals. Plan for large retailers and more-established brands to offer deals on Black Friday, and smaller menswear boutiques to hold out for Cyber Monday. As a baseline, expect the better Black Friday sales to start at 20% off and go upwards from there. In the lead up to Black Friday, also be on the lookout for the coveted sale on sale, which has become the norm in recent years.