Alter-vision: Sunglasses

The future is bright kids! Shade those peepers with UV400 protection from one of these classic sunglass styles, available at Alter this summer. We still have Teashades available as well!


Feline Sunglasses, Tortoise, $20.00


Felix Sunglasses, Black, $28.00


SoHo Sunglasses, Black, $20.00


SoHo Sunglasses, Tortoise, $20.00


Westchester Sunglasses, Caramel, $20.00

THIS WEEKEND: THE CHEAPER CHEAP MONDAY SALE AT ALTER!

Alters' Cheap Monday Spring/Summer blowout sale starts tomorrow (Friday 7/17/09) at Noon. We are marking down the remainder of our entire Spring/Summer '09 Cheap Monday collection up to 60% off original prices, making room for Fall shipments which start in just a couple of weeks.

There are some serious deals to be had on simple but fashion forward Womens' items including skirts, jackets, shorts and tops. The Mens' selection is even more extensive with deep discounts on shorts, button down shirts, tops and tee's ranging in price from $19.00 to $39.00! In addition, Kostym Blazers and pants from this season now marked as low as $99.00. Cheap Mondays sizes for men range from XS to XL in tops and pants & shorts sizes 28 to 38 inches.

To sweeten the deal, this weekend only we are offering the Cheap Monday unisex tight fit jeans in Black or One Wash Denim (which rarely go on sale) for $55.00, Regularly priced $69.00.

New: SUMMER BLACK COLLECTION

Do you love a winter white? Well now it's time to feature some SUMMER BLACK!

Wearing color everyday is cute for summer, but we feel you should always have a few strong black pieces in your closet... introducing, the SUMMER BLACK COLLECTION.


Lightweight button down tunic/top with waist tie, $48.00


Lightweight button down tunic/top with waist tie, detail.


Cotton Tunic length dress with ovesized pockets, $55.00


Adjustable strap across the chest for better fit.



Lightweight pant jumper with double waist tie, $65.00


Pant jumper, double waist tie detail.


The leather Georgie Shoe (with hidden wedge heel) by 80%20 will go perfectly with any of these pieces, and is now on SALE! Was: $185.00 Now: $99.00!
Sizes 7, 7.5, 9 and 10 still available (note: they run about a half size large, 9 would fit 9.5, etc..).


Georgie Shoe by 80%20, inside detail. Was: $185.00 Now: $99.00!


Georgie Shoe by 80%20, back view. Was: $185.00 Now: $99.00!

Cheap Monday Cole Polo, Fritz Tee: ON SALE!

Two great Cheap Monday Summer tops for guys, now on Sale! Both available in Sizes XS to Large, while supplies last.


Cheap Monday Cole Polo, Army Green, $45.00 $24.00


Cheap Monday Cole Polo in Army Green, pocket & collar detail.



Cheap Monday Fritz Tee, Black, $35.00 $19.00
This is a great basic black sleeveless shirt... for $19.00 you can't go wrong!


Cheap Monday Fritz Tee, epaulet detail.

Cheap Monday Max Shorts: ON SALE!

The Max shorts from Cheap Mondays 22 Vintage line are a nice alternative to the typical cargo short for men. The 100% cotton material makes them durable yet light and comfortable. ...and they're on SALE! Waist sizes 30 to 38 inches still available!


Cheap Monday Max Shorts in Dark Grey, $65.00 now $39.00


Max Shorts, Dark Grey, pocket detail (pocket unbuttons to open).


Max Shorts, back view.


Cheap Monday Max Shorts in Army Green, $65.00 now $39.00


Max Shorts, Army Green, pocket detail (pocket unbuttons to open).

New: Summer tops for Women under $50.00!

Just received a few chic & cheap tops for women. Lightweight material and soft colors, perfect for this time of year. Available in sizes Small, Medium, large.



Button down plaid top with pin-tuck pleats, off white/blue, $45.00.


Waistband bow detail.


Pleat and sleeve detail.


Chambray cotton top with cinched sides, light blue, $49.00.


Side cinch detail.


Sleeve and fabric detail.


Distressed front button down shirt, Grey, $49.00.



Adjustable sleeve detail.

New: Lilian Asterfield Neckwear

Boston based artist Nicole Deponte has created the ultimate unisex neck accessory with her sculptural "upcycled" neckties, under the label Lilian Asterfield. Each piece is hand sewn, combining two or three vintage neckties into perfectly pinched and twisted wearable works of art. The ties feature a heavy duty snap closure for taking on and off, no fancy tie knots necessary. Alter is the first store in New York to carry the Lilian Asterfield line. Each piece is one of a kind.


Lilian Asterfield necktie $135.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie, detail.


Lilian Asterfield necktie $105.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie $115.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie $115.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie $135.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie $105.00


Lilian Asterfield necktie, detail.

"The Look" is back!

As you may recall, many moons ago, we had a little posting series on the blog called THE LOOK.
The Look is a series of choice outfits styled by Roy (ALTER co-owner) to help you put together head to toe outfit ideas. Below is the latest installment of womens items to complete THE LOOK!


Rojas cut away blouse in white $74.00
Love Brigade Slit tee in multi $59.00
Cheap Monday half Shorts in grey $90.00
Elastic belt in yellow $18.00
Melissa x Campana flats in white $59.00


Kill City hedge tee in lavander: $54.00 $39.00
Cheap Monday pencil Skirt in grey $109.00 $79.00
Double wrap belt in brown $45.00
Stubby Fedora in camel $35.00


Cheap Monday Tindra Tank in blue: $45.00 $28.00
Kill City shorts in grey $69.00
Vintage Belt $15.00
Osborn Shoes in blue/white plaid $90.00
Lulu grace Multi chain necklace: $70.00 $55.00

Alter boys visit KOOS at his NYC studio.

Above: Roy Caires, Koos van den Akker and Tommy Cole at Koos' studio 7/13/09

This past Sunday afternoon we had a surprise visit at the store from legendary fashion designer Koos van den Akker. A friend of Alter (who had worked for Koos in the past) thought he would appreciate the shop, so she brought him in to check it out. It was only a matter of minutes before we were intensly engaged in conversations of fashion, art, reconstructed neckties, and whatever else it is that we do. It was decided right there and then, that we would visit Koos at his studio in Manhattan the next day.

So today we headed into the city for our visit with Koos. He showed us garments from all stages of his career, old and new, finished and not. He gave us tips and advice on ways to work with fabric, and shared photographs of himself and his work over the last 70 years.

If you think you have never seen his work before, think again. Koos is the man who hand made the infamous sweaters worn by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show.

To read his full story, visit his website: www.koosnewyork.com. You should also read this great interview with Koos from the Vice Magazine website.


Above: A Cosby-like sweater and a "work-in-progress" rain coat. The colors and textures on the sweater are done entirely by sewn down collaged fabric techniques, a Koos trademark.


Above: A dress made of "gutted and flattened" neckties starts to take shape.

We were thrilled and inspired to meet this amazing artist. There was even talk of some Koos originals hitting the racks at Alter sometime in the near future.

To be continued...

Fashion Shows: Cheap Monday S/S 2010

UPDATE: 7/14/09. Yesterday we had our buying appointment for the Cheap Monday S/S 2010 collection. It looks fantastic! However, nothing like the photos you see below. The S/S 2010 collection if full of the wearable, fashion forward basics we have come to love from Cheap Monday. You'll see what we mean in about 10 months! Stay tuned...

Fashion Show fever has been brewing around the globe within the last few weeks starting with the Men's S/S 2010 collections and more recently the Haute Couture Collections in Paris. Alter fave brand Cheap Monday has just shown their S/S 10 collection during Fashion Week by Berns in Stockholm to rave reviews.

New + Restock: Greenpoint Tee

The Greenpoint Tee has been a staple of the stores since our first day of business. Every season we bring in a new color and for Summer we are offering this coffee color.

Men's Greenpoint Tee in Coffee $30.00
Available in sizes S - XL
This tee is a tri-blend of Poly, Combed Cotton and Rayon. It has a great vintage feel and is super soft.

Men's Greenpoint Tee in Black $30.00
This one was such a hit for Spring we brought it back.
This tee is a also made of the same tri-blend of Poly, Combed Cotton and Rayon.

Men's Greenpoint Tee in Army $30.00
Many of you have said that you started collecting all the colors that these neighborhood tees come in. If you by chance missed out on the one above we still have some in stock.
100% cotton

Reyna Perez a Greenpoint resident and ALTER's newest Sales Associate has just finished filming her new music video for her song Love Love Love off her new EP album. The video was shot all on the new iPhone 3Gs and could possibly be one of the first to do so. Reyna wears the Bow vest from Alter with her gorgeous Yohji Yamamoto skirt.

New: Osborn Shoes

Osborn is a design group who have recently dived into the world of unique footwear. This Greenpoint, Brooklyn based duo work with a fair trade organization in Guatemala City to create these one-of-kind shoes. Salvaging fabrics and old materials from the small town of Le Esperanza, Osborn reconstructs the fibers into the amazing shoes you see here.
Mostly made of canvas fabrics with leather soles these shoes are definitely a cool statement.

Due to the nature of using found materials we only have the shoes below in their corresponding sizes. These are one-of-a-kind. More shoes in different colorways will be arriving soon as well as styles for Men!

Osborn Lace-up $90.00 Only available in size 37


Osborn Lace-up $90.00 Only available in size 38