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" It&amp;#039;s that time of year when we&amp;#039;re lured home to our parents (constantly, it seems) for seasoned meats, marshmallow-topped creations, and some holiday cheer, to collectively face relatives and friends in the spirit of togetherness. Or, more simply: eggnog and football. And while the most wonderful time of the year is, indeed, wonderful, it also comes with the added stress, the expenses, and all that airport time. So, as we head into the busiest travel and shopping month of the year, we visited the low-price retail land known as Gap. And, since we&amp;#039;re in a giving mood these days, we&amp;#039;re glad to offer you some packing and holiday styling tips, using the only eight items you need in your suitcase this season. This, super-commuters, is Chain Store Cheat Sheet... home-for-the-holidays edition. What to Buy (and Pack):  1. Black velvet blazer, $118 2. Casual (slim) plaid shirt, $49.95 3. Plaid dress shirt, $49.95 4. 1969 dark straight jean, $89.50 5. 1969 slim denim-washed khaki in blue gray, $59.95 6. V-neck tee, $16.50 7. Pima cotton thermal crew tee, $24.95 8. Chunky marled mockneck sweater, $79.95 TOTAL: $488.75 Optional: Solid wool blue tie, $29.95 NEW TOTAL: $518.70 The Extra 10 Percent: 1. 1969 icon denim jacket, $54.99 (the splurge or outfit-upgrader) 2. Pop color stripe scarf, $29.95 (the extra accessory) 3. Fingerless gloves, $19.95 (the thing that keeps you warm) GRAND TOTAL: $623.59 How to Wear These Items:  Day 1: Velvet blazer + dressy plaid shirt + jeans. Great for work, then the plane. Night 1: Surprise in-laws drive-by? Add the tie.  Day 2: Casual plaid shirt (open) + thermal tee + washed khaki. Add Mom&amp;#039;s home-cooking. Night 2: Button up, add the marled sweater. Old Bond movies on the couch.  Day 3: V-neck + jeans. Errands, or, actually, a relaxing drive by yourself. Night 3: Add the velvet blazer. Liquor and people you haven&amp;#039;t seen in 20 years.  Day 4: Marled sweater + thermal + washed khaki. All right, let&amp;#039;s pack those bags. Night 4: Time to get the hell home.  The Endorsement: The Velvet Blazer If you buy one piece for yourself this holiday season, make it the black velvet blazer. Consider it the navy sport coat of the party-circuit \u2014 it&amp;#039;s the no-fail outfit upgrade for seasonal invites requesting &amp;quot;festive&amp;quot; or &amp;quot;cocktail chic&amp;quot; attire. When it doubt: velvet blazer, crisp white shirt, and dark jeans will always work. Extra Options: In Case You Get Bored Denim jacket + dressy plaid shirt + v-neck tee + washed khaki. Velvet blazer + dressy plaid shirt + marled sweater + jeans. Velvet blazer + thermal tee + denim jacket + jeans. Denim jacket + v-neck tee + casual plaid shirt + washed khaki. Tips for Shopping at Gap:   \u2022 Ask about the day&amp;#039;s sales as they can vary from day to day. If you apply and are accepted for a Gap card, the savings are huge. \u2022 Socks are always 3 for $15; boxers are 2 for $20. \u2022 The Gap Body line does not have men&amp;#039;s performance wear, but similar products, as well as loungewear, are available in the back of the store. \u2022 The denim range at Gap has now been switched over to 1969 product \u2014 which is made in Los Angeles and considered more premium than previous Gap denim lines. \u2022 This 1969 line also includes corduroy, washed khakis, denim shirts, and jackets \u2014 all with a very lived-in sensibility and a refreshed emphasis on fit (thanks to designer Jason Ferro). \u2022 While not available in all stores, Gap.com offers a vast assortment of big-and-tall offerings. \u2022 Non-iron dress shirts are available in regular- or slim-fit \u2014 try both to see which is better for your body shape. \u2022 If you buy a Gap giftcard (or receive one), it is accepted at Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime, Athleta, and Old Navy. \u2022 When browsing on Gap.com \u2014 check out the Quick Links function in the bottom right corner. It connects you to comparable items at Old Navy and Banana Republic. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.esquire.com/style/a23489/gap-mens-holiday-travel-2011/>