UPDATE:  And just like that, Lands’ End/L.E.C. jump in the ring with a 30% off everything sale.  Code is ENJOY30 and pin is 1850.  Free shipping at $50.  Expires Monday.  Hat tip to Gilla for being the first one in via the comments.
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Banana Republic: 25% off w/code BRCREATE (exp. 4/22)

Lots of colors marked down.

The Pick:  Cotton Cashmere V – $26.24 ($59.50) & Silk/Cotton/Cashmere V – $37.13 ($69.50)
The BR sale is supposed to raise up to $500k for something called Opportunity Finance Network.  25% off isn’t too mind blowing, but it works on sale and some sale items have already been drastically reduced.  The Cotton Cashmere V’s are supposed to have a nice tailored fit and earned 4.5 / 5 stars after 16 reviews.  The Silk/Cotton/Cashmere sweaters dip a little low, but the fabric is outstanding.  Now under $40 for a bunch of basic, select colors.  (And for all those size 36 guys… maybe this suit jacket for $127, and try it out as a blazer?)

Lord & Taylor:  25% off Friends & Family Sale w/ code FRIENDS (exp. 4/22)

Pick via the RL website.

The Pick:  Ralph Lauren Roderick Driver – $74.99 ($99)
Some of you made it pretty clear you’re not a fan of the standard driving shoe heel on this or its cousin the Terry Ribbon loafer.  But there are those of us who are indifferent, and at the same time awfully happy with the leather quality (assuming it’s as supple here as on the Terry.)  Much sleeker than a standard boat shoe, and more interesting than a simple driver.  Ships free as well.  Looks better at the RL site.  (Also worth a look: ESQ’s Filmore for $146.25)

Kenneth Cole: Take 30% off Full Priced Items w/code FANDF (exp 4/22)

Wear a dark suit & sunglasses, and TSA is going to search you.

The Pick: 20″ Coated Canvas Duffel with leather trim - $194.50 ($278)
Mean looking for under $200. Lots of city, not a lot of country with this one.  2600 cubic inches of space and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.  A bit of a splurge.  Too bad that the code only (seems?) to work on full priced items.

Brooks Brothers:  15% off to support Make-A-Wish (exp 4/20)

America. God Bless it.

The Pick:  Rancourt & Co Suede Chukkas – $126.65 ($298)
No code necessary here, and if you’ve got a Brooks Brothers credit card, you’ll get 20% off.  Made in the USA and was pushing $300.  Now less than half that since they were already marked down and the extra 15% off takes them down even further.  Doesn’t ship free though.  Suede is from Horween.  Crepe soles and they can be re-soled.

Express:  Buy one get one 50% off everything + $15 off every $60 w/ code 1239

Plenty of stretch in these.

The Pick:  Four Express Signature Polos – $104.70 w/free shipping (that’s $26 per)
You heard about the Brooks Brothers $2000 polo that launched earlier this week?  44 Brooks Brothers polos for two grand.  Right.  This is the poor man’s, slightly less ridiculous version.  You’d have to be in dire need of polo shirts to buy four at once, but $26.18 per polo, shipped, isn’t half bad at all.  The deal combines:

• A buy one get one 50% off sale
• The $15 off every $60 promo code 1239
• A free shipping at $125 (pre code) offer that expires today.

The 1243 code being advertised on Express.com gets you only $15 off every $75.  Did well in the polo palooza.

This is something.  Here’s how this works:

• You sign up and pay $45.
• Bespoke Post sends you a themed box of curated goods, once a month that’s worth at least $60 if not more.
• You can skip any month you want.  They email you when the Box of Awesome for that month has been revealed, and you have a chance to opt out before they ship it your way starting the 15th.
• Shipping is free, and there’s no monthly commitment to be a member.

Sure it’s a little random because you’re flying blind into each month, not knowing what you’ll be getting.  But it’s super easy to pass on a month and not shell out the $45.  And get a load of what $45 got Bespoke Post members in March:

Clockwise from top center:  A one day pass to the AA Admirals Club, a 10% off coupon for an American Airlines Flight, Aesop skin care shampoo, body cleanser, facial cleanser and hydrating syrum, a travel survival kit including mints, an energy shot, almonds, and hangover cure tablets.  All that and the 20.5″x5.5″x12.5″ made in the USA Mason’s Bag. 

The bag itself is easily worth $45.  It’s basic, but the metal frame at the top and the deep suede handles are really impressive.  It doesn’t close all that tight, and will open just a bit if stuffed full, but it’s sturdy, and a leather punch could maybe rectify that issue if you add a hole to the straps that buckle the thing shut.

You guys (and guys like you) are a pretty valuable customer base.  The items in each month’s curated “box of awesome” might be seen as a valuable promotional investment made by the brands that provide them.  Maybe they’re overstock.  Maybe not.  Maybe Bespoke Post is somehow blackmailing all these companies to provide this stuff at minimal cost so they can send it the way of their subscribers for cheap (nah, they seem too nice for that).

However they’re doing it, the fact that you can opt out of any month is huge.  Why?  Because not everyone is going to like, say,  April’s box, “Salt”.  So you skip it, and you wait for May.  Impressive.

Win it:  To enter to win the sold out “Weekender” Box of Awesome, send your first and last name in an email to contests@dappered.com with the subject: “Bespoke”.  One entry per person.  Deadline is 11:59pm E.T. on 4/18/12.

UPDATE:  Congrats to Nader V. who won the Box of Awesome from Bespoke Post.  Thanks to all who entered…

Watches and fragrance are excluded.  Code Expires Friday 4/6/12.  Shipping is a $7.95 flat rate charge, or free at $150.  You’re on the hook for returns, since they’ll deduct $6.00 for their pre-paid label.

Hilfiger is getting better.  But they’re not quite there yet.  Their website?  Improved.  But still a bit clunky.  And a flat rate charge for shipping is nice, but $7.95 ain’t cheap, plus $6.00 in return charges makes everything you see here at least a $13.95 risk.  Hilfiger fits can be on the generous side too, so take into consideration tailoring costs.  Too bad watches aren’t included, because there’s a few mega-cheap automatics that might be worth taking a flyer on with the 40% discount.
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Hilfiger 21″ Duffel – $35.99 ($80)

Also available in red and yellow.

The dude bag.  Pushing 3,000 cubic inches of space.  Leans sporty but isn’t destined for nothing but the gym.  Big points for the darkest option called “night.”  Synthetic all around, and immensely inexpensive.

Simon Bag Weekender – $178.80 ($298)

Only 1500 cubic inches. Gift for the Mrs.?

Lemme say it before anyone else does.  The “chick” bag.  As in, and again, lemme channel some in the audience here… “Holy Hell it’s a PURSE.   How can any self respecting, crotch scratchin’, beer swillin’ man CARRY such an emasculating thing!  Does it have a pocket for your testicles?  Because you won’t need em while lugging around THIS thing.  Enjoy your external leather-handled scrotum replacement you GELDING.”  Same thing was suggested by Esquire in a different color scheme.  Thinkin’ the price on Esquire, $198, is a typo?  Maybe?

Textured Heavyweight Shawl Collar Cardigan – $35.99 ($78)

A fall/winter favorite. Cool mornings for spring summer?

Not a bad price for what looks like a pretty thick shawl collar.  Sizing?  Again, who knows.  And another piece of proof that the Hilfiger site has some strides to still make.  The description reads: “… Heavy weight allows it to double as a jacket. NO FABRIC INFO Machine washable.“  So, fair to assume it’s not made of sugar?

Canvas braided belt – $23.99 ($48)

Not a bad price for this style.

Remember with belts, you want to size up from your waist size to get a normal looking fit.  Washed leather on the ends and two color options available.  Sizes are starting to get scarce.  Do note that there’s some logo-ing on one end.

Multi Colored Crewneck – $41.99 ($98)

A "classic fit" crew is a major risk.

“Classic fit.”  Damn.  That can be troublesome.  Claims to be lightweight, and the thicker stripes with the jump to another color at the top of the chest & neck makes for a nice & unique combo.  Cotton isn’t getting any cheaper, but if it fits like a trash bag… then eh…

Small Gingham Button Down - $23.99 ($58)

5 color options, and will probably need tailoring.

Sometimes it’s about finding the right piece of rock that your sculptor of a tailor can carve on.  Gingham available in navy, green, pink, red, and a lighter blue.  Might take $10 – $15 to dial it in, but even after that extra cash and shipping costs are worked in, could be a workhorse that will then fit perfectly.

Dot 3.5″ Silk Tie – $20.99 ($49.50)

Don Draper would not approve.

Not everyone likes their ties under 2.5″ or even 3″.  A substantial width with a subtle dot pattern.  And in green.  Green ties.  Not easy to find, not for everyone, but nice all the same.

New Trench – $119.99 ($348.00)

Has potential.

A single breasted trench for the guys who can’t stand the double breasted look.  Appears to be an upgraded version of what they were selling at Macy’s a few months back.  46% cotton, 54% synthetic, so it’s got that blend thing going for it.  Should keep the water from soaking up into the fabric.  Looks pretty good on the web, but again, Hilfiger is real hard to peg when it comes to sizes.

Cable Cricket V-Neck – $41.99 ($98)

When the hell are the damn crumpets served again?

Preppier than Zack Morris at a clambake.  One of those things that 99% of us won’t even attempt, yet 25% of us will walk up to, think about it, then walk away… only to applaud some dude for having the style onions to pull it off when we see something similar later on down the road.  Points for the red on the white cable sweater.

Hector Cotton/Chambray vest – $41.99 ($98.00)

The cheap oddball.

Bit of a break this one.  The front is a knit, while the back is woven.  73% cotton, 27% linen.  What say you vest/waistcoat fans?  Too weird?

Wallet & Money Clip Set – $35.40 ($59.00)

The tandem.

So it’s just a plain black wallet.  That’s good.  40% off is even better.  The kicker & closer is the casual tie-stripe money clip.  Perfect for the spring and summer when you want to wear a casual sportcoat and carry some cash in a clip, but don’t want to blind anyone with something metallic.

The NOT on sale watches: Brown Strap Auto – $145 ($87) | Blackout – $165 ($99)

Both would have been under $100

Well hell.  The 40% off would have been nice, but watches are an exclusion.  So watch fans… if they were 40% off (prices shown in parentheses above) would you take a flier on a super cheap Hilfiger auto?  Leave it all below…

The Hilfiger 40% off Friends and family Sale THFRIENDS40 expires Friday 4/6/12.

1. Herschel Supply Novel Duffel Bag – $78.00

Complete with a garage for your kicks.

Sure it’s a little north of $75, but everything from Maxton Men is under $100, and it all ships free.  More on Maxton Men here.  A little larger than their Ravine duffel.  Equipped with that nifty shoe compartment.  Available in three colors, including black and grey.

2. Brooks Brothers Cordovan Watchband – $37.50 ($75)

Moo? No. Neigh? Yes.

Cordovan is a little like Cashmere.  In a way.  It’s an upgraded material that some guys covet, and others just don’t care about.  Here’s a crash course on cordovan:  It comes from a horse instead of a cow.  It’s extremely tough, and some cordovan shoes will outlive their owners.  It’s extremely smooth and incredibly flexible.  Back to the watch band.  Word is it fits 24mm lugs, so, it’s made for larger watches.  Sterling silver buckle.  Price seems suspiciously low.

3. The Red Hook Cocktail – $7.00 – $12.00

With a real, unprocessed cherry. Pit and all.

Dark, inky, booze forward with a trailing bit of sweetness.  2 oz rye (or a little more…) 1/2 oz Punt E Mes, 1/4 oz – 1/2 oz maraschino (not related to the nuclear red cherries) dash or two of orange bitters.  A bit like a Manhattan.

4. Target Merona “Kensington” Cotton Two Button Sport Coat – $44.99

Button stance and off the rack fit are solid

Not being sold online just yet, but available in this navy and a khaki in plenty of Target brick and mortar stores.  This is the kind of sportcoat that turns someone into a sport coat addict.  Insanely cheap.  Wearable anywhere casual.  You might find yourself reaching for it on the weekend.  At home.  Might require some tailoring, and early word is that the sizing can be a little wonky between different blazers, even if they’re the same size and on the same rack.

 

5. GAP Tailored Glen Plaid Pant in Straight Fit – $59.50 ($41.65 at 30% off)

Trim but not suffocating

Haven’t seen these in person, but the glen plaid looks to be more of the medium grey on lighter grey, which is good because it’ll give them a little depth without getting old-manish and stark.  As always, hold out for a sale.

 

6.  The Blue Stones “Vain Vixens” Video – 4 minutes and 7 seconds of your life

Everyone’s favorite (well at least my favorite) band that actually reads Dappered is back.  For those that like their rock with some teeth, and their musicians well dressed, it’s hard not to like The Blue Stones.  Windsor Canada has produced two guys who can make one hell of a lot of sound between them, not to mention some terrific videos.  Major credit is due to Gavin Michael Booth who directed, shot and edited the video.  And someone buy the casting director a drink for picking the brunette.  Never met the two guys who make up the band, just heard their stuff and have been hooked ever since.  These guys seem to have a bright future.  Looking forward to more.  And, a heads up… not sure this is worthy of a NSFW, but just make sure no one is looking over your shoulder here.

 

7. Placing a bet at a Vegas Sports Book & watching the game there – $1 – $75

Only if this was your living room.

This just in… Las Vegas is very, very good at separating you from your money in a very short amount of time.  Losing $75 at a $10 blackjack or craps table can take only a few minutes.  Place $40, $50, or $75 on your favorite team (or a team that you know a little something about) then sit back in one of the big fat chairs that aren’t behind a velvet rope.  Cocktail waitresses will come around and get you free drinks just like you were at a table.  Maybe not quite as often, but they will.  Free drinks, sports, a few hours, and the possibility of actually winning.  Photo Credit: Chad Davis

 

8. Bonobos Oxfords in Pink Stripe and Turquoise – $49.60* | Check Shirt – $54.40*

The Bonobos sale section gets a boost.

Bonobos has been real quiet lately.  They recently put some more items in their sale section, but browsing that thing is like pulling teeth thanks to their new sizing drop down menu.  You click on a product, and you can’t tell if they have it in your size or not. You’ll need the code BETTERFIT for 20% off to get these prices.  Oxfords are made in the USA.

 

9. Half of this watch:  ESQ Chronicle – $154.42 ($295)

Which half? AM or PM?

All right, so, it’s cheating with the entire “under” $75 thing, but stick with me here.  It is a quartz, but it’s a solid brand, and it’s one looker for a sleek black dress watch.  Sub dial is a nice touch.  Here’s how to get the price:

• Go to Overstock via this link
• That’ll activate a 7% off new customer offer
• That drops the current price of $166.04

Pic is via Macys where they’re selling it for full price.  Full marks to reader Rich for the find.

 

10. Stafford Wingtip Oxfords – $50.00

You'd never know they were only $50.

The pics online make them look like plastic, but in person they’re surprisingly good looking.  Soft leather that has some honest to goodness real leather give to it.  Pretty comfortable too.  True oxford closed lacing.  Feels true to size.  Might not accommodate a wide foot.  You’d think these would be clunky with a bulbous toe, but the toe shape is perfect.  Sole is synthetic, with a grip rubber insert.  Full credit to Andrew for the style tip on these.

For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.

Consider these to be power rankings. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month. The best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Agreements, disagreements, and additions are more than welcome in the comments section below.  Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months. Top Photo Credit: bgottsab
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5. Rugby Shetland Wool Elbow Patch Crewneck – $52.49 ($98.00)

Eight colors to choose from.

We got a long ways to go until spring.  Part of the extra 25% off sale items clearance going on at Rugby, where the reduced prices show up in your cart.  Plenty of texture on this sweater thanks to the “shaggy” (but is it boombastic?) Shetland wool.  We’re all so used to wearing V-necks, that it’s good to have a crewneck at our disposal.  The patches add some contrast as well as help prevent wear for when you’ve got your elbows on the table and head in your hands because you can’t get this out of your head.  (Ah yes.  Orville.  Desert Storm veteran and catchy pop hitmaker.)

4. Banana Republic Edward Messenger Bag – $96.75 w/ BRSAVE25 ($129)

Affordable and respectable.

Nice work Banana Republic.  The centered top grab handle means it’ll look real professional if you remove the shoulder strap.  The nickle hardware and leather trim classes it up.  The plain black nylon exterior keeps the price down.  15″ wide, so perfect for most laptops.  Currently 25% off with the code BRSAVE25.  Not bad.  30% off would make it $90.30.

3. Italian Made Cotton Striped Socks – $10.00 ($18.00)

Arrivederci boring ankles.

The bold sock trend has stuck around for awhile.  And while they’re not cashmere (our man Grant from ImageGranted loves himself some cashmere socks) they aren’t so bad as far as cost goes, especially if LastCall is running one of their many extra 30% off sales.  Made in Italy.  Cotton with a bit of spandex.  Would look awfully slick with this.

2.  Seiko 5 SNZJ19 – $133.60 | Seiko 5 SNZJ21 – $145.95

A new look for a favorite.

Those are flat out mean looking.  The rougher brother of the well loved SNZJ featured here.  Comes with a textured bezel, loses the inner rotating ring and its crown, and loses the numerals on the dial.  It’s going to be next to impossible to dress up, but that black and orange combination is something else.   No quartz here.

1. Allen Edmonds MacNeil Longwing – $175 ($295)

Casual shouldn't look this good.

Good Lord.  Not cheap by any stretch, but when you consider these are Made in the USA, Goodyear welted, recraftable, leather soled Allen Edmonds, then the well under $200 price tag becomes worth nodding your head in approval.  Part of the Allen Edmonds “rough” collection.  Ships free.  Sorry wide-foots.  Only available in D widths.

Westford Suede Shoes – $62.99 ($120)

Mneh?

They’re not the sexiest things ever, but seeing that they are made in the USA (update… nope.  they’re not.  See comments from mixto down below.) and with the extra discount, they get dirt cheap.  A big, big warning here:  looks like the RL polo pony is on the back of the heel in a slightly contrasting color.

Black Chambray Newsboy Cap – $17.49 ($35.00)

Paging Christian Bale.

The vast majority of us can’t pull off hats, especially this one, without looking contrived.  But if you’re the type that can?  Lucky you.  Sizing says “one size” so that makes it a risk.

Custom Fit Double Stripe and Rugby Stripe Polos – $41.99 ($89.50)

Waiting for spring.

Ralph Lauren Polos are just flat out nasty expensive if you’re just fine with those $10 Mossimo athletic fit Target specials.  You’re paying for that pony in many ways.  But the RL Custom fit is a true trim fit, and these stripes are dead on.  Not real weather appropriate for just after New Years, but that’s why they’re on sale.

Buffalo Check Lambswool Scarf – $31.59 ($59.50)

Affordable luxury just got more affordable.

Made in Italy, 80% lambswool / 20% nylon, and with the late winter many are having, there’s plenty of use left for this thing.  The lowest price (so far) of the season.

Wallingford Ankle Boot – $69.99 ($149.00)

As simple as it gets.

Another made in the USA shoe for a real reasonable price.  Calfskin uppers and rubber soles.  Pretty simple looking, but again, nice price for it being born here in the states.  Also available in Suede which might be the best play.  Credit to Alex W. for the style tip on these.

Tartan Lined Card Case – $34.30 ($75.00)

The, uh, money shot?

Nice detail.  But $75 is asking a lot for what usually looks like a plain’ ol’ card case.  $35 is more like it.

Waterbury Ankle Boot – $69.99 ($149.00)

Also available in dark brown

Probably the best looking of the made in the USA cheap polo shoes trio.  None of them look all that sleek, but for under $70 these should go real well with jeans and an deconstructed blazer.

Canvas Duffle – $41.99 ($125) | Buffalo Plaid Duffle – $69.99 ($145)

Excellent for, y'know, holding stuff.

Both are from the new (and struggling?) sub line “Denim & Supply”.  Both claim to have the same 11″ x 16.5″ x 9″ dimensions.  But they look awfully different in the pics.  The canvas duffle does have some logoing on one corner.  Could make a great backup / upgraded gym bag.

No word on when the Extra 30% off Ralph Lauren sale expires.

Someone might label you a carpetbagger, but then again you’d have to have had carpet made of Lumberjacks.  (The finest of all carpets in the world no doubt.)

It’s a traditional doctor style, with a reinforced bottom and those over the top buckles.  Even though it’s a “plaid flannel” exterior, it doesn’t seem to be natural.  Polyester and with faux leather polyurethane trim.  But that’s why it’s under $80 (and ships free.)

At 20″ wide it has almost 2,000 cubic inches of space, so it’s not miniscule.  But would you carry it?  Or is it a little too Al Borland meets Grandma Ma’s over-sized purse?

Leave your vote in the comments section below…

Meanwhile, if you want the plaid in a more traditional duffel style, Ralph Lauren’s “Denim & Supply” line has one on sale for just under $100.  About the same space inside, wool/poly/acrylic blend.

We’re heading into a major travel season.  You’ll need something to put your clothes in, and all the better if it’s something that’s as inexpensive as this.

Not too gymish to take on a vacation, and not too vacationy to take to the gym.  Over 2,000 cubic inches of storage space, so it’s big enough to be a true weekender, and stacks up well against a standard sized duffel from Hilfiger.

The straps are a soft but fake leather-like material, and while the exterior isn’t Kevlar strong, it’s not paper thin either.  Plenty sturdy enough to hold clothes, shoes, and maybe a bottle of wine or something else heavy.  The interior is a red candy stripe, but getting to it shows the one drawback:  The zipper is kind of flimsy.

Available in grey over at Maxton Men for $55 with free shipping (everything ships free there, and more on Maxton Men soon.)  Same price at Need Supply Co. but you’ll get nailed with $6.95 shipping.

Want to support a company that makes their gear here in the U.S.?  For a few bucks more, see the Primer Magazine approved Possibilities Bag from Beckel Canvas.  A little smaller but made in Portland.

There’s a serious lack of options when it comes to professional looking, not too rugged, city-ready work bags for under $200.  Especially if you want something that isn’t a true messenger bag.  This one has some solid details going for it, but there’s a few drawbacks as well:

The Pros:

• It’s leather.
• The logo is real subtle.
• It comes with top grab handles for those of us who don’t want to sling a shoulder strap over our heads every time we go from point A to point B.
• At 15″ wide, most smaller laptops will fit in just fine.
• There are two color options:  Charcoal and Black
• The price is decently affordable at $150.
• It’s sleek and not a standard frumpy canvas bag.

The Cons:

• That leather won’t be the best quality by any stretch (but again, it’s $150.)
• At 15″ x 13″ it’s almost square.  Which means it looks a little… y’know… purse-ish?

Or maybe “pursey” is the proper word.  The murse.  We all know the term.  But does this thing look like one?  It certainly doesn’t have standard attache proportions.  Hell, you can carry almost anything  (key word: almost) and if you do it with confidence no one will think twice.  But would you carry it?  Your vote goes below.
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Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing a little functionality in the name of style and form.

Most bike panniers look like they came from some sort of fanny pack transplant program.  Nylon, synthetic materials, all begging you to over-stuff and bulge it out like your drunk uncle’s warm up pants on Thanksgiving.

Sidenote:  Only thing more relaxed than warm up pants on Thanksgiving, are Zubaz on Thanksgiving.

Doubled up.

The Linus Bicycle company, who also makes pretty smart looking bikes, has easily one of the top solutions.  Their “Office Bag” is simple, just rigid enough, and specifically designed to protect a laptop.  Description says it’ll fit 13″ laptops, but my 14.1″ HP sneaks in there just fine.

There’s not a ton of width to each bag, just enough for a few smaller items like a cordless mouse, a bike lock, gloves, etc… and although they send along a shoulder strap with the intent of being able to detach it from the bike rack and take it with you, that’s damn near impossible.  The leather straps and brass buckles look great, but if you want to secure it tightly to make sure it’s not bouncing around, you gotta cinch those suckers down.  That’s no problem, but sneaking your fingers under that rack to unbuckle is a pain.  It’s best just left on the bike.

To prevent thefts it comes with brass D-rings which allow you to padlock or zip tie the bag to your rack.

Not for everyone and not for long distance journeys.  But if you can travel light and need some good looking extra cargo space for getting around town?  They’re a great choice.
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Sleek? Or Cramped? Just depends on your needs.