Too bad that L.L. Bean Signature stopped making their signature duffel.  It was the right combination of traditional cylindrical shape and no-nonsense handles that the grittier of you guys would have truly enjoyed.

The Nordstrom provided Alternative Canvas Duffle is just that, an alternative, and although while it looks better… it’s just not as roomy.

20″ wide is pretty decent but if memory serves, the L.L. Bean duffel was at least two feet long if not more.  But the Alternative Canvas version might win out in the looks department.

Plus, if you really are a gritty type, shouldn’t you be able to get through a few days on only a pair or two of underwear?  Luggage space is overrated… right?

Detachable  shoulder strap, canvas with leather trim.

Good size, unreal price.

Note:  The Bluefly price of $71 was terrific.  The Urban outfitters price of $64 was even better thanks to Jeremy (see comments below) the fact that Macy’s has them for even less is just plain lucky.  If by chance the sale on them ends soon, which Macy’s is known to do, here’s the link to the Urban Outfitters price.

The perfect domestic traveling vacation is four to five days.  The perfect luggage companion for that length of trip is a good sized yet still able to fit in the overhead compartment duffel.

But grabbing your old Reebok or Nike emblazoned athletic gear bag won’t get your trip off to the right start.  You’ve got to look like you’re headed somewhere amazing.  Even if you’re not.  You’ll get treated better during your trip, but more importantly you’ll feel better.  People used to enjoy traveling.  Treat it like it’s a positive event and those around you will feed off that.

A smart canvas duffel like any of these from Ben Sherman is a sporty but still cleaned up piece of luggage.  If you’re the modern minimalist type, stick with the all black.  If you’re into that entire golden age of travel vibe, go with the olive and dark brown.  All three have easy to grab top carrying handles, and a shoulder strap for the long walk from the curb to your departure gate.

Get on board while wearing a good looking jacket and carrying one of these, and that one cute passenger (who seems to be on every flight) just might look for a way to sit down next to you.  Guaranteed that won’t happen to the guy a row back in flip flops and pajama bottoms.

Worried you won’t be able to get all your stuff in one of these for more than a few nights away from your place?  At $71, you can buy two, and still afford the checked baggage fee.

With the lines of a plimsoll and thick construction of a Jack Purcell, the Ralph Lauren Elias Sun Washed sneaker rules the high end of affordable summer sneakers.  Is seventy bucks kind of expensive for canvas kicks?  Yeah… but look at what you get:

Thick padding at the heel, textured toe, and metal eyelets.  Polo badge at the back and tongue, washed and sunned canvas uppers, and a nifty bag to store them in.

Now they do come in three colors, but I’d ignore the grey.  That color combination is too much like Vans or Etnies.  The White will take you far into the fall, but the denim blue is strangely tempting as well.

On sale.  Size availability depends on the color.

Another almost perfect work bag for the office that isn’t too buttoned up.  But where’s the top short-trip handle? Yes the shoulder strap is standard, but what most guys need is a shoulder strap for the longer trips, and a short one for grabbing it out of the car and walking into work.

It’s cotton canvas with leather trim and terrific metal accents.  Flap over closure with magnetic buckles that keep the top closed.  Green/brown for a more casual office, the black isn’t board room ready but looks more polished.

It’s sharp enough that maybe you could overlook the lack of a top handle, and  just cinch down that shoulder strap  to lug it into work from the car, but that’ll get awkward.  Wish it had just a small top handle, like this bag from J. Crew, that unlike the CK bag just looks too schlumpy:

Prepare yourself for total honesty:  Fossil makes a crap-ton of watches.  Hundreds of different styles.  And  frankly, 75 – 85% of the time they miss the mark.  Fossil seems to be targeting a demo that probably tops out at college-aged guys.  Most of whom are still finding their own personal style, so they’re willing to try just about anything.  The faces on Fossil Watches are usually HUGE, the overall look is sometimes nothing short of ridiculous… but the prices are always ever so cheap.  And that’s why they can be so appealing.

Now there are diamonds in the Fossil rough, you just have to look hard for them.  Here’s the three best looking Fossil watches currently in existence.  All for under or around $100.

Fossil Black Ion Plated Grain Accent Face Chrono – $114.75

Over $100. But just barely.

Is that some faux-wood grain detailing hiding behind the watch hands and grooved gray face?  I hate to say it, but… that’s actually kinda cool looking.  Not a dress watch, not really a pure casual watch either.  Somewhere in the small expanse in-between.  Dark and sleek links make this a watch for guys who don’t like stainless steel bands, but want one anyway.

Fossil Decker Chronograph – $80.75

Well under $100 for what could become your favorite weekend watch.

A great looking casual watch with a nylon outdoors-inspired strap.  The dial, hands, and case are all a subtle light gray.  Subtle and Fossil Watches usually don’t go hand in hand.  The strap is a plain medium gray nylon, but if you want to make it stand out a bit more you could always buy a striped nylon strap in a brighter color.  The case diameter is an advertised medium 42.33 mm.  Which is downright tiny for a lot of Fossil pieces, but overall quite normal in size.

Fossil Brushed Stainless Black Rubber Strap Chrono – $95.00

Tactical looking. Just $95.00

Large but not ridiculous, the diameter on this brushed stainless chronograph is 46mm.  Nice half hollow hands and a medium gray face backing the bright white numbers.  The pushers on the chrono are perfect.  Flattened out knobby ends to the regular sized buttons add just enough on the side.  The black lettering on the brand name blends in a bit with the gray face, so if you’re a watch brand snob… maybe the one Fossil to get.  And again.  $100.

So you work in a place where most days it looks like it’s casual Friday, and the boss is really the only one to ever wear a suit.  Walking in with a hard sided briefcase will probably make you look a little too wall street. 

That’s where a coated canvas messenger bag, like this model from Kenneth Cole, can strike the perfect balance.  Plenty of good looks, but not out of place.

The leather bottom and accents keep it professional, while the canvas adds that nice rugged look.  Almost like a piece of luggage from the 1940s.  And at only $120, it’s not so expensive that you’ll have to work overtime.

Available in Brown or Green.

$50 for shoes you'll want to wear every day

PF Flyers Grounder Lo – $49.95

Mix it up with this pair of PF Flyers in Natural Colored Canvas.  Great for casual jeans and shorts days, or even with a pair of lighter colored chinos, a white oxford, and a navy blue blazer during the summer.  Without socks of course.

Really nice looking red, white & blue heel detailing.  Red racing stripe around the bottom.  Classic and unique green PF Flyers logo on the back.

Again, Chucks are great.  These are outstanding.

Free two-day shipping through Endless.

To: Dappered
Subject: Shorts and Shoes

I live in Texas, where the weather is shorts capable for 9 months out of the year. The only problem is, I don’t exactly know what sort of shoes to wear with said shorts other than flip-flops, tennis shoes, or boat shoes. Do you have any suggestions for shoes other than these? I had considered the driving mocs, but I’m concerned that they would look strange with shorts. Any input would be great.

Thanks, I enjoy reading the site…

Jonathan

———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

To: Jonathan
Subject: Re: Shorts and Shoes

Jonathan:

Thanks for the kind words.  We enjoy putting the site together.  So a win win all around.

Here’s the good news:  Some people, including Esquire’s style corespondent, think you really can wear driving mocs with your shorts.  Here’s the bad news:  Wearing anything other than classic American style sneakers, flip flops, or boat shoes can get really tough to pull off.

I think the question maybe to ask is not what to wear on your feet, but instead what to wear on your legs.

If a pair of sneakers won’t fly for a certain event, shouldn’t you be wearing pants anyway?

……

(Chinos by Banana Republic. James Bond’s Suit by… some expensive designer)

Yes it’s ungodly hot in Texas in the summer.  I know, I’ve been there for it.  But pants have worked for James Bond in the Bahamas.  It could work for you in Texas.  And he’s wearing a jacket.

Shorts are comfortable and easy.  But if you’re trying to look a shade better than decent, shorts just won’t be in the picture.  I can’t remember the last time any of us saw George Clooney’s calves.  Shorts are kind of like winter hats with pom poms on top.  Sure they can be fun, but it’s one more thing you’re going to have in common with a 12 year old while wearing it.

J. Crew Chino Suit

Keep your summer pants (or suits) light in both color and fabric weight.  Chino or linen blend, nothing else.  Take a cool or downright cold shower to start the day, to the point where it’s uncomfortable, and cut back on the caffeine.  That should help set the tone for your internal body temp.  Skip the socks, add some foot powder, and give it a try.  You might be surprised that it’s not that much different than wearing a pair of shorts.

Will I totally stick to pants when the hot weather comes back around?  Of course not.  But when it comes time to pull on a pair of shorts, like you, I’ll have filp flops, boat shoes, or my favorite pair of Jack Purcells on my feet.

Nothing else.

Enjoy the Texas Pants weather while you still got it.

- Joe

joe@dappered.com

Retailers are sick of the post-holiday consumer spending stagnation.  So up comes a just-far-enough-away from Christmas Federal Holiday, and out come the mark downs.  Plenty of stores aren’t making much of an effort (Banana Republic) but there are also those trying to make a push for your pre tax return dollars.

Here’s our three favorites from three of the bigger sales happening this weekend.

EXPRESS

Savings: $15 Off every $60 you spend + Additional Savings up to 30% off
Promo Codes: $15 Off every $60 you spendwith Promo Code: 4157
The Pick: Stretch Cotton Signature Polo – $24.15.  $19.15 if you buy three and use the code.

$24.15 or $19.15 if you get three

Sure we could have gone with the new window pane suit.  But this, easily, is the best most affordable polo out there.

MARTIN & OSA

Savings: 20% Off Store-wide + Additional Savings
Promo Codes: 20% Off and Free Shipping with Promo Code: 34197998
The Pick: Rigger 5-Pocket Canvas Chinos – $41.72

$41.72 + Free Shipping

Light in color but not quite in fabric weight.  Terrific casual and tough chinos.  Possible to dress up with a blazer.

MACY’S

Savings: 25-65%
Promo Codes: Free Shipping on Orders of $99 or more w/ code: PRESIDENT
The Pick: Tommy Hilfiger Navy Slim Stripe Trim Fit Suit – $268.00

$268.00 Through the President's Day Weekend.

Who knew that Tommy Hilfiger had finally taken the dive into the world of slim cut suits?  Anyone got one?

Got any other good leads on sales this weekend?  Leave em’ in the comments below.

Land’s End is trying to refresh it’s image.  Back in early November they launched their new line called “Land’s End Canvas” and it’s most certainly targeted at the under 40 crowd.  Fits are trimmer, clothes have much more style to them, and while they’re still affordable, they do carry with them a bit more of a price tag.

Their straight fit jeans are about $40, as are their chinos.  And you get the feeling that there’s no way you’ll ever see pleats on a pair of Land’s End Canvas pants (yay).  Long sleeve shirts are around $30 and sweaters are $40 and up.  Outerwear like this Cotton three season Pea Coat is $80 or under.  They don’t have a ton of items to choose from yet, but it’s a solid start in a new direction.

They’re even making shoes.  Everything from boat shoes, to the very trendy desert boot, to some classic American Sneakers that frankly look better than the well loved Dappered favorite Jack Purcell Converse.

And if this commitment to a “new-vintage” look  in their clothes isn’t enough, their first retail stores are using reclaimed wood from torn down barns in Wisconsin.

J. Crew probably isn’t shaking in their desert boots quite yet, but, the Land’s End Canvas Line is certainly a new casual clothing option worth keeping your eye on.

…