Orange gets no respect.  No one drives an Orange car (there are exceptions.)  Red heads get picked on.  And the Burnt Sienna Crayon always went unused in the box of Crayolas.

The key is moderation.  If you’ll be covering a good chunk of your body in this color, stay away from true, Syracuse-style-orange, and stick with colors that are more copper or rust.  If you want something as bright as a bag of carrots, limit its use by way of accessories, clothes you’ll layer over, or sub colors in patterns.  Still not a believer?  Examples follow.  Just don’t wear these all at once or you’ll sprain an optic nerve.

The Sweater:  Banana Republic Merino V-Neck – $44.62 w/ BRBOOST ($59.50)

Want white? Skip the tee and stick with a button up.

One of the best V-necks out there.  BR is perpetually on sale, but their Merino V-necks are honestly worth full price (just don’t tell them.)  Wait for a code of course.  25% off is good.  30% off is usually worth jumping on.  The collars on these don’t dip super deep like their silk/cotton/cashmeres.  Slightly fitted.  Could be tighter, but if you’ve got a little around the middle, then you’ll be happy.  Perfect under a black moleskin, blue wool or cotton, or grey tweed blazer.  25% off code BRBOOST expires 1/31.

The Tie: Thomas Pink Made in Italy Silk Knit Tie – $59.00 ($105)

Not too collegiate looking.

Still a splurge ($59 for a tie is pricey for most of us) but made in Italy and the silk knit is something that can work year round.  Notice that even though it’s a minor piece, like a tie, the dominant color isn’t orange.  Wear it with a medium to lighter grey suit.  Extra points if it’s flannel.

The Pants:  L.L. Bean Signature Bean’s Canvas Cloth Pant – $69.00

A real unique color.

Expensive, but the perfect blend of not too baggy and not too slim.  Leaning more towards roomy, but if you’ve got bigger legs, then you’ll appreciate the extra room in the thighs.  Straight legs.  Great darker orange color.  Ships free and plenty sturdy.  Hang out for a 15% off (or even 20% off) code and you could end up real happy.  (Want a much trimmer fit?  Go with Rugby’s Vintage University Chino.  The color is more of a true orange, but they cost just under $40.)

The Dopp Kit:  Marc New York Canvas Dopp Kit – $19.97 ($59.50)

It'll stand out in your dimly lit bag.

Hard to get more subtle than a bag that’s inside of a bigger bag most of the time.  Tough to find in this color, but the Marc New York Canvas Dopp Kit is a combination of waxed canvas and leather trim.  That’ll do.

The Socks:  Gap Thick Stripe Socks – $7.50

Keep the rest of the outfit toned down.

They’re like Target’s Merona socks.  Only a few bucks more expensive.  Don’t pay full price.  Wait for a sale.  And even then, maybe wait until you need something to tip you over the $50 free shipping threshold for another item.

The Watch:  Seiko Orange Monster – $170 – $200

Underwater visibility = priority

A favorite of the dive watch / affordable automatic crowd.  Beastly in it’s proportions without getting too big across the dial.  Rubber band, nice thick bezel, and the orange dial sets it all off.  Image credit: Daystar.

The Shoes:  Hawkings McGill Wingtip Boots – $54.99 ($88)

Cognac leaning orange. Still plenty of brown tones.

Deceptively good looking for the price.  Hell, GQ even featured them in a slideshow (not sure if the photog/editors knew how cheap they are before they snapped the shots.)  They’ve held up extremely well for me with one exception.  The toes scratch up easily, but a bit of colored shoe creme will hide that damage.  A steal for the price.  Jeans.  Awfully good with jeans.  Ships free since U.O. gets it to you at $50.  Full review here.

The Bag: ASOS Canvas Barrel Bag – $31.33 ($62.67)

Hard to miss. Not the best for carrying large amounts of unmarked bills.

Cheap.  Real cheap.  And at 23×16.5×13.4 it’s got some good size to it too.  Big enough for the gym and then some.

Do you stay far away from orange?  Should anything be added to the list?  Leave it below…

Head to the airport with an all nylon duffel and you’ll look like you’re on the way to a weightlifting tournament.  All leather weekend bags can get real expensive real quick.  Working both leather and nylon or canvas into one bag can be ideal, and while close to $300, Blue Claw’s made in the USA Worton Weekender is a rare find that balances durability and distractingly good looks.

Contrast.  Gotta love that contrast.  Made from non-rip ballistic nylon and imported leather, the lighter tan option combines 21st century materials with a golden age of travel color scheme.  The leather is surprisingly thick.  It’s the real stuff.  No barely-leather melted down pieces on this thing.  The substantial quality of the leather adds a noticeable but not cumbersome weight.  The strips down the side panels make it look like anything but some old gym bag.  Light leather on a dark background might not work for everyone, so they offer a darker leather option too.

Carry-on approved, Blue Claw Co. claims it “fits in a regional jet’s overhead bin.“  That may be true, but stuffing this thing to the gills might make that fit close to impossible.  It’s not a small bag, and there’s plenty of room for more than a day or two away.

Just one criticism and it’s minor.  The thick leather on the top of the bag doesn’t seem to allow the opening to spread all that wide.  So while it looks and feels awesome, at first it’s a bit awkward getting things in and out while avoiding the teeth of the zipper.

If almost $300 is too steep of a price, or maybe you just don’t need all of that 21.5″x11″x11″ space, they do offer a slightly smaller, rounder style duffel for more than $100 less.  Another option is their overnight bag, which offers about half the space of the Worton and comes in at $198.  A dopp kit, shoe bag, and garment bag are also in the Blue Claw Co. Arsenal.

Made in the USA, tough as nails, and great looking.  Nobody loses here.  Except maybe the poor guy behind you getting off the plane who’s stuck lugging a torn up old duffel with a puma on the side.

Win it: To enter for the Blue Claw Co. light leather Worton Weekender, send your first and last name in an email to contests@dappered.com with the subject: Worton.  One entry per person.  Deadline is 11:59pm E.T. on 1/31/12

UPDATE:  Congrats to Chris C. who won the drawing for the Worton Weekender.  Thanks again to Blue Claw Co.

The Dark Leather Worton Weekender as carried by someone much better looking than most.  For the full pic as well as more pics of her (and the Worton in action) head to the Blue Claw Co. Facebook page.

Made in the USA from Bison leather.  Guaranteed for life.  Dimensions are 12x22x11 which means it has just under 3000 cubic inches of space inside.  Plenty for a weekend trip.  Also comes with a shoulder strap.  Pinky toe would be surrended by way of simple surgery, complete with anesthetic.  The choice of which toe is surrendered is up to you.  NOTE: Duluth Pack is not offering to, nor would they ever exchange their terrific goods for body parts.
.

…….

 Well?  Would you?

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.

Set the tone before you even leave your place.  Get your stuff in something better looking than a gym bag.  Any of these should do.  One should be fine for the light packers, two should do it for trips that take more than two nights.
.

Frost River Flight Bag – $120 – $140

All aboard.

If you prefer the look of rugged over urban polish, then this is probably the best deal in weekend luggage.  Made in the USA, incredible waxed canvas exterior, and leather accents that are incredibly soft for the price point.  Comes in either plenty big (small) or “I might not come back” (large).  Full review here.

Ted Baker Bowling Bag – $74.90 ($150)

Does come with a shoulder strap.

Faux leather all the way but has just enough character and a low enough price.  Nice TB retro logos on the hardware.  Nothing fancy here, just a simple, extended bowling bag shape.

Ernest Alexander Duffel – $180 w/ code DAPPER ($225)

Bright red also available.

Available through Bonobos so you know the shipping (free and fast) and return policies.  If only all barrel style duffels looked this good.  Could be less if you bought one of those half price deals Bonobos ran recently.

Bellino Voyager Duffel – $92.99 ($116)

Available in brown or black

The costs stay low thanks to the brushed twill exterior that sort of resembles suede.  Leather accents on there too.  Contrast stitching and a real good reputation over at eBags.  Get it through buy.com and you get the lower price.

Lands’ End Canvas 1963 Trip Bag – $140.00

Tough with plenty of room.

Could be more like $110 if you were able to snag one of those LEC Living Social deals.  Big.  Not enormous, but at 18x12x15 it’s big enough to get you through an extra long weekend.  Waxed canvas feels great in your hands, leather accents, and it appears to be built for the long haul.  Rugged side grab handle pays homage to true duffels.

Fossil Jackson – $165.99 ($198)

Overstock has these two colors on sale.

Finding an all leather duffel under $200 is not the easiest thing in the world, and Fossil’s Jackson weekend bag is one of the few worth considering.  The leather quality won’t blow your mind, but many guys swear by it and it does stand out from the crowd.

L.L. Bean Signature Medium Zipper Duffel – $150.00

The mid sized option.

Also comes in a small and much larger size.  Waxed canvas exterior, leather bottom and handles, and plenty of room on the interior.  Unless you’re gunning for the navy or black color, or you’ve got some kind of L.L. Bean credit card that gets you points or something, you might want to get the Frost River instead.

Ossington Houston Duffel – $159.99 ($239)

Nice Stripes

If memory serves, these have been floating around on JackThreads for awhile.  Jackthreads might have it for around this $160 price or it might be a little less (can’t recall).  Some waxed canvas, some leather, and nice stripes.

Ben Sherman Small Duffel – $25.00 ($79.00)

All black is $25. With brown is shown here.

This one is a little on the smaller side (1200 cubic inches) so it’s probably best to be used as a second bag and not your primary.  But if you pack light?  Can’t beat the price.  Looks and feels just fine for $25.

Banana Republic Weekender – $198.00 (but can be had for $138 at 30% off)

A solid win for B.R.

Unlike their shoes, the BR weekender has had nothing but glowing reviews online, and if you’ve seen and held one in-store you know it’s not half bad.  Large too.  22x15x10.  Available in black as well.  Always on sale.

Seil Marschall Tote – $175.00

As good as a tote can get.

The “in good company” stuff on J. Crew can be over-priced and/or an eye roller.  This might be one of those.  Unlike most tote bags, this one comes with a zippered top.  Tough as hell looking sides and handles.  Made in Germany by a heritage brand.  Expensive, and small at around 1400 cubic inches.

The monster splurge:  Saddelback Duffel – $537.00

That'll do.

Damn.  I mean… damn.

And you?  What’s your preferred luggage for a quick trip out of town?  Your personal pick goes in the comments.

Deal available for purchase until 7/29/11. Voucher Expires 10/22/11

You will get specific instructions in your voucher email on how to redeem this purchase from the Bonobos website. NOTE: Voucher code should be entered as a “Gift Certificate” and not a “referral code.”

That’s the money line.  Right there.   Taken straight from the Daily Hookup’s website.  The deal they have for purchase right now is a spend-$60-get-$120 at Bonobos. You cash it in after you’ve applied any codes to your order.  Word is (so far) you can use a code and this deal at the same time.  For now.

They say you’ll get your gift certificate code within 48 hours.  The extra 30% off Sale code HEATWAVE is scheduled to expire on 7/31.   So that gives you time to use both.   There’s another code good on non-sale items floating around (more on that later) and then there’s always the new customer $50 off deal.   Lotta options.  Lots.  Let’s go to work:
.

Bonobos Seersucker Jacket & Matching Pant – $140.20 total w/ code HEATWAVE ($410)

There's still August.

That’s just ridiculous.  Seersucker isn’t for everyone, but most are scared off by the bright blue.   Go with the Spanish Moss (which looks grey, not green) and you won’t stick out like a Southern Dandy north of the Mason Dixon.

Chino/Linen Blazer in Navy or Steel – $115 w/code HEATWAVE ($348)

No, you don't get both for $115. Just one.

Cotton & linen blend from the Italian mill Marzotto (sounds impressive, looks even better.  Check out the up close pics on the fabric.)  Just north of $100 with free shipping.  Could be a new favorite.  Watch out for that button stance though.  Might be a little high depending on your torso.

Grenson Tyler Medallion Lace-up – $192 w/ code DAPPER ($315)

Expensive even after the discounts.

Yep, that’s the word. Dapper (not Dappered). Came in via style tip and it seems to take 20% off any purchase.  Even non-sale items.   Don’t know when this expires.  When combined with the $60 for $120, it drops the shoes to under $200.  (Note… if the code expires, the new customer email code gets you $50 off making them $204)

V-Neck, Polo, and Personality Milano Tie – $57.60 w/ code HEATWAVE ($283)

Yes, you do get all three for $57.60.

Regular price on these was a wince worthy $283.  On sale these three are $168.  Use the extra 30% off code and they drop to $117.60.  Cut that in half thanks to the $60 for $120 deal.  Not bad for sixty bucks.  Tie is an Italian made cashmere/silk blend.

British Tan Duffel – $120 w/ code DAPPER ($225)

24" long = it's a decent size.

Not on sale but a new arrival instead.  One hell of a good looking traditionally shaped duffel.  Bonobos knows what they’re doing when it comes to simple, clean design.  Also available in red and navy.  (Note… if you’re a newbie, the new customer email code actually makes it $5 cheaper)

The Bonobos $60 for $120 deal is on sale through 7/29.  Vouchers expire 10/22.  Warning:  No word on how fast it takes to get your voucher emailed to you, so sizes and selection might be decimated if there’s a slow response time.  No word on when the code DAPPER expires either.  HEATWAVE expires 7/31.  Top image via TheDailyHookup

As always, it’s incredibly tough to peg when Macy’s will launch a One Day Sale.  Sometimes a month and a half will go by between them, sometimes only a few weeks will pass.  One thing is certain: These are sales worth paying attention to.  The one-day sale prices are some of the best mark downs in the retail industry.   Here’s some of the best from the One-Day-Sale which runs Friday June 17 – Saturday June 18th.  Items marked with a * are “Web Busters.”   In store prices may match up, and may not.  Selection on all items (especially shoes) in store can vary greatly.

WARNING: The pickins, as they’d say, are mighty slim this time.  Hardly anything is on-sale online.  In-store might yield more results if you’ve got some shopping to do, but this is a brutally thin O.D.S.
.

Alfani RED Grey Sharkskin Slim Fit Suit – $199.98* (reg. $450)

Try a darker tie instead.

The affordable spring – to sometimes summer – to early fall wool suit.  Now just a touch under $200.  Arm holes can be a little low on these, so be prepared for that complication.  Hardly ever listed at full retail, but under $200 is a threshold that’s not broken too often.  These are suit separates, so you’ll have to buy the pants as well.

.

CR By Clubroom Slim Fit Checked Shirt – $18.99* (reg. $45)

Gingham = Checkers. Checks = tic-tac-toe

Button down collar means you can wear it casually with ease.  The CR tag means it’ll be slimmer, but still should require some tailoring.  Not too bad for $19.

.

Marc New York Weekend Canvas Duffel – $122.99 (reg. $165)

Even SWAT guys go on vacation

Looks like something that’d be packed with cash in a movie.  Tactical looking for sure, plenty of pockets, dark, and ready to get thrown in a trunk for a long weekend.

.

Jack Purcell Garment Dye – $42.99 (reg. $60.00)

This color = goes anywhere.

These are the real original Jack Purcells (not the newer incarnations with more fabric panels on the side).  Around $40 isn’t a half bad price for them either.  Usually they get stuck around $50.

.

Calvin Klein Carter Textured Lace-Up – $114.00 (reg. $140)

The symmetrical textured shoe

Continue to keep an eye out for these on HauteLook and Beyond the Rack.  The greys are tough to find, and Macy’s will ship them to you for free since they’re over $99.

.

Tallia Orange Check Houndstooth Sportcoat in red – $129.99 (reg. $250.00)

Skip the wacky patterned shirt.

You guys have seen this one before.  Macys.com claims the $129.99 price is the “LOWEST OF THE SUMMER SEASON!”  Problem is… it’s not officially summer, and… it was a couple bucks less on May 20th.  So I suppose their technically right (or wrong in their favor?), since most of us associate May with Spring and June with summer.  But still…
This current Macy’s One Day Sale ends Saturday 6/18.

Not all sales are equal, and while these two sales are so-so at first glance, if you play em’ right you can get away with a few steals.  Express is running a $30 off $75 sale with the code 1206, but also know that if you don’t want to blow $75, it’ll also knock $15 off any purchase more than $30.  Not bad.

For Lands’ End Canvas, their website is touting free shipping with a $100 purchase, BUT… if you use the code SSCANVAS and pin 1202, that’ll get you free shipping with zero minimum.  That’s a $5.95 savings if you want something small.  Let’s see what we can squeeze out of these codes:
.

Two Express 1MX Fitted Shirts – $49.80 (reg. $119.80)

Can't go wrong with white and light "horizon" blue

At first I thought I was doing the math wrong.  Express does allow you to double up on offers, and they’re currently running a buy one 1mx at full price, and get a second for $19.90.  That adds up to $79.80.  Or, $4,80 over the $30 off threshold.  Express NEVER does that.  it almost always works out to being just under.  Not just over.  If you use the coupon code on just one shirt, you’ll get $15 off the full price and it lands at $44.90.  So in essence, you’re getting a second 1mx for $4.90.  Well, uh… sure then.
.

Lands’ End Canvas Gingham Pocket Square – $6.99 (reg. $9.50 plus shipping)

Well worth the small cost.

Ready to start wearing laid back pocket squares?  Sure you are.  Say you got a black, lightly structure, cotton blazer.  Something like this one from the GAP.  But you’re thinking it might look too dark on spring and summer evenings.  Throw a gingham pocket square in breast pocket, keep the rest of your getup light, and you’re set.  Seven bucks.  Shipped.  Criminey, shipping is usually six.
.

Express Large Duffel Bag – $49.90 (reg. $79.90)

At least the lion isn't neon green.

DAMN it Express.  Must you logo everything?  Maybe you can use a razor blade to remove it.  Maybe you can sew something else over it.  But the one review is encouraging, saying that it’s much larger than expected.
.

L.E.C. Purple/Black Tie – $14.99, Large Check Scarf – $8.99,  Navy Gingham Tie – $15.99

Patterns and texture everywhere.

I’ve had my eye on that purple and black knit rugby stripe tie for awhile now.  For the scarf, I’m not on board the accessory scarf for men train, but with a steady hand, a sharp pair of scissors, and a careful fold and starched ironing job?  That’s at least three big check pocket squares there.  And the gingham tie is all warm weather.

Just a few idea starters for your Friday.  The Express $30 off $75 and $15 off $30 sale with code 1206 ends 3/27.  The free shipping with code SSCANVAS and pin 1202 doesn’t end until April 5th.  Nice.  Thanks LEC.

Use code SPRING2011 for the 20% off.  Good on orders $120 and up

Better. But absent.

Tommy Hilfiger’s retro/classic looking “Fieldhouse” luggage collection has made a comeback… but where’s the brown option?  For those of us that have the smaller, non rolling duffel, the larger rolling version might make a nice longer trip companion.  But again, where’s the brown?

Nifty that the collection has at least made a small return to existence on the official Hilfiger website, but of the three color scheme options that were once available (red, brown, and navy) the navy might be the toughest on the eyes.  Kinda looks like Grimace is giving Ronald McDonald a hug.  Or… something else.  Perhaps the other two color layouts are on the way?

I picked up the slightly smaller, non rolling duffel a couple years ago at Macy’s, but no sign of them at Macy’s.com at this time.  Ebags has the the expandable uprights in brown, but the larger rolling duffel with the buckles across the top looks better.  It also allows you to pick it up and go easily by way of the well balanced top handles.

My smaller duffel has served me extremely well, looks great, and I got it for a song.  Is it as rugged or as durable as say, the flight bag from Frost River?  Not a chance.  But it can hold its own just the same.

How do you feel about that Navy color scheme?  Too loud?  Leave your take in the comments section below…

..