UPDATE: Looks like Voodoo Studio recently re-branded themselves as “Chester Mox”

Full marks to reader Robert V. for sending in the style tip about these guys.

Based out of Los Angeles, Voodoo Studio appears to be one of those small companies that makes drool-worthy leather goods at oddly affordable prices.  And thanks to the magic of the internets, we now know about them.

$55 for a wallet?  You can easily spend that at a department store on an above average looking billfold.  And these are made in the U.S. from Leather produced by the Horween Leather Company.

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For the most of us:  Horizontal Flap Closure Wallet in Tan – $58.00

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For those who want to splurge:  Shell Cordovan Wiry Flap Wallet in Black – $160.00

Not everyone will be thrilled with the flap style, and the least expensive options look a little bulky online.  The descriptions do claim they’re “still slim enough to fit easily in your back pocket, side pocket, or inner jacket pocket.” For those that prefer an ultra slim angle wallet or card case, they have those too starting at $35.00.

Full catalog over here.  Plenty of color options available.  Might make a nice Father’s Day or Graduation gift.  Their website states each wallet is made to order and ships out within 5-7 business days.

Never underestimate the power of a great looking leather chair.  I’m not talking about one of those over-stuffed numbers your grandpa had.  Those are the Buick Lesabres of the furniture world.  You want a chair that looked like it would have been at home in an upscale early 20th century club.  Something with shape, definition, that you can sink into but won’t be swallowed.

Believe it or not you can get all that in a chair that doesn’t cost more than a couple hundred bucks.

The Sullivan from Cost Plus World Market has some pretty standard looks but the sale price of $200 is incredible.  If you’ve got the cash and want to spend twice as much, consider the Cost Plus Hawthorne (below).  It’s sitting in the Dappered home offices right now and has become a fixture of the place.

Grab a book, grab a drink, grab the remote, or do all three.  You won’t be sorry, especially knowing how little you paid for the chair you’re sitting in.

Not cheap.  Hardly anything from Brooks Brothers is.  But allow me to make the argument for spending quadruple on this leather card case, compared to a plain one from say, Fossil.

It’s made in Italy.  It’ll last forever.  The stamped and patterned Brooks Brothers trademark looks terrific.  And if you’re going to splurge, accessories (but not watches) seem to be where you can get a good value for your dollar.

Plus, if you’re about to give your business card to a professional contact you want to make a good impression with… if they know Brooks Brothers, they’ll remember this card case.  And thus, they’ll remember you.

Available in Black and Dark Brown

You don’t have to be a rodeo champ to wear a belt that can get some attention.  Adding a belt with texture to your casual getup can turn your laid back style from downright boring into something opposite.

Both of these belts are affordable, and stand out in similar ways.  The French Connection belt has perforations that run the entire length of the leather and is topped off with a sleek buckle.  Bonus points for the subtle FC logo stamped into the leather.

The Topman Twin Stitch belt is a little less urban looking, with four lanes of stitching wrapping around your waist.  The roller buckle is perfect for weekends, bars, or both.

Just under $40 for the French Connection, and a few bucks under $30 for the topman.  Plus, they’re both sure to keep your pants up, and your shirts tucked in.

(Looking for basics? Check out the Dappered.com List of Essential Belts for Men)

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:

Driving loafers are big.  And for good reason.  They offer a stylish alternative to the usual frumpy grandpa styled loafers most middle aged men resort to.  That and drivers are extremely comfortable.  Especially so when you’re wearing them sockless with a lighter colored cotton suit, while behind the wheel of your hopefully fun to drive car, motoring around on a warm summer night.

Not a bad idea huh?

This pair from Kenneth Cole New York looks to be a really nice dress pair that would fit right in with that cotton summer suit.  Good shine to the leather, nothing too crazy with the details, and nice leather strap across that’s reminiscent of penny loafers.  But they look nothing like penny loafers all the same.  Good sleek shape and a great looking back end too.

On sale, all the good sizes still available… 40% off.

Way better looking than your average pair of department store Isotoners, these leather gloves from Tommy Hilfiger stand out with slightly contrast stitching on the top and palm side of the glove.

The warm brown leather looks like it could double as an early spring and fall driving glove, while the black leather is as classic as it gets.

Will you get to wear them much before the weather gets too warm?  Probably not a ton.  But you’ll have them for next year.

On sale for half off, cashmere lined, all sizes available.  S/M and L/XL

Hard to believe, but these two pairs of shoes actually have a few things in common.  First, the maker is Johnston & Murphy.  The same company that’s been providing shoes to the President of the United States, as a courtesy, since the Millard Fillmore administration.

And the second thing they have in common?  They’re both on sale for just under $100.  That doesn’t happen often with the Johnston and Murphy Brand.

The boot is a waxed leather, American Woodsman-styled boot.  Unforgivingly simple, and that’s what makes it look so good.  The loafer is the polar opposite.  Italian in inspiration, sleek and sharp with an absolutely perfect toe, it would go perfectly with a lighter gray suit.  Together these two pairs of shoes look like a classic Ford Pickup parked next to a Ferrari in the same Garage.

Obtaining both of those vehicles might be a pretty lofty goal… so we’ll just take the two pairs of shoes in our closet. 

For now.

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.

Cost Plus was already the number one place to go for decent quality and remarkably affordable leather chairs.  Their Hawthorne Chair is sitting right here in the Dappered Home Offices, and it’s a huge part of our favorite way to relax:

1. Make a drink / pour a beer
2. Put on some good medium tempo music like this, this, or this.
3. Sit in Hawthorne Chair

*Optional: 4. Read something.  But sitting is just fine.

If $300 for the Hawthorne is out of your price range, their Livingston Brown Chair (available only in stores) is a bargain at just $199.00.  The back curves around nicely and the exaggerated arms are classic but not boring.  And for just $200, it’s a steal

Put your feet up on a good ottoman, and you’ll be set.  Way better than some overstuffed and ugly la-z-boy any day.

So who are these Damon Castillo Band fellas? (The third “This” in the music picks up there) They’re tremendously talented, and genuinely some of the nicest guys in music. Check out one of their videos: