Want to raise some eyebrows?  Walk into an Urban Outfitters in a three piece suit.  It’s like a bizzaro version of some dude in roughed up clothes walking into a luxury store, only to be followed around because the sales associates suspect a shoplifter.  Put on a suit, head into an Urban Outfitters, and all of a sudden you’re the man there ready to keep some people down.  Some get all itchy looking.  You’re a Real Housewife, they’re Holden Caulfield.

But Urban Outfitters still carrys some solid goods at real reasonable prices.  Examples follow.  Free shipping kicks in at $50 and returns are free in-store.
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Merrell Wilderness Canyon Boot – $119.99 ($200)

For more than just an urban enviornment

Was under $100 during the Nordstrom after half-yearly-sale sale.  But sizes got short quick.  If you want more substance over style but still have something that’s not too freaky looking, then these are a good pick.  Suggested over here by Mark in the comments.

Ben Sherman Onion Stitched Nylon Quilted Jacket – $79.99 ($149.00)

Bill Raftery approved.

The Ben Sherman brand always has a decent markup on it, but during a sale like this it comes down to more reasonable territory.  A lighter jacket for sure.  Quilted, but with a rounder “onion” stitch.  Corduroy at the collar.  An alternative for those who don’t want a field type of jacket, and don’t want some puffy insulated thing either.

Spiewak A1 Jacket – $49.99 ($189)

Look closely, and it looks like it's symmetrical.

See the red arrow?  There’s a triangle reinforcement detail there if you look closely, just like on the other pocket.  The tan version seems to indicate that being the case too.  Thinkin’ this hasn’t sold because people think it’s got a weird sort of asymmetrical style thing going on.  But it doesn’t.  Field jacket, utility, workman style?  Yes.

Sebago by The Brothers Bray & Co. St. Croix Camp Moccasin – $79.99 ($125)

So what if the boat is in storage?

Upgraded moc from Sebago.  Premium leather uppers.  Black in color with classic corded laces and a contrasting brown sole.  Boatshoes that you can pull off even in winter.  Wear some wool boot socks with em’ around the house.

Rothco Canvas Duffle – $24.99 ($39)

A thing to put things in. And take them places.

No one will ever… ever accuse you of carrying a man purse.  18.25 x 9.75 x 10  If you really want something this plain, might be worthwhile to check your local Army/Navy surplus store.

Sperry Top Sider Flannel Boot – $99.99 ($140)

Flannel boatshoe boot. Lumberjack Admiral at your service.

Not for everybody.  And we’re running short on time to use em’.  They won’t look or feel all that right come May, unless you’re living pretty close to the arctic circle (or, very much in the Southern Hemisphere.)  Hand sewn.

Levi’s Military Jacket – $59.99 ($98)

Sorta jean jacket like. Kinda.

Great brand and a good look.  Speaking of looks, it holds more than a slight resemblance to this one over here.  Description says it has a “tough woven poly shell” and it certainly looks like it could handle more than a windbreaker.

Hawkwings McGill Wingtip Boot – $54.99 ($78)

Better than the cheap price.

Still love mine.  Some wear started showing pretty early at the toes, but… a) I was treating them like crap.  And b) A little bit of Meltonian colored shoe creme fixed them right up.  Also recently featured by GQ in a slideshow.  Not sure if they know how cheap these things are.  Available in the tan leaning cognac leaning orange (more on that next week…) black, and a brown suede for $40 that looks much less rich in person.  Review of the leathers here.

Industrial Rolling Side Table – $99.99 ($169)

$10 shipping? But it has wheels!

Most likely tougher looking online than it actually is.  Costs an extra $10 to ship.  Seems expensive, but furniture seems to be jumping in price these days.  Much better looking than milk crates.  Still too pricey?  More on how to furnish your place for cheap over here.

No word on when this current Urban Outfitters sale ends…

The extra 20% off will even come off stuff that was rotting (marinating?) in the clearance section.  Again, it’s pretty much all on sale, and the extra 20% off lasts only through today.  That extra 20% makes a difference.  For example:
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Calfskin Monk Strap Desert Boot – $118.80 ($198)

Your Clarks might get jealous?

Those are something.  Monk Straps slapped on a crepe sole desert boot.  Terrific lighter tan color and leather linings.  No reviews yet so these are a bit of an unknown.  Already on sale.

Linen and Cotton Chalk Stripe Sport Jacket – $99.20 ($248)

Nice crocodandies.

Already on clearance with oddly all sizes available (for now.)  Chalk stripe, pick stitching, un-constructed, and a linen/cotton blend woven in Ireland.  No word on the off the rack fit, so it’ll probably need to be tapered at the sides by your tailor.

Garment Dyed Unlined Sport Jacket – $79.20 ($198.00)

As casual as Brooks Brothers will get.

Like the striped sportcoat above, this one started out pricey but can now be had with the clearance + sale + extra 20% off trifecta for close to GAP pricing.  Lapels look trim, only available in black.  Most sizes seem available.

Chukka Boat Boots – $76.80 ($128)

Winterized.

Kind of like Sebago’s Beacon, on with more boat shoe influence.  Great color combo, and the price isn’t half bad.

Four Brooks Brothers Dress and/or Sport Shirts – $140 – $160ish

But will anyone buy four shirts at once?

Here’s how this works.  If you buy two shirts you get 25% off (plus the extra 20% off today.)  Buy four or more and you get 40% off plus that extra 20% off.  So you really have to be the buy-in-bulk type to get these down to around $35 a piece.  Most of us don’t purchase four shirts at once, but it’s worth noting.  Shirts from Left:  Blue Oxford, White Oxford, Medium Tattersall, Red Plaid Sport Shirt.  All regularly $79.50 except the tattersall which is usually $69.50.  All styles shown here are available in the maybe-you-won’t-need-tailoring extra-slim fit.

Pebble Card Case – $34.80 ($58.00)

Lotta class for the price.

For the same price of a glass smooth Calvin Klein card case, you can snag this Brooks Brothers pebbled card case.  That won’t happen all that often during the year.

Lambswool V-Neck Arm Stripe Sweater – $38.16 ($79.50)

Varsity look might be too much for some.

An in-person with the same sweater (bought through Park & Bond) left a little to be desired when it came to the fit.  Despite some glowing reviews saying it wasn’t boxy, it does seem to have a little more room in the sides and arms.  Might want to consider sizing down.

The Splurge:  Levi’s 501 Made in the USA for Brooks Brothers – $88.80 ($148)

Expensive, but a nice investment for some.

Plenty put a premium on Made in the USA.  And there’s a boat load of us who swear by the fit of a 501.

Ray-Ban Caravan – $75.00 ($125) | Ray-Ban New Wayfarer – $71.40 ($119)

Back down to 40% off pricing.

If you’ll notice they say this sale is “up to” 40% off.  These, with the extra 20% off, actually get them down to that 40% off wall.  They were the same price during the accessories sale earlier this month.  More on the New Wayfarer here.

Rib Knit Merino Winter Hat – $40.80 ($68)

Santa screw up your hat order?

Just like the sunglasses above, these are now back down to 40% off.  Rib, almost cable knit, merino wool, and a “water repellent Teflon finish.”

Made in the USA Cedar Shoe Valet – $76.80 ($128.00)

Helps. Big time.

The affordable luxury shoe shine valet, if there can be such a thing.  Just north of $75, but it’s made in the USA, comes with a couple of horse hair brushes, two daubers for applying the polish/creme, and a couple other essentials.  Shining your shoes is much, much easier with one of these setups.

Leather Moccasin Boots - $148.80 ($248)

An investment, but plenty tempting.

Stitching around the toe like this (sometimes called an “apron toe”) can be awfully hard to keep dressy and slim, but somehow this boot looks like it accomplishes just that.  All without losing their should-work-with-jeans look.  $100 off through today.  Goodyear welt construction.

Greyhound Walking Stick – $88.80 ($148)

Perfect for shaking at clouds.

You bet your kester this is happening when I hit 80.  Now get the hell off my lawn.

The Semi-Annual Brooks Brothers sale ends Wednesday January 4th, while the extra 20% off ends 12/26/11…

Taking a spin around Bloomingdale’s with a Kohl’s level budget requires a sale, maybe a code on top of that, and some discipline.  Two of the three are covered below, so if you’re a little weak in the “I don’t know if I should really spend money on this” department, feel free to take out your wallet and chuck it across the room.

Plenty of their Men’s department has been marked down, and an extra 10% can be knocked off if you join their email list.  That extra 10% is reflected in the prices below, but know that your code may take “up to three business days” to arrive in your inbox.  You get a welcome email, and then after that a 10% off code.  The sale ends 10/30, so if you’re really interested in something, you might end up s.o.l. on this extra 10% off pricing.
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Red Wing Iron Ranger – $176.40 ($290) | Frye Dakota – $112.14 ($178)

Two impressive boots.

Two well respected boots marked way, way down. Especially the Iron Ranger. It’s tough to find Red Wings for an affordable price, and while $176 is no small bill to pay, they are made in the USA and built to last a lifetime.
UPDATE:  Bloomingdale’s doesn’t have the right pic for the color on the Red Wings.  They’re showing the much darker Amber color while apparently selling the Hawthorne brown, which is much lighter.  The correct pic is over at NordstromMany thanks to Rett for the catch.  And know that both of these boots won’t ship for a bit.  Credit Brock for noticing that. 

Levi’s Coated Military Jacket – $101.25 ($150)

Coated cotton = poor man's leather jacket.

That dark line between the left shoulder epaulet and the neck is actually the end pull on a zipper.  There’s a hood stowed in the collar, and that zipper pull almost makes it look like the epaulet makes some freakish jump up to the neck.  But it doesn’t.  Looks like a much more expensive version of this.

Barbour Liddelsdale Slim Fit Jacket – $93.87 ($149)

Cord collar and quilted.

For those who’d like something a little different than the standard utility type jackets or the short jackets like the Levi’s seen above.  Quilted and slim fit.  Sorta like this with sleeves.

The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s White Dress Shirt & Gingham – $50.09 ($79.50)

Slimmer fit too.

You know a department store’s house brand has a good reputation when they don’t need to come up with some odd name to cover up the fact it actually is a house brand.  Expensive even on sale, but comes in an updated “contemporary” fit.  The gingham is about as small as gingham gets.

Bloomingdale’s Satin Stripe Tie – $39.49 $59.50)

Someone send one to Shannon Sharpe

Not a lot of risk in these.  A wider 3″ but not gigantic either.  The key with striped ties is to keep the number of colors from getting out of control.  Same goes for the width of the stripes.

To Boot New York “Aaron” Oxford – $185.85 ($295)

Sleeker than an Allen Edmonds.

Sadly only available in black, but a rare under $200 price for maybe the best looking dress shoe out there.  Full in person over here.  Made in Italy, and as good as it gets when it comes to a modern shape and classic details.

To Boot New York Lucca – $185.85 ($295)

Sorry double fans. Just one buckle here.

Not a double monk, but a single with what looks to be the identical sleek but not too pointed shape of the Aaron.  Also under $200 if you get a 10% off code.

Bloomingdale’s Camel and Red Block Scarves – $30.38 ($45.00)

From their in-house line.

They’re not wool but instead acrylic, but it all depends on what  kind of color you want to add to your winter coat.  Either of these will brighten up your neck without going overboard.

Waterproof Options:  Cole Haan Chukka – $143.64 ($228) | Tretorn Sub – $47.25 ($75)

Rain rain... bring it on.

Given the texture of your suit (think heavier like flannel) you might be able to get away with wearing the Cole Haan’s all day.  The Tretron on the other hand… probably not.

Jack Spade Dipped York Brief – $154.35 ($245)

Would you carry it?

This would make for an interesting “would you carry it?” segment.  Not real traditional, but that’s what Jack Spade excels at.  Canvas bag, waxwear handles, and dipped in latex so the bottom is waterproof.  Not your Dad’s attache.  On sale in the black and the much lighter grey.

Ralph Lauren Reversible Belt – $40.95 ($65) | Centerbar Belt – $53.55 ($85)

Not dress belts.

Both certainly lean casual and expensive too.  At least with the reversible belt you get two for one when it comes to colors.  The centerbar belt has you paying for the distinctive buckle.

Small Leather Travel Case – $18.90 ($30)

Nothing more than what you need.

For the minimalists who just want something to put their toothbrush and razor in when traveling, but would rather not resort to a Zip-Loc.  Under $20 but shipping is a pain.

Not a field jacket nor windbreaker.  It’s more of a trucker jacket (or yes, an almost carbon copy of the classic Levi’s denim jacket) with that thick textured bomber-like Sherpa collar tacked on.

The color is perfect for wearing with jeans.  Almost has a Carhart look to it, but it’s more fitted than your grandpa’s old coat he used to wear while cleaning leaves out of the gutters.

Button cuffs, nice tabs at the waist, and it looks like the Sherpa-style insulation goes all the way down the back of the jacket.  Unlike many Sherpa jackets, the fuzz on this one is much darker than the standard off white, so it blends in a little more.  At under $90 it’s not a heavy investment by any means, and looks like it’d best serve its purpose when it’s not quite freezing, but colder than cool.  Free 3-5 business day shipping since it’s from Piperlime.

But would you channel your inner Stetson wearing Tom Brady and put it on this fall?  Leave your take below.

Also available in a “graphite” grey, which the collar blends in with even more:
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Credit to Shawn and Andy for sending in the style tips.

Here’s the bad news.  You have to spend over $100 for free shipping to kick in.  That’s not happening.
Here’s the good news:  Even with the shipping (about $7.50) tacked on, the discounts are deeper than usual.

You’ll need the code EXTRA30 (which is right there on their site) to take 30% off sale items.  The $100 free shipping kicks in AFTER the code is applied, so if you’re gunning for free shipping, remember it’s just an extra $7.50.  Here’s a hypothetical $100 post code rundown:
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Levi’s 514 in Coated Rigid – $27.93 ($59.50)

Look, something other than 501s...

Slimmer than a 501, so if you’ve got bigger legs, these aren’t for you.  Deep dark inky blue, still some good sizes left, and stitching which contrasts with the denim but leans more dirty off -beige than corn kernel yellow.

Levi’s Capsize Crew – $20.93 (reg. $55.00)

Weekend wear for sure.

Tough to escape the nautical look this year.  This crewneck is a solid way to embrace it, without going full Gordon’s Fisherman.

Levi’s Compass Crew – $27.93 (reg. $60.00)

The gym class upgrade.

As counter-intuitive as it might feel, try wearing this over a button up shirt.  Doesn’t have to be anything real nice, maybe some old ratty thing you got at the thrift store.

Levis Western Short Sleeve Black/White Gingham Shirt – $27.93 (reg. $54.50)

Not too country.

The SSBU did surprisingly well yesterday.  For those of us who don’t like that particular style, it’ll take something in a pattern like this (summery gingham) with a slim fit like a western shirt, and thanks to the non-plaid the white pearlized buttons blend in more than normal.  Perfect for doing nothing, or doing nothing while drinking your favorite canned beer.

Total Cost:  $104.72.  Which is a lot of money to spend to just save $7.50 on shipping.

The Levi’s Extra 30% off Sale Items code EXTRA30 expires 7/6/11

Building a wardrobe is almost always a process and not a one weekend affair.  But what if you had to blow up your closet and start from almost scratch?  Sure you’d keep a few things.  Maybe have your tailor make a few tweaks, and keep a favorite pair of beat up boots.  But what about the rest?   Suppose you were also on a strict budget of $1500.

Over five weeks we’ll explore some of the best options for remaking a budget friendly guy’s wardrobe one section at a time.   A lot of these will be basics and necessities (but not underwear or socks).   It probably won’t be easy, some corners will be cut, but the total budget is set at a strict $1500.   Let’s see how far we can stretch it.
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The Jeans: Levi’s 501 Original in Clean Rigid – $44.00 ($58.00)

Predictable, but as close to perfect as it gets.

Like the Indochino Ultimate Gray last week, this pick is stunningly predictable.  But it had to be made.  GAP denim has that pesky waistband stretching issue.  The L.E.C. Straight fit might be a little too bulky & their slim fit might be too tapered.  The 501 in the non-whiskered deep & dark “Clean Rigid” color can be worn almost anywhere, w/ anything, and the fit is dead between the almost too tight 514 and slightly loose 527.  Button fly, and instead of bee-yellow stitching, these come with a toned down stitch which leans more towards taupe or grey.  Ships free w/ email signup.

The Chinos: Lands’ End Canvas Straight Fit Chino in Granite – $16.99 ($39.50)

The non-khaki khaki.

Almost all of us were raised on khaki colored chinos and that’s what most men still reach for into adulthood.  Grey allows you to wear all sorts of blue shirts, blazers, and polos, without looking like a Best Buy employee.  They won’t look out of place in winter, & these from L.E.C. are dirt cheap.  Too big for your taste?  Your tailor can slim em’.

The 5-pocket Chinos: Brooks Brothers Slim Fit Vintage Chinos – $34.75 ($69.50)

The Khaki that's not really a khaki. In Khaki.

Probably a bit too modern for the more traditional Brooks Brothers shopper, and that’s most likely why they’re on sale.  Washed cotton with a five-pocket denim layout in a true slim fit (Surprise!  Brooks Brothers can make one).  These are chinos that look a little more like jeans, wear a little more like jeans, but certainly aren’t jeans.

TOTAL COST: $95.74
CASH REMAINING: $237.76.

Upcoming Categories: The Rest – 6/8
For Previous $1500 Wardrobe Selections, click here.

Free shipping kicks in at $100.  Code expires today, Monday 5/23
UPDATE: Levi’s/Dockers is now doing free shipping, no minimum.  Nice catch by the fellas in the comments.

Anyone seen the price of a pair of Levi’s recently?  They’ve jumped by about $10.  501s are pushing $60 for the good dark colors in a lot of department stores.  That’s a big leap.  Reports have been saying cotton prices are going up for awhile now, and the proof can be seen in the shot to the groin GAP shares took on Friday.  Down 17%.

If you’re in the market for some denim of chinos, now might be the time to invest.  Levi’s and Dockers (same company) are running a site wide 30% off Friends and Family sale.  Free shipping kicks in at $100 too, so here’s two strategies (one for Dockers, one for Levi’s.  Can’t cross pollinate like GAP) on how to spend a Ben Franklin:
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Levis:  The Jeans – 501 Original Clean Rigid – $30.80 (reg. $58.00)

The standard.

Wait, just one pair of jeans?  Exactly.  The one pair of jeans you need.  Dark blue, no distressing, 501 fit.  (Yeah, I’m a 501 honk.)  If you’re a slim straight, bootcut, or even skinny fit, go with your standard.
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Levis:  The Other Stuff – Braided Belt – $27.65 | Capsize Crew – $27.23 | Tee – $17.43

Nice braiding, nice colors, nice contrast neck.

Braided belts are for whatever reason “back”… but this one looks nothing like a belt you could have swiped from your old man’s closet half a decade ago.  Roller buckle, thicker braids, not a bad way to mix it up.  The Capsize Crew is perfect nautical style in a weekend crew-neck.  The Tee?  Even non v-neck guys might give that one a shot.  Slim fit too.

Total:  $103.11 Ships free by three bucks.

Dockers:  The Pants – Slim Soft D1 – $21.00 ($52.00) | SF Tapered in Red – $34.99 ($98.00)

Kinda slim, and quite slim.

The Slim Soft D1 (no crease on these, slight washed feeling) are by far the best of the common Dockers lines out there.  Dockers might be messing with their fits, but these are the most modern aside from the SF Tapered.  Which… might not be for everyone… but if you’re going to go with the tapered, why not go full Italian with the Red color?  Both are already on sale.  The extra 30% off still applies.
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Dockers:  The Other Stuff – Man t-shirt – $6.99 | Mini-Plaid Tie – $20.99 | O-ring belt – $20.99

Other stuff is very... other.

The Man t-shirt seems to be the cheapest thing on the site.  Tees with logos/sayings on them are way over-played, but this one is pretty simple and to the point.  The tie is only 1.5 in width, so know that, and the O-ring belt comes in a blue and red as well.  The Green color could be a minimalists one splash of brightness for the summer.  All come from the sale section.

Total:  $104.97 Ships free by just under $5.00

WARNING: Know that while beating the free shipping game might be kinda fun… if you’re not in the market for anything extra, it’s not at all worth it.  Shipping is a VERY reasonable $7.50, putting that pair of 501s at under $40 out the door shipped.  The Friends and Family code FRIENDS expires Monday 5/23

Actor Shane West just did a style shoot with Men’s Health to promote his CW TV Series Nikita.  If you haven’t seen the show (me neither) know that he’s also one of the actors who fails miserably when attempting to “Draw out the Bluff” against Danny and Rusty in Ocean’s 11 (sidenote:  The Ocean’s flicks are WB films.  All the actors making cameos seemed to be under WB contracts at the time.  Is that the first time humans had been used as product placement?)

If you see the mag in store know that it’s not cover to cover style.  It’s a double cover issue, and the “style” side will be facing out.  The style section is maybe 1/8th of the magazine.  Smart move.  I was duped and didn’t realize said dupage until I got to the end of that thin style section and the pages became upside down.  Still not a bad issue to page through on your down time.  And not a bad look for your down time either.  Here’s how to get it for less:

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The Less Expensive Substitutes

The Sweater: L.E.C. Shawl Collar Cambridge – $28.99 or Express Double Breasted – $47.94
The Shirt: L.L. Bean Signature Gingham Poplin Dress Shirt – $65.00
The Tie: The Tie Bar Light grey wool tie – $15.99
The Jeans: Levi’s Straight fit 505 in “Range” – $40.00
The Watch: BOSS Black Square Stainless Steel Watch – $295.00

Final Analysis: There’s a lot of bad double breasted shawl collar sweaters out there.  The version Shane is wearing, by Theory, isn’t one of them.  Finding a suitable replacement is almost impossible (they just don’t make a ton of double breasted shawl collar jersey knit sweaters).  The LEC has everything but the double breasted look.

When wearing a tie with jeans keep it a textured wool, linen or knit.  For the denim, medium blue and not super dark jeans allow you to work in darker shades of green/grey/navy up top more easily.  For the shirt, you can get a cheaper option through J. Crew Factory but it’s one of their “washed” shirts, so don’t expect a crisp collar.  And for the watch?  Nice $8,600 Cartier.  The BOSS should suit the rest of us.

Can you see yourself wearing something similar?  Or is the tie too much?  Leave your answer below…

Use code TAKE10 for extra 10% off at checkout.

So you’ve already got a nicer looking duffel or weekend bag for those quick trips out of town.  But what about those times where you’re headed for an additional day or two and have just a little bit more to pack?

Enter the backup bag.  The not quite as good looking, but still good enough soft sided smallish piece of luggage.  Something that’s just big enough to fit your overflow gear into.  Say, if you’re headed to the mountains and don’t feel like wearing your hiking boots for four days straight.  Those go in your backup bag.

This option from Levi’s has it all.  It’s rugged, easy to stuff into some back corner of your closet, and cheap.  Just right to hold that extra stuff for a slightly longer than two or three day trip, or for holding your drinkables on the way back during a beer run made on your bike.

Shipping is an unfortunate $10.00.

Some of you have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to wearing logos.  And most of us who aren’t quite zero tolerance (and in some cases, consider some logos even to be a guilty pleasure), we get it.  Totally understand that you don’t want to be a walking billboard.  But if you’re really zero tolerance, do you rip the red Levi’s Tag from the back of your jeans?  What about your watch?  Do you put a small square of electrical tape over the brand’s marque, like it’s a  busted VCR flashing 12:00?

Logos are everywhere, and sometimes an otherwise well fitting & good looking garment gets ruined by that brand’s desire to advertise itself post-purchase.  But often the logo is barely noticeable or so timeless that it’s not that big of a deal.

So where do you draw the line?  What’s bragging, what’s tacky, and what’s just fine?  For purpose of getting to the bottom of this, here’s a starting point.  The obnoxious logos are to the left, and the more accepted and/or more ignorable logos to the right.  The not often used Banana Republic Elephant and Armani Eagle sit on the fence:

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Some notes:

• Notice there’s no Abercrombie & Fitch or Ed Hardy on the graph.  Those are off the chart.
• Yes that’s a Hollister Logo near the Louis Vuitton.  Rarely if ever mentioned on this site, they both puke their logos .all over everything.  Louis Vuitton is what Hollister addicts buy when they win the lottery.
• If it were 1999, Hilfiger would be on the far left side.  He’s toned down the use of the logo, & come a long way.
• The bigger the Ralph Lauren Pony, the farther to the left it should slide
• Notice there’s no J. Crew on the graph.  Points to them for not shoving a visible logo on all their stuff
• There are exceptions to every rule, and the logo doesn’t necessarily reflect the character of the wearer.

What’s missing & where would you put it?  Agreements, disagreements, & additions go in the comments section.