The Black Friday Budget: $343.31 Worth of Casual Style

The Black Friday Budget – $343.31 Worth of Casual Style

The numbers are in for Black Friday 2009 and the National Retail Federation is reporting that the AVERAGE Black Friday weekend shopper spent $343.31.

I know a lot of that is heavily weighted by super-expensive electronics purchases, but still.  That’s a ton of money for one shopping trip.

Wondering what you could get for $343.31 if you spent it the Dappered.com way?  So were we.  But we’re going to take this in two separate categories.  Business, and casual.  Why?  Because you really shouldn’t be wearing a $52.00 suit anywhere, and therefor one suit would take up an unfair amount of the total $343.31.  We’ll cover how far you can stretch $343.31 for dressed up style sometime in the near future.  For now, here’s what you can get, in the dressed down realm, for what the average 2009 Black Friday shopper blew this year:

1.) BDG V.O. Poplin Blazer – $68.00 ($275.31 left)

Where to get it: Through Urban Outfitters.com
Why it’s a good idea: An affordable, trim cut,  lightly structured casual blazer is a must.  It makes any casual outfit look much better than it actually is.

2.) Levi’s 514 Slim Straight, Color: Tumbled Rigid – $32.99 ($242.32 left)

Where to get it: Just about anywhere, but… Amazon has them.
Why it’s a good idea: It’s generally a good idea to have two shades of jeans.  Dark, and darker.  You probably already have the dark.  This is the latter.

3.) Banana Republic Boot Cut Chino, Color: Charleston Brown – $49.50 ($192.82 left)

Where to get it: Through Banana Republic.com
Why it’s a good idea: Sometimes you need to wear something other than jeans.  And unlike cords, you can wear these when the weather gets warmer…

4.) Merona V-Neck Cotton Sweater, Color: Black and White Stripe – $15.00 ($177.82 left)

Where to get it: Target stores, or online through their website.
Why it’s a good idea: It’s cheap, it’s versatile, it’s not plain but not obnoxious.

5.) Express Sweater Vest, Color: Gray – $19.50 ($158.32 left)

Where to get it: Express stores or through their website.
Why it’s a good idea: All hail the sweater vest!  Looks good at home, or at the office.  Less bulky due to the, uh… total lack of sleeves… and that also keeps the cost down.

8.) Express 1MX Shirt, Fitted, Color: Light Blue – $29.50 ($128.82 left)

Where to get it: Express Stores or Online
Why it’s a good idea: See here.

9.) Express 1MX Shirt, Fitted, Color: White – $29.50 ($99.32 left)

Where to get it: Express Stores or Online
Why it’s a good idea: Ditto.

10.) American Eagle Checked Oxford, Color: Harbor Blue – $29.95 ($69.37 left)

Where to get it: The clearance rack in the back of their stores, or… online at their website.
Why it’s a good idea: It’s classically American.  It’ll look good under the sweaters, with the blazer, or just plain with a t-shirt.  It also sports only a small American Eagle Logo… which is nice.

Pulsar Blue Face Fabric and Leather Band Chrono – $54.95 ($14.42 left)

Where to get it: Amazon.com’s watch store.
Why it’s a good idea: Because how are you going to know what time it is if you don’t have a watch?  This Chrono is rugged, cheap, and could go with the jeans and blazer when out for a beer.

American Eagle Striped Web Belt – $14.95 ($-0.53 left)

Where to get it: On the clearance rack at American Eagle or, at their website.
Why it’s a good idea: You need something to hold your pants up.  Right?

***Conclusion*** –  So we weren’t perfect.  If this were the Price is Right, we woulda lost the showcase.  But $0.53 over?  Dig that out of the couch cushions, and know you got some seriously good deals.