10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – February

Best Bets for Under $75.00 – February 2011

Seventy Five dollars.  That’s a lot of money.  It’ll get you a couple pairs of Levi’s, a nice dinner out, and it probably took care of one, two, or three people on your Christmas list this year.  Seventy Five dollars.  It is a lot of money, especially if you spend it right.  Ten picks follow, all under $75, and some of them are much, much less.

1. Ben Sherman Shawl Collar Lambswool Sweater – $74.49 (reg. $149)

A real hunker down and ride out the rest of winter sweater.  Shawl collar, subtle tonal logo on the left sleeve, and not a bad price for a 100% lambswool sweater.
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2. Kenneth Cole New York Wool iPad Case – $38.49 (reg. $68)

Pretty sure I want this iPad case more than I want an actual iPad.  For those of you who are into the tablet scene, not a bad way to carry around your keyboardless doohickey.
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3. Nordstrom Deerskin Driving Gloves – $32.90

For the guys who have a driving machine they love.  A little over the top, but… c’mon..
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4.  J. Crew Classic Leather Plaque Belt – $49.50

Not as wide through the leather and buckle as you’d think.  But that’s not a bad thing.  Flip through JCrew.com and you’ll see it in a ton of their pics for other items.  Ends up on sale every so often.
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5. Ralph Lauren Wool Buffalo Check Socks – $7.99 (reg. $14)

Y’know how bold stripe socks have kind of become the minimalists secret weapon when it comes to standing out quietly?  Consider these the next step in that arms race.  (Or… foot race)
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6. American Eagle No Logo Uniform Polo – $14.95 (reg. $24.50)

There’s a small contingent out there who either:  A. prefer pique polos,  B. can’t stand the chest pocket on the new Gap Slim Pima Polos, or C. Won’t shell out the $40 for the Express signature.  Here’s your best bet.  No AE logo on the front, so they’ll blend right in.  Not a fan of dealing with the overflow crowd from Abercrombie & Fitch?  Understandable.  Either order online, or… call ahead to make sure some are in stock, then hit up a brick and mortar on a weekday lunch hour.  Pray that it’s not some off day due to teacher in-service.
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7. Steve Madden Nockdown Casual Boot – $68.75 (reg. $128)

Say what you will about Steve Madden’s reputation for sometimes poor quality, and often over embellished & nauseating style.  As I type this I’m wearing a pair of beat to hell Steve Madden’s that aren’t too different from these.  Regular toe side zip boots, and they’re going on 5 years old.  They certainly won’t make it another 5, but, if the “Nockdowns” hold up in a similar fashion, they’re a bargain.
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8. David Donahue Sterling Silver Tie Clip – $45.00

There really wasn’t a reason to reach to far outside of the standard silver, plain tie bar style.  Then this super slim sterling silver version had to come along.  Nice.  Made in the USA.
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9. Via “Fossil Finds” Belgian Army Canteen – $25.00

Fossil has started this off the wall section of their website called “Fossil Finds.”  It features vintage, usually one of a kind items.  Somebody who works for Fossil is spending a lot of time at yard sales.  But the results can be pretty slick.  Like this swing top Belgian Army Canteen.  No clue if it’s actually an army canteen, or even suitable for holding water anymore.  Looks like it could though.
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10. Calibrate “Davis” Slip On Loafer – $79.90 (reg. $120)

All right, so, these didn’t quite make the $75 cut.  But for just under $80, that’s a pretty nice looking as well as nice and plain slip on.  Available in brown, black, and all sizes.

For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.