10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – June 2011

Seventy Five dollars.   That’s a lot of money.  It’ll get you a couple pairs of Levi’s, a nice dinner out, or a couple months at your local gym.  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.
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1. Lands’ End Canvas Italian Silk Knit Tie – $12.50 (reg. $39.50)
Could get cheaper. If it doesn't sell out.

Lands’ End Canvas has brought back their “classifieds” section in which clearance items get marked down drastically throughout the week.  The longer the items stay in stock, the cheaper they get.  Remember the black and purple LEC tie?  Same one here, without the purple.  Perfect width, great feel, and ties an amazingly nice knot.  Ships free on Wednesday 6/15 with the code WEDNESDAY2 and the pin 8566

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2. Johnston & Murphy Brennan – $73.97 (reg. $129.95)
Ships free too.

Yes these get a lot of play here.  But they’re incredibly comfortable and just different enough.  A touch over $70 ain’t a bad price either.  Ships free if you choose super saver shipping.

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3. The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s Pima V-Neck – $17.54 (reg. $79.50)
A whopping 78% off.

Full marks to Kathan for sending in the style tip on these.  It’s just a pima v-neck sweater, but “The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s” has earned a good rep.  Haven’t seen it in person, so fit is unknown.  Nine, count em’ nine colors to choose from.  Shipping is $6.00 (unless you spend $100, then it’s free).  They ding you on return shipping too.

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4. Leather NATO Watch Straps – About $20.00 a piece
Can make an old forgotten watch a new favorite.

Nylon and grosgrain is nice and all, but the extra beef (pun not intended) you get with the leather NATO band is pretty unique.  Find some old watch you never wear anymore, rid it of the worn out band, and lace your choice of black or brown leather strap through the spring bars.

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5. Jack Spade Monza Single Fold Slim Wallet – $35.00 (reg. $50)
Different but not weird.

Most guys carry around a brown, plain, bifold or trifold. Consider instead a forrest green, perforated (just like the steering wheels on old sports cars), super slim wallet like this one.  No surprise Jack Spade makes it.

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6. Kenneth Cole REACTION Cotton Blazer – $39.99 w/code SUMMER (reg. $99.98)
Ends up closer to $50 with shipping & Taxes

Old Navy isn’t selling their ready to be beat to death cotton blazers right now (they’ve got a linen blend though).  So if you’re looking for something that’s light, relaxed, and airy, this seems to be the best dirt cheap option.  A little big through the middle, so could use some tailoring, but feels surprisingly good.

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7. Seiko 5 SNKK31 Black Dial & SNKK25 White Dial – $70.00

Lots of potential here.

Like the kid brother of the SNZJ 5-series.  Might be a little too business casual for some, so consider getting the links out of there and instead swapping in a leather band with contrast stitching.  Smallish dial at 38mm, nice arrow-point hour hand, and with a bit of customization?  These could look pretty slick.

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8. A good set of Collins Glasses – $35.99 via Williams-Sonoma
The anti-bowl.

You wouldn’t drink a glass of wine out of a red plastic cup right? (Some of you, don’t answer that).  Just about any summer drink should go in these tall and lanky glasses.  Check your local thrift store for ultra cheap options.

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9. Alfani Moon Plain Toe Lace Ups – $76.49 (reg. $89.99)
Ready for jeans and chinos.

A surprisingly nice casual lace-up from Macy’s Alfani brand.  Burnishing in person isn’t that noticeable, the leather feels okay (it is under $100) and they’re strangely comfortable.  Something you’ll reach for when going out in denim.

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10. Fifth&Brannan Multi-Plaid Pocket Square – $35.00
A splurge that won't wreck your checkbook.

$35 is a good chunk to spend on a pocket square but this one is worth it.  Here’s why: Fifth&Brannan is the brainchild of Katie Wintrode, who is Barron from The Effortless Gent’s better half.  It’s as grassroots as a brand gets.  She’s hands-on designed it all, the fabrics are top of the line, and everything is made right here in the USA.  Public shop launch isn’t until June 20th, but you can still take 15% off with the code firstlook.  Then fill out their feedback form here.

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

Joe

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