The $1500 Wardrobe

The Rest – The $1500 Wardrobe Part V

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’ve 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 Stainless Watch: Seiko 5 SNZJ63 – $142.45

Damn it Amazon. You completely wrecked my plan. Of course these Seiko 5s have been getting a huge amount of play on this website, but why jack the price up on the nothing short of perfect black dial/outer ring SNZJ59? Closest alternative is the orange accented version seen here. But it might be a bit risky with ultra-conservative attire. Still a looker that works 95% of the time. (Another option: This Bulova for $140. It’s a quartz, but looks sharp in person)

The Leather Watch: Timex 50s Vintage-Style Leather Strap Watch – $39.97 (reg. $95)

1500timex — The J. Crew Timex Alternative

For the times when a watch with orange on the dial just won’t work. Was $100, now just $40, a timeless face (which does a fine job telling the time) and that textured crown is nice.

The Pocket Squares: Target Merona Patterns – $5.00

1500 pocket squares — These + a white = great start.

For ten bucks you can more or less be set on non-white pocket squares. Sold as handkerchiefs. Iron and starch em’ up so they fit in your pockets and they’ll provide that extra bit of contrast and pop. If you don’t already have a plain, clean, crisp white pocket square… well there’s always the corner of a bed sheet?

The dressed down tie: TheTieBar Silk Knit 2″ Tie – $15.00

workplacetie — And goes just as well with a wool suit too.

You probably have neckties coming out of your ears, but what you might not have is a simple patterned knit tie that’ll pair well with almost everything. The white stripes are thin and spaced perfectly. $15 via thetiebar.com

The Card Case: Ralph Lauren Suffolk Slim Leather Card Case – $34.99 ($45.00)

1500cardcase — Black or brown. Black is the safer play.

As Merlin put it in the opening minutes of Top Gun: “We’re on Vapor… we’ve gotta land this thing…” With just over $30 left, options for a plain card case are almost non existent, but thankfully this thing just went on sale. Like, yesterday. Perfect for when you’re heading out and want to keep your cards in your inside jacket pocket and not in your usual billfold in your back pocket. Logo is stamped and tonal, and thus, not too intrusive.

TOTAL COST: $237.41
CASH REMAINING: $0.35

And with nothing more than one quarter and one dime to rub together, that’ll do it. You can’t even make a call from a pay phone for thirty five cents anymore. You can’t even FIND a payphone to make a call from a payphone anymore.
For The Entire $1500 Wardrobe, click here.