Top 5 Most Wanted – November 2011
Consider these to be power rankings. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month. The best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Agreements, disagreements, and additions are more than welcome in the comments section below.
Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months. Top Photo Credit
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5. L.L. Bean Signature Flannel Suit – $320.00
There’s not a lot of fall/winter suiting options that lean casual, but this one from L.L. Bean is like a cold weather version of their new traditional twill summer suit. It’s dressed up but can also dressed down with a patterned shirt, sweater, and no tie. This seems to have a better fit in the pants compared to the new traditional twill, and they replaced patch pockets for standard flaps on the jacket. A little pricey, but the jacket can be worn with jeans and the pants will be perfect on their own.
4. Florsheim Gaffney – $96.00 w/ code link20 + Custom Soles – $45
Credit to Aaron L. for coming up with the idea to change the sole. These are his boots. He wasn’t sure if he’d like the lug sole on the Gaffneys, and when they showed up he wasn’t thrilled. The rest of the boot was more than fine. So much so that he took them to his local cobbler, and they took the lug sole off and replaced it with a more traditional rubber sole. As he mentioned in the comments over here, it “completely changed the look of the boot.” Nice work.
3. Synovia Cedar Shoe Valet – $59.95
Shining shoes can be an odd balancing act without the help of a shoe valet and its support stand. For sixty shipped you get a cedar shoe valet with a sliding top so you can store your shoe care gear inside, and they throw in plenty of essentials to get you started if you don’t have any. Made in the USA too.
2. The Black Keys – El Camino
(available December 6th)
The Black Keys have a new album coming out in early December. Our music correspondent Tim Johnstone sent along the new single via email, in which the subject was only “this is all kinds of awesome, this is.” 8 seconds in and you know Tim’s dead on. Head this way for more on the star of the video for their first single “Lonely Boy.”
1. Timex Blue Q-Dial – $76.00* ($95) | Timex Intelligent Chrono – $165
Hot damn the blue Q-Dial is back. The code FALL2011 will get you 20% off through Timex.com too. Ships free as well. The chronograph doesn’t seem to be on Timex.com but does ship (and return) free through Amazon or Nordstrom. No word on when the Timex.com code expires.
I want that suit!
I plan on buying the shoe valet + this shoe tree http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/combination-shoe-tree-men/2934692?origin=shoppingbag for my Sebago Hamilton boots. Is it worth it? I do know own anything related to shoe care. Do I need something else?
Oh and since I live in Canada, I only get free shipping while ordering over $100 at Nordstrom. Anything I could use for $20?
Anybody know how the quality is on Synovia? That looks like a good deal.
I have a few sets of those shoe trees that I’m very happy with. They do the job for a reasonable price. I’m also eying the shoe valet, but doubt I’ll get it given my apartment’s lack of space.
In response to the re-soling of the Gaffney’s idea: I would say just go with the Hawleys instead. I just picked them up and the combination of the quality of the leather, the slim(mer) Danite sole, Goodyear welts, and price has made them a winner in my book. The color on the Hawleys is a little darker than the chestnut of the Gaffney’s, but not overly so; more of an acorn than chestnut.
How do they look with a navy or medium grey suit?
Should I wait for some kind of sale if I’m planning on getting both?
I couldn’t comment on how they look with those because I haven’t done it
(yet). I did wear them with some grey tweed pants and they looked
great. Also with some grey chinos (I’m all about grey pants), as well
as dark denim and they also looked spectacular. I would imagine that
they would work better with things that have a bit of texture; they
might not be dressy enough to pull off with finer materials.
My bad. Responded to the wrong thing. Stupid absent-minded clicking.
The Hawleys are nice, for sure, but if you’re looking for a grey suede or the lighter chestnut, those aren’t available (yet?) for the Hawley. Also, the Hawley has a bit more weight and thickness to it. Nothing wild, but they’ve got a little more junk in the trunk.
Lastcall.com 50% off Sebago Hamilton Brogue Boot in Black
Most sizes still available! for $82.50
http://www.lastcall.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod4740000
nice find with the hamiltons. I purchased them in brown and they are now by far my favorite pair of shoes. I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable they are.
Damn I have the Sebago Hamiltons in brown and they are so nice I’m tempted to get the black.
Wish I lived in a cold climate to put that suit to use.
does anyone thinks $76 is reasonable for a Timex watch? It’s difficult to stomach the price since it used to be $50 something at Nordstrom not too long ago. I know this one and many other Timex watches are not coming back to Nordstorm, so this will probably be the best deal for foreseeable future, but $76? For low/mid-end Timex watch?
Agreed. It seems steep but with those looks…
I just got the Gaffneys in the mail today. Rather than re-soling it, I’m throwing some Sno-Seal on the leather and putting that lug sole to use… in the Wisconsin snow.
Since it’s a quartz watch, I’d say no. Seems like you’re paying for the recent popularity of the brand and the looks of these particular models. BUT I’m a mechanical watch guy……
David C. thanks for the link! just bought them thanks!
Ordered the shoe valet and two shoe trees, but the shoe trees are backorder.
How do they fit? They don’t have my exact size and I’m trying to figure out if I should size up or down. Thoughts?
size down. I’m 9.5 in sneakers and 9 in most boots, so I got a 9, and while it is very comfortable I feel I could have gone a size smaller.