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. Smith and Wesson Watch – $38.63
| J. Crew Mougin & Piqard – $425
The J. Crew option sure as hell feels much more solid than the Smitth and Wesson cheap-o… but the styling is awfully close. 42mm vs. 41mm in diameter, so neither is tiny. Both are quartz. Neither shoots bullets.
2. 1901 Trim Fit Striped Dress Shirt – $23.90 ($49.50)
A Nordstrom house brand. Ships and returns free. Plenty of sizes, and one of those not-solid shirts we should all have at our disposal. Leans more casual for sure, but still has neck and sleeve measurements. Box pleat in the back. Wear it on the weekend under a V-neck or with that black moleskin blazer from last month.
3. Surcingle Striped Cotton/Leather Belt in red or green – $24.90 ($59.50)
Part of Rugby’s new Winter Sale. Started at $60 and was tempted. Dropped clear down to $35. Now $25? Hard to pass this up at this point. Now if they could only run an extra 20% off code, then this would get to $150…
4. BOSS Orange Leather Driving Gloves – $69.99 ($115)
The driving glove that’s a little more subtle than most. No holes at the knuckles, but you still get that opening at the wrist and slim profile. Made by Hugo Boss’s lower “Orange” line.
5. Eddie Bauer Omaha Boot – $79.95 ($90.00 Ships free with code SHIPR)
Suede uppers, padded collar, red laces. No, they will not, I repeat, NOT get you through Philmont… BUT, like these, no one is asking them to. And at least they’re coming from a brand that has a smidgen of outdoor experience. Perfect for the weekend and light (again, light) hikes.
6. “Build your Own” Tesla Model S web feature – Free (the car is $50k – $70k)
It looks like a friggin’ Aston Martin Rapide. Well, it looks more like a Rapide than a Nissan Leaf, that’s for sure. Tesla’s latest all-electric model launches this fall. And while you can’t get a virtual tour of the interior just yet, you can pick colors and wheels, as well as view the specs. 0-60 in 5.6. No tailpipe. Time to buy a powerball ticket.
7. Jack Spade Monza Leather Business Card Case – $28.50 w/ DOTHEMATH ($95.00)
The business card version of a favorite wallet. Now dirt cheap. If you’re not a card case and money clip kind of guy when going out, that’s all well and good… but you need something that’ll hold your business cards other than a billfold. Ass vs. Business cards = almost always a not real good impression. They get dog eared and smudged up. This’ll impress whoever you’re exchanging cards with. Perforated leather modeled after the steering wheels of classic sports cars.
8. Rugby College Striped Wool Scarf – $39.99 ($89.50)
More striped stuff from the ongoing Rugby Winter Sale. Just under $40, bright stripes will give life to your dark winter coat. 72″ long and a slimmer (but not razor thin by any means) 8.5″ wide. 100% wool and made in England. Just right for doing this.
9. Banana Republic Tailored Slim Fit Non-Iron Shirt – $79.50 ($55.65 at 30% off)
Plaid but not really, on a shirt that’s casual but not really. One of those hybrid freak kind of things. Non-iron fabric so it’ll stay plenty crisp to wear with a tie and maybe a grey tweed suit. Wait for a sale. Who knows. Maybe the pattern and “saucy red” (saucy?) color is too out there for most and it’ll go on clearance.
10. American Optical Original Pilot Aviators – $39.99 – $75.99
A favorite of many. Available in numerous frame and lens color combinations, sizes, and ear piece options. Gotta love the fact you can still buy sunglasses with bayonet temples (shown above.) Made in the USA, “genuine US Military issue” and inexpensive enough that most civilians can get their hands on them.
For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.
I love my AO original aviators. Can’t beat them for the price. I was shopping for Ray Ban Caravans but opted for these instead and could not be happier.
Two posts about leather hiking boots for “light hikes” in one day and I feel like it needs to be said —
Yeah, I know they’re called “hiking” boots, but there is no reason why leather boots (or boots at all) are necessary for light hikes. Sneakers are perfectly fine for light hikes. Trail running shoes are great for pretty much any hiking you want to do. There are even high-top lightweight trail runners for those who want the extra support.
This is my experience from hiking and backpacking both on and off-trail.
The leather boots will obviously look better with a pair of jeans, but they’re just not necessary for walking. They are heavy, don’t breathe well, fatigue your legs and feet faster and don’t add any real protection.
You can get a physical tour of the interior of the Tesla Model S at their store in the Park Meadows Mall in Denver. Pretty freakin cool.
I second Bennynojets on the AO’s. Love mine.
Those shades are EXACTLY what i’ve been looking for. was pretty close to paying 3x as much for pretty much the same thing from Randolph Engineering.
Want a watch that looks even MORE like the J. Crew, is automatic (rather than quartz), and is still under $75? Choose the Seiko SNK809. It has a nylon strap rather than leather, but it’s available at Amazon now for less than $65. I’d take one of these over the J. Crew any day, even if the J. Crew were the same price.
I’ve always wondered about AO aviators: has anyone had any success with prescription lenses? I’ve always wanted to have some, but the whole “not being able to see” thing has held me back from purchasing them.
Psh. Who needs to see when you look this good.
My brother has AO aviators with prescription lenses, and they work for him.
I believe Don Draper sports the gold sibling of those frames, nice pick.
Where did you buy yours? I’m interested in purchasing a pair but I have to try sunglasses on before I buy them…
really like the glasses. I like that you featured a few more Made in the USA picks this time around. I would love to see that become a regular feature, finding the MITU brands that don’t charge exorbitant markups and still have decent quality and styling.
Little bit of PTSD leftover from that boot discussion…
Sory I can’t help you out. I bought my pair online at opticsplanet.com
I’ve had my eye on these for a while now, so glad to hear someone else back them! Which size did you go with? I have a pretty long, narrow face, so was stuck between the 52mm and 55mm ones.
I’ve had my eye on these for a while now, so glad to hear someone else back them! Which size did you go with? I have a pretty long, narrow face, so was stuck between the 52mm and 55mm ones.
Oooh. That… that might need to happen somehow someway.
Trying to out flank the predictable negative comments. Didn’t work 🙂
Any recommendations?
some Army/Navy surplus stores have them in stock; you can call around and see who does and make a visit…
AO has a size chart for reference (for whatever reason, Disqus keeps deleting my post when I link or mention the address…) What’s the distance between your temples?
Ah, just found that chart, thanks! I’m right around the border at 127mm. I always have problems finding sunglasses that don’t look huge on my face, so I may give the 52mm ones a shot.
Dang you stole my thunder. Great choice. Also a great first automatic for someone interested in beginning an obsession.