10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – January 2012

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.
.

1. Smith and Wesson Watch – $38.63 | J. Crew Mougin & Piqard – $425
Oscar, meet Felix.

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)
Casual but still office appropriate.

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)
$25? Yes sirrrr.

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)
No knuckle holes here.

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)
To the mountains Edward.

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)
Kiss my amp Mr. Volt.

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)
Keeper of your professional reputation

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)
Two of the four color options available.

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)
Loud without shouting.

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
Originals.

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.

Joe

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