Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Ten stylish picks for under $10.00 – January 2012

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When did everything get so damn expensive?  It used to be that you could pay full retail for something and not have to promise your first born in exchange.  Although it’s getting a little parched, the well of cheap hasn’t run completely dry quite yet.  Ten picks, each under ten dollars (shipping not included) follow below.  Above Photo Credit
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1. Brooks Brothers Argyle Wool Blend Socks – $8.90icon ($19.50)
Get as wild as you'd like to get.

Bright socks.  It’s the splash of character that even a minimalist can love.

 

2. Allen Edmonds Horsehair Dauber – $3.00 | Shine Brush – $7.00
Proof that tools can look great.

The daubers are perfect for those of us who are still using those crappy, plastic handled sponge daubers that came with a cheap KIWI shoe shine kit.  Both are made in the USA, both are real horse hair.  And both ship free thanks to the AE free shipping no minimum policy.

 

3. A matinee showing of Sherlock Holmes 2 – $5.50 – $9.50

It won’t win the Academy Award for best picture, but it’s fun, half (but not completely) mindless, and the on-screen chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is pretty good.  And the costumes are something else.

 

4. Mossimo Crewneck and V-Neck Tees – $5.58 – $9.99
A favorite for sure.

The all cotton or cotton poly mix both feel light, decently strong, and hold up reasonably well for the price.  They come in all kinds of colors, and the V on the V-necks doesn’t dip too low.  Oddly soft.  Dirt cheap.

 

5. The Bad Plus “Never Stop” – $8.99 – $13.99
Linus & Lucy & LSD

Full disclosure:  I can listen to AC/DC’s “Let there be Rock” over and over for hours on end.  So when Rolling Stone calls The Bad Plus “about as badass as highbrow gets,” that’s unfamiliar territory for me.  The Bad Plus are a Jazz trio that have covered the likes of Black Sabbath, Queen, Radiohead, and Neil Young.  But this album is all originals.  You can preview all the tracks on Amazon.

 

6. Lands’ End Canvas Grey Pocket Square – $4.99 ($9.50)
Grey is good.

Y’know how they say your pocket square should pick up some color in your tie or shirt?  Right.  Well, skip that suggestion if you throw this in a casual navy cotton blazer and wear it with a white shirt and jeans.  Part of the ongoing Lands’ End Canvas stock room sale.

 

7. Set of 9 whiskey stones – $9.00
Via groupon.

First featured during the 12 Days of Dappered, these aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (or brand of bourbon.)  But nine bucks for the set of nine is a pretty solid deal.  The fine print claims these stones won’t scratch your glass . Interesting that Groupon has now taken to selling physical products, not just gift certificates, in their new “Groupon Goods” section.  Credit Noah with the style tip.

 

8. Zulu NATO Ballistic Nylon Strap – $9.95
For 22mm lugs and decently long.

An option for the larger wristed guys who can’t wear the now widely available Timex Weekender straps.  A lighter color (no stripes though) and a true NATO band.  Two solid reviews on Amazon.  Pic via Amazon user thebirddog33

 

9. Taylor of Old Bond Street Sensitive Shaving Cream – $7.95icon ($11.99)
U.K. Made.

Guys just do not like changing their grooming routines.  So if you’re gonna try something new, it’s best not to invest too heavily in a something you might not end up using forever.  Under $8.00 will do nicely.

 

10. Allen Edmonds Brass Plated Shoe Horn w/ Pouch – $10.00
Your shoes will thank you.

Because it’s high time you upgraded from that cheap plastic one that you got for free with a pair of shoes 7 years ago.  And come to think of it, your heel sorta sticks to that one when you’re sliding into your shoes.

Your turn.  What’s your favorite recent ultra cheap purchase?  Keep it around or under $10, and leave them all below…

Comments

  2. Seconded on the Mossimo v-necks. Not so much on the Lands End pocket square. Way too big and thick to fit easily in most pockets. 

  5. How is the neck on the Mossimo crewneck t? I got some Hanes crewnecks from Target and the material is great but the neck is a little high and creeps into a choke hold.

  7. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to necks on tee shirts.  I hate it when they dip too low, but these don’t go too high by any means.  I hate to say they’re perfect, but they’re awfully balanced.

  9. I actually just got a set of Whiskey Stones as a stocking stuffer; they’re a little smaller than I expected, but get surprisingly cold.

    I first heard of The Bad Plus back in early ’07; I passed on a chance to see them live that spring  and have regretted it since.

  10. Does anyone else have problems finding these Mossimo T-shirts in stock at their local Target(s)?  I live in Atlanta and have several Targets at my immediate disposal, and most – if not all – of them never have these in stock.  Every once in a while I’ll find a crewneck in a color I would otherwise never wear, but finding the V-necks in a desirable color that aren’t XXL is nearly impossible.  Sure, I could order them online.  But, I’m an instant gratification kind of guy. 
     
    Target, people obviously LOVE these, why not make more and see to it that they are regularly stocked?  Instead their racks and shelves are brimming over with ironic tees and cargo jeans (…yes). 

  11. Warning on the Mossimo tees – unless they’ve changed the design since I got mine, they’ve got a paper tag inside the body that is SUPER scratchy and uncomfortable. You will definitely want to remove it. I guess I’ve been spoiled by so many tagless tees.

  12. I’ve been a fan if The Bad Plus for years. Great recommendation. They do a killer Smells Like Teen Spirit cover.

  18. The Bad Plus turns out to play the one song from a compilation that I am most addicted to right now.  Well played Joe.

  20. whoops, hit post too soon but yea, I’m at school in pittsburgh and the targets here rarely have them either, save for a few odd colors and the sizes….but when I went back last week I just checked and they had all colors and sizes in stock, I guess they tend to run low in fall/summer but I’m gonna have to go back soon and pick some more up, they’re my regular tshirt now 

  21. You may laugh, but Sears sells “Structure” long sleeve t shirts for $10 constantly. 97% cotton, 3% spandex, they feel good, they fit good, and are available in a variety of run of the mill colors. For $50 you can have a solid wardrobe of casual shirts for the man that likes to keep things simple and streamlined. Compare to Express cotton/spandex shirts at $22, and those have sleeves that are too short.

  22. Taylor of Old Bond Street makes some really good shaving cream. Haven’t used the sensitive skin version but all the others are good. I like it as much as Truefitt and Hill’s offerings for a lot less money.

  23. The shaving cream is showing $11.95, not $7.95. Am I missing a code or something?  

    I’m always on the look out for new shaving cream. My skin is extremely sensitive and shaving makes it bright red for hours. Very annoying. 

  26. They clearanced out the latest batch of v-necks and crews, so mine have gone dirt cheap (picked up a ton at $2.48 or less!), but they have since moved on to longsleeve henleys and the such for cooler weather.

  27. agreed. their poplin squares are perfect, but the oxford cloth ones (i own the nailhead oxford) are as thick as an average wallet once folded up. which is a damn shame since i love the colors and textures on those.

  28. correct me if something along these lines has been done before, but i think “dappered playlists” could be a (awesome) thing. as in “pre-date playlist,” “usin’ powertools playlist,” “road-trip playlist,” etc. use your imagination. i realize it’s not exactly in the dappered wheelhouse, but neither is home furnishing, and i think we all dig the “branching out” that’s been done in that direction.

  32. Nice!  (Sorry Joe, didn’t come across Dappered until mid-2011).  I have worn that CD out.  “Get yo’ Shit” is instant classic.

  33. I actually *hated* the Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale. I mean, I really hated it. So did my wife. We’re big beer people, and it’s the first beer I can remember in a long time that we actually poured down the drain after we both tried to like it. I know lots of people like it, though, so it’s definitely a personal taste thing. I think Anchor’s Holiday ale is far superior, and Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout is a revelation.

  35. As of the first week in January, my Target in Salem, OR had a stockpile of the shirts, and in some new colors. I’m slowly getting rid of every other t-shirt I own. The v-neck is perfect. It sets it apart from just being a plain tee, but it’s not so deep that I feel conspicuous. 

  36. I don’t have the AE shoe horn, but I just got a metal shoehorn for Christmas. Using it is the most luxurious thing I do all day. 

  37. I find that the the decal “tag” in tagless tshirts can get scratchy after a few months of drying. I’d prefer just regular tags that you can at least remove if it bothers you.

  38. This may have been mentioned already, but for not much more than the Mossimo shirts you can get some of the best shirts on the market by RibbedTee.  Still in line with this thread too, as a two pack is $18.50.

  40. I know this is old but being a jazz musician I have to recommend the Esbjorn Svensson Trio in addition to the Bad Plus, also check out the David King’s (Bad Plus leader) other band Happy Apple!