10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – March 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 for $75 or under, and some of them are much, much less.
.

1. Ratio Clothing Blue Windowpane – $75.00 w/ code DAPUNDER75 ($98)

All hail the perfect shirt pattern. A small but not tiny windowpane like this can be dressed up, dressed down, worn in the dead of winter, and looks perfect in the spring and summer.  And many thanks to Eric and the guys at ratio/clothing for the temporary price drop for this month’s $75 or less feature.  Full review on this shirt and Ratio over here.  Their custom fit process is the perfect blend of precise accuracy without being invasive.  $75 is a lot for a shirt, but it’s made in the USA, will/should fit incredibly well, and the 2-ply fabric feels bulletproof.  Code DAPUNDER75 expires 3/25.

 

2. Original Penguin Volley Swim Trunks – $65.00

Swim trunks in March?  You bet.  People are in the vacation mood.  Get your swim trunks situation squared away now, because if you leave shopping for a good suit till the last minute, you won’t find one.  Guaranteed.  The Penguin Volley Short is bar none the best bang for your buck (even though it’s a steep $65) suit out there.  It has a comfortable liner, so no loose parts flying around under the fabric.  It’s neither too short nor too long.  And there’s no diaper like elastic at the waist.  There’s even a version with a similar color scheme to the pair Daniel Craig wore in Casino Royal… only with the Penguin version it won’t be painted on.  In case, y’know, you’d rather keep your package size to yourself.

 

3. Maxton Men Gingham Pocket Square – $15.00

You know that blazer you have that you’re not sure if it can work in spring?  Right.  Throw this in the pocket.  Done.  It works.  Just fifteen bucks and ships free like everything else from Maxton Men.

 

4. GAP Double Breasted Moto Jacket – $56.24 w/ GAPEVENT ($98.00)

Bit of a freak this one, but could be a serious winner for the guys who aren’t trench guys, prefer short jackets, but are over the utility jacket thing.  Mainly cotton with some poly and nylon so it should be water resistant.  Available in Small, Medium, Large, and XL.  On sale already and an extra 25% off with the code GAPEVENT (exp. 3/20)

 

5.  Linus Bike Silver Teardrop LED headlight – $36.00

You certainly don’t need some big fat cruiser to slap this on your handlebars (or your fork.  It’ll go there too.)  Anything this side of a workhorse mountain bike or serious road bike will look much improved with this thing.  We’re getting into the time of year where some of us gladly leave the car in the garage and hop on our two wheel non motorized machine.  This’ll help you get back home, safely, after you stay out later on your ride than you had expected.

 

6.  Buffalo Leather Card Case made by U.S. Vet – $19.99

Credit to Serge with the style tip about these leather goods.  The seller says he makes them one at a time, and he “learned leather work at a Veterans Administration Hospital Vocational Rehabilitation program.”  Small, simple, and made from Buffalo leather.  Shipping is free and returns are accepted within 14 days.  And that ain’t all.  The seller has a lot more accessories to chose from.

 

7. Ticket to see Jeff Who Lives At Home – $5.00 – $12.00

Any guy who has the guts to try his hand at the Muppets deserves the benefit of the doubt.  The great reviews on this one help as well.  There’s a terrific Porsche meets tree scene (shades of Sideways?), the entire story gets going when Jeff leaves his home to buy wood glue, and the fact that it’s only 82 minutes (YES.  More of this Hollywood!) makes it well worth the risk for the ticket price.  Stars Jason Segel, Ed Helms, and Susan Sarandon.

 

8. Tulips for the woman in your life – $5.00 – $35.00

It’s spring, they’re becoming widely available (grocery stores) and they’re cheap.  The % of women who like tulips is about the same as the % of men who like pizza.  Plenty enjoy them.  And when’s the last time you gave her something for no reason?  They’re also one of the few flowers that are as pretty as they are cute.  Just like her.  AWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwww (Go ahead and use that.  Especially the “aww” after.)
Tulip photo credit: Liz West

 

9. Brooks Brothers Cricket – $59.00 ($118) | Striped V-Neck Sweater – $49.25 ($98.50)

Both from the well picked over clearance section.  The lambswool cricket sweater seeps prep, but being that it’s not one of those white country-club numbers, you might be able to keep it from getting too stuck up.  The merino striped V-neck would look great over any number of oxfords.  Be wary of the Brooks Brothers sometimes too generous fit.

 

10. One of DSWs new Mercanti Fiorentini Black Cap Toe shoes – $149.95 for the pair

Yes you’ll need to buy both at once.  But it looks like the DSW brand Mercanti Fiorentini might have another $100 – $200 winner here.  Simple cap toe, a true oxford, and great lines.  Made in Italy and should go on sale the next time DSW does on of their tiered sales/codes.  (Also new: Mercanti is now making a brown wingtip)

For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.