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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: andrew_j_w
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5. Honey Glazed Turkish Apricot Bourbon: $10 – $15
Inspired by randomly picking up the May issue of Men’s Health and this encouraging review of Old Crow over at our man Paul’s Driving Inertia. The Men’s Health article shows how easy infusing your own spirits is supposed to be. You pick a spirit, buy a cheap bottle, combine with what you want to infuse it with in a sealed jar and… wait. When it tastes right, strain into a clean bottle or jar. Instead of the recommended bourbon/fig combo, some deep, smokey, almost leathery organic dried Turkish apricots are getting a shot at the home office. There’s hardly any taste similarities between these rich, dark brown, untouched by sulfur dioxide apricots, and those nuclear orange things. Also had some local honey on hand (helps when a pal is an honest-to-goodness bee keeper) so a real small bit of that was added to the rough chopped apricots before they hit the food processor. Cartwheels if this works.
4. Wurkin Stiffs Covered Power Buttons – $15
Ah. Well done Wurkin’ Stiffs. Some guys don’t like the fact that every so often, a keen observer could catch the little silver metal magnetic button on the inside of your shirt collar, doing its thing to keep your wurkin’ stiffs collar stays in place. These buttons are equipped with either black, blue or white covers, in an attempt to get them to blend in a little bit more. Not sure if that blue will match up perfectly with the real light sky blue most of us wear, but, you have to applaud the evolution of the Wurkin Stiffs product.
3. B.R. Tailored Wool Linen Suit Jacket
& Matching Pant – $380
($266 at 30% off)
Easily the current leader for the best affordable suit of Summer 2012. The alternative cotton/linen chino suit separates are nice enough, but these wool/linen separates are far superior. Made from an outstanding 54% wool / 46% linen Italian Fabric. There’s the unmistakable look & texture of linen, but the wool blend cleans it up a bit. There’s also some grey hues in there. Real nice off the rack contour. The peak lapels are different but not too showy. Non-functioning buttons, fully lined but lightweight, and the pick stitching is a nice touch. Size pictured is a 38R but be warned, it won’t pass the “hug” test on my frame. Seams would burst. I’d have to size up (like I normally do) with the BR tailored fit jackets and get it brought in at the sides. Lots of pants available, but the jackets are all but sold out. With plenty of pants left, you’d think they’d restock more jackets? Worth a check in store.
2. Zara Double Monk Strap – $99.00
A hundred? Bringing the (over hyped to some) Double Monk Strap to the masses. Time for an informal poll with your responses to go in the comments: If they look decent enough in person, how long do these have to hold up for you to figure the $99 (free shipping and returns at least) was worth it? Points for the buckles looking matte, the toe being rounded, and that cap toe line of stitching ain’t half bad either.
1. Calibrate Trim Fit Non Iron Gingham Dress Shirt – $59.50
Good Grief Nordstrom. Took em’ long enough to give those of us who were huge fans of their last gingham shirt a new option from calibrate. If it’s anything like the previous black & white version, it should fit nice and close, and feel real good. Like, sixty bucks is a fair price good. Neck and sleeve measurements, new arrival, tons of sizes.
Ah what the hell, full retail for that Calibrate shirt—stuff shows up on your site and it’s as good as gone sometimes :).
14.5/32-33 is available to order but back ordered until 06/20.
And how soon is soon for those DM? At least they’re listed as having “cow leather” instead of “genuine leather”.
Joe, out of pure curiosity are you a Men’s Health reader? I love that damn magazine.
I actually bought the same black gingham shirt last week at Nordstrom Rack for $30ish dollars. So if you have one in your area check it out. It was a calibrate slim fit.
When a mass clothing retailer starts putting out dubmonks – that’s when you know the trend has peaked.
That being said, these don’t look that bad. I imagine the leather quality and overally construction of the shoe will be terrible, but for $99? Maybe. You can find Italian-made dubmonks on Yoox for a little bit above that, so I’d rather get those.
I make schnapps frequently. Never tried it with bourbon. I’m intrigued.
I am not pulling the trigger, but count me as a like for the Double Monk Strap shoes. The low profile does it for me.
Any in particular that you prefer?
May I offer a quick editorial correction? “…doing it’s thing” should be “its” (sans apostrophe).
Nordstrom shirts in trim fit have odd sizing. The I’m about a 16/33, but the 32/33 has sleeves that are too short. And then the 34/35 has wider chest/shoulders than the 32/33. I am screwed.
Anyone have any experience / thoughts on this Calibrate Trim Fit Sport Shirt?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/calibrate-trim-fit-sport-shirt/3224414
I dig the zara dubmonk’ss profile. I have a pair of magnannis that I bought back when the dubmonk thing was still relatively new and selection was a lot slimmer, they are nice quality but are extremely pointy so I hardly feel comfortable wearing them. They seem inherently more casual so a pair at this price point is pretty sweet if they’re even made halfway decent.
I wouldn’t quite call the trend peaked by being sold at Zara, I’ll reserve that for when we see them at H&M and Target. Zara is often pretty timely with their styles and takes inspiration from recent runway stuff – supposedly the fact that they don’t manufacture in China, but rather work with factories closer to them throughout Europe, allows them to push products more quickly through design and manufacture quicker to stay current with trends.
I think I’ll try the infusion with bourbon and lightly-macerated blueberries and honey. Maybe a whole bean coffee infusion, as well.
Yum. #5 sounds delicious.
Joe,
I got super excited when I saw that apricot rum. Of course I am juiced up for the double monks, but, we will see how they turn out.
I’ve got some Kenneth Cole Mind Wash in black and they’re nice. Plus, got them for $100.
This might be the reason why I love Nordstrom sizing, I am about a 15.5/32 and the sleeves are just right because I have shorter arms. So at least its consistent.
Shirt is going on sale for men’s half yearly on the 15th. It’ll be 39%off
Looks like Wurkin Stiffs figured out that people could just buy some little magnets on their own and came up with something a little harder to replicate.
To me only the 5th numbered apricot bourbon looks cools.
The shirt became unavailable less than a week after it was listed here. It didn’t even make it to the half-yearly sale. Sayonara Calibrate gingham shirt (again).
I would imagine the covered power buttons are so that little chips don’t break off when they collide with each other.
FYI I bought those Zara shoes hands down better than some of my more expensive $300-$600 purchases. They held up well in Vegas and got a ridiculous amount of compliments. My fav pair of shoes out right now.