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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. Arzu Studio Hope Peace Cord Bracelet – $10.00
Parachute grade cord bracelet closed with authentic uniform buttons which are woven by women in Afghanistan. Lots of guys don’t like the entire bracelet thing, but these look good and rugged, all while supporting a more than worthwhile project. Standard button option goes for $10, while the upgrade with the dress insignia buttons for the different services go for $15. More info on them here, as well as here when they were featured on The Today Show. Find them on the web at peacecord.org.
2. Quincy Jones and Bill Cosby – the original jam sessions 1969 – $10.17
“Pure Jam, No Jelly”… That’s from the liner notes, and it’s dead on. A pretty raw, but still smooth collection of jam sessions that the theme song to The Bill Cosby Show (not The Cosby Show) came out of. Music sounds like the cover looks. “Oh Happy Day” sounds like these guys have turned Mr. Rogers’ Trolly into a booze cruise. “Jimmy Cookin’ on Top” has a Medeski Martin and Wood feel to it. Seventeen cents over the $10 limit, but could ship free if you’ve got Prime and/or get to super saver shipping.
3. Calibrate Navy Bird’s Eye Socks – $5.90 ($9.50)
If you’re “supposed” to match your socks to your suit pants, and navy is the suit color of choice right now, boy it seems like a lot of us just don’t have enough navy or blue hued socks in our arsenals. Black, grey, some tan in there, some brown… need more navy. It elongates your legs and makes you look taller. Part of the anniversary sale. Ships free.
4. Saphir Chamoisine Shoe Polishing Cloth – $6.00 ($10)
Of course you can use an old t-shirt. But a true polishing cloth really can make a difference if you’re not in love with shining your shoes. This thing is a real good size. 12″ x 20″ and incredibly soft. Ships free through Maxton Men.
5. Buckler Non-Alcoholic Brew – $6.00 – $9.00 / six pack
Hang with me here. The key is to go into this not expecting a big, hops or malty booze explosion of beer awesomeness. It’s a non alcoholic beer. And some situations call for a non-alcoholic brew. Maybe she’s expecting, you’ve reached your booze limit for the week, or you’re the designated driver. But out of all the NA beers out there, this one tastes the most like actual beer. Throw a lime in there on a hot summer day and it’s awfully close. Made by Heineken, and y’know… actually prefer this to Heineken. Something different to try the next time you’re staring down the glass of club soda and a lime all night.
6. Mossimo 60/40 Cotton poly blend marled t-shirt – $9.99
95% of the time you don’t want unnatural fibers in your fabrics. Think suiting. But one of the exceptions to the rule seems to be t-shirts. 100% cotton tees can be heavy, bulky, and won’t have much stretch to them. The 60/40 cotton poly blend tees from Target’s Mossimo are pretty close to perfect. Marled fabric makes them plenty easy to wear on their own since they look less like underwear. Cut is perfect. They’ve got some stretch to them, and the sleeves hit just a touch above mid bicep. (Color shown: “Emerald” which doesn’t appear to be available online.)
7. Pedag Washable Pure Terry Cotton Insoles – $7.18
If you’re suffering from serious swamp foot, these could be your solution. Full marks to “guest” who suggested these over in the 7 Weapons in the War on Sweat post. Breathable cotton on top of perforated and grooved padding. Fully washable. Made in Germany. They run small, so order a size up. Again, thanks Guest.
8. Ocean’s Collection 4 DVD set – $9.99
Part of Target’s Black Friday in July week of deals. We all have a favorite movie that we’ve watched a million times, yet still reach for when we want to unwind. The Ocean’s 11 remake with George Clooney is a personal favorite. In this set: The Trilogy, plus the original starring the Rat Pack. For under ten bucks. Eeeeee-yo… EEEElehhhhvennn… (available through Amazon
9. Lorenzo Uomo Merino Blend Socks – $3.97 ($12.50)
Meanwhile, in other sock news… Merino wool / nylon blend, made in Italy, nice fine stripe pattern, and since they’re at Nordstrom, they ship and return free. Sure. That’ll do.
10. Lands’ End Canvas Heritage Striped Chambray Work Shirt – $8.38 ($49.50)
Hard to imagine these coming with slots for collar stays, but you might (might) be able to hack your own with a very, verrrrrry carefully cut slit on the underside of each collar point. Or, just wear it without. It’s a work shirt afterall. Train Engineer type stripes. Could look pretty good under a dark v-neck come fall. Code OCEAN and pin 2012 takes 30% off everything, not just sale, and free shipping kicks in at $50. Also available in solid blue or grey here. Sizes S, M, and L available in both solid and stripes.
Your turn. What’s your favorite recent ultra cheap purchase? Keep it around $10, and leave them all below…
Yeah, I’m pretty sure the LEC shirt doesn’t come with collar stay slots which is kinda a deal breaker for me. I have 2 other LEC chambray shirts that I can’t wear because of this. Probably have to return them sooner than later.
Big fan of the LEC striped chambray shirt. A staple for fall, winter.
Should only cost $2-3 to have a tailor make them button-down collars. I’ve done this with many shirts.
My favorite ~$10 buy is A good read on basic personal finance. Something i certainly needed after reading Dappered for so long :). Applicable information for anyone between the ages of 18 and 45. Kindle and print editions are ~$10.
http://amzn.to/Hlwi2t
Why, though? This type of shirt is not meant to have stays.
with just $5 more, you ca pick up some sweet bracelets from kangalex.com/shop
The lack of collar stays bothers me less than the hideous Lands End stock buttons. They’re the size of Mentos and they have that weird in-between opaque and translucent look that makes you think they’d glow in the dark.
Thanks for the heads-up! I picked up some dress socks. Was tempted by the LEC striped chambray shirt, but I have enough striped shirts and chambray shirts and the lack of collar stays on casual shirts dissuaded me as well.
Polishing cloth is $9 🙁
I tried the pedag insoles & really, really wanted to love them. But in my experience, unless your shoes are too large already, the insoles made both my boat shoes & sneakers uncomfortably tight on the top of my foot.
Let me revise that. I tried the Washable Deo-Fresh insoles, which are different than what you linked to, so there may be a thickness difference too.
http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-2806-Washable-Deo-Fresh-Womens/dp/B001E6SC7C/ref=pd_sim_hpc_4
I own one of those Mossimo tshirts. It looks nice for what it is, but I never wear it. Why? It’s WAY too long. The Hanes T’s at Target fit right, just below the belt. This, on the other hand, covers your crotch. Unless you plan on tucking it in, or you have a go-go-gadget torso, stay away.
You’re right about the buttons. I have an orangish colored Heritage chambray shirt and between the cup plate buttons and lack of collar stays, I really can’t wear it without a tie.
Because without the stays (or collar buttons) the collars flap too wildly/widely for my taste.
I….didn’t know you could do that. Would have never even thought to ask.
As someone who has a few loafers and some shoes I prefer to wear sockless, I am really looking forward to trying the Pedag. Hope it works!
Huh. Was $6.
As a tall guy, I agree this would probably be the case for the shorter folks out there. I’m 6’3″, 170-175# and the medium athletic fit is the best fitting t-shirt I’ve ever purchased, from the waist, torso, and length perspectives. I have about 15 different colors from this season and last.
find for $2 @
http://needsupply.com/mens/accessories/polishing-cloth.html
Those Uomo socks from Nordstrom are terrific and I’m glad they’re on sale. I have every color of the LEC chambray work shirt, and it is my favorite shirt. I basically wear one every day. Great list.
There ya go. Shipping is steep though if you’re buying solo.
Here’s a really dumb question, can the cord bracelets/are they supposed to unravel to usable rope?
Yeah I agree, needs stays or buttons to keep that collar down. Without either, not my thing.
Was disappointed with Cosby/Jones — was expecting some scats about Jello pudding pops.
But really, I loved it. Had no idea those two cats jammed together!
Fortunately I live walking distance away from Need Supply. Hopefully in-store prices are the same.
I’ve made these bracelets myself…extremely versatile and rugged material and yes they can be made to unravel and use in tactical situations
Can also make belts out of this stuff….called paracord
Thanks!