The Rest – The $1500 Wardrobe Part V
Creating a versatile, sharp wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. By far, the best course of action is to go slow. But for argument’s sake, let’s say you have to start from scratch, today. Over the next 5 days we’ll see how far a strict budget of $1500 can go. It won’t be easy and some corners will have to be cut, but the goal is to end with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in almost any situation. Remember, we’re playing with a total of $1500 here. So there will be an obvious focus on real affordable stuff, which can last with reasonable care. Also, remember that 90% of looking good is fit, so a well tailored $200 suit will look better than an ill fitting $1000 suit every single time.
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The Watch: Skagen 858 Slim w/ blue hands – $59.99 ($110)
This one’s a bit of a holy grail for the slim and minimalist crowd. It’s sold by a 3rd party retailer on Amazon but as of post time it’s “fulfilled” by Amazon. That means Amazon has the product in their warehouses, ships it out, and handles returns. So Amazon has skin in the game. Credit to Logan who sent in the style tip about it being back up on Amazon. It looks like hell there, but he reports that it’s legit: “I tracked this down almost a year ago via 10-20 calls to Macy’s after I saw it posted on Dappered… I then lost it on a trip a few months later. I love minimalistic watches and this is by far my favorite. I was ecstatic to see it available again, and I immediately laid down the cash for it. I’ve received it and although it isn’t sold by Amazon it’s every bit as authentic as the one I got from Macy’s.”
Spring Bar tool to change your Skagen’s Watch Band with – $8.50
Putting on those black dress shoes and need your leather band to match? Not a problem. Use the spring bar tool to swap it out. Harvest an old black leather band from a watch you don’t wear anymore, and put it on the Skagen (lugs appear to be 22mm, which is a pretty common size. A croc embossed band will be more dressed up, while a band with white stitching can be worn casually easily. The blue hands of the Skagen will look pretty darn terrific against the silver dial when worn with a dark suit. It’s not ideal to switch back and forth all that often (you risk scratching up your watch & wearing down the tool & springbars) but many seem to be fine with it.
The Tie: Whale Blue Striped or Solid – $15.00
We’re on financial fumes here. So we need one tie that’ll go with both suits (but let’s also assume the person remaking their wardrobe already has a few decent ties on hand). Whale blue is the answer. Lighter than navy, but not so grey that it matches too closely with the J. Crew Factory Thompson. Stripes or solid w/texture is up to you. Both via TheTieBar, and it’s worth considering going a size up in width to 3″ on the solid.
Wurkin Stiffs Magnetic Power Stays – $20.95
More than a few have pointed out that you can replicate what a pair of Wurkin Stiffs do by buying your own metal collar stays and small disc/button magnets… but sticking with the original has yet to fail me.
TOTAL COST: $104.44
CASH REMAINING: -$0.48
Quick! Dig around in the couch cushions for change! By the time all of these posts have gone live, many of the prices have probably fluctuated, especially if the items are sold through Amazon. So forty-eight cents is about as close as it’s going to get. There are still some holes to fill (belt, socks, etc…) but the intent is to get someone well on their way. Alterations, Shipping/Taxes weren’t included since that’ll vary greatly depending on where items are headed and how fast. For the entire 2012 version of the $1500(.48) wardrobe, click here.
Great, great job. I’ve got almost all of what you posted in this guide (if not the specific brands, the class of item), and I never have any trouble with my wardrobe. I’ve been following Joe for about two years now and Dappered has never led me astray.
As for ties, go to thrift stores. I have probably seventy-five ties and while most were not from thrift stores, many were. Some of those are amongst my favorite: from the cotton plaid Liberty of London tie to the Yves Saint-Laurent power tie in red and brown stripe, they serve well. And in all my thrifting days, I’ve spent less money on thrift store ties than I ever did on a single new (and reduced price) Tommy Hilfiger tie.
Also, everyone ought to have a pair of those power stays; they’re incredibly useful.
I like this item class idea – I still need some good chinos
-$0.48? That’s not right, You’ll have to start over.
Just kidding, you did a great job once again Joe !
cue the guy asking Joe to consider doing this again in the future using a higher budget………
Nicely done Joe. I have to say, this year’s version feels a bit more top heavy than last year’s due to the added money dropped on suits and shoes, but all in all, pretty impressive.
Who needs socks or underwear anyways?
No, he should start all over. I didn’t come here to spend $1500.48, I have a clear budget of $1500. If it is compromised then why even bother budgeting? These are tough times and I expect nothing but accuracy.
Obviously there’s no right answer to balance in a wardrobe – totally depends on lifestyle, employment, etc. But I have to agree. This was very unbalanced as 80% of the money was spent on shoes and suits.
Hang on to those tighty whiteys!
Agreed. This is an outrage! I demand we return $0.48. Perhaps cut a small piece off of one of the suits and return it. It’s the only logical option.
Amazing job Joe. Thanks for all your hard work. This would be great piece for a fashion magazine to do an article on.
That’s been done already:
http://www.esquire.com/style/5000-wardrobe/5000wardrobe
I generally like the list, but I certainly wouldn’t consider it a ‘start from scratch’ wardrobe. From that perspective, today’s list is a big miss.
While I find a watch to be an essential part of my wardrobe, it’s really an accessory that would fall lower on the priority list than the belt and socks that you mentioned. Spring tool isn’t useful unless you already have a watch with a nicer band, in which case I see the watch as even less of a critical item.
I know Wurkin Stiffs are well loved around here, but that $20 seems wasted when you only have two shirts on the list that would need them and they should already come with collar stays.
One tie is definitely not enough considering you’ve chosen to spend so much money on suits. I’d say take the $90 you would otherwise spend on the watch/wurkin stiffs and buy another tie or two, a decent belt, and pick up some socks at a TJMaxx/Ross.
constructive criticism or douchery???? Thanks for the opinion but obviously any of the items are dispensable depending on one’s needs.
Great job, I’m sure this wasn’t easy. There are a million different ways to slice it too based on climate differentials.
I think this series was very good overall, thanks for all the hard work Joe.
Question about the spring bar tool, how easy is it to use? I don’t change the straps on my watches often but am I better off having someone do it at a store for a nominal fee or is it a pretty easy thing to do?
Seriously? Anything converse to what the author says and the guy above gets called a douche. Get off the Internet pal, as you’re becoming less of a gent, and more of a troll. People are allowed opinions these days you know
OMG J&M over AE? PREPOSTEROUS!
or lower…
They seem like valid points, some items did seem like luxuries.