Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Most Wanted Affordable Style – December 2012

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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.  Orvis Lambskin Driving Gloves – $54.00 w/ 117200 ($69.00)
Goldilocks driving gloves. Just right.

Plenty of driver’s gloves can look a little too… drivery.  Too thin, little coverage, etc.  These gloves give you the ventilation without going full perforation, and they come in a standard up over the wrist length.  Nice snap at the wrist there too.  Palm has some very grippy looking texture to it.  A warning:  Shipping is steep, but Orvis is offering free standard shipping through today, 12/3/12.  Otherwise, shipping is almost ten bucks, so the $15 off $50 code 117200 comes in handy.  Update:  Looks like overnight the free standard shipping promotion was done away with.  Discount code should still work.

 

4.  UNIQLO “Chesterfield” Coat – $129.90
Lots of style, substance is on the thin side.

Can quickly become a favorite.  Perfect above the knee length, a cut that’s nice and trim, and somehow through a miracle (or accident) of shoulder hole engineering, this thing slips on over suit jackets and blazers much easier than other jackets that fit this close at the side.  A major warning:  It’s not thick.  Residents of Buffalo, Minneapolis, Bismark, and Butte will find the thickness of the wool laughable for their winter temps.  But if you live in a place where Old Man Winter doesn’t try and murder you every year by way of frostbite, a little layering underneath and you should be fine.

 

3. Page Stationery custom men’s collection – $49.00 (for 20)
Four of the 17 available options.

From the same company who produces the Art of Manliness stationery boxed set.  These are noticeably more expensive, but you get your name (or, whatever you want) printed on these.  More designs too, with the entire back side of the card printed with one of seventeen designs.  Cost per card goes down as the number of cards you order goes up, with twenty cards being the minimum.

 

2. Cole Haan Air Jayhawker Longwing Suede Boot – $83.97 – $119.95 ($298)
HOLIDAY30 = 30% off boots & bags

Could this be a possible, affordable alternative to the Alden Suede boots in snuff?  All right, so they’re not that close.  Longwings in two shades of brown.  Price is unbeatable if you can double dip with a sale code (HOLIDAY30 is good for an extra 30% off Boots & Bags through 12/10).  Sole sure looks like it’s recraftable, and they’ve made Jayhawkers at this price point with Goodyear Welts before.  Word is they run big so consider sizing down.  Thanks to DB over here who discovered that these have been reduced to $120.  Got a pair on the way for an in-person.

 

1. Stafford Grey “Tweed” Vest – $36.00, SuitSupply Brown Houndstooth Vest – $199
Look ma, no sleeves.

Two vests, two vastly different price ranges.  The Stafford jcp option is on clearance.  All poly, and the brown side looks/feels a little too synthetic, but the grey side actually looks and feels wool-ish.  Not a super slim vest, but not a full on puffer either.  Meanwhile, the option from SuitSupply appears to be much more slimmed down, but not in price.  It is made from wool and waterproof though.  Nice Harrington-style collar.

 

BONUS… The Mega Splurge: C. Ward C7 Rapide Chrono MK II – $348.50 w/ MEGA15
Fast. Like, cash leaving your wallet fast.

Ouch. That’s way out there. But for those looking for a rubber-strap watch that works w/ a t-shirt and jeans, and at the same time can hold it’s unexpected own when dressed up… well it’s something to aspire to. Extra 15% off code MEGA15 expires today. Now, you could always ditch the chrono, go mechanical, and slap one of these on this or this.

Comments

  1. Tried to order those Orvis gloves. Seems that free shipping requires a code, and it can’t be combined with the $15 off $50 code. Someone let me know if I’m wrong.

  3. Exactly! I wish they had my size in the darker chocolate color so I could buy 2 pair of boots that I don’t really need…

  5. What size are you looking for? I ordered a 10.5 and an 11 since I wasn’t sure about sizing – I will probably keep the 10.5 if they run big as people are stating

  6. I even bought the boots before the extra 30% off code came out, but called customer service and they credited me back the difference since it was within 14 days of purchase – Should be arriving today so I can update as to the sizing.

  8. Not sure about that…I have purchased sale and clearance items before and returned them in store with no problems.

  9. joe, as always love the suggestions. Hey just wondering however if you can keep an eye out for something like the overcoat from uniqlo but in camel. I would love something like that but they are all too expensive, and although i like the BR one, i want one that is single breasted not double breasted. i know you cant create the sales but if you see one id love to hear bout it.

  10. Very nice find Joe! Been looking for a pair of non-chukka suede boots and what a fantastic price, BTW do Wolverine 1000 mile boots ever go on sale <$345? I tried on a pair and love them but the price is so steep!

  11. Great post!

    Nice styling on the Christopher Ward, but for that kind of money I could get an automatic (which I prefer).

  16. I picked up a single breasted 4 button in Camel from Marshalls – believe its London Fog – 80/20 wool blend. Snagged it for $70.

  17. AGHHHH – seriously, I don’t need another pair of boots, but damn. $83 for goodyear welted brown suede wings in exactly the color I was looking for – in fact, I was considering a Cole Haan oxford in the same color with a rubber sole for almost twice as much. Fan-friggin-tastic. But now there are some AE for Wolverine boots at the outlet for a terrific price too. Decisions, decisions…

  18. Don’t forget the almost white pants… Mrs. Dappered made a similar comment. Not a big fan of how it’s styled by any stretch.

  20. Automatic chrono? I know, I know, I’m not wearing something like this when I run, and a rotating bezel can do just the same… but…

    Wait, where was I? I just talked myself out of my own argument.

  22. Will do ari. Uniqlo had one in camel but it was for a different model and man was it boxy. Like Mike’s suggestion, try Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, etc… and don’t be afraid to try sizing down. Just be sure to wear a blazer or suit jacket to the store.

  25. trying to imagine someone wearing that getup for any reason… failing. but the vest itself – looks solid.

  28. Was SO looking to find a winterish coat that has some formality to it and this will perfectly fit the bill here in Houston, TX. Selling my old BR leather jacket, unfitted and too large, looks like a f’ing barrel on me, which will help pay for this. Can’t wait to see this and will update about it.

  29. I own the lowtop version of the Jayhawker, definitely size down at least a half size. I normally wear a 10.5 in Cole Haan and went down to a 10.

  30. 350usd?? You can get vintage 1978 Omega Seamaster DeVille automatic from Ebay complete with papers and box from original owner?

  33. Topman has a camel color coat (they call it a “trench” but it’s a wool blend coat) for $180. Sales might knock that off a bit. It’s double breasted.

  36. You guys should do a “best of” section, citing your favourites for chinos, shorts, jeans, dress shirts, sports shirts, polos, tees, boots, canvas shoes, boat shoes, oxfords, underwear, etc.

  40. uniqlo has the worst customer service of any recent store in years. they’re phone # is a circular hell, and it took 3 weeks to have them sit on my order, later to find out it was never processed. I think I’ll pass with them for a while