Most Wanted Affordable Style – December 2012

.
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.
. 

5. Orvis Lambskin Driving Gloves – $54.00 w/ 117200 ($69.00)

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

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)

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)

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

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

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.