10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – January 2013

Seventy Five dollars.  That’s a lot of money.  It’ll get you a couple pairs of Levi’s, a nice dinner out, or a couple months at your local gym.  Seventy Five dollars.  It is a lot of money, especially if you spend it right.  Ten picks follow, all for $75 or under, and some of them are much, much less.
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1. Ralph Lauren Suede Equestrian Belt – $41.99 ($125)

Never considered wearing a suede belt?  Give it a shot.  It’s an easy way to make an otherwise boring outfit interesting.  Part of the RL after holiday sale.  They also have a chunkier o-ring version for $28.

 

2. Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses – $49.95 per pair

Fifty bucks for two glasses?  Here’s Dappered’s Official Bartender Michael Bowers with the explanation: “This is a great glass for sipping spirits. It’s the perfect size, weight and shape—it feels good to drink from one. But more importantly—it makes your whisk(e)y (or just about any aged spirit) taste better. The shape concentrates more delicate aromas without concentrating nose-searing alcohol vapors like a snifter. I was a little skeptical they would make much of a difference, but after tasting spirits side-by-side from a standard old-fashioned glass and one of these, I’m sold. At $25 per glass, these are a splurge, but it’s worth it.”

 

3. J. Crew Factory Gingham Shirt – $13.99 $29.50 w/ GETMORE ($59.50)

Sixty bucks is an awfully inflated retail price, but fourteen dollars after the use of the extra 30% off code GETMORE seems like a bargain.  Wear it with a dark grey suit, black knit tie, and black laceups, and you’ve got a dressed up outfit that walks the line between winter cool & dark and hints of spring to come.

UPDATE:  Two things:  1. They’re all but sold out of this darker gingham, and 2. It looks like J. Crew Factory has actually limited the extra 30% off code to ONLY final sale items.  That’s a bit of a switch, since the main J. Crew Site (and even factory in the past) has traditionally had graphics and emails that said: 30% off Final Sale, only to also include all other sale items as well.  Fine print states just final sale items, so the extra 30% off doesn’t happen here.  Interesting that they’ve made that change.

 

4. Brooklyn Tailors Check Tie – $39.00 ($85)

You can always get ties for cheap, but every once in awhile, it’s nice to tie on a really well made piece of neckwear.  And this one nails the colors and patterns of now.  Deep charcoal with a noticeable but not obnoxious check.  It looks awfully skinny online, but the description says it’s 2.75″ wide (so, slim for sure, but not razor thin).  Handmade here in the states.  Part of the Barneys winter sale.  Ships free.

 

5. James Brown – Love Power Peace: Live at the Olympia, Paris 1971 – $5.99

James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and Bobby Byrd annihilate the pleasure centers of a Parisian crowd through a set so funky, it’s surprising that even the Godfather of Soul didn’t need to take an IV halfway through to remain upright.  17 tracks.  Only a few slow it down.  All those imperfections of the live show experience only make it sound better.  Six bucks.  Thanks internet.

 

6. 1901 Striped Cashmere Crew – $62.49 ($125)

On one hand, it’s a striped (yay stripes!) cashmere crewneck that claims a trim fit, ships free and returns free too.  On the other hand, the way the stripes hit the shoulders and collar, it looks like you’re in the process of being born by a topographical map.

 

7. AE Machine Washable Cotton/Wool Shawl Collar – $22.50 ($49.95)

Part of the extra 50% off clearance sale American Eagle launched last week.  Yes, it’s American Eagle, but like their Fisherman’s Sweater from last year, there doesn’t appear to be any exterior, noticeable branding on this one?  50% cotton, 30% wool, 20% acrylic.

Update:  Try code 87255011 for an extra 15% off.  Thanks to “guest” in the comments. 

 

8. Jack Spade Nylon Card Case – $35.00 ($55)

Different, but the black and white color scheme keeps it from getting too crazy.

 

9. Cole Haan Air Stanton Waterproof – $59.96 w/ 25SALE ($198)

Waterproof… suede?  They do come in a leather option too.  Originally $200, marked down to $90, and the extra 25% off code that’s good through Tuesday drops them under $60.  Sizes are starting to get scarce.

UPDATE:  Scarce?  Try gone.  Those went fast.

 

10. Timex T49905 Expedition Field Chrono – $63.92

Somewhere between this and this, there’s this.  Brushed black brass case on a brown sueded/nubuck leather strap.  Aeronautic looking markings and hands, great looking crown, and somewhere in there it probably tells time too.  42mm that wears a little larger.  100m water resistance.  Sure, it’s incredibly busy, but for $64 it’s a substantial sport watch that looks much more expensive than its actual cost.

For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.