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.
1. Giorgio Brutini Double Monk Strap – $67.96 w/ PRESDAY ($84.95)
Good grief those are cheap. But the Giorgio Brutini brand can have some hits when it comes to ultra-inexpensive footwear. Sabir from Men’s Style Pro even included a pair of Brutini shoes in his 5 Favorites from awhile back. Code PRESDAY takes 20% off at ShoeBuy. Available in tan or black. Pic via the Giorgio Brutini website.
2. Claiborne Keyhole Sunglasses – $16.00
Sixteen bucks. Inexpensive enough that if you drop them, crush them, or get punched in the face while wearing them, you won’t feel too bad. Well, you’ll probably feel somewhat bad if you get punched in the face, but otherwise…
Update: Tread carefully if you’re purchasing online. Seems like something’s fishy with the color selection options? Keep an eye out for these in store though. Thanks to minjin in the comments.
3. jcp Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirt – $25.00
It’s back. Thank goodness. The new Stafford Prep option just doesn’t fit as well as the jcp OCBD that debuted this past year. Looks like just four color/pattern options available right now, with the white and standard light blue leading the way, and a couple of striped options offering support. Hat tip to reader Redford for sending in the notice on these being back up for sale.
4. The Black Keys: Thickfreakness – $11.48
Released a decade ago and makes Brothers
5. Pro Keds Royal Master DK in Suede – $44.99 – $75.00
A little more flash than Jack Purcells. Suede this time, with the red and blue Pro-Keds stripe at the edge. Little squishier than Chucks or JPs. Three colors available on Amazon for the full $75, with JackThreads having limited sizes in a green and navy at a discount.
6. Timex Elevated Classic with white
or black dial – $42ish
Timex has some serious Rolex Oyster envy. Brass case, inexpensive, and simple. If you’re into smaller watches, would probably look terrific on a leather band as well. Put a croc strap on there and you’re getting awfully close to the $195 Timex 1600 through J. Crew. A warning though: like other Timex watches, this thing apparently ticks pretty loud. So for those who are susceptible to that kind of annoyance, you’ve been warned.
7. Inception – $1.99 – $14.78
One of those movies that’s great to have on hand for watching over and over again, a little at a time. You’ll notice something different with each viewing. Would be terrific if it’d be available for instant streaming on either Netflix or w/ Amazon Prime, but for two bucks you can rent it, $5 you can own the DVD, and $15 the Blue Ray. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some lyric-less music to listen to at work that won’t put you to sleep, the Inception station on Pandora can be awfully good.
8. Brooks Brothers Ribbon Belt – $24.00 ($48)
Part of their President’s Day Weekend clearance. The risk with these types of ribbon style belts is… what if it shows up and it doesn’t grip? It’s no fun tightening and re-tightening your belt all day. But if it holds as it should, it’s a great price (even with the usual Brooks Brothers steep shipping) for a terrific looking belt.
9. Brooks Brothers Extra-Slim Fit Chambray Irish Linen Sport Shirt – $49.25 ($98.50)
Also from the President’s Day weekend clearance. Perfect for those sweltering hot summer weddings, or, just another way to work in some texture into a layered up outfit now. All Irish linen. Large and XL available for the blue, and Medium, Large, and XL in the white at post time.
10. jcp Cotton Blazer – $75.00
Is JCPenney competing with itself? Their Stafford Prep navy cotton blazer is decent, but this one might be superior thanks to more exact sizing. Chest sizes 36 all the way up to 46 available online. Haven’t seen one in person yet, and here’s to hoping the model is tall and lanky. Because if he’s not, those arms and potentially tail are going to be short.
For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.
I picked up the JCP OCBD a few weeks ago instore for $14 on clearance. Fits amazingly well in small though the cuffs are a bit tighter than I would like. Made me realize that most of my other shirts (most of which are in medium) don’t fit as well as I thought.
Re: the glasses. I’m not sure that picture is what they actually look like. They seem like they might be plain brown or plain black and that’s just a lingering picture from another sold out color option. Could be wrong…
Interesting I thought Georgio Brutini was a DSW only thing
Welp, decided to try out the Double Monk Straps. I don’t own any Monk Strap shoes and my pair of brown “dress” shoes, I’ve found out since frequenting this site, violate a faux pas (slip-on). Thankfully my Merrel Tough Gloves and Vivo Gobi desert boots are good enough for business casual. I still need to update my black shoes (violates two faux pas: square toe and bicycle stitching).
Also as a heads up for those with a Chase card, if you go to shoebuy.com though the rewards mall you get an extra 10% cash back.
did you order true to your size?
Aaah Thickfreakness is such an awesome album
Went for the keyholes. Ends up being $24 with shipping…still solid.
Mrwatch.com has a wide selection of Seiko 5’s for around $50. It is 10x the watch with an automatic movement.
The early Black Keys records are all fantastic, but I’m glad they expanded their sound. The first four all had the same stripped down feel and I think if they were still sticking to that same formula, most people would have stopped listening at this point.
You might even believe that until 8-10 years down the road when the movement needs to be serviced to the tune of $100-200 while the Timex just takes a second or third $5 battery.
At that price, I’m tempted to try my first ever monk straps….
Your snark is showing.
In all seriousness I honestly don’t get why mechanical watches are regarded as the top watches…
Terrific point.
Like other side of the chest different? Because it’s not, it’s just the pic in a mirror. Need to start flipping those in post. A bad habit.
skipped the last 2 items to comment on the excellency of the Inception/Hans Zimmer Pandora station. One of my favorites
Good looking out on the shoes. Been searching for another pair of monk straps that I could wear on Saturdays without stressing about beating them up because I shelled out some big dough. $68 will play well. Thanks again!
actually no. i figured out the mirror right left difference. i mean if you click on the jcp link and then hover over the colors, a pic of the model comes up. a couple colors have a chevron stitch at the pocket, while the other 2 have a straight stitch. just made me wonder if those are truly the exact shirts in the pic. dont matter to me. based on experience, if they are like last years, these are excellent fitting extremely versatile shirts. i have 3 of them.
Or 2 years, as in the case of my Orient Mako. I now rock my weekender even on weekdays and mutter angrily to myself every time I see someone recommend the Mako on a blog.
Same here. I’m concerned about whether they fit true-to-size, though, and I have no idea about durability. That said, I was really close to pulling the trigger on the DSW Mercanti double monks. These are less than half the price. Tough call.
I’d say its pretty worth it to head down to a JCP today to see what they have going on. I found a section of their slim-fit stafford chalk-stripe suits on crazy clearance with plenty of sizes left: $42 blazer, $24 pants, $24 matching vest, and the fit is fantastic. im going to another JCP today just to see if i can get as lucky with another suit
I have another shoe in the same brand and they ran 1 size small. Normally wear a 10 in running shoes and vans, wore a 9 in the Brutinis. Not quite as bad as the 8.5 I had to get for my Veblens. Love my other pair of Brutinis and ordered these this morning. Hope that helps.
Thanks – that seems to be consistent with reviews I found at shoes.com. I may try a pair at this price.
If you live near a Brooks Brothers, you can call and ask if they have whatever item you’re looking for in stock, and if they don’t then they can order it and it ships to you for free.
Pulled the trigger on the Monks. I’ve been patiently waiting for a reasonable price on some simple brown monkstraps and in my size (13-14) . Finally! Now I hope the 13s fit.
I did the same. The blazer was marked 36 dollars, but it was 24 at checkout about a week ago. It was also a perfect “size down” scenario that finally worked for me.
I’m going again to see about their slim suits.
99% of the people I know have a cell phone with the accurate time on it, in fact, 75% of them can’t seem to put it down. Then there is the time on the computer, in the car, on the wall, on the tv, on the pedometer, on the rowing machine, etc… So one naturally begins to question the functional necessity of a wristwatch at all.
If one doesn’t need a watch to find the accurate time, yet one is needed to complete a “look”, it is essentially “jewelry” at that point. It seems that one needs a watch less for the time and more for the fashion statement.
There is a reason why people/ladies don’t care for cheap, run of the mill gifts, like walmart jewelry. It’s because it says “I put so much thought into this selection that I picked it up while I was buying toilet paper and green beans”.
In addition, $100 service fee over 8 years is $12.50 per year, or the cost of a decent drink per year. Maybe it’s just me, but any problem that can be solved by taking a bag lunch instead of eating out, isn’t a problem at all.
wow…I was planning to head down to my local JCP tonight. Now I’m really looking forward to it! Hope I can score some great deals.
Hmmm I am in the same boat as you. I am a 13-14 size. I may pull the trigger also…I guess I can always send them back if they do not fit…
I found the same suit as Nima did! I was on the fence about purchasing it (I usually like my pant legs a bit tighter/more tapered). However, while I was debating whether to get it or not, a lovely female customer saw me in the suit and recommended that I purchase it. That little push was all I needed! They also had some amazing wingtips for only $60.00.
Great tip, thanks!
If you are a fan of the Black Keys do yourself a favor and check out some Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Not sure why my response from this morning didn’t post, but no. I ordered half a size small. I saw all the things for ordering a full size down, but I have wide feet so I decided to try half a size.
The site looks to have a good return process.
I actually had a strange older mom tell me to “go ahead and buy it already” after about five seconds in front of the mirror with it [never making eye contact the entire time]. I actually mentioned that i might want the legs tapered a little bit, but my girlfriend convinced/threatened me out of the idea
Wow! Funny that we had a similar experience.
Anyone know if there’s a difference between the jcp oxford above and this one? http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/men/brands/jcp/jcp%25e2%2584%25a2-long-sleeve-oxford-shirt/prod.jump?ppId=pp5001060303&catId=cat1001520004&Ns=RHL&pageSize=96&dimCombo=null&dimComboVal=null
Seems the color options are different, and small sizes are out, but the one I posted is $10.
Joe, what size are you getting in the JCP OCBD?
Those monks can be had for under $50 right now. Check slickdeals for a coupon for $30 off if you use V.me and your Visa card, and MrRebates offers 12% cash back. My total was $54.95 and I have $6.xx in cash back pending. Not bad!
Medium. They fit me incredibly well.
Thanks for sharing your experience here, Adam. We forwarded your comments to our design and development teams for consideration. Glad you love your shoes!
Would love to hear how these fit. Shoot us a note on Twitter when they arrive to let us know if they work out. Thanks!
Nope, we’re our own independent family brand!
Excellent points. I feel like this should be some sort of PSA in the banners of all watch forums to help the uninitiated (me) ‘get it’.
Another heads up with the Monk Straps. $30 off a $60 order from shoebuy.com (now I’m wishing I had waited a day). Use code: EMLVME30OFF60 and check out with V.me
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/89828/shoebuy.com-shoebuy-coupon-30-off-60-orders-when-you-checkout-using-v.me-by-visa
It appears that many do make quartz models.
I’m not a “watch guy”, just… deliberate.
I almost bought that chalkstripe suit as well. Fit wonderfully, but I convinced myself that I dont need another grey/charcoal suit. I was also disappointed at the thinness of the fabric in the previously-mentioned Stafford broadcloth dress shirts.
Hey I’m in the same boat. Never had monks before. Ordered for the price and half a size small (wide feet). Let me know how it goes for you. Mine are supposed to arrive today.
Mine arrived earlier today. The width seems to be good, but they are a tad long. I have to say that fitting on my feet is more important that fitting perfectly length-wise.
The soles are ridiculously slippery (at least on carpet). I might have to figure something out to make them less slippery.
Got them yesterday – somewhat disappointed with what looks like a few scuffs on both shoes. Also the 13 was surprisingly big for my foot, I’m going to give them another chance with a size 12. Hopefully this one doesn’t come back scuffed.
My shoes have not been shipped and shoebuy has not responded to any emails. Anyone else have this problem?
Evan,
I did the same as you. And they are a tad long (9.5) but the width is good. They need a little cream and polish touching up on the heel. If you need them to be grippy slap a Vibram sole for $15-20 on it