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. Cool Material .38 Special or .45 Colt Bullet Cufflinks – $23.99
Genius. Well executed too. Especially the .38 special option. Made in the USA from recycled casings. Better looking than 90% of standard cufflinks out there, despite their novelty status.
UPDATE: The .45s are back in stock. Use COOLTEN for 10% off. Many thanks to Chris W. in the comments, and note that you have to spell out T-E-N. It’s not 10.
2. J. Crew Factory Linen/Cotton Sweater – $41.65 w/ SALE30 ($59.50)
The code SALE30 takes 30% off everything through 5/19. No word on how much linen makes up this sweater, but this is one of those sweaters you absolutely can wear with shorts. Layer it over a button down poplin for a weekend coffee date, or just have it on standby in your place for when a warm day turns into a cool night. Flat rate shipping of $4.95 for orders under $100.
3. Clairborne Linen/Cotton Sportcoat – $51.00 – $85
55% Linen, 45% Cotton, and might be even less in store (tag said $51 on the 38R you see here). And holy crap, it’s not fully lined. Nice work outta them. Fit is outstanding. Similar in cut to the cotton peak lapel navy claiborne blazer first spotted months back. And that fit, with the off the rack taper at the waist and slimmer arms, is lightyears ahead of a similar Linen/Cotton sportcoat Stafford has right now. That Stafford blazer is boxy with very low armholes. The fabric on this Claiborne blazer is so-so, and what lining it has is a sorta scratchy poly, but overall it seems like a great buy.
UPDATE: The moved the price back up to $85 online. Might want to check in store on this one.
4. Huckberry Explorer’s Cap in Navy – $39.98
A collaberation between the people who brought you The Eliminator, and the people who brought you The New York Knights from The Natural Baseball Cap. And… other things. For both of them. Huckberry + Ebbets Field Flannels. Made in the USA. Adjustable, which is a big deal for those with big heads.
5. Fifth & Brannan Charcoal Pocket Square – $15.00
Not cheap for a square of cloth, but it ships free, and the fabric is incredible. Made in San Francisco and will become your navy suit/blazer’s best friend during the spring and summer months. Or, well, all year round too. Same goes for lighter blue jackets, oxford cloths suits, etc… Personally prefer this one folded instead of poofed.
6. jcp OCBD – $20 – $27.99 ($40)
Thanks to Andrew for pointing out that the jcp line’s (which is rumored to be discountinued at some point?) OCBDs are down to (UPDATE: were down to… they’re now back up to $28) twenty bucks. That’s even better than the Ron Johnson fair & square pricing of $25. So, if you’re an OCBD freak and love these things, maybe the time to stock up before they kill off the line. IF they kill off the line.
7. Target Merona Canvas or Suede Bucks – $29.99 – $39.99
Hat tip to Charley (who also sent in the photo) and Scott for the heads up on these. A step up from canvas sneakers, without stepping up in price. Also available in suede in grey, navy, and a medium to lighter brown “whiskey” color.
8. Merona Tailored Fit Cotton Shorts – $24.99
Meanwhile, across the aisle in the men’s department… From Pincord to Polka Dot Chambray to the lightweight oxford cloth seen here, these shorts are as good as it gets. 9.5″ inseam so the legs are going to be a little long if you’re vertically challenged. Fabric is great on the oxford. Nice light blue color on this “blue spangle” pair. … Spangle?
9. Whistle Pig 10 Year Old Straight Rye – $65 – $75
Rated 96 points from Wine Enthusiast. Their review from 2010 says it’s big, brawny, and has a maple syrup color. Seems like things might have lightened up since then, since the bottle above wasn’t quite as dark in color, and was really approachable in taste. Still rye, but not overly earthy. Sweet, fragrant, spicy and the taste certainly sticks around. One of those to take your time with neat. Or, if you want to go high-low by mixing some top shelf stuff, it makes an incredible Manhattan when you use Carpano Antica. More on Vermouth over here.
10. Timex 42mm Easy Reader in Tan/Brown, or Tan/Black – $65.00
Some Timex easy readers are so simple they look cheap. Like, Mickey Mouse watch cheap. At 42mm, these are a bit more substantial and the dial colors and leather bands add some visual weight to your wrist. But not too much weight. We’re entering summer, and tis the season for lightening up and keeping things simple.
For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.
I tried on that JCP blazer in store last week. The underarm seam on one side ripped as i was putting it on. I definitely was not impressed with the quality. The facbric was pretty scratchy too, but for the right price it might appeal to some.
Joe, where is the $63.75 price coming from on the Clairborne jacket? I’m still seeing full price on the JCP website.
Also, any comment on the wrinkle factor on the fabric?
sadly, my big, size 8 (I assume this, since I can’t even get half my head in a 7 1/2, never actually seen a size 8 ball cap here) head never fits in those stupid adjustable caps
I’m not getting a sale price on those Jack Purcells
Target, why aren’t you open where I live? I was looking for a pair of navy canvas shoes for a while.
Looks like they just moved the price back up to $85 on the web. Updated above.
As far as wrinkling, I’m thinking it’ won’t much. Fabric is pretty stiff. Little too stiff, but at that price, it’s hard to argue.
They moved the price up overnight, which is odd, being that I can’t recall Nordstrom ever playing move-the-price-around games. Usually once it goes on sale, it stays on sale. Strange.
Took the mention out of the post above.
That rye is calling my name
Damn, went right for the .45 cufflinks and sold out.
Canvas Bucks: One of the reviewers (navy with red sole) – “Big issue is this shoe does not breathe. My feet get very hot
sitting at my office desk. Not a great summer shoe but looks like one”.
I was going to order these, anyone seen them in person? I live in the South and really need a cool (breathable) summer shoe that is dressier than my Purcells (which also have worse support than my flip flops).
I like those bucks. What would be the best bet to wear with a white linen suit (going for a destination wedding on a beach)?
I really want some whistle pig!
JC Penny is REALLY pissing me off lately. I get it they “square deal” concept alienated their old customers, and that bit them in the ass, but I am among the people who LIKED the new direction, and now they’re alienating US by doing a complete 180. So they lost their old customers, now they are losing their new customers. If their mistake was changing too drastically, too fast, they really haven’t learned anything from it.
If JCP stops selling the JCP Line I will cry. The JCP line is like JCREW only cheaper, and I think the quality is there, even if the cut is not always perfect. And for the price, I am happy with everything I have bought. In fact, I practically have the ENTIRE line of JCP clothes out this summer except some of the shirts. I also have all the Stafford line of shoes and a number of Stafford and Stafford Prep and Claiborn clothes. I think they are doing it right. If they go back to the clothes that are too boxy and ugly I will just have to shop at JcRew Factory and Lands End Canvas
I’ve been looking at the Huckberry cap for a while now…toss up between the navy or the grey/navy combo. Pictured here: https://secure.huckberry.com/store/huckberry-explorer-s-caps/explorer-s-cap-grey-navy
Shameless plug, but $5 off your Huckberry purchase through this link:
https://secure.huckberry.com/referral/fec256d3d2
FWIW, those shorts were $20 last week.
Also, Uniqlo has been putting their casual shirts on sale for $19.99 each. That’s the regular and slim fit OCBD’s and their regular fit broadcloth shirts. Reddit consensus seems to be that the fit and material on them is better than the JCP.
At some point I hope they come to the conclusion to leave the old sale model in the mall and just start opening up some boutique-esque stores for those who preferred the new pricing model and style change. Ooorrr acknowledge that the ginormous department store model is beyond outdated and just goes boutique will all of their departments.
There are three sizes between 7 1/2 and 8! I can’t fit in a 7 1/2, either, but a 7 3/4 is just right most of the time!
A note on the JCP oxfords….
Per my store visit yesterday (may have changed today) the in-store price was $25 whereas the online was the $27 price. They honored the stackable coupons even thought I didn’t have them as well. For those who are in between sizes, I did notice some fit inconsistencies (on me at least) the blue version was more roomy than any other color I tried on. Not sure if this was an anomaly or a true fit variance. The current version has a little bit higher collar but the fabric is more substantial (thicker but not as soft) than the previous version.
By better fit do you mean slimmer? I’m right on the verge of being too big for the JCP versions in a XXL so if they are slimmer, they definitely wouldn’t’ work for me. Just curious…
Careful. There are TWO lines of JCP Long sleeve oxfords in light blue. There is one line with the navy, light blue, and pink stripes along with solid white blue and pink AND there is another almost identical line in oxford cloth that is in light blue and white which is differentiated by a ribbon of blue and white running along the inside of the button line. One is called “Long Sleeve Oxford” and the other is called “Oxford”
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/men/shop-sale-clearance/sale/jcp%25e2%2584%25a2-long-sleeve-oxford-shirt/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002640029&catId=cat1001520004&deptId=dept20000014&Nao=24&pN=2&dimCombo=null&dimComboVal=null
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/men/shop-sale-clearance/sale/jcp%25e2%2584%25a2-oxford-shirt/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002260083&cmvc=JCP%7Cdept20000014%7Ccat1001520004%7CRICHREL&grView=&eventRootCatId=¤tTabCatId=®Id=
This is true. However, this current sale is a lot cheaper than it even was before. I got an amazing amount of clothing (with free shipping) for like $82 this weekend.
It’s strange because they are still listed when you click on their discount link, but they have no discount applied to them. It’s a shame because I’ve been waiting to get them or the all white tretorn’s when I find them on sale.
Hey I’m all for clearance sales, I’m here aren’t I? The thing I don’t love is when stores overprice everything, and then have a “sale” pretty much every day of every week, so that folks feel like they are getting a bargain.The whole: “Don’t miss our Mothers day sale! this week only!”, and then next week “Hey don’t miss our Memorial day sale! this week only!” JC Penny was one of that stores that was well in that camp. So I liked it when they went with the more honest model. Raising the prices up, so they could go back to the constant sale model just served to highlight the charade, and what I’m objecting today is the fact that they raised the prices again after Joe posted them. This constant yoyo pricing is seriously annoying.
There are just some stores where I don’t buy anything unless it’s on sale, but then you have to luck out to find it in your size. I was excited to have a place that really had every day low prices where you could get your staples, and know you could get them in your size, and than maybe also get a bargain if you lucked out when things went on clearance.
Cufflinks back in stock! Use “COOLTEN” for 10% off.
For the slim fit, that’s definitely the consensus. Uniqlo’s site has really detailed size charts so that’s your best bet for making sure.
I have the same black/tan, as it was featured on Dappered a while ago. That said, I hate using it. After a couple months of use the timekeeping is clearly off. It’ll be about 5 minutes behind after only 1 day. Oh, and that loud ticking…
I saw those canvas bucks in person. My word, they are made of some
of the stiffest, ugly-looking canvas I’ve ever seen. Looks more like shoes made out of recycled, military-grade rucksack material. Would not recommend
Thanks for the feedback Tim.
Interesting. I did not see the one with the ribbon in store so I can’t comment on fit. All the ones I tried on were the standard oxfords (the jcp oxfoird as noted above)
Anybody have a recommendation for a belt similar to this Cole Haan in British Tan that’s under $75? http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/cole-haan-madison-belt/3405293?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3168&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_9_D
Wow, I like that Tan/Black Easy Reader. Probably will pick it up.
Just a heads up, the Timex watch is on sale at Urban Outfitters for $39.99, plus they have an additional 10% off with code WACKSLACKS. Here’s the link http://m.urbanoutfitters.com/mobile/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=26512541
Kinda steep for Timex. I’d never pay more than $35 for a Timex – hit up Amazon for Easy Readers – they’re always on sale for about $30. Slap on a new strap (that costs more than the Timex itself, usually) from Crown and Buckle or Holben’s and you have a pretty cool watch. Haven’t had issues with Timex losing time as other commentors have, mine are fine.
re the canvas bucks from Target: does any one know, are they leather lined? I try to avoid leather when ever possible, so obviously shoes can be a pain in the arse.
Unless you live in Canada.