Most Wanted Affordable Style – May 2013

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 potential 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.  

5. Tissot Automatic III – $381.36 ($550)

A newer arrival to the Tissot T-Classic lineup.  A cleaner, more minimalistic version of the PRC-200 day/date.  Gone are the numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9.  The crown gets minimized too.  Case stays in the more classic range of 40mm or just a touch under, so fans of larger watches, note that it’s far from a beast.  Sapphire crystal and automatic movement.  Currently fulfilled by Amazon so at least they’ve got skin in the game.  More at the official Tissot site here.  (Got a bigger budget and want something more casual?  Know that a few of the Christopher ward Aviator style watches are on sale for 15% off w/ FLIGHT15 through 5/7.  That includes the C10 MK1.  Full review on that one over here.  Hat tip to Paul R. for the style tip.)

 

4. Transcript Suede Bucks – $110.00 or Tassel Loafers – $99.95

The heck is “Transcript”?  A new Nordstrom house brand?  Guessing it’s not, being that these shoes come in European sizes.  But they also come with a more European silhouette.  Many a summer buck can look clunky.  These look much slimmer.  Nice to see some cool greys worked in there among the usual earth tones and navy.  Some guys hate tassel loafers.  Others might take a pair for a spin this year since they look a little more elegant than a standard penny.  Ships and returns free through Nordstrom.

 

3. The Great Gatsby Soundtrack – $11.99

Available for purchase tomorrow, and you should be able to stream it on NPR’s site here.  Movie hits theaters Friday. The expectations are so high for the film that it’s almost (almost) destined to disappoint. Here’s to hoping it lives up to the soundtrack. Advanced listens/releases are incredible. Highlights: “$100 Bill” by Jay-Z, Beyonce + Andre 3000 on “Back to Black” (the song at the start of the 3rd trailer), the agonizingly vulnerable, almost to the point of being pathetic, “Over the Love” from Florence Welch, and the late night fog that is “Together” from the XX. There are plenty of up-beat interludes that sample early 20th-century standards (will.i.am + The Charleston + someone that sounds like Britney Spears?). But the songs that resonate are a slow-death, violent kind of sexy. Full review soon.

 

2. Mr. B’s for Aldo Montano – $99.98 ($200)

Meanwhile, in fall suede footwear… Almost a poor man’s version of these.  Quality won’t be half bad either.  The Mr. B’s page claims all of their shoes are made in Europe, and these sure look like they’ve got a true welt on em’.  Going to be too hot to wear them for awhile, but a hundred bucks?

 

1. The Wedding or College Grad Gift Monster Splurge – Tiffany Metropolis Cufflinks – $300+

And not just the cufflinks, but engraved with that specific Gotham-font shown above (and in their catalog over here).  But that font doesn’t appear to be available when you jump to their engraving options on the product page.  Might take a call to customer service to see what’s up.  Art Deco for your wrists.  Last cufflinks you’ll ever buy or have purchased for you.

Want more most wanted?  Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.