Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

We're banner ad-free this month thanks to

Most Wanted Affordable Style – June 2013

By | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

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.  Top Photo Credit: andrew_j_w .

 

5. UNIQLO x Michael Bastian Polo – $19.99 | OP Earl Polo – $34.99 – $59

Finding them might be rough.
Finding one might be rough.

Many of the Michael Bastian Polos have gone full sasquatch. Most sold out incredibly fast. I mean, did they really ever exist in the first place? DID THEY? They seem to have released a few new styles in the last few days, but… you best like plaid.

Meanwhile, the Original Penguin Earl can be found, but they’re expensive at sixty bucks. Buy two through Amazon, use the code 20DADS13, and that takes 20% off your purchase of $100+. Two polos now = $94.90, or $47 a pop. Still expensive. But they’re outstanding as long as you get them in the heritage-slim fit. Make sure you swing by the OP site where a few are on sale in limited sizes.

 

4. A cotton pocket square in madras or gingham – $8.00

Pattern & color for the warm months.
Pattern & color for the warm months.

A summer suit or blazer wearer’s best friend. Skip the tie, put one of these in, and go on about your business. Plus, they’re cheap enough through thetiebar that if you do break a bit of a sweat, you won’t feel weird about using it to mop off your brow.

 

3. American Optical Original Pilot Sunglasses – $42.99 – $78.00

Made in the USA
Made in the USA

A favorite of many. Like astronauts. American Optical and Randolph Engineering battle face to face in the Made in the USA sunglasses game, but AOs are much cheaper. Available in numerous width, lens, frame, and ear-piece combinations (points for the bayonet style seen above). Always on sale at optics planet, but some have had weird shipping & customer service issues with that site. $78 if you order direct through AO. Awesome photo credit: Guy Sie

 

2. Suitsupply Light Grey Linen Lazio Fit – $469.00

Hot damn for hot weather.
Hot damn for hot weather.

There’s a lot of khaki summer suits roaming around. But why not light grey? It’s a little cleaner looking than the yellowish tones that khaki brings. Black shoes work well with it too. Lazio fit has a slightly shorter jacket and a bit of a taper to the pants.

 

1. A pair of Meermins – $200ish

Lots of styles, not just double monks.
Lots of styles, not just double monks.

I know a guy who somehow made it to 2003 before figuring out what the word “millennium” meant. Also know another guy who was well into his 20s before he found out that our sun is, in fact, not the largest star in the universe. Sometimes, things just slip through the cracks. Sorta feeling that way about Meermins. Never heard of em’ until a few weeks ago. They’re a Spanish shoe company that’s regarded by many to deliver the best bang-for-your-style-buck. Goodyear welted, apparently made in China, and their entry level line goes for the low $200s shipped. But not everyone is a believer. You’re dealing with a brand that’s overseas with no real U.S. presence. More here on Threads with lots of links to other discussions elsewhere. Going to buy a pair for an in-person. Let’s hear it. Got experience with them? And what shoe from their classic collection would you like to see reviewed?

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

Comments

  3. Joe, did you pick a pair of Meermin shoes from the classic or Linea Maestro line?

  4. I have that very pair of AOs. Was skeptical, but I cracked a lens on my Rayban Cockpits and needed something else. Didn’t feel like dropping 200 on a new pair, so I got the AOs on sale for around $40. I’ve been thrilled with them. Comfortable, feel substantial, really cut down the glare. Lenses are of a very high quality for that price.

  5. Great tip on those pocket squares! I LOVE fun patterned pocket squares, but can’t for the life of me figure out how anyone can justify spending $50 for a half yard of fabric with 4 straight seams. There is no way in the world it costs more to make a pocket square, even from the finest silk than it does your average shirt.

  7. looks like he didnt select one yet, last line asks for suggestions from the classic line

  8. I have been to the Meermin in Madrid. Their stuff is legit, definitely a step up from Allen Edmonds. That said, it can often be a bit of a headache to order, and the risk is a bit higher than normal, since you have to ship back across the pond. Still, I think they are a great investment, because once you know your size, you might not want to order from anywhere else.

  9. AO’s are always available via eBay as well, for great prices. I think its OpticsPlanet selling on there too. But then you get eBay/Paypal coverage, and they have a decent selection, including my perpetual favorite: 52mm frame, gold, spatula arm, green lenses.

  10. Can you get a pic of you with the 52mm on? I’m looking between the 52 and the 55. Now sure which look will be more timeless.

  11. Looking for suggestions for the classic line. Want to keep it as close to $200 as possible to see if these really do deliver. $200 is still pretty expensive for plenty.

  12. I went to a Army Surplus store (EVERYONE should go to one, they are an amazing place to visit!) and did a wear test between the two. If you got a large face, go with the 55, other wise get the 52’s. Dropped about $42 for them at the store. Just like the ones in the picture above. Not polarized BTW…

  13. Joe, the only reviews I’ve seen are from the Maestro line, and I’d love to see the classic line checked out. I have been eyeing those suede double monks for a while but I’m not sure how I feel about the soles. Would love a review!

  14. What’s with the huge lapels on the suitsupply suit? I’m definitely looking for a grey linen suit but I don’t think I would like those lapels.

  15. Love my AO’s. Go to shades for me for the past few years.

    I’ve been looking at Merrmins as well, but as said, I’m having a hard time with te whole overseas thing mainly for proper sizing and returns.

  16. Nordstroms typically carries the RE variant in multiple sizes. I went with 52mm as 55 just felt too big for my face. Much prefer the smaller size.

  18. I’m all for geometric pockets squares if the pattern is busy enough. Otherwise, it looks like racing stripes when you fold it up and stick it in your pocket since you can only se a small piece of it.

  19. According to PTO Meermin shoes are started in Shanghai, and finished in Spain. Not really sure what that means.

  20. Just bought some AOs on Amazon. You can get several of the color combinations there for ~$40 as well!

  21. I don’t personally own any, but I would suggest one of the oxfords since those are the benchmark for shoes in my mind. I judge an italian restaurant by their lasagna and I judge a shoe maker by their cap toe oxfords. If they can’t make those, then how can you trust anything else from them?

    … unless you’ve got a hole in your collection that really needs to get filled, but you’re going to know that better than anyone else.

  24. There are a ton of good suits coming out of suitsupply as of late. Remarkable stuff.

  25. You will probably get a lot of requests to review Meermin double monks but, among the #menswear blogoshpere, those are very well reviewed already. I’d love to see a review of one of their boots (I mean I know it’s summer, but we’re about long term investments here, right?). Those (totally suit-worthy) chukkas look incredible and (please) don’t even get me started on how good those tan captoe boots look.

  26. Love the J. Crew linen suits. Got lucky last fall and was able to get the navy when it hit the sale section. Unfortunately, suiting is excluded from the 25% off promo. Suiting is also excluded if you use the code THEBEST, but that gets you 30% off instead.

  27. A great place to shop for AOs is your local military base’s BX(kind of like a Walmart without groceries). They also don’t charge tax. I have a pair just like in the pic above that I paid around $35 for. Finally, they have another AO, the A/O 2-eye Topsiders in brown for ~$62. You do need a military ID or a friend with a military ID that can go with you in order to get in to the base.

  28. I have 55 AO original pilots and 52 RE aviators. Went with the 52s on the REs to help with the weight of the real glass lenses. The 55 AOs stay pretty good on my nose/bridge due to the bayonet temples, but the 52 REs (bayonets as well) stick even better on me – working outside, playing sports, exercising, etc.

    Plus the 52s give you more of that Don Draper look – if that’s something of interest to ya.

  29. I have one the new light grey ones from J.Crew and it’s pretty fantastic. I am in between a size 40 and 42 and had to tailor the 42 to work (take it in the back and shorten one of the sleeves). Lots of compliments.

  30. AO are awesome, but they run kind of narrow for Aviators. Wish they’d pick up a wider frame width to compete with Ray Ban and others.

  31. Picked up 7 of the Bastian x Uniqlo shirts the last two weeks. They’re dope at $20. You won’t find a better fit and construction at that price – snag some if you can.

  33. My wife dropped a bottle of wine on my Ray Ban Cockpits and cracked the lens. You can call Luxotica and get replacement lenses for only $20 shipped! I ordered 2 sets just in case!

  36. Re: Sunglasses, I just picked up a pair of Serengeti Brandos. They are the smallest aviator style that they have (at least that I could find), photochromatic, enhanced contrast glass lenses, and polarized for 140 something on Amazon. They’re heavier than I am used to but I really like them. Serengeti is known for making top notch driver/aviator glasses.

    http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/products/brando.aspx

    What I’ve found with the bayonet earpieces is that I really like how they hold onto your head but if you wear a baseball cap pulled down, it’ll push at the back of the bayonet and push up on the front of the glasses. Really annoying effect and the main reason I don’t wear my Oakley Half Jackets as often as I thought I would.

  37. Anyone know where I can get those AO glasses in Europe? Online of course.

  38. Hm. Good to know. Honestly I think I like my AOs better, but for $20 makes sense fix the RBs too. Thanks.

  39. Point to note – not sure if its still true, but I remember they would sometimes check ID at the register also.

  41. Yeah I really don’t enjoy the bayonet earpieces. For 99% of my day, they were not pleasant and didnt hold well. I will say, however, that I flew in a friends plane, in the copilot seat and they were SUPER COMFY with the headset on. So, if I were a pilot, great sunglasses for cheap.

  42. I think you made the exact right call there, Josh. They both look really nice; classic. But the 52 fits your face/head better, IMO.

    Not sure which works best (outwardly) visually for me, 52 or 55 – but I gotta say, since getting the 52 REs, I’ve worn them MUCH more frequently than my 55 AOs – mostly due to the sizing and what I presume to be a slightly tighter bayonet temple grip due to that sizing-down.

    Either way, a great classic, near-timeless pair of shades, IMO. Rock them in good health!

  44. did you have to make a return? was that difficult?

    also, would you mind giving a sizing comparison. like if you’re a __ in AE’s or Converse or something, what size did you settle on for Meermin (and which model)?

    Thanks

  45. I did not make a return, but they are slow and expensive due to shipping shoes back across the atlantic.As for sizing, I am a small 10.5 (10.5 in sneakers, 10 in AEs) and a 9 was the right size for me (Meermin uses british sizes like Genson). If you want more information, go over to the Meermin thread on StyleForum where they have much more experince than I.

  46. Hey now. 1: These are photos OF me, not BY me. Its not my favorite style either. 2: This is a discussion of sunglasses and sizes. If you would like to discuss the validity of photo filters and unsharp masks, then by all means, head over to a photo forum. I was attempting to help a fellow member in choosing the right sunglasses for his face.

  47. Excellent, thanks. I need to give that another read before I pull the trigger but good to get info on it.

  49. You’re right, Mike. I forgot about that. The person with an ID has to make the purchase, so, if a friend gets you in with their ID, you’d have to pay them back, unless they’re a really great friend.

  50. This might be of interest to you: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guysie/7014418929/

    It’s a comparison shot I took of the 52 and the 55 on my (extremely hung over while taking that pic – excuse me) head. I added measurements in the description; it might help you pick. I chose the 55mm in the end because I want my aviators casually oversized; I have other more elegant sunglasses when I need them.