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. Seiko Monster (Orange or Black) – $175 – $210
Summer means sweaty, dirty, and often wet fun. (Wait… what?). With a 200m water resistance, a tried/true/trusted automatic movement, and incredibly good luminescence in the dark, a Seiko Monster can handle everything you throw at it this summer. It’s a beast on the wrist (diameter is in the mid 40s mm) but it’s as bulletproof as a watch gets for $200. Photo Credit: Eric Kilby.
4. J. Crew Factory Slim Sea Stripe Pocket Tee – $16.00
Now half off ($32.50 for a t-shirt J. Crew Factory?) thanks to the 50% off sale J. Crew Factory has running clear through July 7th. A t-shirt on the most wanted list? Absolutely. When it nails it like this one does. Bold stripes in summer friendly shades, the ol’ pocket there to break it up (and make a nice place for your sunglasses or notebook), and available in their trimmer slim fit.
3. form•function•form Architect’s Wallet (in Chromexcel Nat + black Pen) – $100
Yes, this recently showed up on Dappered, but it’s such a “something” that it belongs here too. There are plenty of leather/suede options and you can pick between either a chrome Fisher Space Pen, or the matte black. This particular black & tan combo just looks tough. And the grey moleskin volant notebooks + dark rivet are great touches. Made in the USA. Finally got that in-person look over here. Was just $85 with a 15% off code that expired yesterday. Lurking for the next one.
2. Allen Edmonds Neumora in Black or Brown – $247.00 ($345)
Polarizing shoes even among monk strap fans. But that conflict might be one of the reasons why they’re now marked down by almost a hundred bucks (thanks conflict!). Now re-designed with an elastic bit on the rear buckle to prevent tearing. Word on multiple forums (and r2401 left a comment over here echoing this) is that they may crease in odd places on some feet. But for $100 off, with AE’s customer service, they’re a risk/splurge worth it to many. Plus, monk straps make going tieless that much easier. These are a closeout style. Maybe they’re going to put more focus on the Franciscan?
1. Bonobos Travel Jeans in “South Beach” – $48.98 ($98) | BR 5-Pockets – $27.99 ($79.50)
Summer has gotten old. Fast. One way to survive without defaulting to shorts (but by all means) is to wear a pair of medium to light-weight 5-pockets with a polo, and sneakers or loafers. They might not be as breezy as oxford cloth pants, yet they’re less likely to vacuum seal themselves to your rear thanks to butt-sweat. The pair from Bonobos are made in the USA, ship free via Nordstrom, and are part of the final clearance markdowns. Sizes are scattered. The BR pants are already on sale and STARS30 takes an extra 30% off. Hat tip to Matt Reader for pointing out the code, and that some socks or shorts or something will tip the free shipping balance quickly, since Gap INC stuff ships free at $50 pre code.
BONUS: A S.T.P. code that’ll work on the Wolverine 1000 mile collection.
There was a Sutter’s-Mill-style-run on these a few weeks back when Sierra Trading Post was running a 35% off code. At the time, stock of these Wolverine 1000 miler factory 2nds was plentiful. They’ve got some more stock back, but now it looks like these are excluded from all codes. Damn. Currently all of them are sitting in the low $200s, so not bad, but not eye popping like a few weeks back. Tons of styles, from the cap toe Rockland to the wackadoodle two-tone Addison.
Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.
I’m still trying to find a way to appreciate an orange watch. I haven’t been successful so far. The Seiko is a solid choice, though.
If you’re looking for a BR code for those 5-pockets, STARS30 will net you 30% off your entire order. Drops them to 27.99.
$50 for free shipping is pre-code as well, so the judicious use of just a bit of filler will cross that threshold. Old Navy tees @ $5 each (3.50 after code) did just fine for me.
As much as I dig that architects wallet, I think I like the *idea* of walking around with a moleskine notebook and pen more than I (and I dare say most of us) would use it in practice.
Got my OM from a well-known member on a watch forum for a fraction of retail price, aside from my 2012 Maratac Pilot (inverted triangle at 12), it’s my favorite. The OM draws lots of attention (esp. on the Watchadoo bracelet), but I don’t go anywhere near open water with any of my watches without a ZULU/Nato strap.
Pro Tip: Despite the name, the Monster is designed for a 20mm strap, but I found lots of 20mm straps to be kind of flimsy and not able to hold its weight. You can either force a 22mm ZULU through the lugs, or get a 22-24mm strap and notch it to fit.
Also, the lume. It’s legendary for a reason.
I’m right there with you. I really feel like I’m missing something here. The only strap shoes I understand are either the Jordan VIII’s or the Allen Edmonds Lubbock’s Joe featured a few weeks back:
http://dappered.com/2013/04/how-to-wear-it-the-allen-edmonds-lubbock/
What gives?
You’re asking people to explain their own tastes. Fruitless endeavor, my friend. Chances are no explanation will satisfy you anyway.
I detest penny loafers, but I don’t need a post to justify their existence in men’s fashion.
As others have noted/will note, taste is subjective. That’s the great thing about fashion/style: everyone has a different take. If we didn’t, we’d all be walking around dressed exactly alike, and how boring would that be?
Personally, I like the double monks and I’m cursing the fact that I picked up a pair of the brown neumora’s about a month ago and now they’re 100 bucks cheaper. But hey, that’s life!
I can’t explain WHY I like double monks any more than I can explain why I like a particular song or color or painting or smell or taste or … well, you get the idea.
Sure. I’ll give it a shot, being that I’m far from a monk-strap addict (despite frequent appearances here on this site, but this site isn’t about me) but I do like them quite a bit.
They hit a sweet spot for plenty. They’re not as dressed up as a lace up, and they’re a little more sleek/interesting compared to a penny loafer. If you like the tieless look, they’re a great match, whereas a true-oxford laceup might leave you looking like you really did just get out of the office and have since taken off your tie (some would argue this is always the case with tieless, I disagree) They also look pretty good dressed down with jeans/chinos/cords and a blazer.
That, and they fill that 70 year gap for those of us who never learned to tie our shoes.
Velcro + diapers. The bookends of life.
Updated above. Many thanks.
I love single and double monk strap shoes and have owned some form from AE to Kenneth cole for the last 15 years…
I think they look spectacular……
Unfortunately those ON tees bring you to $49.99 pre-code… aka, need an extra penny for free ship. Ended up doing a tee and some socks to get there.
Great replies everyone, and thanks for the explanation Joe. Guess I was stuck in the “proper dress shoes have laces” school of thought. Couldn’t wrap my mind around how to wear them with a suit, or anything else for that matter. Now I see. Still not a convert (when I go tieless, I’ll stick with chili or walnut AE’s to counter the formality of black lace ups with a suit, or go with Neumoks/1000 miles with jeans), but I’m glad to have a little more insight into the different opinions now. Thanks!
I’m pretty much always in the mood, and it doesn’t take much to put me there.
My pleasure, and, totally see where you’re coming from. I don’t even think I disagree with you on the “proper dress shoes have laces” school of thought. I think one of the reasons why I like monk straps myself, is that while I wear them often as a replacement for proper dress shoes, well… they’re really kinda not. (But better than sneakers with a suit, that’s for sure)
Br straight vintage…is that like the old Emerson line?
I ordered the BR 5 pocket pants when I saw them featured on the site a couple weeks ago. They are super tight on the thighs. The 30×30’s fit really well along the waist, the length was perfect, but whoa…super tight along the thighs. I didn’t think they were a “slim fit” type pant.
I really wish $247 shoes that would probably only be worn a few times a week qualified as “affordable style” for me…
Are there any other brand of DB monks straps out there in black with a good year welt that you would recommend? I purchased the Neumora and had the same “crease in odd places” problem.
My Seiko Sea Urchin orange dial just says “weekend wear” for me. Casual and for anything the summer throws at me on Sat and Sun.
Pay for quality footwear now, or pay for it later, unfortunately…
I felt the same way until someone gifted me that same Orange Monster above. After wearing it a couple times I was inexplicably hooked and now it’s part of my normal rotation.
The included Orange Monster bracelet is not only crazy comfortable, but fantastic for diving. Even has a diving suit extension built in.
I was on the fence when I bought my Orange Monster. Hands down one of my favorites now, and I have a black one on the way. I’m a reasonably small-framed guy and can easily still pull off the size without it looking silly on the wrist. Superb watch for the price.
They’re not for most. I was going to put these on the list: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/kenneth-cole-new-york-highest-rate-d-double-monk-strap-slip-on/3481533?
But, I could already hear the digestive rumbles of shoe snobs, preparing to defecate masonry. (that, and DSW’s Mercanti option is better)
Not my experience. I found them roomier than Bonobos Straight Leg at the same size (35×34). Only a bit roomier though.
check out meermin (http://meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=1949) or mercanti.
Yeah, I unfortunately had to buy 3. But as most of the t-shirts in my closet come from either high school or college activities and I’m just north of 30, I figured I could splurge on a few.
too bad the jcf striped tee doesn’t ship until august…
everyone’s different. 30w/32l fit me perfect. i bought em back when dappered first posted about them. have been enjoying wearing them at work as well as on vacation.
The local BRs also have the 5-pocket jobbies in the clearance section with an additional 40% of marked-downed goods. So $25, FYI, if you like shopping in-person vs online.
Out at the mall earlier today where the local BR had the 5-pocket jobbies in the clearance section with an additional 40% of marked-downed goods. So $25, FYI, if you like shopping in-person vs online.
The Orange Monster is a fantastic looking watch that I owned for a while (bought it at the Seiko Factory store). However, I have some problems with it. First, I literally had some problems with it. The watch started losing time like crazy and I sent it in for repair at Seiko’s state-side facility. It came back working alright but scratched all to hell and back. Had to send it back a second time for a new case and back due to their ineptitude. Second, I won’t own a watch for daily wear any more that doesn’t have a sapphire crystal (ok, I make an exception for the gshock). That Hardlex crystal is still just mineral and it will scratch and looking at a scratch on your nice shiny watch sucks. Lastly, it is HEAVY. Seriously, the thing is like an anchor on your wrist. Now I know you’re thinking that I need to pump the iron more but when you go from something like the OM to a nice titanium Citizen, it is a world of difference on your wrist. Don’t underestimate its weight.
And, bonus, the AEs come in widths for those of us with monstrously wide feet!
I got my neumora as seconds on ebay for 140. Be patient and maybe you’ll find some deals.
As one of the double monk’s biggest proponents let me answer.
Monk straps fill a spot somewhere between a proper dress shoe and just different enough and just rebellious enough to say “I’m not wearing a dress shoe.” Because there’s still a kid inside me somewhere who vowed that he would wear Air Jordans for the rest of his life that doesn’t want to give up the ghost.
It has just enough edge, enough vigor and defiance without actually defying much of anything. It still has all the main features of a proper dress shoe and doesn’t look at all out of place with a suit. I hate black cap toes for instance, for how boring they are. Double monk black captoes are just different enough to make me feel good about wearing them.
Aesthetically, I enjoy the lines, the minimalism, and yes, I hate tying shoelaces.
agreed.
Different strokes for different folks..
PS. = I detest penny loafers as well…lol
I really can’t say anything more than I like how they look. I own several pair, and they never fail to get compliments.
the pants on the BR model looks like it was photoshopped.
I exchanged the Neumora because of the odd creasing and I got a perfect pair from Allen Edmonds a week later(no odd creasing). very happy.