Most Wanted Affordable Style – July 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. 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.

 

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.