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. Wallin + Bros. Cotton Sportcoat – $74.98 ($150)
Sold by Nordstrom, so it has a lot going for it. Specifically: The quality should be solid, and it ships and returns free. One reviewer said it doesn’t fit so trim (despite being labeled a trim fit) so consider ordering a size down if you’re inbetween? Looks like a much more polished, less rumpled version of the Kensington from Target. Partially lined.
2. Black Joe Lewis: Electric Slave – $9.49
Compared to the two previous releases
3. Banana Republic Colorblock Crew – $45.18 w/ BRSHOP35 ($69.50)
This colorblock thing just won’t go away will it? And for good reason, since they’re making non-clashing pieces like this casual crewneck from Banana Republic. 60% extra fine merino wool, 40% acrylic. That actually might make for a super soft but strong combo. Haven’t seen BR use that blend before. A newer arrival. UPDATE: These are all but sold out. Weird.
4. Aston Grey Dien Suede Lace Up – $79.95
A tad over $75, but they ship free with SHIPR if you sign up for their emails. Big hat tip to dackman in the comments over here
5. GAP Striped Web Belt – $19.95
One of the better, ultra-inexpensive purchases to hit the personal wardrobe in awhile. Five color/stripe combos and dirt cheap when you use codes. Perfect for tipping a free shipping balance. And believe it or not, it’s made in the USA.
6. The Timex T4987 Series in Black or Brown – $40ish
These are the leather band versions of the nylon strap option
7. A flag football set – $16.10
(for a 5 on 5 kit)
Even though we’re coming off one of the best televised sports weekends in recent memory… it’s good to remember that getting a group of friends together for a game, like actually PLAYING a game, is one of the best ways in the world to spend a weekend afternoon. Most of us just don’t do it enough. Get 10 – 20 friends together. You want friends who like to be active, but don’t take keeping score too seriously. Play flag football one Saturday or Sunday afternoon a month. Rotate parks in your city. The person who’s place is the closest to the park can host beers afterward if they’d like (canned beers of course, it’s flag football). Need cleats? Check places like Ross and TJ Maxx for cheap, entry level brand name cleats. And make sure you stretch. Stopping, starting, and running all-out on grass can take a hell of a lot out of your legs. Photo Credit: Dazyair Art & Photography
8. American Eagle Contrast Sweater – $37.46 ($49.95)
For being a store that most of us feel like we’re a little too old for, AE has been cranking out some solid casual pieces lately. Should come down with codes. A glance and a zoom doesn’t seem to show a visible logo, so… here’s to hoping.
9. Wiser’s 18 Year Canadian Whisky – $50 – $60
Gently spiced kindling. And that’s a good thing. Bad Canadian whiskey can be too much everything. This is a pile of subtle. Aged for 18 years, a kinder “just” 40% alc./vol., and while an investment, it pays off if you’re into (or getting into) Canadian whiskys.
10. Just different enough gloves: $39.90 – $69.00
Two examples here. The first is from Zara with navy corduroy tops and goatskin palms. Sharp. $39.90. Ships and returns free. The second pair are from Orvis and can be personally vouched for. They’re unlined but the lambskin keeps your fingers warm enough in cool to moderately cold temps. Ventillated fingers, but they don’t have the big traditional knuckle holes most driving gloves carry. Great tan shade as well.
BONUS: Tretorn Suede Sneakers in Sundown Brown – $62.96 ($94.95)
Already been mentioned a few times, but those just might be the best looking pair of sneakers in an autumnal hue… ever. Maybe. Ships and returns free via Nordstrom.
For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.
the Tretorn sneakers look like bowling shoes.
I was going to say they look like a football.
Navy suede Aston Grey’s delivered last week from the DSW tiered sale. Sized down a half size and they fit great. Got about two wears in last week and they were pretty comfortable right out of the box. With the sale discount and rewards points I was able to snag them for $59.
Which could be kind of a fun thing on game day. I immediately thought they looked great, but would want to swap the laces out for something a bit more subtle.
oh, hells no. (Tretorn Sneaker)
The Treton shoes look like the dreaded “fashion” sneaker.
I was looking at the tretorn sneaker last night. If you’re willing to sacrifice free shipping / returns, they’re $48 + $7 shipped in the US from Tretorn:
http://us.tretorn.com/Nylite+Reverse+Leather/p/47260201/
I’m not sure If I like them – the toe feels a little bicycle-toe-y, and I’m not crazy about the reverse-leather (the texture looks like a weird suede – I’d need to see it in person.
Thankful for all of the unnecessary hate of Tretorn. Makes picking them up on ultra clearance continually possible.
Well, not if you wear them with a waistcoat.
(that’s a joke)
Hyperbolic enthusiasm by the author + Monday morning post = this kind of thing happens with some level of predictability. Yet I didn’t see the vitriol coming either. I’m with you.
I discovered Wiser’s on a trip through the Yukon Territory several years back. My uncle asked for a rye and they gave him a Wisers, so it must have a substantial amount of rye in the grain bill. It’s got a nice vanilla note, but is definitely not cloyingly sweet. Not all Canadian whiskys are bad – just most of them. I don’t think we had the aged 18 years stuff, but even their regular Whisky (it’s just called de luxe) is pretty good.
I have the brown on brown Timex (i purchased it as my first watch recently) and I love it! Very durable and has an extremely nice feel to it. I would suggest it to anyone.
They say that what you see on the face of a Tretorn sneaker is a reflection of your own psyche.
Definitely size down with the sport coat. I tried on one during the recent Anniversary Sale and it was pretty loose.
I originally ordered that Wallin & Bros sportcoat during the Anniversary Sale. It got lost in the mail, so by the time I got it, Nordstrom had put it on sale for $74.99. As Joe says, it runs a little big. I’m a 38R (about 17.5″ shoulder) and the medium was too big in the shoulders, and way too long in the sleeves. I exchanged for a small (at the new price) and it fits well, no tailoring needed. It’s a keeper.
Swap the laces out, Dan.
The link for Dackman’s comment on #4 takes you to Amazon.com.
I seriously do not get the appeal of Tretorn shoes.
Unlike the US, “rye” doesn’t necessarily have to have 51% rye in Canada. We tend to use the term “rye” to refer to any Canadian whisky regardless of the grain make-up.
And a lot of it is pretty good – but the more popular exports are often terrible. Canadian Club is a prime example. Put it to you this way – it took my dad’s family three hours one Christmas to put away a Texas mickey of Crown Royal. It took us three HOLIDAYS to finish a Texas of Canadian Club. We had to resort to mixing it with Fireball just to get it down.
Anyway, point being that the Wiser’s 18 year is indeed pretty delicious. If you can find a brand called Forty Creek it’s also decent (and at a lower price point).
If you want a 100% rye whisky (one of the few), find yourself a bottle of Alberta Premium.
brilliant rejoinder!
I bought the gray suede pair a month ago, first and foremost very comfortable. For me tretorns have always been a go to sneaker. Can hardly think of a time I threw them on and regretted it. Only wish they would drop the logo. If you go with suede I would advice you to go down at least half a size. They fit larger than the canvas sister.
I have that “navy” & green GAP web belt. *Blackest* navy in all the land.