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10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Suede, Whisky, & Football

September 16, 2013 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

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)

nord sportcoat

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, there’s less bounce on this record. More… crowbar upside the head here. But it’s still Black Joe Lewis. Songs like “Skulldiggin‘” & “My Blood Ain’t Runnin’ Right” sound downright dark for this group who can make even the most ardent wallflowers sweat a pond on the dance floor. But at their core, despite the name change, these guys still might be the best bang-for-your-buck out there both in recorded and live form. If they’re playing in your city, maybe make an effort to get there. Chances are the venue will be small, packed, and one wild ride for the evening.

 

3. Banana Republic Colorblock Crew – $45.18 w/ BRSHOP35 ($69.50)

br colorblock crew

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

AG suedes

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 for pointing out that these could quite be the BR Owen, just with a different brand and model name on em’. Word is they run large. More on the BR Owen (when it was called the Jarret) over here.

 

5. GAP Striped Web Belt – $19.95

GAP slider belt

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

Timex Expeditions

These are the leather band versions of the nylon strap option. Black on grey on the left, brown on brown on the right. They feel good and durable in your hands as well. Slightly-oversized crowns and a perfect for many 42mm in diameter. Note: The black is over here and sold out. Patiently awaiting new stock for that mean looking $40 bugger.

 

7. A flag football set – $16.10 (for a 5 on 5 kit)

flags

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)

AE sweatshirt duo

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

wisers 18

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

different gloves

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)

Tretorn fall suedes

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.

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Drink Tagged With: best bets

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Comments

  1. er1cha says

    September 16, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    the Tretorn sneakers look like bowling shoes.

  2. PaulWoidke says

    September 16, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    I was going to say they look like a football.

  3. dackman says

    September 16, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    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.

  4. Marshall Lilly says

    September 16, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    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.

  5. IcarusNYC says

    September 16, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    oh, hells no. (Tretorn Sneaker)

  6. Jack Andreasen says

    September 16, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    The Treton shoes look like the dreaded “fashion” sneaker.

  7. BigBayesian says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    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.

  8. Jeff says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Thankful for all of the unnecessary hate of Tretorn. Makes picking them up on ultra clearance continually possible.

  9. Joe says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Well, not if you wear them with a waistcoat.

    (that’s a joke)

  10. Joe says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    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.

  11. Mark Johnson says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    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.

  12. Matt Lane says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    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.

  13. Bruschetta says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    They say that what you see on the face of a Tretorn sneaker is a reflection of your own psyche.

  14. vic_a says

    September 16, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Definitely size down with the sport coat. I tried on one during the recent Anniversary Sale and it was pretty loose.

  15. Tom says

    September 16, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    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.

  16. Wolf says

    September 16, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Swap the laces out, Dan.

  17. David C says

    September 16, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    The link for Dackman’s comment on #4 takes you to Amazon.com.

  18. Young Napoleon says

    September 16, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    I seriously do not get the appeal of Tretorn shoes.

  19. Bert_McGurt says

    September 16, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    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).

  20. Aaron Brown says

    September 16, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    If you want a 100% rye whisky (one of the few), find yourself a bottle of Alberta Premium.

  21. Andy says

    September 16, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    brilliant rejoinder!

  22. Andy says

    September 16, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    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.

  23. yoyorobbo says

    September 19, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    I have that “navy” & green GAP web belt. *Blackest* navy in all the land.

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