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. Massimo Dutti Quilted Jackets – $245.00 or $155
Shown here is the $245 version. It’s a legitimately well made jacket from Zara’s big brother Massimo Dutti. Mid to lightweight quilted jacket with leather elbow patches, felt and suede undercollar, ticket pocket, and removable storm collar. Side vents, and a button/zip combo front. Consider sizing UP on these, since Massimo Dutti can run pretty trim. Fingers crossed that these end up on sale at some point. Part of the limited “equestrian” collection. Pricey though. They are making a less expensive version (less bells + whistles) in khaki for $155.
4. Mercanti Fiorentini Double Monk Medallion – $149.95
Not only did they add a Medallion, they increased the sleekness over the standard MF Captoe by stitching down the over-flap. You get more of an oxford look instead of a blucher look. Ships free with SHIPR as long as you’re part of their email club. Looking forward to the next tiered code. Still has a bit of a chisel toe, which is a deal-breaker to some. Leather isn’t the thickest stuff, but it’s super soft. DSW’s Mercanti Fiorentini line continues to lead the pack of actually-affordable Italian made shoes.
3. A pair of 5-Pockets in this shade-range for fall
From Left: Old Navy, American Eagle, and J. Crew Factory. All of them lean more umber than khaki. A warmer shade that’ll look really good with anything from a grey tweed blazer to a blue sweatshirt to a white OCBD. Hat tip to Rory over here in the comments who stepped into an AE store over the weekend (brave man) to get a look at the 5-pockets in person. Positive review from him, plus he had a perfect “I’m older than 25 and in an American Eagle” experience with the employee at the register.
2. Seiko 5 50th Anniversary SRP4 Series – $148 – $182
Whoa now. It’s like they blended up an SNZJ + a sporty striped Monaco. Part of the 50th anniversary collection that celebrates the Seiko 5 Sports line. Automatic, hackable, and hand-windable. 44mm in diameter, and multiple color schemes. Casual for sure, and the dial gets busy quick, but that racing-inspired design is gonna get some pistons pumping. All for a more than reasonable price. More from Seiko over here.
1. A navy, corduroy blazer: Billy Reid – $238 ($595) | GAP – $89
It’s the high/low (dressed up casual) version of evening wear. A deep navy corduroy jacket looks a little like velvet… but it’s not velvet. So, for plenty of us who can’t pull off velvet, this is a go to. Looks pretty damn sharp with a bright white shirt, medium to lighter brown shoes, and dark denim. Billy Reid version is made in Italy. Got the GAP version on the way for testing, and hopes are high. Going to keep an eye on Macy’s, since INC sometimes does one of these for the fall/winter season.
BONUS: The new J. Crew Dock Peacoat – $285.00
Pretty much knocked it out of the park on this one didn’t they? Peacoats are great, but the standard length barely covers a suit jacket. It’s more casual than a mid-thigh topcoat. This double breasted coat is extended, and instead of the usual six visual buttons on the front (like their ol’ Bayswater), it has eight. A bit more formal, but still a peacoat. And not a bad price for a piece of J. Crew outerwear. Was just going in the low $200s, and there’s lots of time between now and winter to watch for another code. As always, check your local Army/Navy surplus for something similar and cheaper, but J. Crew usually nails it on the fit front.
Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.
With you on the corduroy jacket – saw a nice one at Frank and Oak. Some others have elbow patches which I am not a fan of (at least not yet). Are those American Eagle trousers the ones that they advertise are going to bleed like crazy?
The thing that most often keeps me from the J.Crew peacoats is the lapels. Even in the model-picture, you can tell that the lapels will never even come close to laying anywhere near flat. Honestly, in my experience, it’s tough to get them to do anything but stick straight out (slight exaggeration, but you get the point).
Anyway, quick search will probably find a thread or two on the Bayswater peacoat. Most people note this ‘issue’. Some like it, but based on my reading it feels like most people would prefer lapels that were a bit more tamed (ie. lapels that lay a bit flatter).
Dat Seiko.
I have one and mine doesn’t have that problem. It’s probably something that can be fixed with a trip to the cleaners by asking them to improve the crease.
That new peacoat is great, but would look best on taller people imo.
I bought a navy Frank and Oak cord blazer last year, it’s the best piece I’ve got from them so far.
Does Target still have the Mossimo five-pockets in mustard? A quick search suggests that they do: http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-men-s-five-pocket-twill-pants-assorted-colors/-/A-14097615#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=mossimo+twill
If these are the same ones I bought last year, the color on the website is not accurate. The color is much richer, and looks more like the pants in this thumbnail: http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/36/14362367_121121203000_138x138.jpg
As Joe pointed out last year, the rear pockets dip a bit low on these. And, for me, the rise is a bit low… but I struggle with that on most pants. They’re cheap, they’re cut fairly slim (they fit pretty similarly to my 513s), and the color is spot on for fall.
Not sure if it came up yet and I don’t have time to search, but is everyone aware of the giltcity JCF 25% coupon up today?
+1 I was thinking about those same pants as I read the article. I got mine at Target on clearance earlier this year. The color isn’t mustard, it’s not brown, it’s not caramel…it’s something suggesting all three. But the fit is great without being too tight and the twill fabric isn’t too heavy. Recommended. I’ll probably get one of the other colors this Fall.
http://dappered.com/2011/10/affordable-style-source-the-armynavy-surplus-store/
Right, and: “As always, check your local Army/Navy surplus for something similar and cheaper, but J. Crew usually nails it on the fit front.”
But it can really come down to fit and details. Some guys want a mid-thigh coat without epaulets or having to swap out buttons. And J. Crew’s fit is usually spot on. I totally hear you, and that’s why it was mentioned to check the Army/Navy store in the post, but it’s not quite so cut and dry.
I grabbed a pair in green back in April or May, and wore them a few times this summer with lighter-colored shirts (white and light blue OCBD, etc.) I think they’ll last well into autumn with the right pairings.
Thanks for the shout-out, Joe!
I pulled the trigger on the JCrew Peacoat with 30% off. Was higher priced for Canadians, came to $280 shipped and taxed. I considered getting a WWII-era peacoat, but with that option, you only get navy/black for colour, it’s too short to cover a suit jacket, and it is not a tailored look (boxy). Great for looking like Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail, but not great for commuting to work in jacket and tie.
To assure fitting over a jacket (unlike the model, who is wearing it over a shirt alone, and apparently a size too small given the coat and cuff lengths), I sized up, with some trepidation, from S to M. When it arrived last week, it fit well over my thickest tweed hacking jacket and a thinner wool jacket, but was too long at the sleeves, so the cuffs are being shortened. But apart from that, great colour, great length (long enough, but not too long), popped collar looks good, overall, am pleased with the purchase though it was on the higher-priced side. YMMV.
Btw, a WWII-era peacoat (w/corduroy pockets) in good shape on ebay goes for US$100 plus shipping. Post-50s coats are cheaper but more cheaply made.
How about the upcoming Phillip Lim for Target collection? Includes a tan trench, a colorblock sweater, a navy suit, etc. A *fitted* navy suit at Target. Definitely looking forward to seeing that in person; Target rep confirms these things should be in store on 9/15.
http://threads.dappered.com/showthread.php/11153-Phillip-Lim-for-Target-lookbook-launched!-Menswear-included!
I snagged their older Bayswatter model on super duper clearance for under $100. This was cheaper than any vintage WW2 navy peacoat that I could find in perfect condition.
Didn’t you write a “think before you pull the trigger” post a few days ago lamenting the fact that you already have too many navy blazers? I have those garment dyed J Crew factory jeans in that color – they’ll get lots of wear this fall. They may be slightly darker than that picture suggests, at least to my eyes. They’re no darker than the AE pair though.
A note on the J Crew Factory 5-pockets – I got a pair last year and the pants I got were nowhere near as richly colored as those featured on the picture. The color described is “dusty camel” and after confirming with my order, I had to accept that the pants were merely dusty-looking indeed. A bit disappointing, but they held up well.
Yep. I already got one. But it’s something certainly worth considering for those on the other side of the screen (which is what this site is about anyway, not me)
I bought this peacoat as well and have to say I was a bit disappointed.
Everything I usually wear is a Medium and the medium for this peacoat is too baggy on the sides. The model showcasing it shows a slim, tight fit but it didn’t fit me like that at all.
It may have to be taken in but I’m not sure how easily it could be done.
Right. I’m 5’7″, XS in j crew outwear so the length of the old J Crew peacoat was perfect. Something like the new coat looks fantastic on a model but I think would emphasize my height which obviously I’m not in to.
I’m certainly interested but has Target ever had a successful designer collection for men? I mean, the best one I can remember is the Odin collection which was pretty underwhelming. The Odin collection had some great pieces but you had to wait until they went on clearance before the prices dropped to a reasonable level. The less said about the William Rast collection, they better.
i can’t get past the squared or chiseled toe on shoes. just not my style. loving the tips for the corduroy jacket
That MD navy quilted coat will be mine!
The German site lists it for 165€ which is quite a bit cheaper that the US price of $255.
Fair point. The Odin collection was a miss for me; I really didn’t like anything at the time. I did end up getting that wool beanie for under $10 on clearance though.
The real military stuff doesn’t put much emphasis on the finish of the fabric, it’s a lot rougher and less elegant than the stuff you’d usually buy even at Sears, much less the higher end stores.
Have you ever done a “what to look for in a surplus store” post? I got a pretty nice surplus Swedish greatcoat that looks (I think) quite classy, for example. And there’s always peacoats, and some fairly sharp looking sweaters to be found.
joe love the selection, the massimo dutti jacket is gorgeous. i personally think you shouldve sized down to get the tapered look the model has going on. it adds a lot to it. what size did you get Joe?
I thought so too but their short sleeve shirts turned out to be great for me this year. Still not a fan of the skinny pants but the shirts and blazers have been good.
Speaking of Cord blazers, I chanced upon the JCP Stafford blazer a few days back and caved and bought it in a dark brown. The fit for me personally was spot on and fit pretty trim even though it’s a “classic” fit blazer. I’m pretty sure they have it in a Navy and a black too. I got it for $54 over the weekend. I mostly wanted a warmer blazer for the fall/winter and this was perfect. If anyone else was thinking of looking for something similar I’d check it out.