Most Wanted Affordable Style – October 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. Zara Lambskin Gloves – $49.90

It’ll be glove season soon. These look a lot like the Ralph Lauren moto-style quilted gloves that have been made in years past. Only… less expensive. Ships and returns free.

 

4. Claiborne Cashmere Cable Sweater – $76.49 | Cord Blazer – $68.00

You’ll need the code LESSMNY (15% off less than $100) to drop each to the shown prices. The sweater is 100% cashmere and it actually feels…well… it doesn’t feel cheap. Really good for jcp. It’s a mid-weight and the knit feels strong. Size down (shown: small) and the fit is terrific. The cord blazer is 98% cotton / 2% spandex and the wale is good and thin. Fits like all the other Claiborne blazers… nice and trim. Size shown is a 38R. Sleeve buttons are non functioning and free of any accent stitching. Dear JC Penney: Please don’t kill off the Claiborne line when you run out of the Wooster goods. Thanks.

 

3. Fossil Retro Traveller Silicon Strap Chrono – $79.67 ($115)

Some of us (hand raised here) have a weird mental block when it comes to Fossil. The logo just reminds some of us of the late 90s. But with that said, that’s one hell of a good looking, basic time piece. Coin edge rotating bezel, a simple black + silver scheme, brushed satin case, and a great looking font on the chronograph subdials. The band looks perfect too. 100 meter water resistance. Standing ovation for the Fossil folks on this one. A warning: It’s a beast. 45mm diameter. Full price over at Nordstrom but on sale and fulfilled by Amazon at post time.

 

2. Jack Spade Turnpike Brief – $195.00 ($395)

Design is based off a vintage Banker’s bag, and it’s not dirt cheap but it won’t sting your account for an entire season either. Bridle leather trim. 17″ wide. Now under $200 via Gilt. But, it’s Gilt, so, returns are for credits only.

 

1. A camel overcoat: B.R.- $178.80 w/ BROCTOBER | Topman – $170.00

There’s something pretty darn dashing about a well fitting camel-colored overcoat. The one from BR is an 80% wool / 20% nylon trench adaptation, and it’s 40% off today (10/1) with the code BROCTOBER. Usual exclusions apply on that code. So no blazers, BR Picks, etc… It seems like it’s just a matter of time before BR starts excluding outerwear too. The topman option looks… a little wonky, but with some tailoring it could be just different enough. Single breasted, hacking pockets (which not everyone loves) and a contrasting collar. Sorta a bizzaro chesterfield thing going on there. Keep an eye on UNIQLO in the next month or two. They released a single breasted topcoat last year, that while not very warm, looked incredible for the price.

 

BONUS: Wallin & Bros. ‘Justin’ Double Monk Slip On – $150.00

Grey shoes get a lot of play on this website. As do monk straps, even though they seem to be petering out in the style community and they’re a raging cliche at this point. But still… c’mon. Anyway, here’s a combination of the two. Made in Italy for what appears to be a new Nordstrom house brand (Nordstrom’s co-founder was Carl F. Wallin) . Suede, with some unnecessary burnishing at the toe. Construction feels very solid. A little darker in person than on the Nordstrom website. These’d be one way to bring black into your wardrobe up top (sweater, cord blazer, etc…), without resorting to black shoes. Ships and returns free. Not your thing? Totally understood. Know that Nordstrom has been busy when it comes to shoes. They’ve got a new plain brown derby from Calibrate for $125, and a new suede Chukka from 1901 for $99.95.

Want more most wanted?  Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.