The Rest – The $1500 Wardrobe Part V
Creating a versatile, sharp wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. By far, the best course of action is to go slow. But for argument’s sake, let’s say you have to start from scratch. Today. Over the next 5 days we’ll see how far a strict budget of $1500 can go. It won’t be easy, some corners will have to be cut, and not every last stitch of clothing (like underwear) will be covered. But the goal is finish with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in most situations. Remember, we’re playing with a total of $1500 here. So the focus will be on real affordable goods which can last with reasonable care. Also, remember that 90% of looking good is fit, and tailoring costs can vary wildly. So those haven’t been added to the final cost.
The Watch: Seiko Solar Classic – $77.04
* or Invicta Auto – $80.99
Do prefer to be dressed up? Or are you more of the casual-but-still-sharp type? If you’re the more dressed up type, consider the Seiko (and picking up a springbar tool and extra watch band on the side). Its case shape says vintage, even though it’s absolutely not. Mega affordable, powered by light, and from a trusted watchmaker. At first glance you’d think it wouldn’t look right with a polo and jeans, but it has that heirloom “I wear it all the time with everything” kinda look to it. Meanwhile, for those who are more active or don’t want to have to worry about matching leathers… there’s the dirt cheap submariner homage from Invicta. Japanese automatic movement, links that say “sport” instead of “jewelry”, and a coin edge bezel. Should go with everything. For the sake of the math here, let’s stick with the Invicta price since it’s more versatile.
*You’ll need the code 30OFFNOV to get this lower price on the Seiko, although these Amazon codes don’t seem to be working for everyone.
The Ties: Whale Blue Silk – $15.00 & Black Silk Knit – $15.00
A blueish grey tie you can wear with either a navy or charcoal suit, plus 007s tie style of choice. Really. A black, silk knit tie looks darn good over a blue shit shirt (thanks Paul in the comments) with a charcoal suit, and extra sharp with a white shirt under a navy suit. And don’t be afraid of a 2 3/4″ – 3″ width… we’re thankfully rebounding from the suspender-thin tie trend. Another place to find neckties for super-cheap is your local thrift store. Even in areas where you’re not going to find high quality shoes or Italian suits amongst the racks of old sports jerseys and company logo golf polos, you can almost always find a vintage tie that’s worth wearing in the 21st century.
Wurkin Stiffs – $20.00
A floppy, splayed collar can really detract from the lines of an otherwise well tailored shirt or suit. You want your collar to be under control, and standard collar stays are a start, but these are the next level. You can position your collar however you’d like with these things. Some have pointed out that you can just buy rare earth magnets for cheap along with some iron alloy collar stays to replicate what Wurkin Stiffs do. Had a pair of the real deal for a few years and they get used almost every single day. Makes a huge difference.
TOTAL COST: $130.99
CASH REMAINING: $3.43
Well all right. Just enough left over for an espresso or something. Obviously, this isn’t a 100% complete, head-to-toe underwear + socks + tees + etc… setup. But when it comes to upgrading a wardrobe that might have been neglected for a few years, this would hopefully be a solid jumpstart for $1500. Coming up on Monday, some second guessing + alternatives. What would you have changed? Spend less on the suits + shoes? Make a high quality belt a priority? Leave it all in the comments below.
For a recap, you can head here to find all five parts of this year’s $1500 wardrboe
I think you meant, “looks darn good over a blue shirt” 😉 🙂
I’m not a watch-wearer – especially not when I’m trying to revamp a wardrobe for $1500. I would have filed that under the “if you want one, you’ve already got one” category, with underwear and socks and umbrellas, and branched out in the ties. But again, I’m not a watch person.
Wurkin Stiffs are so overpriced! I’d go with generic steel stays and mini-magnets.
No belt?
THIS… is what happens when the copy editor goes on vacation. 🙂
I think most guys already have a decent dress belt in their closet. But yep, as acknowledged in the italics at the end, that was one of the big misses here.
“Some have pointed out that you can just buy rare earth magnets for cheap along with some iron alloy collar stays to replicate what Wurkin Stiffs do.”
Have you tried that combo? Some guys have had good luck with some magnets and not others. And I gotta say, I know this is idiotic, but I don’t mind paying for the idea that I never would have had. Meanwhile, I really like these: http://wurkinstiffs.com/power-buttonstm-set-6.html
Still a solid selection for $1500 though. And shows how you don’t need to spend a million bucks to look a million bucks! adding on the cost of tailoring and a belt and your underwear i think you could still do it for under 2K
Or choose a no-frills Timex that goes with everything for $30. There’s an extra $50 to spend on ties, belts, etc.
Thinkin’ about bumping it to $2000 next year.
Although I will not be making underwear picks. I’m sure you fellas could handle the drawers department. 🙂
I do use that combo, and they work like a dream. It’s also nice to have a lot of different sizes to choose from. And I get where you’re coming from, but ideas are a dollar a dozen, and I don’t think plagiarism applies to things you keep for yourself.
And there are just some thing we don’t need to know about our fearless leader… 😛
I’ve used those cheaper rare-earth magnets in a pinch (yay, Bucky Balls!), but the coating tends to chip off prematurely.
Ideas are a dollar a dozen? Not good ones 🙂
Now if you can just convince my employer to give me a 33 percent raise as well, we’ll be in business.
The money’s in the implementation, though. For instance, there were hundreds of photo apps before Instagram came along. If Wurkin Stiffs gives me something better than what I can do myself, then I’ll pay for it.
Totally fair. But I would never have even known of this setup if it wasn’t for Wurkin Stiffs. And to me, that’s got value. Huge value. I wear them almost every single day. (I know this makes no sense).
Also, I bought one set + magnets before even realizing you could make your own… they haven’t let me down yet. And I do like the color covered magnets.
I’m happy to write a note!
I dunno, I think recommendations there could be really useful. Seriously.
http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/12969206/2/stock-photo-12969206-the-blue-shit.jpg
Yeah, a lot of us might find them very uplifting.
Reallocating the $80 from the watch, would go for white bordered cotton pocket square ($10), shoe trees ($25), a couple H&M v-neck tshirts ($15), a bow tie ($15), and a couple scarves from a sidewalk vendor ($15). Think that adds some good versatility for those of us who don’t care about watches (or can’t stand having crap hanging on our wrists).
I use this combo as well and I love it. One thing I can say this setup has in favor of it is the multiple sizes of collar stays. It’s nice to be able to adjust.
Recently bought 6 pair of Jso. A Banq cedar-fore-and-aft shoe trees for $48 thanks to a tip here. Keep an eye out for their periodic threefer sales. Sooner or later they’re gonna catch on to that one.
Hey Joe,
I sent you an email the other day and wanted to ask if it would get answered. Did I use the proper method of contacting you for questions?
Execution is everything. Ideas are cheap. Look at Silicon Valley if you need evidence of this principle.
On this kind of budget I think I’d have gone with a no-frills Timex. At $25-35, that leaves room to get two watches, or a watch and a belt.
Something like:
http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T2N948-Elevated-Classics-Leather/dp/B0083XFVJG/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1384574962&sr=8-46&keywords=timex
or
http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T49878-Expedition-Military-Field/dp/B006KY5V0O/ref=sr_1_64?ie=UTF8&qid=1384575097&sr=8-64&keywords=timex+expedition
or
http://www.amazon.com/Timex-Unisex-T2N654-Weekender-Watch/dp/B004VR9J0A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384575226&sr=8-3&keywords=timex+weekender
“Can’t stand having crap hanging on our wrists” but apparently more than happy to have a whole variety of things hanging from your neck…?
I agree here, although I love an nice well made Mechanical Watch, I can’t see why anyone should own them, as they are less accurate, more expensive and the only “cool” factor with them is if it has a glass back and you can flip it over to impress all your friends. Timex and a belt are definitely what I would recommend.
I’d be careful to discount “ideas”. Agreed that execution is key, but sometimes that execution is just outlasting others. I think we can split hairs here, but I do really believe that coming up with something isn’t so easy. Unless you hold, like, 50 patents or something, and then I bow to you sir 🙂
Wurkin Stiffs can be found slightly cheaper ($15) at Nordy Rack: not a huge savings or anything, but in this detailed strategy it would allow you to grab an espresso or something for both you *and* your date.
How do you use them? The magnet should go inside your shirt and shouldn’t be visible unless you have half the buttons undone.
or for about $15 on Amazon you can get 30 neodymium magnets and 30 metal collar tabs in various sizes.