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Most Wanted Affordable Style – January 2014

January 6, 2014 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.

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. Allen Edmonds 5th Street Boots – $275 ($375)

AE 5th Street on Dappered.com

A hundred bucks off and still a load to the check book (especially with holiday credit card bills starting to roll in). But boy… if you’re the type that likes a little extra ankle protection during the colder parts of the year, it doesn’t get sleeker than these. They do have a leather sole, so they’re not ideal for snow/water soaked conditions, but still. Available in brown or black. (Brown boots shown behind the black 5th above ^ is actually the pebble grain & casual Promontory Point. Down to $199 now during the sale). Part of the Allen Edmonds After Holiday Sale. And these are listed as closeouts? That mean they’re discontinuing these things?

 

4. Sherlock Season 3 (US Premier 1/19/14) & Mini Prequal

An extended period of dead, and now… no longer dead. Feels familiar, and all kinds of right. Between the outerwear, decently executed tielessness, and an appearance of morning dress in episode 2, Sherlock is a pretty stylish show. But it’s not about the clothes. The story telling & chemistry are outstanding. Word is there’s more humor this season, but here’s to hoping they don’t get too goofy. This short prequal launched ahead of the U.K. premier (New Year’s Day) and has racked up 5 million views. Looking forward to it and then some.

 

3. TheTieBar Chambray ‘Compass’ Woven Pocket Square – $8.00

Chambray Pocket Square from TheTieBar on Dappered.com

Muted blue chambray with a tonal micro pattern. Perfect for that navy blazer, black sportcoat, or for gently breaking up a charcoal suit + white shirt. Eight bucks via TheTieBar.

 

2. A different F&O return policy. Canvas + Suede Weekender – $135.00

frank & oak bag on Dappered.com

Here’s the thing with Frank & Oak. Their their return policy stinks. Store credit only and returns have to be back within 15 days of delivery. Pretty sure many of us would be more willing to take a leap on this brand (especially this canvas and suede weekender) if you didn’t have to A. Hand over an email address to see their goods, and B. deal with a store credit only returns policy. Bag shown above is almost 3000 cubic inches (24″x12″x10″) with decent enough looking leather accents for the price, plus that contrast suede bottom. There’s always Everlane in the mean time, and for something simple (and cheap) it looks like Bespoke Post brought back their Blue Claw Co. made Duffel as well.

 

1. New B.R. Tailored Fit Blazers in Charcoal or Navy Sateen – $198

New BR Blazers 2014 on Dappered.com

Sit tight on these. If you can hold out for a code that doesn’t exclude blazers, these drop to $138.60 at  30% off. And don’t be too afraid of that “sateen” option. Banana Republic Sateen blazers of the past have mostly been matte. So they’ll be super smooth, but hopefully not high-shine (like much of Express’s sateen stuff). Could make for a fantastic smart-casual blazer that can be dressed up when necessary. Both are cut in the trim but not skinny tailored-fit. Fabric on the charcoal looks like it’s got a bit of marling to it. Almost chambray like. Could be perfect. Available in sizes 36S all the way up to 48L.

 

BONUS 1910 for Nordstrom Suede Double Monks – $99.95

1901 Monks

If things have been a little too dark and dreary in your neck of the woods, might be time to break out the spring/summer footwear a little early. Made by Nordstrom, these appear to be built on top of the same sturdy yet well cushioned platform that the 1901 Carson is built on. Expect these to not be all that sleek. More casual than dressed up. Got a pair on the way for an in person.

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

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Shoes, Too Expensive Tagged With: 1901, Allen Edmonds, Banana Republic, Blazer, Duffle, Most Wanted, Pocket Square

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Comments

  1. ForeverGuest says

    January 6, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    A very strong second to Frank & Oak’s return policy.

    Those Nordstrom double monks look solid too. I’m not a huge fan of the double monk trend, mostly because they are at once, to me, too casual to wear with a suit and too fancy-pants-looking to wear with jeans. These ones seem to hit all the casual marks, more like a casual derby than a dress oxford.

  2. diversification says

    January 6, 2014 at 9:29 AM

    Home come this blog never recommends double monks?

  3. Joe says

    January 6, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    No clue. We should really get on that. We’ll double our efforts in the coming weeks.

  4. tomservo says

    January 6, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    The only dubbel monk I’m interested in! (okay, that’s a lie. I’m wearing double monks right now.)

  5. Tom says

    January 6, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    It might just be me, but the first time I tried to go to Frank & Oak it pushed me so hard to join the Hunt Club and sign up that I thought it was a members only store. I’ve already signed up for enough Gilt’s, Rue La La’s, and My Habits for my taste. I just want to buy clothes. Anyway, I was so turned off by this I don’t see myself ever purchasing something from F&O. It’s a hassle to visit their site, not an enjoyable experience at all.

  6. nin says

    January 6, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I got the AE promontory boots in black and they are great! They are almost as versatile as brown shoes because of the pebbled grain, brown stitching, brown laces and brown heel layer. They look good with jeans of chinos and ocbds.

  7. John D says

    January 6, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    I tried on the 1901 Double Monks at Nordstrom a couple weeks ago and they look great with jeans and are quite comfortable. A hundred bucks isn’t a bad deal if the sole will hold up for a couple of summers. I’m going to wait a bit and see if I can’t catch them on discount, but either way, I’m definitely planning to grab a pair later this year.

  8. dackman says

    January 6, 2014 at 11:48 AM

    I went from owning one sport coat/blazer before beginning my Dappered experience a couple of years ago to now owning eight!

    Damn you Banana Republic for your affordable and well fitting blazers. Saw the gray twill cotton one in store last week. Tempting…

  9. rohmen says

    January 6, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    Not sure if I just got lucky or what, but I snagged a pair of AE 5th Streets at Nordstrom Rack a few months back for $199. Worth keeping and eye out for them (or AEs in general) if you live near a Rack.

  10. Invictus says

    January 6, 2014 at 1:37 PM

    Tripel monk is the new hotness.. Dubbel monks old and busted!

  11. Domino says

    January 6, 2014 at 1:46 PM

    I don’t know if anyone here actually gives a crap that Men’s Wearhouse has put an official offer in to by Jos. A. Bank, and wants to put two of their people on the Board of Directors.

  12. WideEyesTWBlog says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    My two cents are that I (for the most part) love F&O’s clothing, but hate their customer service, shipping, billing, you name it. Everything is soooo slow and has been for ages. I’ve been on the hunt club for over a year now, and the only reason I stick with it is a) I have enough store credit that it’s never *my* money getting tied up and b) it’s one of the few places where shirts and blazers fit pretty perfectly OTR, at that price. They do get strongly worded e-mails from me pretty regularly regarding month-old orders that haven’t shown up, returns that haven’t been refunded, etc. I’ve been documenting it periodically on my blog, WideEyesTightWallets.com, and will have a third piece coming out regarding the experience soon.

  13. yoyorobbo says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    Yep yep. I grabbed a pair in brown several months back for even less (I forget now but maybe $160 or 170). Thing is they were a half size too small. Returned them a few days later. Buh. Mer.

  14. southy says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:36 PM

    I am getting a decidedly clunky vibe from those DubMonks. It looks like a pair of kids velcros and a pair of nubuck Tims had a baby.

  15. Guest says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:39 PM

    One of the best I’ve ever had.

  16. stoof says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:40 PM

    One of the best i’ve ever had.

  17. Sigtweed & Corduroy says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:42 PM

    Saw the dubs in person last weekend. They are very nice. I kind of wish I hadn’t sprung for a nearly identical (save for the sole) Zara pair a few months back, I would have bought them for sure. The brick red sole looks great. Hell of a great deal for $100. The are decidedly more casual than your standard leather variety but would definitely look great with jeans or chinos, and would probably look good with a summer/spring cotton suit. Think of them as a pair of bucks with a little bit more personality.

  18. Jack says

    January 6, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    i literally waited 14 seconds before buying those double monks.

  19. Marshall Lilly says

    January 6, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    Agreed…the payoff isn’t commensurate with the hassle.

  20. RunDadRun says

    January 6, 2014 at 4:28 PM

    Ugh…..still can’t believe i missed out on the epic 12/12/12 release. Guess i am going to just have to plan a trip to FINALLY try this in person. Until then….Westmalle, Chimay, and Rochefort will have to sit in.

  21. M. says

    January 6, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    Nice find. I got my first AEs at Nordstrom Rack and haven’t looked back since. Never have seen any 5th Streets, but I did get some. I found that mine “squeaked” a lot and ended up returning them after seeing many reviews on AE.com complaining of same. Just an FYI for folks considering them. Beautiful shoe, otherwise. Anyone else had this problem?

  22. rohmen says

    January 6, 2014 at 6:04 PM

    No problems with squeaking, and i wear them around once a week.

    The only problem I’ve had is that my feet swell up pretty significantly by the end of the day. Not sure why, but I have several pairs of AEs and this is the only pair of shoes (dress or otherwise, including other boots) that cause this to happen

  23. brosephene says

    January 6, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    what’s with the sizing on frank and oak shirts? three at the same size, one fits while the other two might fit my kid brother. maybe there is a difference between an erickson medium and a thorton medium, but i don’t really care to learn the difference between whatever tacky names they’ve come up with to sound cooler (here’s looking at you too, banana republic)

  24. Jessy says

    January 7, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    I tried F&O two times. First time, my credit card didn’t work at all (but worked everywhere else), so I wasn’t able to order. Second time, my order was billed, but I didn’t receive any confirmation email, so they had to cancel my order. I’m now staying clear of them.

  25. Jessy says

    January 7, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    Also, those double monks are nice shoes, but can you eat them?

    http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19bsyktdj6yu8gif/ku-xlarge.gif

  26. Adam says

    January 7, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Would look proper with some fun chinos, as both pants and (suede) shoes straddle the dress/casual line.

  27. RJC says

    January 7, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    I just passed on $200 Neumoras at my local Rack due to irresponsible Yooxing and xmas gifting last month. Kinda wish I’d kept some dry powder, they were S.E.X.Y.

  28. Alex says

    January 7, 2014 at 3:39 PM

    Love the weekender bag. Here’s another way to look great while saving a ton: Dorco razors. Our quality shaving equipment costs up to 70% less than leading brands. Read what others think about our products and see our prices for yourself at DorcoUSA.com. Thanks again for a great post.

  29. Dave S says

    January 7, 2014 at 4:31 PM

    those monks look buttery =)

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