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10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – US Made Money Clips, Polos, & a Vermeer?

February 17, 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.

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. Mitchell Money Clip Wallet – $49 – $139

Mitchell Leather Wallet on Dappered.com

Check out the video  that shows off the functionality of the internal money clip. It allows you to easily pull out one bill from a stack, as well as insert a single bill just as easily. It’s simplicity and genius at the same time. Slots for cards as well. Available with or without the logo, but it’s awfully well done and it represents a company started by immigrants who fled communist Romania in the 1960s. Starting at $49, and going up to $139 for Shell Cordovan. Lots of different Shades & types of leathers to pick from, including the can’t-miss cognac Horween Dublin. Made in Milwaukee Wisconsin since 1968. Many thanks to contributor Ben for the tip on this one.

 

2. J. Crew Factory Bedford in Chambray – $44.50 ($74.50)

JCF Chambray Pants on Dappered.com

Should come down further in price with sales. J. Crew Factory’s website hasn’t always been true to real life when it comes to the colors of their goods, so these might be a bit of a risk. But if they DO really have a blue-grey look to them in real life, then they’d make a nicely versatile (but not boring chino) cotton pant for the spring & summer. Wear em’ with a navy cotton or linen blazer, or a clean (not bulky pique) polo. Ships free with the today-only free shipping no min. code HAPPYDAY.

 

3. One of these: Zara Oxfords – $139.00 (for the pair)

Zara Oxfords on Dappered.com

Whoa. A little different, but there’s potential here. Got a feeling that these are going to be excellent, or awful.  True oxford style lacing, perforating at the cap toe, and a slight dip in that sweep along the side. Should look kinda slick with grey trousers. Leather sole. Got a pair on the way for an in-person.

 

4. James Brown “The Payback” – $1.29

The value to groove ratio on this song is one of the best in existence. Especially if you’re purchasing it on a jukebox. Used to frequent a place with this song on the jukebox, and at 7:39 in length, you get a lot of value for the money.

 

5. The Brooklyn Cocktail – (prices will vary)

Brooklyn Cocktail on Dappered.com

From our official bartender: “The Brooklyn is essentially a 19th century-style Manhattan subbing dry vermouth for sweet and calling for a specific brand of bitters. Light, herbal and a little bit floral with a boozy backbone, it’s the ideal cocktail for March—equal parts lion and lamb.” Well, it’s not quite March yet. but we’re getting there. Here’s how to make it.

 

6. Old Navy Slim Fit Twill 5-Pockets – $20.96 w/ DEAL

Old Navy Slim Fit Five Pockets on Dappered.com

Old Navy’s standard sizing is awfully generous, but when they make slim-fit stuff, it usually does fit decently trim. Not sold in stores yet. Made in a bunch of different not-so-predictable, but not crazy wild colors. Big fan of that reddish/clay shade “Cinnamonster”. Is that like Cookie Monster’s cousin who keeps doing this? Code DEAL is good for 30% off through today, 2/17.

 

7. UNIQLO Dress Shirt Collar Polos – $22.90 (& a button down collar return?)

UNIQLO Polos on Dappered.com

Yo UNIQLO. Nice work with the dress-shirt style collars on your Dry-Fabric polos, but that image of the Button Down collar option on your site (scroll down, right side), is a bit of a tease. See, those are out of stock, and the button down collar dry-fit polos from last year are/were fantastic. Fit was spot on, the fabric really was decent about being breathable, and a button down collar = no curl, no fly away. Just great looking all day long.

 

8. Tickets to “Tim’s Vermeer”

The Monuments Men is getting lots of publicity, but there’s another movie with art-themes that might knock the latest Clooney flick out of the water. Directed by Teller (of Penn &…), this is the story of a non-painter trying to replicate the talent of Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer. Vermeer’s works are outrageously realistic, and there are theories that Vermeer was part painter, part mechanical-tinkerer-genius. “Tim” puts those theories to the test by attempting to replicate Vermeer’s supposed strategy, with excruciating detail. Well reviewed. Not the widest release just yet, but it’s starting to move across the country. Maybe something to keep in the back of your mind for Netflix later on.

 

9. Murad Oil-Control Mattifier – $26.00 

Murad Mattifier

A year later, and there’s still a good amount left in the 1.7 oz tube. Perfect to keep on hand in your desk at work, or in the bathroom for de-greasing your forehead before heading out on the town. It’s not cheap, but this high-end mattifier works extremely well, has little to no smell, and isn’t watery when you apply it. Quick to absorb and does the job.

 

10. Merona Estes Boot in Brown Leather – $49.99

Target Estes Chukka on Dappered.com

Can’t imagine they’d hold up as well as the Stafford Camlin, but Target’s leather chukka is something else for the price tag. The leather looks and feels like much higher quality stuff than you’d normally find on a $50 (or plenty of $100) shoes. They’re lined in some sort of textile, but the exterior uppers are soft, pliable, and have a fantastic natural(?) marbling look to them. Made in China, and true to size. Great looking beaters.

For other best bets under $75 from previous months, click here.

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Drink, Grooming, Shoes Tagged With: best bets, Chambray, James Brown, Mitchell leather company, money clip, Movies, polos, Uniqlo, wallet, Zara

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Comments

  1. Tom says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    A mattifier? Who knew! This is exactly the type of reason I read this blog.

  2. Andrew Haugen says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    Can someone help me with the J.Crew factory shirts fit? How are they compared to J.Crew?

  3. Jake says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    I’ve found that the factory shirts run a bit bigger than J. Crew. A J. Crew regular fit large shirt fits me just about perfectly. whereas a factory regular fit large is noticeably boxier and has longer sleeves (closer to a J. Crew XL). I would recommend sizing down or perhaps trying the factory slim fit at your regular size. I generally just buy my shirts and J. Crew and purchase other items at the factory store. The factory slim-straight jeans are my favorite pair that I own.

  4. BigBayesian says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Hadn’t heard about Tim’s Vermeer – very cool. I actually know some of the scientists in the cast list…

  5. tml says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Thanks for the info on the Mitchell money clip. I didn’t know that they even existed…but now I do….and that’s why I love Dappered.

  6. jdw says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:24 AM

    Yeah, Factory shirts run a bit larger. Meanwhile, oddly, my Factory cords have nicer details than my mainline J. Crew cords — better zipper, etc. — though the fabric is nicer on the mainline cords.

  7. Domino says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    At least some Targets have those shoes for 39.99. My local one did, at least.

  8. Officer Rex Bishop says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:48 AM

    I wear a slim-fit small in both J Crew and JCF. If you’re on the trim side, definitely make sure to get the slim fit shirts from JCF.

  9. Officer Rex Bishop says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    I don’t care for the button-down polo. Seems like an odd cross between casual and business casual.

  10. Andrew Haugen says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    Awesome thanks. I have a couple Jcrew shirts in small and I find them to be a little wide in the waist. I am just afraid to pull the trigger on slims because I have had issues with other brands where the arm holes and chest are tooo small.

  11. Officer Rex Bishop says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    The JCF slim fits (I’m actually wearing one now) are looser in the armholes than J. Crew slim fits. I think like most of the outlet/factory type stores they are a little more generous than their full-price counterparts. I feel like a regular, non-slim fit J. Crew shirt works OK for me, but a non-slim JCF shirt looks baggy on me.

  12. Corwin says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:31 PM

    I second that. I’m now completely fascinated and have to see it…

  13. Corwin says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    Wow… Mitchell makes some handsome products. If I buy one, will they promise to hire a web designer?

  14. random-adam says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    I’ve been using a burgundy shell Mitchell wallet daily for the last couple of years. It’s held up nicely; the patina just keeps getting better. Dave’s a great guy to talk to about leather, too.

    It’s available without the logo if that isn’t your thing… and the ridges might not be so pronounced if I didn’t have sixteen cards jammed into it.

  15. Andrew_sb says

    February 17, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    Joe, I remember a while back you reviewed the Jack Black oil control something or other, what’s your opinion/recommendation vs this Murad one?

  16. Kevin says

    February 17, 2014 at 2:14 PM

    That money clip wallet is sweet. I’ve been in the market for a wallet. Done.

  17. brosephene says

    February 17, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    i’m going to buy the uniqlo polo in white, get a clip on tie, and BAM my homer simpson halloween costume is basically ready

  18. Adam says

    February 17, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    @Joe – Checked out those chambray pants in store last night, and they’re exactly what you’d think they’d look like. Typical blue-grey J Crew chambray. They also have shorts in the same fabric..

  19. Adam says

    February 17, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    Just picked up a pair of the Target boots – I have to say that I am extremely impressed. They are on clearance at our local store and tagged at $34.99. The uppers are more pliable than a Clark’s bushacre, and the quality seems to be on-par with them too.

    Re sizing: I usually wear a 9-9.5 B shoe, and I fit nicely into an 8.5 in these. IMO, they are very similar in proportion to the Clarks.

  20. Joe says

    February 17, 2014 at 5:59 PM

    Murad’s much better in my own personal experience. Lasts longer, goes on easier, etc…

  21. Who Me? says

    February 17, 2014 at 8:39 PM

    A great alternative to the Mitchel Money Clip is Palm West http://www.palmwest.com/. I have been using their safari money clip which includes a snap closure for about 3 years. Still holding strong. I highly recommend it!

  22. Brent says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:38 PM

    Those reviews for the Merona boot haven’t been great. Sole wears incredibly fast.

  23. Jason Tam says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    That Canadian shipping is killer but that Horween Chromexel Wallet is too nice to resist.

  24. Mike N says

    February 18, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    agreed. approaching short sleeve dress shirt territory for me.

  25. Mark Johnson says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    Who needs a mattifier during the middle of winter? My problem is my skin is dry as a bone.

  26. Bruce says

    February 18, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    I’ve been wearing the Old Navy slim fits for the past year for work and have found that they’re a bit hit or miss. I usually alternate colors depending on my get up for the day and I have a pair that looks as new as the day I bought it, and another that had literally crumbled. But at that price, I’m glad I picked some up!

  27. cnccnc says

    February 19, 2014 at 5:11 PM

    Agreed. It looks great. Added to my list.

  28. Kurps says

    February 20, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    Just picked up the Merona boots in store in Saratoga NY area for $24.98. Great steal even if they wear faster than most.

  29. Christian says

    February 21, 2014 at 8:46 PM

    Definitely going to get that mattifier. I get sheen like no other on my forehead.

  30. Tom says

    February 22, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    I mean I’m not the worst, but I could definitely use my forehead to shine leather in the summer. So mine is sitting in an Amazon locker right now and I’ll know the results soon.

  31. DB says

    March 10, 2014 at 7:48 PM

    Just picked these up for $11.98 today in suede. For that price you can’t go wrong!

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Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

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