When did everything get so expensive? Prices sure seem to be on the rise, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few impulse-buy priced, yet still worth having in your collection items out there. Ten of the best, each under ten, are below. Feel free to leave any current favorite sub $10 picks of your own in the comments.
TheTieBar Royal Blue Gingham Pocket Square – $8.00
Navy is good too, but Royal Blue might see more use (since it still goes with a navy suit, but doesn’t look too matchy). Wear it with a lighter grey sportcoat, jeans, and some suede shoes.
jcp French Terry Striped or Contrast Crew – $5.24 w/ SAVE2DAY ($36)
Been in a JC Penney lately? There seems to be piles of Ron Johnson / Wooster stuff at garage sale prices. At least, that’s what a few of you guys have been reporting. UPDATE: An extra 25% comes off w/ the code SAVE2DAY. Thanks to you guys in the comments for the tip.
Keeping an extra Deodorant & some foot powder in your desk ($6 – $10)
It’s been a long day, but you want to head out for a drink or grab a bite to eat right after work. You feel scuzzy, but don’t have time to head home for a shower. An extra swipe of deodorant and some foot powder in your shoes goes a long way when you wish you could clean up… but can’t. More suggestions on what to keep in your work desk drawer over here.
Target Mossimo Athletic Fit Jersey Polos – $14.99 (but might go on sale for $9.99?)
WHAT? They’re back. After a few years on hiatus, the Mossimo, no-logo, Athletic Fit Jersey polos from Target have made a triumphant return. 60% cotton, 40% poly, super soft and nice and trim. In the past these have gone on sale for $9.99. And at that price (or, even at full price) they’re a heck of a bargain. Many thanks to reader Chris for sending in the style tip on these.
Areaware Bottle Opener – $8.99 ($35)
With magnets! One magnet catches the cap, the other allows you to stick it to your fridge. Manly enough design. Ships free.
Get your car washed – $6 – $10 (sometimes more)
Doesn’t matter if you get out to the local coin operated car wash, or run it through a drive through. Now’s the time of year when our cars start to look absolutely dreadful. That first day it cracks 50? Treat the ol’ ride to a scrub.
Stone + Cloth Twill Utility Case – $9.97 ($34)
Keep your pens, small notebooks, and other small stuff contained. 9″W x 5″H x 1/4″D. Appears to be made in the USA too. Ships & returns free through Nordstrom.
OXO Zester/Channel Knife – $7.95
The next time someone comes over and you offer them a drink, this’ll make adding a twist of lemon or orange peel that much easier. The channel knife in the middle makes taking a twist off a piece of citrus incredibly easy. That, and the next time you’re elbow deep in some recipe and it calls for lemon zest, you’ll have the tool to do the job (the little sharp holes on the end).
Old Navy Color Block Pocket Tee – $9.00 ($14.94)
Something to keep in mind if you’re just shy of the $50 GAP inc. free shipping threshold. Consider sizing down.
Nordstrom Cotton Blend Socks – $30 for 3 pairs
Your socks should match your pants. Unlike socks that match your shoes, socks that match your pants make your legs look longer, and thus, you taller overall. So between navy suits and dark wash blue jeans, it’s good to have a pile of navy socks on standby. These from Nordstrom ship free, stay up on your calves, and have a nice texture to them. They’re soft enough, but they also feel strong. They’re not squishy all cotton gym socks, and they’re not paper thin scratchy dress socks. Somewhere in between. Available in six different colors. Yeah, that works out to $10 a pair (so not technically “under $10”) but with the free shipping & returns, we’ll let it slide.
Got a favorite, ultra-cheap style buy that’s worth sharing? Leave it in the comments below…
I was actually on the hunt for polo’s like these Target ones last week. So happy they’re back.
I picked up a few Mossimo polos a few years ago when I was in the States. They hold up well, and have a surprisingly trim fit.
SAVE2DAY at jcp is another 25% off clearance. Man they must really hate all this Wooster /Johnson stuff.
I’m generally not a fan of pockets on polos, but it’s something I could live with at that price. Especially considering the first-hand reviews around here.
I love that bottle opener.
I have one, it’s so convenient!
Any guidance on sizing for these?
Just came across this JCP clearance sale…Impulse controls are being pushed to full throttle. Luckily, it seems like my size is sold out on many things so I may not bankrupt myself as bad as originally thought.
Can’t speak highly enough of those JPC terry crewnecks, especially at that absurdly low price. I think I literally have six of them now in every style. I’m 6’1, 200, and the large fits me perfectly. Better silhouette (at least for me) than anything I’ve found at J. Crew or Banana- nicely tapered at the sides, not too long. An unbelievable buy.
I also happen to have that Areaware bottle opener, and it’s also great.
Hmm, not sure I’m with you on the “socks match the pants” rule. In my experience, chicks dig colorful socks.
recently got a banana republic polo for $6… regarding the target polo, is it good to have poly worn against skin?
I found the fabric to be pretty thin and not particularly soft for a terry sweatshirt. But that is a really cheap price!
I wear a large in most shirts, and I still buy the large in these. I do not dry them though, as they shrink up too much for the athletic fit. They fit great.
I think the best practice for socks is either match the pants OR bring some flavor to the party, i.e. bold and bright or patterened. But solid, neutral socks shouldn’t clash with pants.
I picked up the JCP contrast crew this weekend. Really like it so far.
Everything here is great, but please don’t take your car through the car wash unless the paint is already trashed.
Do you really want to draw that much attention to your ankles?
For that matter, do you really want to draw that much attention at all?
The Dappered effect? That Utility Case is sold out.
It’s an abomination in the eyes of the lord, Leviticus 19:19. That polo may be cut well, but is it worth an express trip to the inferno?
Seriously though, poly isn’t that big of a deal when you’re talking about cheap clothes. It’ll shrink and pill when cotton won’t, but who cares?
That last photo is a spot on reproduction of my version of lingerie.
The banner is pretty hard to miss, but the SAVE2DAY code works on the JCP clearance items like the ones Joe posted.
Take your special lady or man out for a happy hour drink. Probably will head upwards of $10, but not far off depending on where you go.
IMO style is about an expression of self through physical presentation, and if one wants to express himself with a subtle burst of color at the ankle, then so be it. I do it all the hard time and it’s hardly peacocking, especially when everything else is pretty conservative-leaning.
Did we just see a naked (socks on) picture of our fearless leader?
I’m trying to figure out how a pair of socks can make you look taller if you can’t see them when you stand up.
For some reason, I’m all over this sock thing. It’s a stretch, but if your pants are (properly) tailored and nip the tops of your shoes when standing, giving just a slight break, you often see some sock when you walk. The idea is that the matching socks and pants provide a consistent line rather than visually chopping you at the ankle, which would make you look shorter.
How else are busy people supposed to clean it? I’m sure a hand wash from me would be nicer, but many people don’t have the availability (or maybe just lazy) to follow through.
In addition to deodorant and foot powder in your desk, I highly recommend hand/face cleansing towelettes and waterless foaming shampoo. The first one takes any post-lunch grease away, while the second freshens up your doo (assuming you have hair) for any post-work outings. Both are under $10, and readily available.
1. http://www.amazon.com/Cucumbers-Facial-Towelettes-Natural-Glow/dp/B00367NWGI
2. http://www.amazon.com/Suave-Professionals-Waterless-Foam-Shampoo/dp/B007J1VL2O/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1394037581&sr=1-3&keywords=waterless+foam+shampoo
When are the polos dropping down to $9.99?
If you value your car at all, please don’t take it to the automated car wash – aka the automated scratch installer. These things are murder on your car’s finish. If you’re washing it because you care about how it looks, you’re taking care of the short term problem (dirt) and creating a long term problem (marring and scratchin the crap out of your paint). Invest in a couple of buckets, a decent car shampoo, and a chenille wash mitt – you’re in for maybe $25. If you don’t have an outdoor faucet and a hose, take your car to the manual car wash, and use their space and water along with your newly acquired tools. I assure you: it will cost you far, far less in the long run, and your car will thank you.
I saw that too, but for $8.99, why even bother?
Still waiting for it to crack 50 degrees here
I was hoping to find a recommendation on a lapel flower, similar to the Hook and Albert ones offered by J Crew.
I would skip the zester. For strips, use a vegetable peeler – you get the same results with a tool you already own. For zest, a microplane grater is faster, produces a finer result, and is useful for a ton of other tines.
Maybe it’s Mr. Brown’s influence, but I really do try to avoid kitchen unitaskers.
For manliness! Plus, it’s just a bent nail in a piece of wood…
I agree with this. Screw the paint. Unless you’re rocking a luxury vehicle, just get it washed and get on with your life.
not sure ive seen this posted elsewhere, but saw the claiborne suit mentioned on here before, on clearance at my jcp this past weekend.
There’s a local company in Nashville, TN that makes some. They’re a bit cheaper, but I’m not sure they look any better than the H&A ones at J Crew or Nordstrom..
http://jandhp.com/shop/?category=lapel-flowers
And magnets! How do they work??
I assume you’re referring to the auto washes with the rotating shag carpeting? I thought touchless washes were better, although not as good.
Hockey jersey and dress socks. Man-gerie.
Legs crossed. Walking down the street. Leaping over car hoods.
For the record, I usually just use my wedding band.
My thoughts went straight to this but I wasn’t going to be the first kitchen nerd to say something.
Agreed as well. I drive what some people would consider a future “collector’s car” and it has one of those fancy metallic paint jobs. Despite that, due to weather/time contraints/not having a personal driveway or garage, it hasn’t been washed once since its purchase in Oct. I WISH there were automatic car washes around here that stayed open past 5 PM. Lazy southerners. /Rant
Weird question. Do you guys across the pond have a version of our Target?
Touchless are probably…better, sure, in relative terms. Still: hard on anything affixed to your car (including trim pieces or any attachments that get blown off by water/air pressure), the quality of product on offer is usually not that hot (dirty water and chemicals of questionable origin), and they don’t do a particularly good job. If it’s the difference between not washing at all and using the touchless, I guess I’d use the touchless.
I see your point, I guess I just prefer seeing clever pocket squares or shirting fabrics if I’m looking for a peacocky element.
I still feel that drawing peoples’ eyes to your ankles is a distracting choice but if you’re happy then party on.
I only have this problem when I’m at my day job. Otherwise, nobody ever sees my socks when I’m wearing this….
nice choice of deodorant. Doesn’t seem to last as many hours as others, but was the only one I could find that doesn’t have carcinogens-which I do not want to be applying daily. (I have the Think Dirty App to thank for that)
Not really. Tesco would probably be the closest equivalent, but its selection pales in comparison to Target.
Keep in mind that even the cheapest sources of clothing here are relatively expensive. A polo from ASOS or River Island will cost £10-16, or $16-$26, and they won’t be as nice as the ones from Target.
Frankly, when it comes to tees (and some polos) I often prefer some poly. It helps the shirt keep its shape, I think.
The problem with getting a carwash this time of year (at least where I live) is the roads are a wet, grimy mess from melting snow and slush. Keeping your car clean in these conditions is a task of Sisyphusian futility.
I am the type who falls on the border of M and L in most men’s brands here in the US. I own a few of these and bought them in L. In contrast to Andy Porter, I found that letting them shrink some worked best for me.
I know, I know. I still have the templates from that article and do plan on making my own sometime as well. I’ve always thought this was a really cool design. But for the price, I jumped on one as a gift.
I need some too I’ll keep an eye out for the sale
I’m not sure if it would be worth it when you factor in shipping, but if you ever need something from the states, I can try to snag it for you.
Old rule: Black suits are only for weddings or funerals.
New rule: Black suits are only for weddings, funerals or Batman.
Shirts are on sale for $10.00 right now!
I picked up the JCP french terry sweaters in several colorways. At $5 each after discount code, they are a steal. The fabric could be a bit softer and the fit is very slim (particularly in the arms) – think long underwear slim. I also picked up that horizontal stripe gray flannel shirt on clearance, which is my favorite from the lot. Super soft flannel and a nice cut. Comparable to j crew regular fit shirts, with a slighlty longer shirt length that suits me perfectly: http://jcp.is/1esbwJd
Agreed. I was hoping for a softer fabric. They’re very slim in the arms (I do some curls for the girls). Still a steal at that price.
Don’t forget scuba divers and ninjas