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. American Eagle Field Jacket – $79.95 ($89.95)
Yes, it’s American Eagle… BUT… it sure looks like a budget version of the Barbour Bond wore in Skyfall… only in a warmer brown shade. It’s a jacket, but cut in the shape of a blazer. Might be just the thing those of us sportcoat addicts who like to get outdoors would use the heck out of this spring. Efforting an in-person. Can’t seen any exterior branding (other than probably an “American Eagle” stamp on the buttons).
4. For UNIQLO to make a button-down collar polo… since it’s shown on the site
STOP BEING A TEASE UNIQLO. One way to solve the sometimes-problem of polo collar curl, is to throw a button down collar on it. Not many brands do this, but UNIQLO has done it in the past, and they currently have pics of button down collar polos on their site. Yet they’re not selling them. Strange. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried one either. The collar stands straight, looks great under a jacket, and helps frame your face.
UPDATE: And just like that, it appears these have been added, but in very limited sizes (in solids) over night/over the weekend. Just double and triple XL available at post time? Whut? Stripes are up and going though.
UPDATE II: All sizes are now available in solid navy and solid light blue, but not the others. Strange. Maybe it’s a slow roll out?
3. Polo “Willem” Ribbon Driver in Tan – $74.25 w/ RLGIVING2014 ($99)
Granted, not everyone is going to like (or tolerate) that ultra-preppy ribbon… but that’s one hell of a good looking driving loafer for seventy five bucks. Big fan of the tan shown above with the orange & blue stripe. All credit to Ralph Lauren for moving the POLO off the back heel and onto the side. It’s more subtle that way, and it allows for the more traditional nubby heel that’ll help grip your car’s floor as you shift through the turns.
2. “Transitional” 5-Pockets: Bonobos – $78 | Mossimo – $24.99
There have been some signs of spring, but it’s not full blown summer yet. That means you might want to stash your dark denim for the bright sunny days, yet you don’t want to go with a loud Nantucket red, pink, or other super-summery shade of pants. Medium or light grey jeans work here, as do blues that nod towards the warmer weather. One option is the muted teal of the Bonobos Travel jeans in “North Bay Blues.” They’re not quite as loud in person as they look online, they’re made in the USA, and if you hang out for a code or sale, you can get em’ for under $70. Well worth it too. Made from Cone denim with a small amount of stretch. Both slim and straight fits have some sizes left. Want something much more afforable? Try Target’s Mossimo Canvas Pants in “Cornelian Blue” for $25.
1. The Splurge: Martenero’s customizable “Ace” or “Founder” – $485.00
Get ready to lose 20 minutes of your day playing with all the different combinations. Nope. Not cheap for a Miyota automatic, but, they’re customizeable, assembled in Brooklyn, come with two straps of your choice, and have a Sapphire crystal + 100m water resistance. Choose from either of the two designs, and then go to town on picking your dial color (black/grey/white) second hand color, and leather & nylon NATO straps. You even pick which strap is attached when it shows up. Returns are free. Got one on the way for an in-person, but there’s plenty to look at over at Worn & Wound.
BONUS: That AMC’s “Turn” Picks up steam
Spies! The Revolutionary War! A period action/drama! But… the early reviews aren’t that great (anyone catch it last night? thoughts? Many were probably focused on Game of Thrones) This thing could be AMC’s next hit. But it seems to be stumbling out of the blocks.
Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.
A bunch of us in the Threads just kicked off a 90-day no-spend challenge. I shouldn’t even be looking at this stuff. I’m not tempted to buy (even though that AE jacket is great), but it just hurts to see all of the stuff I can’t have. 😛
“UPDATE: And just like that, it appears these have been added, but in very limited sizes (in solids) over night/over the weekend. Just double and triple XL available at post time? Whut?”
Better start hitting the ice cream and cake!
90! I remember the 30 day challenge from last year (or was it the year before?) I made it a month/month and a half to start the year, but my spring stuff needed an upgrade… so I’ve been on a slight tear lately. I’d say I’d join you guys. Probably should. But… eesh. I don’t know if I could go till July.
It will take some willpower, but I bet we can get this done. Just have to power through.
It wouldn’t be a challenge if it were easy! Plus we’re now a one-income household so we need to cut back.
A button-down polo? I like the idea, but it seems like it may look a little too stuffy in-person. After all, most polo shirts are meant to be casual and effortless.
Also, there’s the Wurkin Stiffs polo stays (http://wurkinstiffs.com/polo-stay-16-polo-stays.html), but haven’t heard anything about them.
It’s not too stuffy. Pique-like dry fit weave keeps it casual. It’s not a super smooth lookin’ thing by any stretch. Pic in the middle of this post over here: http://dappered.com/2013/10/skimp-or-spend-a-buying-guide-for-mens-style/
got an email from saddleback telling me the wallet I want is back in stock this morning. 90 days is going to be tough… My fiance’e laughed at me when I told her about it.
Saw that American Eagle jacket back in the fall and I can attest it is pretty nice but my local store sold out of them fast. My 60 day no spend ends in May but I suspect I will still pass on it as they will all be gone by then.
Good luck Alan.
So did they only post huge sizes or did they post all the sizes and I missed out on my chance to cop a few over the weekend?
Penfield makes a similar field jacket called the Reddington. Only slightly more expensive and a few different color options. Saw one up close last spring and it was really nice.
Looks like they stocked all sizes (at the moment) in light blue and navy – just snagged of each for myself!
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/men/tops/polo/shirt-collar-polo-shirts/men-dry-shirt-collar-short-sleeve-polo-shirt-087410.html#07
“my fiancee laughed at me when I told her about it.”
Oh man 🙂
Good to know! Thanks for that.
I picked up a Calvin Klein button down polo a couple of years ago and I’m sold on them. I almost can’t stand to wear one that doesn’t have the button down collar now. Glad to see Uniqlo rolling this out!
For those in the warmer climes, I can’t recommend the Bonobos lightweight chinos enough (though it appears they are not in season yet). For keeping cool in long pants, they are second only to my Jomers cords.
You ever try the Bonobos oxleys? Good gravy. Got a pair on now. Love these things.
Hmm. Those look good. I wonder if they simply rebranded their lightweight chinos under the Oxley name. Have the Oxleys been around for a while?
Actually, I kinda want a couple button-down polos made of a smoother-than-pique fabric, like… uh… jersey material with more substance and rigidity… does that make sense? Personally, I’m not even a little bit concerned about something like that looking stuffy, but maybe that’s just me. Have you run across anything like what I’m awkwardly describing?
The Oxleys are a oxford cloth, rather than a chino, which I believe is twill. I haven’t tried Bonobos’ lightweight chinos yet (though I plan to, especially if you recommend them so strongly), but the Oxleys are the most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn, and are still sharp enough to wear to the office. Awesomeness.
I haven’t recently, but I’ll keep an eye out. If memory serves, GAP made some jersey polos with button down collars on em’ in the past. But, that might not be quite right. Anyway, yes, I’ll keep an eye out.
Banana Republic has a couple of button down polos that look pretty good; basic colors with a contrasting collar and placard. At $44.50 they shouldn’t cost more than 30 bucks after the obligatory 30-40% discounts they regularly offer. Attempting a link: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79714&vid=1&pid=950872012
Forgive me for breaking character, but…. did anyone watch “Turn?”
Don’t forget the congealed group!
Which pants are being worn in the pic for #2?
Thanks for the tip on the button down collar polos. I’ve been trying to get those for a while. I even called Uniqlo to ask why I wasn’t seeing a button down polo even though one of the models was wearing one. They said to keep checking. I was thinking about copping those JCrew popovers (https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shirts/Long_Sleeve_Popovers/PRDOVR~A2414/A2414.jsp) and chopping the sleeve, but it’s a bit pricey for me and the price never came down, unless I missed it. Though apparently they do have a short sleeve popover now (https://www.jcrew.com/mens_feature/NewArrivals/shirts/PRD~A1770/A1770.jsp?N=16&Nbrd=J&Nloc=en&Nrpp=48&Npge=1&Ntrm=popover&isFromSearch=true&isSaleItem=false&isNewSearch=true).
I’m glad you saved me some green with the Uniqlo polos.
Joe, thinking about purchasing some of the Uniqlo Polo’s. What is the fit like? I have the problem of being 5’10 but having to wear large due to Chest, Shoulders and Back. The length and the midsection of the larges usually leave me depressed on most polos I buy. Should I size down to medium or do these run a little more fitted?
Thanks
Looks like the Lightweight Chinos (called “Summerweight” this season) just cycled back into stock:
http://www.bonobos.com/b/mens-pants?f=5167&utm_source=Bronto&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Customer_2014_04_17_Bonobos_summer_weight_chinos&cvosrc=email.bronto.Customer_2014_04_17_Bonobos_summer_weight_chinos
The Bonobos “North Bay Blues” jeans are down to $58 on their sale section. Lots of sizes available at the time of writing.