Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Rum, Pants, & the glory of the Summer Dress

May 19, 2014 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also 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. GAP Lived-in Linen-Cotton Straight Pant – $41.96 ($59.50)

GAP Linen Cotton Pant - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

Precisely the kinda thing that puts all cotton, standard, thick chinos to shame this time of year. An almost 50/50 blend of cotton and linen (flax), a breezy but not too roomy straight fit, and available in three shades. This “marine blue” option should go with everything from t-shirts w/sneakers, to lightweight blazers & loafers. Always on sale.

 

2. The Black Keys “Turn Blue” – $9.99

For those of us who prefer their earlier, grittier stuff… this is not a return to that sound. But it is absolutely a departure from the more commercial friendly (and more power to em’) “Brothers” and “El Camino” albums. Trippy as sh*t. “Bullet in the Brain” conjures up Pink Floyd’s “Breathe” (hat tip to my 11th grade astronomy teacher for always putting on Dark Side of the Moon when he fired up the planetarium.) “In Time” sounds like something a strung out Big Bad Wolf would have running through his head as he tracked down Little Red Riding Hood. And the title track has this constant, waves licking the shore backdrop… as long as the ocean in question is on an alien planet, bubbling under a two moon sky. 

 

3. Target Canvas Weekender – $34.99

Target Canvas Weekender - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

A bag for the beach, gym, or a short weekend that’s inexpensive to the point that you won’t feel bad about beating the snot out of it. Only 1800 cubic inches, so less of a vacation bag and more of a day-trip bag.

 

4. Philips Norelco QT4070/41 Vacuum Beard Trimmer – $57.99

Beard Trimmer - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

Now that beards are getting shaved, or at least trimmed down, it might be time to upgrade your beard/stubble trimmer. Not the cheapest on the market, but really holds its own when it comes to durability, performance, and whisker-mess-prevention. Some beard trimmers feel downright flimsy, but this one’s adjustable (by a thumb wheel) guard is thicker plastic than most, and the body of the trimmer can handle getting thrown into drawers just fine. It also comes with a vacuum system that’s supposed to suck up all the whiskers as you trim them. No, it doesn’t catch all of them, but man does it cut down on the mess. Once, maybe twice a week… #6 for the beard, #2 for the neck, and you’re set. Now if they could just make it look a little less like a Storm Trooper’s codpiece…

 

5. Everlane Made in the USA Pocket Tee – $18

Everlane Tee - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

No, $18 for a t-shirt isn’t cheap. But Everlane really seems to know what they’re doing, and their “radical transparency” ethos is refreshing. Made in the USA from lightweight, 100% cotton fibers. Also available in a standard crew as well as a v-neck. Why the penchant for pockets? Pocket tees look less like underwear, plus you can put stuff in em. Sunglasses, a pen, grocery list, nuclear launch codes, etc…

 

6. Jack Spade Paisley Card Holder in Oxblood – $37.50 w/ 25LESS

Jack Spade Oxblood card case - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

How do you tone down a pattern like paisley? You emboss it on a deep rich shade of burgundy, then keep it in your pocket 99% of the time. Great looking texture & lots of personality for a little card case. Extra 25% off sale code 25LESS expires today.

 

7. Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution – $9.99 – $13.95

Bunker Hill - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

A summer read, for most, usually falls into the category of, how do you say… “crap fiction.” Quick, entertaining, and little else. This is non-fiction, yet still has terrific pace, and instead of being pure brain candy, it’ll leave you with a better understanding of how chaotic and personal the start of the American Revolution was. We’ve all heard about Lexington and Concord… but what really happened? Who was scared? Who should have been scared? Who looked stupid? And in the aftermath, why were some of the colonists fierce defenders of the King, yet willing to kill the British Regulars? How could a rag-tag bunch of colonial crab apples keep Boston surrounded, all while their troops refused to obey command?  It all made sense, because hardly any of it made sense. If Boston could be seen as the preferred Tavern of the colonies, then the Revolution began as a bar fight. And Nathaniel Philbrick tells the story, blow by blow, superbly.

 

8. UNIQLO Supima Cotton Polo – $22.90 (or 2 for $29.90)

Uniqlo premium polo - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

So you hate pique, and you don’t like the button down collar on UNIQLO’s fantastic dry-fit polos. Fair enough. Might want to take their new Supima, smooth cotton polos for a spin. If they’re anything like last year’s “premium” polos (and they sure look to be close, if not the same) they’ll come in super smooth cotton, and a decently trim (but not tight) fit, and a fabric that can stand up to plenty of washing & drying. NOTE: Pick shown above is LAST year’s “premium” polo. Seems to be awfully close though, with a three button placket, pocket, and 100% cotton construction. Both last year’s and this year’s model were made in Vietnam.

 

9. Flor de Cana 18 yr rum – $49.99

Flor de Cana 18 - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

Dessert doesn’t have to mean cake or pie. When a long warm day turns into a cool enough night that you have to thrown on another layer… skip the cake in favor of something old enough to vote. And that doesn’t mean a fruit cake that’s been sitting in the chest freezer since Christmas of ’95.

 

10. For her: GAP 4-in-1 Stretch Jersey Colorblock Dress – $29.97

GAP Jersey Dress for her - part of 10 Best Bets on Dappered.com

Damn. Here’s to summer.

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

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Drink, Grooming, Women Tagged With: best bets

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Style Scenario: Well Dressed on a Gray Rainy Day

Style Scenario: Well Dressed on a Gray Rainy Day

Prepped for the slop of very-early-spring, while still looking put together.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Woodlore Shoe Trees BOGO, Nike’s Extra 20% off Spring Sale, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Woodlore Shoe Trees BOGO, Nike’s Extra 20% off Spring Sale, & More

Gap’s Friends and Family deal is live, and it’s last call for the Brooks Brothers extra 25% off.

One Store, Five Outfits: Extra 25% off Brooks Brothers Sale Items

One Store, Five Outfits: Extra 25% off Brooks Brothers Sale Items

Weekend Steal alert. Five style scenarios (mostly) mined from the just launched extra 25% off BB clearance event.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Sanders Chukkas, Timex M79 Automatic Watches Under $200, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • One Store, Five Outfits: Extra 25% off Brooks Brothers Sale Items
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Woodlore Shoe Trees BOGO, Nike’s Extra 20% off Spring Sale, & More
  • header image of green beer Style Scenario: Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day – Casual
  • In Review: The Timex Mod Marlin Sub-Dial Automatic
  • Stock Alert: The Q Timex GMT is back in stock.

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.