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. Jack Spade Wesson Leather Davis Brief – $149.00 FINAL ($425)
Professional, but not a hard sided 80’s attache. Also has a bit of a crosshatch texture to the leather (see insert). Dimensions are 11.8″H X 16.1″W X 2.8″D. Black & white stripped lining. Free shipping, but no returns on this one. Final sale so once you buy it, it’s yours.
4. That Target starts to make Oxford Cloth PANTS (the shorts are awesome)
They’ve got the shorts already, now if they could only just make some pants, and we’d all have a much more affordable alternative to the Bonobos Oxleys (or other pricier oxford pants). Anyone got a lead on oxford cloth pants that run, y’know, less than $50 or $40 a pop, in a variety of colors?? If Merona/Target extends their shorts to pant-form… some of us would get a pair in every color. Meanwhile, the Merona shorts are on sale for 40% off, down to $14.99, as part of a Father’s Day promotion. (Please, hold your applause for the fantastic rendering of what a pair of Merona Oxford Cloth Pants COULD look like)
3. Seersucker Buttondowns $44.50 (JCF) – $75 (J. Crew)
The bright white shirt isn’t going anywhere, but in summer, a standard dress shirt can feel a little… stiff? Seersucker can be a great, casual alternative. The puckering of the fabric creates channels for air to flow through, so it should keep you cooler. Standard fit from J. Crew factory for a reasonable price. Would love it if they made an all-white version, but, for that, it looks like waiting on a sale at J. Crew for their slim fit might be the best choice.
2. Orient “Sun & Moon” Automatic – $252 w/ dappered30 ($360)
Not a true moon phase but instead a sun/moon cutout that acts as an AM/PM indicator. Necessary? Not really. But if you’ve got a good sized watch collection, and some of your automatics stop from time to time, knowing if the watch “thinks” it’s AM or PM can help out a bit when you get it up and going to set the time again. Champagne dial with blue hands, or a black dial with silver hands. Stainless band is the only option for the black dial. Would love to have seen that one come with a leather band too, but, that’s an easy fix/adjustment. Another one of those “looks vintage but it’s not” watches.
1. Jack Erwin “Abe” in Suede – $195
The opposite of clunky, stumpy penny loafers that older men seem to favor, yet not pointy or elf-like. The “Abe” from Jack Erwin nails the summer dressed-up loafer on all fronts. A slim sole, longer vamp (the top part from toe to opening) and a stitch that sweeps down gradually and helps to elongate the front visually… instead of hitting the toe and making a hard left. Blake construction. Made in Portugal. Don em’ with a linen suit for your next swanky summer soiree, or, with jeans and a cotton blazer on a cooler night out.
BONUS: One of the new Made in the USA Abboud for M.W. suits – $495
The online images don’t look all that fantastic (shoulders look a little hard?), and the fits seem a little confusing (there’s three: “Modern” “Slim” and “Extreme Slim”) but these things are made in the USA, reportedly have a half-canvas construction, and use Italian fabrics. Still splurge-level, but might be an actual challenger to Suitsupply? Got one on the way for an in person.
Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.
Good thing I can put my MW employee discount to use SOMETIMES.
Opinions on pairing the banana republic BD blazer featured today with the all-white J Crew seersucker buttondown + a springy bow tie of some sort? Would that be firmly in to overly-dandy territory?
Keep the pants and shoes basic (navy with brown?) and I think that’s a winner. Make the DB blazer your accent piece.
Only one problem with Target’s pants: they don’t usually offer longer inseams.
“Have a normal 32″ waist? Here’s a 32 inseam. Sucks to be you, tall people!”
I wouldn’t judge you negatively for it. I’m not going to give the final judgment on whether it’s too dandy or not, but I will say it sounds like a good idea to me. It’s possible I’d need to hear more about what pants & shoes you’d choose.
I’ve got a few pairs of pants in the mail alongisde that blazer, and recently picked up the dry fit uniqlo chinos. So I’d do the above mentioned with a very light khaki pant.
Shoe wise I have navy OSB loafers, or a pair of CXL quoddy handsewn loafers that I’m thinking I’ll break out. I could also go strands, but at this [extremely fashionable] wedding I’d be shocked if 3 or 4 guys weren’t already wearing theirs.
Maybe not dandy…but definitely southern.
As @Ada, said…keep it hyper restrained below.
(And grow your beard.)
I’m a fan of an ash grey bow tie with a flash of red somewhere,,
Sorry if you don’t fall into the “normal” inseam on the pants, they’re a great value for casual wear. Opposite of standard sizing, Target t-shirts and polos tend to run long, IMO, which is great for me and hopefully enough other people to keep them making shirts this way.
Can orient please make a silver face with blue hands. I have to say I sort of always like the orient watches you feature. I have no idea which one to actually pull the trigger on. There all pretty solid.
Tried on the Abboud MW blue in Italian wool, I cannot remember if it was the slim or modern but 42R. I have decent sized shoulders / arms but am fit so off the rack is usually a challenge.
This will definitely be my next suite, fit was outstanding and the construction was totally solid. I have really disliked MW in the past and was only there to pick up a tux for a wedding (bride wouldn’t let me wear my own). Really surprised by the quality, waiting for a sale to put them under that 495 mark but we will see.
Agreed, they’re an excellent value if you can get a size that fits. I’m a 32×34, which is not abnormal. Most other stores (even Wal-mart!) carry that size.
The shirts and polos tend to run too big or too small. I usually size down for a trim fit.
I agree the pant sizing can be tough due to lack of options. I have a tough time with tops from almost everywhere but Target – either too baggy and long enough or fits well but as a belly shirt. Target is a savior for affordable t’s and polos for myself.
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Just picked up the bag. Can’t wait to receive it. Too good to pass up.
“Extreme slim” suits. It’s like a slim suit, but you wear it while skateboarding in a half-pipe.
For the Jack Spade Wesson brief, signing up for their email list (during checkout) gets you a code within a few minutes for 15% off your “next” order, which can be used immediately to bring the bag’s price down to $126.65, and reducing the duties/taxes a bit as well for a Canadian order. Sign up for the list in the relevant box at the bottom of the page BEFORE completing the checkout; when their email arrives with the code, you can paste it into the promotional code box as you finalize the order.
That’s some solid MS Paint work today, Joe. I approve.
Damn wish I saw this beforehand. Would have saved me a few.
Anyone have the Merona Oxfords and can comment on whether these fit a lot fuller than the Merona Tailored fit shorts from a couple of years ago?
The Jack Spade case keeps coming up at $425, how do you get to it as final sale?
Click on the link in the item title above (“Jack Spade…$149.00”), or on the photo of the bag.
I can vouch for the bag. I paid closer to $200 for a brown one a while back, and don’t regret anything about it. Really well made, no signs of wear, and just the right style, size and weight for an everyday work bag.
I don’t think so at all, I’d stick with khakis and a madras bow tie maybe? Or http://www.bedfordandbroome.com/collections/bowties/products/eldridge-bow-tie this on the red side. Also, blue suede loafers or brown loafers.
I’ve been told they won’t go on sale, as they’re under the “Exceptional Value” labelling already — permanent partial discount when you buy two, but not included in other sales.
I picked one of the Canadian versons up to get a better feel than is possible in the stores, and decided that it won’t quite work for me. The wool quality is nice — not Coppley or even Samuelssohn nice, but not bad — and the construction is solid without being overly weighty.
However, I found the button stance far too high with the top button hitting less than two inches below my sternum (or right about on the fifth button down on my shirt, one button higher than the JCF Thompson). Additionally, the tail was too cropped for my taste, landing between the base and middle knuckle of my thumb. I’d have looked at moving from a short to a regular length, but the sleeves were already in need of shortening.
I don’t know if the Canadian-made versions have the same cut as the US-made ones, but everything in the descriptions are the same.
I feel like it’s too small. What items do you usually carry in the bag?
Seems a little bigger in person I suppose. I usually carry a 13″ laptop (though if would work for up to 16″ or so.) a padfolio kind of thing, a few files and notebooks, several checkbooks, and some other odds and ends.
Would it fit like a 2-3 inches thick book AND laptop and a slim notebook? the description says the bag is only 2.8 thick
I find target shirts run short. In 5’11” and 185# and the shirts barely reach my waistband.
Depends on the size of the laptop, I have 13″ dell xps, which is super tiny. It’s in the flap on the left with the buttons.
I have them. They’re back to the normal sizing, ie: if you normally wear a 32, get a 32. Last years crop was “tailored” and you needed to size up.
Odd, I’m 6’1″ 165lbs and any Medium Merona or Mossimo tee or polo I’ve tried on is perfect. To each their own of course – I’m sure there are other affordable brands that fit you much better than they fit me.
I have a macbook air, which is slim by itself, but usually I have to carry a lot of documents and books, so I will pass. Thanks for the photo.
Just received it and I agree. With modern work and entertainment accessories, this is perfect. It holds more than you would think. I was able to empty my previous canvas briefcase (Beckel canvas) and then roll the briefcase and put it in main part.
Mine arrived today…4 days from order to delivery in Canada. Impressive. The bag was very well packaged and protected. I look forward to putting it through its paces.