With baseball’s best taking a break this week to play the Midsummer Classic, now’s as good a time as ever to take a look back at the first half of the year. Unlike the All-Star game, no retailer can get home field advantage in next year’s Store Wars Competition via this list. And yes, MLB is still using that goofy rule. Like some of the ball-playing all stars, these are the best of the best… so the cost might be a touch higher than average.
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Best Sportcoat: J. Crew’s Italian Cotton Unlined Blazer
So stinkin’ simple. You’d think other retailers would be able to find a way to make something similar. Sold out now, but this thing is/was completely unlined (except the sleeves), came in a nice true-blue instead of the standard navy, and was just a bit heavier than shirt weight… so not heavy at all. Button stance was perfect, and even though it’s a Ludlow, the tail wasn’t too short (lookin’ at you UNIQLO.) The fact that it was made in exact chest sizes (38, 40, 42, etc…) instead of the usual Small, Medium, & Large was also a real big plus. Also receiving votes: The Joseph Abboud Ultra-Light, and Stafford’s Cold Weather Camel Hair
Best Suit: Suitsupply’s $399 line (when they actually had a good amount in stock)
Remember these? Sure, they’re still carrying a couple (read: 2) options in their $399 “blue” line, but man… when they launched this new price point there was 9 different suits to pick from. All at just under four hundred bucks. Seemingly same quality as their $469-$499 suits as well, just a bit cheaper thanks to the bulk fabric purchasing strategy. Please bring em’ back Suitsupply. Or hell, what about reopening that there online outlet? Eh? Remember that from 2013?
Best Dress Shirt: Ledbury’s White or Light Blue Twills ($75 when you’ve got a deal)
Seems like Ledbury has ramped up the use of their codes & promos both on their own site, as well as through flash sale sites like Rue La La. A voucher will usually cost you $75 (for $150 in credit), but you get a lot of shirt for that $75. Terrific fabrics, a lowered second button, great collars, and a decently slim fit. Also receiving votes: the John W. Nordstrom Slim Fit Dress Shirt (currently on sale), and ratio/clothing’s line of dress shirts.
Best Casual Shirt: UNIQLO’s Button Down Polo – $14.90 or OCBD – $29.90
It’s hard to beat the combination of fit, functionality, and price when it comes to UNIQLO’s offerings in the button down shirt market. Whether it’s their long sleeved OCBD or the short sleeves on their button down collar dry-fabric polo, they’re winners at full price, let alone the super-cheap prices they drop to during sales.
Best Pants: Bonobos Oxleys – $58.50 – $98
As pointed out in the comments on previous posts, it sure seems like Bonobos stiffened up (hey, easy now) the fabric this year. They’re still perfect for summer and far from rigid, but they’re not as buttery soft as last year’s run. Maybe some complained about how last year they were a little too casual? Anyway, still fantastic pants. Best to keep an eye on the sale section, wait for an extra 20% or 25% off code (like the one they’re running now: SPF25 ), and you should be able to get them for under $60. Now if Target could just make their oxford cloth shorts in pant form, we’d have a cheap option.
Best Shoes: DSW Aston Grey Single Monk Strap – $89.95
If you’re even slightly open to the idea of monk straps, then these are worth a shot. The suede, solid feel, and great toe shape make these things a versatile winner. No, really… dressed up or dressed down, in warm weather or once it cools off. Also receiving votes: The Allen Edmonds for Brooks Brothers 5th Ave. & Strands 2nds that were going for $169 back in May… but those went real quick. Also, the Stafford Logan. Wish it was an oxford though.
Best Wallet/Card Case: Mitchell Leather Co. Money Clip Wallet
Yes, this is the second mention in as many days, but it’s a game-changer. More info over here.
Best Belt: Jomers Made in the USA Cotton Macrame Belt – $20.00
No, it’s not a leather dress belt, so it’s use is limited, but it’s extremely useful in the warmer months when leather belts take a back seat. Twenty bucks. Ships free. Made in the USA.
Best Watch: “Nearly New” Christopher Ward MK II Quartz Chrono
Long gone, but the C Ward “nearly new” sales offer serious discounts on watches that are all but brand new. For example, the above stunner was $295 (a lot for a quartz) and dropped to $200 with the nearly-new sale. Yes, still a lot for a quartz, but the styling is dead on perfect for many. Plus, the chronograph comes in handy from time to time. Also receiving votes: The 80 hr power reserve Tissot Carson, Orient’s Explorer Automatic.
Best Sale: Allen Edmonds 2nds Sales, now that the inventory is online…
Shoebank.com! YES. The old system was to email AE customer service whenever one of these outlet sales came up, and you got a text-only database sent back to you in your selected size. Now they’ve got a whole browseable website devoted to their 2nds quality inventory. Makes it a ton easier. Also recieving votes: The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Men.
Best Sunglasses: American Optical Original Pilot Black Frame – $50ish
Completely classic shape, made in three sizes (52, 55, and 57mm), and the all black frames knocks the shine down to a minimum. Less rock-star/playboy/brah/bro chrome.
Best Briefcase: Saddleback Thin Brief (shown, 3 years in)
No, it’s hardly a new arrival/”breakout” star of 2014… but it’s one of the few items that many of us are chasing, and once we acquire it, we probably won’t have to buy anything else to fill it’s place (whether by need, or desire) ever again. See the 3 year (of 99) review over here.
Best Piece of Luggage: Beckel Canvas War Bag – $72.00
Bigger than most and by far one of the most affordable. Made in Oregon. Not a lot of frills, but still a handsome bag. Made in four different colors. Leather reinforcements at stress points. Know that if you want the shoulder strap, you need to shell out an extra $10.
Best Prediction: Smartwatches won’t really catch on…
They dead yet? Dick Tracy’s timepiece was really just so much cooler.
Best Use of Iambic Pentameter in a Long Term Test Update: Stafford Camlin
You’re welcome.*
Best Goal Watch: Hamilton Jazzmaster Maestro Automatic Chronograph
Not affordable. But, set big goal, work towards big goal, achieve big goal and… reward thyself. Set another big goal, and repeat if desired. Not the easiest to find online. Save-worthy, but save-necessary at four digits. Pretty big at around 44 – 45 mm, so know that it’s not gonna look right on those with smaller sized wrists. Runs on the Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement that’s dependable and plenty snappy. Sapphire crystal and exhibition case-back.
*Seriously. I’m never getting that hour and a half of my life back.
Nice list! I’m not so sure about your best prediction though… while I agree what current smartwatches can go die somewhere, I think the forthcoming Moto 360 could be a major game changer.
Can’t wait until I legitimately need a new suit. Definitely going to give Suitsupply a try
There is a new upcoming ‘smart watch’ called the Withings Activite’ that looks like a regular analog watch (by regular I mean it looks stunning) and has a dial that measures your activity on a scale of 0-100. The watch has a built in heart rate monitor, sleep tracking capabilities, and pairs wirelessly with your smart phone. Its not out yet but if im getting a ‘smart watch’ it’s going to be this one. Cheers.
https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/withings-activite.jpg
That does look cool. I feel like it’s more of a stylish, hybrid fitbit rather than an all out smart watch with touch screen, etc., but that’s just semantics.
Watch good looking people walk around with this watch on here: http://www.withings.com/activite/en-US
Great picks. But as usual, the *very* best don’t come in my size. The curse of being 6′ 8″.
(Related rant: J Crew literally stops ONE SHORT of all my sizes. I’m a 2XLT in shirts, 48L or XL in jackets, 40 waist. They go up to XLT, 46L, and 38 waists. ARRRGHHHHHH)
Great post. Reminds me of why this is one of my favorite sites.
I agree, the “ok google” feature is really useful on my Nexus, it’s going to be really powerful on your wrist.
Has anybody given the J. Fold Duffel at Costco a whirl? I saw it in person and for $50 it seemed a more stylish alternative to something from Beckel. I’m sure its duarability will leave something to be desired like Hershel or the like. I haven’t pulled the trigger because I’m used to rolling around a carry on luggage or a backpack. http://www.costco.com/J.Fold-Tan-Roadster-Duffel-Bag-.product.100114950.html
definitely going to pick up a few items on this list. thank you
Can anyone attest to the quality of the Beckel War Bag? Been shopping for a durable, inexpensive duffle bag (if that exists). Been looking at some Herschels, but not sure about the quality…
Smartwatches won’t catch on till the Moto 360 comes out. That thing’s a beaut.
I agree that the Oxleys are the bee’s knees. I just need Bonobos to make them in some more colors – preferably reasonable options for office wear (yellow, mint green, light blue…little tough to pull off at work). After the indigo and the grey, I’m pretty much done, but I’d wear these things five days a week, if I could.
PutThisOn also gave their nod to Beckel’s canvas offerings. They aren’t waxed so maybe just don’t spill water on it or lay it somewhere too dirty.
Jcrew small actually fits better than 38R for me. 38 primarily needs more waist suppression. The irony.
Thanks for the tip. I looked into it and I’m now really considering getting it…
That’s gorgeous — I’d pick up one of those in a heartbeat if it were solar.
I’ve had a war bag for about a year now (probably since it was mentioned on here first… or at least when I first saw it on here). It’s a fantastic bag and I’ve used it for everything from a basketball gym bag to a weekender. The only wear it’s really shown has been dirt on the bottom from me dropping it anywhere. Construction is great, I’m glad I got it.
I also called and had them insert two pockets along the inside of one of the longer sides for misc. little stuff. I think it cost me $10-20 more, but it made the bag much more pragmatic for me. Assuming nothing has changed, Beckel is open to making those sorts of customizations.
Overall, hard to beat the price for made in the USA and everything else. I’d also recommend getting their strap — I find myself packing it full and the strap is useful to have.
the saddleback briefcase is a little out of my price range. do you guys have any other recommendations for a daily work bag???
I don’t have the War Bag, but I do have the Necessary Bag (dopp kit). It’s held up well over the past couple years, showing no sign of wear. The zipper is very sturdy.
Thanks for this– it’s great to hear from someone who has used the bag for an extended period of time (most reviews I’ve read online were just first impressions after they received the bag in the mail). The adding of pockets really piques my interest: how deep were the pockets that they added?
I’d say around 6-8 inches deep. Literally they just sewed a rectangle of canvas onto the inside of the bag’s side, with a sewn line down the middle of the rectangle to break it into two pockets (you can actually see the line on the outside, I think). They could probably get fancier with it if you asked, but I didn’t need more than that.
I picked up one of the Mitchel Leather Co. Money Clip Wallets when you first did a write up on them and I completely agree. These things are fantastic!
Does anyone know if the sizing listed for the Jomers belts is waist size or belt size? I imagine with size small being 28-30, I assume you order based on your waist size but wanted to double check.
I emailed them asking the same question…quick reply. I’m size 32-33 and they recommended a medium.
I’m personally probably going to wait to see if the smart watch market matures or shrinks back down out of existence. As it stands, the only one I’d even consider (till you posted this) was the Moto 360. Like I said, given the fact that this and the Moto 360 appear to be the first watches that might be aesthetically pleasing to watch enthusiasts, I want to give it some time to play out before I even consider diving in.
Just picked one up. Will update with time. Worst case scenario you can return it full price if it breaks.