10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Glen Plaid, Elbow Patches, & 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.Banana Republic Extra Fine Merino V – $69.50 (but always on sale)

Nice to see that BR brought back their extra-fine merino wool v-neck sweaters for another fall/winter run. These are tough to beat. The dip of the “V” is perfect, they make them in tons of colors, and they’re always on sale. Plus, unlike the J. Crew Factor merino v-necks, they don’t pill quite as much. That said, they’re nowhere near as slim as the JCF slim options, but for those who don’t want their sweaters hugging quite so close (or need more room to layer over shirts) these are about as good as it gets. (Note: Unfortunately, these are currently one of the “BRPICKS” so today’s code AMPM won’t work on them.)

 

2. GAP Basic Leather Belts – $17.97 w/ AMPM ($29.95)

More than a few of us haven’t been wearing leather belts with our casual stuff during the heat of summer. Now that the weather’s cooling off, and many will be switching back to jeans, take a look at GAP’s basic leather belts. 1.35″ (not too skinny, not too thick for slim fitting jeans), a plain as hell buckle and oddly durable & flexible for the price. A basic, but one of the best for the buck out there. NOTE: That AMPM code gets you 40% off through Noon PST, and 35% off through 9pm PST 8/18.

 

3. Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture (Instrumentals) – $7.99

Blasphemy? Or… outstanding party music? This is a collection of the instrumental tracks from Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture. It’s probably one of the greatest albums of intro/outro radio station bumper music out there… and it’ll also produce a real distinct feel to any friendly get together. Enjoying lyric-less tracks seems like something that’ll get you sent to the 8th circle of hip hop hell, but sometimes, when you’re carrying on a conversation with someone else in a group, less is more.

 

4. Bonobos Malibu Stripe Peruvian Cotton Polo – $22.00 FINAL ($68)

One last polo to get you through the firm, sweaty grasp summer has on the northern hemisphere. Not cheap (even on sale), but awfully unique. Those horizontal stripes sure seem to work. Maybe because it’s cut in the new Bonobos “Trim” fit? Nice deep placket on that polo too. Curved hem. Pic above is via Nordstom, but they’re twice as expensive there. $22 at Bonobos (was just $16 during their “Meta” sale), but it is final sale.

UPDATE: Try SWEEPS30 for an extra 30% off sale items. Big thanks to Kyle in the comments!
UPDATE II: Try BATTERUP through Tuesday 8/19 for 40% off select shirts, including this one. Drops it to $13.20. Thanks to Derek for sending in the tip!

 

5. MyFitnessPal App – Free

Sure seems to be the leading calorie-tracker/fitness & nutrition log out there. If you’re struggling to fit into, or stay in, those slim fit pants, OR… looking to achieve some new goals and want to log your workouts, protein, carbs, etc… then this thing might be worth a shot. You setup a profile based on your stats (height, weight, activity level during the day at work), set some goals, and off you go. You log what you eat (you can even scan barcodes with your camera to input nutrition facts) and MyFitnessPal tells you how many calories you have left for the day. It also can keep track of an estimate of how many calories you’ve burned exercising. You can friend others, and stay accountable to pals who are also logging their exercise. Look, no fitness/weight loss program or tool is perfect, but I’ve seen a pal log into this thing for 600+ days. He’s lost 110 pounds. I also once watched this same person eat the entire McDonald’s dollar menu in under an hour. He’s not doin’ that anymore. It sure seems to work.

 

6. Redbeard Brew Bars Citrus Rosemary “Beer’d” Conditioner – $12.00

Now that we’re nearing the re-emergence of facial fuzz for many, it might be time to pick up something to soften that bristle. Or, if you’re just the type who gets dry skin when winter rolls around, this’ll work for that too. OR… say you’re a dude that just doesn’t like cologne, but doesn’t mind smelling decent. Hey, that works here too. From the people who put the beer-soap in last month’s Bespoke Post box. Smells awesome. Feels great. Works.

 

7. J. Crew Cotton Shawl Collar Sweater – $55.99 FINAL w/ SHOPSALE ($108)

Lots of sizes left at post time. The perfect alternative to a boxy, frumpy hooded sweatshirt. Light blue stripe adds a little bit of color. Throw it over an OCBD, jeans, and sneakers for wearing around the house on a relaxed night at home. Final sale though. Extra 30% off code SHOPSALE runs through tomorrow, 8/19.

 

8. Belhaven “Twisted Thistle” IPA – $3.66 / 16.9 oz

Clyde? Is that you Clyde?!? From the same folks that brew “Wee Heavy“. It’s an IPA but the hops are toned down while the body gets a bit more curvy. A bit of a contradiction. Easy drinking thanks to the flavor, but it’s not thin and chug-enducing. There’s some viscosity to it. It’s the kind of beer you really look forward to having one of. But not a second. Probably. 

 

9. J. Crew Factory Slub Texture Merino Elbow Patch Crew – $48.37 w/ EXTRA25

Cool weather ultra-casual without being sloppy. It’s a crew neck, but the slimmer cut & elbow patches look a little more purposeful than a plain’ ol crewneck (or, a sweatshirt). A warning here… if these things are anything like the slub merino sweaters from J. Crew’s mainline from last year? They’re gonna pill like a mother. Slub weave means it’s rougher, with raised and lowered threads throughout the fabric. And when that stuff rubs against each other, it’s ditty-ball city. The extra 25% off code EXTRA25 drops this into the high $40s, but you have to think they’ll drop lower with future deals & promos…

 

10. Lands’ End Slim Fit Yarn Dye Elston Pants – $54.40 w/ WAY2SAVE & 2519

Those… are a throwback. That pattern. THOSE CUFFS (not everyone will like em, but some will). They’ve got a real Sherlock Holmes thing going for em’, but more of the RDJ version thanks to the slim fit. Combed cotton so they’ll be super soft. Normally $68, but the 20% off code & pin DEAL4ALL / 1360 is good through today, 8/18.

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