10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Cashmere, Shades, & Big Brass… watches.

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. Timex T49905 Black Brass Case Chrono – $79.95

Just north of the $75 threshold, but as of post time it ships free and fast if you’ve got Amazon Prime. This thing does NOT feel like a run of the mill Timex. No flimsiness. None. Tis a beast, this one. And looks awfully good with all sorts of fall-clothing. Thick sweaters, cords, and it’ll even lend a casual vibe to a tweed blazer. 42mm case so it’s not enormous, but it does have some heft to it’s overall weight.

 

2. Old Navy Shawl Collar Sweatshirt – $20 ($39.94)

Another option instead of a bulky hooded sweatshirt. Sweatshirt material, description claims it’s “slightly fitted through the sides”, and a shawl collar that’ll keep the autumn breeze off your neck. An extra 20% off at checkout (no code needed) through today 10/13. That extra 20% off drops it from the already on-sale price of $25, down to $20.

 

3. UNIQLO Extra Fine Merino Wool V-neck – $19.90 ($39.90)

Plus it ships free through today. Part of their Columbus day promotion. Sizes are going (went?) awfully fast. Stunningly good for this price. Know that these things are pretty thin. Great for layering, not so much for warmth. Nice and trim through the sides. Free shipping + this price = real hard to resist. Size shown here is a medium.

 

4. Old Calgary Alpha Card Wallet – $35.00

Is it possible for a wallet to be cozy? German merino wool felt and Italian leather. Holds 4-6 cards plus cash. Made in the USA. Also available in “carbon“, or “anthracite” with a contrasting tan leather accent pocket.

 

5. AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (live in Paris, 1979) – FREE

AC/DC’s massively successful concert movie. The whole thing is on Youtube. God bless the fellas for continuing to do what they do, and more importantly, fingers crossed for Malcom and his family. The current environment of entertainment and pop culture is saturated with overly-critical, nitpicking, class-assigning, consumer-competitors who make a game out of tearing down anything they can, only so they can attempt to project a sense that what they consume (not even create, just consume) is intellectually, stylistically, and even chronologically (in terms of discovery) superior. And when that nonsense all gets a little too deep, some of us find it comforting that this, this simplicity saturated with confidence, still works.

 

6. H&M 100% Cashmere Cap – $29.95

Even if you’re the type who rolls his eyes at the exorbitant price on cashmere sweaters, blazers… hell, even socks… a cashmere winter cap still might be in play. Especially when it’s this affordable. Bit of a splurge when compared to watch caps at your local Army/Navy surplus, but hey, it’s for your noggin. Also available in grey.

 

7. Jack Spade “Haskell” Sunglasses – $74.99 w/ FALL25 ($148)

Haskell? As in Eddie? Fast looking, with either matte black or matte tortoise frames. Remember those Warby Parker X1 sunglasses? Seems a little like those (matte frame, road inspired…) Doesn’t appear to be final sale, but check those measurements. Looks like they’re on the larger side? The extra 25% off sale items code FALL25 expires today, 10/13/14.

 

8. J. Crew Factory “Walker” Vest in Wool Blend Herringbone – $59 ($118)

Always on sale, and now down to $59 during their 50% off Columbus Day promotion. Ships free today with the code OURBDAY. Something for those events that you want a jacket at the start, but once you get going and heated up (say, on a hike) your pits could use a little more ventilation. The way they’ve got it pinned back there at the sides does make it look a little Mom-ish though. HEY MA! THE MEATLOAF! WE WANT IT NOW!

 

9. JCP Stafford “Deacon” Wingtip Boot – $55.24 w/ 4U2SAV

Obligatory. They’re that good that they deserved another mention here in Best Bets. High $40s seems to be as low as these have gone for, but these boots, for fifty-five bucks, is a steal. Looks like the earlier problems they had with having enough of these in stock might have been solved? Maybe? Full review here.

 

10. Art of Manliness Stationery – $21.99

Remember when you were a kid, dreading spending an hour (it was probably more like 15 minutes) at the kitchen table, forced to scratching out thank you notes on loose-leaf paper to your relatives for every itchy sweater you got around the holidays? Right. Thank-you notes (or correspondence of any kind) doesn’t have to be a chore. And picking out tools of the trade that you actually like, can make a big difference. These have been featured here before, but deserve the repetition. Made by Page Stationery, these AoM themed cards come 15 to a pack (with envelopes of course) and feature a trio of motifs. Either pick from already assembled trios, or, pick your own three for $26. The card stock is nice and thick, easy to write on, and they make an impression… both on the sender and the recipient. It’s the perfect time of year for writing a note or two of appreciation, while sipping on a favorite from the cabinet, cellar, or fridge.

 

BONUS One of these: Calibrate “Sota” Chelsea Boot – $140 (for the pair)

Right. Cheating. Absolutely. But, c’mon. Slicker than snot in Siberia. Totally suit worthy. Yes, even with those elastic panels, they’re a hallmark of Chelsea boots. That medium to lighter grey worsted wool suit you wore during the warmer months? Wear em’ with that, a light blue shirt, a black tie with some texture (even a silk knit), and a smart (maybe a square dial?) watch. Easy. Classic, but just enough tweaks to go around.

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