Most Wanted Affordable Style – December 2014

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. You’ll find new arrivals and old favorites, especially good deals or maybe something pricey to keep an eye on for future sales. The potential best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Got a tip on something that deserves to end up in the monthly Most Wanted? Send those in here.

 

5. Coach Glove-Tanned Leather Flask – $95 ($80.75*)

That’s a lot for a flask. But, it might be one of the best looking portable drinking vessels out there. It is the season of transporting whiskey on a walk, scotch to a poker game, or schnapps for hot chocolate. Most guys already have a flask, or three (yay groomsmen gifts!), but this one. This might be the one. Get it, and fill it for him with something good if he’s cemented his name on the “nice” list this year. *Note: If you’re on the Coach email/customer list, you might have gotten a personal code for 15% off (25% off $200+, $30% off $500+) in the mail or your email.

 

4. EXPRESS Merino Wool Shawl Pullover – $49.90 ($88)

The warmth and casual look of a shawl collar sweater, minus the cardigan front or extra bulky back. Looks like an old military mechanic’s sweater. Express’s merino wool is strong without being overly thick. Did drop to $44 during their half off Black Friday sale. Also available in black.

 

3. J. Crew Velvet Shawl Collar Blazer – $328

These did NOT get the 30% off cut that J. Crew offered over Black Friday & Cyber Monday. And with holiday parties coming up quick, if you’re in the market, it’s time to get your hands on this thing and get it tailored if need be. Shown above is last year’s model. Haven’t seen this year’s yet, in person, to see if they changed the shade at all. Ludlow fit though, non functioning sleeve buttons, and that shawl collar. Yowza. There are much, much cheaper options out there in terms of velvet sportcoats, but they just don’t have deh sexzhy shawl. Fingers are crossed that this gets discounted in the near future. Drops to the mid $200s with 25% off.

 

2. Anchor Steam Big Leaf Autumn Red Ale – $10 – $12 per 6 pack

“Brewed with maple syrup.” Well hang on. The understandable reluctance to give one of these a shot is probably based in those maple flavored whiskeys (and other flavored “beers”) that dump so much of the flavor in, that the base is completely unrecognizable. That’s not the case here. At all. The maple is really, really subtle. The yeast chews up the sugars from the syrup, and in the end, you get a crisp, malty but still has a good hop foundation red ale that sips easy and finishes clean. It’s not sticky, it’s not sugary, it’s just really good. When a lot of fall/winter beers are too heavy on spice or so malty there’s no hops left, this red ale does a lot well, without coming close to over doing it on the maple.

 

1. Orient Ray Automatic – $172.50 ($295)

Orient might see the Mako as their flagship watch, but it’s the Ray that takes the affordable diver-watch cake from this Japanese brand. Unlike the Mako, the Ray ditches the Arabic numerals at 12, 6, and 9, and instead sticks with more symmetrical shaped indices. The numbers around the bezel are also beefed up, making it look more expensive than it actually is. In-house automatic movement. 200m water resistance. 41.5 mm case diameter. $200ish via Orient with the perpetual 30% off codes. Noticeably less through Amazon.

 

BONUS: John W. Nordstrom Two-Tone Leather Drivers – $69.50

Not polar vortex approved. But, if you live in a place that doesn’t get too bitter cold, and want a pair of gloves that should keep the wind from cutting your hands to ribbons, then a pair of drivers might be worth a shot. Slightly different from last year’s model, with the two-tone look getting the nod this year. Tan tops, brown palms. Ships and returns free.

Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.