10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – New Chronos, Blazers, & 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.

 

The Old – $29.98 & New $??? Target Merona Blazers

Many thanks to Markus D. for sending in a style tip about Merona’s new navy (!) cotton blazers for spring. Reports are that the sleeves are unlined, the back is half lined in cotton, there’s patch pockets at the bottom with a welt at the chest, and…unfortunatley… the sleeve buttons are functional. DAMMIT WHY DO THEY ALWAYS DO THAT. Anyway, if the sleeves hit you right, it could make for a go-to laid-back blazer for cheap. Buttons are a warmer yellowish/brown standard plasic, not a faux-brass, so it doesn’t look overly preppy. They haven’t appeared on Target’s website yet, and seem to be slowly trickling into stores. Meanwhile, the old Merona blazers are on mega clearance.

 

Todd Snyder Made in the USA Camo Leather Card Case – $50

Dead simple design, but the camo leather is just different enough and plenty unique. That, and an embossed trademark like that could make even the most passionate anti-logo person consider changing their mind. Maybe. Made in Brooklyn.

 

Ninkasi Spring Reign Northwest Pale Ale

A brilliant beer for when the sun finally comes back out, yet it’s pleasant instead of hot. A really nice balance between malt and hops, with some bright bitterness that arrives, and leaves, without crushing your palate. It’s refreshing but not weak. Plenty flavorful without being syrupy. A perfect beer for the March – May window where it’s sunny during the day, yet it’s cool enough for pants and a sweater in the evening.

 

Bonobos Engineer Stripe Belt – $50

A different take on the standard spring/summer casual belt. But at fifty bucks… eesh. Might want to wait for this thing to hit the sale section.

 

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen – $20 – $25

More permanent and durable than a disposable fountain pen, yet nowhere near the cost of some fancy-pants fountain pens. Plastic body. Metal clip. Nice nib that writes well, and a window that lets you know how much ink is left. Lightweight too. A fantastic every-day-carry pen. Available in medium, fine, and extra fine nib options. Full disclosure: Upon first taking this out of the box… I was disappointed. Now I love it. You may experience something similar.

 

Todd Snyder + Champion Thermals – $29 – $39 FINAL ($88)

Yep. Two Todd Snyder mentions in one best bets. Thirty bucks for a thermal still isn’t cheap, but they’re down from eighty-eight, made in Canada, and have that terrific old-school athletic wear look to em’. Perfect for hanging around the house or going out and throwing a football around. Seven colors to pick from. Throwback Champion “C” at the left wrist. Final sale.

 

Nordstom Smartcare Trim Fit Grey Stripe Dress Shirt – $69.50

White shirt, blue shirt, white shirt, blue shirt, white shirt… maybe a gingham or a tatersall, back to blue shirt. Ain’t there anything more to life? Sure. Grey. And in very, very small stripes. Wear it with a black silk knit tie, a navy suit, and black shoes. Yes, black shoes with a navy suit.

 

The Black Keys “Chulahoma” – Streams Free w/ Prime

A tribute to blues musician Junior Kimbrough, it’s purposefully raw, contemplative, and showcases a corner of the foundation which The Black Keys have built their career on. The EP clocks in at just under half an hour, but it’s the kind of thing many of us might spend 2-3 hours at a stretch listening to on repeat. Streams free if you’ve got Amazon Prime. $7.19 for the physical CD.

 

Timex Waterbury Chronographs – $96 – $100

Hot. Dog. They took their vintage-look Waterbury series and made a chronograph in the same style. Big fan of the black with silver case, while the brown leather strap and ion case could see some serious work on the casual side. Glad they used their dark-background date option on these, since a stark white background would stick out poorly. Obviously not $75 or under, yet, but you guys know how it goes. Once these work their way over to Amazon, or if Timex runs a sale of some sort, they should get close. Shades of the Antoine Arnaud Spirit of St. Louis, only for half the price. Efforting an in person.

 

UNIQLO Dry-Fabric Button Down Polo in Stripe – $24.90

There was such a run on these (GIVE ME BACK MY TUPPENCE!) in the solid option that they went out of stock, quickly (don’t worry, they’re back). But don’t sleep on the micro-stripe options either. Much better looking once you zoom in (or see them in person) and eliminate that pesky moire effect. And even though they’re horizontal stripes, the cut is trim enough that you won’t look… well, y’know.

 

BONUS: The Beckham H&M Linen Car Coat is now in stock – $69.95

It’s in stock, for now, and for some reason it’s only in stock in sizes 40R and up. No 36 or 38. But H&M runs pretty slim and trim, so sizing up might be a smart idea. Got one on the way for an in-person.

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