10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Cool Kicks, $12 Polos, & 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.

 

JCP St. John’s Bay “Ballast Boat Shoes” – $18.74 w/ OURFMLY ($40)

Boat shoes? Looks more like a standard fabric sneaker from here. But, who cares. They’re twenty five bucks. And as long as they’re not complete garbage (doesn’t appear to be the case if you look at the reviews), that chambray or linen-like look could do extremely well during the warmer months. Three different colors to pick from. OURFMLY takes 25% off through today, 6/9.

 

Kaufmann Mercantile Ox Horn Money Clip – $32.00

A bright, reflective metal money clip looks a little heavy (not to mention blinding) this time of year. And while a leather clip looks great too, it’s hard to not like these marbled, made-in- the-UK horn money clips. Made from Nigerian Ankole cattle, by a company that’s made horn buttons & combs since the 1700s.

 

Brook Brothers Cotton / Linen Rugby – $59.10 ($98.10)

Spendy even on sale, and out of season for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but maybe something to keep an eye on for future sales. Just 15% linen with the rest cotton, but that little bit of linen goes a long way. It lightens up the feel without turning it into a wispy thin shirt. Still a knit pull over that will do better in spring/fall than summer. Shirt-style button cuffs, pocket at the chest, and a three button placket. Size shown is a medium on 5’10” / 185. More fitted than most other Brooks Brothers casual stuff. Also available in “medium blue” and “oatmeal.”

 

Tanqueray Ten – $30ish + Q Tonic (much cheaper in-store)

A standard, bar produced Gin & Tonic just isn’t all that refreshing. Like, at all. Tonic from the gun is usually syrupy sweet, and along with causing gut-rot, can leave you smacking on an awful after taste. The gin (from the well!) that’s usually paired with it is too botanical (or whatever it is they use for the spice mix in cheap gin) forward. Even going above the well to the shelf could leave you with a heavily floral or pine-spiked G&T. One combo to try during the hotter months is the citrus forward Tanqueray 10, and noticeably less sweet, super-clean “Q” Tonic. Unlike most other gins that use a little dried citrus, Tanquery 10 uses fresh white grapefruit, lime, and orange in their recipe. The result is a clean and bright gin, that still clocks in at 94.8 proof. Q Tonic Water is good enough to drink all on its own. Lower in sugar and calories, it’s pricey, but man is it worth it. Look for it at your local not totally dirt-cheap grocery store. It seems to have a pretty far distribution radius.

 

Superga Cotu Classic in White – $52 w/ GET20 ($65)

Right. You’re sick of seeing these on this website. Totally get it. Yet they’re made oddly well, breathe nicely, and have better cushioning than Chucks. And they’re hardly ever on sale. Now they’re on sale through Need Supply Co. Ships free too. (Update, perhaps these don’t ship free anymore? Looks like they’re charging $7.95 now?) I usually wear a 10.5 in almost all shoes, and the size 44 (EU sizing) fits great.

 

TheTieBar White Linen w/ Navy Border Pocket Square – $10.00

A bit of color to brighten up a more sober, business suit in the warm weather, but still has the classic white base. Also going to look all kinds of good with a more relaxed summer suit or an unconstructed, lightweight blazer. Featured last year in GQ. A little border goes a long way for a pocket square.

 

Filson Rugged Twill Travel Tray – $26.00

Travel season is upon us. And this stores-flat catchall is perfect for those who might be a little too obsessed with staying organized. If you (or someone you know) hates clutter… and likes having a place to throw his wallet/hotel room key/etc. while travelling, then give this thing a look. Un-snaps at the corners to lay totally flat. Made in the USA. Available in the same colors that they make their briefcases in. Free ground shipping on all orders, through Filson, through 6/12.

 

Target Merona “Dry Comfort” Button Down Polo – $11.99 ($19.99)

The best newcomer for this year’s crop of affordable polos. Fabric is quite different compared to UNIQLO’s “dry” fabric button down collar polos, but not in a bad way. This is more of a sleek jersey fabric, while UNIQLO has a lightweight & crisp pique. These are 85% polyester, but they’re soft, not scratchy, and claim to dry four times faster than cotton. Good stretch here too. 40% off thanks to Target’s Father’s Day sale, which also has their oxford cloth “club” shorts down to $14.99.

 

Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder – $6.91

Sure, your pieces/parts might look for a short time like they just stepped off Hoth. But better that than feeling like they’re stuck marinating in the bayous of Dagobah. knowwhattImean?

 

Old Navy Slim Fit Seersucker Button Downs – $17.50 ($29.94)

A bright white seersucker shirt is a perfect layering piece for weather that calls for anything but layering. That pucker is there to help facilitate ventilation, by keeping the cloth from universally touching your skin. That, and the texture is a hallmark of the summer season. Wear it with a barely-there navy blazer, some off white or grey chinos, and bucks or loafers.

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