10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Ludlows, Transitional Sweaters, & 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.

 

J. Crew Made in the USA Braided Web Belt – $27.65 w/ GOSHOPPING

Much slimmer in person than you’d expect, but certainly still casual enough to wear with jeans. Leather accents feel decent, and the buckle on this 1 3/8″ wide belt isn’t clunky like many other casual belts. Stretchy part has good give but isn’t overly limp. Not a bad belt to wear with shorts now, and then jeans in the fall.

 

Whatever this Jacket is from UNIQLO

This can’t be the light-weight cotton blazer from the spring/summer line… can it? It appears to be similar in pattern, but richer in color and made from some sort of wool or wool blend. Like it’s part of the fall line and hasn’t been released yet. The model is wearing it with a flannel shirt and jeans after all. It’s along the same lines as the tweedy blazer that the model is wearing over here. Eyes are certainly peeled for this one.

 

SmartWool Stripe Wool Blend Socks – $12.90 ($20.95)

Having a go-to pair of cushioned, but not overly thick, wool socks is a must for a lot of guys. Wool just does everything so much better when it comes to your feet. They insulate, they breathe, and if your feet are sweating (or, get wet from rain/snow), they won’t become a torture to wear like cotton socks would. And in terms of getting the most out of the wonder-fabric that is wool, hardly anyone does it better than SmartWool. These are a part of Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale, and going fast. Mostly merino wool. Made in the USA. Great stripes.

 

GAP Slub Cotton Shawl Collar Cardigan – $48.99 ($69.50)

Surprisingly nice for an all-cotton cardigan that you should be able to get for the mid $30s range with extra codes. One of those late summer/fall transitional sweaters, which can be worn in the colder months as well. Substantial, even though it’s a slub cotton (which is a bit see-through in some parts). Slub usually pills pretty quickly, but this is more of a casual house-sweater than something you’d wear to work or out, so, not gonna complain much there if it does. Softer than you’d expect for 100% cotton. It’s already on sale, so the next 30% – 40% off code will drop it down to a bargain. Size shown is a medium on 5’10” / 185lbs.

 

Club Monaco Dobby Blazer – $59.40* ($425) | Shawl Blazer – $69.30* ($369)

*You’ll need the code THESALEONSALE to get these prices. Club Monaco appears to be serious, real serious, about clearing out stock to make way for new fall arrivals. The “Wright” fit (on the left) is a more classic fit with a tail that doesn’t appear to be chopped. And get a good look at the subtle pattern on that Wright blazer. Impressive looking. Meanwhile, the “Grant” fit blazer has a shawl collar, but is going to be noticeably slimmer & shorter. One button silhouoette on that one. Kinda an al fresco dinner jacket.

 

Worn & Wound Mil-Strap in Horween #8 – $65.00

If one of your leather watch-straps is starting to stink from the sweating summer brings… try some saddle soap. If the saddle soap doesn’t work, or you just want a fresh watch strap on an old time piece that could use a pick-me-up, give W&W’s new Mil-Straps a shot. Especially the one shown above in Horween’s deep burgundy color #8. Grey threads & curved-edge hardware finishes this thing off. Available in 20 or 22mm widths.

 

Club Monaco Canvas/Leather Tote – $69.30 w/ THESALEONSALE ($199)

For those of us who have to lug in a lot more than just a laptop & various papers every day. Thing is… they don’t appear to give dimensions for this thing? Hopefully it’s not tiny. Leather accents and nice looking hardware.

 

Sperry “Authentic Original” Boat Shoe – $69.90 ($110)

Part of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but somehow got passed over for the first batch of picks. Really liking the blue leather option and the contrast it creates with the rawhide laces. Ships & returns for free since it’s Nordstrom.

 

Bespoke Post’s “Copper” Box – $45.00

The Moscow Mule got crazy popular, extremely fast. And for good reason. They’re tasty. Especially when it’s hot. Bespoke Post put together a box that’ll deliver an upgraded experience, complete with really nice, hammered copper mugs, a ginger syrup, and a less cumbersome than most joiner mallet & cotton canvas bag. The bag & mallet are key for making crushed ice that melts slowly. When smashing up cubes in the bag, the canvas grabs and wicks excess moisture. So instead of a mush of crushed ice & water, you get clean, crisp pebbles that aren’t swimming in their own mush. Head here for ginger beer suggestions (for when you run out of the syrup).

 

J. Crew Ludlow Lightweight Sportcoat – $67.20 w/ GOSHOPPING

Made from shirt-weight fabric but still not flimsy, it’s a black cotton sportcoat with just enough of a pattern to it. Can easily be worn after sundown for the rest of summer, then should transition easily into being worn with jeans and over sweaters once it cools off. Now an extra 60% off (six-zero) with the code GOSHOPPING. Sizes are a bit scattered at post time. (UPDATE: They’re going pretty fast.) Was $168 at full retail. Code expires today, 7/20.

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