A man can dream. And sometimes having a tangible reward to chase can help someone achieve a lofty goal. Sometimes reaching outside the normal Dappered price range for a reward is called for. Nobody panic (not that you would), “The Reach” is not the new normal. It’s supplemental. And while some prices will be eye-popping, they won’t come near exospheric, Robb-Reportish levels. Plus, if/when there are more affordable alternatives available, they’ll be suggested. Predictable self-hatred for desiring such stupidly expensive things will be unavoidable. At least for the author.
Persol PO0714 Polarized Sunglasses in Brown or Black – $199.90 ($380)
If you have a tendency to lose or break your sunglasses, then $200 is obscene. But, if you’re not too rough on sunglasses, then investing in a pair of foldable Persols can be worth the splurge. Polarized, an iconic shape, the screws & hinges are high quality (to the point that they’re easy to adjust and feel like something that will last for a lifetime), and then there’s the convenience of them folding up for easy storage. They all but eliminate the “where do I put my sunglasses?” question when you head indoors. On sale via one of the more customer friendly flash sale sites, Rue La La. UPDATE: And those sold out fast. Kudos to whoever got em’.
The Less Expensive Alternative: There’s a brand called Sunpocket out there that makes foldable shades, but they don’t feel anywhere near as good, they’re oddly expensive, and hard to find.
J. Crew Ludlow Dinner Jacket in Italian Wool – $545
“What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?”
“My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.”
“The Waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.”
“I was misinformed…”
The Less-Expensive Alternative: Just get your own tux (peak lapel or shawl) and get it tailored. You’ll look 100x better than most of the rest of the men in the room, who in most instances, will usually be in rentals.
Leather Head Horween Burgundy Chromexcel 12 lb Medicine Ball – $350
Functional decor. Think you’re in pretty good shape? Train hard and work your way up to a new level. A level of fitness where you can do something you never thought you’d be able to do (a crazy # of pull ups, a certain time for running a mile, etc…) and then reward yourself with this. It’ll be a 12 lb reminder of you overcoming what you thought were your physical limits. Made in the USA from Horween Chromexcel. Stuffed with leather scraps that were a bi-product of Leather Head’s endeavors. Does work more than fine as an exercise tool (Russian Twists!) NOTE: Don’t use it on pavement. It’s too darn pretty for that. Jump rope not included.
The Less Expensive Alternative: Restoration Hardware currently has a “Vintage Leather Training Ball” on final sale for $39. Down from $79. Doesn’t look like it’s gonna be as big or as pretty as the Leatherhead option, but $39??
Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph – $529.98 ($625)
Hot dog they made one in Blue. Obviously this thing is strongly influenced by the Tag Heuer Monaco, but the Monaco is just flat out of the price range, even for “The Reach” segment. Powered by a Seiko “Mecha-Quartz” movement, it is, at its base, a quartz. A $500 quartz. But the chronograph function possesses some of the guts of a mechanical quartz movement. So you get the accuracy and dependability of quartz, while at the same time getting the snappy feel of a mechanical for the chronograph function. That, and it’s devastatingly attractive, if you’re the type who likes sporty, fast looking watches. On sale via Huckberry.
The Less-Expensive Alternative: It’s not super cheap in comparison, but the Helgray Silverstone is now in stock and shipping for $379. Same movement too. Case shape on the Helgray is more traditional of course.
RH “Churchill” Leather Chair w/ Nailheads – $1195 – $2630
Wow. Forget a pine box. Bury me in this thing, sitting up. (Because that wouldn’t be creepy at the viewing. There’d need to be more support wires than a performance of The Lonely Goatherd. Also… there will be no viewing. Nope.) Price can swing, wildly, depending on the leather, depth, and fill. It’s a month or two worth’s rent or mortgage, but it’s the kinda chair that every guest is gonna see, crack a smile, and ask you if they can sit in it.
The Less-Expensive Alternative: It’s nowhere near as attractive, and it’s bi-cast leather, but Cost Plus bi-cast/bonded leather chairs really are a step above the competition from Target. They usually have one or two models per season. Expect to pay around $300 – $400.
Head here for an archive of “The Reach.”