The Best in Affordable Style from the Month that Was

A wise man once asked: “What the hell just happened?” And for good reason. There is value in looking back. It gives us all a good gauge as to what is good, and more importantly, what is not good, going forward. Sure, the “clip show” is mostly a cheap (affordable?) device to create new content out of already published stuff. But they’re also a good way to catch up in case you missed something. So cue the flashback music. Here’s the very best from the month that just was…

Most Welcomed Style Aspect of Fall: It’s Sportcoat Season

Fall is all about layers, and one of the best looking layers a guy can put on is a sportcoat or blazer. This year’s crop is strong. From the double digit cheap, to the investment worthy jackets that cost a few hundred. See the full round up here.

Best Affordable Shoe Comeback: Banana Republic

Wasn’t that long ago that BR’s shoes just weren’t worth it. The materials were often sketchy, and the construction just wasn’t worth the price. Sure, they’re almost certainly all still glued, but between their new chelsea boots (going for the low $100s with codes) and the now perpetually on sale Italian Leather single monks (going for $75 a few days back… SEVENTY FIVE), Banana Republic has really done a heck of a job with their shoes as of late.

Best New Name for a British Pub: Peacock and Pig

Guaranteed the beer will be better than the unsolicited life advice.

Most sound fabric advice: Wool > Cotton.

Been praising wool more than usual this month, since fall is the time when temps can swing from one extreme to another. Favor wool over cotton when it comes to sweaters, blazers, socks, and much more. No disrespect to cotton, but it just doesn’t keep you dry, warm, and cool all at the same time. Wool does it all. And if you’re the type who sweats, try and get wool near your sweatiest regions (pits, feet) to help out the cause. Shown above is UNIQLO’s extra fine merino V and Nordstrom’s over the calf wool blend socks.

Best Use of Horween’s Famous Color #8 CXL: Rancourt x Huckberry Boots

Good gracious that’s some good looking bootery. They were so popular that Huckberry put em’ back on sale last week, but that even has since expired. Four hundred bills is a ton of cash, but they’re pretty darn impressive. Full review here, just in case they ever do come back. Made in Maine.

Best Affordable Alternative to the Tag Heuer Monaco: Seiko’s SNDF

No, it doesn’t have the Monaco’s iconic square case shape, but it’s an awfully good looking watch for $175. Blue dial, a few brighter accents, and a chronograph. Quartz of course, but it’s got a decent weight and feel to it, without being overly bulky. Full review over here.

Worst Misspelling of this Website’s name: PAPPERERED

I’m having a hard time just pronouncing it. Look, “Dappered” isn’t a real word, so who are we to judge, but what’s Papperered? Is it a take on Papered? But with an extra P? Would it be a stationary company? And would they be even more papered (or, pappered) than whatever their competition would be? Thus the extra ER? We ain’t just Pappered. We are PapperERed.

Best Way to Breathe Life into Old Fall-Ready Boots: Swap out Laces

Love Clarks Desert Boots, but the laces they come with can be complete crap. The wimpy cotton laces stretch out, fray, and can flat out break if you’re trying to tie your shoes good and tight. Swap em’ out for a pair of contrasting waxed dress laces (yes really) and you get a whole new look plus better function. Just make sure you get a short pair of laces. With just two pairs of eyelets on the Clarks ODB, a standard length lace is gonna be way too long. Pictured above is a pair of dusty, grey leather clarks.

Most Stylish League: The NBA is BACK

It’s outrageous. It’s fashiony. It’s insane. But the styles that some NBA players sport while walking into the arena and at the post-game press conferences are immensely entertaining. What in the hell is Russel Westbrook wearing there? Is that Where’s Waldo’s bathing suit from the 1920s layered under a hoodie that was so well behaved in Kindergarten it earned ALL the gold stars? But Russ owns it and loves it. And he’s not the only one in the NBA to gloriously cannonball off into the deep end of the fashion pool. Plus, the NBA on TNT keeps tabs on this stuff, and they’re almost certainly the best sports studio show out there.