10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Chunky Sweaters, Traveler Jeans, & 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.

 

Indigo Slim Traveler Jean – $53.99 w/ BRSALE ($118)

These aren’t the “rinse” shade as shown over here, but instead the more saturated “Indigo” option. Quite possibly the most comfortable pair of jeans on the market. Immense amount of stretch, while still looking like a normal pair of 5-pockets. Huge thanks to Kevin F. for the tip. Code BRSALE knocks an extra 40% off sale items, including these, and expires today.

 

J. Crew Factory Wool Blend Fair Isle Scarf – $14.95

50% wool/30% acrylic/20% nylon blend, but surprisingly substantial feeling. Nice work out of the people who sourced the fabric for this one. Dirt cheap too. Navy and Ivory colors are basic, but the pattern is eye-catching. Something that’ll go real well with a solid topcoat. Does ship free with the code JOLLY, although the extra 15% off discount won’t apply.

 

Old Navy Chunky Shawl Collar Cardigan – $26.70 w/ SHIP4FREE

60% cotton, 30% nylon, 10% wool, so at least you should get some wintery texture in there. Larger gauge knit is also perfect for this time of year. Two colors, both of which are a little unexpected, but not overly saturated. Great call out of the designers. 40% off with the code through today, plus free 3-day shipping.

 

Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender & Marion Cotillard

Just a lighthearted, easy watching film for your holiday viewing pleasure <— Sarcasm. Produced by the same people who made The King’s Speech. Getting a ton of praise for its visuals, both the beautiful and the difficult to watch. The final scene where “Great Birnam wood” comes “to high Dunsinane hill,” and how it is used once it gets there is worth the ticket price alone. Director, oddly enough, is in charge of directing the upcoming Assassin’s Creed movie, which also stars Fassbender and Cotillard.

 

Blue Claw Co. Waxed Canvas Market Tote – $40.00

Plastic < Paper < Cheap Reusable Shopping Bag< THIS THING. Sure, it’s nowhere near as inexpensive as those reusable shopping bags, but if you’re the type who carries more to work every day than what a standard brief can hold, then a well made tote can come in handy. Also great for those quick grocery store runs where you’re picking up just a few things on the way home. Ships free. Available in tan or olive.

 

J. Crew Bowery Classic in Herringbone Wool – $69.99 w/ GETGIFTS

Mentioned briefly in the last Thursday Handful, but worth another mention here. Now just under $70 and worth it if you work in a business casual/slightly dressed up office. That light grey is a perfect way to brighten up, without true color, a winter wardrobe. And since it’s their “Classic” fit, the legs shouldn’t balloon, but won’t cling to your thighs either. 15.5″  leg opening. Also available in a darker charcoal.

 

Full Sail “Wassail” Winter Ale – $9 – $11 per six pack

Balanced malt and hop flavors in a winter-warmer ABV of 7.2%. So lots of flavors going on, but it isn’t syrupy or overly sweet like a lot of other holiday ales. Color is reminiscent of Horween’s #8. (That might be the first time a beer’s color has been compared to a leather shade? Hopefully it makes sense.) Real easy drinking.

 

Target Merona Wool Blend Topcoat – $39.99 ($79.99)

As cheap as a topcoat is gonna get, and the blend seems to be pretty decent. 60% Wool, 25% Polyester, 10% Rayon, 5% “Other.” Sizes are limited online, but might be worth searching out in store if you don’t have a dressier coat for the holidays.

 

Randolph Engineering Made in the USA Aviators – $74.97 ($149)

RE’s on the cheap. Shipped and sold via NordstromRack.com, and you can return them either to a Nordstrom Rack store or through the mail. Size is 58mm, so good for guys with average to larger sized heads. Tan lenses will lend a little visual warmth to the otherwise cold and grey winter months.

 

R. Lauren Wool Lined Leather Racing Gloves – $48.99 w/ GIFT30 ($88)

Walks the line between a not warm enough dress glove, and a too bulky super-insulated glove. Plus, the design is much more interesting than the standard triple stitch tops you see on 80% of the dressier gloves out there. Lined and insulated w/ Thinsulate. Seems to run pretty true to size. Drops to under $50 with the extra 30% off code.

For other Best Bets under $75 from previous months, click here.