Most Wanted Affordable Style – December 2015

Consider these to be power rankings. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month. You’ll find new arrivals and old favorites, especially good deals, or maybe something pricey to keep an eye on for future sales. The potential best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Got a tip on something that deserves to end up in the monthly Most Wanted? Send those in here.

 

Orient Polaris GMT + Power Reserve Automatic – $402.50 w/ DAPPERED30

Subtle GMT hand. Convenient power reserve indicator. Cobalt blue hands against a slightly textured, white dial. Sapphire crystal. Easy to wear for most with its 42mm diameter. And the movement is hackable + you can wind it by hand. Probably the best looking dress watch they’ve come out with in a long time, and that’s saying a lot since they’ve been on a roll lately. Was just 50% off during the big Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales.

 

Bespoke Post “Churchill” Box – $45.00

Some of us don’t smoke. At all. Or, maybe you’re the type to have one or two cigars a year, and that’s it. A special occasion type deal. This box from Bespoke Post seemed to be designed for the later. Four solid quality cigars, cedar strips for lighting (so you don’t contaminate the cigar with the chemical taste from a basic lighter or matches) a reclaimed wood ashtray that doubles as a candle holder… and one of the best smelling candles around. Their “den” candle is standard issue around the home offices here. And say you don’t smoke, ever (perhaps the taste lingers long enough in your mouth that it completely ruin’s the next mornings run or trip to the gym), but have pals that do? It makes a great gift. Or, for having on hand in case you host a party at your place, someone is about to light up a backwoods, and you want to be an extra good host by offering an alternative.

 

B.R. Soft Blazer in Navy/Charcoal or Grey/Caramel – $138 w/ BRGETSET

It’s like a winterized, wool version of the long lost ultra-light sportcoats by Macy’s INC brand. (Remember those? Anyone?) Zero structure. None. Sweater-like, but drapes and looks like a blazer once you get it on. Reversible too, which is a nifty work of garment engineering. Cut in their true slim “modern slim” silhouette, so, if you’ve got some bulk to you, your proportions might not fit (see the length of the sleeves of a 40R on a 5’10” / 185 frame above). Camel version is 70% wool, 10% poly, and 10% other, which gives it the feel of a camel hair blazer. Did the math did you? Right. That only adds up to 90%. But that’s what the description on their site says. I have no answers. Code is good for 30% off $150, and 40% off $200.

 

A cold day, off the clock, doing whatever you want.

“What’s on your list for Santa?” Well, there is something that can’t be bought from a store (although the list might have plenty of that stuff too). But a friggin’ cold, blustery day, that’s spent in & out of doors doing whatever one pleases, with no back-of-the-mind responsibilities, is really one of the best things ever. You get up and do nothing in particular. Drink some coffee or tea and have breakfast. You get out and get some exercise in the biting cold (running, hiking, whatever…) you come back inside and settle into a good drink and something to read or watch. You take a nap. You get back up and make a fantastic dinner. And that’s it. The only thing you have to do is walk the line between making the most of this short time that you have off, and getting a taste of hibernating.

 

J. Crew Wallace & Barnes Shetland Wool Cable Sweater – $118

It’s just a sweater, but it’s a basic that you’ll probably find yourself reaching for over and over. Great for the guys who have a sense of style that leans more Hemingway and less Fashion Week. Shetland wool. Not cotton, like cheaper, cable/fisherman’s style sweaters. Don’t baby it. Wear it like you would a hoodie. It’ll breathe better, and look way better. You’ll feel it. And one day, someone other than you, whom you wish would take notice, just might take notice.

Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.