10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – New Stafford Shoes, Gingham, & 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.

 

JC Penney Stafford “Nolan” Wingtips – $80 w/ NOWSHOP3

Mentioned here since they’ll be under $75 in no time. Stafford’s newest home-run shoe? Perhaps? Looks like it could make for a great smart casual shoe, as well as might do great with summer suits once it heats up. Many thanks to reader Gabriel S. for sending in the tip on these. As always, these new shoes at JC Penney start at around $100, then they’ll go “on sale” and you can apply codes after that. Should hit around $50 – $60ish in the not too terribly distant future.

 

Polo Ralph Lauren Suede O-Ring Belt – $32.99 ($89.50)

Not bad for $35. Pictured above is the “Caco” color. Two things worth note: 1. It’s darker in person. And 2. Unlike the silver tone O rings on the RL site, this one showed up with brass-like rings. Whatever, still works quite well as a casual belt that’s not your run of the mill number. Pendleton blanket not included. Sadly.

 

Banana Republic Luxe-Touch Piped Polo – $49.50

Kinda like Original Penguin’s “Earl” polo, only in BR’s smooth as silk luxe-touch cotton… and not nearly as expensive as the OP option. Just a hint of retro feel with those slim stripes at the collar and sleeves. Contrast placket. Always on sale.

 

Porcelain Pendant Cord Set – $47.98 ($57)

That right there is one of them e–lectri–fied lantern thangs. A super-cool table lamp. Instant, functional character for any desktop where writings and cipherings take place at a time of night (or, day) where those overhead lights just wouldn’t feel right. Set comes with the fabric wrapped cord, Edison Bulb, and cage. Sold through Huckberry.

 

Casio Diver – $40.99 + Heavy Duty Nato Strap – $17.49

This watch feels like it costs way, way more than its paltry $40ish price tag. Good weight to it, nice snap to each click of the rotating bezel, and classic good looks. The rubber strap it comes on isn’t half bad either. Adding a striped NATO strap to it (kinda partial to the looks of those PVD coated rings on the one pictured above) only elevates the look even more.

 

J.C.F. Sutton Fit Oxford Cloth Pant – $45.00

“Faded Spruce” is a new arrival so expect pricing to drop further with codes and sales. Kinda like red summer pants… only not red. So not as loud. Still not too subtle, that’s for sure. Oxford cloth, and the slim, but not too slim, “Sutton” fit with it’s 15.5″ leg opening.

 

Brooks Brothers Regent Fit Gingham Shirt – $55.20 ($92)

In their non-iron finish as well. Check out how the collar rolls, instead of pancakes straight down to the buttons on the chest of the shirt. Very nice. In their “regent” fit, which is slimmer, but not tight. Meanwhile: Note to retailers… the trend of “naming” your fits is just plain confusing and irritating. Call it a slim fit. Call it a classic fit. Call it an extra slim fit. Whatever. But don’t call it the “Brian” fit or something similar. Most of us don’t know what you’re talking about. Ships and returns for free since it’s through Nordstrom. Do be aware that there’s a subtle, white BB “golden fleece” logo on the chest.

 

Stafford Polarized Gunmetal Sunglasses – $34

They’re labled as aviators, but they appear (at least, in the online pic) to have a less droopy/more rectangular shape to the lenses? And that’s a good thing for most faces. A little cleaner than Top Gun style aviators. Also looks like there’s a tortoise shell pattern at the ear pieces? Nice. Not bad. Fingers crossed the frames really are a gunmetal, and not a super high shine chrome. Efforting an in-person. Sold by JC Penney.

 

Clontarf Irish Whiskey – $20ish

Fantastically complex? No. An amazing value for twenty bucks a bottle? Absolutely. Silky smooth. So much so that the mouth feel is much easier than other 40% ABV whiskeys (40% isn’t uncomfortably hot by any stretch, but still… 40% ABV isn’t beer). Aged in bourbon barrels, and a little bit of that woody/earthiness comes through in the flavor. But it’s an Irish through and through. Slightly sweet with a mix of herbal, grain, and a hint of citrus. Not much of a nose on this one. Which somehow only makes it easier to drink. And that’s dangerous. Jameson Gold Reserve is pricey as hell (but awfully good), Bushmills 16 is nice, but it’s on the thin side, and you also have to wonder if there’s been some color added to it for effect. Teeling is a terrific addition to the Irish Market, but the rum aging leans toward the sweeter side. Clontarf is whiskey. Irish Whiskey. Smoother than regular ol’ Jameson, with a little less sweet, and a little more chew in the flavor profile.

 

Joseph Abboud Suede Chukkas – $59.95

Abboud branded shoes usually out perform their ultra-cheap price point. Sold via DSW, these “Patterson” Chukkas look to have a bit more structure than a standard desert boot, have an easier to dress up (a bit) slimmer sole, and as a reminder… cheap suede almost always trumps cheap smooth leather. Ships free with the code SHIPR as long as you’re on DSW’s email list/rewards program.

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