The Best in Affordable Style from the Month that Was – Feb. ’16

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…

 

Best Sales: Winter Clearance Events & Tiered, No Exclusion Sales

This wasn’t the best month for sales. Nordstrom had their winter clearance event… but that was just so-so. Banana Republic & J. Crew ran a few no/few exclusion sales, but thresholds were pretty high for when the savings would kick in. It was your average February. Clearance sales with sizes and stock picked over, yet not far enough into the New Spring Releases to see significant mark downs.

 

Post that Most Expresses the Dappered Philosophy: Overrated “Rules”

Whatever the hell “the Dappered Philosophy” means. I don’t even quite know what it is myself. And I’m also not going to pretend that writing that up there ^^^ isn’t at least, in some way, reeking of self righteousness. But, the post in question is about not taking the “rules” some profess as unbreakable too seriously. So, there’s something there. Maybe.

 

Most Intriguing Debut: Amazon’s new in-house fashion brands

Suits for $250ish. Awfully good looking shoes for $50 – $80 (at least good looking in the pics). Sportcoats in the high $100s. Got a batch of stuff on the way for an in-person review, so standby for that. Could be an industry game-changer. Could be disappointing. Most likely will fall somewhere in-between, with some pieces worth it, and some not.

 

Most Zoological Day: Feb. 10th

At one point on Feburary 10th, two thirds of the above the fold top-3 articles were occupied by a chimp listening to headphones, and a bear rollin’ solo for Valentine’s Day. As Editor… I see no issue with this. Hell, we were just one three-legged cat away from the all Jack Hanna Header Image trifecta. Goals People. GOALS.

 

Best Bang-for-the-Buck Watch Setup: Casio Diver + NATO Strap

Even though that Casio is a cheap quartz, it feels like anything but. And the rubber strap it comes with is fine, but a simple switch out to a heavy duty NATO strap and you’ve got one sharp, tough-looking casual timepiece for around $50 – $60.

 

Most terrifying promotional image: Suitsupply

Suitsupply’s gonna Suitsupply. This is what they do. And color me foolish, but I honestly didn’t see another hyper-sexualized campaign coming (easy now) when this first image was released. Because that image was just… weird. But, of course, their “Toy Boys” campaign hit the interwebs and the usual charges of sexism and objectification of women started hitting their social media comments sections. The campaign does turn their the male models “toys”… but… right. C’mon. Nice try Suitsupply. But for a lot of us? What was an eye-roll at their bro-tastic marketing (albeit well dressed bros) has now become a total shrug. This isn’t new from them. Whatever. They do it to get a rise. And they get it every time. But yeah. Dude’s noggin’ being consumed by a lady mouth? That’s just… kind of unsettling.

 

Best Answer to the Question: “Why Are you So Dressed up?”

#10: Thanks!

 

Best Use of a Criminally Under-known Physiology Term: Philtrum

If you didn’t know, now you do. See? This silly website is useful. For something.

 

Easiest Way to work in some Spring Style Now: Nautical Stripes

• Lands’ End Cashmere Crew – $139.99 w/ BEST & 3001 ($199)
• Banana Republic Cotton Shawl Cardigan – $83.50 ($140)
• Old Navy Jersey Fabric Polo – $17.94
• Lands’ End Cotton Striped Drifter Crew – $41.30 w/ BEST & 3001 ($59)

Easy enough, no? Blue and white are already staples in the men’s style color spectrum. And these horizontal stripes on a blue or white base looks nice and clean alongside dark denim. So, wear it now, wear it later. Ahoy and what not.

 

Most Dangerous Discovery for St. Pat’s Day: Clontarf Whiskey

Twenty bucks a bottle. Twenty. And shockingly smooth. Too easy to drink. Way too easy.

 

Grossest Internal Dappered HQ Conversation: Illustrating Hairy Moles

“I’m thinking the hairs need to be a little longer, and all sticking out in a similar direction.”
“You think so? I think it looks good as is.”
“Have you ever seen a mole with hairs coming out of it that are heading in opposite directions?”
“Who wants lunch?”