10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Aviators, a new Chrono, & Rye’d up Scotch

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.

 

H&M Suede Double Monk Straps – $69.99

Hey now. There’s some real potential here. And H&M, every once in a while, can shock you with a country of origin (such as Portugal). Simple cap toes. Buckles look to be lower shine too.

 

American Eagle Aviators – $15.95

Blue lenses have become quite a “thing” haven’t they? Awfully good for sixteen bucks. Not as solid in build quality as the J. Crew Aviators (one of the ear pieces on this pair was slightly loose), but no where near the price either. The addition of tortoise-shell looking ear pieces at the end of a metal frame is a nice design touch. Sizing, from my measurements is 53 – 55mm. So, medium to large but not enormous. Only AE branding is a very subtle stamp at the end of each ear piece.

 

Filson Made in the USA 5-Panel Tin Cloth Cap – $45.00

The unpredictability of spring weather can leave you with a wet noggin (for example, it’s sunny… and hailing at the Dappered home offices as this is being written). So Filson made a ball cap out of their famous tin-cloth fabric. Bridle leather patch up front. Available in tan, otter green, or black. Go ahead and throw a little bend in the brim if you’d prefer to avoid a hipstery look.

 

Target Linen/Cotton Pop Over – $19.99

Don’t sleep on pop overs. A little more casual than a polo, but still has a fresh and crisp collar. Made to be worn untucked, these are great for the guys who are headed somewhere casual, but don’t feel like wearing just a t-shirt. 55% cotton, 45% linen.

 

J. Crew Factory Chino Blazer – $77.99 FINAL w/ SWEET ($129.99)

Just over the $75 line, but it does ship free when you use the extra 40% off code SWEET. It is final sale, but there’s a decent size selection at post time. Full review over here.

 

Timex Expedition Scout Chrono – $57.60 w/ DAYLIGHT ($72)

The Timex Weekender Chrono gets a hardier, rougher looking brother. True NATO style strap with curved edge rings. 100m of water resistance. Chronograph function plus indiglo. The leather strap is a bit on the thin side, but it doesn’t feel like it’s gonna tear to bits. Also available in a blue on black color scheme, for $65, via Target. Big thanks to Eric M. for the tip about the 20% off code!

 

J. Crew Olive Ticking Stripe Belt – $22.12 w/ SHOPMORE ($29.50)

J. Crew’s well-liked classic, only in a less preppy shade of olive green. They’re still selling the white base w/ blue stripe of course, but if you’re looking for something that’ll work now with jeans, and later on with shorts, the green isn’t a bad option.

 

PRESIDENTIAL – The Podcast, from the Washington Post

Not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s a Presidential Election coming up. Right. You’ve heard. And in honor of that fact, the Washington Post has put together a fantastic, straightforward, and totally endearing series that looks at each of our nation’s Presidents. This is not some dry history lecture. Far from it. As well as getting a good grasp on what’s truth and what’s legend about our past executives, find out which Presidents were snazzy dressers. What it would have been like to go on a blind date with each one. How they navigated the complicated social cultures that existed during their time in office. With all the yelling that’s going on in the lead up to November, PRESIDENTIAL is a fantastic, measured, and downright fun look at each President of the United States.

 

Uniqlo Linen Blend Striped Cardigan – $39.90

Cardigans do really well during that transition between seasons. One moment you’re in lightweight chinos and a polo, and the next? Sun’s gone. Wind has picked up. And you need another layer. This one is 87% linen and 13% nylon, so it’ll be lightweight with a bit of texture. And those stripes help keep it from looking too Mr. Rodgers-y. Hand-wash instead of machine-wash though. So, know that before you purchase.

 

Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Finish 10 yr – $55.00

An interesting experiment from the Johnnie Walker folks. Unlike a lot of special release Scotches these days, this one actually carries a specific aging number (10 years) on the bottle. And if you believe the rumors, that sort of thing is going to get more and more rare. Aged for all but a month in first-fill American Oak, then finished off in former Rye Whiskey casks. Light, subtle nose, with little to no burn through the nostrils. Taste leans towards the butterscotch side with very little smoke. 46% but sips like a 40%. Not cheap, but pretty fun. More info here.

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