10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Sharp Shirts, Suede Shoes, & More

Seventy Five bucks. That’s a lot of money. It’ll get you a couple pairs of Levi’s, a decent casual dinner out, or a couple months at your local gym. Ten picks follow, all for $75 or under, with some of them much, much less. Expect these round-ups on a monthly basis. Got a tip on something for under $75? Send those in to joe@dappered.com.

 

Marino Genuine Leather Ratchet Dress Belt – $29.99

You bet there’s a friggin’ ratchet belt here. It’s slim, the leather is incredibly pliable, the buckle design makes it look like any ol’ dress belt, and the ratchet system means you get a much, much more exact fit than any standard belt you might have hanging up in your closet. #Menswear snobs will turn their noses up at these things, but screw em’. Looks great (depending on your buckle choice), feels even better. Sidenote: how the hell did the belt win over suspenders anyway?

 

GAP Linen Cotton Shorts – $29.97 w/ JUNE40 ($49.95)

A surprisingly high 55% linen / 45% cotton mix for these, especially since they look so saturated with color. 10″ inseam. Always on sale and also available in a greyish “washed black” and a not too traditional looking “acorn” khaki.

 

Nordstrom Trim Fit Non-Iron Stripe Dress Shirt – $49.90

There’s an odd lack of slim stripe dress shirts out there. Plenty of gingham, tattersall, and other checks, and sure there’s fat bengal stripes too… but what about thin pin/pencil stripes? These shirts are great for going tieless or wearing with a solid suit and tie (it helps avoid the blocky look a solid shirt might produce with a solid suit). From Nordstrom’s mainstream house brand.

 

Suitsupply Light Brown Acetate or Rectangle Metal Sunglasses – $79

A hair over $75, but since it’s Suitsupply they ship and return for free. Didn’t show up in time (sorry) for an in-person for the recent sunglasses round up, but like other Suitsupply things, they deliver. Gonna go as far as saying the feel and finish is on par with Warby Parker, and Suitsupply charges much less. Each pair comes with a nice case, cleaning cloth, and a mini screwdriver for tightening screws/hinges. And those hinges are solid. Nice and taught right out of the box. Firm, but still gives with a clean, consistent resistance.

 

“This American Life” on Male Friendship (starts at 16:35)

For all the guys who are out of college. Question: When was the last time that you actually made a friend? Like, all on your own. Not the significant other of your significant other’s newest friend. But, y’know, someone you made friends with all on your own?

 

Nordstrom “1901” Tipped Pocket Square – $9.90 ($19.90)

Big, big fan of the tipped pocket square. They’re super sharp and add subtle color. More on their importance coming up soon in a separate post on pocket squares. But for now? Tough to beat the deal from Nordstrom. Ten bucks, ships and returns free. Good color selection to choose from.

 

Red Fleece Cotton Nautical Stripe Shawl Neck – $49.25 ($98)

Unfairly has a poor review. It’s a really nice, nautical stripe, good for cool summer nights sweater. Mostly cotton with a little bit of silk. Fits trimmer than other Brooks Brothers sweaters because it’s from their younger leaning Red Fleece line. Cotton fabric is slim in depth but strong. Comfy, yet still sharp looking. One drawback: tag says it’s dry clean only.

 

B.R. Camden Fit Linen Buffalo Check Shirt – $29.99 ($74.50)

All linen, a not too-tight fit (which is great for the warm weather as long as you’re not super slim), and a big arse buffalo check. Wear it with jeans and an off white or khaki sportcoat on those unusually cool days that’ll spring up this summer, or, wear it with white pants and roll up the sleeves on the hottest of days. Currently on sale for fifty bucks, and an additional 40% comes off at checkout.

 

The Black Keys – Live in Austin 2003

Been a while since I posted this. Early, gritty Black Keys, performing in Austin LONG before they even got a sniff of performing on the much glossier Austin City Limits (also a fun watch). 48 minutes long. A perfect soundtrack for work, or, for throwing open the windows at home, cracking open a favorite beverage, and not doing a damn thing. Complete with intoxicated lady stage invader at 13:17.

 

H&M “Premium” Suede Derby Shoes – $69.99

These are either going to be an amazing value (like their recent suede double monks that sold out super fast), or they’re gonna be a dumpster fire for your tootsies. Yes, I said tootsies. Anyway, at a glance over the interwebs, they look like they might be laced versions of those double monks. Leather lining looks the same. Suede looks similar. Perhaps these are made in Portugal too? Ships free with the code 0040. Returns are free in-store, and some brick and mortars might carry these.

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