JCF: Extra 70% off FINAL SALE w/ TAKE70 (exp 1/27)

Sat. 1/24 UPDATE: This post originally ran in early January, but they’ve brought the sale back, and their clearance section is still pretty stocked up. Code TAKE70 now ends Tuesday January 27th.

Why anyone would want to wear only clothes mainly from one store, I don’t know. BUT. It does make for a fun experiment, especially when it comes to showing the versatility of some classic (or even trendy-ish) pieces. Or maybe you already have similar gear, and this can act as inspiration.

WARNING: This one’s for the gamblers. The true deal hunters… who are also willing to come up empty (or worse). Because all of the J. Crew Factory stuff below is FINAL sale. No returns or exchanges. None. Zilch. Once you purchase it, it’s yours, for better or for worse. But… tis the season for End-of-Winter clearance blowouts. And at 70% off… this is one of those. 

Cold Office Layers

JCF
Waffle-stitch shawl-collar sweater – $35.40 FINAL ($148)
Slim Flex OCBD – $21.60 FINAL ($89.50)
4-season poly/wool blend trousers – $47.40 FINAL ($198)
Polar Bear socks – $4.80
Suede Lace-Ups – $42.60 FINAL ($178)

Others
Timex Weekender – $36.30 ($45ish)
Johnston & Murphy Briefcase – $127.47 ($299)

Smart-Casual Winter Textures

JCF
Slim-fit plaid wool-blend patch-pocket blazer – $119.40 FINAL ($498)
Slim Flex OCBD – $21.60 FINAL ($89.50)
Straight-fit cords – $30.60 FINAL ($128)
Waffle socks – $4.80 FINAL ($19.50)
Woven braided belt – $16.80 FINAL ($69.50)
Suede Boots – $59.40 FINAL ($248)
*WARNING: Soles are pretty smooth and slick on these boots,
so be mega careful when new on carpet/outside on wet surfaces.
Sizing seems true. A 10.5 fits my normally 10.5 feet pretty well.

Others
Invicta 1953 – $124
(Review here)

Professor Jones

JCF
Slim-fit Donegal wool blend jacket – $108 FINAL ($450)
Slim-fit Donegal wool blend trousers – $71.40 FINAL ($298)
Brushed twill shirt – $23.40 FINAL ($98)
Suede Boots – $59.40 FINAL ($248)

Others
The Tie Bar Wool Bow Tie – $28
Seiko GMT – $625
Darn Tough Socks – $24
(*Ophidiophobia exposure therapy)
GAP Belt – $28 w/ ADDIT ($44.95)

Budget British-Isles Style

JCF
Cotton-blend field jacket – $60 FINAL ($298)
Merino-blend quarter-zip – $28.80 FINAL ($120)
Brushed twill shirt – $23.40 FINAL ($98)
Straight-fit cords – $30.60 FINAL ($128)
Leather camp boots – $54.60 FINAL ($228)
Cotton ribbed socks – $3 FINAL ($14.50)
Suede belt – $19.20 FINAL ($79.50)

Others
Timex x Bespoke Post Field Watch – $199
Line of Trade Weekender XL – $125 ($98 for members)

The J. Crew Factory Extra 70% off Final Sale Clearance items code TAKE70 is set to expire Tuesday 1/6/26 1/27/26.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for.

Please be careful out there. If it’s dangerously cold and/or snowy, you’ll know it. Stay in. Don’t risk it. Or if you absolutely have to go out in an arctic blast for some truly unavoidable reason… forget “style.” Layer up smartly, and stay as warm and dry as you can. (Amazon Essentials makes surprisingly good snow-bibs, which were used all the time when the Dappered Home offices were temporarily based in a town that gets eleven-feet of snow, annually.) 

The Coat: UNIQLO Seamless Down Coat – $99.90. Sleeping bag coat! This would be the occasion to use it.

The Swazer: Flint and Tinder Boiled Wool Chore Blazer – $248. Spendy, but perfect for this scenario. Boiled wool is dense enough to provide loft and insulation, yet airy enough to breathe and let out moisture. The less expensive option: Banana Republic Merino Sweater Bomber – $159.99 with extra 20% off sale deal ($250). The more affordable option: BR Factory Fisherman’s Sweater Jacket – $49.48 FINAL

The (possible) Bonus Layer: Amazon Essentials Puffer Vest – $30ish. It’s not a fashion statement via 2018. If it’s seriously cold and you have to somehow both look good and head out into the frigid air, consider layering a vest under your blazer.

The Shirt: Rhone Performance “Flannel” – $64.97 ($148). The problem with traditional cotton flannel shirts is that they just don’t breathe well. So if you’re moving around and start to sweat a little, your pits get soaked… and that’s it. Rhone is a performance wear brand that does a lot of more traditional menswear stuff. And these all performance/stretch “flannels” are one of them. The more affordable option: BRF Heavyweight Cotton Flannel – $29.98 FINAL

The Pants: Bonobos Brushed 5-Pocket Pants – $59.50 w/ BIGSALE50 ($110). Super soft Italian moleskin, which is a perfect fabric for this time of year. Not shown: A base layer/long underwear which wicks and breathes. Read: NOT old-school cotton waffle long-johns. You want something performance based so sweat doesn’t get stuck next to your skin, which would be a recipe for getting chilled at best, and hypothermia at worst.

The Sunglasses: Sunski Treelines – $98. Glacier shades. And those shields do easily pop off for wearing the sunglasses just as sunglasses. Shields are there to keep the glare from sneaking behind the frames. That said, they’ll limit your peripheral vision. So don’t get run over by a bus, please. Polarized lenses too.

The Gloves: Patagonia Nano Puff Mitts – $79. Yes, mittens. Don’t mess with your extremities/digits in the cold. Hands are like feet, only attached to your wrists (profound, I know). You need them, and they can get cold and damaged easily.

The Watch: Casio Diver – $60ish on a Crown & Buckle Supreme Nato – $32.30 w/ CROWN15 ($38). Because fumbling for your phone in the bitter cold could result in you losing it in a snowbank. That, and it’s nice to know how long you’ve been outside shoveling.

The Boots: Sorel 1964 Pac Nylon Waterproof Snow Boot – $139.99 ($180). Keep your fancy dress or heritage work-styled boots on the shelf when it’s bitter, bitter cold. These are insulated and waterproof. Removable 9mm washable recycled felt inner boot. They’ve also got a classic, retro look to them.

The Socks: Made in the USA Darn Tough Heavyweight Hunting Socks – $35. This is all for nothing if you don’t protect your feet.

The Hat & Scarf: Made in the USA Oak Street 1975 NATO Watch Cap + Marine Scarf – $76.80 ($96). Bit of a splurge, but as authentic as it gets. Knit in the USA.

Welcome to what is often labeled the unhappiest time of the year. (Pseudo) Science says so! Late January/Early February is often cold, dark, dreary, sloppy, messy, and bleak. Which means it’s a perfect time to dress well, as there’s absolutely no reason at all to do so. A little bit of intentional (but not obnoxious) color can brighten a room. So at least for now, we’re gonna shelve much of the charcoal and gray and black and try to liven things up a little. Key word = little. It’s not a Kentucky Derby party. It’s still the dead of winter.

Dressed Up

Jacket: Brooks Bros Brushed Cotton – $284.99 ($648)
Trousers: Brooks Bros Brushed Cotton – $112.49 ($248)
(*$397.48 for the suit separates)
Shirt: Nordstrom – $49.97 ($89.50)
Pocket Square: The Tie Bar – $14
Belt: Nordstrom – $59.63 ($89)
Watch: Citizen Tsuyosa Green – $276.01
Socks: Boardroom Navy/Olive Stripe – $18.75
Shoes: Magnanni Monks – $149.98 ($435)

Smart Casual

Blazer: Bonobos Brushed Wool Flannel – $100 FINAL ($500)
(Splurge 100% Cashmere Option: Nordstrom – $389.95 ($599)
Shirt: BR Factory – $40ish
Pocket Square: Amazon – $8.95
Pants: BR Factory Travel 5-Pockets – $50ish
Watch: Orient – $233.75 w/ NEWYEAR26 ($275)
Socks: Nordstrom Merino Blend – $15
Shoes: Brooks Brothers Suede Wingtips – $159.97 ($398)
Belt: J. Crew – $79.50

Casual

Sweater: Amazon Essentials Shawl-Collar Cardigan – $24ish
T-Shirt: GAP – $16.95
Pants: Target Goodfellow Olive Stretch Jeans – $45
Watch: Timex Heritage Chrono – $209.30 w/ JOY30 ($299)
Socks: Darn Tough “Spaced Out” – $25
Sneakers: Nike Field General – $86.97 ($115)
Belt: GAP – $28 w/ ADDIT ($44.95)

J. Crew: Extra 70% off 3+ FINAL SALE items w/ WEEKEND

*Note: Code WEEKEND is also good for an extra 50% off 1-2 sale items, but if you play your cards right, it can often (but not always) be cheaper to get three items at the 70% off.

WARNING: This one’s for the gamblers. The true deal hunters… who are also willing to come up empty (or worse). Because all of the J. Crew stuff below is FINAL sale. No returns or exchanges. None. Zilch. Once you purchase it, it’s yours, for better or for worse. But… tis the season for End-of-Winter clearance blowouts. And at an extra 70% off… (if you purchase 3 or more items) this is certainly one of those. Figured it was worth throwing together a few quick combos to see if we could spin some mega-clearance “straw” into style gold. Code WEEKEND is set to end Tuesday, 1/20/26.

Winter rugged

• Merino wool-blend shawl collar cardigan – $45.59 FINAL ($188) + 
• Jacquard rib-knit henley – $20.99 FINAL ($98) +
• Straight-fit garment-dyed carpenter pant – $23.99 FINAL ($138) 
  • = $90.59 FINAL TOTAL 

Smart-casual textures

• Ludlow Slim-fit suit jacket in Italian corduroy – $108.89 FINAL ($448) + 
• Organic cotton chambray shirt – $23.99 FINAL ($98) +
• North Star critter socks – $5.39 FINAL ($19.50) 
  • = $138.27 FINAL TOTAL

• *Not on Final Sale but shown: Dark Charcoal Jeans in Straight or Slim – $89.50 ($148)
  (sorry, not a lot of pants/jeans in the final sale section at present.)

Weekend laid-back (with some cashmere)

• 100% Cashmere Waffle Hoodie – $70.79 FINAL ($278) + 
• Broken in T-shirt – $8.99 FINAL ($36.50) 
• 10-wale corduroy trouser – $37.19 FINAL ($138) +
  • = $116.97 FINAL TOTAL

Summer wedding already on the books

• Unconstructed Irish Cotton-Linen Jacket – $44.99 FINAL ($298) + 
• Unconstructed Irish Cotton-Linen Trousers – $29.99 FINAL ($198) +
• Secret Wash cotton poplin shirt – $23.99 FINAL ($98) +
• Two-tone braided Italian leather belt – $23.09 FINAL ($85) 
  • = $122.06 FINAL TOTAL

The J. Crew Extra 70% off 3 or more Final Sale Clearance items code WEEKEND is set to expire Tuesday 1/20/26.

Brooks Brothers: 40% off + addit. 10% off

Why anyone would want to wear only clothes mainly from one store, I don’t know. BUT. It does make for a fun experiment, especially when it comes to showing the versatility of some classic (or even trendy-ish) pieces. Or maybe you already have similar gear, and this can act as inspiration.

Brooks Brothers recently added an additional 10% off to their already running 40% off most full price event, and “the maths” say that’s 46% off MSRP (100x.6x.9=54) for their in-season/all-season full priced gear. That’s not just good, that’s great for them. No more bulk buy thresholds or “must buy two suits” or any of that. It’s a simple, solid, 46% off almost all full priced stuff at checkout, no code needed. Also, if it’s a clearance item, then an additional 10% should come off once it hits your cart. Deal is set to end Sunday 1/4.

Blazer/Sportcoat & Jeans

Brooks Brothers:
Cotton/Wool Blend Knit Houndstooth Sport Coat – $322.92 ($598)
Stretch Non-Iron Oxford – $63.72 ($118)
Wool-Silk Blend Argyle Socks – $13.23 ($24.50)
Suede Tassel Loafers – $102.60 ($190)
1818 Textured Leather Belt – $52.92 ($98)

Others:
BR Factory Traveler Jeans in Slim or Athletic Fit – $42
Timex Heritage Chrono Green Dial – $209.99 ($299)

Sharp enough you should come with a warning

Brooks Brothers:
Explorer Wool Overcheck Suit Jacket – $349.92 ($648)
Matching Suit Trousers – $133.20 ($248)
Explorer Non-Iron Dress Shirt – $74.52 ($138)
Made in Italy Pocket Square – $40.50 ($75)
Merino Blend Socks – $10.53 ($19.50)
Salinger Bluchers – $133.92 ($248)
Italian Leather Dress Belt – $52.92 ($98)

Others:
Citizen Tsuyosa – $292.52 ($475)
(review here)

Winter is here

Brooks Brothers:
Explorer Collection Tech Puffer – $430.20 ($798)
Cashmere Wool Cable-Knit Sweater – $89.99 ($348)
5-Pocket Corduroy Pants – $69.12 ($128)
Wool-Blend Ribbed Beanie Hat – $36.72 ($68)
Wool-Blend Socks – $13.23 ($24.50)
Chukka Boots – $179.99 ($428)
(boots review here)
90% Wool / 10% Cashmere Scarf – $79.20 ($148)

Classic Business Casual

Brooks Brothers
Wool Hopsack Sport Coat – $376.92 ($698)
Stretch Non-Iron OCBD – $63.72 ($128)
Made in Italy Leather Belt – $52.92 ($98)
The Richmond Pant – $79.92 ($148)
Wool-Blend Cap Toe Striped Socks – $13.23 ($24.50)
Salinger Blucher – $133.92 ($248)

Others
Invicta 1953 Automatic – $129.99
TUMI Briefcase – $289.97 ($495)

The Brooks Brothers 40% off + additional 10% off event is scheduled to end Sunday, 1/4/26.

What are you going to wear? Or in this instance, what is HE going wear? St. Nick has a huge job ahead of him. Lots of miles to cover, lots of soot filled chimneys to get down, lots of cookie crumbs & milk spills to avoid. It’s quite the task, but that doesn’t mean Santa can’t look sharp while doing it. Here’s what he might wear while putting another 25k-50k miles on the sleigh. (Top Photo Credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash )

The Hat: Eddie Bauer Down-Insulated Trapper – $32.50 ($65). Water repellant shell to keep the ice and snow off his head. Down insulated to keep him warm.

The Eyewear: Walden Airman Sunglasses – $69 FINAL ($99). Custom night-vision transition lenses by the Reykjavik Costco Optical Department.

The Sweater: Spier and Mackay Merino Cream Cable Turtleneck – $103.50 ($138). Spendy but worth it. Timeless but bold thanks to the texture. Super warm but breathable 100% merino wool yarn. The perfect level of “chunk.” Just like Santa himself.

The Coat: Custom Gore-Tex Cashmere-Lined Topcoat w/ Horween Leather Belt. One of a kind. Of course it’s Gore-Tex.

The Gloves: Give’r 4-Season Glove w/ Waxed Coating in Black (limited edition) – $119 (o.o.s.). Dexterity and dashing good looks, and can handle sub zero temperatures while he’s flying high in the sky. And the capability of grabbing a burning log from the fireplace makes these an easy buy for the big man.

The Trousers: Spier & Mackay Burgundy Brushed Wool Trousers – $59.99 FINAL ($158). Color is right-on, Italian wool is super soft with a brushed like flannel feel, and the side tabs means no belt. Which means allllll the cookies and milk will get demolished and he can loosen easily as he goes.

The Socks: Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ski & Snowboard Socks – $30. Fatigue-easing arch support. Merino Wool performance. Made in Vermont… which is basically the North Pole.

The Watch: Dan Henry 1945 WWII Chronograph – $300. Because mechanically the sleigh has far more in common with a P-51 Mustang than it does with an F-35.

The Boots: Grant Stone Cap Toe Boots in Black Horween… Reindeer – $435. His name was Shitzen, and it turns out he was feeding Krampus Top Secret intel from inside North Pole HQ. So yeah. Boots. Additionally, the stew was delicious.

The Scroll(s): Tariffs and Duties regulations. Is that the Naughty and Nice list? Not this year. Instead, Santa’s dragging around all the fine print for tariffs, duties, and import taxes. Compliance is key in case he drops down the chimney of an insomniac Customs Agent, and gets grilled about what’s in the bag.

New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and it’s one of the dressiest nights on the calendar. Parties are plentiful and corks are popping. If you’re unsure of what to wear, here’s a range of outfit ideas ordered by formality… from going all out to staying (all) in. Yes they’re all variations on the same theme: dark and sleek. Blending in while standing out quietly is often the right move, especially when the crowds will be… weird. Reminder: if you’re buying a new suit or jacket, don’t forget to leave time to get it tailored. (Watch shown above: Baltic’s now discontinued Mechanical Chronograph)

Black Tie

B.R. Velvet Tuxedo Jacket – $319.99 ($498)
B.R. Covered Placket Tuxedo Shirt – $80 ($100)
Tie Bar Grosgrain Solid Black Bowtie – $28
B.R. Wool Tuxedo Pants – $298
(*Cheaper but final sale: B.R. Wool Tuxedo Pants – $109.97 FINAL)
Nordstrom Gloves – $69
Bulova Rectangular Case Quartz Dress Watch – $200ish
Allen Edmonds Merino Socks – $18 ($24)
Allen Edmonds Carlyle Oxfords – $450
Brooks Bros. Scarf – $28.10 ($98)

Suited and Booted

Rowe & Tailor (Spier’s Red Label) Charcoal Stretch Wool Suit – $228
B.R. Dress Shirt in Slim or Standard – $80
B.R. Pocket Square – $14.99 ($40)
 Orient Bambino 38 – $279 w/ FORYOU2025
Darn Tough Socks – $27
BOSS Colby Chelseas – $149.97 ($199)
Brooks Brothers Belt – $58.80 ($98)

Dinner/drinks out, but back home to ring in the New Year

BR Factory Dark Green Velvet Sportcoat – $112 ($170)
Bonobos Weekday Warrior Dress Shirt – $119
*Or whatever your favorite white dress shirt happens to be.
BR Factory Traveler Pants in Slim or Athletic – $38 ($47.50)
Shinola Bedrock 42mm Chronograph – $675 ($900)
(*More affordable option: Timex Waterbury Chrono – $199)
Made in the USA Darn Tough The Standard Mid-Calf Lightweight Lifestyle Socks in Charcoal – $26
Brooks Brothers Chukkas – $199.99 ($449)

Staying in, resting up.
Early to bed, early to rise.

 Z by Zella (Nordy) Performance Hoodie – $29.97 ($69)
adidas Own the Run Knit Pants – $49 ($70)
Casio Green Bezel Diver – $90
Darn Tough Number 2* Socks – $26
Nike Air Max 2017 – $125.97 ($190)
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin – $21

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. First we went dressed up. Then it was somewhere in-between. Now it’s time for a dressed down but still put-together look for those holiday parties that are more beer, cookies, & white elephant gift exchanges, and less cocktails, appetizers, and schmoozing. (Top Photo by Bob Ricca on Unsplash )

The Jacket: GAP Corduroy Jacket in Evergreen – $78. Holiday appropriate color without getting too bright. Light enough to wear as an extra layer, chore-jacket like, indoors.

The Sweater: Nordstrom Italian Merino Crewneck Sweater – $95. Ships and returns for free. Spendy, but washable and appears to have a decently structured neck, so it won’t look schlumpy and ragged when worn under the jacket. The cheaper alternative: UNIQLO Extra Fine Merino Crewneck – $39.90 (be warned: these are thin.) 

The Jeans: BR Factory Traveler Jeans in Slim or Athletic Fit – $42 ($105). Super comfortable with lots of stretch. 56% cotton, 25% viscose rayon, 17% polyester, 2% spandex. A real favorite.

The “Pocket Square”: Burgundy Cotton Bandana – $5.90 / 2 pk via Amazon. It’s just a bandana. A dark red bandana. Adds a splash of seasonal color, and great if you need to wipe your hands or nose or whatever.

The Watch: Timex Waterbury Heritage Chronograph – $299. Slick Panda dial looks with a more heritage leaning 39mm case diameter. Was just on sale during their 30% off Black Friday event, which was nice to see.

The Belt: GAP Leather Belt – $35 ($44.95). The inexpensive standard. Or whatever brown belt you wear all the time.

The Socks: Smartwool Light Cushion Merino Sweater Print Socks – $27. There are much, much cheaper holiday socks out there. But they’re either cotton or cotton synthetic blends, and during the holidays that’s a one-way-ticket to regretsville. Stick with wool socks. Especially during winter.

The Shoes: Made in Portugal LUCA Chukkas – $215. An investment, but the sneaker like comfort is truly something. The natural Lactae Hevea outsole is soft and springy while being surprisingly durable. Made in Portugal.

The host/hostess gift: Some sort of reserve/holiday beer. If someone is opening their home to you (a likely scenario for a casual holiday party), then don’t come empty handed. If they’re a beer drinker, figure out what type of brew they like, then get a reserve/beefed up version of that. They’ll appreciate it. And if it’s BYOB, the gift is not to be shared. It’s for them. Stick it in their pantry/cupboard. This is something for them to sip on, if they so choose, once everyone is gone and they’re cleaning up.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. It’s holiday party season and we’re going to tackle three style scenarios in the coming days depending on how swanky the party you’re headed to happens to be. This one is for the somewhat dressed down affairs that might be out, or might be at someone’s house. The key is to keep things tailored but relaxed. You aren’t interviewing for a job, but you are aiming to make an impression. (Top Photo by Anton Shcherbakov on Unsplash)

The Sportcoat: Relwen Sweatshirt Trap Blazer – $268. One of the great things about contemporary smart-casual menswear is that you can walk out of the house looking sharp enough to garner a ton of compliments… and you’re basically wearing athleisure. “Wow you’re dressed up.” “It’s basically a sweatshirt.” The More Affordable Option: Joseph Abboud Pique Cotton/Poly Knit Blazer – $129.99

The Pants: Dark Green Target Goodfellow Straight Fit Corduroy 5-Pocket Pants – $40. It’s corduroy season. Inexpensive, 5-pocket style, easy to source. Festive but not obnoxious shade of green.

The Shirt: J. Crew Organic Cotton Chambray Shirt in one-year wash – $39.99 w/ SALETIME ($98). For when you get tired of the same old poplins and oxfords. Chambray is a little more rugged looking, a lot more interesting, but still easy wearing in this “one-year wash.” The cheaper option: Whatever favorite light blue or white button down you happen to have.

The Sweater: BR Factory Merino V-Neck – $25.60 ($40ish). Inexpensive. 100% merino wool.

The Watch: Seiko 5 SRPE55 Automatic – $227 ($315). A true “go anywhere / do anything” watch. Automatic movement.

The Socks: Made in the USA Darn Dough Gingerbread Men Socks – $25. Fa la la la la.

The Boots: J. Crew Kenton Chelsea Boots – $162.50 ($328). Dressy enough to impress, easy on/off in case you’re headed to someone’s home with a “shoes off at the door please” policy.

The Belt: Made in the USA Flint and Tinder Roughout Suede Belt – $85. Or just wear whatever black belt you happen to have on hand. But that roughout suede adds a nice bit of unexpected, seasonal texture.

The Gift: A bottle of brown booze or an N/A alternative – $60 or less. If this is a house/apartment party, bring a small gift for the host if possible. If they’re a whiskey fan, the options are immense. If they’re getting a jump on Dry January, try the Ritual Rum alternative. Big fan of that stuff as it makes a great alcohol-free hot toddy. Two slices of lemon squeezed into some tea (Trader Joe’s fall harvest tea works great), and a solid glug of the Ritual rum. Hangover free.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. It’s holiday party season, and we’re going to tackle three different style scenarios in the coming days, each depending on how swanky the party you’re headed to happens to be. This one isn’t tuxedo-fancy, but the occasion calls for getting dressed up. Protip: If you’re buying a new suit (or sportcoat) for a party this year: be sure to leave plenty of time to get it tailored. Most tailors are pretty swamped right before the holidays. (Top Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash)

The Suit: J. Crew Ludlow Traveler Slim Fit Suit Jacket + Matching Trouser = $696. Cool blues are an underrated color-set for the holidays. Everyone else is probably gonna be in dark gray or black. So blue is a stylish move. It’s also a really good suit. Lightweight, temperature regulating Italian wool is year-round appropriate, but won’t suffocate you in over-crowded restaurants or halls. Half canvas construction. Fabric has a bit of stretch woven in for comfort. Sold as separates, so if you’re (very) lucky, you may be able to get away with very little or even no tailoring. Can be had for under $500 during sales.

The Shirt: Banana Republic Wrinkle Resistant Dress Shirts in Slim or Standard Fit – $80. Shown here in a size medium slim on 5’10″/180. Good collars on these shirts. Fabric is wrinkle resistant, 100% cotton. A bit of ironing may be needed by most, but it irons up easy and doesn’t come out of the dryer looking like a wreck. The one major drawback (and it’s a dealbreaker for some) is that despite being dress shirts, they’re sold in “alpha” sizes like small, medium, large, etc. Although they do offer a tall template, for our vertically blessed folks out there.

The Pocket Square: (via Amazon) King & Priory Navy & Dark Green Check – $12.99. Seasonally appropriate. Wool fabric. Cheap.

The Watch: Tissot 40mm PRX Powermatic 80 Green Dial – $850. Integrated bracelet watches are having a moment. They’re sleek, they look modern and interesting. And a super-luxury version even had a small role in one of the biggest movies of 2025. Unlike the movie watch, this Tissot won’t cost you thousands upon thousands. It was even on sale over Black Friday. 40mm case size, and a slim 10.9mm thickness. Dark green dial is perfect for the evening. The less expensive alternatives: Citizen Tysoya – $332.50, Orient Bambino 38 – $214.20

The Socks: USA Made Darn Tough The Standard Mid-Calf Lightweight Lifestyle Socks in Navy – $27. Midweight for warmth, all merino for breathability and moisture wicking. As comfortable as you’ll find for a pair of dress socks. “Versatile terry loop cushioning under the foot and below the ankle.” They really are worth the twenty six dollars.

The Shoes: Spier & Mackay Cap Toe Oxfords – $208. Studded rubber sole for traction on winter streets, platforms, and sidewalks. Blake stitched. Well made. Fair price.

The Belt: J. Crew Italian Leather Belt – $79.50. Or whatever black dress belt you have on hand to match your shoes.