J. Crew Wallace & Barnes worker overalls – $298

It’s the “collab” you never knew you needed. Because really… you don’t.

I took a spin through the J. Crew men’s new arrivals section this morning, and it was discovered that J. Crew has started selling $298 overalls:

If J. Crew is gonna do “barnyard chic,” might as well see how far we can take it, sourcing just about everything from their catalog:

American Gothic x J. Crew

On Her: 

• Long-sleeve button-front mini dress – $198
• Scalloped popover top in cotton poplin – $89.50 ($118)
• Oversized cashmere wrap – $134.50 ($198)
• Zoe ballet flats in leather – $128

On Him:

• Garrett Leight Wilson round sunglasses – $390
• Italian flannel Legacy Blazer – $450
• Garment-dyed slub cotton henley – $49.50 ($59.50)
• Wallace & Barnes worker overalls – $298
• Blundstone Classic 550 Chelsea boots – $214.95
• Worth Garden 63 Inch Manure Pitch – $38.99 ($43) – via Amazon, but it’s on sale!

American Gothic can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Post Script:

Big thanks to Phil on Instagram who pointed out that the original J. Crew model picture looks suspiciously like…

a particular video game character. (<–nsfw lyrics)

Thanks Phil. I can’t unsee that now.

Mr Porter: Up to 50% off during their sale

Mr. Porter makes me feel like Forest Gump that first day of school on the bus.

SEAT’S TAKEN!

Fine, jerk. Don’t want to breathe in your boo berry breath anyway. No good fancy pants.

Not all of us “get” Mr. Porter. To get excited about a $1000 hooded sweatshirt being marked down to $630 seems absurd. Then again, there’s an enormous part of the world who would view getting excited about $400 wingtips getting marked down to $275, just as absurd.

Perspective is a funny thing. Always crafted by individual experiences, yet that crucial variable is rarely if ever recognized in the most critical moments.

• Common Projects Original Achilles Leather-Trimmed Nubuck Sneakers – $276 ($460)
• Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneakers – $230 ($460)
• Mr. P Larry Suede Sneakers – $177 ($295) That’s a bummer for Larry.
• Oris Divers Sixty-Five Automatic 42mm watch – $1592 ($1990)
• Oris Divers Navy Dial Automatic Bronze/Stainless 40mm watch- $1496 ($1870)
• Q Timex Reissue Cola Bezel 38mm Stainless Steel Watch – $100 ($200)
• M79 Automatic 40mm Stainless Steel Watch – $167.50 ($335)
• Baracuta G9 Suede Harrington Jacket – $455 ($910)
• Filson Dryden Leather-Trimmed CORDURA Backpack – $135 ($225)
• Mr. P Unstructured Virgin Wool-Blend 3-Button Jersey Blazer – $216 ($360)

Hey look. Common Projects are on sale.

Mr. Porter rarely runs sales. And when they do, the #menswear nerds usually pounce on this stuff pretty quick.

Tried to stick to picks above that would feel more like the website you’re reading now. Most of what Mr. Porter carries is super expensive, pretty high fashion stuff.

Head here for their return policy.

That’s all.

Carry on.

You can sit here if you want to.

Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month. You’ll find new arrivals and old favorites, especially good deals, or maybe something pricey to keep an eye on for future sales. The potential best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already. Got a tip on something that deserves to end up in the monthly Most Wanted? Send those in to joe@dappered.com.

J. Crew Wallace & Barnes Slim-fit Chore Blazer in Cotton-Linen – $150

One of J. Crew’s best sellers and for good reason. Wear it as a spring/summer light jacket. Wear it as a super casual sportcoat. Wear it with everything and take it everywhere. Big fan of the new “skylark blue” shown above. Also available in navy as well as a “hillside green”.

Nodus Retrospect III – $475 (Coming Soon)

Oh man. Nodus took their popular Retrospect dive watch, made a few tweaks, and the third installment should be landing in the not too distant future. Check out that subtle gray dial. And the bigger crown. Available in a bunch of colors, and with either ceramic or stainless bezel inserts. 42mm diameter. Seiko automatic movement. Double-dome sapphire crystal. Assembled here in the states.

Canvas Wall Prints by replaceface – $62 and up

I mean. Plenty of options here. Mr. T., Dave Grohl, Alan Rickman, and somehow, someway, The Gallagher brothers look oddly perfect in period military dress and sepia tones. “Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball” (***cannonball flies overhead***) 

Spier & Mackay FULL Canvas Suits – $598

A reach in terms of the budget, but getting a full canvas suit for under six hundred bucks is hard to do. Super 120s merino wool woven in England. 3-Roll-2 Button Closure. Unfinished sleeves so your tailor can make functioning surgeon’s style cuffs if you want them to. Sewn-in canvassing extends from the shoulders down the full length of the jacket, and the more you wear it, the more that canvas forms to your body. Kinda how the cork insoles of nice dress shoes starts to form to the owner’s individual foot shape and strike patterns over time. Fingers crossed for a sale from Spier. If memory serves, their full canvas suits HAVE gone up for discounts in the past, albeit infrequently. This is pretty fancy-pants. If you’re less fancy pants, their base line $348 half-canvas suits are still the best bang-for-the-buck in the suiting game.

Banana Republic Authentic Supima Crew-Neck T-Shirt – $25ish ($34.50)

A new favorite. Jason was right. These are terrific. All pima cotton in a tight weave leaves the fabric and the wearer feeling (I think the word is) “crisp.” This is NOT some wispy tri-blend, slub, or overly squishy/smushy feeling tee. But it’s not a heavyweight beefy tee either. Just right. Pocket at the chest and vented seams are nice visual touches. Shown above is a machine washed and dried Medium on 5’10″/190, in the “sidewalk gray”. Didn’t seem to shrink for me in the wash. Apologies for the slight wrinkling. Sat in the dryer overnight. It’s actually pretty smooth in person/not in harsh direct sun. Bottom line: BR’s got a real winner on their hands here.

BONUS  Super73-S2 Universal Electric Motorbike – $2,695

Can a moped be cool? It’s not gas. It’s electric. You plug it in to a standard wall socket. Sold (and shipped!) by Huckberry. Please wear a helmet. We can’t lose any readers. Don’t need you braining yourself on a tree once you get this thing. That said, I believe the noise you make when on this is: WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want more most wanted? Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months.

Allen Edmonds Courtside Suede Sneakers – $199.98 ($300)

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure.

Note: These sneakers are currently marked down during AE’s Rediscover America Sale, which runs through 10/27/25. 

Allen Edmonds is going through a bit of a rebuilding process, not unlike my favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox (big oof to 2020!). If you’ve been paying attention to the Port Washington, WI firm at all over the past year or two, you will no doubt have noticed some interesting new designs in their ever-widening portfolio of footwear. From camp mocs and boat shoes to Shell Cordovan Oxfords on a sneaker sole, Allen Edmonds seems to be throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the wall to see what sticks in today’s market. It’s a valiant effort at the very least.

I think we can all assume this is a part of their effort to recapture the American menswear focus as more and more of us replace our formal cap toe Oxfords with a more versatile, “smart casual” option. They’ve already hit a Grand Slam with their Higgins Mill boots, but they’ve also struck out swinging with that silly Park Ave Oxford sneaker in Shell Cordovan. How do their new luxury sneakers stack up? Let’s find out.

Okay AE. Let’s see what you bring to the crowded sneaker game.

The Adam Review Scale of Excellence (A.R.S.E.)

• 5 – Excellent! No issues and highly recommended.
• 4 – Good. Above average, but not perfect.
• 3 – Average. Minor issues, might be good at the right price.
• 2 – Fair. Below average due to defects, flaws, or imperfections.
• 1 – Poor. Significant issues, not worth purchasing at any price.

Nice velvety suede and beefy laces.

Details

• Brand: Allen Edmonds
• Style: Low-top suede “dress sneaker”
• Size: 10.5 US (~44.5 EU)
• Last: Unknown
• Construction: Cemented and Stitched
• Upper: Suede
• Lining: Calf
• Sole: Rubber cup sole
• Details: Flat waxed cotton laces, contrasting heel tab and tongue patch, foam insoles
• Extras: N/A
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Price: $300 USD

Made in the Dominican Republic. Not USA. Just a heads up.

Ordering/Delivery/Returns

My pair of Courtsides was ordered on a Monday and the package was delivered that Friday via FedEx SmartPost. All domestic shipments over $100 USD are shipped free, with an estimated 3-7 business day arrival. So, this is a perfectly normal delivery window and no issues occurred.

FYI: Allen Edmonds offers free returns with 90 days on all domestic U.S. orders with the exception of Factory Second shoes (those have a $25 restocking fee). As usual, shoes must be unused with no signs of wear.

Score: 5/5 Stars – Easy ordering, standard shipping, and a generous 90 day free returns policy.

Almond toe shape is reminiscent of their 65 last (Park Ave./Strand).

Packaging/Unboxing

My pair of suede Courtsides arrived in one of the newer blacked out Allen Edmonds boxes. It’s an average shoe box overall, nothing worth writing home about. Inside, there was also nothing special to write about.

The shoes themselves were individually bagged and wrapped in a few pieces of tissue paper, but there were no cloth shoe bags, no spare laces, no brush, or anything else of value. At this price point, I kind of expect to see bonus shoe care items included. For what it’s worth, Gustin can deliver similar quality shoes AND include shoe bags and spare laces for 35% less cash. Am I asking too much?

Score: 3/5 Stars – Average at best.

Sneakers came with a box, and that’s all.
Suede on the toe boxes arrived matted down, but that brushed out a bit.

First Impressions

Fresh out of the box, I’m intrigued by the design of these sneakers. The last shape almost resembles their infamous Park Ave and Strand models with a narrow heel, wide forefoot, and rounded “almond” shape toe box. The suede looks nice, the laces are beefy, and I’m really digging the walnut tan tongue and heel accents that give these a much-needed pop of color. The puffy ankle collar looks comfortable.

In the hand, the suede feels plush and almost velvet like in texture. The shorter nap is evenly trimmed with enough length to give texture and some depth. Color wise, this darker shade of grey leans warmer with greenish or brownish undertones. I’d say it’s somewhere between Charcoal (Pantone 425) and Sardine (Pantone 418). In person the color looks a few shades lighter than represented on AE’s site. Visually, the suede and leather accents look elegant, which I think suits the more upscale, dressy nature of the Courtside model pretty well. While I personally won’t be wearing sneakers with a suit any time soon, I can definitely see these being paired well with slim, dark denim, an Oxford cloth button-down shirt, and a sport coat in a similar earthy brown, green, blue, or grey color. If you’re looking for “smart casual” sneakers, something like this should definitely be in your wheelhouse.

Interior is lined with a burgundy calf leather.

Overall construction seems to be very solid. The main upper stitching is single needle throughout, including the reinforced areas at the bottom of the facings. There are no noticeable faults anywhere, but the suede on the toe box of both shoes seems to be matted down a bit. Whether this is from the assembly process or just the nature of this suede, I’m not sure. It does brush out a little bit and I suspect a brass suede brush would be able to correct it better than my regular horsehair bristle brush. I will also note that the inner heel stitching, where the leather ankle lining meets the suede heel cup, may become a point of failure. I can foresee this single row of stitching becoming weak after many, many miles of wear. If that happens, the ankle lining could begin to split, separate, or pull up and away.

Pilllow-like insoles to cradle your feet.

Since we’re already talking about the interior, here are a few other things you’ll notice. First, everything your foot touches is made from plush, burgundy calf leather. This includes the full-length linings and the leather topped removable foam insoles. The FlyForm insoles are molded from a unique and dense open cell foam that should give you some support and shock absorption, but without falling to pieces within a year. They are much better than the cheap insoles you find in budget sneakers. Overall, everything is soft and squishy as comfort was obviously directive #1. Personally, I wouldn’t wear these barefoot as I can imagine them getting pretty sweaty with the layers of leather and no real ventilation to speak of. Underneath the insole, you’ll see some interesting engineering. The toe area is firm with a thin layer of generic looking fiberboard, but the midfoot/ball area has nothing like that. It’s a fiber or cloth material instead, which I assume is for added flexibility. Finally, the rear half of the footbed is made from a layer of stiff Bartoli fiberboard from Italy. This is some creative design work that allows for both a stiff, supportive shoe as well as one that’s comfortable and flexible from the get go.

Three piece construction under the insole for support and flexibility.

The outsole is an Allen Edmonds custom rubber cup sole with horizontal tread. It’s both glued and stitched to the upper leather. It’s a little slimmer and a little firmer than the de facto option from Margom that a lot of other brands use. Unfortunately, this model is too new to really know how long that sole will last, but with Allen Edmonds, that’s not really a problem. They now offer a recrafting service for their sneakers, too! For only $75 USD (as of March 2021), the factory in Port Washington, WI will replace the outsoles, refinish and polish the uppers, and provide a new set of shoe laces.

Score: 4/5 Stars – Overall, great. Above average materials and construction with few minor defects.

Recraftable soles with a horizontal tread.

Comfort, Fit, and Sizing

Comfort is always subjective, but you’ll be hard pressed to find more comfortable sneakers outside of dedicated running or athletic shoes. Seriously, the pillow-like foam insoles and plush leather lining feel great around your feet. The relaxed fit last shape is pretty good, too, with plenty of room in the toe box while also looking sleek and tapered. No complaints here!

The Courtside sneakers fit true to size, if not a little roomy, so stick with your usual Brannock size. This pair in 10.5 D fit pretty well with medium thickness socks like Darn Tough and Smart Wool. If you regularly wear thin loafer or sneaker socks, you may want to explore a half-size down or a narrower width. Speaking of width, this D width is wider than average and may accommodate most of you who need a slightly wider fitting. If you know you wear EE or EEE widths on a regular basis, go with your gut.

For reference, I am a 10.5 D/E on a Brannock device and usually take a 10 D in wider-fitting dress shoes, including Alden’s Barrie last and Grant Stone’s Leo last. I take a 10.5 E in Allen Edmonds 65 last, as that last runs too narrow for me. I also take a 10.5 in Vans and an 11 in most Adidas or Nike sneakers.

Score: 5/5 Stars – Snug fit that will break in over time. Go true to your Brannock size!

Subjectively handsome and very comfortable.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I like the Courtside sneakers. Quite a lot, actually. They seem to be crafted well from above average materials and the design is subjectively handsome. They’re very comfortable out of the box, too. I could definitely see myself wearing these with dark denim, a clean white Oxford shirt, and a chunky knit cardigan or casual knit sportcoat in a charcoal grey, dusty navy, or hunter green. Allen Edmonds will charge you $300 for the pleasure, though, and that’s a lot of cheddar for most of us to spend on sneakers. You’ll need to check them out for yourself and see if the juice is worth the squeeze.

Avg. Score: 4.25/5 Stars – Comfortable, stylish, and well made. Recommended!

Nordstrom: 20% off select watches

This is a price match. Meaning, someone called in a sale at another retailer to Nordstrom, and Nordstrom’s famously kind customer service department said “yeah, sure, we’ll meet that price.”

Don’t know where they found these prices, don’t know why, and don’t know for how long. But 20% off is solid (not mind blowing, solid) because Nordy has to be an authorized dealer, which means you get a factory warranty, AND a bit of a discount. You just don’t get the factory warranty at cut price gray market dealers. That’s why they’re cut price.

• Tissot 40mm Gentleman Automatic – $580 ($725)
• Tissot 40mm Tradition Automatic – $556 ($695)
• Tissot 42mm Classic Dream Automatic – $360 ($450)
• Mido Ocean Star 42.5mm Automatic – $744 ($930)
• Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 43.5mm Automatic Chronometer  – $1360 ($1700)
• Mido Ocean Star GMT 44mm Automatic – $952 ($1190)
• Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 43.5mm Automatic Chronometer  – $1360 ($1700)
• Mido Ocean Star Tribute 40.5 mm Automatic – $920 ($1150)
• Hamilton Khaki Aviation 46mm Automatic – $796 ($995)

Strange selection though. Spendy. Much of it. And only one Hamilton. The rest of their Hammy selection is out. But there’s plenty of Tissot and Mido and other Swiss-mades that aren’t in the stratospheric price range that luxury brands like Rolex/Omega exist in.

Shipping and returns are still free.

Big thanks to Andrew S. for the tip.

That’s all.

Carry on.

Per Fortune Magazine, gift card giving was up, WAY up during the 2020 holiday season. I’d be willing to bet that a large percentage of us Dappered readers received some of that fantastic plastic. Yet each year, over $3 billion in gift cards go unused(!!). We’re here to change that. (I know, what an altruistic bunch we are. No?) In our annual series titled How to Spend It, we’re curating a bunch of items from a selection of stores you might/most likely got a gift card to (some very Dappered-y, some less so because Aunt Karen wasn’t sure). Our goal is to show you what’s worth it at various price points. You CAN spend it all in one place, dear!

Brand Note: Right out of the gate, let me say that Nordstrom has over 25K items available to you online. Digging through all of that… fashion, drip, whatever you want to call it, would cause me to drink a bit more than is healthy. So, I’ve browsed through each category and handpicked a few of my favorite items from each that stood out to me as a great choice or an excellent value. Nordstrom is well known for their outstanding customer service, an exceptional return policy, and a staggering number of items ranging from $10 socks to $8000 designer jackets. Fair warning: this list has some items that are quite expensive, so shield thine eyes Old Navy friends!

Under $50

• Jason Markk Essential Sneaker Cleaning Kit – $16
• Outdoor Research Essential Adult Face Mask – $20
• Nordstrom ShedRain Classic Umbrella – $29.50
• Herschel Supply Co. Chapter Dopp Kit in “Navy” – $35
• Kiehl’s Ultimate Shave Set – $48
• Oxford Button-Up Performance Shirt – $49.50
• Nordstrom Cotton & Cashmere Crewneck Sweater – $49.50

Nordstrom might be a high-end retailer with a ton of high priced items, but a surprising amount of stuff can be had for under fifty bones. Are you a sneakerhead like me? Keep ‘em fresh with a basic sneaker cleaning kit from Jason Markk. We’re heading into Spring soon, so a good umbrella is always handy, and the Nordstrom ShedRain classic one looks way better than those cheap, plastic ones you get from your insurance agent.

From $50-$100

• Converse Jack Purcell Sneakers – $65
• Nike Killshot 2 Sneakers – $90
• Allen Edmonds Wide Leather Belt – $98
• Schott Waffle Knit Thermal Wool Blend Pullover – $80
• Prana Kaola Hooded Sweater – $89
• Nordstrom CoolMax Crewneck Sweater – $90
• Bonobos Stretch Weekday Warrior Slim Fit Dress Pants – $98

Nordstrom’s Men’s Shop is a treasure trove of hidden gems, including their knitwear, sweaters, and outerwear. And that Schott waffle knit pullover is a great looking substitute for a hoodie. Bonobos is a Dappered favorite and Nordstrom carries a lot of the brand’s merch. Here’s your chance to get those classic dress pants, chinos, and button-downs with the help of that gift card.

From $100-$200

• Patagonia Better Sweater Quarter Zip Pullover – $119
• Ugg Neumel Chukka Boot – $130
• Ray-Ban Iconic New Wayfarer 55mm Sunglasses – $159
• Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette cologne (3.4oz) – $130
• AG Everett Slim Straight Leg Jeans in “Highway” – $178
• Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece Zip Hoodie – $130
• Patagonia Nano Puff Water Resistant Jacket – $199
• Adidas Originals NMD_R1 in “Black/Gum” – $140

I know what you’re thinking: “Uggs on Dappered?! Aren’t those for ladies who enjoy too much Starbucks and Target shopping?!” First off, who hurt you? This is post-pandemic comfort we’re talking about here, so before you judge a book by it’s cover, give them a try. If they’re good enough for Mythbuster Adam Savage, they’re good enough for me and you. Also, I’m a huge Patagonia fan, so of course we have some Patagucci on here. Looking for some “smell good” cologne? Try that Maison Margiela Jazz Club in store, or ask for a free tester sample. The reviews are confusing, so a sample first is likely the safest bet.

From $200+

• Good Man Brand Legend Pro Sneaker – $228
• Allsaints Harley Chelsea Boots – $278
• Frye Bowery Plain Toe Boots – $298
• Allen Edmonds Strand Cap Toe Oxford – $395
• Topo Designs Travel Roller Bag – $289
• Bonobos Jetsetter Slim Fit Stretch Wool Blazer – $350
• Barbour Sapper Regular Fit Weatherproof Waxed Cotton Jacket – $425
• Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Over-Ear Headphones – $379

Some things are worth spending good money on and Nordstrom carries a lot of those items. If you’ve recently updated your style, lost (or gained) some weight, or you’re looking to invest in a “buy it for life” item, this price tier might be for you. I’m hoping we all get back to some sense of normal later this year, and if that comes true, you’ll want a new suitcase and some excellent noise cancelling headphones for those vacation trips. Going back into the office? Pick up a new sport coat and some boots or Oxfords to flex a bit on the polo and jeans crowd.

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure.

Per Fortune Magazine, gift card giving was up, WAY up during the 2020 holiday season. I’d be willing to bet that a large percentage of us Dappered readers received some of that fantastic plastic. Yet each year, over $3 billion in gift cards go unused(!!). We’re here to change that. (I know, what an altruistic bunch we are. No?) In our annual series titled How to Spend It, we’re curating a bunch of items from a selection of stores you might/most likely got a gift card to (some very Dappered-y, some less so because Aunt Karen wasn’t sure). Our goal is to show you what’s worth it at various price points. You CAN spend it all in one place, dear!

Brand Note: You and I are no strangers to the massive online marketplace that is Amazon. They have over 500 million products with over 165 million items in clothing, shoes, and jewelry alone. That’s,. a lot of stuff to sift through to find the proverbial needle in a haystack. Ain’t nobody got time for that! That, and most of it on the “style” front is pretty… lacking. So to help us narrow down the list, we’ve tried to stick to the Amazon family of brands: Amazon Essentials, Buttoned Down, Goodthreads, etc. ,unless we found something else that piqued our interest. Also, don’t forget about Prime Wardrobe‘s 7-day try-on period. Note: Pricing, sizes, and availability will often vary greatly, usually by size and vendor, so check frequently.

Under $25

• Goodthreads Men’s Short-Sleeve Crewneck Cotton T-Shirt with Pocket – $12
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Regular-fit Quick-Dry Golf Polo Shirt – $15
• Goodthreads “The Perfect Long-Sleeve” Oxford – $22
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Regular-Fit Long-Sleeve Pocket Oxford Shirt – $18
• Peak Velocity Men’s Knit Jacquard Quarter Zip Pullover Hoodie – $21
• Goodthreads Men’s Short-Sleeve Lightweight Slub Henley – $20
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Slim-Fit Casual Stretch Khaki – $25
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Jogger – $18
• Peak Velocity Men’s Smart Jersey Lightweight Crew Neck T-shirt – $19
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Regular-Fit Long-Sleeve Flannel Shirt – $20

Amazon comes in swinging HARD with their budget clothing lines. Their Essentials line seems to be equivalent to Old Navy, while the Goodthreads line is most similar to stuff from the Gap (see a round up review from fall 2020 right here). Their Peak Velocity line is their version of athletic wear from Nike. In all honesty, everything I’ve had from their house brands has been pretty decent.

From $25-$50

• Goodthreads Men’s Soft Cotton Crewneck Sweater – $30
• Goodthreads Men’s Slim-Fit Washed Stretch Chino Pant – $30
• Goodthreads Men’s Soft Cotton Ottoman Stitch Crewneck Sweater – $30
• Goodthreads Men’s Lambswool V-Neck Sweater – $35
• Goodthreads Men’s Comfort Stretch Slim-Fit Jean – $40
• Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch with Resin Strap, Black (Model: DW5600E-1V) – $43
• Goodthreads Men’s Barncoat – $50
• Goodthreads Men’s Soft Cotton Military Sweater – $35
• Levi’s Men’s 501 Original Fit Jeans – $40

This price point encompasses sweaters and pants territory. And minus the jeans, a lot of this stuff seems spring ready. Spring ready and affordable enough that even if it only lasts a season or two, it’s not that big of a deal. But like I mentioned before, everything I’ve tried from the ‘zon has been pretty decent.

From $50-$100

• find. Men’s Fletcher Low-Top Sneaker – $56
• Clarks Bushacre 2 Chukka Boots in “Beeswax” – $60
• Adidas Originals I-5923 (Iniki Boost) – $75
• Levi’s Men’s Trucker Jacket in “Rigid” – $63
• Invicta Men’s Pro Diver 40mm Stainless Steel Automatic Watch (Model: 8926OB) – $78
• Amazon Essentials Men’s Wool Blend Heavyweight Car Coat – $80

The often-recommended Clarks chukkas are a staple in the “smart casual” style and you can’t go wrong with a Levi’s denim trucker jacket, either. I wore that Invicta Pro Diver for years before it finally broke. It’s a very common Rolex Submariner homage.

From $100-$200

• Golden Fox 6″ Boondocker Service Boots – $110
• Dr. Marten’s 1460 Boots – $110
• Theory Steg Flex Linen Long Sleeve Henley – $125
• Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch (BM8180-03E) – $136
• Veja V-10 Leather Sneakers – $150
• Nudie Jeans Grim Tim Dry Ever Black Jeans – $155
• Persol Po0714 Aviator Sunglasses in “Havana” – $158
• New Balance (Made in USA) 990 v5 Sneakers – $175

Once you pass that $100 hurdle, your options really open up. Grab some new Spring sneakers from Veja or New Balance. If you need some new boots, I actually recommend those Golden Fox Boondockers that I reviewed pre-Covid. They’re a great budget option if you’re not looking to spend Red Wing or Wolverine prices. If you need some new jeans, Nudie makes great Euro-fit options.

From $200+

• Arc’teryx Atom LT Insulated Hoody Jacket – $259
• Ray-Ban RB3025 Polarized Classic Aviator Sunglasses – $204
• Allen Edmonds Wooster St. Penny Loafers – $395
• Allen Edmonds Men’s Alpine Chukka Boot – $425
• RM Williams Classic Leather Chelsea Boots – $495
• Baracuta G9 Classic Harrington Jacket – $390
• Citizens of Humanity Bowery Pure Slim Jeans – $208

Amazon’s reach is insanely far and the sheer amount of offerings are hard to comprehend. With that said, here are a few spendy options that I highly recommend. I’ve personally owned and worn that Arc’Teryx Atom LT jacket for the past three seasons. It’s great for the Southern Spring and Fall days I experience in my neck of the woods, but won’t be warm enough for y’all up there in the Northeast or Northwest parts of the country. I’m also a big fan of Baracuta’s classic G9 jackets. If they’re good enough for Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, and Daniel Craig, they’re good enough for you and me. And lastly, this wouldn’t be one of my Dappered pieces if I didn’t recommend a pair of RM Williams chelsea boots!

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure.

Per Fortune Magazine, gift card giving was up, WAY up during the 2020 holiday season. I’d be willing to bet that a large percentage of us Dappered readers received some of that fantastic plastic. Yet each year, over $3 billion in gift cards go unused(!!). We’re here to change that. (I know, what an altruistic bunch we are. No?) In our annual series titled How to Spend It, we’re curating a bunch of items from a selection of stores you might/most likely got a gift card to (some very Dappered-y, some less so because Aunt Karen wasn’t sure). Our goal is to show you what’s worth it at various price points. You CAN spend it all in one place, dear!

Brand Note: As of early 2021, Macy’s has over 39,000 items categorized under their men’s section. That’s, a lot! Quite frankly, that would take us *days* to browse through at a normal shopper’s pace. So, with that said, I masked up and visited my local brick and mortar shop to get a good feeling for the latest brands, styles, and overall aesthetics from each section. I hand selected a few best sellers at various price points that I think are worth checking out in person, whether safely in your local store or in the comfort of your own home. As usual, pricing and availability will vary greatly due to the post-Fall/Winter and pre-Spring/Summer sales. Macy’s is well known for higher MSRPs, but running some very frequent sale coupons, so keep your eyes peeled for most of these items to go on sale soon.

Under $50 retail

• Alfani Cedar Shoe Trees – $19.99
• Under Armour Tech Short Sleeve Tee – $25
• Sun + Stone Raglan Thermal Long Sleeve T-Shirt – $30
• Puma Super Levitate Running Sneakers – $39.98 ($59.99)
• Tommy Hilfiger Classic Fit Ivy Polo – $39.99 ($50)
• Minnetonka Pile Lined Hard Sole House Slippers – $50
• Nike Club Fleece Crew Sweatshirt in “Grey Heather” – $45

Macy’s is the brick and mortar equivalent of Amazon, so naturally, finding diamonds in the rough can be a challenge. Thankfully, you can’t go wrong with simple items like cedar shoe trees, casual tees, etc.

From $50-$100 retail

• Club Room Merino Wool Blend Tactleneck Sweater – $20.93 ($75)
• Lejon Double Haul Oil Tanned Harness Leather Casual Jean Belt – $75
• Club Room Cashmere Beanie – $47.40 ($79)
• Polo Ralph Lauren Distressed Leather Centerbar Buckle Belt – $85
• Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boots – $90
• Polo Ralph Lauren Varick Slim Straight Jeans in “Murphy” – $99

I’ve never been a huge turtleneck sweater fan; mainly because, as Mitch Hedberg tells, it can feel like a really weak person trying to strangle you all dang day. However, you’ve got men’s style gurus like Sheldon Helm and Parker York Smith making a turtleneck underneath a jacket look so damn good. Cheers to those guys, someday I’ll be cool enough to dress like them. Sizes are getting scattered, but you might still be able to find one in yours. In other news, you can’t go wrong with a high quality leather belt from Lejon (made in the USA!) or Polo RL; both of which should last you for many, many years. That’s a good style investment.

From $100-$200 retail

• Lejon Cambridge Oil Tanned Harness Leather Bridge Casual Dress Belt – $100
• Lejon Chancellor Full Grain Aniline Leather Dress Belt in “Tan” – $110
• Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cotton Sweater – $110
• Clarks Bushacre 3 Boots – $110
• Sperry Avenue Duck Boots – $110
• Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Crewneck Sweater – $125

With all these sea shanty songs going around, mainly thanks to TikTok, I’ve been wearing a handful of New England/Ivy prep styles these past few weeks. Mainly, I’m just vibing at home in a chunky cable-knit sweater and jeans. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, too, throw on one of these sweaters in a fun color, pull up some dark denim, step into some Sperry duck boots, grab a cocktail or mocktail of choice, and turn on this Spotify playlist for the full effect.

From $200+ retail

• Polo Ralph Lauren Stretch Chino Sport Coat – $248
• Ray-Ban RB3025 Polarized Aviator Sunglasses – $204
• Made in the USA Duluth Pack Sportsman’s Duffel – $470
• Seiko Automatic 5 Sports Black Nylon Strap Watch 42.5mm – $295
• Barbour Ashby Waxed Jacket – $415
• Hamilton Intra-Matic Swiss Automatic Chronograph 40mm Watch – $2195

Don’t know who’s getting a $200+ gift card to Macy’s, but… hey. Why not window shop? Macy’s carries a bunch of high-end third-party merch, too. If you’ve been saving your nickels, you can’t go wrong with any of the above. Personally, I’m a big fan of the classic Ray-Ban Aviators over the more common Wayfarers. For those of you looking for a new watch, there’s a review of that new-ish Seiko 5 sports line over here. If you’ve got some extra Christmas bonus cash burning a hole in your pocket, you will not be disappointed with the Hamilton Intra-Matic “panda dial” Swiss chrono.

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure.

Per Fortune Magazine, gift card giving was up, WAY up during the 2020 holiday season. I’d be willing to bet that a large percentage of us Dappered readers received some of that fantastic plastic. Yet each year, over $3 billion in gift cards go unused(!!). We’re here to change that. (I know, what an altruistic bunch we are. No?) In our annual series titled How to Spend It, we’re curating a bunch of items from a selection of stores you might/most likely got a gift card to (some very Dappered-y, some less so because Aunt Karen wasn’t sure). Our goal is to show you what’s worth it at various price points. You CAN spend it all in one place, dear!

Brand Note: If you’ve been a Dappered reader for any length of time, you know that J.Crew has been going through a rough retail break-up throughout 2019 and 2020. Filing for bankruptcy in the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic, they successfully emerged from a heavy debt restructuring plan at the end of 2020’s Q3 with a renewed focus and a pocket full of corporate capital cash to back it. The real-world results of this buyout remain to be seen, but from *this* couch, I’ve seen frequent large discount coupon codes and have purchased quite a few items this past year. As usual, stock up on their elevated basics when they’re on sale and snatch up any of the limited-edition collaboration items whenever they’re available in your size and within your budget.

Under $50

• Performance no-show socks – $10/pair
• Pack of three nonmedical face masks – $18.00
• Slub jersey T-shirt in Deck Stripe – $36.50
• Garment-dyed slub cotton long-sleeve T-shirt – $39.50
• Blue-light glasses – $39.50 (review here)
• English linen pocket square – $42.00
• Garment-dyed slub cotton Henley – $45
• Boarding Pass NYC Hey Handsome shaving kit bag – $49

Elevated basics fill the sub-$50 tier and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with their slub cotton tees, garment dyed Henley shirts, and some of their excellent third-party collaboration merch. Personally, I like to stock up on the garment dyed slub cotton pocket tees when they go on clearance; they frequently drop to under $10 a piece!

From $50-$100

• Vans for J.Crew washed canvas authentic sneakers – $60
• Stretch Secret Wash shirt in organic cotton – $42.50 ($69.50)
• Rugby crewneck shirt in chest stripe – $69.50
• New Balance X J.Crew Comp 100 sneakers – $75
• 484 Slim-fit or 770 Straight-fit stretch chino pants – $79.50
• Slim stretch organic cotton chambray shirt – $47.50 ($79.50)
• Cotton-silk pique sweater – $59.50 ($89.50)
• 484 Slim-fit garment-dyed five-pocket pants – $98

J.Crew’s pricing structure tends to ride an $80-100 median price point, so the bulk of their “classic” items should fall within this price tier. If you’re needing a newer, more casual wardrobe, then I highly recommend their stretch chinos, stretch five-pocket pants, and lightweight sweaters and hoodies for staying comfortable while working from home. No one should be able to see your shoes on Zoom, so rock those Vans! NOTE: Almost all of this stuff should drop significantly with J. Crew’s frequent 30%-40% off codes. The basics can get excluded from promos, but more often than not are included.

From $100-$200

• Casio G-Shock DW5610SU-3 resin watch – $100
• 484 Slim-fit or 770 Straight-fit jeans – $128
• Everyday cashmere crewneck sweater – $138+
• Quoddy® boat shoes – $180
• Sussex quilted jacket with PrimaLoft – $148
• Wallace & Barnes Slim-fit chore blazer – $150
• Brunswick rain jacket – $158
• Everyday cashmere hoodie – $168

Outerwear and shoes tend to fill this tier, although some of their great third-party merch from Quoddy, New Balance, and even Casio’s G-Shock line is available here. I’m a big fan of their in-house Wallace & Barnes label, which tends to skew into the heritage or Americana workwear aesthetic like a budget version of Ralph’s Double RL.

From $200+

• Ludlow Slim-fit or Classic-fit unstructured suit jacket in English wool-cotton – $248
• Kenton leather cap-toe boots – $149.99 w/ SHOPNOW ($298) (review here)
• Barbour Sylkoil Ashby jacket in “Navy” – $415
• R.M. Williams X J.Crew Gifford boots in “Bark” leather – $545
• Ludlow Slim-fit Italian wool suit jacket – $425 & suit pant – $225

If you pool your gift cards together towards one of these fantastic pairs of shoes, boots, suiting, or that “buy it for life” Barbour jacket, you’re doing J.Crew the right way. I’m fairly certain the Kenton line of boots and shoes is made for J.Crew by Grant Stone or at least it’s a white label in a similar factory. Very, very good quality. Those RM Williams Chelsea boots are on my wish list for 2021, in case anyone out there is feeling generous. Note that 3rd party items are often (but not always) excluded from codes. Yet their in-house shoes like their Kenton or Ludlow line CAN be up for some codes and promos. So play your cards right, and you can net some serious savings. Suits go on sale too, but not very often. So you might have to wait a bit on that Caspian Sea Italian wool number.

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the heating and manufacturing industry, and he’s also Dappered’s resident shoe & denim expert. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on on his dad bod father figure.

Per Fortune Magazine, gift card giving was up, WAY up during the 2020 holiday season. I’d be willing to bet that a large percentage of us Dappered readers received some of that fantastic plastic. Yet each year, over $3 billion in gift cards go unused(!!). We’re here to change that. (I know, what an altruistic bunch we are. No?) In our annual series titled How to Spend It, we’re curating a bunch of items from a selection of stores you might/most likely got a gift card to (some very Dappered-y, some less so because Aunt Karen wasn’t sure). Our goal is to show you what’s worth it at various price points. You CAN spend it all in one place, dear!

Brand Note: Lululemon is well-known for their women’s clothing, but their men’s clothing line is pretty luxe, too. While some brands anchored in the gym/on the field have struggled to make casual and dress casual basics, Lululemon has been a pretty big success story when it comes to applying their sweat wicking/breathing/stretch technology to clothes that look great outside of and away from from workouts. But they make you pay for it. And then some. Fair warning, Lululemon is not cheap. Their sales are few and far between, although they do have a rolling “we made too much section.” 

Under $50

• Power Stride No-Show Socks with Active Grip – $14/pair
• Always in Motion Boxer 5″ – $28
• Fast and Free Men’s Run Hat – $38
• 5 Year Basic Tee – $48
• Command The Day 5L Dopp Bag – $48

Let’s be honest: Lululemon clothing isn’t cheap. (Have we hammered that point home yet?) BUT you can find lots of items on sale from time to time. Lots of their tees, sweats, and tops drop to under $50 during Winter. If you’re committed to a workout routine for 2021, or you’re just looking for some seriously comfortable loungewear, jump on these sales when you see them. Outside of said sales you can usually find some accessories under that $50 mark, as show above.

From $50-$100

• 5 Year Basic Long Sleeve Tee – $58
• 5 Year Basic Long Sleeve Henley – $68
• T.H.E. Short 9″ with Liner – $68
• Commission Short 9″ Warpstreme – $88
• Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo – $88
• Metal Vent Tech Polo 2.0 – $98
• Always In Motion Boxer Mesh 3-Pack – $98
• Commission Long Sleeve Shirt – $98

I’m a huge fan of the 5 Year Henley shirts and the Evolution polos. Joe likes the metal vent tech line (including the polos, which made last year’s polopalooza). These shirts look much nicer than the counterparts from Nike or Under Armour; they also don’t look like something you’d see on the sideline of a game. I like that.

From $100-$200

• Commission Pant in Slim or Classic Fit – $128
• ABC Warpstreme Pant in Slim or Classic Fit – $128
• ABC Warpstreme Jogger – $128
• At Ease Hoodie – $148
• Navigation Stretch Down Vest – $168
• Down for It All Hoodie – $198

Lululemon makes some seriously lightweight, comfortable, and technical articles of clothing. Their warpstreme tech-fabric but not LOOKING like tech-fabric ABC pants are probably the #1 seller on the men’s side of the house. What does ABC stand for? Anti Ball Crushing. While they’ll never replace traditional cotton chinos, these are other worldly comfortable. They were a highlight of our big tech-pants round up, which you can find here. Note that Lululemon organizes their Commission and ABC pants in an odd way. They offer two main fits (slim and classic), and organize by inseam length. They offer the usual waist sizes, but know that the most common inseams (30″ and 32″) can often sell out, fast, with each restock. They’re that popular.

From $200+

• Driver’s Coat – $248
• Outpour Shell Jacket – $248
• Navigation Stretch Down Hoodie – $268
• Pinnacle Warmth (Down) Jacket – $398
• Cold City (Down) Parka – $598

Lululemon jackets are well insulated, water resistant, and cut in a modern slim fit. These are the yin to Arc’teryx’s yang – both well made, both technical, and both expensive when not on sale. Worth it? You decide.

About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the heating and manufacturing industry, and he’s also Dappered’s resident shoe & denim expert. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on on his dad bod father figure.