Frugal male fashion: 49 essentials that are always affordable and always in style
I love a sale.
But waiting for a sale isn’t the only way to snag a great deal. And sometimes sales downright suck:
- You can end up getting something because the price looked exciting, not because you need it or actually want it.
- Things are on sale for a reason, and they’re not always good — could be a weird style, an awkward cut, an unflattering color.
- A lot of sales are artificial. Stores set fake “retail” prices that nobody actually pays, only to show off a big markdown when they run a sale.
This last one gets on my nerves because it’s such a scam. A product’s value is what people are willing pay for it, not what the seller arbitrarily decides it should be worth. If I tried to sell you a bottle of Coke for $50, saying I marked it down from $500 doesn’t make it a good opportunity.
Like the stock market, the best way to judge something’s value is to know what other people are buying and selling it for. And just like the stock market, there’s value to be found if you ignore the daily noise and focus on the long game.
What does any of this have to do with male fashion? The point is to look for opportunities where something is priced right and has timeless style. Don’t worry about chasing 1-day-only sales, you’ll probably wind up with junk you never really wanted. Do it if you must, but understand that it’s kind of like day trading, a demanding hobby that will probably have negative ROI ultimately.
The point is to look for opportunities where something is priced right and has timeless style.
Just like there are conservative investments that always pay out in the long term, there are frugal male fashion items that are always reliable, affordable, and worth their price. Basically, they’re consistently priced right and you don’t have to hunt for the right time to buy. You won’t cop these at a brag-worthy price. But you won’t overpay for hyped fashion brands or disposable quality. In effect, these are the 401K funds of your wardrobe. Invest wisely.
Index
Shirts and sweaters
Cotton dress shirt
Flannel shirt
Oxford Cotton Button Down
Polo shirt
Sweater
White t-shirts
Jeans, pants, and shorts
Birdwell Board Shorts
Chinos
Levis Jeans
Shoes, boots, and footwear
Chippewa Service Boot
Desert boot
L.L.Bean Boot
Red Wing Iron Ranger
Suede boots
Vans Authentic
Wingtip leather shoes
Socks and footwear accessories
Boot and shoe laces
Darn tough socks
Horsehair shoe brush
No-show socks
Shoe horns
Shoe trees
Suits and blazer
Two piece suit
Navy blazer
Tuxedo
Coats, jackets, and outerwear
Wool overcoat
Wool peacoat
Watches
Seiko 5
Timex weekender
Orient Ray II
Accessories
Amazon Basics suitcase
Baseball hat
Belt
Cashmere scarf
Iron
Leather gloves
Lint roller
Money clip
Passport cover
Sunglasses: beaters
Sunglasses: nice
Tie
Tie clip
Umbrella
Wallet
Watch repair kit
Weekender bag
White pocket square
Wooden hangers
Shirts and sweaters
1. Cotton dress shirt
A simple cotton dress shirt in solid white or light blue is timeless and versatile. Get a few and keep them well cared for and you’ll be able to rotate them for years.
Suggestions
$20: Amazon Essentials Solid Dress Shirt
$33: Buttoned Down Solid Dress Shirt from Amazon
2. Flannel shirt
Might be no pattern more iconic than flannel. Flannel has been a American icon pattern for generations. It conjures everything from lumberjacks to sipping bourbon by the campfire, to Kurt Cobain smashing a Stratocaster.
Suggestions
$20: Wrangler Men’s Long Sleeve Plaid Fleece Shirt from Amazon
$65: Woolrich Men’s Trout Run Flannel Shirt from Amazon
3. Oxford Cotton Button Down
Seventy percent of the times you think you need to be wearing a dress shirt, you actually want an oxford cotton button down. These are more casual and a lot more versatile. Wear it buttoned up under a jacket to meet you girlfriend’s parents. When dad wants to shoot pool in the basement later, lose the jacket and roll up the sleeves.
Suggestions
$20: Ralph Lauren Men Solid Sport Oxford Shirt from Amazon
$25: Goodthreads Oxford Shirt from Amazon
4. Polo shirt
It’s a great time to give polo shirts another shot. Because it’s not 2003, brands are making them in great fits. But also because it’s not 2003, they aren’t overpriced mall fashion costumes.
Suggestions
$12: Amazon Essentials Polo Shirt
$17: Lee Uniforms Modern Fit Polo Shirt from Amazon
5. Sweater
A cashmere sweater is a big ask in an article about frugal fashion. But they actually last longer, regulate temperature better, improve over time, and don’t lose their shape like wools and blends. Or just go for a great wool for now.
Suggestions
$18: Amazon Essentials Men’s Crewneck Sweater
$88: Williams Cashmere Men’s Sweater from Amazon
6. White t-shirts
The white t-shirt is an icon and a staple. James Dean, Paul Newman, Brando, the boss, the Fonz. The plain white t-shirt has graced every major cultural moment of the last and current century.
Suggestions
$15: Short-Sleeve Cotton T-Shirt from Amazon
$16: 6-Pack Crewneck Undershirts from Amazon
Jeans, pants, and shorts
7. Birdwell Board Shorts
These shorts are a surf icon.
Suggestions
$79: Birdwell Beach Britches from Amazon
$79: Birdwell Board Shorts, Medium Length from Amazon
8. Chinos
You have to have something to wear to the office.
Suggestions
$30: Men’s 5-Pocket Chino Pant from Amazon
$50: Levi’s 502 Chino from Amazon
9. Levi’s Jeans
Even at full retail, Levi’s offers a great jean for the money. Simply put, nobody at this price point is putting this kind of care and brand development into a denim product.
Suggestions
$37: Levi’s 505s from Amazon
$45: Levi’s 514s from Amazon
Shoes, boots, and footwear
10. Chippewa Service Boot
The secret to making footwear last is having plenty of pairs to rotate through. Hard to go wrong with a rugged pair of Chippewas. They’ll go easily from a night cleaning out the garage to a date at the movies.
Suggestions
$174: 6" Rugged Chippewa Boot from Amazon
$174: Original Chippewa Rugged Handcrafted boot from Amazon
11. Desert boot
Sure, you see these shoes on the internet a lot. But for good reason.
Suggestions
$64: Clark’s Bushacre 2 from Amazon
$136: Clark’s Chukka Boot from Amazon
12. L.L.Bean Boot
You’ll pay a little upfront for a Bean boot, but their service and quality are legendary.
Suggestions
$125: 6" Bean Boots from L.L. Bean
$135: Duck boot from L.L. Bean
13. Red Wing Iron Ranger
These seem on the steep side, until you realize how long they last.
Suggestions
$245: Iron Ranger 6-Inch Boot from Amazon
$316: Heritage Iron Ranger Work Boot from Amazon
14. Suede boots
Suede is way more durable and efficient of a material than it gets credit for. Like a lot of natural products, these develop a handsome patina and actually get better looking over time.
Suggestions
$38: Bushacre 2 Suede Chukka Boot from Amazon
$62: Clark’s Chelsea boot from Amazon
15. Vans Authentic
The Vans Authentic belong in a museum about youth in America. Or at least California.
Suggestions
$36: Vans Adult Authentic Core Classics from Amazon
$55: Vans Unisex Authentic True White from Amazon
16. Wingtip leather shoes
In a conservative business setting, Wingtips are pretty casual. But for most of us who aren’t bankers, they’re formal enough for almost any occasion. And still casual enough for an outdoor party with jeans.
Suggestions
$158: Johnston & Murphy Oxford from Amazon
$385: Allen Edmonds Strand Cap Toe from Amazon
Socks and footwear accessories
17. Boot and shoe laces
Upgrading shoe laces is an easy way to bring some new life to old kicks.
Suggestions
$6: Round Heavy Duty Boot Laces from Amazon
$6: Waxed Cotton Oxford Shoelaces from Amazon
18. Darn tough socks
Darn tough socks come with a legendary return policy. Consider all the socks you buy and burn out in a given year. Now imagine those socks lasted for years and got replaced for free when they wear out.
Suggestions
$18: Darn Tough Merino Wool Micro Crew Sock from Amazon
$25: Darn Tough Full Cushion Socks from Amazon
19. Horsehair shoe brush
Leather shoes and boots pick up all sorts of dirt and dust on their travels. Give a quick brush with a horsehair brush after each wear and prolong their life.
Suggestions
$6: Kiwi 100% Horsehair Shine Brush from Amazon
$11: 7" Horsehair Shoe Brush from Amazon
20. No-show socks
Cool sock-less look without the uncool smelly shoes thing.
Suggestions
$14: Saucony Men’s 6 Pack No-Show Socks from Amazon
$15: M&Z Mens Cotton Low Cut No Show from Amazon
21. Shoe horns
Shoe horns very inexpensive and save the back of your good shoes and boots and they’ll last forever. Plus they look kind of cool.
Suggestions
$6: Stainless Steel Shoe Horn with Leather Strap from Amazon
$13: 18-Inch Stainless Steel Shoe Horn from Amazon
22. Shoe trees
These shouldn’t even be optional, really. Shoe trees are a necessity if you’d like your leather shoes to last. Leather shoes last a lot longer when they live in these between wears.
Suggestions
$18: Woodlore Men’s Shoe Tree Pair from Amazon
$40: Product name from Amazon
Suits and blazers
23. Two piece suit
Spending less than $500 on a suit isn’t going to get you anything that will last a lifetime. But if you only need a suit a few times a year, these are a great option. Build confidence, get that raise, and upgrade when you’re ready.
Suggestions
$199: Ben Sherman Two Button Plaid Suit from Amazon
$215: Tommy Hilfiger Nathan Suit from Amazon
24. Navy blazer
A navy blazer is frugal because it’s so darn versatile. These will never be heirlooms at this price point. But consider wearing a blazer is like driving a race car, you don’t want to learn in the best.
Suggestions
$89: Eddie Bauer Men’s Voyager 2.0 Travel Blazer from Amazon
$90: U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Coat from Amazon
25. Tuxedo
Just owning a tuxedo, regardless of its pedigree, will surprise and delight people.
Suggestions
$190: J.Crew Peak-lapel Tuxedo
Coats, jackets, and outerwear
26. Wool overcoat
These coats create a classic silhouette that won’t ever go out of style.
Suggestions
$89: Men’s Single Breasted Wool Walker Coat from Amazon
$119: Kenneth Cole Topcoat from Amazon
27. Wool peacoat
If an overcoat feels a little too muted, try a peacoat. They’re just a little more fun.
Suggestions
$72: Nautica Wool Peacoat from Amazon
$113: Levi’s Wool-Blend Peacoat from Amazon
Watches
28. Seiko 5
This might be the best deal on this whole list. To get a Japanese automatic watch for under $100 is insane. On top of that, you’re getting one from a pioneering brand that revolutionized the industry. You’ll get nods from guys in Pateks.
Suggestions
$70: Seiko 5 SNK809 from Amazon
$139: Seiko 5 SNZF17 from Amazon
29. Timex weekender
Timex is on tear this century. If you’re new to watches, start with a weekender. A solid, simple, dependable quartz. You’ll get nods from guys in Seikos.
Suggestions
$30: Timex Weekender from Amazon
$60: Timex Weekender Chrono from Amazon
30. Orient Ray II
Another incredible automatic watch at a great price. You could easily pay 5 times this for something comparable.
Suggestions
$145: Orient Ray II from Amazon
$148: Orient Mako II from Amazon
Accessories
31. Amazon Basics suitcase
Cheap suitcases are like cheap bikes, totally fine if you don’t use them a lot. Unless you travel for work, go for a handsome suitcase like this.
Suggestions
$54: AmazonBasics Softside Spinner Luggage
$60: AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage
32. Baseball hat
Every kid’s a baseball hat kid. Then guys get older and decide to go one of two ways: never hat or always hat. Try a solid color, non-branded hat. Great for taking the dog to the park or Sunday morning walks to get coffee.
Suggestions
$8: Cotton dad hat from Amazon
$8: Top level baseball cap from Amazon
33. Belt
A $20 like these will last the rest of your life and a $10 belt will probably fall apart in a year and cost you another $10 the next year, and again the year after that and … you get the idea.
Suggestions
$14: Dockers leather casual belt from Amazon
$20: Timberland Men’s Classic Leather Jean Belt from Amazon
34. Cashmere scarf
These are great prices for the kind of scarf you could easily find for many times this much.
Suggestions
$35: Winter Cashmere Scarf from Amazon
$45: Cashmere scarf from Amazon
35. Iron
When you iron a shirt, you care more about it. When you care more about it, you’re more careful when you wear it. When you’re more careful, it lasts longer. You save money.
Suggestions
$30: Sunbeam Steam Master from Amazon
$40: BLACK+DECKER Professional Steam Iron from Amazon
36. Leather gloves
These look great with those coats I recommended.
Suggestions
$15: Pierre Cardin Leather Glove from Amazon
$30: Carhartt Men’s Insulated Full Grain Leather Driver Work Glove from Amazon
37. Lint roller
Great for cleaning up a thrift store find.
Suggestions
$9: Flint Retractable Lint Roller from Amazon
$15: Scotch-Brite Lint Roller Combo Pack from Amazon
38. Money clip
Money clips don’t have to be dorky, they’re great for going out in a suit when pockets can make your wallet bulge out.
Suggestions
$8: Stainless steel money clip from Amazon
$20: Tan leather money clip from Amazon
39. Passport cover
Passports expire after 10 years, so you’d have to do a lot of traveling to wear one out. But it can’t hurt to protect it.
Suggestions
$9: Leather passport cover from Amazon
$16: Passport Holder Wallet Cover from Amazon
40. Sunglasses: beaters
Riding a jet ski, backflipping into the pools, rounding third in Fourth of July wiffle ball game. The most fun times to wear sunglasses can be the most risky for the actual shades. Get some beaters to compliment the nice pair.
Suggestions
$15: Knockaround Classics from Amazon
$20: Knockaround Premiums from Amazon
41. Sunglasses: nice
Then there’s the nice pair. Driving into the sunset, taking a walk, sitting at an outdoor wedding.
Suggestions
$143: Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses from Amazon
$153: Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses from Amazon
42. Tie
Thanks to the Tie Bar, a really great tie can be had for $50. These will last a lifetime and look great doing it.
Suggestions
$22: The Tie Bar Wool Skinny Solid Black Tie from Amazon
$22: The Tie Bar 100% Woven Silk Tie from Amazon
43. Tie clip
The Mad Men look might have worn out its welcome. I still think a simple tie clip always looks good. Stay away from anything too decorative.
Suggestions
$8: Tie Bar Clip from Amazon
$18: Brushed Straight Silver Tie Bar from Amazon
44. Umbrella
Companies want you to think umbrellas are disposable so you keep buying them. That’s silly, you can get one of these quality umbrellas for less than a trip to Chipotle.
Suggestions
$9: Compact travel umbrella from Amazon
$20: J Stick Umbrella Umbrella from Amazon
45. Wallet
Full grain leather gets better over the years. If you’ve only had polyester or “genuine leather” wallets, you’re in for a treat.
Suggestions
$25: Saddleback Leather Co. Full Grain Leather Thin Sleeve Credit Card Wallet from Amazon
$39: Saddleback Leather Co. from Amazon
46. Watch repair kit
For just a couple bucks, you can save thousands in routine watch replacements and repairs.
Suggestions
$14: 147 in 1 Watch Repair Kit from Amazon
$16: Watch Repair Tool Kit from Amazon
47. Weekender bag
People think they need to drop big bucks on big suitcases. But the reality is you won’t schlep out that giant bag more than once a decade. What you’ll use ten times a year though, is a duffle bag.
Suggestions
$38: Large Capacity Duffel from Amazon
$155: The North Face Base Camp Duffel from Amazon
48. White pocket square
Forget what I said about Mad Men. Long live the pocket square.
Suggestions
$10: White Silk Pocket Square from Amazon
$12: Woven Silk White Pocket Square from Amazon
49. Wooden hangers
You visit your closet every day. Wooden hangers are the cheapest way to feel like a millionaire.
Suggestions
$25: AmazonBasics Wood Suit Hangers
$25: AmazonBasics Solid Wood Suit Hangers, Cherry
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