Articles – Well Spent

Good Giving: 40 Under $40

December 3, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. This year, I set out to gather an assortment of high-quality, low-cost goods that, though small enough to fit in a stocking, are a bit more enduring and useful than your typical stuffers. Most of the items are made in the US, and all of them are under $40 (not including shipping). Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 5

December 2, 2011

Welcome to part 5 of the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. 40 items, low on cost, high on quality. The 6th and final post will be up this afternoon. Enjoy! Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 2

November 28, 2011

Part 2 of the 2011 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. 40 items, all socially-responsible, and all under $40. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 1

November 28, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. This year, I set out to gather an assortment of high-quality, low-cost goods that, though small enough to fit in a stocking, are a bit more enduring and useful than your typical stuffers. Most of the items are made in the US, and all of them are under $40 (not including shipping). Part 1 and 2 are up today, 3 and 4 are on Wednesday, and 5 and 6 will be up on Friday. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. Read More »

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Filson Tin Cloth Insulated Cap

November 21, 2011

It’s winter, your head’s cold, you want a hat, but you’re bored with beanies / watch caps. What to do? Take a gander at the Tin Cloth Insulated Cap from Filson, that’s what. Not only is it water repellent, thanks to its 12.5 oz., 100% cotton Tin Cloth outer, it’s also fully lined, and, has fold-down wool ear flaps, so it’s warm too. Add to that some rock-solid American construction, and you’ve got one serious head-topper. Read More »

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The Friday Find: 15% Off Sale at Sir & Madame

November 11, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

The good folks from Chicago’s Sir & Madame (you remember them from last week, right?) are knocking 15% off their entire stock from now through Sunday. Choice US-made goodies include outerwear from 3Sxiteen, boots from Red Wing, jeans from LVC, leather goods from Tanner, and of course, S&M’s own in-house line (those bags!). Enter code “15OFF” at checkout to get the discount. Read More »

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The Friday Find: Stormy Kromer Sale at The Working Person’s Store

October 28, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

Admittedly, the markdown on these isn’t all that impressive (18%). But, the hats are cheap enough to begin with, that I figured what the hell. Besides, when was the last time you saw Stormy Kromer on sale? Answer: you haven’t. There are seven colors to choose from, all of which are expertly made in the US from 100% recycled wool. Remaining sizes vary by color. Read More »

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Artex Knitting Mills Government Issue Watch Caps

October 20, 2011

Winter’s coming, so you’re probably gonna need a hat pretty soon. Here’s one that’s made in the USA from 100% virgin wool, and only costs $9.00 (that includes the shipping). In case you want a little more info: the brand is called Artex Knitting Mills, they’re based in Pennsylvania, are family owned, and have been around since the 1920s. There you have it. Now go enjoy your new hat. Read More »

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The Makers: Outlier

September 21, 2011

“We’re fabric nerds.”

Outlier co-founders Abe Burmeister and Tyler Clemens aren’t exactly the type of guys you’d expect to start an active apparel label. There’s nothing overtly sporty or jock-ish about them. In conversation, they come off much more NPR than ESPN. And yet, the two have managed to launch a brand that’s quickly becoming one of the most respected in the industry. Why? Because Burmeister and Clemens have succeeded where no one else has: they’ve made high-performance apparel that’s comfortable enough, and handsome enough, to wear in non high-performance situations. In other words, clothing that’s perpetually appropriate, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.

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New York Hat Co. Tartan Camp Caps

September 8, 2011

Item # 1,237 that’s got me excited for fall: the Tartan Camp Caps from New York Hat Co. Handmade in Brooklyn from 100% wool, the TCCs combine the warmth of a beanie with the shape of a five-panel, making them an ideal option for autumn’s crisper days (kinda like a Pendleton shirt for your head). There are three colorways to choose from, and each’ll run you just shy of $25 (plus shipping). Feeling a little excited for fall now too, aren’t you? Read More »

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New York Hat Co. Camp Caps

June 14, 2011

If, like me, you’re a fan of the 5-panel style hat, but don’t like wearing logos (on your head, or elsewhere), then I highly recommend checking out the Camp Caps from NYC’s New York Hat Co. Handmade in Brooklyn, the hats boast all the quality and detail of any streetwear brand, but, are free of advertising, so you’re not spending money to be someone else’s shill. Fabric options range from denim to chambray to twill to nylon, and the price, because there is no logo, is about $20 less than what you’d normally have to pay. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: June, 2011

June 2, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Quaker Marine Co. Summer Headwear

April 26, 2011

If you’re thinking about branching out beyond the ball cap this summer, then I heartily recommend giving Portland, Maine’s Quaker Marine Co. a look. Founded over 60 years ago, the brand has long been the boaters’ go-to for authentic nautical headwear. Offering everything from classic yachting caps, to Gilligan-style tennis hats, to tasteful straw numbers (all of which are proudly handcrafted in the USA), QM has a warm-weather head-topper to fit any taste. And, with prices ranging from $20 – $40 per, they fit nearly any budget too. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: April, 2011

March 30, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Instead of Rent: March, 2011

March 2, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Happenings: C.H.C.M. Shop

January 26, 2011

It’s a funny thing, the “Heritage” trend. As anyone in the fashion industry (er, I mean ’style’ industry – got to keep it menswear blog appropriate) will tell you, everything that’s old will eventually be new again. And so, the current popularity of utilitarian garments from the 1930s – 1950s amongst the modern non-utilitarian set isn’t all that shocking. What’s funny, though, is that the items that make up the trend were never intended to be fashionable. They were designed and built purely for functionality. That’s why they’re still around, decades after their inception. That these items are now a part of a trend, and, as such, suddenly have a shelf-life – well, it entirely defeats their purpose.

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Instead of Rent: January, 2011

January 5, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month. Special “what I wish I was wearing during last week’s blizzard in NYC” edition.

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Good Giving: 25 Under $25

November 28, 2010

Welcome to the 2010 Well Spent holiday gift guide. I’m trying something a little different this year: 25 gifts, all socially responsible, and all under $25. Small things, but (hopefully) a bit more substantive and enduring than your typical stocking stuffers. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season.

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