Top products from r/FrugalMaleFashionCDN

I'd always recommend buying a solid automatic watch. Watches like MK, DW, fossil, etc, are cheaply made with Chinese parts and usually run on quartz and are meant to be replaced when they start to break down. Investing in an automatic can really ensure you have a great watch that will last.

Like mentioned, the skx007 is a great watch and will last you a lifetime. You can also mod this watch quite easily as well and the movement will last forever. Many watch enthusiasts love Seiko, myself included (have 3 will probably get more). Seiko 5's are also solid entry-level watches and many come in around the $100 mark depending on model: https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK789-Automatic-Stainless-Steel/dp/B0018N0HL0/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=seiko+5&qid=1565104496&s=gateway&sr=8-4

The Orient Bambino is also a great entry-level automatic dress watch with a few different dial combos: https://www.amazon.com/Orient-Bambino-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless/dp/B01N45HWRM

For a cheaper diver, the Orient Ray/Mako lines are good as well: https://www.amazon.com/Orient-FAA02004B9-Display-Japanese-Automatic/dp/B01AK5TQXG/ref=sr_1_2?crid=K6K5EI9K3HA7&keywords=orient+mako+2&qid=1565104421&s=gateway&sprefix=orient+mako%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

If you can spend more you can look at Hamilton's Khaki line or Jazzmaster, Seiko Sumo or Seiko Sarb033, Sinn Watches, Chris Ward, Squale, Junker's Bauhaus or Max bill if you like the Daniel Wellington Style.

You can even look at used/vintage and get a nice Omega Seamaster for ~$500

The Johnston & Murphy Melton Oxford is the shoe to buy. It is the best quality you can get in Canada at around the $200-$230 CDN pricepoint, before jumping up to ordering factory seconds of the Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue, Carlyle or Park Avenue, which WILL end up costing you between $315-$350 CDN, after exchange rate, border processing through DHL, and shipping are factored in. Even if the shoes are on sale in the AE shoe bank for $170.

I know this because 8 months ago I ordered a pair of AE Fifth Avenues for Brooks Brothers during the last big sale, and the shoe that was $169 initially ended up costing me $315 in the end, given that shipping from Ohio was $40 USD, processing was $10, and exchange was terrible. On top of that, the shoes don't even fit, because the 5 last, which is used on the Fifth Avenue, Carlyle, Park Avenue and others, is too narrow.

Back to the J&M though: this shoe is, like I said, the best quality you can get around the $200 CDN range. Right now it is on sale in 8.5D at amazon.ca for $228.

It is the same price on the J&M website too.

I have seen it at the Bay as well, though it is not listed online currently. And I have also seen it on deep discount on amazon.com, despite it being in USD. I snatched mine up when it dropped from $175 USD to $110 USD, which made the exchange and duties worth paying for.

Anyways, here is why you should buy this shoe, given your budget:

AE factory seconds will cost you $310+ to order from the U.S. First quality AE "Bloor Streets" (Park Avenues) will run you $500 CDN+ tax at Harry Rosen in Toronto. But the J&M Melton is not only much more affordable, it is miles ahead of all the other mall grade crap you would still spend up to $160 CDN on at Aldo or the Bay.

The main shoes I see at the Bay and in malls are usually Bostonian, Florsheim, Aldo, Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole, Pegabo, and Stacey Adams. In almost all cases, these are all overpriced crap that you will still end up spending up to $150 on anyways.

Bostonian and Florsheim used to be good, but now, alongside the rest of the shoes in the list (except for a couple Stacey Adams products), they are shittily made in China, with corrected grain leather, and glued soles, which significantly reduce their durability and longevity, while also reducing their comfort. Not only are the designs ugly, but they are terribly built, with terrible quality control, and terrible materials. And they will still run you over $100-$150 CDN.

Meanwhile, the Johnston & Murphys range from $160 CDN on sale to $230, yet are miles ahead of all those previously mentioned brands. Of course, they are not at AE level, but the Meltons in particular are goodyear welted and made with full-grain Italian calfskin. My pair is beautiful, and is very close in appearance to the $500 Park Avenue. They are leather soled as well, and while they aren't made in the USA like AE, they aren't made in China either (made in India).

If you're willing to pay $200, I'd definitely make the jump up to $230 and get the J&M Meltons. It's a significantly better shoe than any other option in that range, and well well worth the bump up from Bostonian or Kenneth Cole or Aldo. Yet it's a lot cheaper than what it will cost just for you to get second-quality Allen Edmonds. On top of that, unlike the AE shoes on the 5 last, the Melton fits true to size. So you don't have to worry about sizing up or down. If you are sized as 8.5D, then order an 8.5D.

And if you're patient, you might even snag em on sale. Though they aren't at the moment: https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/mens-sale-shoes#srule=PriceLowHigh&sz=1000&start=0

I have the Wahl Peanut. Really great beard trimmer. I can't see myself switching to anything else.

I got mine as a gift from my aunt who is a hair dresser, and she got it from a beauty supply store. Which one, I don't know, and they probably don't have a website. But check out any local beauty supply shops around you. Even ask a barber or hairdresser where you might find one.

All else fails, Amazon sells it. But it's a little overpriced through there.

Short answer: yes.

Ruthless as it is, I've tried stuff on in stores and then bought it on Amazon for cheaper—I've got some boots on the way now. I've also gotten a couple of staple watches for pretty good prices, but all of this is related to the fact that I have prime. Sometimes it's a weird system, as in the case of those boots, but if you're willing to learn how to work with it you can find pretty good stuff.

If you want a great "bang for your buck" watch, take a look at a Seiko 5. More specifically the SNK80 series. They are sub-$100. Automatic / Kinetic, so don't have to worry about batteries.

Plenty of colours as well, black, green, blue and beige. I would recommend swapping the fabric band for a NATO strap. Pick up a few different ones, dressy and casual.

I bought a black one a few months ago, and I wear it the most. Over some of more expensive ones including Citizen Eco-Drive, Michael Kors, Orient, and Hamilton.

Thanks! I will definitely look into that. I don't like to wash with shampoo + conditioner everyday as I think it's overkill, but I also put product in my hair and shower daily, and would like for it to wash out with just water. I currently use this product my Monplatin that I'm not thrilled with BUT it does wash out incredibly well with just water (https://www.amazon.ca/Mon-Platin-Jojoba-Crystal-Styling/dp/B0057MYORQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=jojoba+wax&qid=1569009589&s=gateway&sr=8-1).

I also tried Layrite Clay that CLAIMS to it is water soluble, but I can assure you it is not (https://www.amazon.ca/Layrite-Oz-Cement-Matte-Clay/dp/B00UM4ZDCY/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc1_0?crid=1YA0G4G7QLKA7&keywords=layrite+clay&pd_rd_i=B00UM4ZDCY&pd_rd_r=ea9b930b-3204-4502-83f8-0d383c35ba56&pd_rd_w=xYicO&pd_rd_wg=tQkum&pf_rd_p=6f08ffff-e1f6-48e9-b30d-611996cc9b3c&pf_rd_r=5V4QV22CWRQDA9FCZ6CF&psc=1&qid=1569009656&s=gateway&sprefix=Layrite+clay%2Caps%2C158).

I'll definitely look into this!

there's no slim gloves that will keep you truly warm. There's no air to heat up and keep you warm, and your fingers don't generate enough heat by themselves, so a slim glove won't really be able to insulate very well.

when I was a bike messenger, I'd switch between mits and neoprene gloves (ie for fishing or for underwater work). Those worked pretty good but actually made my fingers sweaty. I got mine from mec but these ones on amazon look good: https://www.amazon.ca/West-Chester-96650-Synthetic-Waterproof/dp/B002ZPGW32/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537046691&sr=8-2&keywords=neoprene+gloves+winter

For actual warmth best to go with glove liners, or fine gloves, with Mittens over top. Fingers don't have enough circulation to keep you actually warm in gloves. Combining two like the below should be close to as good as you could get for your price range


https://www.amazon.com/Terramar-S491-Thermasilk-Glove-Liner/dp/B002NPBTWS

https://www.thelasthunt.com/products/armada-carmel-windstopper-mitt-mens-llll-arm-r00119

For good quality gloves you go for Hestra, but you will be dissapointed if you are looking for real heat, you need to do the above.

Assuming this is for those Churchs you bought - I'd straight up recommend Saphir Medaille D'or Renovateur. The cheapest vendor I could find was in QC

The alternative is the non medaille d'or line Amazon.

Here's another basic conditioner from Loding

Pure mink oil is complete overkill on dress shoes or thin leather. Good for thicker leather boots/jackets b/c it can make the products more weather resistant + matches the colour tones of the generally darker products.

However, in the end they are just white sneakers so the only things you really need are a cleaning brush (old toothbrush will work), conditioners and maybe some shoe trees. I recommend the J&M's

[Jiffy Steamer](ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer, 120 Volt https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0018ZHHS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3pe5Bb11TY5A6)

I’ve used it for clothes and for some tapestries and it’s worked great!

Merkur safety razor and these blades (Feather is another good brand of blades, more expensive though).

Bought the combo about 3 years ago, haven't even used half the blades yet. Massive savings.

Park Avenues are on sale for $341.99 CAD: https://www.amazon.ca/Allen-Edmonds-Avenue-Oxford-Black/dp/B000H10RX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527743557&sr=8-1&keywords=allen%2Bedmonds&th=1&psc=1

I just bought two Walnut Strands so I can get the right sizing. Seems like a good price considering how hard it is to find Strands this side of the border.

This is what I use, and it's been fantastic for me.

Mon Platin Jojoba Crystal Wax

Various sizes/colors of Sperry topsiders on discount on amazon - just make sure you check out all variations of your size for the deepest discount.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/offer-listing/B000EP8LV6/ref=olp_twister_all?ie=UTF8&mv_color_name=all&mv_size_name=all

The key is to buy a nearly lifetime supply of Arko so at least you can't say "well, I do need shaving soap..."

If you can handle the smell, that is.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002SSUQFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dZ4-zbGVKMCBP

https://www.amazon.ca/Clarks-Desert-Crepe-Beeswax-Leather/dp/B000WU8SBG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480952360&sr=8-1&keywords=clarks%2Bdesert%2Bboots&th=1&psc=1

If this is the clarks desert boots you are talking about, then it's being sold at 99.98 at Amazon without any specific sale. They've gone as low as 70 ish.

I've tried Reuzel Blue, Rocky Mountain Matte Finish, and Suavecito Matte. All three products went on easy and held up for most of the workday, but I was never truly satisfied. When I finished my last container of Suavecito Matte, I came across this brand called Tame The Beast, it's a little thicker, and you need to emulsify the product in your hands. While using the product, little goes a long way with this product, and the hold lasts all day, and I can continue to "style" my hair without re-applying the product. My only issue with the product is that it's not easy to wash out like most products. Your shampoo will fail to suds up the first shampoo, so another shampoo and rinse are needed if you want to clean it all out.

To provide a little bit of context about my hair, I have thick hair that I side part, but once the length grows, it can be hard to control with product. Here's the link.https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07QFY2FXT/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_4MfVDbJTJ4Z83

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Edit: You get 3.4oz for $15.50 if you apply the $2.00 coupon.

A lot of Allen Edmonds are 30% off at checkout. Prices are all over the place depending on size/model, but there were some decent deals considering AE is not all that accessible up here. Worth digging if you're in the market for a quality dress shoe.

For example, 9.5EEE Walnut Strands can be had for $347.85 all in, a decent price for Canadians.

Also, Naked & Famous is marked down for Prime members or 30% off at checkout. Not nearly as good as that one insane sale where they went for $25-$30 a pair, but still well below their MSRP.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001O2QVM4/ref=twister_B000H1D53G?th=1&psc=1

Here's cheaper and no shipping cost, but low on sizes