Best 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

In answer to your first question: Yes, now is a good time to find sales on boots. You may need to look a little harder for your size or preferred colour, but the sales can be good since it's offseason right now.

To start your research, I found this to be a helpful resource recently: NY Mag Strategist Best Men's Winter Boots.

As for where to buy in Canada? You have a few options:

Browns has some decent sales on right now.

SoftMoc carries well-known brands.

MEC or SAIL will both have a broad selection.

And I recently just bought a pair of these off Amazon.ca, luckily finding them on a really good sale. I know Columbia isn't really a MFA-standby brand, but being in Ottawa I really need something with decent height against snow), grip and insulation. Amazon can be a great resource if you're willing to do the browsing.

Think about those elements, mainly. If you're mostly commuting and sitting indoors, don't buy anything taller than 6 inches roughly ankle height). You'll be more comfortable and they'll be easier to walk in.

Finally, be aware that brand isn't everything. Stay away from Sorels. My personal experience with the classic Sorel Caribou was terrible. The rubber on the toe cracked after a year, and I look after my footwear. Really disappointed, and it seems to be a common flaw right now.

I'm fond of the following T-Shirts

$12 - $20: Next Level 6010 - Triblend 50Cotton/25Poly/25Rayon - Amazon Link

$12 - $18: Canvas 3413C Triblend 50Cotton/25Poly/25Rayon - Amazon Link

$14 - $26: American Apparel 50/50 Poly-Cotton - Amazon Link - American Apparel Link

The Next Level fits small for length but normal size for shoulders, I personally wear a medium in most sizes and felt large fit well for length but poorly in my shoulders, the material feels great though.

Canvas is the brand we use at my work for shirts, the material fits well, it fits fairly small so I went with a large and the overall look is what I'd expect. It feels similar to the Next brand from above as well.

The American Apparel one is more expensive now because they stopped producing them for a bit so the Amazon sellers are a bit pricerer than if you get them direct from American Apparel and utlize their free shipping. It fits well, I also went a size up (large) and most of my favorite shirts are the Poly-Cotton.

All prices vary based on size / color on Amazon, AA has a set price regardless of size/color.

Background: spent a few weeks looking for Sperry top siders. Originally bought an authentic original (a/o) size 7.5 for ~$130 it was too big I'm an actual size 7.5US. Did some research and found out gold cups were higher quality and more comfy. Amazon.com (US) sells them for a wide range of prices. I bought my gold cups for $84 USD which is ~$112 CAD after tax and with free shipping. Such a steal. Sperry Canada has same ones at $200 CAD before tax.

Link to product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006MZEHR4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497299423&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sperry%2Bgold%2Bcup&th=1&psc=1

Fit:
7.5M US a/o when walking with these on, my heels would slip out. I wear 7.5 US Lacoste shoes and am a 7.5US measured on the foot scale. Returned them

For the 7M US a/o gold cups they fit snug. You can adjust the laces for tightness which is great. And the quality is there. When I put my foot in them initially it feels like astounding. Very supple and smooth. Feels great man.

Now the bad part: for the gold a/o I have flat feet, so the smaller sizes are narrow for me. My joints at my pinky toe and big toe rub against the shoe and hurts after extended wear. Partially it's because of the break in period and my flat feet. Would liked to have a wide format.
Also, the shoes are varied. You might get a lemon, I had problems with the stitching on my first gold a/o had to return them as it was poking my foot with every step. Bought a second one and it's better.

Amazon does not ship to Canada. I purchased mine and shipped it to a parcel pickup place across the border and picked it up there. Maybe you got a friend who can grab it for you and ship it to your house.

Hope this helped, and good luck!

Amazon has good prices for Citizen watches, this one is 40$ over the budget but it's a beautiful watch.

/u/nortbair321 if you find one you like, add it to your wish list and Amazon will let you know when (if) the price drops. If you like something and you're patient you can get a great deal.

Just bought these for a hiking trip in Alberta Fryatt Valley.

I found they fit big so i put an extra insole in the shoes but they worked flawlessly for their purpose. Good ankle support and grip, and kept dry.

I do have one gripe with them personally (own fault) and that is if you try to put them on by just ramming your foot inside, you can deform the back of the shoe which you can reshape with your hand. Easy work around would be to just untie the shoe and put it on properly like a normal person.

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

You want like cotton ones or a blend? Pullover or zip? I like to wear unbranded stuff so...

H&M Cotton Pullover $25 - fits oversized but they shrink in the wash and you can size down.

Uniqlo Zip-Up $30 - better quality than other stuff but might not restock for awhile. Their dry-ex stuff is $40 but really good for athletics.

Walmart Tech Fleece $20 - not cut that great but if it's literally only for working out in it should be fine. Also on sale for 9 bucks rn.

Hanes Fleece Pullover $<20 - probably should size up since the fabric has less give than a regular cotton. Also cut nicer than the Walmart one so you could wear this with other stuff.


If you really wanna warm up and then take em off, I'd go for the H&M one. I use those before matches and it works well. I have the Uniqlo dry-ex hoodies for any prolonged workouts but since they $40, I've heard good stuff about the Hanes hoodies, since a lot of other brands just rebrand their clothing.

If you really want some branded/graphic stuff check Winners/Marshalls. I've gotten some Adidas and Nike crap for $20. Otherwise, you gotta buy stuff on sale if you trynna find it for less

Best i've ever tried are David Archy Micro Modal shirts from Amazon. I have them in black and they are insanely comfortable and soft, very good fit, stretchy, retain their shape, and are insanely breathable. Can't comment on any other colors but I will be trying out the white ones, hopefully they aren't too see through. Also good for taller slim guys like myself (6'3") as they are a little longer than the shirts you'd find at Uniqlo, Calvin Klein, etc.

Here's a link:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00E87TEPI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_q8gvDbPA2ESD6

if anyone is curious, these reverse weave hoodies are amazing. I love the crewnecks personally, fit oversized and super comfy.

https://www.amazon.ca/Champion-LIFE-Reverse-Weave-Sweatshirt/dp/B07PDQRXS3/ref=pd_sbs_193_6/139-0492830-0804859?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01ATPDIMW&pd_rd_r=f2eb051c-a733-11e9-a729-9ff39a3dd8cd&pd_rd_w=18oAV&pd_rd_wg=5KQtD&pf_rd_p=5dcda75b-8643-4da3-9bb1-5c0233790500&pf_rd_r=PGAP8W3X84GP7FZ4TSWK&refRID=PGAP8W3X84GP7FZ4TSWK&th=1&psc=1

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!

I'm not sure how you would get these to Canada (I use a shipping depot in MI) but I have raynauds, which basically means my hands loose all circulation and get extremely cold, so I need warm gloves. These are the warmest slim gloves I have ever used, and actually keep my hands from turning white with cold. They are super soft and not at all bulky.

​

https://www.amazon.com/%C3%96jbro-Swedish-Extremely-Featured-Raynauds/dp/B01LPQ0V88

*These are mittens not gloves my bad

Not sure what our definition of stylish is, but I live in Winnipeg and have these.

https://www.sportchek.ca/product/adidas-mens-terrex-pathmaker-cw-boost-hiking-shoes-black-332330990.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtf_tBRDtARIsAIbAKe3MdAKqj9pLM-1IYtjyGRa_4Pi1RBo1jjmBvbTGoLVd1S6hUB8MAHUaAmRrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#332330990=332331025

I am a fan of Boost and these do the job or our MB winters.

If you want something more stylish then I would go Danner?

https://www.amazon.ca/Danner-Mens-Mountain-Hiking-Boot/dp/B074KLM9HJ/ref=asc_df_B074KLM9HJ/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375815745327&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6839134123347959718&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001216&hvtargid=pla-568770603502&psc=1

I quite like these. I bought them a year ago and they've been great.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0104MVHYG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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.

https://www.amazon.ca/Allen-Edmonds-Exchange-Place-Oxford/dp/B01DYSQM56/ref=sr_1_31?crid=1EXN7YEU977ZE&keywords=allen%2Bedmonds&qid=1557028285&s=shoes&sprefix=allen%2Be%2Cshoes%2C162&sr=1-31&th=1&psc=1 size 9 (used), and the carlyte oxford in 8.5 for like 160 and 220 respectively too.

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

Mon Platin Jojoba Crystal Wax

I've used Layrite, but recently switched to Suavecito. Cheaper and just as good if not better.

https://www.amazon.ca/SUAVECITO-Pomade-Original-Hold-Oz/dp/B0065JCV84/ref=sr_1_5?crid=30RBF15PHYOCV&keywords=suavecito+matte+pomade&qid=1572627079&sprefix=suave%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-5