If you don’t know by now, chinos are an absolute must-own, especially for the Spring and Summer months. They’re super versatile, very comfortable, and a key part of a stylish Essential Wardrobe. There are a ton of versions out there but we wanted to highlight a few of our absolute favorite budget-friendly chinos. For more chino goodness, check out 3 Ways To Style Your Chinos and our Chino Fit Guide.
Uniqlo’s chinos are the perfect affordable basic, they’re good quality, have a very clean design and come in two excellent fits, a slim fit and a straight fit. Plus, they also offer free hemming in-store and online. For $40 these can’t be beaten.
J.Crew is slightly more expensive, still very well-priced at just below $70, but their heavier chino fabric is very good quality and they offer a ton of great colors. We recommend their slim fit or straight fit.
Finding the right budget-friendly Spring essentials is all about choosing the right affordable brands and focusing on the right accessories you can add to your outfit to really elevate your look and supplement your Essential Wardrobe.
Here are our picks for the 5 Best Budget-Friendly Spring Essentials for 2019!
1. Polo Shirts
We’ve always been huge fans H&M polos, the fit is great and they offer awesome bang for the buck. Get a range of basic colors (navy, black, grey, light grey) and wear them until Fall.
A low-key way to mix up your belt style without doing anything crazy. These belts are best for casual looks and we recommend options in dark brown, light brown, or black.
An easy, affordable way to mix up your tie routine. Silk knit ties add texture and a bit of casual flair that’s perfect for spring occasions (weddings/parties) or the office.
Obviously, we love chino pants for Spring and Uniqlo chinos are the cream of the crop for budget-friendly options. The fit and price are excellent and they even offer in-store hemming for free. They come in slim and straight fits.
A classic casual sneaker option that’s both stylish and affordable. Solid colors like white and navy are super versatile but don’t be afraid to mix it up with a fun checkerboard pattern or some color.
By now you probably have a stack of summer events you’ve RSVP’d to, from weddings to engagement parties, so now tough part begins, attempting to understanding that dress code and figuring out what the hell to wear. Unfortunately, we live in an age where dress codes have become more and more confusing and unnecessarily complex. But the good news is, I’m here to help you figure it all out and, more importantly, help you out with what to wear.
To begin unraveling what the hell “Beachy Vacation Casual Chic” or “Game Of Thrones-inspired forest semi-formal” really means, it’s important to think about the event and put it in context with four main types of dress code: black tie, formal, semi-formal, and casual. Once you do that, it’s as simple as can be. Stick to the four following examples and dress accordingly.
The Invite Says: Black Tie
The most formal code for obvious reasons, a black tie dress code means tuxedo only.
What To Wear: A tuxedo
This isn’t the place for a suit so embrace your James Bond moment. There are lots of tuxedo options these days, from navy to grey, but if you’re unsure, stick to the classic: black tux, white shirt, black bow tie, and white pocket square you can’t go wrong and provided everything fits properly, you’re going to look amazing.
The Invite Says: Black Tie Optional
Also Known As: Formal
This is the most common type of dress code for evening weddings and, similarly, formal events. You’ll see some people in tuxes but suits will be most common.
What To Wear: A tuxedo or dark suit
By all means, be the best-dressed man in the room and wear a tuxedo, I encourage it. But, a classic dark-colored suit, like charcoal or midnight navy, works equally well. Keep your shirt choice simple and go with white and keep the color in your tie to a minimum. Ideal combos include a white shirt with a simple black, silver, burgundy, or navy tie. I don’t really recommend a ton of patterns or colors here as it’s not really the place.
The Invite Says: Cocktail Attire, Evening Attire or Something with Formal
Also Known As: Semi-Formal
The most common type of dress code, especially for weddings and events in the afternoon or evening.
What To Wear: A suit or blazer with a tie
Depending on the time of the event (day or night) most suit and tie combinations will leave you looking like a sharp-dressed man. Charcoal, Navy, and patterned suits all work for this dress code. If it’s an afternoon or daytime event and outdoors, you could also wear a lightweight cotton suit or blazer combination, especially if it’s going to be hot. Feel free to add a pop of color or print as a personal touch if you’re feeling adventurous. A tie isn’t mandatory, but I always recommend one for events like this.
The Invite Says: Anything with “Resort”, “Beach”, “Garden Party”
Also Known As: Casual
Sure, it’s the broadest category but also potentially the biggest minefield. The most important consideration here is location and time of day. Daytime and beach events are pretty much an open field but I always say ‘dress to impress”.
What To Wear: Dressy Casual Shirts and Pants
Simple cotton, chambray, or linen shirts, chinos, and cotton dress pants work best. For a stylish touch, I recommend throwing on a silk knit tie. For an event that’s slightly more formal, say summer weddings and engagement parties or an evening event, dress up your chinos and shirt with a lightweight cotton or wool blazer and throw on a pair of loafers. You can also feel comfortable wearing all types of colors and patterns here, provided they’re appropriate for the event.
Don’t forget to check out my favorite picks from The Tie Bar to get you ready for wedding season!
Don’t forget to check out all my picks from the video!
Accessories may seem like a small thing but they’re one of my favorite ways to mix up your look and add some extra personality in a very affordable way. Whether you’re adding a new tie to your rotation, trying out a new watch or piece of jewelry, or bringing in something more utilitarian like a key holder, these extra touches to your personal style will go a long way.
With that in mind, here are my favorite men’s accessories under $100!
A tie bar is great because it’s both utilitarian and stylish. It’s a small touch but you can mix and match with different colors, finishes, and styles to add just a bit of personality to your tie game.
Speaking of ties, I love the texture and look of a knit tie because it’s just a bit different from the norm. Plus, because of look and design, knit ties crossover to more casual looks very easily, so try pairing them with a blazer and denim or an oxford and chinos.
A silver cuff is a great place to start with men’s jewelry because it’s simple and not too over-the-top. Just make sure you keep it low key and only wear one piece of jewelry at a time.
I love the colored clear-framed sunglass styles that are happening right now. They’re definitely different enough to add something new to your look but not so bold as to be distracting. Don’t forget to check out my guide to finding the right frame for your face shape!
As I mentioned above, clear-framed sunglasses are my favorite type of eyewear right now. Stick with a classic frame shape and you’ll hit just the right balance of modern and timeless.
Since I’m sure some of you have that bulky, disorganized key ring, I recommend this key holder as a simple, smart way to keep your keys organized in a stylish way.
Just like the key holder above, Bellroy has a knack for making stylish leather goods that are the perfect mix of minimal design and high-quality materials. Their Low Down wallet is a great pared-down choice.
Finding a phone case that’s both classy and protective is tough but Elago really nails it. They’re remarkably slim and minimal but still offer a great fit and protection, no matter what type of phone you have.
Despite its name, the Times Weekender is the perfect budget-friendly watch for any day of the week. In addition to being both high-quality and very affordable, it’s classic design works well with any wardrobe choice, casual or dressy.
Now that you’ve got a great watch you can further mix up your look by swapping out different watch straps. Add a leather or suede one for a polished look or try nylon and perlon for something more sporty. Buy a few and switch them up depending on your mood, it’s easy and fun.
Finding a good backpack isn’t easy, and finding an affordable one is even tougher. That’s why I love this one from Knomo so much, it’s versatile and stylish without being too bulky, something that’s really tough to find at such a great price point.
3. Silk Knit Ties
