Men's Style

1930s Bespoke Gentleman's Spirits Case from Goyard

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 10th 2011 at 2:02PM

An elegant 1930s bespoke gentleman's spirits case from Goyard, the luxurious Parisian luggage maker founded in 1853, is being offered for sale by New York's Mantiques Modern for $2,800. Custom made for a connoisseur who wanted to be sure of always having his favorite tipple ready to hand while gallivanting around the globe, the handmade monogrammed case is crafted of fine pigskin with brass hardware. Inside it features two sizable silver plated flasks and a set of four silver tumblers in fitted compartments. When fastened it resembles a briefcase. Goyard has long had a devoted clientele of celebrities and royalty. Aristocrats such as the Grand Duke of Russia, the Maharajah of Kapurthala and the Duke of Windsor all traveled with Goyard luggage.

Gallery: 1930s Goyard Spirits Case

Tags: 1930s, antiques, bespoke, briefcase, flasks, France, Goyard, leather luggage, luggage, Mantiques Modern, mens style, New York, Paris, silver, spirits, vintage luggage

Time Is Right for a Talking Watch

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) — Mar 10th 2011 at 10:01AM

Eyes, they say, are the first thing to go. And with the first wave of Baby Boomers turning 65 this year, the timing is perfect for the Reizen Radio-Controlled analog Talking Watch, sold through Hammacher-Schlemmer. What a great retirement gift: A watch that will tell you the time instead of making you squint to read it.

The beauty of this beauty is that the watch face is sufficiently large that you may not actually even need the watch to verbalize the time for you. But the easy-to-use watch feature -- you just push a button -- has a pleasant and clear male voice that is happy to help.

Tags: hammacher schlemmer, talking watch, watch

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The $66,000 Gold & Diamond Samurai Lighter Set from S.T. Dupont

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 9th 2011 at 4:01PM

S.T. Dupont, founded in Paris in 1872, is one of the few luxury firms that still makes exquisite accessories for that endangered species, the smoker. Their latest ultra-stylish offering is a limited edition lighter and fountain pen set designed in homage to the storied samurai, the military nobility of feudal Japan. The Samurai Prestige Lighter and Pen set, limited to just 20 pieces, is priced at about $66,000 and comes complete with a display stand and matching katana or samurai sword letter opener. The items are hand-crafted from a chiseled piece of solid rose gold set with hundreds of white diamonds and textured black leather and silk ribbon accents, and are made to resemble the katana and traditional samurai armour.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: S.T. Dupont Samurai Prestige Set

Tags: cigarette lighter, diamonds, Dupont lighters, dupont+lighter, dupont+samurai+lighter, dupontlighter, dupontsamurailighter, fountain pen, Japan, leather, lighter, lighters, mens style, Paris, S.T. Dupont, samurai, samurai sword, smoking, st+dupont, stdupont, sword, writing instrument

Maison Martin Margiela Wooden Wallets

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) — Mar 8th 2011 at 4:02PM

Maison Martin Margiela never fails to surprise us. The always risk-taking fashion house keeps us guessing with what they'll produce next by creating unique and unconventional pieces.

As part of their Spring/Summer 2011 Collection, a set of Wooden Wallets ($425) caught our attention. Made from solid wood with a lacquer finish, the grains are emphasized beautifully. The interior is leather with three credit card slots, three compartments and an elastic to secure your cash. Available in dark and light wood.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Tags: maison martin margiela, mens accessories, mens wallets, wallet, wood

The Classicist: Thomas Pink Celebrates Englishmen in New York

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 7th 2011 at 9:01AM

LVMH-owned London shirtmaker and haberdasher Thomas Pink is celebrating a stylish forthcoming book called An Englishman In New York with an event and exhibit at its Madison Avenue flagship in New York on March 24. The volume of photographs by Jason Bell includes notables and notable dandies like Vogue's Hamish Bowles (above), Barneys' Simon Doonan and Sting, British to the core but also quintessential New Yorkers. Bell's photographs are currently on exhibit at at London's National Portrait Gallery, where the book has already been released; it's scheduled for publication here on April 1.

As an Englishman living in New York himself, Bell was inspired by the fact that there are 120,000 British men and women living in New York City – about the same amount as the entire population of Stamford, Connecticut. In addition to the above Bell photographed a diverse cross-section of British born figures, including taxi drivers, cops, construction workers, divers, helicopter pilots, chefs, burlesque dancers, drug dealers, UN ambassadors and dog walkers, all of whom tell stories about how they came to settle in New York.

"I went for a walk in Central Park with Sting, and for a cup of tea on Kate Winslet's roof terrace, sat on Zoë Heller's stoop and watched Stephen Daldry bicycle down 8th Avenue," Bell relates. "I was given a private tour of both the Metropolitan Museum and the Barneys' shop windows. I started with a blank canvas and was amazed by the number of Englishmen and women who have made such a large impact on the cultural life of the city. And amidst all the questions about why people had come here and what they had left behind, I learnt a little bit more about what it means to be English, what it means to be a New Yorker, and where the two intersect."

"We are extremely excited to be hosting an event to honour Jason and his brilliant work," says Jonathan Heilbron, President and CEO of Thomas Pink. "Thomas Pink itself is 'An Englishman in New York.' We opened our Madison Avenue Flagship store over 13 years ago and New York has come to be a second home and major market for our brand. Thomas Pink is English at heart but we are truly a New Yorker too." [cont'd]

Gallery: An Englishman in New York by Jason Bell

Tags: an+englishman+in+new+york+jason+bell, anenglishmaninnewyorkjasonbell, Barneys, Hamish Bowles, Kate Winslet, London, LVMH, mens style, New York, shirts, Simon Doonan, Sting, Thomas Pink, thomas+pink+2011, thomaspink2011, UK

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Gucci's Men Woven Leather Holdall

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) — Mar 4th 2011 at 5:01PM

Gucci's Woven Leather Holdall ($4,700) is a stunningly gorgeous bag. And would you expect any different from Gucci? The Italian fashion house always produces elegant and sophisticated accessories that are fashionable without being short sighted.

The Men's Woven Holdall is styled in rich mahogany leather with knock-out woven detail along the bottom half and double handles. The extremely roomy interior is lined with chocolate brown suede and features a zippered pocket, two opened pockets and fastens with a silver metal hook. Gucci's Holdall is versatile and could be used for travel, work, or for daily use injecting a bold accent to your outfit. Although marketed for men, the Woven Leather Holdall is so polished and classic that both men and women could easily wear this bag. Dimensions: 25"W x 17"H x 8"D.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Tags: gucci, handbag, handbag of the day, holdall, leather, mens bag, woven

Royal Elastics Re-Invents the Chukka Boot

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 3rd 2011 at 3:02PM

One of our favorite new pairs of shoes is from a brand better known for streetwear than the sort of high style we normally go in for, but Royal Elastics' Brother Basil range of deconstructed chukka boots in various finishes has enough panache to go from nightclub to country club. A cross between a classic chukka boot and old-school sneakers, the Brother Basil features Royal Elastics' signature elastic lacing system and plastic toggle for ease of slipping on and off, along with an ultra-lightweight bottom unit and comfortable footbed. Our favorite version is this model finished in dark blue wool felt with a white sole – as elegant as a navy blazer with just the right touch of casual flair. At $85 they're priced pretty reasonably as well. Other variations come in charcoal wool, olive green leather, brown suede and more. Check them out in the company's online store.

Tags: boots, chukka boots, footwear, mens style, Royal Elastics, shoes, sneakers, wool sneakers

Ernest Hemingway's African Safari Rifle Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 2nd 2011 at 2:02PM

A remarkable double-barreled elephant gun made by London's Westley Richards in 1913 that belonged to Ernest Hemingway and was used by the famed author on safari in Africa is being offered for auction on March 14. The impressive .577-caliber Nitro Express, the starring lot at James D. Julia Auctioneers' Important Firearms sale in Fairfield, Maine, comes with the original case and accessories and is expected to fetch between $150,000 – $200,000. The 16-pound rifle, engraved with rhinos and tigers and designed to bag the biggest game, has its own chapter in the new book Hemingway's Guns: The Sporting Arms of Ernest Hemingway.

Gallery: Ernest Hemingway's Safari Gun

Tags: Africa, auction, author, celebrity, celebrity auction, celebrity guns, Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway Africa, Ernest Hemingway guns, Ernest Hemingway safari, ernest+hemingway+guns, ernest+hemingway+on+safari, ernesthemingwayguns, ernesthemingwayonsafari, firearms, gun, gunsmith, Hemingway, Hemingway gun, Hemingway safari, Hemingway shotgun, hemingway+rifle, hemingwayrifle, hunting, Key West, Maine, rifle, Royal Warrant, safari, shooting, shotgun, sporting, sporting style, UK, Westley Richards, writer

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Classic Cars, Fine Wine & Cool Design: The Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 2nd 2011 at 8:01AM

Dashing designer Duncan Quinn, known for his roguish take on Savile Row style, is hosting the ultimate gentleman's getaway on Saturday, March 26 for those who appreciate classic cars, fine wine and gourmet meals as much as razor-sharp threads. The Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally features a fleet of wicked wheels from Manhattan's Classic Car Club – including a 1968 Porsche 911, an AC Cobra, Austin Mini (think The Italian Job), Jaguar E-Type roadster, and Ferrari Dino (above) – leaving the city for an overnight jaunt to a 2,500 acre spread in upstate New York via scenic byways and state parks in one hell of a stylish convoy.

There guests will be treated to cocktails followed by an impressive meal from celebrated chef Neil Ferguson accompanied an amazing selection of vintage wines, retiring afterwards to rustic suites. Following breakfast on Sunday also by Ferguson there will be a spot of skeet shooting before another scenic drive back to town. "Tweeds are an option, but style is a must," Quinn tells us. There are only 14 spots on the list, and several have already been filled; the price is $2,000 for singles and $3,000 per couple including the cars and everything except gas and speeding tickets. Call the designer's New York store at 212 226-7030 to reserve.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Appellation Rally March 2011

Tags: AC Cobra, chef, Classic Car Club, classic cars, cool+classic+cars, coolclassiccars, Duncan Quinn, events, Ferrari, Jaguar E-Type, luxury cars, mens style, neil+ferguson+chef, neilfergusonchef, New York, Porsche, rally, Savile Row, skeet shooting, sporting, vintage+car, vintagecar

Luxist Giveaway: Mardi Gras Cufflinks

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 2nd 2011 at 5:01AM

Did you forget about Mardi Gras? I did. Turns out that Fat Tuesday is right around the corner. You'll have to supply your own beads but Cufflinks.com has given us a handsome pair of cufflinks to give away to celebrate the annual festival of all things decadent before Lent begins. The bright green enamel Venetian mask cufflinks capture the spirit of Mardi Gras and are the perfect accent for a night at the ball.

Cufflinks.com also sells other Mardi-Gras-themed cufflinks with fleur-de-lis designs, Gothic medallions and more.

Today is a special one day giveaway so we can get these cufflinks to the wearer in time. These cufflinks are valued at $50.00.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed on March 2, 2011 before 10:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing to receive a pair of Mardi Gras cufflinks from cufflinks.com valued at $50.00.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: cufflinks, luxist giveaway, mardi gras

RLX Ralph Lauren Launches First iPad App

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 1st 2011 at 4:01PM

Ralph Lauren is launching its first ever iPad app for the brand's high-tech RLX line, utilizing some cool new technology. The RLX Ralph Lauren iPad app allows users to interact with world-class athletes on screen by tilting, rotating, flipping and tapping the iPad to manipulate different movements, colors and environments. There are 12 different "chapters" within the app that showcase the athletes wearing items from the new RLX line; each features an interactive key utilizing the iPad's built-in accelerometer, digital compass, assisted GPS and multi-touch screen capabilities to activate the stylish scenarios.

The application also allows users to shop the entire collection by creating a direct portal to RalphLauren.com. Created to answer the demand for superior high-performance outfitting, RLX for men and women unites the highest standards of luxury, technology and style. From cutting-edge functional gear for professional athletes to exceptionally luxe lifestyle apparel for modern living, RLX "defines the next evolution of design with a philosophy focused on purity of form, unrivaled construction techniques and the world's most innovative fabrications."

Tags: Apple, Apple iPad, apps, athletes, designer, fashion designer, gadgets, iPad, iPad app, Ralph Lauren, RLX, RLX Ralph Lauren, sports, technology

The Classicist: Seeing Out the Season in Style with the Mercedes-Benz G550

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 28th 2011 at 9:01AM

While in some parts of the country spring may already have sprung, here on the Eastern Seaboard we're still months away from cherry blossoms and G&Ts. In some ways this is the toughest time of the year – we're worn down from a long winter, yet the snow keeps falling – and it requires some tough gear to get through it in style. A key comfort of course is a vehicle that can not only handle the elements but keep them firmly in their place, while keeping you warm, dry and wrapped in luxurious refinement. We've yet to experience anything that can turn the worst ice storm of the year into a minor inconvenience with as much impressive panache as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. Not everyone loves its spartan exterior and sheer tonnage – just shutting the doors requires serious effort – but they're usually the same people who "swear by" their tin can minivans; we saw them stranded on the side of the road as we cruised by in the G550 on our most recent Geländewagen excursion.

Meticulously handcrafted inside and out at a special manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria, the military-derived G-Wagen is the progenitor of every Mercedes-Benz SUV on the road today. Essentially unchanged aside from certain key upgrades since it was first introduced over 30 years ago, it's done everything from winning the famous Paris-Dakar Rally to making sure the Pope gets to his appointments on time. With a starting sticker of $105,000 it's definitely something of an indulgence, but that helps maintain a certain exclusivity which is not without an appeal of its own. Only a few thousand models are sold here every year so you don't often see another one en route; while that means a certain amount of stares directed your way, unless you get one custom-painted bright red – it's only offered in an understated palette of black, grey, silver, white and dark green – those tend to be minimal as it's about as subtle as an SUV this size can get.

To help see out the season in style we have assembled a number of items which complement the G-Wagen's rugged good looks and provide essential assistance before, during and after the journey. For starters we selected a lightweight, trim-fitting down bomber jacket by Ralph Lauren Black Label (above left), made of supple goat suede with a leather throat latch and gunmetal hardware. The most stylish weather defender we've seen all season, it's the G-Wagen of outerwear. On the wrist we sported the new limited edition Breitling Transocean Chronograph (above right), a high-performance, shock-resistant, and damned good-looking watch on a mesh steel strap, while waxed canvas hunting boots from L.L. Bean Signature kept our feet warm and dry.

Gallery: G550 Style

Tags: Balvenie, Breitling, Dunhill, EvolutionMAN, G-Class, G-Wagen, grooming, Ledbury, luxury cars, Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Mercedes-Benz G550, Private Stock, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Black Label, SUV, The Classicist, Thomas Pink

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Galt Limited Edition Red Doctor Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Feb 21st 2011 at 5:01PM

Galt's Doctor bag is a great unisex bag for traveling or toting essentials and is especially fetching in this gorgeous limited edition shade of bright red. No worries about missing it at baggage claim! The exterior is 100% fine Italian leather and the interior is fully lined in sandy cotton canvas. Inside it's a single roomy compartment with a small zippered pocket and outside it has double rolled leather top handles and goldtone hardware. Galt bags are handcrafted in Italy by skilled artisans and feature no external logos or identifiable insignias of any kind as the brand believes that obvious branding only serves as a distraction from their bags' natural beauty and exquisite quality. $1,675

Tags: galt, handbag, handbag of the day

Esquire Home Collection Launches At ABC Carpet & Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 19th 2011 at 10:02AM

Esquire Home, a furniture collection that shares the same modern gentlemanly style as the men's magazine, now has a new shop at New York City's decor emporium, ABC Carpet & Home. A new ABC Coop Shop is offering a tailored masculine aesthetic created in collaboration with designer Timothy Oulton. The collection evokes a style that is streamlined and devoid of frippery with distressed leathers and neutral twills and tweeds.

Tags: Esquire, Esquire Home Collection, Esquire Magazine, Furniture, Home Decor

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France's Faconnable Launches Jeans Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 18th 2011 at 4:01PM

French fashion label Façonnable, born from a tailor's atelier in Nice in the 1950s, has always been one of our favorite men's style staples. Now the company, which is committed to innovation, quality fabrics, impeccable cuts and singular details, is launching a new line called Façonnable Jeans, adding a contemporary spin to its portfolio. Inspired by the relaxed lifestyle of the Côte d'Azur, Façonnable Jeans offers the best of the world of denim while adhering to the principles of fine tailoring the brand is known for.

Refined stitching; the finest materials such as Japanese chambray; and contemporary fits distinguish the new collection, while prewashing and hand finishing guarantee a soft feel and unique patina. The new collection encompasses more than just jeans to round out the wardrobe, including khakis, washed cotton polos and T-shirts, and various styles of jackets, along with stylish accessories such as pocket squares and handmade ties, shoes, bags, belts, scarves, caps and boxer shorts.

Gallery: Faconnable Jeans Collection