The Best Men’s Fragrances Women Love | Best Men’s Cologne 2019

Men’s fragrances come in all varieties these days and wearing the wrong one can be a huge mistake. We’re going to break down the different types/classes of scents women love and let you know when the best times are to wear them. Ultimately, what scents you wear are a highly personal choice so make sure you invest some time in finding the right ones and trying different scents out. Too much cologne is a huge mistake when it comes to interacting in any social or professional situation and especially when dating.

The fragrance world is wide but we’re here to guide you with a few simple tips, here are the best men’s fragrances women love!

General Tips

Try The Scent On Yourself First

Scents change and react differently for each person, so it’s very important to try a bunch of them and see what you like and what feedback is like.

Choose The Right Scent For The Season

Not only do you need to consider the scent but the seasonality of it. You want heavier, more masculine scents in the colder months, and lighter, cleaner fragrances in the warmer months. Think of it just like the seasonality of your wardrobe.

Go Light

Finally, and maybe most importantly, make sure you’re applying the right way and going very light. If you can smell it on yourself very strongly, you’re wearing too much.

Fragrances Women Love

For this article and video, our friends at Fulton & Roark sent us a range of different scents to explore and we’re going to give you a rundown on what we liked best when you should wear them. Each Fulton & Roark fragrance uses a blend of naturally sourced essential oils and premium fragrance ingredients and each cologne offers its own experience. These highly concentrated solid colognes offer a long-lasting and steady fragrance designed to keep you fresh. More subtle than liquid sprays, the solids aren’t as overwhelming (a huge pet peeve of ours!). The solid metal containers also travel easily in a gym bag, pocket or carry-on, allowing you to smell your best wherever and whenever.

In addition to a range of awesome scents, Fulton & Roark offers a handy and affordable tester kit so you can try all of their fragrances first. The tester kit is $16 but you also get a $16 credit back that’s good towards your first cologne purchase. Plus the kit ships for free. As a bonus for you guys, you can get 10% off your order with code ASHLEY.

Get your Fulton & Roark tester kit right here (plus 10% off)!

Here’s our rundown on all of the scents they offer plus when we think they’d be best for.

Hatteras

For us. the notes of lavender and hay just don’t go together in this one. It creates a bit of an overwhelming scent that wasn’t our favorite.

Shackleford

We loved this one and Ashley can’t stop smelling this scent. We liked the leather notes combined with some hints of dried fruit that creates a warm feeling. It’s captivating.

Best For: Fall/Winter

Tybee

Ashley loved the light, bright notes on this one which make it the perfect choice for the spring and summer months. You can smell the cedar notes which gives it a fresh, clean feeling while still being masculine.

Best For: Spring/Summer

Clearwater

This fragrance is light, but the green, mossy notes end up smelling a bit like chemicals. But, the citrus notes cut through those elements so you end up with a very nice scent that’s reminiscent of freshly-squeezed orange juice.

Best For: Spring/Summer

Captiva

This scent is a bit overpowering for us. It almost had a sunscreen/spf scent that didn’t work for Ashley. This is one that could be heavily dependent on the wearer so while we recommend trying it for yourself, this one was a pass for us.

Sterling

This fragrance was another one we really loved. It’s a bit sweet due to the vanilla but still smells masculine with the tobacco & leather notes. Women will love this scent as it will make them want to cozy up to the man wearing this scent, which is why it’s the perfect winter fragrance.

Best For: Fall/Winter

Palmetto

The magnolia notes remind us of the Spring and Summer months. It’s light and just smells really clean, especially with the cedar note you get at the end. We really liked this one.

Best For: Spring/Summer

Perpetua

For Ashley, there’s something about woodsy notes like cedar and mahogany that just smell really great on a man. This scent has those notes along with some citrus and floral notes that make this the perfect year-round scent.

Best For: Year-Round

10 Best Gifts For Men | Men’s Gift Guide 2019

It’s officially holiday time and there’s no doubt you’re going to need to find some cool, useful gifts for your friends and family. While you’re at it, you should probably pick out something nice for yourself too right? We see a ton of products all the time so we thought we’d do the hard work for you and pick out some of our absolute favorite items to make your shopping that much easier this year. Add these to your list and we guarantee great results and a ton of happy recipients. Need a few more ideas? Check out our Gift Guides from years past.

Here are our picks the 10 best gifts for men! Happy Holidays!

LEATHERMAN KEYCHAIN – $35

Super handy and will always be useful when you least expect it, we gift these to everyone in our lives. It’s small, affordable, and packs a ton of utility into a small package. They come in a range of colors too.

Dad Fanny Pack – $10

Whether you need a good, affordable silly gift for a white elephant gift exchange or just want to gift friends and family with something funny, this is a great option.

Vitamix Blender – $400

The absolute Rolls Royce of blenders, this item is a staple item in our lives and we use it a ton. It’s great for everything from smoothies to soups to “Nice Cream” (frozen banana ice cream). Not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth every penny.

Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Set for One – $69

Good coffee gear is absolutely essential and this handy, single-cup brewer is an awesome gift for all the coffee snobs in your life. Once they ditch the garbage Keurig brewer and try a fresh cup from a pour-over there’s no going back, we promise. We’re also big fans of the Aeropress brewer for more of an espresso-style cup.

Manscaped Lawnmower 2.0 Trimmer

It goes without saying that proper grooming is hugely important and that goes for body hair and your hair downstairs. Speaking for the women in the world, Ashley can’t recommend this trimmer enough for keeping your package area tidy and neat. Trust us, it’s that important. The Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer is super handy and makes grooming everywhere a breeze. It’s waterproof and has a powerful 6,000 RPM motor with SkinSafe™ Technology so you’ll never experience any nicks or snags. They even guarantee it and will give you your money back if you’re not happy.

We’ve got an awesome deal from Manscaped and you can get 20% OFF plus Free Shipping, and 2 free gifts with code WESTON at Manscaped.com! The Perfect Package 2.0 kit features the Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer, a refreshing crop reviver toner, crop preserver deodorant, and a comfy pair of boxer briefs. Pick up your kit here, it’s perfect for friends, family, or yourself!

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones – $400

We’ve discussed how important these are before and this new model from Bose is even better. An absolute must for anyone who travels a lot, this new version even has a toggle switch that adjusts the noise-cancelling levels for a custom feel. Another item that’s pricey but worth every penny.

Ultra-Slim Lightweight Charger – $29

Speaking of handy travel accessories, this small charger is a life-saver if you’re like most of us who and constantly teetering on low battery. The perfect affordable stocking stuffer!

Custom Family Portrait Illustration – $20 and up

Both thoughtful and clever, this gift allows you to create a custom illustration based on a photo. Awesome for a thoughtful or funny gift.

Zojirushi Stainless Thermos Mug – $27

Another one of our absolute favorite EDC items we have recommended before, this mug is incredible. You won’t believe how warm or cold it keeps your go-to beverages. It’s available in multiple colors and sizes too.

Itunes Store or Google Play Store Gift Cards – $10 and up

Cash can feel impersonal and something as simple as an Itunes or Google Play gift card is a way better option. No matter what the situation is, the recipient is always going to love this one.

$50 & Under Items That Are Totally Worth It

Sure, we know, $50 may not be a lot, but these days it can go a long way if you’re spending it wisely! In the past we’ve down a few of our go-to essential items that make our lives easier, from apps to entertainment, but what about those must-have tools and services that we can’t live without?

Well, we’re going to give you 10 items that we think are not only worth $50 but will have a huge impact on your life well beyond something fairly inexpensive.

1.Leatherman Keychain – $35

We love this handy little number from Leatherman, it’s truly a lifesaver. And while it may not seem like much, you will be blown away by how often you use the super useful combination of tools. One of Dorian’s go-to EDC items.

2. Minimal Hard Shell Phone Case – $12

You spent some good money on a great new phone so give it the protection it deserves with a case that’s not only protected but also slim and stylish. Looking for a few more options? Check out our phone case rundown.

3. Paperkarma $12-$20 Per Year

An insanely useful service that helps you get rid of obnoxious, unwanted junk mail. Simply download the app, take a few pictures of junk mail as it comes in and you’re good to go. Not only is it easy to use it saves you time, money and help cut down on unwanted paper waste for the environment. Win-win-win.

4. Herschel Charlie Wallet – $30

We’re big fans of Herschel’s goods and we reviewed another one of their options in our Best Wallets of 2019 article. This card case is perfect for those who like a slim, pared-down vibe. It’s a great bang for your buck and the leather is very nice. They’ve got a ton of great color options too.

5. Zojirushi Thermos – $26

This sleekly designed water bottle/thermos might as well be magic because it keeps your drinks cold or hot for what seems like forever. It comes in 3 different sizes and a bunch of great colors.

6. External Phone/Laptop Battery – $46

If you’ve ever known the sweet agony of having your phone or computer die at the wrong moment when traveling or working away from home you know how valuable one of these babies can be. Light and portable, one of two of these is money very well spent.

Picks:

Anker 1

Anker 2

Anker 3

7. Vintage Casio Digital Watch – $34

From a style perspective, we love the vintage vibe of these classic digital watches. They’re super affordable and add a great throwback-inspired vibe to your style. You can slap on a perlon strap to add a different look too.

Casio 1

Casio 2

Strap Options

8. Slow cooker – $30 – $50

While there is a serious debate in our house as to which slow cooker is best, there’s no debate about how awesome and practical both of our favorite slow cookers are. Drop in some ingredients and some flavorful items, hit the dial or button and you’re good to go. An absolute must for any busy guy who still wants to eat well and healthy.

Ashley’s Favorite: Crock Pot

Dorian’s Favorite: Instapot

9. Betterment – No Fees

A great new option for financial services, we love Betterment’s free checking and savings accounts. They both have zero fees and the savings account has one of the highest interest rates anywhere at 2.39%. So, essentially you get paid every month to keep your money in your savings account. Investment and retirement have an annual fee of 0.25% per year on your retirement balance, but since you’re getting paid in your savings account, it will likely cost you nothing.

10. Incase Backpack – $49.95

Yup, we’re huge fans of Incase. We’ve featured their backpacks and briefcases previously because we absolutely adore their clean, minimal design, functional features, and great price. This version in particular, at $50 is an absolute steal and one of the very best affordable backpacks out there. It comes in a range of colors but our favorites are the light grey and dark grey.

Top 5 Men’s Sneakers of 2019

You asked for it and we delivered! As you probably know by now, you can wear sneakers more places than ever these days and that means it’s even more important to give your sneaker purchases extra consideration. That said, this isn’t an excuse to just wear your gym shoes everywhere! Choosing the right pair of sneakers is more than just wearing athletic shoes with jeans or chinos, you’ve got to find the right balance of style and color and also consider the shoe shape.

With that, here are our picks for the Top 5 Men’s Sneakers of 2019 plus a few extra picks we really loved!

Nike Retro Sneaker

We love a good retro sneaker and this version from Nike is a new update on a classic silhouette. It’s got a suede and nylon upper and comes in some very cool bright colorways. A great casual shoe for chinos, jeans, or shorts.

Vans

You can never go wrong with a classic skate shoe vibe and this Vans sneaker is a total winner. It’s really well-priced and comes in two basic colorways that will go with everything in your closet.

Adidas Ultraboost

One of our absolute favorite running sneakers, this recently updated version of the Adidas Ultraboost is crazy comfortable and comes in a ton of great colorways. We love the bolder versions but the classic triple white, triple black, and grey are always stylish as well.

Wolverine High Top

This definitely isn’t a basketball sneaker. As we mentioned earlier, dressy and casual shoes are pretty interchangeable these days, and a nice leather high top can work with a variety of different looks. Wolverine is known for their boots and the leather is really excellent and the shoe is very comfortable. They also come in a sharp low-top version as well.

New Balance

Another great retro-inspired sneaker, this one mixes in technical materials and a sleek monochromatic colorway to give it a cool vibe that’s a great middle-ground between retro and modern. It’s definitely got an athletic vibe but it’s still sleek and sporty enough to work with denim, chinos, or shorts.

Koio Suede Sneaker

A suede version of a sleek minimal silhouette is a great way to add a bit of extra style and texture to your sneaker rotation. We were fans of their classic white leather sneaker from Koio and this suede version is excellent. We love the monochromatic design and the suede is very soft and high-quality. and there is a range of great earth tone colorways to choose from.

Nike Epic React

In a similar vein as the Adidas Ultraboost, the Nike Epic React is a super light and comfortable modern running sneaker that combines technical looks and a versatile silhouette. Like the Adidas, you can go with a simple monochromatic colorway or try a bolder color for extra personality.

Beckett Simonon

We reviewed these in a recent video and we absolutely loved them. The clean design, excellent price point, and high-quality leather make them one of our favorite sneakers this year for sure. A sure-fire go-to for casual or more dressy looks.

Nike React Element

Usually, we’re pretty picky about futuristic-looking shoes and tend to avoid streetwear trends, but this version from Nike features a really cool design but isn’t too chunky or odd-looking. It’s versatile enough to wear with denim or joggers and is very lightweight and comfortable. With a unique design like this, you can definitely lean into the bold colorways but also, you can never go wrong with a simple black and white combination.

Beckett Simonon Reid Sneaker Review – Are They Worth It?

By now you probably know how important it is to have a sharp white sneaker in your footwear rotation. They’re probably the most versatile casual shoe you can own. We’ve discussed other styles in the past, and in our latest edition of Worth It, we’re reviewing a new entrant in the minimal white sneaker game, the Reid from Beckett Simonon.

We’ve been fan’s of their products in the past, namely their leather weekender bag, but how does this sneaker stack up? Tune in and find out if we think the Beckett Simonon Reid sneaker is worth it!

Pros

Great Design – We loved the clean, minimal design and sleek profile. It has a nice shape and zero branding.

Good Materials and Construction – We really liked the high-quality full-grain leather and solid construction.

Multiple Colors – We tested the white version but there are a bunch of other versatile color options too.

Good Price – These are an outstanding value at $149.

Cons

While Dorian had a very small issue with the heel, Ashley had zero cons and we both really loved this shoe!

Verdict

Ashley and Dorian: Worth It!

We loved the design, quality, and comfort. These are a great, very well-priced option in the leather sneaker market.

Shop The Beckett Simonon Reid Here

The Best Men’s Weekender Bags of 2019

Whether you’re taking a weekend getaway or packing up for a shorter business trip, a stylish, functional weekender bag is the perfect travel companion. We’ve discussed some of our favorite weekender-style bags before, but these bags are so useful and versatile that we decided it was time for an update. All of these bags meet carry-on requirements and are ideal for 1-3 days of travel. Here are our picks for the best weekender bags of 2019.

Check out all our picks below plus a few extra bags that we added for good measure!

Stuart & Lau -$385

A truly excellent bag, we love the mix of waterproof nylon and full grain leather, as well as the simple, lined interior and clean design. An added bonus, this bag comes in multiple sharp color options and also comes with a matching, full-grain leather strap. It may seem like a small detail but the two exterior pockets on each end are a really handy design detail that gives you some extra storage flexibility. The navy and tan colorway we tested was great, but we also really like the olive and black combo.

Herschel – $90

We’re big fans of Hershel’s backpacks, briefcases, and wallets, so it makes sense that their weekender bag would be excellent as well. This bag boasts a very nice price point that belies it’s sturdy, high-quality construction and materials. It’s constructed with heavy-duty nylon and has an integrated shoe compartment that we thought was a nice feature. While we preferred the basic, monochromatic black and grey colors, the huge range of colors and patterns is a nice bonus if you prefer more colorful options.

Everlane – $98

As with all things Everlane, this bag has a great price point and super simple, classy design. In our previous weekender video, we chose this one as well, but it had a rubber bottom. In this newer version, they’ve done away with that and added metal feet instead, which we feel is a downgrade. But overall, it’s still a great bag at a great price.

Combatant Gentlemen – $110

We loved the price point and mix of leather and canvas with the shoe handy shoe compartments and this bag is a really excellent value. The bag has a unique garment bag design to it but in the end, we weren’t a fan of this aspect because it could potentially affect the clothes you normally put in a garment bag as they can get smashed on the sides and bottom. But, other than this small part, this bag was really great.

Frost River – $215

The Frost River bag is made in the USA and boasts a great mix of affordability and quality. It’s constructed with heavy-duty materials that will age beautifully and last a long time. The leather accents are very nice and the hardware is sturdy. The top zipper design opens up very wide to make packing easier and the exterior pockets are perfect for stashing books, magazines or an iPad, both nice design touches.

Filson – $395

Another made in the USA, heritage brand, Filson builds extremely durable, handsome bags that will literally last you a lifetime. If you favor the more rugged, woodsy look, this is the bag for you. It’s constructed of very sturdy canvas, outstanding leather accents, and strong hardware. It has a very large capacity and features a beautiful all-leather shoulder strap. This bag takes some time to break in but will only get better over time.

Want Les Essentials – $450

This stylish weekender bag boasts a sleek, monochromatic design that we really loved. There’s minimal branding and it features very nice cotton canvas accented with Italian leather details. We loved that the entire base was leather, a very nice touch. While the shoulder strap wasn’t all leather, overall this bag is very nice and has exceptional design.

Billykirk – $550

Another outstanding American-made bag, Billykirk is known for their leather goods and excellent quality. This handsome bag is made from heavy waxed canvas and very nice leather accents (including an all-leather shoulder strap!) that will age beautifully. The style is clean and simple but with a bit of a rugged vibe that’s not too over-the-top. It’s really a great mix of modern classic styles. It comes in two great colorways but we especially love the all-black version, it’s really sharp. This bag also comes in smaller and larger versions, so if you’re looking for more or less space but love the looks you’ve got some options here.

Frank Clegg – $925

Dorian has owned this bag personally for 4 years now and it looks brand new. This bag has it all: clean, classic design, buttery soft tumbled leather that just gets softer with age, an all-leather shoulder strap, lined interior and no metal feet on the bottom. Plus the design features just the right amount of structure to it. It’s a pleasure to own and use this bag, it’s the best of the best.

Best Men’s Wallets Of 2019

Just like the right briefcase, a stylish and functional wallet is a smart way to keep your life organized and looking good. We’ve discussed some of our favorite wallets before but we wanted to update it with some new picks and styles. To recap, here are a few things we look for in great wallets:

No Contrast Stitching
Minimal logos/branding
Classic & minimal design

With that said, here are our current picks for the Best Wallets of 2019!

Bryker Hyde – $40-$43

A great value, this bi-fold wallet from Bryker Hyde features excellent leather quality and great functionality with multiple interior slots and an id window. Branding is fairly minimal but there are multiple logos. The wide range of colors and RFID blocking are nice bonuses too.

Herschel – $30

For the man who prefers a minimal carry, this leather card case wallet from Herschel is excellent. It features really nice pebbled leather and multiple slots for cards and cash. Construction and edges are great and the finger cutout is a nice detail for ease of use. There’s a bit more branding than we usually prefer but overall this wallet is a great value.

Herschel – $89

We also loved this bi-fold leather wallet from Herschel as well. It features the same excellent pebbled leather and clean design. This option features RFID blocking and Tile tracking, which are great security features (there’s also a similar, non RFID version too) and the interior features plenty of card slots and space for bills.

Carl Friedrik – $83

This option from Carl Friedrik is bi-fold / case hybrid, so it’s got a nice slim design but also has a good amount of storage. It features beautiful Italian leather and construction is excellent. There are a variety of color options available too. We loved the very minimal design and thoughtful details like an exterior pocket with finger cutout.

Bellroy – $169

We’re big fans of Bellroy’s goods and their leather bi-fold wallet doesn’t disappoint. It’s made from excellent leather and features a very clean, slim design with great craftsmanship. This version has RFID protection (there’s a non RFID blocking version also) which is a nice bonus too. The interior features 3 pockets, space for bills, and a pull tab feature for convenience.

This Is Ground – $175

Another brand we love, This Is Ground always brings really high-quality design and leathers to all of their products. We loved the unique magnetic attachment design in this phone case wallet as well as the clean, minimal design with no branding. The interior features just the right amount of pockets and the wallet closes up with a nice, heavy duty zipper. Good, slim phone wallets are tough to find but this version from This Is Ground really knocks it out of the park.

The Best Men’s Leather Briefcase Of 2019?

As we recently discussed in our briefcase rundown, the right briefcase/messenger bag is definitely a worthwhile investment for every man to make. We recently we got our hands on one from Carl Friedrik to test out; is this the best men’s leather briefcase of 2019?

As a bonus, our readers can get $50 off and Free Shipping to the US with code: AWX10

Shop this briefcase here: Carl Friedrik Briefcase

Design & Materials

The briefcase comes in a few different colors but we tested the chocolate brown color. The color was beautiful and very rich-looking. The construction and leather quality was very good and the overall design aesthetic was just what we like, clean and sharp with minimal branding. The bag also has a good amount of structure, which we really liked.

Strap and Interior Features

The bag has an all-leather strap (a nice bonus) and really cleverly-integrated shoulder strap set up with attachment hoops built into the handle attachments. The bag features a nice cloth interior in contrasting grey with a bunch of functional pockets.

Cons

Metal Feet – Not our favorite feature as they can tend to scratch floors or tables depending on how careful you are with them.

Loose Interior Cloth – The interior padding is pretty minimal but it has enough structure to keep everything safe and secure. We weren’t huge fans of the looseness of the interior fabric though.

Price & Value

This bag is fairly pricey at $500 but overall we really loved the quality and design and felt that it was definitely a good overall value and for a nice briefcase. There is quite a bit of competition at this price range and felt that if the bag was slightly less expensive it would be a slam dunk, but nonetheless, it’s still a great bag that is fairly priced.

As a bonus, our readers can get $50 off and Free Shipping to the US with code: AWX10

Shop this briefcase here: Carl Friedrik Briefcase