essential mens accessories Archives

Best Budget-Friendly Backpacks / Rucksacks For Men 2019

Whether you’re gearing up for a new semester at school or headed off to work, a stylish and functional bag is an important accessory. You want to find a bag that has the right features (laptop storage, pockets for organization) but also one that has clean, minimal design. Our favorite bags are also proof that style and functionality don’t have to be expensive, all these bags are under $150.

Here are our picks for the best Budget-Friendly Backpacks for Men 2019!

Incase – $100

Sleek and stylish, this bag from Incase has an outstanding design and a ton of integrated features. It’s nice and deep with plenty of storage and a padded laptop sleeve. We love how Incase uses thoughtful touches in their design like hiding the zippers and plenty of interior organizational pockets for all your accessories and gear. Dorian is a personal user of their products and we’re definitely big fans. We also really like the larger version of this style if you’re looking for a bit more room for travel or more gear.

Herschel -$100

We’re big fans of Herschel’s backpacks, they’re great quality and very reasonably priced. Their standard version is great but we’re even bigger fans of the mountaineering vibe of this version. It comes in a huge range of colors and patterns and the padded shoulder straps and snapping strap details are nice features. The interior features a padded laptop sleeve and the exterior zipper pocket has plenty of room for keys and tech accessories.

Aer – $135

We love Aer’s lowkey, minimal designs, and futuristic style. The durable, ballistic nylon is incredibly tough and the overall construction is very high quality. This pack features a very cool central zipper design and a ton of room, much more than you’d think for a small size. It’s great for lugging around school stuff and can do double duty as a great bag for the gym with its shoe compartment. Overall, this is an outstanding backpack that will last you a long time. If you’re looking for a slightly more traditional backpack style, Aer’s Day Pack is also an awesome choice.

North Face – $69

A classic school or work bag that’s very affordable, this North Face backpack features a technical, outdoorsy vibe and a lean profile. It features dual pockets and protection for your laptop. The details set this one apart, it has a ton of functional pockets and space for attachments, including space for a water bottle.

Bellroy – $95

We love Bellroy’s products and have featured them before, so it’s no surprise that they make a great backpack. The design is sharp and clean with an integrated front zipper for easy access. The padded straps are comfortable for long wear and the interior features plenty of space for organization and a padded laptop sleeve.

Topo Designs – $129

Like the North Face pack, this backpack from Topo designs has a cool outdoorsy vibe and matching technical features that are tough enough for years of school and adventures. Padding and interior organization options are top-notch and its size is perfect for your daily work or school routine but also is spacious enough for travel. The backpack comes in a bunch of very cool color options and features stylish color accents mixed in.

Everlane – $68

Clean, well-designed, and very affordable, this backpack from Everlane is an awesome choice. It’s got a modern look but with some traditional strap details which give it a nice overall vibe. Like with all things Everlane, there’s zero branding and a very nice minimal aesthetic. Like the Herschel, it has a top-loading design, snap straps, and features plenty of space for your gear and a padded laptop sleeve.

How and When Should Men Wear A Tie?

Ties are a fundamental accessory in a man’s essential wardrobe, they can add personality, elegance, and formality to many types of looks, no matter what your personal style is. Rules about style and formality, in both work and social settings, are changing so quickly that it can be tough to know when you should and shouldn’t wear a tie.

So, in this episode of 2 Minute Tuesday we’re discussing when and how men should wear a tie! For a full breakdown on our favorite ties and specific tips, make sure you check out our tie article!

With What?

A key thing to remember about ties starts with what you should be wearing them with. Dressier looks like suits and sport coats are definitely options you can and should wear a tie with. For more of a hybrid look, try wearing a tie with a bomber jacket, it can give your casual look a cool dressy vibe. One word of warning though, you don’t want to wear just a tie on its own without a jacket, it just doesn’t look right.

With What Types of Dress Codes?

When to wear a tie can also be determined by the dress code or how formal your place of work happens to be. Dress codes like “Formal”, “Cocktail Attire” or “Cocktail Party” often call for a suit and a tie. Business casual tends to lean slightly more casual but a tie can be appropriate given the right scenario. One tip we love, try a knit tie in those less-dressy situations, they’re not as dressy as a silk tie and will give your look a cool vibe.

If you aren’t totally sure about dress codes, ultimately you want to go with the crowd and let that dictate when a tie is appropriate. Always being stylish and a bit more dressed up is a great thing most of the time. But, you don’t want to be significantly overdressing for occasions or workplaces that don’t call for it. It can seem like you’re trying too hard or attempting to stand out, and not in a good way.

When Should You Wear A Belt?

To belt or not to belt, that’s the question in this week’s edition of 2 Minute Tuesday! It may seem simple but there are actually some key situations and outfits you need to keep in mind when you’re thinking about putting on a belt. Previously we discussed what belt size to buy and our favorite belt picks, but now it’s time to break down exactly when you should and shouldn’t wear a belt!

Belts Are An Accessory

First and foremost, belts are an accessory, not a utilitarian piece. As we said in our fit guides, your pants should always fit properly without a bet and you shouldn’t be using a belt solely to keep them up.

Don’t Wear A Belt: When Wearing Suits

Even if a suit has belt loops, you don’t want to wear a belt with a suit, it ruins the line as the eye will be drawn directly to your waist and it will break up the overall vertical look. Like we previously said, your suit pants should fit properly so your pants should sit on you without needing to be held up.

Do Wear A Belt: When Your Shirt Is Tucked In

Whether your shirt is fully tucked in or just partially tucked in (aka the French Tuck), you always want to wear a belt, regardless of whether you’re wearing jeans, chinos, or dress trousers.

Do Wear A Belt: With Jackets and Blazers

Typically with jackets and blazers, your shirt should be tucked in (unless its a very casual look with a t-shirt) so you’re going to always want to wear a belt with these types of looks.

Summer Travel Essentials And Accessories

Summer travel season is here and hopefully, you’ve got a trip or two on the books. Whether you’re taking a week away to hit somewhere warm and tropical, seeking out nature, or hitting the road for some sightseeing, you’re going to need some essentials to get you through all types of situations. If you’ve seen Ashley’s Instagram you know that we both travel quite a bit, and we’ve found that outside of finding the right travel bag, these small, easily packable items can make all the difference in the world.

Plus, almost all of these items can be found on Amazon so it will make your pre-trip shopping as easy as a few clicks.

Pain Relievers

Whether you’re nursing a hangover from a few too many poolside cocktails or dealing with aches and pains from hikes or exercise, a few of these can change the game.

Band-Aids

If you’ve ever dealt with vacation blisters from a day of walking and sightseeing or accidents in nature you know how handy a pack of these band-aids in your dopp kit can be.

Dopp Kit

Speaking of dopp kits, having the right one is not only stylish but helps keep you organized and prepared for any type of trip.

Dopp Kit Picks:

Budget Friendly: Herschel

Sunscreen

We can’t stress enough the importance of sunscreen, whether you’re at the pool or beach or just out and about. Don’t forget proper lip balm with sunscreen too!

Sunscreen/Lip Balm Picks:

Noise Cancelling Headphones

An absolute must when traveling on any kind of plane journey, these can turn a rough flight into a relaxing one. We’ve tried a bunch and the ones listed below are our favorites.

Headphone Picks:

Bose

Sony

Budget-Friendly: Cowin

Earbud Option

Sandals/Flip Flops

Sure, we’ve talked about how a lot of guys wear them too often during summer, but if you’re going to be in/around a body of water they’re definitely a great thing to have.

Flip Flop Picks:

Hurley

Scott

Rainbow

Clorox Wipes

For a quick clean up on potentially dirty surfaces that can make you sick, nothing beats the convenience of these Clorox wipes.

Emergen-C

Airports and planes can be a virus and bacterial hot zone, so make sure you’re taking proper precautions by downing a few Emergen-Cs and keeping your immune system in check.

External Battery Pack

Keep your devices juiced up and ready to go with one of these handy battery packs. Another item that you’ll be so glad you have when you need it.

Battery Pack Picks:

Power Bank

Belkin

Anker

Cable Organizer / Tech Dopp Kit

Keep your carry on or briefcase organized and stress-free with one of these easy-to-use cord organizers.

Organizer Picks:

Grid-It

BagSmart

This Is Ground

Lint Roller

A must-have for any dark clothing. We like this handy small version the best for traveling:

Travel Lint Roller

Portable Steamer

Small and easy-to-use, a steamer is well worth the packing space. This is the only one we use and recommend:

Portable Steamer

Portable Speaker

A fun, easy way to add some atmosphere to any trip. We’ve tested and used a bunch and these are our favorites.

Speaker Picks:

JBL

Anker

Ultimate Ears

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.

How and When Should Men Wear No-Show Socks?

The weather is warm and that means it’s the right time to rethink your sock strategy. Also known as loafer liners or loafer socks, no-show socks are a a key warm weather shoe accessory. But, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go “sockless” and wearing no-show socks the right way is an important skill to master.

In this week’s 2 Minute Tuesday we’re answering a question about when and where men should wear no-show socks! Don’t forget to check out our favorite no-show sock picks below.

The Weather Should Be Warm and Sunny

As you can probably imagine, no-show socks are best worn when the weather is warm and sunny. It’s not as much a seasonal thing as it’s warm nearly year-round in places like Florida and California, but more of a temperature and outfit thing (more on that in a second).

Wear Them When You Are Showing Some Ankle

The key thing to know about no-show socks is that you want to wear them any time you’re showing a bit of ankle. So if you’re wearing a shorter hem, cuffing your chinos or jeans, or wearing shorts, you want to wear the right pair of no-show socks. If you’re going with a standard hem length there’s no need to wear no-show socks, just stick to standard dress socks. No-show socks look great will all outfits from shorts to suits, so you can feel comfortable wearing them with whatever you’ve got on. They definitely add a bit of informality to the mix so be aware of that if you’re getting dressed up.

Wear Them With All Types Of Shoes

No-show socks can be worn with all types of shoes whether it be casual shoes like sneakers, boat shoes or driving loafers or dressier options like oxfords, monks, or penny loafers.

No-Show Sock Picks

Uniqlo – our favorite!

Bombas

Mack Weldon

H&M

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