Nike SB Stefan Janoski Max's are available for pre-order and though skateboarders aren't known for their strength and conditioning adherence, skateboarding is a sport, so these then apply to performance gear...right?
Read MoreTom Ford, Part 2
6. A WELL CUT DARK SUIT - This should be applied to any suit you own. You should really never own a poorly cut suit of any kind but that mistake happens more often than not. I have several nice dark Acne suits that all fit the bill but what every closet really needs is that perfect fitting black or dark blue suit. Preferably two button with a slim notch lapel. Doesn't have to be expensive...just look like it costs a fortune. My suggestion? Buy a nice but not extravagantly priced suit (like one from Suit Supply) and spend the rest of the suit budget on tailoring. And remember: you decide what the tailor does, not the other way around. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a tailor with impeccable taste, so have it tailored on your terms, not his.
7. A PAIR OF CLASSIC BLACK LACE-UP SHOES - The simpler, the better. Buy a well made pair and take care of them. Learn how to apply polish. Find a good cobbler. Use shoe trees. All of these things are of the utmost importance for this point. Shoes are usually one of the first things people look at when they meet someone (I do it all the time), so make sure your impression is the right one. These from Generic Man are neither fussy, nor expensive.
8. A SMART BLAZER - Blazers shouldn't be limited to special occasions. Buy one (or a few) that you can dress up with a tie as easily as you can dress down with sneakers, and you'll always feel a bit more sophisticated. Suit Supply is, again, a great source but check out the year end sales and spend what you save on tailoring.
9. A PERFECT PAIR OF DARK DENIM JEANS - This one can be left up for lots of interpretation. Except the "dark" part...not much wiggle room there. Perfect means perfect for your body shape. If you have legs like tree trunks from 200kg squats, then something with a bit more of a relaxed fit will suit you better than some skin tight Nudie's. If they can be mistaken for leggings (jeggings?) then they are too tight. Even if they are jeggings. And never dad jeans. Ever.
A pair of solid dark raw or selvedge denim jeans will wear in perfectly and look like part of you (after that uncomfortable breaking in phase of course. But that's part of the experience right?). Go in to the store and try them on with a pair of shoes you would normally wear with jeans.
10. LOTS OF CRISP WHITE COTTON SHIRTS - One isn't enough. The yellow collar and pit stains will sneak up on you and rear their gnarly little heads when you least expect it. But several of the cotton ones. No dry cleaning and often cheaper. Plus they even look good a little wrinkled, unlike those shiny poplin joints you wore in high school. Find a brand that fits and buy several. They go with everything, even on your girlfriend.
If you haven't already Googled the rest of Tom's list, come back for it on Tuesday (New Year's Eve!!!)
Tom Ford List. Part 1
Tom Ford.
Designer. Director. Parfumier. Jay-Z song title. Best Smelling Man in the World.
Seriously, this man is the shit. I had the pleasure of working for him the first season he had his men's collection after leaving Gucci and I have to say, the man has an aura so enthralling that you begin to wonder if the perpetual cloud of proper masculinity that surrounds him is laced with some sort of drug. So if anyone has a list of things that every man should have, Tom Ford's is the one to read. Here's how to obtain it:
1. A SENSE OF HUMOUR - Rent these: Blazing Saddles, Groundhog Day, The Big Lebowski, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Anchorman. Extra credit: Major League, Coming to America, Eddie Murphy's Raw and Delirious, and any stand up from Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Richard Pryor, Louis CK, Ricky Gervais, George Carlin or Bill Hicks. And if you still are as cold as stone, throw in a healthy dose of The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Extras and Seinfeld. If you aren't at least in touch with your funny side now, you don't have one.
2. A DAILY READ OF THE NEWSPAPER - This doesn't mean the sports page and the comics. Everyone is glued to their devices on their way to work. Make that time well spent and educate yourself on the world around you. No, TMZ doesn't count.
3. A SPORT YOU ARE LOVE AND ARE GOOD AT... - AND ARE WILLING TO BETTER YOURSELF IN. That one wasn't quite complete in my opinion. Of course, this one resonates with me. I've worked with elite teenage athletes, but also men in their 40's who want to continually better themselves in their sport of choice. Work and kids aren't an excuse...invlove the kids and make it something you both can enjoy together. Whether chess (yes, its a sport), polo or a quick round of 3-on-3 at the local Y, immerse yourself into the game.
4. TWEEZERS - If you wonder why, you are one of three things: 1) Married (and your wife would agree with Mr. Ford), 2) pre-pubescent, or 3) extremely hirsute. In which, tweezers can be substituted with garden shears. By a pointed pair and a slanted pair and use them for God sakes.
5. A GOOD COLOGNE THAT BECOMES A SIGNATURE - I've searched your the past few years for this one and after courting worthy suitors like Commes des Garcons x Monocle Hinoki, Tom Ford Oud Wood and Byredo Accord Oud, I've finally found the one. November 24th 2013 at the Elizabeth Street location of Le Labo. I know this because it is printed on the label of my Vetiver 46 bottle of perfume oil. The oil makes the scent feel as if it is seeping into the pores of your skin as opposed to the misted alcohol based spray that simply lays on top. It's warmer and lends itself better to the masculine yet not overpowering scent. Immediately I knew...yeah, I'd found my signature.
Numbers 6 through 10 coming Monday...
Inside the gym bag
10 items.
I get lots of new training shit. It's my job. But it's too easy to fill up post after post of expensive shit no one really owns and has only seen through press releases or online. Most of the products featured here will be ones I have at least gazed my very own eyes upon...
Including the bag, here are 10 items that will make each trip to the gym more effective, more efficient and might even help you catch some glances on the way out the door too.
Clothes
- Patagonia Fore Runner training shirt - Lightweight and Gladiodor protected...meaning you won't smell like the shirt has sat in the bag through 3 workouts, even if it has.
- H&M Functional Shorts - Because long ass basketball shorts should stay on the court. Ditto for short ass grazing runner's shorts...no one wants to see you do lunges in those.
- Adidas adizero ClimaProof Jacket - Lightweight, rolls into no space at all and good to have...just in case.
Gear
- Bands - Pull-ups, stretching, push ups...1000's of uses. Have several if possible. Available here at bgstraining.com in 2014.
- Speed rope - Not your school yard, double dutch jump rope. While lots of people talk about the benefits of heavy ropes, the light, fast ones keep you on your toes...literally.
- Yurbuds head phones - I bought the Iron Man Inspire version, and for it's price point (approx $50) , I'm very happy. And the weird earpieces aren't really that weird and they stay put which is always my problem. Plus, they're from St Louis!
- Vapur collapsable water bottle - Full of water...its full size. When done, it role down to nothing. Easy peasy.
- iPad mini with Retina - I got the 64GB version and its mainly for video usage. As a coach I use it with clients daily but like the saying goes, most things are easier said than done. With apps like Ubersense, I can record my technique and slow it down to 1/8 the speed to watch each moving part to see if its doing what it should. Worth the price alone. It won't take the place of a personal trainer but it will make their constant watchful eye less necessary (and therefore less expensive).
- Pre- and Post-Workout food - Those protein shakes that you think are basically liquid muscle? They're most likely over loaded with unnecessary sugars and probably more protein than you need. Not the case for all but an apple with peanut butter and a cup of coffee before and a some good old chicken, rice and vegetables after will give you a more nutritious fill than some whey and water.
The Bag
- Filson small duffle - Filson is legendary. They've made quality goods for over a century and these duffles should last at least half that long. There are a ton of great duffles out there but these are the grandaddies. Buy one now, show it equal parts recklessness and love and not only will you have a friend for life but the refined ruggedness just may attract another life long friend...
New Sh*t Mondays
New Sh*t Mondays with Nike Romaleos 2
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