Volume 9

The Stuff We Can't Stop Thinking About

Esquire's style staffers weigh in on their current obsessions.

Nick is taking this week off, so we asked other members of the Esquire team a question: what is one product or personal-style idea you want to tell readers. Esquire staffers spend their time out in the wild, hunting for ideas and products to share with you. It's our job, and we're brimming with recommendations. For this installment of the newsletter, we compiled seven of them. We're confident you'll find something in there worth trying out.

Cologne Monogamy

Until recently, I was promiscuous with my fragrances, trying a different one depending on the day or occasion. Now I'm a one-fragrance man, and it's the Tobacco Toscano scent from Santa Maria Novella, a perfumer that was founded in 1221 by Dominican friars. It claims to be the world's oldest apothecary. Why did I decide on this particular fragrance? Funny story. There's an Italian designer named Massimo Alba—if you don't know his clothes, you should check them out immediately—who I see when I'm in Milan. Because Massimo is Italian, he greets me with the double-cheek kiss. Every time, I clocked how good he smelled but could never identify the scent. So, finally, last year I worked up the nerve to ask him. Answer: Tobacco Toscana. I picked up a bottle a few days later, and I've been using it daily ever since. The lesson here, besides don't be afraid to ask another guy why he smells so good, is to pick one scent and make it yours. Wear it every day. It will become your trademark, a calling card for your personal style. — Michael Sebastian, editor-in-chief

Matching Trousers and Socks

At the risk of sounding like a total kiss-ass to our Editor-in-Chief, Michael Sebastian, I couldn't help but fixate on his olive drab socks and how well they matched his pants during the meeting in which he assigned us the newsletter you're reading this very moment. Granted, if you've ever been to a black-tie event—or, frankly, worn a business suit—you've likely paired black trousers with black socks, or navy with navy. But it hits different in the context of a casual outfit and a less formal color. It also creates an optical illusion that lengthens the leg and makes the wearer appear taller, leaner. What's not to like about that? So, dress with intention and give your ankles a chance to blend into the background. That is what this is all about. I don't always condone stroking the boss's ego, but this is a rare case where upper management does know best. — Alfonso Fernández Navas, senior editor, market & style

A Cool New Athletic Brand

It would be remiss of me to not tell you about Literary Sport, an athletic brand that I just can't stop thinking about. The latest collection features structural windbreakers, mesh tank tops built for layering, and the perfect pair of teeny tiny running shorts that are just long enough to keep everything secure. The utilitarian design, along with solid colors ranging from neutrals to apple green and primary red, make these pieces hard to miss and even harder to replicate. You've likely seen them around. Maybe it was at the gym, or the grocery store, or on the street. And you probably thought they looked great, even if you never figured out where they were from. That's the beauty of Literary Sport—if you know, you know. Thank me later. — Emma Saxon, fashion assistant

Weatherproof Sneakers

I was introduced to Salomon at the age of two. I was a (very) young skier, and my skis were always from the brand. After moving to New York, I became a sneakerhead, and Salomon evolved from being just my on-the-slopes gear to my go-to footwear for city life. I get an impressive amount of wear out of my XT-6's year-round. In the summer, they add an outdoorsy edge to my preppy outfits. And in the winter, since I hate wearing chunky rain boots, they're my way to withstand the elements without sacrificing style. I gravitate toward my red pair to brighten up an all-black look, but all the colorways have something to offer. Not to mention, the Quicklace system makes it easy to slip them on when I'm on the go. — Andrea Rios, fashion assistant

Strong Shoulders

I've been fixated on suit shoulders as of late. Just last week I wrote about how Dunhill is dressing Britain's (and increasingly, Hollywood's) leading men, and dressing them very well. For me, a lot of that is because Dunhill is offering these men suits with stronger roped shoulders; it gives them some gravitas. I'm not a big fan of the soft shoulder thing, and as of late, brands have been swerving back into my lane. In the high fashion world, Saint Laurent, Dries Van Noten, and Willy Chavaria all did it at Paris Fashion Week (even if Willy Chavaria is more of a shoulder-padded thing). Zegna was working with strong shoulders in Milan. Haider Ackerman sent plenty of strong shoulders down the runway for Tom Ford in Paris just this week. Even Suitsupply, my canary for what's happening in the DTC coal mine, is offering more alternatives to the soft Italian shoulder. There's a lot more to it than "soft shoulder, strong shoulder" because really, it's about construction. But as a blanket statement, I think it's a great time for a guy who has been on the fence to try something with more substance. — Luke Guillory, commerce editor

A True Carryall

A good travel bag is never easy to find. It needs to fit on your shoulder just right, perch on top of your wheeled carry-on without slumping over, have all the right pockets, and look damn good, too. If any brand can deliver all of the above, it's Métier—a maker of fine leather goods crafted from the best materials, whose function, design, and quality you'll only truly appreciate when you see one of its creations in the wild. The brand's newest carryall, the Sergeant, has all the space you need to pack your things in style, and it's one you'll own for a lifetime to come. — Krista Jones, commerce director

A Parka with Panache

I was lucky enough to find myself in Tokyo a couple of years ago for work. The itinerary was packed, and I didn't have time for shopping. But on the last day of the trip, at the very last minute, I decided to make my way to Shibuya to visit The Real McCoys. The brand specializes in reproductions of vintage clothing, using the highest quality materials and crafting things like they used to in the good ol' days. And the shop itself is overwhelming in the best way, packed with flight jackets, loopwheeled sweats, leather totes, and what feels like a million more pieces that all call for your attention. I wound up purchasing a photographer jacket inspired by the one Andy Warhol wore to China in 1982. But before I landed on that, I tried on a recreation of the M-51 fishtail parka that later became a subcultural icon when it was adopted by British mods. I convinced myself I couldn't buy both. It haunts me to this day. And I doubt I'll make it through spring without adding this parka to my personal rotation. — Jonathan Evans, style director

Thanks for reading this week's Big Black Book newsletter. See you in a couple weeks. Until then, feel free to drop Nick a note at nicksullivanesquire@hearst.com.

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Shop the Story

Dunhill Double Breasted Sport Coat

Salomon XT-6

Literary Henry Jacket

Métier Sergeant Carry All

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