12 Months Of Prep

This past weekend Anthony made an appearance at a prep themed MBA party in Chicago. Ironically, he’s not pursuing an MBA but that’s neither here nor there. Regardless, while packing he seeked out prepster sartorial advice in me. Long story short, Anthony went dressed as Eric Yang, or what he claimed to be any given page of a J.Crew catalog. Insult or compliment? Probably both.

That got me thinking about J.Crew’s Tie Of The Month Club. It doesn’t really require any explanation other than you’ll receive one simply designed yet overengineered J.Crew tie per month over the course of a year. Some preppy, some dressy, some casual. All 100% J.Crew.

Cost: $475 Per Year - Call 866.739.5844 To Register

Also See: J.Crew Tribeca Men’s Shop At The Liquor Store | Max Benjamin Mini Cigar Bar

The Strap is Back

Sometimes you just aren’t toting enough stuff to warrant a bag. But that doesn’t mean carrying books, notebooks, pens..etc by hand is any more practical. Of course, you could go out and buy a small leather portfolio, but what you do with it once you’re done schlepping creates another dilemma.

That’s part of the reason why I think this book strap is damn cool. Call me retro, but this is personally the ideal solution for transporting work related materials to and from my apartment. Especially since once the moving is done, the strap easily rolls up to fit in my pocket for the round trip back. Plus even if you’re one of those who desperately clings to their messenger bag, the strap still keeps your materials organized and securely packaged while inside.

Available in 5 different colors, sporting this accessory is sure to draw attention to you during your next walk. Unfortunately you’ll have a hard time finding it.

The only mention of it for sale online is from allbeams.com for $145 and you’ll have to speak Japanese to really navigate the site. That’s a little steep in my opinion for what you get, but unique products often aren’t the most reasonably priced goods out there.

Internet rumor has it also that shops such as Barney’s are starting to carry it in store stateside, just don’t expect it to be any cheaper there. But if you see one and think it’s your style, snag it because you might not see it again.

Via A Continous Lean

Also See: Dad Gear Messenger Bag | Jcrew Cotton Linen Artisans Duffel Bag

When Undressed, Look Your Best

The looks of your boxers typically doesn’t matter. That is, until the weekend comes around. Like the granny-panty effect on Men, women don’t appreciate ratty old underwear. Especially when they’ve actually gone far enough with you to see them in plain view.

So, upgrade the contents of that dingy top drawer in style with these multi striped Paul Smith boxers. Available in a variety of Smith’s signature patterns, each pair features a high quality cream button front and is made of 100% woven cotton. Plus if someone’s really paying attention down there, they’ll notice the subtle PS embossed on each button front. You should be so lucky.

Cost: $80 @ Paul Smith

For more advice on dressing to impress check out these posts:
Bonobos Pants | Indochino Tailor Made Suit | 5 Easy Inexpesive ensembles for the workplace

It’ll Carry Everything But The Kids

Whether you know it or not, there is a condition that you (a guy) have in common with your average American baby.

The scientists here at GP Labs call it Stuffus Overloadicus. The basic gist of the Latin phrase says, “You’ve got too much damn stuff.” It would seem that we aren’t the first to diagnose this issue, as we’ve learned that Scott and John of Dad Gear have been working feverishly for the last few years to find storage solutions for those men who happen to be dads (and for dads who just so happen to be men).

It is in that spirit that we present to you the Dad Gear Messenger Bag. Like many of Gear Patrol’s favorite products, the DGMB is chock full of features. So many, in fact, it requires a bloody chart to enumerate its greatness.

Dad Gear asked Gear Patrol to put the DGMB through its paces; little did they know that I specialize in torture testing baby gear.

My assistant, a rambunctious 16 month old, is an up and coming review star herself (Ed: who also happens to be Dusty’s daughter). Our research confirms that the bag has ample space for whatever you and your kiddo(s) need to tote, both from a volumetric and pocket separator standpoint.

In any other execution, the integrated changing pad and wipe dispenser might have been little more than gimmicks, but quality construction and thoughtful design makes them immanently useful. Having been caught unaware in the park by an unexpected deluge whilst shouldering the bag, I was pleased to find its material highly water resistant. The inside boasts the same property, which make for easy clean-up should any of your contents get loose.

Perhaps most impressive, this is a great looking bag. This GP dad chose the retro stripe orange (of course), and his visual faculties were not disappointed. You’ll find a wide variety of colors and designs at Dad Gear. They even offer a limited selection of exclusive one-of-a-kind bags made from recycled billboards. Incredible.

What this means to you: When innovators take a decidedly uncool product and reincarnate it as a piece of GP-worthy kit, we like to take notice. Dad Gear’s bags can definitely make you forget you’ve got a satchel of dirties slung over your shoulder. This is the evolution of the diaper bag.

Cost: $82-$99

Danny Ocean Would Be Proud

Business and calling cards are one of the most important touchpoints for both your personal life and career. It’s a tried and proven method. Whatever your field of work, you should always have a few armed and ready; be it your suit jacket pocket, wallet, attaché, messenger, weekend or gym bag.

We’ve got an affinity for good looking business cards here at GP so we worked with The Mandate Press, a letterpress shop located in Salt Lake City, to procure a set of business cards for this article. The Mandate Press offers pre-set personal calling cards ($95 for 250) with great looking designs to choose from, unlike the garish designs you find at most online printshops or (gasp) Kinkos. The Mandate Press uses a hybrid digital process to create photopolymer plates with yours (or their) designs which emblazon directly onto the card like old lead type. There’s no limit to what you can do.

As you can see from our photographs the letterpress cards are stunning - even in simple black on white. They’re even more impressive in person when you can feel the texture of the embossed logo and type on cotton paper. It’s absolute vintage with a modern spin and gets our ringing endorsement.

More photos of cards after the jump.

Cost: $95 for 250 @ The Mandate Press

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A Timed Spin On Cufflinks

Mechanical beauty.

Eric and Anthony may like their Panerai Luminors. I prefer my Rolex Oyster. Brian actually has both, Patrick is a Victorinox man, and Ben? Well Ben uses a sundial. Either way, you get my point. Whatever the flavor, we at Gear Patrol appreciate quality time pieces. It’s not just because they look good, but because quality hand craftsmanship just isn’t readily available in this world of mass-produced foreign goods.

Enter Ricky Wolbrom, the proprietor and designer behind Watch-Cufflinks. Ricky takes time pieces to the next level by displaying the artistry behind the watch face… its mechanical beauty.

Starting her career in New York’s diamond district Wolbrom soon realized the beauty of watches reside in the inner workings of vintage watches. Inside each hand crank or automatic time piece is a work of art complete with precious metals and stones. Ricky displays this artistry as the centerpiece for rings, cufflinks, and tie tacs. Just take a look at the pictures and you’ll understand the quality and craftsmanship that went in these pieces.

The cufflinks you see here were once the heart of mechanical masterpieces. Now they’ll add instant class and uniqueness to your shirt, suit, or tuxedo. Want more than cufflinks? Wolbrom also has a full line of varying products on her site.

Oh, and be sure to keep eyes on the Gear Patrol, there might just be an extra pair floating around our offices ready to end up in your hands and on your wrist.

More photos by Nick Perry after the jump.

Cost: $85-$550 @ Watch Cufflinks
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