September is dangerous.
The first cool morning hits and suddenly we need new pants. A new jacket. Maybe two. An overcoat. Definitely a sweater vest. Even nicer soap becomes an autumn requirement.
Fall is when getting dressed, and buying things, gets fun again. This month’s Black Book reflects that. Lots of texture. Lots of layers. A few things that have absolutely nothing to do with either.
Welcome to the September Black Book.
Caswell-Massey Heritage Collection Year of Soap
Caswell-Massey has been making this stuff for centuries, and the set includes a dozen triple-milled bars pulled from its Heritage collection. Consider your shower upgraded for the year.
Buy: $120
ASRV AEROTEX™ Hybrid Liner Short
Been wearing these the past few weeks. No notes. Extremely lightweight, quick-drying, water-resistant, and equipped with a built-in liner with pockets for your phone.
Buy: $98
VESSEL Player VI Pro Stand
VESSEL is the name that keeps coming up in golf right now. The new Player VI Pro is its flagship stand bag taken to an almost absurd level, with 19 pockets, magnetic storage, a dedicated putter well, and enough thoughtful little details to make your current golf bag feel prehistoric.
Buy: $499
Labour and Wait Water Filter
The problem with most water filters is that they look like water filters. This looks like something you'd find in the kitchen of a particularly stylish European grandmother. No plumbing. No electricity. Just an enamel canister, stainless steel tap, and gravity-fed ceramic filter. Leave it on the counter and pretend you found it at a flea market in Lisbon.
Buy: $205
Paynter Batch No. 25.5 Wool Overcoat
If you're going to buy one great coat this fall, make it a coat that makes you look forward to bad weather. Paynter's latest is a long, relaxed Balmacaan cut from 16-ounce Donegal wool woven by Magee in Ireland. Deep brown. Subtle black Glen Check. Tiny orange flecks throughout. Basically fall in coat form.
Buy: $676
KESTIN Fair Isle Vest in Green Multi Lambswool
The sweater vest renaissance continues. Good. This one is knitted in Scotland from 100% Shetland lambswool with enough color to make an otherwise boring fall outfit interesting. White tee underneath. Jacket over top. Done.
Buy: $310
Save Khaki United Camper Jacket
Some jackets make more sense the more beat up they get. This is one of them. Save Khaki's Camper Jacket is made in the USA from cotton with corduroy detailing, oversized accordion pockets, and the sort of outdoorsy utility that works just as well walking to dinner as it does pretending you might go camping.
Buy: $250
Percival Clifton Pinstripe Pleated Tailored Trousers
We're on a mission to convince more men to wear interesting pants. These should help. Espresso brown. Pinstripes. Pleats. Relaxed enough to wear with sneakers and a tee, tailored enough to make it look like you put considerably more effort into the outfit than you actually did.
Buy: $225
Buck Mason Canvas Double Knee Big Work Pant
Been wearing Buck Mason's Big Chinos constantly. These might be next. They're based on oversized 1970s work pants, with sturdy canvas, reinforced double knees, utility pockets, and a hammer loop you'll probably never put a hammer in. That's fine. It still looks cool.
Buy: $188
Rapport Hyde Park Four Watch Zip Case
Eventually your watch collection reaches the point where tossing everything into a dopp kit starts feeling irresponsible. That's when you buy this. Fine-grain leather outside, soft suede inside, and room for four watches. Your watches now travel better than most people.
Buy: $760
MAEN Lunar Classic 36 M7.1.2
I mentioned MAEN in July because all my watch nerd friends were talking about the brand. Two months later, I'm still looking. The Lunar Classic 36 might be my favorite yet. A 36mm case, midnight-blue dial, automatic moonphase movement, and just enough 1940s influence.
Buy: $1460
Sony BRAVIA Theater U Wearable TV Speaker
Sony's BRAVIA Theater U basically puts the speakers around your neck, delivering personal surround sound without shutting you off from the room like headphones. Which means you can watch a movie as loudly as you'd like while someone beside you sleeps, reads, or silently judges your choice of movie.
Buy: $349.99
