The Urbane Gent - the modern man, we are getting married later, living life as a bachelor longer.  This also means we spend time by ourselves more bringing new people into our lives....meaning dating!

I have put together a list of things,  I think every modern guy should own.  There are of course so much more.  I believe, although not on the list, we should have books around us.   From a good Atlas to a bible, philosophy and a good etiquette book.  But, I wanted a minimal list.  This is where a good laptop comes in handy.

Every man should live his life to the fullest.  This list is for a single male, however, there are many things on this list even a married gent should have.  Men seem to just not get things (I mean mentally).  I can't explain it, but I think it is the wiring in some of our brains.

I don't even get it.  For example, men will think they are taking care of their bodies by working out 3xs a week, but will not care about the callouses on their feet or the hair hanging out of their nose.  I don't understand it.  Women notice little things like good hygiene.

Not on the list is a car, because some may live in the city.  And in any case, a guy doesn't need a great deal of money to live well.  Sure, a man should have certain nicer items for a hobby like good cooking utensils or pots and pans (if you like to cook).  And then there's life's necessities, for example floss, a toothbrush, etc.  Those are a given.  Also important are little things to take care of one's "issues" like your medications, a salt stone for your sweaty palms, foot care items etc.  You get the point.

But, regardless of how much one makes, here's the list.  If you don't make a lot of cash-o-la, save up for it and wait to get the right quality.  Don't settle.





Men's personal kit - shaver                                                              

This is very very important.  In this kit should be a small scissor (for your nose hairs), a tweezer, a shaver (or electric shaver), a couple of sizes of nail clippers.  Do not go cheap - buy the best out there because you are worth it.  The above (without shaver) is USD$99.00

The best:  ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS - you can not get any better than this.  And make certain it is made in GERMANY.  It's expensive, but the best.  Did I mention the best?



                                                                                                          Ballon Bleu de Cartier.  I think my heart just skipped a beat.

Watch

Watch sales have gone down, but I think a man should have a few watches and maybe one or two really good ones.  Sure, you look at your phone for the time, but the only "jewelry" acceptable for men is a watch.

Sewing Kit

Every man, I mean EVERY man, should know how to sew a button on their shirt.  One day, right before a meeting, while you are in a hurry, you're going to be in a hotel room, put your shirt on, and a button will pop out at The Waldorf Towers one morning.  It will happen, trust me (it wasn't a Zaharoff shirt by the way). 

Picture not necessary, you get the point.  You should always have a little box, with a few common threads, safety pins, scissors, etc.



  The Bose 3-2-1 system.  The PERFECT entertainment system.  Missing: a good plasma TV.

Entertainment System

I have never met a guy who does not go nuts over an entertainment system.  Save the money and buy something nice.  Even Costco has great things.  Having a good plasma TV with an entertainment system (CD, DVD (Blueray), i-pod hookup, etc) is key to living a good life.

There's the Bang and Olufsen's of the world, but BOSE is to be reckoned with as well.  Their customer service is second to none, just incredible.  They stayed on the phone with me for two hours and set up my entire system.  HD, THX, and any other thing you can think of....



                                                                             Mattress/Bed Set (plant too!)

Everyone should have a bed that they don't want to get out.  This includes investing in a bunch a pillows, a mattress pad, and cotton bed sheets.  The best mattress?  Hands down, the Westin Heavenly Bed (above).  300 thread count sheets are the best.  Not to thin and not too thick...just right.  Buy a couple of sets and guys, wash them.  If you have company over, ahem, who wants to sleep in dirty sheets?



                                                                  
Shoes

A couple of pair of shoes is on this list.  Every guy should have at least two pair of good "suit" shoes and put them in shoe trees.  Save and buy a good pair.  A couple of casual shoes, a good pair of running shoes and then of course the old shoes you wear to paint a room.  What I want to make clear is "Quality vs. Quantity".



        

2-2-2-2 suits-shirts-ties-belts

Every guy should have 2 good suits, 2 good shirts, and 2 good neck wear.  I put this under one category because it's a package deal.  You will soon find out - one plain dark suit: black, dark blue, or dark grey.  Preferably a black suit.  Your second suit should be something that could mix and match with the black suit.  This way you will always have a dark dinner jacket and can wear it with the nice pants of the other suit.  However TWO things:  DO NOT MIX BLACK AND BLUE together.  DO NOT MIX two black fabrics together (black jacket and another shade of black pants).  DRY CLEAN you suits together even if one item is dirty, but do it sparingly. 

Two shirts that can go with either suit.  If you can only have two nice shirts, forget the French cuff (if you get more shirts, then French cuff can be mixed into your shirts).  One plain white and the other a nice striped shirt.  The stripe shirt can only be worn during the day and a white shirt can go anywhere anytime.

Two nice neck wear pieces that will go with everything.  And when you want to freshen things up, buy a new tie.

Always wear a belt with your trousers.  One black and one brown should be in every wardrobe.


                                


Underwear

Undershirt

Men will wear underwear with holes in them, or wear them until the fibers have lost most of it's thread so it looks almost see-through.  Also, many don't wear an undershirt underneath their suits shirts - there's nothing like seeing a man's nipples through a suit shirt in a meeting, I tell you.  How about a black "KISS" shirt underneath a white suit shirt?

Women teach your men (and men teach other men) always, ALWAYS wear a t-shirt underneath your suit shirts - underneath any full-buttoned shirt.  Not only does a nice WHITE cotton undershirt soak up the sweat, but it also makes your suit shirts last longer.  The undershirt should be hugging the body, but not too tight and long enough so when you sit it's still in your pants.

I would say the "best" cotton t-shirt is "XYZ" brand, but I won't.  As of today, I have bought a $5.00 Hanes t-shirt made here in the States and a $110.00 Hanro t-shirt made in Switzerland.  I am unhappy with either.  But things may change soon....

Underwear

Men, the only time you do not wear underwear is when you are in swimming trunks.  Going fresco is not an option. Men, people do not have to see your "junk" -

When it comes to underwear, it's all about comfort.  Be it boxers or briefs, boxer-briefs, whatever the fancy.  But the best bet is cotton, since it breathes.  Any cotton-blends will affect the breathability.

One executive brought to my attention about wearing boxers under suit pants (I didn't mention this because I am a briefs gent).  He makes a good point, "men in suits should always wear briefs or at a minimum boxer briefs for 'support.'  Nothing worse than an unnecessary distraction in a man's trousers while business is being conducted."  I couldn't' agree more. 




                                                                       
Apple iPhone 3Gs

Every businessman should have one.  I used to swear by my blackberry - swear.  I used to laugh at those who went crazy over their iPhone because I thought they wanted to be trendy.  Until someone gave me a 3Gs the day it came out and now I would be lost without it.  This is THE accoutrement of the modern gentleman.  I think one day we will all be carrying something between an iPhone and a Kindle in lieu of a laptop which now takes us to the next item on the list...

                                                                                    Laptop

I have an iPhone, a Kindle and a Dell laptop.  The days of having a stationary computer are over, unless you have children, and even now, my all under 10 years nephews and nieces use laptops.  Every one should have one - there they can read the news, catch up with friends, etc. 

I believe every house should have a library (with actual books) but people just don't read hard books as much, as sad as it sounds.  I do have a Kindle and have read books with it, but I prefer having the actual hard book in my possession.  The pain is carrying the books around when traveling.


There are many things I did not mention one might want to add, but I wanted to mention the basics.  I hope this will inspire someone to say, "you know I do need a new mattress" or "time for new underwear." 


what every urbane gent needsfor every bachelormust haves for menTurbo Tagger