15 Things every man should own

Ever found yourself stuck in the rain with a wonky, bargain-barrel umbrella that would be of better use to a suicidal Mary Poppins?

How about bringing home a date knowing that you haven’t washed your only set of bed sheets since The Unspeakable Accident of 2019?

If you answered yes to either of the above, this list is undoubtedly for you.

It’s not about being materialistic. It’s about understanding that the things you surround yourself with are an indication of your values, confidence, and self-respect.

These are the 20 things every man should own.

1- A Skincare Set

I’m not saying you need to go full American Psycho. But gents, we’ve only got one mug, and like it or not—it’s the first thing that you present to the world anywhere you go.

If you’ve never done anything for your skin beyond hack at it with a razor or beard trimmer, you’ll be amazed at the difference even just a nightly cleanse and moisturize will do for your complexion. It’s undoubtedly one of the simplest things you can do to look better.

My go-to is Geologie because it’s actually noticeably improved how my skin looks (and you can start with a free trial), but roll with whichever system you like. The most important thing is that you do something.

2 - A Well-Made Weekend Bag

You’ll notice a trend as you develop into a self-respecting adult man. 

The growing importance of appropriateness. Appropriate clothing, appropriate demeanor, and in this case, an appropriate bag.

An impromptu weekend away with a new girlfriend? Mid-week work excursion? You’ll need a bag that is the perfect size to carry around a couple of days worth of things while still being manageable enough to handle with ease. Meet my good friend, the weekend bag.

3 - A Slim Wallet

Once.

That’s the number of times you’re allowed to tell the joke about how your wallet is so bulky that it puts George Costanza’s to shame.

As a general rule, only place those cards and items in it you use on a weekly basis. If you go a week without using an item in your wallet, take it out and leave it at home.

4 - Sunglass

Protect your eyes from our favorite star while looking like a boss. Pretty much every guy looks more attractive wearing sunglasses. Need I say more?

I’m a big fan of the aviator style for its suit-up or dress-down versatility, and my favourite pair is the Johann Wolff Zeppelins for their slightly rounder shape and bang-for-buck build quality.

5 - A Versatile Pair of Shorts

The doorbell rings and you’re not quite on eye-contact-in-your-underwear terms with your mailman…

Or let’s be more realistic—you need to run a few errands in town but then you want to hit the gym on the way home.

This is where a versatile pair of do-it-all shorts come in, and I believe every man needs a pair in his life. 

6 - At Least One Pair of Dress Shoes

I have a dark past. Let me tell you a tale.

As a young man, I thought I could get by with the bare minimum. I have two pairs of shoes—neither very dressy. Things were fine. Until I had to go to a funeral, and I only had workout shoes and beat up sneakers. I opted for the sneakers, but I knew I’d made a mistake. 

I should’ve had dress shoes, even if I would rarely use them. There are plenty of other, happier reasons to have dress shoes, like weddings, or walking into an office like a total boss. At the very least, you should own one pair of black plain cap toe Oxfords for formal occasions.

Your next buy should be a dark brown or burgundy pair for maximum versatility.

7 - A Polo Shirt

No Dennis, polos aren’t just for golf.

When I want to step up the class a little bit but it’s too hot for a long-sleeve, a polo is always my go-to. 

Go untucked for a casual yet put together vibe, or tuck it into a pair of dress pants for a classy date night look like this one by Collars & Co. (their Semi-Spread below is a best-in-class polo by the way, it feels outstanding):

I’m also really digging Selfmade lately. Their styles are my kind of vintage and they use Italian Mazzucchelli acetate like the big boys but at a fraction of the cost.

8 - A Passport

Inspirational quote aside, traveling is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in yourself as a man. You’ll widen your cultural understanding, gain new insights, meet new people, and get to tell crazy stories about the time you drank eight liters of mint tea in an hour when you went to Morocco. 

And guess what? You’ll be a more informed and entertaining person to be around (i.e. more interesting to date/ be friends with). 

If you’re unsure about your purpose in life and you don’t have a passport, I’ve just provided you with a purpose for the next two weeks. Get a damn passport and throw a dart at a map. 

9 - A Toiletry Bag

Have a pre-packed wash bag ready to go at all times. Save space in your suitcase/weekend bag and never taste leaked cologne on your toothbrush again.

Something like the Roderer Award Mini Wash Bag is perfect and will last you a lifetime.

10 - A Pair of White Minimalist Dress Sneakers

Jetting downtown to run some errands? White dress sneaker.

Afternoon coffee date? White dress sneaker.

About to be the first man on Mars? Whi…OK, too far. 

White minimalist dress sneakers have catapulted in popularity in recent years and I can understand why. They’re hugely versatile and look equally clutch anchoring suit as they do paired with cuffed jeans or chinos.

I always recommend the Oliver Cabell Low 1s to guys looking to get their first pair. They’re made in Italy from full grain calfskin Italian leather which means they last if you look after them (I even put sneaker trees in mine and wipe them down after every wear—yes I am that guy.).

11 - An Age-Worthy Leather Belt

There are two golden rules when it comes to belts.

Match your belt color with the color of your shoes, and don’t skimp on quality. This advice is as helpful as the “birds and the bees” talk was from your Dad, trust me. This means you should have at least a brown and black belt (or one reversible) in your collection.

I always recommend Collars & Co for dudes looking to pick up their first quality belt. The leather ages very well and develops a beautiful patina the more you wear it.

12 - A Go-to Recipe

I’m not saying you need to become a classically trained chef. But every man should have a go-to recipe he’s absolutely mastered. 

Why?

Date night, poker night, or just setting yourself up with amazing dinners for a busy workweek. There are plenty of reasons to have a top-notch meal at the ready.

My favorite is slow-cooker tacos. I get a pork shoulder, toss it in a crock-pot with some salt and seasonings, and let it go for six to twelve hours—whichever is most convenient for me. Toss some salsa on that and wrap it in a tortilla, and you’re all set. 

She’ll be impressed with your good taste and refinement when it’s your turn to cook. And she’ll be even more impressed if you can top off the dish with your own home grown herbs. 

13 - A Good Quality Watch

A watch is not just for subtly hinting that you’re done with that forced coffee catch up with your increasingly distant cousin.

A quality watch (with hands, guys) is the quintessential complement to any outfit. Match the color of your watch band with your belt and shoes.

If dive watches are your jam, you can’t go past the Baltic Aquascaphe for value.

14 - A Quality Pair of Boots

Boots separate the men from the boys. 

I’m sure you’ve heard that shoes are one of the first things a woman notices in a man, and it’s absolutely true. 

Yes, sneakers have their place, but a quality pair of boots will give you an air of maturity and elevate a meh outfit to hell yeah. 

My favorite type of boot is the Chelsea boot. They’re super versatile, and if you go for a dressier option, you can easily pair them with a suit. Speaking of which, William is rocking one of our favorite dress Chelsea boots above—the Troy from Ace Marks. 

Suede Chelseas are also a TAM favorite due to the extra character you get from the suede texture, and the good year welted Bridlens offers a lot of bang for your buck.

15 - Deodorant That Actually Works

Like your Dad always said in his creepier moments, fake isn’t always better than natural. And the same applies to deodorants as well. 

Yes, switching to a natural deodorant is a process that causes your body to detox. You’ll smell a bit more for a few weeks while your body gets used to it. 

But trust me, it’s worth it. After about three weeks, you’ll sweat less, smell better, and you won’t be spraying nasty chemicals on your body anymore. Win, win, win.

Thanks for visiting!