The Obtainer - 9/25/23, Monday
↦ Now Boarding
Monday, September 25th Edition
Do you have any travel on the horizon? I always like to have a trip booked, in order to have something to look forward to in the near future. In any case, travel requires a toiletries bag, so we rounded up the best ones to buy, no matter your budget.
- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf
BuyingGuide
The Best Toiletry Bags for Men
The toiletry bag really took a hit after the TSA put their regulations on liquids in place back in the early aughts. It forced a lot of men to simply abandon their classic leather shave kits for an overstuffed Zip-loc bag. But there's more to a Dopp kit than a few bottles filled with 3.4 ounces of liquid, right? So why limit yourself to a ratty plastic bag to transport your grooming essentials—everything from your creams and pastes to your floss, nail clippers and drugs?Official TSA regulations no longer require the quart-sized bag to be clear, although it's often advised to speed up the security screening process. But if you check your bags, or have Pre-Check status, then go ahead and upgrade to a grown-up toiletry bag. One that you can be proud displaying in your hotel's bathroom or even your friend's guest room. Not only will it be much more stylish, but it will be designed for organization and durability. The best ones are water-resistant, come with a good zipper and plenty of pockets. Some are designed to hang on the back of a door or towel rack (so you never have to unpack), while others are engineered to stay open and allow easy access to all your grooming gear and products. Depending on how often you travel and your personal style and budget, how much you want to invest in a bag is up to you, so we've organized them by airline class—but all have been vetted by the Valet. team and would serve you well, no matter your final destination.
Our Picks
There are no frills with this transparent grooming bag. But it’s the perfect size for easy TSA clearance at security and it’s simple to clean should anything spill.
Ultralight liquids pouch, $12 by Osprey
This multi-pocket bag opens wide and the sides fold down, allowing it to stay open like a small basket of all your goodies. No need to rifle through it.
Renew transit catch-all, $35 by Everlane
This adaptable bag (which also works great for tech gear) is water-resistant and padded for extra protection, plus the zippered divider can be adjusted based on your needs.
Civic access pouch, $75 by Evergoods
This lean, well-made toiletry bag folds up to save space in your bag and can be hung up in the bathroom. While the outside is full-grain leather with brass hardware, the liner is easy-to-clean nylon.
Leather toiletry kit, $115 by WP Standard
What does “preppy” smell like? If you ask Jack Carlson, the founder of Rowing Blazers, he might tell you it smells like sweet spice and a touch of tobacco. Because that's what the brand's candle ($10) smells like. It's part of Rowing Blazer's highly-anticipated Target collection that just dropped. Much of the clothing sold out almost immediately, but a lot of unexpected gear—from ping pong tables and water bottles to candles—are still available for purchase. But you'd better move fast.
Test drive
A Patrick Bateman-Style Peel-Off Mask
Sure, he had his flaws, but Patrick Bateman knew how to take care of himself. And one of the most iconic images of his legendary grooming routine was slowly peeling off that gel mask, revealing a smooth and hydrated visage underneath. That’s what I was going for when I picked up Sulwhasoo’s Clarifying Mask. The Korean skincare brand is known for merging traditional Asian medicinal herbs with advanced modern science for products that deliver real results.
As we officially say goodbye to summer, it's a good time to take stock of your skin. Because it's been blasted with sun, sand and surf (and probably plenty of beer) so it’s starting to show some signs of wear. Why not relax on the sofa tonight with an easy, but effective at-home spa treatment? After cleansing (and maybe prepping the skin with toner) you slather on a healthy amount of the this gel mask and let it set. Kick back because this takes a full 20 - 30 minutes to dry down completely. Which is exactly what you want—don’t rush it. The longer it’s on, the more gunk it’s pulling from your pores and dissolving dead skin. You will definitely notice the herb-heavy medicinal smell of the mask. But it’s not bad. In fact, I appreciate that you can smell that it’s really working.
Once it’s fully dry, start peeling the mask away from your face, working from the forehead and pulling it down. Take your time here. If you’re patient, you can get it off in one single piece. This is not only incredibly satisfying, but it also makes clean-up a whole lot easier. Then you simply marvel at the shiny, healthy and hydrated skin staring back at you in the mirror. Repeat weekly until you scrub the summer's abuse off your mug (or whenever you need the sick delight of watching all that grime get pulled from your pores).
Clarifying mask,$45 by Sulwhasoo
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Outdoor Voice's RecTrek jacket is a durable and water-resistant layer that will protect against inclement weather. The packable hood and four-way stretch add comfort on and off the trails.
$128 / $89 byOutdoor Voices
This double-layered long-sleeve tee is crafted from super-soft cotton. It’s elegant yet as durable as your favorite crewneck sweatshirt.
$165 / $123.75by rag & bone
This pair of painter pants is made of Japanese denim and will only get more comfortable with more wear. The reinforced knees and relaxed fit add some rugged workwear vibes to your fit.
$138 / $117.50by Madewell
The three best stories from around the web.
“
The Milanese menswear expert walks us through the approach to his eponymous brand—and his own wardrobe.”
//
“
Merlin spends as much time as possible in what he calls his ‘happy place’—the fields.”
//
“
I treat the creative process very much as a process of going to the unknown and outside yourself.”
//
@gant FW23
August 23
