This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Permanence has no place in a culture built on disposability. Yet, in today’s world, almost everything is designed to be replaced—from the clothes you wear, to the accoutrements that line your pockets. A phone that is outdated in three years, a cheap plastic Bic lighter, and a bulging wallet that all too soon begins to fray at the edges.
Yet, some of us yearn to live a life of intention, beyond the average. To surround ourselves with timeless objects that mark our accomplishments and, most importantly, that last. You may possess a well-built mechanical wristwatch, but what of the rest?
Let’s explore the quiet rebellion of class and elegance in a gentleman’s everyday carry—some of the things you constantly interact with that can be elevated.
A Fine Lighter
For over a century, man has carried fire in his pocket. The lighter is a primal yet sophisticated item of controlled violence. It’s not just about lighting a cigarette or cigar: it’s the mechanical splendor and ping of an S.T. Dupont’s lid, the weight of its metal, or the refined design of a Dunhill Unique.
Built like a Swiss watch, these lighters last a lifetime. S.T. Dupont and Dunhill are by far the finest examples, and while not inexpensive, they’re worth it. Vintage examples can also be found online at a reasonable price, and once engraved with your initials, they truly become yours.
The Forgotten Cigarette Case
Too many smokers carry around a half-crushed flip-top box, and in Europe, ghastly pictures of the sick—and even smoking babies—cover packaging. While smoking babies may bring some of us back to the days of Van Halen, placing those cigarettes into a slim metal case changes everything.
Think back to Connery as Bond, seated at the baccarat table in Dr. No as he delivers his famous line for the first time: “Bond, James Bond.” In front of him sits a thin gunmetal cigarette case, just as Fleming imagined.
These have seen a recent comeback, though high-end manufacturers still haven’t caught on. Your best bet to pick one up is vintage Dunhill on eBay or at a good antique shop.
The Silver Money Clip
While many of us carry around a bulky wallet filled with unnecessary clutter, ask yourself how a man of refined intention would carry his cash and cards. Certainly not with a carbon fiber, spring-loaded, tacti-cool wallet.
For him, it is the timeless money clip, engraved with initials. A silver clip from a jeweler such as Tiffany’s has a weight that denotes quality and luxury. It might even encourage you to carry more cash. And for the gentleman who travels, cash is still king.
In the end, it’s not about being flashy. It’s about making the everyday things around you extraordinary.
