12 Days of Dappered 2014 – The Better Container

It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers highly giftable ideas with a few examples piggy-backed onto each. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.

So he’s got this really cool thing. Give him something to put it in.

Wait. That sounds… nevermind.

Objects need a home. We’ve been putting crayons back in the box since we were in Kindergarten, and it’s no different whether we’re on the road or at home. It can be something expensive (like a watch) or something super cheap (like a toothbrush). No matter what “it” is, chances are it’ll look better and last longer if you put it away. Here are three types of people who may or may not be on your list, and the good looking and functional containers they might benefit from.

 

The Watch Wearer

• Red Envelope Personalized Watch Case – $29.99 w/ TUESDAY40 ($65)
• Worn&Wound Two Watch Roll in Waxed Tan – $79.00
• Diplomat Two Watch Travel Case – $29.00
• Coach Crossgrain Leather Travel Case – $195.00

There are a surprisingly large amount of rinky-dink, cheap feeling watch cases out there. The Red Envelope option is NOT one of them. Nice feeling exterior, soft suede pillows that don’t shed, and a good weight to the entire case. Four single pillows for your regular use watches, one longer pillow for those that don’t see as much use. Meanwhile, watch “luggage” is pure luxury. You can always wrap an extra watch up in a sock, and stuff it in the bottom of a shoe in your suitcase. But to avoid stink transfer, a travel case for a watch (or two) is real nice. And you can spend as little, or as much as you’d like on these things, as shown with the prices above.

 

The Traveler

• Old Calgary Wool & Leather Passport Wallet – $50
• Beckel Canvas Necessary Bag – $23.00
• Bespoke Post “Refresh” box, w/ Blue Claw Co. Dopp & Grooming Goods- $45
• Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Small Mackintosh Travel Bag – $75.00 ($150)

For the guy who likes to cross borders (or, who’s looking forward to getting his first stamp), there’s hardly a better looking and more functional way to carry a passport than Old Calgary’s wool felt & leather passport wallet. Three colors to pick from there. And even the most stylish fellas might hold the dark secret of using a crappy dopp kit. Travelling can be a pain, but when you reach your destination and setup your room, pulling out a nice dopp kit with all your essentials can make you feel a hell of a lot better. You could go nicely inexpensive (and made in the USA) with the Beckel option, or go high end with the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece kit. But bottom line is that the most bang for your buck is the Bespoke Post “Refresh” box of awesome. Like the Passport Wallet and Necessary Bag, the dopp kit in that Bespoke Post package is made in the USA. Plus you get all the samples.

 

The guy with stuff in his pockets

• Mitchell Leather Valet Tray – $69 – $99.00
• J. Crew Long Ceramic Tray – $19.00 ($24)
• Saddleback Leather Classic Valet Tray – $59.00

Functional decor. That’s what a valet tray is. It’s not like your change, keys, and wallet are gonna go running off the table (unless you live in earthquake country), but by simply putting a border around all that loose stuff, you avoid much of the look of clutter. Mitchell Leather uses only the finest materials, and has been making their goods in Milwaukee since the 1960s. Plenty of colors to choose from there. Saddleback… you know Saddleback. Even their valet trays come with a 100 year warranty. For the vegan on your list (or, for the guy who might prefer something other than leather goods), J. Crew’s new line of ceramic trays are slim and sturdy.

Follow along with 2014’s edition of the 12 Days of Dappered here. Top photo, left: Red Envelope Watch Case. Right: Mitchell Leather Valet Tray in Natural Nubuck & Navy. Inside the valet, to the right of the iPhone, would be Mitchell Leather’s Money Clip Wallet.