Known for his linoleum prints that have impressed the likes of John Derian, Wes Anderson and The New Yorker, artist Hugo Guinness recently collaborated with Coach for the second time on a line of leather goods that bear his signature designs. The Hugo Guinness for Coach collection features the…
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A GiltMAN editor weighs in on the things he can’t go without
Jonathan Evans has seen a lot of quality bags in his lifetime. As an associate editor at GiltMAN, he writes posts related to wardrobe and quality beers, as well as copy for the site’s flash sales—in other words, he has spent enough time with the variety of product the e-commerce giant features to be able to spot truly well-made and reliable goods.
“I can see when a bag is about to fall apart after a couple of uses, or a shirt is about to pop a seam,” says Evans. “Just the fact that now I’ve got my hands on so much nice stuff, it’s kind of second nature to be able to tell what’s well-made and what’s not well-made.”
Though Evans prefers bags made from canvas or waxed canvas, he notes that sturdy stitching and tough material are two important factors possessed by any great bag. Light and resilient tech materials like ballistic nylon also signify durability. “I’m looking for something that’s heavyweight enough for me to know things won’t tear through, and constructed sturdily enough for me to know that if the material’s not gonna give, the seams won’t either,” he explains.
Hardly ever spotted without a piece of handsome luggage in tow, Evans carries a good part of his life around with him. He’s never without a scarf, headphones or pens and paper, which he prefers over tablets and notepad apps. “I like that it’s really immediately physical, I don’t have to unlock anything or type anything up. I also like that I can tear it up and manipulate it.”
Writing things down also helps him to remember to do specific errands. Usually he’ll jot it down in his notebook, tear out the page, and stick it in his shirt pocket as a physical reminder. He also carries around an array of sartorial accessories for work purposes. “Any given day, I’ve got probably a stash of items I’ve been writing about, says Evans, reaching into his bag. “For instance I’ve been carrying three or four pocket squares with me for the last two or three weeks, because I’m working on a series about how to fold one.”
Next month, Evans will be traveling back down to his hometown in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, and he already knows what he’ll pack in his Coach Crosby Leather Duffel Bag: “A couple of unstructured blazers, a couple of trousers, a pair of jeans, a pair of chinos so I can mix and match, a couple of button-down shirts, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts in case I want to work out; A pair of sneakers, a pair of proper dress shoes, and toiletries.”
Not only do the unstructured blazers travel well, but Evans thinks they’re a step up from a cardigan and just as versatile. “I was sitting at the kids’ table for way too long, and finally made the jump to the adults’ table— I gotta bring it at least a little bit,” he jokes. Dress shoes are also something he feels he needs to bring with him, and Evans divulges the details on the best pair to bring: “Brogues are never too fussy,” he says. “I pack socks and underwear inside them, and I put them inside shoe bags so they don’t get scratched or crushed, and pack them at the bottom of the bag.”
Another gentleman’s staple is a woven shirt that travels. “Oxford cloth button-downs are the standard,” proclaims Evans. “You can toss a blazer on over it, the collar stands, and it doesn’t do that weird ‘Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven’ thing.” He’s a staunch believer in the versatility of the solid oxford shirt: “They can be worn casually too. It’s pretty much a go-anywhere shirt, and solids are easier on a trip, because you don’t have to worry about clashing.”
Evans often worries about packing a little too much on a trip, and offers this advice for soon-to-be travelers: “I try to tell everyone to pack a little less than they think they need. Realistically, that extra pair of pants you think you might wear that one day, you’re probably not gonna wear.” He also advises people to check the weather frequently prior to a trip, in order to ensure that the right kind of gear gets packed. “I usually start checking a week before the trip and then two days before. I recommend people also check the morning before leaving.”
The Carry On series is brought to you by Coach.
The Antlers’ guitarist shows us what’s in his touring bag
Flying frequently is never easy, and for Tim Mislock, touring guitarist for Brooklyn-based indie rock band The Antlers, packing can be even more difficult when you have to decide between the band’s essentials and personal extras.
“With flying and all that stuff, obviously we try to check as little as possible because we have so much gear to bring. So I need a small bag that can hold a lot of things. Being a guitar player I have to have extra strings, tuners, and string cutters. But I also need the fun stuff like my laptop, Kindle, and earbuds.”
Mislock uses his Bleecker bag to keep it all together. “Thankfully it’s wide enough that it fits my 13-inch laptop,” he says—adding that not only is his laptop a crucial Skype connection to his family while on the road, but serves as a mobile recording studio on the go. Plus, “the pockets in the front and back can fit my iPod, Kindle, all my headphones, chargers, European adapters—kind of all the things that I need to bring.”
While on the road, Mislock values the time he gets alone, however few moments they may be, and often spends them doing something productive. Whether it’s working on other projects or reviving the art of old-fashioned letter writing. “I bring envelopes and stamps and try to write my friends letters as much as I can. It’s kind of a weird, romantic thing to do. On tour, if you’ve got 45 minutes to yourself, writing a letter is probably a more productive way to pass the time than seeing what’s on YouTube… or drinking more,” he said.
Touring can definitely take its toll on the body, though, and that’s precisely why Mislock makes sure to take precautionary measures against getting sick and packs supplements in his bag. “There’s two pockets on either side of the back where I store Airborne, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and all the things you need on tour to stave off illness. We don’t really get a whole lot of sleep. We’ve only been home for three days and all of us have a cold.”
A great bag made of premium materials also makes him look more professional and adds the right amount of polish without ruining his casual style. “I used to work at a magazine in Times Square and I always felt like a recent college grad because I was always going in with my nylon messenger bag or a backpack, and it always felt kind of youthful,” Mislock remembers. “Walking around with a suede and leather messenger bag, you feel a little more adult.”
Now, even though he’s usually on the road, at a show, or in a plane, he’s able to take everything he needs with him, as well as a little extra luxury.
The Carry On series is brought to you by Coach.
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