Essentials: Acne Studios Wallet

Wallets are everything in that they a.) hold your money / credit cards / etc, and b.) they actually reflect your personality.
So in the spirit of always putting your best foot forward (which, by-the-way, should always be the priority), you may or may not be in need of an upgrade - and by that I mean get an upgrade. It's time.

Personally it's always been about that perfectly compact wallet situation. Something that isn't fussy or bulky but still makes a statement. I did the Gucci Guccissima thing for a while and yes, it was spectacular if you're going for the whole chic euro-trash vibe, but I've moved on (even if I haven't entirely gotten over this song). Currently I use a crocodile card holder for everything. It's very minimal which has it's pros (no cash or that dreaded jingle of coins) and cons (no cash and no coins to jingle at all). Basically I got it because I loved touching the croc's spine - which, admittedly, is weird. 
The real point is that I recently discovered Acne's zipped leather wallet. The bright bolt of blue means you'll easily find it and it's got a zip, which actually is a big deal. Zips equate to you being able to have the option of coins (yay laundromats?). Aside from the aforementioned practicalities, in true Acne style it looks pretty damn good - which doesn't hurt one bit when settling-up. So that's always something.

Browse and shop Acne's zipped leather wallet here.

- Photos by Alexander Atkins

The Essentials: The Aran Knit

Yes, it's still hot. But because autumn is hopefully looming I thought I'd grin and bear it, and wear some serious knitwear.

As I've mentioned before, it's good to plan ahead. So now that fall fashion is being flung at us every-which-way we turn (TV, Instagram, those annoying pop-ups - you get the picture) I'd say the retail gods are sending a very clear message. Namely: get shopping. So Voilà! Here it is. The white knit sweater. A staple for the upcoming equinox courtesy of Mr. Neil Barrett, who, in case you are wondering, is consistently exceptional.

There's something so right about a solid white knit. Something so luxe and exceedingly debonair. Call it what you will (a chunky-knit, an aran-knit, a cable-knit, whichever), the point is it's a beacon of luxury and heritage. Ultimately the wearer exemplifies sharp yet easy dressing. It's so fresh. What's more the whole thing screams fun in an, 'I enjoy stone-skipping' and, 'why yes, scallops sound marvelous' kind-of way. (I'm painting a picture of the Kennedy's in Hyannis Port, for those of you who may be confused.) Also, the fact that I bought this knit a while ago during a visit to Barneys (an exceeding dangerous trip I might add) as an impulse and not as a pre-mediated thing only adds to the my final point. Which is this: a full-on white knit sweater should be a staple in any and every man's wardrobe. White suits literally everyone, as does looking and feeling a million bucks. It's that simple.

Alexander Atkins, wearing Neil Barrett knitwear, Acne jeans, Dior Homme Blacktie Sunglasses and carrying Louis Vuitton's Poche Documents, photographed by Camille Labat in San Francisco.

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