Black Rucksack – The Gear, The Lifestyle and The Pastimes of Men

On time...

Swiss mechanical watches have the power to transform the wearer from average to exclusive.  They accent give definition to any mens style.  Since 1904, Swiss-company Oris has been producing quality time keeping pieces such as the Oris Classic Date. The emblematic high-quality craftsmanship of an Oris will suit any dress-to-impress affair.

The Oris brand includes four distinct collections: Motor Sport, Aviation, Culture and Diving. Each collection features many different styles each with unqiue, defining characteristics. The Classic Date, the Black Rucksack favorite, is a part of the Culture collection.

To find an Oris, either check out their store locator or a reputable supplier online.  If you do decide to order online, at least checkout the watch at a brick-and-mortar store before you buy!

Oris Classic Date
$695

It’s almost time for your brothers wedding… you’re the best man and so far, the whole day has gone smooth. You’re at the church and ready to take your place in front of the church when suddenly… no cuff links! Thankfully, there are some emergency cuff links you can keep with you for just this scenario and many others.

Spunique Emergency Cuff Links
$17

Pack of six...

Wallet Essentials Emergency Cuff Links
$11

Cuff Links For Your Wallet

Black hooded...

As we described in a previous article, Armani Exchange (A|X) is the trendy, accessible off-the-peg brand from Armani. A|X features stylish, branded gear such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans and jackets. One sweatshirt that is really emblematic of the uniqueness of A|X is the Zip Neck Hoody.

In jet black, the Zip Neck Hoody features a hood that folds easily into the collar. Although, you may find, like I did, that you like the hood out a whole lot better.

The sweatshirt is a medium weight and perfect for an outdoor rock concert in a Midwestern state during spring or fall.  Or, it’s good for that early fall tailgate and football game.

Armani Exchange Zip Neck Hoody
$115

Photo by: jpeterman.com

The first item I ever owned by The J. Peterman Company was a t-shirt. I didn’t know much about the brand… only that it was well regarded by a few friends of mine. A t-shirt seemed to me the perfect way to test that notion. I went with the aptly named Father of All T-Shirts and to this day it provides the best comfort and fit of any undershirt I own.

I opted for the original navy blue mostly due to the first sentence in the shirts description within the J. Peterman Owner’s Manual: “The T-shirt first appears on American radar just before WWI, when the U.S. Navy introduced it as an undershirt.” Navy blue just seemed to be the obvious choice. When the t-shirt finally arrived I threw it on and was immediately pleased with the fit. It’s perfect for guys with an average or athletic physique.

The writing in the J. Peterman Owner’s Manual is one of its differentiating and defining features. Often, you’ll be transported to another world in another time through the descriptions of their products. Take this bit:

“The idea seemed laughable to most people back in ancient 1964, but not to Swiss archaeologist Charles Bonnet.

He packed his steamer trunks, headed for Nubia in the Sudan, uncovered an entire culture including larger-than-life statues of the Black Pharaohs who once ruled Egypt up north.

The man is astute about where to dig; and he’s also astute (to get to the immediate point) about what to wear when he’s digging.”

Every single product is written about in such an evocative way. We at Black Rucksack suggest you first look over the J. Peterman website… take your time… read and enjoy the experience. Then, start looking for the few pieces of clothing or unique items from J. Peterman that will transform you.

The J. Peterman Company – Father of All T-Shirts
$29

A necessary addition...

When you have to look your best it is relatively easy to take care of the major items: shirt, pants and jacket. It’s even pretty easy to take care of medial importance items: hair, shoes, belt, etc. But, there are a few minor details that are often overlooked that can make or break your style. And if you’re going to put all that effort into dressing well to attract that one stunning woman you’ve been working on, you’ll need just one more thing… the collar stay.

A collar stay isn’t universally required; there are many shirts and collars that are best worn slightly unkempt. On the other hand, when you’re wearing a suit or shirt and tie a collar stay is most likely necessary.

One the best quality collar stays is produced by Stayclip. They are made out of metal, come in many different finishes and provide that durable, lasting perfect collar. In addition, you can have them engraved for a personalized touch. Included with purchase is, in essence, a keyring to keep all of your Stayclip collar stays together and that keyring can be wall mounted right near the rest of your wardrobe. And if you’re wearing them through a metal detector, according to the Stayclip site, no worries.

Stayclip Collar Stays
$35 to $130

Photo by: merchco-online.com

Pnatrul… sure, they spell it strange… but they can get away with it because they of the quality gear they hock. Worn by drummers, rockers and thrashers everywhere, Pnatrul is based in southern California. The Pnatrul logo is based on a crescent-shaped pendant worn by Navajo and other Native American tribes called a “naja”, the Navajo word for crescent. The brand also casts themselves as “eco-friendly”.

They carry a range of t-shirts, hoodies and other gear. The shirt we suggest is the most unique in their online store… the Blizzard.

Pnatrul Blizzard
$66

Unique, bold and stylish.

Editor’s Note: This is Black Rucksack post 10. We’ve brought you a diverse set of gear thus far and we have a lot more lined up! Onward and upward…

While Armani is best known for their made-to-measure designer suits, they also dabble in prêt-à-porter. The brand ‘Armani Exchange‘ (A|X) is their answer for getting men into branded, off-the-peg t-shirts, polos, jeans and jackets.

The A|X logo’d gear is undeniably choice. The style of Armani is noticeable; it’ll attract (wanted) attention almost anywhere.

The Colorblock Track Jacket is an affordable, unique alternative to the generic track jackets seen on university campuses everywhere come Spring. This jacket will keep you warm and lookin’ relaxed.

Armani Exchange – Colorblock Track Jacket
$98

Photo by: thenorthface.com

Picture this… it’s the weekend… it’s calm and cool… you’re grilling… and suddenly your dog is at your side begging. At first, you thought the pup wanted something off of the grill; it turns out she wants to go for a long walk.

On this not particularly sunny day you decide that since it may storm later, it’s best to get the walk in now. It’s about 55 degrees F and the calm day may suddenly change to windy and brisk as a cold front moves in. Knowing this, you grab for the perfect jacket…
the Apex Bionic Jacket by The North Face.

This jacket is windproof and just about waterproof. With it’s breathability it’s ideal for hiking into a cold wind with your dog, while staying warm and dry. It’s made out of a stretchy material that provides the ultimate comfort. I’ll go so far as to say you could play some pond hockey in this jacket and still be well protected!

The North Face Men’s Apex Bionic Jacket (Spring 2009)
$129