Louis Vuitton Wallets

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Louis Vuitton's golden initials emblazoned on that stark, grainy brown background has become one of the most recognizable patterns ever created. The design is almost so ugly that it becomes pleasing to the eye with an understated luxury and elegance. Since the brand was founded in 1854, it has expanded considerably from handmade trunks and luggage. Men can now choose from over 10 different wallet collections with their own distinct flavors. Each collection offers several models from basic billfolds to multi-compartment organizers. However, despite all their nooks and crannies, Louis Vuitton wallets are still slim and compact. After all, the last thing any guy needs is an extra misplaced bulge in his pants.

UNIQUENESS

Only around 1% of all Louis Vuitton products you see are real, so a basic monogram wallet is hardly the freshest thing on the block. Fortunately, there are other styles out there that are more masculine and less reminiscent of grandma’s vintage LV clutch.

The Damier lines feature the classic checkered pattern that has become a close second in terms of icon status to the original monogram design. It’s far less showy, yet in true LV style manages to get the point across. Other collections like Taiga, Utah, Chicago, Nomade, and Epi are more subtle. Instead of repeatedly plastering its name all over the place like cheap Christmas gift wrap, these Louis Vuitton wallets have a single and delicately embossed monogram. Each of these leather lines has a unique grain from Nomade's ultra-smooth feel to the sharply creased ridges of Epi. In addition to traditional black and brown models, the Epi collection also comes in an array of oddball colors like red, orange, ivory, and cassis. Your grandma's handbag would never have the balls to make that kind of statement.

DURABILITY

No matter the design, traditional to trendy, Louis Vuitton is timeless. It's also one of the only wallets you’ll ever have to buy, because the leathers are incredibly durable. In fact, an Epi wallet feels like plastic -- you could almost go swimming with it. Softer leather models like the original Monogram Canvas, Chicago and Nomade may show some wear and tear, but that gives the wallet character to reflect the owner's journeys.

Just don't venture too far to get your hands on genuine LV merchandise. You can buy a used kidney on eBay or rent an apartment from total strangers on Craigslist, but real Louis Vuitton comes only from a reputable retailer.

Oliver Peoples Eyeglasses

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Oliver Peoples is an eyewear line shrouded in a healthy sense of mystery. The story begins in 1986, when optician brothers Dennis and Larry Leight purchased an estate collection of vintage glasses. A curious receipt, signed Oliver Peoples, accompanied the lot of mint-condition, unworn frames, and as a nod to their supposed source, the two opened an optical boutique by the same name. The mysterious moniker for their first Sunset Boulevard retail outlet was perhaps fitting for eyeglasses that were respectful of the past, while the rest of the world was focused on the futuristic angles of overworked '80s designs. The brand achieved success relatively quickly with features in major fashion magazines and the opening of a second flagship gallery in Tokyo by 1989. While much of the recent focus for the label has been on expanding the sunglasses business (Mosley Tribes, Paul Smith and a new venture with Zooey Deschanel all lay claim to Peoples as their parent), the retro styling of Oliver Peoples' eyeglasses will still get you the same look of approval they did 20 years ago.

UNIQUENESS

What makes Oliver Peoples even more of an anomaly today is its commitment to being understated. In a world where so much eyewear looks as though it was tricked out with an overly zealous glue gun, Oliver Peoples sticks to relevant basics that pay homage to years past. The half-rim Advocate frame is a sleek update to the original made popular in the 1930s and 1940s, and the Andy Warhol-inspired Sheldrake feels like the 1950s. However, in addition to the stark and potentially harsh black, the acetate Sheldrake with traditional silver plaques at the temples also comes in clear crystal, rosy rococo and gold. The Riley, Boxley and Cady follow a similar design with a slightly thinner, less imposing use of plastic. And for those who really want to make a statement, the Tycoon model offers a thick, bold plastic in black or tortoise with retro triple-pin detailing. The Grayson and Alter-Ego styles round out the collection with a modern take on a Clark Kent look.

In reality, any one of the bunch should be enough of a disguise to channel your inner superhero. 

DURABILITY

Oliver Peoples' designs are the foundation upon which eyewear was built. The tendency toward or rather the exclusive obsession with plastic frames is distinguished without being dated. You can get your hands on a pair for under $200, and thankfully there is an attention to quality that goes beyond the price. The frames are made in Japan, which has relatively recently stepped up as a challenge to Italy on the eyeglasses scene, and come with their own embossed hard case and microfiber cloth for easy cleaning.