Matt & Nat Aviator Bag

THE ASKMEN TAKE

This vegan leather bag -- yes, vegan -- is constructed of a pool-polyurethane textile with a matching faux-suede lining derived from recycled plastic bottles. The exterior pockets have zip closures with one small snap pocket on the rear. The interior pockets are designed for the modern man to carry cell phones and PDAs, each with its own spot. A detachable shoulder strap is included for those trips when you’re carrying more than one bag, but you’ll want to use the Aviator for more than just travel. It's simply too perfect to leave on the closet shelf waiting for your next holiday.

UNIQUENESS

Devoid of animal products in its construction, the Matt & Nat Aviator bag is a prime example of what a fashion house can do when they stick to their guiding principles of blending art, architecture and modern fashion sensibility with vegan and recycled materials. While others rely on the old methods that drain natural resources, Matt & Nat have made it a point to challenge its design teams to break new ground, and the look of the Aviator is just one example of their growing success in the nature-friendly fashion world.

DURABILITY

The black or gray vegan leather design of the Matt & Nat Aviator bag is the future of fashion without being pretentious or unruly. The Montreal-based company continues to push its customers to think about what can be used to create high-end fashion, with the use of recycled plastic bottles to create a nylon collection one year and 100% recycled faux suede this year in the creation of the Aviator bag. Sometimes fashion can change the world.

Dior Homme Toiletry Kit

THE ASKMEN TAKE

The Dior Homme Toiletry Kit, handcrafted in Italy, is made of blackleather in a grained calfskin. The slim profile of this handsome men’s accessory is a mere 4 inches wide and 10 inches long, with a center zipper closure. This toiletry kit is completed with a matching grained calfskin leather handle for easy carrying. The interior features a spun-cotton lining.

UNIQUENESS

Traveling today is a process filled with security checkpoints, X-ray machines and the need to have your personal items close at hand in your carry-on luggage. So, you might as well have a well-made, stylish and streamlined toiletry kit on hand to toss into your briefcase or shoulder bag. In a world full of nylon and plastic toiletry kits, the Dior Homme is a standout of sublime design and functionality. No matter how many times you’ll have to unpack and pack your bags en route, you’ll never be embarrassed of this case making an appearance. Better still is its trim profile, which allows you to pack it in almost any carry-on case without sacrificing precious room.

DURABILITY

First of all, let’s consider the price: high indeed for such a small grooming accessory case, but you’ll likely never buy another toiletry kit after splurging on the Dior Homme because it is simply that well made. Yes, the nylon and cheap plastic variety are readily available and easy to replace, but they’ll just add to the growing layers of plastic in your local landfill. Now consider that if you buy the Dior Homme you’ll probably have it for a lifetime. Polish it as needed with saddle soap or a shoe-shine kit over the years and it will look better than new because it’ll have the scrapes and the scars of your many adventures on the road, in the sky and on the water. Of course, you could just opt for a cheap drugstore case and always look like an errant spring break reject in Fort Lauderdale. Then again, you could travel like a man with the Dior Homme Toiletry Kit and pack it with the best grooming productsyou can find so that no matter where you end up, you will always look and feel your best.