Chris Black has returned to the Strategist with a monthly column to answer all of your burning questions, from super-specific style predicaments to workout and tennis recs to foolproof host-gift ideas that will get you invited back to the beach house.
What are the best all-white sneakers that don’t look dorky-techy?
This particular shoe genre has been taken over by lame brands that seem to be printing money. Have self-respect; skip the Axel Arigato, Golden Goose, and Autry, and instead go with something classic.
This is the gold standard for a simple white shoe that completely eschews anything techy. These were initially released in 1966, long before Silicon Valley took shape. They aren’t technically white, but the “Lunar Rock” color will serve the same purpose with a little twist.
The Jack Purcell is a slept-on classic. My How Long Gone co-host, Jason Stewart, swears by them and serves as a reminder of how well they work. They feel casual and just a little bit preppy. The older they get, the better they look.
This is an example of a small shoe brand putting its own twist on a classic canvas sneaker. Moonstar is made in Japan, and this style is based on a training shoe from the 1960s. Simple and durable.
The Gazelle is one of Adidas’s best styles that isn’t a Samba. Usually, I would suggest a simple Stan Smith, but this all-white Gazelle spoke to me.
Gift ideas under $100?
I love this question because the Strategist readers berate me in the comment section every month for suggesting products that they deem too expensive. Hopefully, your price restriction will allow me to recommend without issue, and you will show up with the perfect gift.
A candle is always lovely, but incense lasts longer and is a bit more of a surprise. My favorite is from the Frenchies at Astier de Villatte. The 125 sticks give the American West–inspired scents of “lightly smokey and sweet aromas of wild grasses, parched wood, immortelle flowers, and red earth, burnt by the sun.” Who doesn’t want their house to smell like that?
Frama is coming for the crown. Those Aussies at Aesop should be worried. They make great products, from this perfectly musky hand wash to ceramics and custom kitchens. It’s a lifestyle. This is a great gift that will last a while and look great on the sink.
Let’s get them out of that Moleskine and into something more luxurious. Made from cross-grain lambskin, this pocket notebook, filled with 128 leaves of gilt-edged, pale-blue featherweight paper, can go anywhere and look chic. You can even customize it for a few extra bucks.
Okay, technically, this is $110, but hear me out. This handblown Venetian crystal dish designed by queen Elsa Peretti will come in that beautiful blue box and be in the receiver’s life for the foreseeable future.
Caps for a 30-plus man?
I am not sure why you brought age into this. It’s not like I would suggest you buy a rainbow hat with a pinwheel on top, but we can get you something that feels understated and mature. I can’t have you showing up with a ’47 brand camo Yankees hat or a new-era Yankees MoMA fitted cap.
The most mature option is a blank hat, and Yupoong makes the best-fitting style on the market. It’s low-profile and so cheap that you can get three or four colors and switch them out depending on mood and outfit.
Yes, I am on the payroll, but I often wear one of these. The washed canvas gives it that nice broken-in feel, and it has a solid leather strap. If you want a little more flavor, you can add a monogram for $10.
This hat from the god RL is made from luxe suede, which will keep your dome warm as the temperatures drop. It comes in brown and navy — don’t make me choose!
Aquarium Drunkard is the best music website on the internet. They have impeccable taste in music, new and old, and I highly suggest reading, subscribing, and listening. That said, it also has a fantastic logo that looks great on a navy hat. Let your haters know that your taste goes far beyond theirs.
If you must have something with writing, IDEA Books makes the best options. I suggested its T-shirt last month, but the hats are the real star. You have probably seen your cool friend in the “All England Techno Club” edition, but this “I Don’t Work Here” one will be useful when someone mistakes you for their Uber driver or server. It also insinuates that you have excellent taste in books, which may or may not be accurate.
[Editor’s note: IDEA Books lists its prices in GBP; the USD price shown is an approximation.]
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
