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Chris Black

Style Columnist, the Strategist

Chris Black has been a style columnist at the Strategist since 2019. He is also the co-host of How Long Gone, the founder of Done to Death Projects, and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in GQ, Vanity Fair, and Air Mail, among other outlets.

  1. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Thoughts on Tasteful (Not Too Expensive) Valentine’s Day Gifts?Plus several denim shirt options for an aspiring “Parisian Cowboy,” and leather, chunky-soled Oxford shoes (that aren’t Doc Martens).
  2. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: How Do I Bring More Italy-on-Holiday Vibes to My Life?How to use Italian vibes (and snacks) to relax, plus Chris’s favorite black shoes and gray shirts.
  3. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: I’m Beach Bound. What Shoes Do I Get That Aren’t Basic Sperrys?Plus Chris recommends dupes for Warby Parker frames and green accessories to buy this season (after he saw the color all over at Pitti Uomo).
  4. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Do You Use to Keep Your Teeth Pearly White?Everything Chris uses to care for his teeth (and mouth), plus his favorite bedside tables and the books currently on his reading list.
  5. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Can You Help Me Put Together an (Effortless) Après-Ski Look?Our columnist recommends the best clothes for dressing après ski without looking like a try-hard, along with some indoor-outdoor slippers for men.
  6. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are the Best Things You Bought in the 2010s?The products Chris calls his best purchases of the past ten years, plus stylish yet sturdy camera bags, and his favorite stuff for listening to music.
  7. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Favorite Winter Gloves?Three pairs at various prices to keep hands warm, plus Chris’s favorite flannels and some highbrow gift ideas for highbrow teens.
  8. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Storage Essentials for City Living?The bed risers, laundry bags, and sleek hooks Chris uses to maximize his apartment’s space, plus his picks for brown dress shoes and warm workwear.
  9. please advise
    What’s Your Take on Mock Necks, and Which Ones Should I Wear?Three mock necks that channel Chris’s “dad’s ’90s cold-weather running looks,” plus plants for the home, and gifts for Japanophiles.
  10. please advise
    What Are Your Favorite Pairs of Tassel Loafers?Three styles to complete a “Take Ivy” look, plus Chris’s favorite affordable home goods from often expensive brands and gray wool trousers.
  11. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Can You Suggest Some Tasteful, Unique Groomsmen Gifts?Plus Chris’s favorite camo clothes for winter and four coffee-table books he loves to give as gifts.
  12. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Nice, Warm Winter Boots for the Brutal Season Ahead?Plus Chris’s favorite men’s puffer jackets (that cost roughly $180), and six non-candle gift ideas for those suffering from candle fatigue.
  13. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Should a Man (Well) Over 50 Buy to Update His Casual Wear?Chris suggests some age-appropriate clothes for the dad set, as well as special gifts for a 30th birthday and his favorite winter scarves.
  14. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Ideas for Slightly Elevated Sweatpants I Can Wear in Public?A handful of sweatpants to go from couch to brunch, plus sleek-but-protective iPhone 11 cases and women’s (non-workout) sneakers to wear this fall.
  15. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: If You Had to Dress Business-Casual, What Would You Wear?Plus: Chris’s favorite beanies to sport this fall, and leather jackets that won’t make you look like a Sweetgreen regular who works in marketing.
  16. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Can You Recommend a Few Good (and Good-looking) Duffel Bags?Plus: black shoes (not sneakers) a “not cool” person can pull off, and the best footwear (including sneakers) to pair with black jeans.
  17. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What’s a Good Throw Blanket to Flex My Taste And Keep Me Warm?Plus: Our glasses-wearing columnist shares his favorite frames for men and women, and goes deep on nice-looking, cozy socks.
  18. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Ideas for Colorful (Wearable) Clothes to Brighten Up My Closet?Plus, Chris’s pal Jason Stewart, a home cook, weighs in on staple cookware and other items no kitchen should be without.
  19. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your 10 Wedding-Registry Essentials?Chris’s favorite practical and whimsical items for any registry, plus his picks for stylish men’s loungewear at any price point.
  20. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Is a Framed David Hockney Print in Poor Taste?Plus: an impassioned case for a Rimowa, and the coats Chris is coveting for fall.
  21. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Thoughts on Watches?Plus, our resident Cool Guy’s take on wedding tuxes and non-dweeby laptop cases.
  22. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: How Do You Keep Your Clothes Looking (and Smelling) Fresh?Chris shares his go-to laundry detergent, plus his favorite leather boots for fall, and what to wear for a night out in Vegas.
  23. men’s shoes
    When Polished, Everyone Thinks My $120 Derbys Are Their $820 Prada CousinsPractically every compliment I receive is from someone who assumes they are Prada.
  24. men’s fashion
    The Chris Black Starter Pack: 25 of Our Columnist’s Favorite BasicsIncluding the white T-shirts, jeans, deodorant, and backpack (which, spoiler alert, is not a backpack) Chris swears by.
  25. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What’s Your Entire Gym-shoe Rotation?Plus, Chris’s favorite pre-workout supplement and post-workout massager, and some stylish décor to spruce up a college dorm.
  26. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Do You Have A Favorite Fragrance?Plus, Chris’s picks for button-downs at every price point, and a female guest columnist weighs in on interview-appropriate clothes for women.
  27. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Do You Use to Stay Organized?Plus, travel mugs that won’t make you look like a suburban parent at your kid’s school drop-off, and Chris’s favorite coffee-table books.
  28. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What’s On Your Summer Reading List?Plus: A nice-looking, head-to-toe outfit to wear on job interviews (for under $200), and everything Chris sleeps on and under.
  29. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Should I Wear on a First Date?Plus: Unisex summer rain shoes, and nice-looking furniture that won’t break the bank.
  30. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Do You Use to Work Out While Traveling?Plus: Stylish Dopp kits worth investing in, and the only chair you should use at your desk.
  31. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Stuff Do You Always Bring to the Beach?Plus: Baseball caps for practically every personality and occasion.
  32. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What’s a Good Summer Hostess Gift (That Isn’t Rosé)?Plus: Nice-looking straw hats for guys, and a contraption to give your T-shirts a perfect fold.
  33. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Travel Essentials?Plus: Towels and slippers to use instead of a smelly bath mat, and stylish swim trunks for guys (without a lobster print in sight).
  34. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are You Getting Your Dad for Father’s Day?Plus: A good graduation gift for a Brown grad, and Chris’s travel outfit.
  35. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: Should an Adult Carry a Backpack?Short answer: No.
  36. hair treatments
    Ask Chris Black: What Hair Products Do You Use?Plus, Chris’s opinion of joggers and black derbies.
  37. fixations
    I Think About This a Lot: The Lemonheads on Jenny JonesThis performance perfectly illustrates the musicians struggle against the powers that be.
  38. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Favorite Sunglasses?Plus, Chris’s favorite belt and iPhone case.
  39. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Birkenstocks Should I Get?Plus: the best ways to listen to music at home.
  40. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are the Best White Sneakers?Hint: not Common Projects.
  41. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Do You Wear When It’s Raining?The umbrella, raincoats, and shoes that Chris Black likes.
  42. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: How Should a Guy Make His House Smell Good?Plus, the best men’s wallets that aren’t Comme des Garçons.
  43. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Would You Wear to a Wedding?Plus: What are the best black jeans?
  44. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What’s Your Perfect White T-Shirt?Plus: 2019’s status tote bag, and the best chunky sweaters for men.
  45. please advise
    Ask Chris Black: What Are Your Top 5 Amazon Fashion Staples?Plus: the best men’s moisturizers and workout gear.
  46. your shopping cart
    Guest Strategist Haul: What Chris Black Bought in April“It’s a blend of essential oils and smells terrific. Literally, overnight it got rid of the dryness and even gave me a little glow.”
  47. this thing’s incredible
    These Grippy Wings Are Like ‘Condoms for My Apple AirPods’They’re called EarBuddyz and they’re 12 bucks.
  48. printed matter
    If They Like Instagram, They’ll Love These Photo BooksFor the person who double-taps in her sleep.
  49. weird things we love
    Strat Face-off: Battle of the Muscle MassagersIs the Tiger Tail or Thera Cane better for rolling out knots?
  50. stocking stuffer alert
    Cult Toothpicks: A Good Last-Minute Gift Under $10I have single-handedly turned a lot of people into toothpick enthusiasts.