Gentleman’s Box Subscription Box Review – October 2015

Gentleman’s Box is a monthly men’s subscription box – including the required essentials for the savvy man. While every box previously included a copy of GQ, it will now be delivered separately to subscribers.  Boxes contain selected items ranging from style to grooming.  Each month honors a male archetype that may or may not bring an actual celebrity to mind.   

This month is dedicated to “Our Favorite Intergalactic Director”- George Lucas!   Instead of the simple informational card in previous boxes the subscription now includes an entire booklet.  The expanded format allows a little more praise and info on the honoree.

The booklet includes a new curator’s letter, information on the inspiration, the contents, details on every item, and the Gentleman’s Tip for the month. They also added an interview with a Gentleman’s Box subscriber. The new box makes for a neater presentation — and no more rolled GQs!  Also, there is more room for style guides, tips, and other cool extra features that didn’t make it onto the card.

The new square box is more conducive to neat wrapping of the contents.

Here’s everything in this month’s box except the copy of GQ ($6), now mailed separately to subscribers.

Winner’s Circle Fashion Floral Tie ($22):  I am a huge fan of coordinated accessories — matching ties and pocket squares, socks, and the like.  This pairing was pretty on-the-nose, given the intensity of the pattern.  The tie is 100% cotton (with poly lining inside).  The colors are quite pretty, but it is probably one to wear with a pretty quiet shirt.

Winner’s Circle Fashion Floral Pocket Square ($12):  Also 100% Cotton, the square is a perfect match for the tie.  It looks pretty overwhelming laid out, but it is a quite sharp accent piece when tucked in a breast pocket.

Mettle Co. Buddha Bracelet ($22.99):  Brandy did the initial unboxing on this GB, and when I saw it sitting out, I totally thought she had mixed it up with her Yogi Surprise box!  This Buddha head beaded bracelet is more laid-back and spiritual in tone that the usual GB fare, but it is in step with the current progression taking place in men’s fashion.  The elastic band guarantees a good fit, and the beads are very pretty — a polished wood look with a slight translucence.

Sock 101 Socks ($7) The Thomas, how appropriate!  Pink and navy, strangely enough, make this a more man-appropriate pattern than pink on black would be.  This is one of those items that men are always a little self-conscious about wearing.  Granted, you may take a bit of a ribbing if you wear these to deer camp, but trust me:  if you wear these to the office, you will spend the entire day receiving compliments from women, which isn’t the worst way to spend your day.  The socks are medium weight (slightly thick for a dress sock), with a nice stretch and relaxed elastic.

California North Appellation Grapeseed Moisturizer ($1) This was noted as California North Sea Blast Shampoo in the booklet.  Grapeseed is a very clean and traditional oil, perfect for a light moisturizer.

I like the balance that Gentleman’s Box has — only one grooming product and lots of wearables.  This box had about $67 in value.  The selections this month were very interesting.  Everything was a bit more feminine than is typical — from the floral prints, to the pink socks, to the yoga beads and wine country moisturizer.  If the tie were an infinity scarf, this could be a women’s box!  Individually, each item is nice, but the  grouping into a single box throws off a less masculine vibe than has been the case in months past.  This month is a pink theme (in admirable support of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness effort), so I would expect a return to a more traditional palette next month.  I am at a loss as to the connection to George Lucas — he is nominally honored, but the products lack any logical connection to his work. However, the booklet notes his significant charitable contributions.

Visit Gentleman’s Box to subscribe or find out more.