Gentleman’s Box Review & Coupon – May 2016

Gentleman’s Box is a monthly men’s subscription box – including the required essentials for the savvy man.  Each month includes a copy of GQ, which is delivered separately to subscribers.  Boxes contain selected items ranging from style to grooming.    

Each box includes a copy of “The Gentleman’s Post,” an expanded-format booklet filled with cool stuff.  Each month is dedicated to someone who has had a great influence on culture or fashion.  This month’s collection is dedicated to “Our Favorite Soul King,” honoring Ray Charles.

The Post includes a new curator’s letter, information on the inspiration, the contents, details on every item, the Gentleman’s Tip for the month, and an interview with a Gentleman’s Box subscriber.  I like this format — it has a nicer look, and the content makes me appreciate the items more.

The Gentlemen’s Post has a description of every item in he box.  Each one gets a full page with info on the company behind that product, it’s suggested use, and other useful tidbits.

There are also tips on how to wear or use the items included in the box.  The curators have done a good job of pairing items thematically or by color, so that the several items within a single month’s box (and sometimes across multiple months’ boxes) go well together in a single outfit.

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

Crosby & Co. Modern Grid Cufflinks:  Sterling silver, with a white cross-hatch (no, it’s not a hashtag), These cufflinks are elegant and versatile.  I love the way the design has a great deal of visual interest without committing to a palette that would potentially clash with certain outfits.  Gentlemen’s box makes me want to invest in some additional shirts with French cuffs.

Ray Charles Innovations Easy Shoe Polish ($5.99):  This selection comes from a company whose founder just happens to share a name with this month’s honoree.  This polish stick makes shining your dress shoes easy, and much less messy than using a traditional tin and cloth.  This is also perfect for taking in a go kit or keeping in your office along with the suitcoat you have hanging on the back of the door.

Dapperganger Argyle Socks ($39.99):  Socks are an essential part of the men’s styling subscription formula, but these are the first I’ve seen that claim to have quasi-transformational powers.  The packaging is beyond what I would expect for a single pair of socks, and it certainly gives them a premium feel — I believe iphones have less text on their outer packaging.

Made of a cotton blend, the socks less silky and slightly less stretchy than other other dress socks I’ve received in styling boxes.  They are very thin, but they feel durable and well-constructed.  I’m glad to see them in the box — As nice as they are, I would be unlikely to spontaneously buy a pair on my own at $45!

The pattern is a nice 4-tone blue argyle — it extends the length of the exposed neck of the sock, with solid panels along the foot and red accents at the toe, heel, and collar.  When I look at dress socks, I try to envision them worn both with a  suit and casually, as with shorts.  These have a nice and traditional looking pattern along the sweet spot that shows when you’re dressed up, but they also have a bit of a whimsical look for more casual scenarios — when you are cruising the house shoeless or rocking shorts, they have a nice flash of color.

Salt + Dapper Bow Tie ($35):  This 100% cotton bow-tie is hand-made, with a traditional butterfly cut.  The color and windowpane pattern create a feel that fits either a traditional or an edgy outfit.

The tie even comes with simple “instructions” on how to tie a bow-tie.  I have to admit, I’ve never seen them boiled down to two simple steps before!

El Patron Maximum Hold Pomade   ($4.20):  This product boast of maximum hold and a high shine.  I like the scent — light, fresh, and slightly botanical.  The texture is very interesting, as it is viscous like honey and feels sticky straight from the jar, rather than creamy, greasy, or waxy.

Gentleman’s Box is very consistent with its quality and focus — all the items this month were well-made and very wearable.  I like the continued effort to match the color and pattern of pieces to help create a coherent look — the “how to wear it” feature in the booklet (shown earlier in this post) even demonstrates that the curators are attempting to match some patterns and colors across different months, a bonus for long-time subscribers.

The value of the box is fantastic — I figured it at about $91.18 before even including the cufflinks!  I could only find pricing for Crosby & Co’s premium cufflinks, and they run at about $245 a pop.  I’m assuming this pair is more economical and likely would cost $25-$75 retail, but even that large ballpark is a wild guess.

Have you tried Gentleman’s Box? You can save $10 on your first box with coupon code HELLO10 — it’s like paying half-price for the tie and getting everything else free!

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