- Every powerful man should maintain a look of success by remaining both <a title="professional and stylish" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/05/27/company-dress-code/"><strong>professional and stylish</strong></a>. And as the age-old saying goes, when you look good, you feel good. Maintain your professional and polished swagger and don't get caught slipping by keeping a personal emergency style kit. As part of our <a title="BE Polished" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/style/"><strong>BE Polished</strong></a> series, we highlight must-have products and fashion items that will help any professional man of style go from the office to an impromptu meeting to cocktail hour with ease, despite any workday stresses or snafus. <i>—Janell Hazelwood</i>
- <strong>HANDY SCENTS:</strong> Everyone loves a great-smelling man in a suit, and what better way to refresh your scent than with a roll on cologne? Try <a title="Diptyque's L'Eau De Neroli" href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446390708&R=3700431404688&P_name=Diptyque&sid=131D40179B1A&Ntt=roll+on+cologne&N=0&bmUID=j7jyI25" target="_blank"><strong>Diptyque’s L'Eau De Neroli</strong></a>, with its hints of bergamot, neroli, orange blossom and white musks ($48; Saks Fifth Ave.) or Fresh’s <strong><a title="Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball" href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P254207&categoryId=B70#" target="_blank">Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball</a> </strong> ($18.50; Sephora), which has notes of lemongrass, sandlewood and amber. With these you can layer your scents (though don’t go overboard), or simply touch up your sexy throughout the day. (If you want to go the extra mile, purchase small perfume tubes and fill with your favorite cologne for a mini refresher. Try <a title="Kingsley crystal tubes" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kingsley-Crystal-Purse-Atomizer-Funnel/dp/B001619XP0" target="_blank"><strong>Kingsley crystal tubes</strong></a> that sell for less than $7 online.)
- <strong>SKINCARE ON THE GO:</strong> It’s always good to keep your face and other visible body parts shaved and supple to make the best lasting impressions whether in the office or brokering deals. Keep a mini shaving kit on hand, such as this 3-piece <a title="Shea Moisture Kit" href="http://www.target.com/p/Men-39-s-Shea-Moisture-Shave-3-45-pc-46-Travel-Kit/-/A-10870478" target="_blank"><strong>Shea Moisture Kit</strong></a> (Target; $14.99). It includes a face wash and scrub, shave butter, a brush, and aftershave care spray. Or try the <a title="Him-i-stry Supreme Shave Set" href="http://www.himistry.com/shop/treatment-sets/supreme-shave-set.html" target="_blank"><strong>H.I.M-istry Supreme Shave Set</strong></a>, which is foam free and includes a Black Tea Glycolic Cleanser, Black Tea Shave Crème, Black Tea Bamboo scrub, QC-10 Aftershave Balm and a Himistry Shave Towel.
- <strong>TRAVEL BARBER:</strong> Of course with any shaving kit you need a shaver for those last minute touchups. Pair your shave products with the <a title="All-in-One Norelco Grooming Kit" href="http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_038W029677110001P?vName=Beauty&cName=Men%27sShaving&HairRemoval&sName=Electric%20Shavers&sid=KDx20070926x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=038W029677110001P" target="_blank"><strong>All-in-One Norelco Grooming Kit</strong></a> ($40; K-Mart), which is rechargeable and cordless, or the <a title="Braun M90 Mobile Shaver" href="http://www.amazon.com/Braun-M90-Mobile-Shaver-Silver/dp/B002TQ4AO0/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1313524382&sr=8-18" target="_blank"><strong>Braun M90 Mobile Shaver </strong></a>($24.95; Amazon), also battery powered, for quick cleanups of facial or neck stubble.
- <strong>HAUTE HANDS:</strong> Dirty fingernails and unkempt hands can be a major turn-off, especially since many greetings and deal closings include a handshake. Keep it tight with <a title="The Tool Kit by Anthony Logistics for Men" href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P249352&om_mmc=GoogleBase&_requestid=42976&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=P249352&sbanner=us_search" target="_blank"><strong>The Tool Kit by Anthony Logistics for Men</strong></a>. ($55; Sephora). It includes a mini nail clipper, tweezer, steel nail file and grooming scissors that go into a nice, manly looking silver case. Also, a portion of the proceeds from purchase will go toward prostate cancer research.
- <strong>YES, WET WIPES:</strong> A professional man’s life can get a little hectic with little time between work and after-work to take a break. With deodorizing wipes, you can be sure to be able to quickly and conveniently freshen up and keep it moving. Try <a title="La Fresh Group's wipes for men" href="http://lafreshgroup.com/travel-wipes-for-him.html" target="_blank"><strong>La Fresh Group’s wipes for men</strong></a>, a company with kits that include anti-bacterial, lense cleaning, and lotionnette wipes for as low as $20.
- <strong>CONVENIENT CLEANERS:</strong> After a quick bite at the desk or lunch out of the office, spills can be unavoidable. But you can avoid looking like Sloppy Sam with that stain on your necktie or shirt. Keep a handy stain remover such as the <a title="Stain Be GOne Mini Pen" href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stain-Be-Gone-Mini-Pen-Instant-Stain-Remover-.34-fl-oz/12444616" target="_blank"><strong>Stain Be Gone Mini Pen</strong></a> or <a title="Tide's Instant Remover" href="http://www.amazon.com/Tide-Instant-Remover-2-Count-Packages/dp/B001LK6QRE" target="_blank"><strong>Tide's Instant Remover</strong></a> for spot cleaning.
- <strong>WHOOPS REPELLENT:</strong> Weather is one thing we can’t control, but how we weather the storms—rain, sleet, hail or snow—in style, is up to us. Having a handy shoe stain repair kit is always a good idea to erase scuffs or water damage on dress or work shoes and boots. Try the <a title="Revive X Nubuck, Suede, and Fabric Boot Care Kit" href="http://www.mcnett.com/ReviveX-Nubuck-Suede-Fabric-Boot-Care-Kit-P248.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>Revive X Nubuck, Suede, and Fabric Boot Care Kit </strong></a>($15.95; Amazon).
- <strong>SHOE SHINE:</strong> What’s a great suit or business casual look without a great shoe? And to keep them up to par, a good emergency shine kit can come in handy. Try the easy-to-use Harry Koenig Shoe Shine Kit ($13.95; Amazon), which comes with polish, brush, resealable applicator, buffing cloth, and shoe horn in a simple carrying case.
- <strong>INSTANT TAILORING AND MENDING:</strong> Sewing is not just a woman's pursuit, and frankly, if you lose a button or a stitch, you'd hate to get stuck looking sloppy because you have no way to mend it. If there's no tailor or seamstress nearby, keeping a <a title="handy sewing kit" href="http://www.nextag.com/travel-sewing-kit/shop-html" target="_blank"><strong>handy sewing kit</strong></a> and <a title="heming tape" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrights-Clear-881917-Items-Order/dp/B0033P552W" target="_blank"><strong>heming tape </strong></a><a title="(some require no ironing)" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrights-Clear-881917-Items-Order/dp/B0033P552W" target="_blank"><strong>(some require no ironing)</strong></a> is not only helpful but essential.
- <strong>ESSENTIAL EXTRAS: </strong>It's good to keep a travel-size <a title="deoderant" href="http://www.walmart.com/cp/Deodorants-Antiperspirant/1001487" target="_blank"><strong>deodorant</strong></a>, an extra, <a title="dark silk or cotton tie" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/hugo-woven-silk-tie/3172961?origin=related-3172961-0-0-1-1"><strong>dark silk or cotton tie</strong></a> and <a title="pair of modest cufflinks" href="http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=271532&cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-5-_-69-_-MP569" target="_blank"><strong>pair of modest cufflinks</strong></a>, and <a title="a blazer" href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/12201/en/zara-W2011/118182/445019/PLAIN%2BBLAZER" target="_blank"><strong>a blazer</strong></a> in a seasonal fabric (or blend of one, such as cotton or wool).
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<li><strong><em>Visit </em><a href="http://www.BlackEnterprise.com/style">BlackEnterprise.com/style</a> <em>for more Fashion Week coverage as well as features on how you can upgrade our professional style profile!</em></strong></li>
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Posted: September 8, 2011
