Commute Essentials
You have a choice. You can endure your commute, and fill it with the empty calories of Facebook or the Metro. Or you can turn it into something worth doing everyday. You could even look forward to it.
We’ve made some suggestions to get you started ….
Podcasts are perfect commuting fodder — bitesize morsels of content that work door to door, however you’re travelling. We’ll assume you’ve tried Serial — so we’ve settled on this as our current favourite: Reply All — a brilliantly produced series of stories about the internet, and how it’s changing our lives. Just trust us on this.
At any moment in time, 40% of the world’s earbud headphones are stuffed at the bottom of a drawer, tied in a Gordian knot. You can do better than this — without becoming a Beats or Bose robot. We’ve tested a few but British brand Angle & Curve is any easy choice. Come for the distinctively sharp, clean design; stay for the audio quality. Whatever your sountrack, it will sound better with these.
Leaving your house in trainers is a safe way to enhance the quality of your commute, even if it means a quick change at your desk. To avoid looking unintentionally hipster you’re better off with discreet branding and a classic design. This pair from Japanese brand Sophnet is a take on the German army trainer, a perfect combination of timeless design and well conceived comfort.
Summer’s over (such as it was). Deal with it. Embrace the umbrella — and specifically this monochrome number from Mr.Stanford. Designed and made in England, it’ll stand up to a monsoon — and finishing is great: from the hand lacquered mapled handle to the beech wood shaft. They signal uncompromising quality and very good taste.
5. Ally Capellino Shoulder Bag
Ally Cappellino bags wear in, not out. This Robin briefcase is beautifully constructed, yet practical as they come. There’s a shoulder strap for an easy commute and leather handles for when you’re walking into a meeting. The waxed canvas is what sets it apart — a bit of rugged appeal to balance its traditional form. If nothing else, bookmark Ally for Christmas shopping.
6. London Guided — Travel Guide by Cereal magazine
One for the Londoners. It’s when you’re stuck on the tube, surrounded by a bunch of exhausted strangers trying not to look at each other, that you feel London is failing you. ‘Guided — London’ by Cereal magazine is an elegant reminder of how brilliant London actually is. iPads are great and everything — but let’s never forget the simple pleasures of a carefully edited, beautifully printed magazine.
With their minimalist, geometric designs these guys might be mistaken for a Scandinavian import — but their workshop is actually just West of London. The bifold wallet is a great example of their work. Handmade from start to finish, with great details like the saddle stitching and flat rivets, this is a thoroughly modern wallet — simple and compact, it’s all you need, now that so much of your life is on your phone.
That should get you started. And of course, should you need perfect piece of commuting trouser-wear, you know where to find us.
