The Dopp Kit – A Man’s Best Friend

Introducing the best insurance policy on the planet. We present to you… The Dopp Kit. No alarm system, parachute, or bulletproof vest will have you feeling safer than this bag of toiletries right here. This will save you more times than Wikipedia on the night of a final project. Invented by a leather craftsman in the early 1900s, this toiletry case was named after the man who created it, Charles Doppelt.  It combines first-aid, hygiene, and emergency items into one compact, unique, handsome package.

As mentioned in our former article, wearing nice clothes is extremely helpful when it comes to being noticed.  However, it can only get you so far in life before hygiene steps in. Obviously, you must also be clean. This is where the Dopp kit is here to help. Bring it with you to work, travel and any events where appearance and hygiene are of utmost priority.

If it’s best for your situation, keep it at work as a satellite clean-up crew away from your main hub of toiletries at home. If any of the items below come in travel size, grab it and don’t look back. You’ll need to save as much space as you can to be as prepared as possible.

The Bag

Although traditionally leather-based, many designer brands, such as Prada and Paul Smith, now use nylon and other polyester materials. This makes the bags available for all types of designs and also much more durable with regards to functionality. Spills and errant water splashes will not affect a polyester bag, whereas leather may get damaged.  However, the comfort and class of carrying a leather Dopp bag is unparalleled. It truly depends on what you prioritize. You can select a type of bag that reflects you and one you can make your own.

Deodorant

Keep the bad smells away with a stick, not gel, deodorant. If you tend to sweat profusely and have hairy pits, don’t be afraid to trim them a bit to apply your deodorant successfully. Don’t use an antiperspirant as the chemicals are terrible for your skin and body.

Cologne

Smell better than fantastic with a versatile cologne that performs well in all situations from morning till night. Apply to your wrists and rub them together.  You can also apply behind your earlobes… the scent travels well from there.

Lip Balm

It’s not only for cold locations anymore. Chapped lips can be the result of dry climates (like the desert) or  homes that are overheated such as dinner at your in-laws. Apply a layer on both your lips, press them together and spread evenly.

Razor

For a clean, quality shave, select a compact razor with at least 3-4 blades for a closer shave. Pack two extra cartridges… saving yourself future trouble from running out. If you prioritize efficiency at all times and wish to reduce prep time, bring an electronic razor for a quick fix.

Shaving Cream

Only necessary if you’re using a manual razor. Good to bring a petite-sized tube of shaving cream to prep your skin for a fine shave. Avoid creams from aerosol cans as they will dry your skin. This is counter-intuitive to what shaving cream is supposed to do. A shaving brush is considered non-essential, so use your hands to bring the cream to a lather with warm water and apply to your skin.

 

Moisturizer

Keep your skin fresh with a mild toning moisturizer that closes up your pores. Overlooking your skincare is a fatal mistake that many gentlemen make. Keep your skin smooth and firm, or risk looking like Michael Myers from Halloween.

Face Wipes

Much easier than washing your face using soap and water. Use an oil-free cleaning wipe to rid your face of pore-clogging oil and rejuvenate your skin. The wipes will leave a fresh scent on your face so there’s no need to rinse your skin afterward. The title says it all.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Your smile is your most valuable asset. Be sure to keep it minty fresh with a quick brush after any meal. A traveling toothbrush, one with a cover protecting the bristles, is ideal.  Be careful when spitting and rinsing… don’t want your clothes getting caught in the crossfire.

Floss

Never neglect your gums. The last thing you want is to flash your smile and have a chunk of pot roast stuck between your two front teeth. You’ll know when someone looks at your mouth like they just stepped on a cockroach. Plaque buildup is no fun either.  If gums are not properly taken care of, this can turn into a costly fix. Spend a couple seconds to clean out the gaps. If your gums bleed, don’t worry.  It means they were due for a cleaning.

Mouthwash

You can now eat Schwarma in peace. A quick fix for fresh breath– pick a light alcohol-based mouthwash if you plan to use it solo. However, if you plan to mix it with water, go with regular strength mouthwash. For the latter, mix mouthwash with water at a 1/3 ratio to reduce burn and to keep you from smelling like a pine tree.

Nail Clippers

Nobody wants to see your chewed-up fingernail corpses, nobody. Get a nail clipper with a filing extension to smooth out any rough edges. Trust us, the last thing someone wants when shaking your hand is to see bite marks on your nails. Clean them up.

Lint Roller

Like a toilet plunger, you never think you’ll need one until it’s too late. Don’t show up to work (or worse, at a party) looking like your dog or cat came with you. Lint, pet hair and feathers usually stick to your clothes from openings within an outerwear piece so if lint rolling becomes an everyday occurrence, it’s time to change jackets.

Spare Cash

Just in case an establishment only accepts bills, or if you want to tip a waiter beforehand for an exemplary round of service, pack some emergency cash for who knows what. Even in this advanced age, bellhops and valets don’t take Visa as of yet, so cash will have to do. Also, if you happen to lose your wallet or worse yet, have it stolen, you’ll still have money on hand.

Band-Aids

No need to get one for every size of potential cut. Just have two regular sized strips and one large sized for the odd dismemberment. Include an infection treatment cream such as Polysporin and alcohol wipes for disinfectants.

Ibuprofen

Aches and pains, be gone! A necessity in your pseudo first-aid kit, a reliable brand such as Advil will be a quick fix for any ailments. Sharing with friends and colleagues will ultimately lead to your appointment into sainthood, as you’d be surprised how many people need it for everyday pains.

Pocket Mirror

For an on-demand check-up, get a small rectangular mirror as a rounded one is a tad feminine. The uses are endless as you can check on your hair, food in teeth, gunk in eyes, and barbecue sauce on your face.