The Often-Overlooked Element to Men’s Fashion
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It's important to make sure you cover all bases when heading to the track, from fashion choices to what kind of cologne you're wearing (Photos by Alfred Lane).
Gentleman, so you picked out that perfectly fitted suit, selected a nice pair of winged-tip shoes to match and perhaps you even opted to top it all of with a fedora. Yet it still feels like your getup for a day at the track is missing something.
Rather, it smells like something is missing. *sniff, sniff, sniff*
Yep, that smell. It isn’t the horses; it’s you.
Often overlooked in the field in men’s fashion is the objective to not only look good, but also to smell equally as good. Enter the cologne selection conundrum.
There are a wide variety of colognes out there, ranging from the deluxe designer fragrances, to the local Walmart musk. Most of these spritz-on scents, unfortunately, begin to wear off immediately after application.
This doesn’t cut it, when spending a day at the track. Time spent in the sun, while hoofing around the apron and paddock, all expedite the de-smell-good process.
Chicago-based entrepreneurs Archie Jeter and Rafael Hernandez have championed this issue with the release of their Alfred Lane line of solid colognes. The product is an oil-based pomade that’s packaged in a palm-sized tin to maximize portability. Above all, it smells darn good.
“We wanted to create a renaissance product of sorts that tapped into the ideals of the dapper man and the different profiles that are a part of that image,” Hernandez explained.
The line features three distinct fragrances: Vanguard, Bravado, and Brio.
If you’re in the market for one, Hernandez plays the role of cologne sommelier: “For a warm day at the track, Vanguard is the way to go. It has a light, fresh citrusy feel, with some great wood notes that spike in at the end.”
The Bravado scent features subtle notes of tobacco and leather, familiar scents to any regular at the races.
Bravado is a selection I see fit for a “guys day out” at the track, while the Brio finds itself as a middle-of-the-road, all-purpose fragrance.
The pocket-friendly size gives you the option to bring it along and reapply, as the day moves on. This is an asset, given an afternoon spent ’cappin can run upward of five hours.
“It’s extremely travel friendly,” Hernandez adds. If you’re flying out for a race, you’ll have no problem getting through airport security, unlike the liquid cologne counterparts.
The products retail at $17.95 and are available both online and at boutiques around the globe.
Ladies, if you’re still reading, this is the perfect gift for that horse-loving significant other in your life.