Welcome to In the Bag, a monthly packing guide for all the occasions a gentleman holds dearest. This week: everything you need to cut a fine figure on your annual Homecoming trip. Facepaint optional.
The homecoming football trip stands alongside the bachelor party as one of those smash-and-grab friends weekends. You needn’t pack much, but you need to pack well. Keep it simple with a few layers that let you go from night to day and back again.
The Bag: Mission Workshop Transit Duffel
The military-grade bag that can take a licking and looks slick doing so. Plenty of pockets inside and out to help you stay organized.
The Sweatshirt: Crew Neck Stadium Sweater
Hillflint makes comfy cotton sweaters stenciled with college logos from the ’80s and ’90s. If your school isn’t on their roster, they’re happy to go custom.
The Pants: Raleigh Denim
One great pair of selvedge denim is all you need for the weekend (just mind the mustard). Raleigh Denim sources theirs from the historic Cone Mills in North Carolina.
The Boot: Lems Boulder Boot
Lems Boulder boot is lightweight and looks natty paired with jeans. And if your school is near any natural wonders, it can definitely handle a morning hike.
The Tee: Jungmaven SS Baja Tee
Jungmaven makes its beefy tees with a long-staple hemp, a fiber that’s both comfy and stays fresh for 2-3 days. The fit falls just above the belt.
The Jacket: Roark Revival Officer Jacket
If there’s a chill — or, God forbid, rain — this jacket will keep you toasty and dry.
The Sunnies: Raen Wiley
Looking at a fall-colored college campus on gameday isn’t the same through cheap sunnies. Raen makes theirs with high-quality glass, and that makes all the difference. Trust.
The Toiletries: Baxter Travel Set
They say smell is the sense most closely tied to memory, and given that you’ll be making some new ones, best set out on the right foot. Baxter’s shampoo, deodorant and lotions are pleasant and natural.
The Headphones: Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Headphones
One of the best wireless cans we’ve tested, and they last far longer than your travel time on a single charge. To keep you current on new music, check out our monthly playlist of the best new music. And to help you navigate those inevitable late-night palavers, bone up on current events with Audm, an audio format version of all the best long-form journalism from Wired and The Atlantic.
The Flask: Shot Flask
What’s football Saturday without a shot (or two or three) of whiskey? This flask includes a collapsible shot glass and funnel.
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