Our resident stylist Andrew Porter waxes casual on men’s and women’s must-haves.

LifeProof iPhone 4 Case
I’ve gone through something like six phones in the past year. My Blackberry I flat out left on a counter top. I had a Samsung that fell into the East River. My last phone fell victim to misplaced frustration when I texted half of my phonebook “LOL,” and then threw it into a vacant lot on Atlantic Ave.—at 5:00 a.m. I’m now on my second iPhone. I live in fear of breaking this thing, so I bought a super-duty-tough-work Otter Box case. Honestly, it’s the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen—it doesn’t even fit in my pocket. So I was more than excited to see this LifeProof case. It’s ultra-slim, built to withstand near-seven-foot drops, and you can use it underwater. WHAT? This thing is amazing! Ever wanted to listen to “Pipeline” while surfing at Pipeline? Now you can. With this case, you can swim, surf, and, most importantly “chat, text, or watch movies in the bath.” Finally, I can combine my passion for Italian neo-realism with my passion for bathing.

Uniform Wares 100 Series Watch
I’ve written about watches a few times here. I have a drawer full of them. If I hit the town sans-watch, I feel naked, and not in a good way. I mostly wear Swatches and G-Shocks, but I understand that they are not for everybody. For those looking for a more “adult” option, check out these Uniform Wares 100 Series watches. Super-simple and clean, these timepieces are modeled after the “no-nonsense wall clocks of British industry.” Not really sure what that means entirely, but it sounds like a good thing to tell somebody when they ask you about your watch. Personally, I love the monochromatic face-and-strap combo. The cases are made of matte aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, which adds a little shine to this understated piece. Team that with Japanese quartz movement and a 36-month battery life, and you have a perfectly simple watch. Ideal for him or her.

LeTom Mojito Straw Cap
The first time I met my friend Lily, she was wearing a leather visor with tooled floral detailing. Shortly thereafter, I saw her again, this time wearing a woven straw baseball cap. Needless to say, I was fully taken aback by her tropical swag. These LeTom hats give off a major-league, summertime feel in the best way possible—bringing the islands to the city through a perfect combination of woven straws. It takes a certain type of lady to pull off a hat like this, but if done right, one can look like the most radiant beam of sunshine. I’ve since worked with Lily for five years, and learned that she has been happily married for seven years to a top-ranking gentleman. The moral of the story is this: If you ever meet a woman that can pull off a straw baseball hat, hold on tight. You’ve found a real gem.