This was, without a doubt, a year unlike any other. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, shifting our work lives and home lives into new realms and realities. But through it all, the Valet. team continued churning out work to enlighten and entertain—both on the website and in our morning newsletter, The Daily Valet. As we wrap up 2020, the team decided to comb through the data to reflect on the most-read stories from the past twelve months. From COVID-related protections and practices to all the cool products we discovered and interesting people we met along the way, it was one hell of a year with lots to offer. Herewith, the top audience favorites worth revisiting before we kick things off in 2021.
1
A Gentleman’s Guide
to Face Masks
From simple styles cut from chambray shirting and cozy sweatshirt material to more advanced masks featuring antimicrobial scuba fabric or vintage bandanas, take your pick and be safe out there.
2
The 10 Upgrades Every Man
Should Have in His Home
When you think of grown-up living, you imagine a well-appointed home. When your house looks better, you feel better.
3
Your Ultimate
At-Home Workout
Four proven plans to get you in shape without ever having to leave your house.
4
The 10 Shoes Worth
Splurging On
When it comes to cost-per-wear, a good pair of shoes has to deliver the most value of any item in a man's closet.
5
Menswear Staples That Will
Never Go Out of Style
The list of clothing that will serve every stylish man isn't all that long, really. Timeless, high-quality items that epitomize the “buy less, but buy better” mantra.
6
Boost Your
Testosterone
There's no one thing that makes you a “real man,” but your testosterone levels do play a pretty significant role. You could say it's what separates the men from the boys—literally.
7
The Humble Plank
Does More Than You Think
While it may look simple, the plank is brutally effective. Just 90 seconds of planking will remind you that this isn't so easy.
8
The Solution to
“Quarantine Skin”
Has your skin been acting up: dry one day, irritated and red the next, with the occasional pimple popping up here and there? If that sounds familiar, just know that you might be social distancing but you're not alone.
9
How I Optimized
My Mornings
Your mornings have the power to set the tone for an entire day. A lousy start can derail any good intentions and leave you feeling overwhelmed and underachieving.
10
Get to Know
Your Dark Side
All humans have shadows, but most men—because of the way we're raised to shut off our emotions—often have very large ones. Usually they're filled with fear, grief, anger and shame.
11
The No-Equipment
Home Workout
Some of the most in-demand trainers and studios are taking on this crisis by opening their services to anyone online—for free.
12
It’s Time to Rearrange Your Furniture
Perhaps you need your place to function differently now that you're working from home. Or maybe you're just bored and looking for a simple project that costs no money and yields instant gratification.
13
The Modern Man’s
House Shoes
The new house shoe is a slip-on that complements your easygoing at-home look with its high level of comfort, along with its open styling.
14
A Brief History
of the Lawn Chair
The folding lawn chair is an American summertime classic. Lightweight and durable, the portable chairs are carted to campouts and tailgates, backyard barbecues and beaches.
15
Stress Belly
Is Real
We've been staying indoors, binging TV and ordering takeout. Add some unprecedented stress, and you're left with extra weight that's not always easy to lose.
16
The Home Office
Essentials
Working from home always sounds like a great way to work, until you end up trying to stay productive typing on the couch. You want to outfit your workspace—wherever it may be—and invest in it the same way you would any other room.
17
The 10 Best
Grooming Gadgets
From the low-key to the seriously high-tech, these are the 10 must-have grooming gadgets to buzz, vibrate and oscillate your way to a more handsome you.
18
The New Rules
of Chivalry
Chivalry ... you've heard it's dead. You've heard it isn't. But rather than declare it dead or alive, let's adapt it to modern times. Times in which most of our interactions happen virtually.
19
My Morning Routine:
Waris Ahluwalia
You might recognize Waris Ahluwalia from Wes Anderson films or the Netflix show Russian Doll. Ahluwalia lives a life surrounded by beautiful things.
20
Do Men Have an
Empathy Problem?
For decades, scientists have been trying to understand why men were less empathetic to their peers and how this lack of emotional awareness caused issues in both their personal and professional lives.
We posted to Instagram
186 times in 2020. And received over 91,000 likes. But these are the most popular.