$400 for a keychain? Thank me later.
When the supple lambskin touches your hand, when the expert braiding meets your eye, you understand the value.
Even with the invention of pesky Wi-Fi-controlled locks, keys are still something most of us use and abuse daily. Sure, the Tesla might be push-to-start, but if you have any taste, your front door has a proper deadbolt that requires a key for entry — tactile proof that you’ll never be locked out because of an outage.
I care a lot about how I carry my keys. A key chain is an extension of ourselves, a way to signal our identity. For example, you’ve seen the guys with the carabiner full of keys jangling on one of their front belt loops — a telltale sign that they’re an art handler, a skateboarder, a creative director, or possibly all three.
Years ago, in need of a new key chain after losing one in an unfortunate rushed hotel exit, I stumbled upon the perfect specimen from Italian brand Bottega Veneta. I’ve always had an affection for the brand’s luxurious braided leather products, and I had been eyeing a navy blue lanyard in its signature Intreccio-pattern weave, which dates to the 1960s.
The term Intreccio derives from the Italian verb intrecciare, which means to weave, braid, or intertwine. The lanyard felt like a bit too much, though. After some self-reflection, I decided I couldn’t wear my keys around my neck.
While browsing The RealReal one night, I came across a more pocket-friendly Bottega key carrier — a small, braided loop that measures about 5 inches long and a few inches wide. I have two, one in navy for my New York City apartment and one in brown for my house in Los Angeles, and yes, I paid the list price of $390 for each. I went understated, but it comes in a variety of colors, including sherbet and fresh mint.
I understand that spending nearly $400 for something that seems like pure utility might seem ludicrous. But when the supple lambskin touches your hand, when the expert braiding meets your eye, you understand the value. I think it symbolizes good taste, but it still stays in my back pocket. Displaying it elsewhere would be gauche.
You’re reading Black's Gold, a column from Chris Black about the finer things in life. Chris is a writer for New York Magazine's The Strategist, a columnist for GQ, and host of the pop culture podcast 'How Long Gone.'
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