English Estates: Dunhill Dress (11051) (1980) Tobacco Pipe

A trim, compact, and lightweight design, this "05" Dublin from Dunhill is presented in demure Group 1 size and comes in just a touch over five inches in total length. The shape's snug proportions make it ideal for on-the-go smoking, and it can be easily slipped into a pocket for easy transportation. The pert, flaring bowl tapers gradually from its broad rim to the firm, rounded heel, while the arrow-straight and pencil-thin shank-and-stem arrangement trails out back. The sleek lines of the shank and stem keep most of the visual weight anchored at the bowl, offering a crisp, streamlined profile. The jet-black color of the tapered vulcanite mouthpiece perfectly complements the stark, dark Dress finish of the stummel, with a trim sterling silver band at the shank end adding a dose of flash to the shadowy composition. Dated to 1980, this vintage piece is a classy, understated rendition of the classic shape.

One of the most fashionable finishes in all of pipe making and one that inspired an entire aesthetic, Dunhill's Dress finish was first introduced in 1973 as the Black Briar — renamed "Dress" in 1979 with the addition of silver — and is meant to elegantly complement a tuxedo or similar formal wear, perfect for a night on the town. Characterized by its glossy, jet-black stain and sterling silver accent band, the Dress finish exudes class and imbues each pipe it adorns with a sense of refinement and sophistication. It's the progenitor of the term "dress pipe," now used to reference any black-and-silver pipe, and is one of the most distinctive finishes in all of pipedom.