The epidemic of smoking bans—even Paris? Mon dieu!—is still leaving stylistic aftershocks. Take the endangered status of the luxurious lighter, which chivalrous gents once used to spark ladies' cigarettes at dressy affairs. But even if you have to brave the elements to light up, why fall back on furtive Bic-flipping? We suggest something solidly though subtly luxurious, like a classic windproof lighter from venerable Parisian firm ST Dupont—the kind carried by James Bond in Casino Royale. Its latest version is rendered in an elegant, masculine grid pattern in the ultimate stealth luxe precious metal—18-karat white gold, which the uninitiated will dismiss as mere stainless steel. Only you'll know it cost 12 grand—which should ensure that the lighter (if not the lady) goes home with you.
S.T. DuPont solid white-gold squares lighter, in stores soon, $12,000, st-dupont.com