Jake Davis Blog

Style: Track Jacket

Bob Marley photographed in 1980 by Lynn Goldsmith in Milan

No one rocked a track jacket like Bob Marley. Maybe it was his love for football that makes it feel so authentic. I suppose it also has something to do with what he wore them with. I can literally see him playing a quick pick up game in those boots and pants. Sounds crazy but we've seen it before.

Every few years I break out the the track jackets from the closet. For whatever reason they're looking fresh again. Maybe it's because we hunted and chopped lumber all winter in our waxed cotton. LOL... 

As the weather gets warmer and a quick jacket is all you need, an Adidas track top is as classic as it gets... Navy and white feels about right...

Adidas Firebird 1 Track Top link

Rockers

"I'm like a stepping razor don't you watch my size I'm dangerous."

- Peter Tosh

A couple weeks ago I picked up Beth Lesser's amazing book "Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture" (The Jamaican Take Ivy) and posted a few scans from it. I received some e-mails and comments about how the images reminded people of the classic film Rockers. I've looked to Rockers on several occasions for inspiration. Even though the overall style is pretty flamboyant, the color combinations and individual pieces are beautiful. But more than anything the way the DJs and selectas carry themselves with confidence is wicked.

The stee and attitude in Rockers is the embodiment of what I'd like this site to be. Great style, great music, great vibes... With your help... This is a take over...

Rockers amazon link

Blitzen Trapper "Furr"

"You can wear your fur like a river on fire. But you'd better be sure if you're making God a liar. I'm a rattlesnake, babe, I'm like fuel on fire. So if you're gonna get made don't be afraid of what you've learned."

- Blitzen Trapper

Sometimes hearing that perfect song at just the right moment is all you need to get you through the day. When that song actually speaks to you and helps you understand things about yourself and put things into perspective, well then you have something special. We all listen to music for different reasons as I would imagine musicians play music for different reasons. The songs I connect with on a couple different levels, sonically and lyrically, are usually the ones that end up staying with me. 

Blitzen Trapper makes music that stays and will take you to the unknown... You can literally hear the escape of late summer nights in the title track... Furr...

Blitzen Trapper myspace link

Supreme Pedro Bell Video

There was a time when things were much simpler for you. Your fingers rubbed the smooth edges of that LP. It was larger than life. The way it smelt. The way you stared at it. The way you tried to figure out how to open it. Keep the plastic on or off? Scotch tape will secure it as it slides against other albums in your crates. It wasn't just music and you knew it. It was an experience. It was special. You flipped the cover over and read all the liner notes as the music blasted from your turntable. 

You memorized the lyrics as your head bopped and you became absorbed in it all. And the album art took you somewhere. An artistic exploration as you discovered yourself in the music... The moment side A was over and the rhythm of that echoing skipping sound of the needle brought you back from wherever you just went, you turned the record over to the B side and hoped the ride would never stop. But you knew eventually all good things must come to an end, so you thought to yourself I need to share this experience with someone else.

So now I share with you a video I directed with my friends from Supreme about the history and album artwork of Pedro Bell for Funkadelic. His work evokes a time when things were much simpler...

Supreme Pedro Bell Video link

Polo Ralph Lauren Marine Pacific Windbreaker

 

This amazing Polo windbreaker feels like one of those classic Lo pieces. I'm not sure how many of you guys out there know about Lo Life culture from the late eighties and nineties New York but it's extremely fascinating. When counter-cultures embrace a product or brand and make it their own it reveals a lot about society and the world we live in...

Here's a documentary trailer on the entire Lo Life movement I stumbled upon a while back. You'll look at the Polo brand with a completely different perspective after watching this...

Ralph Lauren Marine Pacific Windbreaker link

Jake Davis x We Are The Market

The kid sat down with Adam Christopher of We Are The Market last week. Talked about a few things runnin' through my head. For the complete interview check the link below... Shout to Adam and We Are The Market for the love...

We Are The Market interview link

Paul Smith Camouflage Shoulder Holdall

    

This bag from Paul Smith is wicked. I love the leather trim against the camouflage pattern. It's really clean and simple. Great for that weekend getaway in the woods. I love seeing military influence in high fashion. 

Paul Smith link

Polo Ralph Lauren Battalion Chambray

 

Let's get this clear... You like chambrays. I like chambrays. He liked chambrays. They make chambrays...

Polo Ralph Lauren Battalion Chambray link

New York State Of Mind

Two times a year there's nothing better in the world than New York City. Fall and Spring. 70 degrees and Nag Champa in the air. Walking the streets. Bumping into friends and strangers. The stee... It's the most inspiring time of year. If you can't be here right now... pumping some classic Premo and lighting some Nag might help. New York (Ya Out There)...

Nag Champa link

Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"

Heavy rotation... By far the sexiest album that's going to come out this year is Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. It drops on May 26th... For now give a listen to what I call runway music. Chic room. Beautiful women. Elegant style. You know what I mean... This is Fences...

Phoenix link

Where'd You Get Those?

Toyan at the Volcano HQ photographed by Beth Lesser

Used to dig in the crates, then hunt for sneakers, now shades... This pair is wicked and would love to know what, where and how much? I'm putting the challenge out to anyone that knows who makes these and where to pick them up online or in person. 

My people at Silver Lining Opticians who supply those incredibly hard to find pieces might be able to help. Jordan Silver is a vintage eyewear purveyor and is sick with it when it comes to sunglass knowledge. Check out their store in Soho or online if you're not in the Manhattan area. And respect to anyone that might be able to drop some science...

Silver Lining Opticians link

The Blog Effect: J.Crew White Chambray Work Shirt

I'd like to take a second and personally say fuck you to all my readers... Just joking... What I'd like to say is thank you all for coming through and hopping inside my brain for a couple minutes out of your day. Thanks to all the companies, people, and fans who have reached out, sent me dope shit, invites, or put me onto some new shit. I really appreciate it. And to all the companies that haven't sent me dope shit yet... You may want to start taking this whole blog thing seriously... I'm not... But you might...

This is the last time I post something I really want without purchasing first. The burn blog effect...

Bright Lights, Lost In The City Or Baumer On Broome

"He's wearing your clothes head down to toes, a reaction to you. You say you know what he did. But you idiot kid, you don't have a clue. Sometimes they just get caught in the eye, you're pulling him through."

- Elliott Smith

Khadi Glen Check Stole | R by 45rpm

Rubber Moc | L.L.Bean

Big Check Shirt | Supreme

Vintage Sunglasses | Vaurnet

Razor Blade Pendant | Arash + Kelly

Narrow Jean Jacket | A.P.C.

Petit Standard Jeans | A.P.C.

Baseball Jacket | Supreme

Elliott Smith | Elliott Smith

Retail Therapy: Red Wing Wabasha Chukka

"Patience is a virtue."

- Idiom

Sorry guys but I had to wait till I actually had these in my hands to post them. I've been fiending for the Red Wing Wabasha Chukka since my brethren Michael at ACL brought them back from Japan. His style are the 9149s, feature five eyelets, and that amazing Mahogany Rough & Tough leather. 

The ones I just picked up are the 9179s, feature three eyelets, and a really nice Hawthorne 'Muleskinner' leather. They are made in the U.S.A., which is always nice to hear and are currently available at... wait for it... David Z. I know, the only time I've been remotely negative here and it comes back to bite me in the ass, since the only place you can find them in Manhattan is their flagship store in Soho. Even when the people at David Z. hit me up a little bit ago for some insight and advice I was too much of a dick to hit them back. I'm going to work on not being so judgemental and let the product speak for itself in the future. Apologies. If you're too late trying to pick these up I hear more will be available mid-May... Damn... Sometimes material shit feels so good...

Red Wing Shoes Japan link

David Z. link

Inspiration: Cecil Day-Lewis

Cecil Day-Lewis photographed by Irving Penn for Vogue in 1951

I absolutely love this photograph of the poet Cecil Day-Lewis. He's nonchalant about his sartorial approach and looks incredible. This outfit could easily look like a costume but his care free attitude makes it feel right. I think the message here is it's cool to get dressed up and flex a bow tie. But if you start taking yourself really seriously in a bow tie then it doesn't feel right and can come off as pretentious. The individual in the clothing is just as important as the clothing itself.

Cecil Day-Lewis link