"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."
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...
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.
I think our sense of smell is the most underrated of all our senses. I've repeatedly talked about candles and potpourri here but going through the archives there's never been a discussion on cologne. Everyone was incredibly insightful when it came to the basics of boxer briefs and white t-shirts. So now I'm asking for your advice on a cologne. What's your go to fragrance. I know a lot of men mix oils, while others have that bottle of Eau de Toilette they haven't changed since high school.
Here's a few that I've worn through out my life to get things started. Strangely enough these have all been gifts from women, which I think speaks wonders...
I don't think you can get any more American than Paul Newman in a Wrangler denim shirt leaning on a Cadillac. For a lot of us this is our romantic idea of what America used to represent. And I think a lot of us are trying to get back to this idea in our own lifestyles and wardrobes. Maybe not so spot on with a cowboy hat but in our own unique and stylish way. And in a nutshell that's why the whole Americana trend is prevalent, as much as I dislike using that word. We want to get back to what makes this country great. This is our heritage. This is our culture.
In a strange twist of irony I find that it takes a Japanese company like R by 45rpm to truly master the denim shirt. There are a few American brands that I mention religiously here that make a pretty good one. But nobody touches 45rpm. To use clothing as a metaphor for the times can be a bit caustic. But when somebody can do what you do better and repackage it to you... Maybe that's the beginning of a culture lost. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that quantity over quality doesn't work for a long term business model.
With that said I've always looked to artists for the answers instead of businessmen. And if an artist happens to be a business, man... I don't mind, I don't mind...
"I feel a change comin' on and the last part of the day is already gone."
- Bob Dylan
A lot of what we talk about here has to do with longevity and timelessness. Bob Dylan's 33rd studio album Together Through Life comes out April 28th. His career is a study in reinvention and how to stay relevant for any artist, designer, or creative entity. Forever a blueprint on this bumpy road of life. Enjoy the new track "Feel A Change Comin' On" courtesy of Newsweek. It's a good one. I love that line about us becoming trends...
Just in case you haven't seen the Supreme Damien Hirst Skate video I directed, that came out this week I thought I'd post it.
Sorry for the tardiness. The decks look beautiful and sold out in a couple hours. The video is a cool, low-fi kind of vibe and simply put... show kids skating the decks, which is Damien's hope...
Shout to everybody that was involved in the project especially the driving force, my man Angelo Baque. To watch the video and learn a little more about the brilliant artist Damien Hirst check the link below...
By now I'm sure you can tell I have an obsession with chambray shirts. But I don't feel too bad about it, from all the comments and e-mails I've received, I'm sure you love them just as much as I do. If you're like me and have every shade of blue chambray in your closet (and have a really hard time justifying another chambray purchase) then you're probably just as psyched as I am to see this new colorway from J.Crew. This shirt is a great alternative to a classic oxford. White for the summer with light weight denim jeans and a pair of driving mocs. Done...
Now I have this new rule where I don't post stuff I really like till it's in my possession, as I've been burned a few too many times recently... And not just clothing. But this shirt is too dope not to share with you guys immediately...
I've heard the voice of God... I ventured out to New Jersey last night for Ray LaMontagne's sold out show at the Wellmont Theatre and was utterly blown away. The man is truly blessed and his music is nothing less than beautiful. Even when he forgot the lyrics to one of his songs midway through he was cool as fuck. My rep tells me the man doesn't make music videos... Maybe we can do something about that. Flannel, denim, boots, guitar, beard, and the voice of God sounds about right...
I've posted a couple of his live performances from BBC for your viewing pleasure as well as one of my favorite tracks All The Wild Horses from his debut album Trouble. If you have the opportunity to see him live I highly recommend it...
