Jake Davis Blog

Jake Davis Test Shots: Jeremy Kirkland

The cool professor who can recite Whitman in his sleep... Casual but so much going on in the details. Each piece precisely chosen like a syllabus. I'm not a fan of the term urban prep but in this context it kind of makes sense, right? There are a lot of different references going on here from some of our favorite designers... 

I'm not going to tell you what Jeremy is wearing, what music this is, or what camera I'm shooting on. Half the fun is seeing you guys battle it out in the comments section. I've been completely blown away at how knowledgeable you all are. I guess we're all just kindred spirits...

Jake Davis Test Shots Channel link

Inspiration: Vintage Pacific Crest Trail Hikers

                                   

Some really great vintage photographs from the late seventies of long distance backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail. The style, the vibe, the feeling is all so amazing. Hopefully you can find some inspiration in it for your wardrobe or life. The boots, hats, shorts, landscapes, cottages, and views are all so good. 

It's so interesting how they're all wearing a uniform in their own unique way and the whole scene feels like a lookbook... But it's real. It's not some fabricated image a fashion house is trying to create. It's real and has absolutely nothing to do with fashion. I think that's why I like it so much...

Jake Davis Test Shots: Ulysses

For those of you who really pay attention to this whole men's style blog thing this will need no further explanation. For everybody else, a little context and backstory... There's this infamous character named Ulysses who consistently leaves wordy criticism in the comments sections of the popular blogs. Sometimes they're cheeky, other times clever, once in a while down right mean and crude... but they almost always make me smile and laugh... I've even had to delete some because they were personally offensive.

So the next obvious question for me was who is this guy? Well, I felt it was my duty to reveal Ulysses to all of you. This was more a social experiment than a style one. I've always let my heart make most of my decisions. I'm happy I got to know Ulysses, give him a hug, and shoot his Test Shot in the last snowfall of the season. It was a good life experience. And I know you guys were just as curious as me. Ladies and gentlemen... Ulysses...

Jake Davis Test Shots Channel link

Obsession: Surplus Camouflage Smock

I'd love to wear one of these camouflage smocks with a pair of khaki chinos and white vintage Rod Lavers. Super clean with a bugged out pullover just to change it up a bit as everyone seems to be rocking some form of an M-65 or M-51 this season. 

Unfortunately, shopping for military surplus in New York City is pointless. I never knew how bad it was till traveling to other parts of the country and seeing how amazing their surplus is. We have a lot of great things to offer in NYC but vintage surplus is not one of them...

LCD Soundsystem - All I Want

The Find: Porsche Design 5672

The Porsche Design 5672 is absolutely my favorite frame of all time. It's one of those really special frames that doesn't go unnoticed. Now when it comes to glasses there are a lot of purists out there that say if you wear clear frames without a prescription you're a faker and should be voted off the island. I respect their opinion but I just really love to wear clear frames. 

I've had the debate for years. One of the best responses I've heard was look at how many people wear baseball caps on the regular without having any intention of playing the sport. It's a fascinating discourse when you start really thinking about style versus utility and what we wear everyday for what purpose. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the matter in the comments section... Clear frames or not?... What's really cool about the 5672 is you can interchange the lenses. Whatever your play is my friends Jordan and Erik at Silver Lining Opticians will take care of you...

Silver Lining Opticians link

Exclusive Look: Anachronorm At Union

             

I always say I don't fuck with people that dabble. I only want to learn and inspire with the passionate ones. Everything else is a waste of time. And in a time when retailers are playing it safe, cutting corners, and watering down the market there are very few who are taking risks. The innovators, the movers, the shakers... it's in their blood. It's who they are. It's what they do. Otherwise why do it.

When Chris told me about this line Anachronorm he was bringing into the States from Japan I could see in his eyes how excited he was. Like he just found some break record that nobody knew about. And passion like that spreads like wildfire. Here's a small introduction. There are some really incredible pieces. Some inspired styling from my people over at Union. In the vain of some of our favorites like 45rpm and Kapital. Express your feelings, thoughts, buy, support, spread the word, live your life... Be passionate. I am now stepping off my virtual soapbox... Thank you...

Anachronorm At Union link

Jake Davis Test Shots: Angelo Urrutia

I don't have much to say other than Angelo is one of the realest guys I'm friends with in fashion. His style is really an embodiment of who he is. Angelo is an artist and the way he puts together his look is like an effortless stroke of the brush. The beauty is really in the details. Maybe the only guy I know that has more chambray than me.

Daiki and him have created one of my favorite brands in Engineered Garments. I have the utmost respect and admiration for what they do... Artist to artist keep doing your thing... We love it...

Jake Davis Test Shots Channel link

Heavy Rotation: Mos Dub

Received this one in the wee hours from Mr. Tannone and I'm calling it right now... Mixtape of the Year. This feels like sweet medicine right now. I love classic Jamaican dub and the incredible lyricist Mos Def. Hearing a reinterpretation of some of your favorite tunes fused is pretty amazing. 

Max Tannone is best known for meshing Jay-Z with Radiohead which was another great album Jaydiohead. The weather in New York has been fantastic this week. Whether you're driving with the top down, banging your head against the cubicle wall, or relaxing with your closest friends... put this one up to eleven and spliffs in the air. Good vibes. It's all love... Two posts in one day?!?... I'm on my grind cousin, ain't got time for frontin'. Enjoy and props to all the true artists doing their thing past, present, and future...

Mos Dub - History Town

Mos Dub - Travellin' Underground

Mos Dub - Summertime Running

Mos Dub official link

Obsession: Vintage Poncho

 

 

 

I so want to fuck with a poncho. I tried some vintage military ones on in Toronto. I almost bought a navajo one on in L.A. a couple weeks ago but I wasn't able to pull the trigger. I think I see it almost as a security blanket... Like protection of some sort. And I absolutely love it on women...

I've been asking my more stylish friends their thoughts on a modern man wearing one. The feedback has been mixed thus far and the debates have been pretty hysterical. So now I raise the question virtually to all of you guys. Please let me know your thoughts on the poncho in the comments section below... Yes? No? Maybe so?...

Massive Attack Vs. Mad Professor - Protection

Jake Davis Test Shots: Zeb Munir

It's been a whirlwind but I'm back in NYC from an epic trip to the north country. This go around I wasn't just directing Drizzy videos. Although that was a ton of fun... I had the opportunity to really make the Toronto rounds with Oliver. I couldn't have a better partner in crime. We've done NYC, we've done L.A. and it was fantastic to finally do his hometown. He introduced me to a lot of inspiring shops and I met a lot of great people. The mutual love was definitely there. But with any trip there's always going to be the standouts...

Nomad is the epicenter of Toronto. It was amazing to see all my friends' brands under one roof. Supreme next to E.G. next to Nom next to Baxter next to an issue of Inventory was crazy. It's not like that anywhere else that I know of. Behind any great shop is a great brain. And the better the shop the better the brain. Zeb is the genius bridging the gap in retail. His style is clean, sharp, classic cool. True recognize true. Toronto stand up. Thanks for everything... And if you don't know... Now you know...

Jake Davis Test Shots Channel link