There’s about a month of summer left, so make sure you’re getting every last wear out of your nylon shorts and perfecting that sandal tan.

We couldn’t let the season pass without a women’s-only edition of What the Homies Are Wearing, especially since the spring edition did numbers.

Folks on socials have been asking for more women’s content, and here at HQ, we try to be people of the people.

As always, the ladies came correct, serving up some serious fits and plenty of recommendations worth stealing.

Fire away!

P.S.
Part two on the way next Monday.

Jen Olson — Los Angeles, California

LA-based Creative

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

I found an awesome pair of Dickies at the Rose Bowl Flea Market last month that I haven’t stopped wearing. I’d been on the hunt since seeing my friend Laurel in a pair of Auralee fatigue-style pants that I loved (here and here), and happened to find a dealer with an incredible array of workwear pants in a similar vibe. I sized way up and had them tailored.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

This summer, I’m working remotely from Minnesota near the lakes, so my go-to has been an Eres bikini, a pair of shorts, and a vintage long-sleeve button-up or pullover to throw on when the sun goes down.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

I usually live in a pair of Vans, but this summer, I’m taking a break from them and loving SeaVees’ reissue of their Yacht Shoe. I also finally caved on the Miu Miu Deck Shoes, an easy slip-on that elevates a casual look. For a little summer dress (most likely Dôen), I’m pairing the perfect white shoe from Maryam Nassir Zadeh. I might need the metallic version for fall.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

I recently went down an eBay rabbit hole looking for a Lee Storm Rider jacket for cooler evenings and ended up snagging both a 1970s white western one and a navy moleskin, both of which I’m looking forward to wearing when it’s not 100 degrees. I’ve also been rocking the Alex Mill Painter’s Jacket in the Cobalt colorway.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

Do I need a balloon pant, or will I look insane? I love the Aflalo Lolana Pant, and Dôen has a pair coming out with Pre-Fall that I want to try. I’m also into the taffeta trend; I just got the Chan Luu Techno Taffeta Long Shorts and can’t wait to wear them with a tank for an easy, put-together look.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

Find a uniform, dress for comfort, and remember that a tailor is your best friend.

Sophie Robyn Watson — London, England

Fashion editor, writer and stylist

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

I am a real shirt kind of gal, and love to drape them over tanks or tees, normally paired with jeans, long shorts or skirts. This applies whether I’m in London or travelling further afield.

I’ve got some great summer-weight shirts I’ve been keeping hostage in my wardrobe until the weather heated up (and man oh man, it has done in London). So, not necessarily one item, but a handful! I’m reaching for a camp collar organza Róhe shirt I got in the Bessette sample sale (the IYKYK off-season curated store and pop-up), a Deiji Studios long-sleeve panelled and pinstriped cotton-poplin number (and matching boxers) I snapped up in the Net-a-Porter sale, and an Open YY frilly asymmetric white shirt I was kindly gifted this year.

I adore a classic, schoolboy-esque white cotton button-down, but also a freaky, off-kilter one, too. I also rotate a selection of vintage and thrifted styles, mainly Armani, Miu Miu men’s, GAP and Burberry. Here’s my edit of faves on the market now.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

Big shirt (aforementioned), white tank top, something resembling parachute trousers and a luxe flip-flop. Finished with a leather woven tote and OTT sunglasses. It’s a look that can take me from day to night in the city, feels smart yet summery and super comfortable on the skin.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

A real mix of city, smart and walkable styles, chiefly mesh ballet flats, leather flip-flops and an ergonomic sneaker.

I adore my Dear Frances chocolate-toned Balla flats, so much so that they are in the cobbler’s as we speak getting fresh treads put on them. My St Agni leather flip-flops haven’t aged a day since I bought them.

I have been road-testing a pair of ECCO Biom720 Mary Jane trainers, which are designed in collaboration with Natacha Ramsay-Levi. They accompanied me on a recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, and kept up with my many thousands of steps and cobbled streets.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

Funnel-neck jackets are still having a real moment, but for summer, I would suggest investing in a windbreaker version. Nothing too heavy or stifling; it’s got to be a paperweight nylon, cotton, viscose, or satin fabrication.

This kind of jacket works well thrown over tees and skirts for the pub, or more gorped-out for hikes and trail walking in the Great British Countryside. I’m a sucker for natural, earthy tones so I’m bookmarking pieces from Norba, Damson Madder, ARKET and AGOLDE.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

I think shorts are having a real moment again, especially dressier pyjama-looking styles for women. I’m talking long-line, Bermuda-like shorts that hit just to the knee, in breezy cotton, twill or satin.

Skirts are great, but shorts like this just have a little more wearability, comfort and all-day appeal, and can be teamed so easily with tank tops, summer jewellery and sandals. The “city short” had such a moment some years ago, but this is the 2026 update of that.

It also sits firmly at the intersection of the “Desert Aunt” and “Surfer Nephew” vibes which Allison Bornstein coined and has been purveying for a few years now (citing any of JLaw’s off-duty fit pics of late). I’m looking to Reformation, Donni and LESET to fulfill this need this season.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

Not exactly. Wear what you like. Stay cool. Do what makes you happy. Check the forecast. Get outside. Experiment, but also ignore the “trends”. Add beads, fringing, mesh and silly sunglasses where you see fit.

Louise Hegelund — Aarhus, Denmark

Freelance Footwear CMF Designer

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

Honestly, color. Summer is the one season when I naturally reach for brighter tones. Acid greens, aqua blues, washed blues, and sun-faded yellows. Whether it’s a tee, a cap, or a pair of sneakers, I love when one piece adds a bit of energy to an otherwise simple outfit.

Every summer, I somehow end up wearing different shades of green—acid, olive, moss, or lime. It’s become the color I naturally gravitate toward, especially paired with washed denim, neutral basics, and bright sneakers. I think it’s a color that can feel both technical and natural, which is probably why I keep coming back to it. It feels fresh, optimistic, and somehow always works.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

Relaxed sportswear with a design mindset. I like mixing technical pieces with vintage basics, keeping the silhouettes easy, and letting color and materials do most of the talking.

I spend as much time outdoors as I can during the summer. Running, walk, or just exploring, so comfort is always part of the equation. Living in Denmark also means dressing for unpredictable weather. I’m very much a shorts-and-T-shirt person when the weather allows it, but I almost always bring a denim jacket, just in case.

I also have a weakness for collecting things. Besides collecting and archiving sneakers, my collection of old and new Carhartt jackets is slowly getting a little out of control.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

Working in footwear and living with what looks like a sneaker archive at home makes it hard to narrow down my rotation.

During the summer, I rotate between vintage Adidas runners, trail shoes, and lightweight performance sneakers. I don’t mind if they get dusty; they almost always look better after a few adventures.

I also have a few favorites that I keep coming back to, like my Nike General Purpose shoes and my aqua Adidas Terrex Shandals with a collapsible heel. This summer, I’ve been wearing my new boat shoes from BOTO almost nonstop. They’re without a doubt the most comfortable and versatile boat shoes I’ve owned. I have a pair in taupe and, of course, the green suede version. For me, you can never go wrong with adding a touch of green to an outfit.

Designing footwear has definitely changed the way I buy shoes. I find myself paying more attention to materials, proportions, and color stories than hype.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

A lightweight windbreaker is probably my most-used layer. Right now, I’d recommend the GNORDA Dyneema Breaker Wind Shirt in Kangaroo. The color is beautiful, the design is simple, and it’s the kind of jacket that works with almost everything.

Scandinavian weather changes by the hour, so it’s the perfect layer to keep on hand. Otherwise, I’ll always reach for a washed denim jacket when I want to add a bit more texture.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

I’m really enjoying the shift toward more expressive color again. Bright greens, aquatic blues, and sun-washed tones feel optimistic without being loud. I’m also loving the return of slimmer, running-inspired sneakers and more thoughtful material combinations.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

I try to keep things playful. If an outfit feels too “finished,” I’ll usually swap something for a brighter color or a more worn-in piece. I think clothes should feel lived-in rather than overly styled.

Siena Stern — Brooklyn, New York

PR & Community at Exposure America

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

I always have a bandana on my head during the summer. I wear one at least once a week—my favorite brand is from Front General Store in DUMBO. I have red, brown, and blue, and they go with every outfit. I wear them a bit in the fall, but I feel like they’re just perfect for the summer season, so I’m always itching to get them out again.

I find a lot of inspiration from menswear and the California outdoor community, especially in terms of how they play with color, silhouettes, and accessories—such as sun-bleached T-shirts that look like your dad hiked in them for 30 years, maybe with a puka shell necklace. Then I’ll give it a city twist with my white culottes and Tabis, an elevated flip-flop, some gold jewelry, and a sequin bag.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

I live in white during the summer. If you know me, you know that 90% of my closet in the summer is all shades of white, and as boring as it sounds, I probably wear a version of all-white 5-7 days a week. I love white vintage cotton pieces that can be mixed and matched. I have the best white culotte shirts from MIST in Paris that are my pride and joy, and this cream long bubble skirt that I can pair with everything. I look forward to wearing those pieces, too.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

Ballet flats and leather flip-flops!! I live in ballet flats all summer long. Like accessories, I use shoes to spice up my outfits, and my favorite pair right now is a beautiful bright red satin pair from Simple Rainbow in Paris. They remind me of these ruby-red slippers I had when I was a little girl and add a feminine and playful touch to everything. I also have these silver ballet flats from JW Pei that have lasted me a few seasons. I think red and silver can match every outfit, so they’re easy throw-ons.

I have brown leather flip-flops from an Italian leather maker that I also live in. They’re the perfect hybrid between elevated and casual, so I can wear them day to night.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

A button-down has been my go-to summer layering piece for years. A white one is a staple, but you can get fun with them and have bright colors, stripes, etc. This year, I haven’t taken off a thin blue-and-white striped one from Ralph Lauren.

The best part of it is that the creative comms agency I work for, Exposure America, silk-screened the back with some text, so it looks super dynamic and is a fun standout piece while still being chic and tasteful. I think adding a minimal detail to basics like that makes them so much more eye-catching and intentional.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

Not sure if this is an actual trend, but I’m loving the integration of watersport wear and accessories into fashion. Specifically, I have been seeing a ton of water-shoe-inspired footwear trends this year. Pharrell just did one with Adidas, and New Balance has a cool pair, too.

I’ve also been seeing lots of rash-guard- and board-short-inspired clothing pieces. Offe Market has these board shorts and pants that everyone has probably seen by now, and Depop has such good options for pieces. People probably literally wore them to summer camp, but that’s what makes them even better.

I haven’t adopted this trend into my wardrobe yet, but I want to!

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

No rules! Be and wear what you want :)

Now I look back at that photo and can’t get enough of denim or any other kind of hardy shirts. Chambray, pointed flap pockets, sawtooth pockets, back yokes—you name it, I’m paying attention.

Western Americana shirts will always take up a sizable chunk of my closet because of their utility and versatility.

From Michael Jordan taking the mound to throw out a first pitch to Tom Ford while filming his neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals, to the chic French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, they look good on everyone.

Whether you’re a denimhead, chambray connoisseur, or TCM buff, we’ve got a dozen-plus shirts ready to unlock the cowboy in you.

If you’ve been following along, we’ve already put together guides on:

• Bags

• T-shirts

• Linen and Seersucker

• Hats

• Shorts and Swim Trunks

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

Subscribe now

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

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Earlier this year, during a company press conference for Goldwin, President and CEO Takao Watanabe was asked about the brand’s biggest challenge in 2026. His response was simple: “Never follow the crowd.”

For a brand that is 76 years old, I think that mindset continues to drive its innovation and keep it at the forefront of the intersection between lifestyle and performance.

Before the label became known for its slopes-to-streets aesthetic, the company was the postwar dream of its late founder, Tosaku Nishida, who started a knitwear business in 1950.

The following year, he incorporated the business under the name Tsuzawa Knit Fabric Manufacture Co., Ltd. The company began making climbing socks in 1952 before expanding into sweaters and sports apparel and eventually launching the Goldwin brand in 1958. In 1963, the business formally changed its corporate name to Goldwin Co., Ltd.

Goldwin General Manager Takuya Kinami credits the climbing socks as one of the company’s most pivotal products, as they established a method of craftsmanship that remains central to the brand today: “Beginning with the specific needs of the user, choosing the appropriate raw materials, and improving every detail, including those that were not immediately visible,” he says.

Another important moment came in 1964, when Goldwin outfitted the majority of Japan’s gold medalists at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Kinami says, “Working directly with athletes created a feedback loop between movement, pattern cutting, material development, and manufacturing quality.”

Beyond being one of the world’s leading performance-focused textile companies and one of the most cutting-edge ski brands, Goldwin has also played a significant role in the development of some of Japan’s most influential outdoor brands.

The company holds the licensing or distribution rights for The North Face in Japan, which ultimately led to the creation of The North Face Purple Label, as well as Canterbury, Helly Hansen, Woolrich, Macpac, Sunski, and Speedo. Former Goldwin employee Eiichiro Homma is also the creative director of The North Face Purple Label and the founder of Nanamica.

I recently had a chance to chat with Kinami via email about the new FW26 line, the philosophy behind Goldwin 0, the company’s state-of-the-art tech lab, why its lifestyle division launched only a decade ago, and its new flagship shop in New York.

When developing FW26, were there any archival references, past products, or moments from the brand’s history that informed the collection?

FW26 draws from Goldwin’s decades of experience in developing performance apparel, particularly for skiing and trail running.

Building on that foundation, we approached people’s lifestyles not as something fixed, but as something dynamic, constantly moving between urban environments and nature, indoors and outdoors, and from mild daytime conditions to freezing nights.

The collection explores products that adapt naturally to these changing environments and connect different situations seamlessly.

It is structured around three chapters: Trajectory, Balance, and Embrace. Each chapter focuses on a different functional need: portability for longer journeys, temperature regulation in changing conditions, and insulation that surrounds and protects the body. Together, they reflect the way lifestyles shift along with the season.

One of the stories that best represents this approach is Trajectory. It was developed around the idea of a “Functional Apparel Kit” that allows the wearer to move freely between urban and natural environments while carrying only the essentials.

Lightweight materials, practical storage, and adaptable functions are integrated directly into the garments, redefining clothing not simply as something to wear, but as a system that supports movement.

The Backpack Vest is the most iconic expression of this idea. It incorporates a large backpack-style compartment accessible from both sides, an internal shoulder harness that distributes weight, bottle pockets, and mesh ventilation at the back.

These functions are integrated into lightweight, water-repellent nylon in a way that avoids an overly technical or gear-like appearance, resulting in a minimal design that feels natural in everyday life.

The brand is known for pushing fabric innovation while balancing technical performance with everyday wear. What makes the brand's approach to materials so distinctive, and how has that philosophy influenced Goldwin 0?

Goldwin’s material development usually begins with the purpose of the product rather than simply making choices from existing textiles.

We first consider the body, the environment, and the experience the garment needs to provide. From there, we work closely with our textile development partners across spinning, yarn development, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and lamination.

Being based in Toyama also gives us access to a highly specialized textile network in the Hokuriku region, allowing us to become involved much earlier in the development process rather than simply selecting an off-the-shelf material.

At the Goldwin Tech Lab in Oyabe, this work can be tested through prototyping, motion analysis, environmental testing, and repeated wear evaluation. Material innovation is meaningful to us only when it produces a real improvement in comfort, protection, movement, durability, or the life of the product.

Goldwin 0 is founded on an experimental framework where new ideas are encouraged to be further developed. It was created as a platform for exploring the relationship between nature, science, and technology through circulation, cross-border thinking, and co-creation.

This allows designers, engineers, researchers, and material partners to develop ideas together, including new material systems and body-mapped constructions that might not emerge through a conventional seasonal design process. The objective is not technology for its own sake, but a new form of functional beauty.

Goldwin has built a unique position between performance and lifestyle. How do you continue to evolve the brand while staying ahead in both spaces?

We do not necessarily see performance and lifestyle as two separate spaces.

Performance may be the origin of the brand, providing and leading us with a clear purpose when developing every material, construction, and detail.

Lifestyle design then asks us to edit that knowledge with greater restraint: to make the product versatile, comfortable, and relevant across more situations, without losing its original purpose.

A garment may begin with knowledge developed through skiing, mountaineering, or running, but its value should not be limited to one activity. We want it to work across different environments, generations, and ways of living.

That means keeping the technical standards high while making the appearance quieter, more intuitive, and more universal.

For Goldwin, evolution does not mean adding more visible technology. Often, it means making complex technology feel simpler for the person wearing it.

The company has been producing knitwear at its Oyabe City factory in Toyama Prefecture for more than seven decades. How has production changed over the years, and are there any traditions or processes that have remained constant?

The scale and technology have changed enormously. In the early years, production relied on domestic flat- and circular-knitting machines, a great deal of manual finishing, and constant adjustments by the people operating the equipment.

Machines frequently required repairs, and the team learned through an intense process of trial and error—changing yarns, constructions, and techniques until the required quality was achieved.

Today, the Oyabe site operates as the Goldwin Tech Lab. Its role is broader than that of a conventional factory: it combines research and development, prototyping, pattern engineering, testing, and manufacturing.

The team now works with tools such as three-dimensional body scanning, digital pattern systems, motion analysis, and artificial weather environments. It also functions as a “mother factory,” developing difficult prototypes and production knowledge that can then be shared with other manufacturing partners.

What has remained constant is the attitude toward making. There is still a strong emphasis on repeated experimentation, close attention to details that may not be visible from the outside, and the transfer of skills between generations.

The tools have evolved, but the belief that quality is created through persistence and careful observation has not changed.

Looking back to the company's beginnings, what inspired founder Tosaku Nishida to evolve from producing climbing socks into launching the Goldwin label?

There were several forces behind that evolution. Tosaku Nishida founded the business in postwar Toyama in 1950, initially drawing on his experience in the textile industry and his family’s knowledge of knitwear production.

One important moment came when Japanese Olympic swimmer Hironoshin Furuhashi set world records after the war. For Nishida, this represented a sense of possibility and convinced him that sports could play an increasingly important role in Japan’s future.

The company began producing climbing socks in 1952. That product was important because it established a method that would continue throughout Goldwin’s history: beginning with the specific needs of the user, choosing the appropriate raw materials, and improving every detail, including those that were not immediately visible.

As the business expanded from socks into sweaters and sports apparel, the Goldwin brand was introduced in 1958. The company later adopted the Goldwin name in 1963.

It was not simply a decision to create a new label; it was the result of a growing conviction that Japanese sportswear could combine technical quality, thoughtful design, and an international ambition.

Goldwin quickly became known for innovative ski apparel, eventually outfitting Japan's Olympic athletes. How pivotal was that period in establishing Goldwin as a leader in technical performance?

Goldwin’s early ski sweaters required the company to think carefully about yarn, insulation, movement, and fit.

Skiing made it clear that performance and appearance could not be separated: a garment needed to protect the athlete and move with the body, but it also needed to have a clean and purposeful form.

The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games then provided an opportunity to apply that thinking on a much larger stage.

Goldwin supplied uniforms for Japanese national teams across several sports, and approximately 80 percent of Japan’s gold-medal-winning athletes wore Goldwin uniforms. Working directly with athletes created a feedback loop between movement, pattern cutting, material development, and manufacturing quality.

The company continued to supply apparel for international competitions, including the 1968 Grenoble Winter Games and the 1972 Sapporo Winter Games. Encounters with advanced European ski design, including three-dimensional pattern cutting, also encouraged Goldwin to raise its own technical standards.

This period established a principle that remains central today: the best performance products are developed through close observation of the body, direct dialogue with athletes, and a constant search for functional beauty.

The lifestyle line was introduced in 2016. Why did that feel like the right moment for the brand to expand beyond pure performance?

By 2016, the distinction between life in the city and time spent outdoors had become increasingly fluid. People were no longer necessarily buying technical clothing for one highly specific activity. The same person might commute through the city during the week, travel frequently, and spend weekends in nature.

Goldwin had already accumulated decades of knowledge through skiing and outdoor performance, and the lifestyle collection was a way of translating that knowledge into products designed for this broader rhythm of life.

The original concept was based on “city life with a weekend getaway into nature.” Rather than moving away from performance, the collection distilled it. The forms became simpler, and the functionality became quieter, but the attention to materials, comfort, protection, and movement remained.

It felt like the right moment because the way people lived had caught up with an idea that was already inherent in Goldwin: a well-designed technical product should be useful beyond the environment for which it was originally created.

With the recent opening of the New York flagship, what have you learned about the American customer, and how do they differ from your long-established audience in Japan?

Through our visits to New York before and after the store opening, as well as through the reception and our interactions with customers, we learned that American consumers look beyond the product itself.

They pay close attention to what a brand stands for, the kind of influence it has, and what it is trying to communicate to the market and to society.

In the US, where the market moves quickly and consumers are constantly exposed to a wide range of brands, visibility, awareness, and a strong digital presence are important factors in how a brand’s value is perceived.

Customers tend to evaluate the brand as a whole, considering not only the in-store experience but also its digital communication and relationship with its community.

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Welcome to the inaugural edition of Shop Talk, a series where we sit down with independent multi-brand retailers to talk about their stores, the brands they’re excited about, and what they’re seeing on the retail floor.

With this monthly series, we hope to recreate that feeling of discovery, whether you’re wandering into a neighborhood shop for the first time or falling down the rabbit hole of a really good online store.

To kick things off, we’re chopping it up with Nate Hoe, founder of Seattle-based Windthrow.

Since opening in Capitol Hill in April 2023, the shop has quickly become one of my favorites in the U.S. The brand mix is ridiculously dialed: running, hiking, climbing, weird-ass backpacks, and even camping stoves, chairs, and lanterns.

I still remember scrolling through Windthrow’s website and discovering brands I’d never heard of before, which is kind of the whole point, isn’t it?

Ahead, Nate shares what Windthrow is all about, the brands currently crushing it, why “we can’t dress like farmers forever,” and what the hell it’s actually like running a brick-and-mortar shop in the age of endless scrolling.

For readers who may not be familiar with Windthrow, how would you describe the shop and the kind of customer you serve?

Windthrow is an outdoors store that sells apparel, accessories, and gear from all over the world.

Some may label us "progressive outdoor," some may use the G-word (gorp), and others may simply call us "expensive." We feature a mix of items like highly technical running gear, esoteric puffers, and more casual styles, mixed together with outdoor staples like freeze-dried food, tent stakes, and stove fuel.

We are proud to have customers all over the world but are rooted in our immediate community in Seattle. We serve everyone from casual hikers to ultramarathoners to people who just love clothes. We're a mixed bag, and we love it that way.

What do you look for in a brand before deciding to bring it into the store?

Sameness permeates every aspect of culture these days, and the explosion in popularity of running, hiking, etc. has led to many new brands that talk a lot without actually saying anything.

You can feel the VC backing the minute you open the email. I'm a huge product nut and look at the actual offering before anything else.

Yes, brand and presence are deeply important, but what does any of this bring to the table in a real, physical way? Sometimes the brand itself can be that, but everything at Windthrow functions as well as it looks.

Are there any newer brands in the shop that the team is especially excited about right now?

A lot of our brand roster is pretty young, honestly. For more activewear, Portal and UNNA continue to impress and gather big fanbases in their short time in existence.

Vancouver's Colin Meredith is also a perennial favorite. Our friends at Milan's Rayon Vert share a similar wacky sensibility with us and do such a good job pushing the envelope.

There's a lot of progression in the bag space right now as well, with Taiwan's Sealson and California's Pa'lante consistently providing new and exciting offerings. Portland's gnuhr has also maintained a red-hot energy since its debut a few years ago. We're proud to be one of their first stockists, and their success is so well deserved.

Has there been a brand that's surprised you with how well it's resonated with customers?

The popularity of our in-house line has been a pleasant surprise.

This season has been resonating really well with people, and while we put a lot of work into it, I didn't fully expect it to be so well received. So that's nice!

Sweden's Klättermusen has also recently revamped its apparel, and that's been quite popular. You love to see a brand make a conscious decision to court a new customer and have it work out.

We brought in Finland's Tarvas this past winter, and I was curious how our customers would react to a shoe that's "dressier" and less technical. Surprise, surprise—they love it.

What trends are you seeing in menswear at the moment? Are there any you're excited about or any you hope fade away?

Hopefully we leave neutral hell at some point, but Windthrow can be part of the problem as well. With sportswear, it's understandable that people want more muted earth tones—the conventional marketplace is full of fluo clown barf.

But I am excited to see patterns (slowly) making their way back into popularity and hope for wilder stuff in the future. We can't dress like farmers forever! Brands like London's SOAR do such a good job using wild patterns and colors. More of that, please.

What's it like running a physical retail store in 2026? Have you noticed any changes in how customers are shopping in-store versus online?

If Substack and Instagram are to be believed, brick-and-mortar is more popular than ever.

Cool multi-brand shops are popping up constantly. This is definitely a good thing, but it masks the persistent challenges of operating a business like this. You have the mega-retailers getting smarter all the time and gobbling up the brands you sell, only to discount them deeply and early.

Then you have the persistent appeal of DTC, with customers coming to you as a last-ditch effort to find the item they want—they're not curious about your selection or perspective. In short, stores must now function as brands themselves to stand out and survive. Simply carrying cool labels doesn't move the needle for people who learn everything from the timeline.

Online shopping tends to be more targeted, while in-store browsing can naturally lead to more discovery. But I honestly think each experience possesses a bit of both. I've personally stumbled across amazing things while aimlessly browsing a webstore.

We care a lot about both of these customers and always want to introduce people to new things and invoke curiosity.

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Back-to-school season is underway, and if you’ve got kids, you’ve probably already shelled out more than enough money on school supplies, new sneakers, and backpacks.

But I think it’s time to treat yourself to a new bag, too. Hell, it might even make heading to the office, running errands, or getting to the studio feel a wee bit more exciting.

Whether you’re looking for a messenger bag that feels like a tenured professor on Rooster, need to retire that threadbare tote you’ve been using to haul your daily shit around, or want a backpack for bobbing and weaving through traffic on a Citi Bike, we’ve got something for you.

Whatever your commute, or lack thereof, these are bags built to stay on your person and carry the load.

If you’ve been following along, we’ve already put together guides on:

• T-shirts

• Linen and Seersucker

• Hats

• Shorts and Swim Trunks

• Flip-Flops and Sandals

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

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A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

Read more

When you hear that someone was born in Scotland before moving to, and growing up in, Texas, it’s hard not to imagine the cultural whiplash. That was the case for Everyday Mountaineering founder Scott Ferguson.

His fascination with his dad’s old Scottish climbing gear from the 1970s, combined with a suburban Houston upbringing spent skateboarding and diving deep into climbing and internet climbing forums, laid the foundation for the brand he launched in 2024.

Ferguson’s background is in interdisciplinary art, working across photography, video, sculpture, performance, and installation. With no experience making garments, the first thing he attempted was a down jacket, “which was far too complicated,” he says.

But he approached clothing design as a series of problems to solve, and that mindset still defines the brand today.

You can see it in the Trossach trousers, with their integrated belt and zippered stash pocket, or the Hemp-Tech hoodie, designed to help regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable in changing conditions.

With his burgeoning brand, Ferguson creates outdoor-inspired clothing for creative-minded people. It’s refreshing to see a climbing brand that doesn’t make you feel like you need to summit a 3,000-foot peak to wear its clothes.

As Ferguson puts it, “I don’t know if I’m making clothing for the most diehard climbers, but I think that’s okay.”

I spoke with Ferguson about the parallels between art and clothing, his dad knowing the inventor of the Terrordactyl ice tool, the fabrics he’s currently geeking out over, and why climbing’s growing popularity isn’t a bad thing.

You were born in Scotland but grew up in Texas. What was that experience like, and how did those two very different places shape your relationship with the outdoors?

I think it was an interesting one. I actually got my dad climbing again not that long ago, but he and his brothers all grew up really into climbing and mountaineering in Scotland in the '70s. So I grew up hearing stories about that.

My dad got me climbing from a pretty young age. He wanted it to be something I liked, and it did catch on. What was interesting, though, was then moving to a suburb of Houston. It's not exactly the mecca of climbing—it's flat and insanely hot.

But I think, in a funny way, it made my obsession with climbing and the outdoors even deeper. I got really obsessed with climbing. Mountain Project is the main website now, but back then it was rockclimbing.com. That was the climbing forum where you found different climbing areas and connected with other climbers.

I got really into climbing at the gym while researching climbing from afar. I climbed as much as I could indoors, then got outside as much as possible on school breaks and weekends.

Texas actually has some amazing climbing. It's just that Houston has never really been the center of it. Austin has great climbing, and West Texas is amazing.

I think that passion naturally carried over into clothing. At the same time, I was also really into skateboarding.

Skateboarding has such a direct connection to clothing, and I think I became interested in that through climbing too, especially wearing brands like Patagonia, Gramicci, and Prana, and even wearing approach shoes to school.

You're into bouldering, snowboarding, and hiking. Are there any mountain ranges or places you find yourself returning to for inspiration?

Before living in New York, I spent quite a while in Colorado, and that’s where my family lives now. I’d say the Rockies, and Colorado more broadly, have been incredibly important to me. I’m back there quite often, and my family lives in Vail, so that area, in particular, has a special significance.

I also think a lot about Boulder, where I went to college, especially when I think about designing some of my climbing pants. Boulder is such an amazing town because you can be sitting downtown having a coffee, and then, 20 or 30 minutes later, be out climbing somewhere.

Before launching the brand in 2024, you were working as an artist. What kind of work were you doing, and how did that creative background eventually lead to starting the brand?

So with art, I’d describe myself more broadly as a multimedia or interdisciplinary artist. I worked extensively in photography, video, sculpture, performance, and installation, and I was also involved in more experimental music and related projects.

Conceptually, I was always interested in shifting perspective or focusing in on everyday objects and occurrences to create bigger worlds within them, whether through photography or by building installations and immersive experiences.

When I decided to dive into making and designing my own clothes, I brought that same mindset with me. I’m still very interested in the way clothing can alter your experience and shift your perspective.

Could you kind of think about like any parallels between like the two mediums of like making art and then making clothes?

I think they overlap a lot. Specifically, when I started making and designing clothes, I didn’t have any background in the garment world. I went into it very green—I didn’t really know how it worked.

My background in art definitely shaped my approach. In my art practice, my medium would jump around depending on the project. It wasn’t so much, “I’m a painter, so I make paintings.”

I had taught myself a lot of different skills before, whether it was working with materials for sculpture or learning new video editing software. So when I started designing clothes, I approached it in a similar way. I thought, “This is a project.”

The first thing I tried to make was a down jacket, which was far too complicated. But I approached it as a problem-solving exercise, and that mindset carried over from my art practice.

Where art and clothing start to differ is that, with art, you have a decent amount of control. If you’re putting on a show, you can decide, “I want this piece on this wall, with this lighting, and people will experience it from this angle.”

With clothing, it’s quite different. You’re making something and putting it out into the world, where people incorporate it into their own lives. You can have a million ideas in your head about what the piece means or how it should be experienced, but someone else ultimately takes it in on their own terms. I think that’s really cool.

I've read that your dad's old outdoor gear from Scotland, especially pieces from the '70s, sparked your obsession with products. What was it about those pieces that stuck with you, and how has that influenced the brand?

There was something that really interested me at first about finding a lot of my dad’s gear from the ‘70s. It must have been the early 2000s, and what fascinated me was that—especially at a time when design felt so futuristic—this gear was incredibly low-tech.

Yet here it was, 30-odd years later, and it was still working. I think there was something really compelling about that.

What’s funny is that, at first, I was probably more interested in the gear than the clothing. My dad has an ice tool called the Terrordactyl, one of the first technical ice tools invented by Scottish climber Hamish MacInnes. He had one of the original versions, and I think I was really drawn to the history behind it.

There were other things I found that were just amazing, too. I read quite a bit, and my dad also collects mountaineering books, so I spent a lot of time reading climbing books from that era. I think it was a combination of reading about that history and then, when my dad brought his gear over from storage to the U.S., digging through it and seeing everything in person.

Some of the pieces just looked incredible. There was an old orange climbing helmet that I thought looked amazing, and some of his old climbing shoes that basically looked like Converse with climbing soles attached. It was really cool to see those kinds of designs.

When it comes to clothing, though, I think that appreciation came a little later—closer to the point when I started thinking, “Okay, maybe I want to start the brand.”

Who do you see as the Everyday Mountaineering customer? Is it someone who's embedded in outdoor culture, someone who's just getting into it, or a mix of both?

What’s interesting is that, when I first started thinking about the brand, my idea of who it was for has shifted and ebbed and flowed over time. My clothing is very inspired by the outdoors, but it’s not about summiting Everest or extreme expeditions. It’s more about bouldering in the evenings, climbing at the gym, or heading outdoors on the weekend—activities that can naturally exist alongside everyday life.

So I’d say it’s for a creative-minded person with a genuine appreciation for the outdoors.

Looking at the Spring/Summer '26 collection, are there a few pieces that best capture where the brand is headed, or that you're particularly excited about?

There are quite a few pieces that I’m excited about.

For Spring/Summer ‘26, I made a rugby shirt using a paper-cotton blend yarn that’s quite breathable. I’m really excited about it, and about expanding into knitwear for the summer.

Then, for fall, on the more technical—or tech-ish—side of things, there’s this pant and this short. They’re part of my Font family, named after Fontainebleau in France, which I’d say is one of the birthplaces of bouldering—or maybe the birthplace. They’re made with a cotton-nylon blend.

Since you also paint, how did you mix and apply that specific faded purple color to the line?

I think something I’ve learned over time, working with color, is that when I’m designing—especially jackets—I get really excited about making everything bright orange. That’s great for someone who loves a bright orange jacket, or for certain photos, but I think there are really two directions you can take with it.

Instead of making the whole jacket orange, I’ve found that I can bring that color in through smaller details. Almost everything I make with buttons has at least one orange button. Or it might be something as subtle as orange zipper tape.

The outdoor world has become influential in fashion, with climbing and mountaineering aesthetics showing up everywhere. How do you feel about that shift, and where do you see Everyday Mountaineering fitting into that conversation?

I love seeing more people get into climbing. I think it’s pretty amazing.

It’s interesting because I don’t think climbing will ever reach the popularity of running. Running is simply more accessible. But with my brand, I think it’ll always exist a little more on the periphery of climbing.

I don’t know if I’m making clothing for the most diehard climbers, but I think that’s okay.

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A few hours after attending and seeing the Welcome Editions show, I found myself at the Man/Woman show. The biggest difference was that by this point, I was an expert on what to ask, I was severely dehydrated, and I was regretting not wearing more comfortable shoes.

You’d think that after having just seen dozens of brands I’d be ready to call it in, but there were some brands at this show that I had been waiting all day to see and boyyyyy was the wait worth it. Lots of incoming heat from some of my favorite brands.

Lets jump in.

Norse Projects

I’d be lying if I said I wasn't (mostly) looking forward to what’s dropping from Norse, and after having spent some time looking through and trying things on, it solidified everything I like about the brand.

The Paraboot collabs always go hard, but this upcoming one with the softest deerskin is to die for, and I for one will be waiting anxiously for the drop. Their outerwear was super, super strong and there’s one tan trench-esque coat that I’ve thought about nearly every day since.

In terms of brands that can offer a full closet look covering every article of clothing, Norse might be one of the best at making cohesive collections that work together with themselves and with whatever you already own in your closet.

I also want to shout out that their selection is big-boy friendly; being 6’3” and well past 200 pounds, some brands really struggle to size things properly.

I was really pleased to see that everything they put out comes with sizes that fit dudes that might be a bit taller or wider. Good looks.

Craighill

We’re clearly clothing-focused, but it’s been fun to tap into additional ‘things’ we enjoy as well; mugs, candles, scents, books, etc. — Craighill fits into this world perfectly.

I am a proud owner of their first version of the card holder but was really stoked to see the second version out, and with some great tweaks to make it function better. Their wine opener looks confusing at first glance but is actually super easy to use, and their lighter is dangerously fun to play with.

The rest of their selection includes money clips, scissors, rulers, and more. These are things you’d really enjoy owning but also things you could gift to anyone and have them really appreciate it.

Paraboot

I have a real allegiance to Paraboot. I appreciate that they always keep a line of consistent silhouettes and colorways while also experimenting with new, often really funky materials. This time around, I was shown a few newer models, like the brown moc toe shoe with the chunky sole, along with some new updates to fan favorites, like the green nubuck Clusaz shown here.

I’d keep an eye out for their different versions of moccasins & boat shoes. Some funky pony hair pairs, along with super lightweight, flexible soles that would be great for a day out at the beach, the bar, or whatever.

The most shocking thing I saw though was…

Is the double monk strap coming back with a thick rubber sole??? Brought me back to the sartorial era of menswear I walked into over a decade ago…

Big Rock Candy Mountaineering

BRCM is one of my favorite brands at the moment, putting out everything you need to go camping for the weekend knowing that you still look good enough to pull up to a diner on the way home.

I like that nothing here is boxed in to being so hiking-inspired that you can’t wear it in the city, and yet it’s built well enough that you can thrash it with the elements and it’ll hold up.

I love how they use color too. As someone who mostly wears all black, I was really into the blues and golds and purples, all reminiscent of early 00’s outdoorsy catalogs.

Might surprise myself this year and pick up a pair of their gold Scampwalker boots, or a baby blue jacket for the fall. Who knows!

Sabah

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Sabah, but I’d never seen them in person, and I actually really like them.

They feel almost like a toned-down, simple Belgian loafer, if that makes sense? Something you can slip on and head out without thinking too much that still looks and feels good enough whoever you might be.

Personally, I prefer their slimmer model with a thin leather sole. Sleek and simple and infinitely usable. Really pleasantly surprised by them and their history.

Everyday Mountaineering

The only thing stranger than seeing a brand put out technical outdoorsy garments, knit sweaters, and different variations of a chore coat at the same time is seeing a brand do all that and do it really, really well.

I fell in love with a few different pieces I saw that day, but I mostly ended up finding a new brand that really excites me.

I didn't get pics here, but their shorts and pants are actually really incredible and worth looking into. They’ve got a magnetic buckle system that is both efficient and really fun to mess with. I’d say try to see if you can find a store that stocks them near you because their stuff is really worth checking out in person if you can.

Imogene + Willie

Imogene + Willie is yet another brand that’s been on my radar for years, and I’ve just never gotten around to checking them out, which is really unfortunate because I am the sort of consumer they’re creating for.

I know that their denim is very well respected, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they’re making everything in the USA, mostly through some really great partnerships that you can read more about here.

I’m not a ‘made in the USA means it’s the best’ type of person, but I can respect when a company is committed to making clothing here, knowing well that it would be easier to offload some of the process overseas.

Big winners here were obviously the denim line, but the shorts above and their jackets should not be slept on. Truly thankful to have gotten to experience them firsthand.

Manresa

Ending my round-up with Manresa, one of the most interesting brands I got to see. We got to talk with them a few years ago and it’s really cool to see their growth and evolution since then.

Product-wise, they might have shown up with the least amount of product but their reasoning was intentional: downsizing the line to be able to make things to a higher standard in their own factories. That’s huge.

I don’t think it’s wrong to produce huge collections, but I was reminded of my interview with Paynter a while back, and how they spoke about the strengths in keeping product lines small and tight.

Now Manresa is producing a bit more than Paynter is, but they’re doing much less than everyone else around them, and doing it with an almost-obsessive level of dedication to those products.

I appreciate that they’ve found a way to pause, refocus, and push out the best version of their products yet.

They just dropped jeans, flannels and restocked their white t-shirts, but stay tuned as some fan favorites make their return this winter, including the iconic Bitner coat.

Two shows down, and I feel like I’m a pro at this.

Thanks to the MAN/WOMAN team for putting together such a great mix of brands under one roof, and shoutout to my second shooter, David, for keeping me focused that whole day.

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There’s the crewneck that hugs your biceps like your favorite Hollywood A-lister, the pocket tee tucked into your jeans like a trustworthy mechanic, and the graphic tee…

…Once relegated to the back of your drawer, now back in style thanks to independent designers and the kind of bootlegs you’d expect to find at your favorite skate shop.

From Teflon-like crewneck tees to indigo-dyed classics and graphic styles courtesy of a London-based book publisher, we’ve rounded up the best T-shirts to wear right now.

If you’ve been following along, we’ve already put together guides on:

• Linen and Seersucker

• Hats

• Shorts and Swim Trunks

• Flip-Flops and Sandals

• New suits

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

Subscribe now

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

Read more

I was feeling a bit nervous as I walked into Welcome Edition (a menswear tradeshow) that Wednesday morning.

It wasn’t the socializing or the lack of experience with this; it was just the fear of knowing that I was about to be absorbed and overrun with an exorbitant amount of product in a super short amount of time.

And for a clothing nerd like myself, that is overwhelming.

I must have spoken to 20+ different brands, all showing their best of upcoming products for the next year. Some were brands everyone would recognize, like Red Wing, and some were brands I had never heard of before, like Thunders Love.

As much as I’d love to share it all, we’d be here all day so here’s a summarized round up of what I saw, what I liked, and what I think is going to be on your Instagram feed in the coming months.

Keen

We’ve been fans of Keen for a bit now, especially with their Jasper Zionic models. They’ve got some great new colorways coming out soon, that yellow suede pair and green/brown nylon pairs being standouts.

They’ve also got this Jasper mule coming out soon that’s sure to be used and abused for bodega runs, errands, and taking out the trash. They also have some new stuff incoming…

Mary Jane on a Zionic sole? Loafers on a sneaker sole? A slim, leather offering of a Jasper-adjacent model?

Keen’s got some new and interesting things coming down the pipeline, and I’m sure if you’re willing to zoom in on those shelves you’ll see some other heat there as well.

Acid Running

Acid’s offerings were really cool, especially their technical jackets & shorts. It’s hard to find stuff you can run in and wear out to grab coffee without looking like a nerd, but they’ve found a way to make all their products functional and fashionable. Also, their graphics went unreasonably hard. Peep this design below:

Need this in every colorway. I think their price range of slotting between a Bandit and a Satisfy gives them a ton of room to explore making great products at really competitive prices.

Arrow Moccasin Company

(This is the greatest website I’ve ever seen and should be preserved this way forever)

Arrow Moccasins were my biggest surprise at this show. I circled back on multiple occasions to get pics of their offerings and those tan suede mid-mocs have been living in my mind rent free.

They’ve got a really solid offering of moccasins (duh), boots, loafers and o-rings that look like they’d fit right in on the shelves of any Americana-esque menswear store. Getting ahold of them now in the US is pretty hard, but seems like we’ll have some options to get them in here soon so you can start making space in your closet for these soon.

If you’re in the market for this style of footwear, you should check out what they offer and how you can get it before succumbing to another L.L. Bean purchase.

Thunders Love

I’m a sucker for good socks and a good story: Thunders Love offers both. I love getting to hear people speak passionately about what they do, and getting to see and hear about the range of socks, the materials, the processes and the partnerships they’ve built with local hosiers to make it happen. I also love that they have pairs in every possible material configuration you can imagine, from a recycled mix to wool and mohair, they’ve got them all.

Kestin

Do you see that jacket that looks like it’s some type of army camouflage? Yeah? Well its actually a textured jacquard with differing colors & weaves to make it appear like it’s camo from a distance, only for you to walk up close enough to realize it’s actually an extremely detailed and texturally rich take on a carpenter/chore coat. Nuts.

Everything I saw was right up my alley of semi-military inspired that can still be worn without looking like a stolen valor nerd. Loved the fishtail parka and different versions of their coats and pants that would be at home in the office and while out adventuring through the city.

I was really surprised at how everything was executed, and it surprised me that I hadn’t previously heard of them. Turns out Clayton did an interview with them 3 years ago and it’s worth the quick read here.

Snow Peak

Do you like aluminum mugs that weigh lighter than air? How about mosquito repellant outwear? Maybe a fire retardant coat for when you’re around the campfire? Or maybe it’s a jacket and pant combo that are paper thin and still higher effective against wind? If you answered yes to any of these, you’ll love everything Snow Peak is doing.

I’d argue they were the most practical brand I saw that day by a landslide, and I’m constantly blown away by how they outdo themselves with [genuinely] new and interesting technology every season. If you want a deeper dive on that, peep our interview we did with them here.

It really begs the question, why would you shop anywhere else for your outdoorsy needs?

Dr. Martens

I gotta’ be honest and say I was going to bypass this stand entirely because I really wasn’t sure what Dr Martens could show off that would be worth talking through. I’m so glad I didn’t.

One of the things that I was really surprised by was how little of the yellow-stitched sole I saw at this booth. It’s still there on most models, but they’re also making a ton of new models without it and replacing it with this super sleek, all black sole.

On some of their those models, they even offer a thinner sole option as well. I’ve always been a fan of Dr Martens and have worn a few pairs into the ground, but I could never stand the yellow stitching and would take a sharpie to it every time.

Glad to see these updates and I’m sure this is going to be (1) a great new set of options for people entering the footwear space for the first time on a budget and (2) a cool opportunity for people to explore their made-in-England line with premium leather, just now paired to a new sleeker sole.

Original Madras Trading Company

Final stop on this list is Original Madras, one of the most surprising visits of the day. I had been on the site a few times but just never really understood the hype until I got to see it and feel it in person. Their team was incredible with our questions and guided us through the process, explaining their history, who they’ve made madras for in the past, and the freedom they have to shape their line today.

That thinly striped chore coat in the first image was a winner, and the multi-colored version with the bear tucked in the pocket was done incredibly well too. I think this is a great example of why visiting stores and brands in person is so important, because it’s easy to say ‘Yeah that’s just another nice shirt,’ but you’d be missing the point entirely.

I’m officially a showroom veteran and will be doing my Man/Woman post shortly as well so stay tuned for that.

Thanks to the Welcome Editions team for being so hospitable (and choosing an incredible catering offering too), and shoutout to my second shooter David for keeping me on mission.

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We’re always sifting through shit upon shit upon shit. Instead of letting the good stuff rot on our personal wishlists or disappear into the endless stream of shoot-from-the-hip menswear recommendations clogging the group chat, we figured it deserved a proper home.

Starting now, we’ll close out each month with what our editors are excited about—and maybe even reckless enough to add to cart. From clothes to wild ceramics to fragrances, it’ll all live here, month after month, hopefully before it sells out and ruins everyone’s day.

AND...mystery links are back. Enjoy!

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Leon’s picks

I pride myself on being an SRAS (Stay Ready All-Star), so I’m already thinking about jackets in damn near 90-degree weather. Get ready for a heavy-duty nylon autumn. These won’t just get tucked away after the fall equinox.

Nanamica 2L PERTEX UNLIMITED Field Short Jacket, $470

A pebbled-fleck sweatshirt will always tug at my retail heartstrings. Canadians know how to make proper knitwear, and Body of Work is one of the best doing it right now.

Body of Work Aster Raglan Sweatshirt, $203

Do I need another denim shirt? Hell no. But does another denim shirt need me? Absolutely.

Levi’s Vintage Clothing Shorthorn Sawtooth Western Shirt, $225

I take my coffee black, and I’ve convinced myself that an interesting mug somehow makes it taste better. The same logic applies to eating my favorite ice cream out of this beautiful cup. I’m 80 years old at heart. Two scoops of butter pecan, please.

Service Projects Ice Cream Cup 02, $35

It’s funny how much I love this peanut butter colorway, considering I’m allergic to the real thing. Overshirt season is right around the corner, and I can already picture how this heavyweight cotton canvas will fade with years of wear. Thankfully, admiring the color won’t send me to the ER.

Big Rock Candy Mountaineering Nova Canvas Shirt, $148

Mariano’s picks

Becoming a dad has greatly increased my dependency on pockets, both in quantity and how much they can actually hold. This Dust Jacket from Slow Learner has massive pockets that be expanded to hold books (and snacks, wallets, keys, headphones, miscellaneous parental goods) and look good doing it.

Slow Learner Dust Jacket, $190

My biggest regret was never buying those blue Broken Arm x Salomon X-Alps a few years back, and then repeating that mistake with the follow-up red pair. I might never get a chance at those again, but this forest green/grey/maroon colorway might be enough to mend that wound.

Salomon X-ALP Leather Sneakers, $190

Hanging around the Sprezza guys has made me wander into…gorp-adjacent territory. The g-shorts are my usual purchase, but I think the gadget shorts will be my next purchase for that end-of-summer/early-fall chill where you can get away with shorts and a hoodie. Plus, pockets!

Gramicci Gadget Short, $95

My wife and I will often go out wearing the same fragrance, just as a power move really. When a guy comes to greet me, and then my partner and says “…are you both wearing the same perfume?” it’s nice to remind them that there are other offerings besides what’s available at the men’s cologne section at Nordstrom. This one is versatile enough for anyone to pull off.

Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt, $65

Stackable mugs = cleaner mug cabinet = more Marie Kondo ‘this sparks joy’ moments.

Chips Japan ‘SMITH’ Stackable Mugs, $45

Mystery clicks

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Have a nice weekend!

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Linen and seersucker have both come a long way. Before these fabrics got their makeover, I thought linen looked like oat-colored burlap and could only be styled like Drake at the 2014 ESPYs.

Seersucker wasn’t much better. I figured it was reserved for sweet-tea-drinking Southerners and Congresspeople participating in Seersucker Thursday.

With 56 days of summer left, we figured now’s the perfect time to put together a warm-weather fabric shopping guide.

From dollar-bill-thin, semi-sheer black linen blazers to overdyed seersucker chore coats, we’ve rounded up 20 picks that’ll make you rethink both fabrics.

If you’ve been following along, we’ve already put together guides on:

• Hats

• Shorts and Swim Trunks

• Flip-Flops and Sandals

• New suits

• Jackets in transitional weather

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

Subscribe now

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

Read more

It’s been on a bit of a hiatus, but we’re bringing it back in full force with monthly features.

The goal of these mini Q&As is to explore their personal preferences, how they evolve, the pieces and objects that shape their style, and so on.

Up next is Ethan Glenn, fellow Canadian and founder and creative director of Every Other Thursday. In this mini interview, we cover his tastes and preferences. Hope you enjoy, and let us know if there’s someone else you think we should feature next!

P.S. Give Ethan a follow here.

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What books are currently living on your coffee table?

I have a book problem, but some of the recent additions have been a first edition of Kelly Klein’s Pools, Helmut Newton’s Portraits, and a few copies of the old A&F Quarterly from around 2000.

If you could say one thing to your younger self right now, what would it be?

Just relax; it’ll work out. You have so much time to figure it out.

What’s the last thing you bought for under $50?

A vintage Niagara Falls, Canada, tee with moose caricatures. I love vintage Canada/Toronto tees.

What’s a style rule or philosophy you always stick to, and why?

Looking put together must also be comfortable.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Music. Any and all.

Which album do you think everyone should hear at least once?

Diamond Life by Sade.

Do you have an item that captures your personal style?

The Every Other Thursday Relaxed Dress Shirt. A little oversized, the perfect shape, great fabrics and colors. The easiest thing to wear every day, no matter the occasion.

Also, a pair of classic vintage Levi’s. Straight leg, faded, and something I wear six to seven days a week. Nothing fancy.

What’s the most sentimental object you own?

I’ve got a large framed photo I took of my dad and little brother up at their farm. It’s winter, black and white, and the first frame on the roll of film, so half of it is blank. My dad has a matching copy.

It feels very special since it was such an accidental shot. I’ve only ever shot that one roll of black-and-white film, and I might not ever again.

It’s been a minute since our last What the Homies Are Wearing. But we back!

Summer has been unhinged, to say the least. The heat waves have been relentless, the air quality has felt like smoking a couple packs of Newports before breakfast, the World Cup madness has finally wrapped up, folks have been getting fits off watching JAŸ-Z perform Politics as Usual at Yankee Stadium, and—oh yeah—everyone now knows what Cyclospora is.

So, to help take your mind off a season of bizarre news cycles, we tapped a few friends of ours to show us how they’re surviving the heat while still looking good doing it.

Let’s get into it.

Jabari Abasi — Atlanta, Georgia

Talent Acquisition Professional

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

Shorts! My absolute favorites are these tie-dye linen shorts from Story MFG. I have two pairs that look identical, ha.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

Comfortable with good colors. Anything lightweight, breathable, and flowy—with an emphasis on wearing interesting colors, textures, and patterns.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

I find myself mainly reaching for mules, slippers, and sandals during the summer. Anything comfy, easy to take on and off, are my go to’s. My favorites right now that I own are Birkenstock Boston clogs, Vibae Roma, Steve Mono fisherman sandal, and KEEN Newport.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

I absolutely do not recommend layering during the summer if you don’t have too, especially with these record breaking heat waves across many parts of the world. But if you must, any kind of lightweight chore coats, over shirts, bomber style jackets, or breathable utility vests. I own versions of all these items, but to highlight one I’m really digging this linen chore coat by Vetra France.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, I’m loving the moment technical footwear is having. Approach shoes, climbing inspired shoes, hiking boots, etc. Hender Scheme dropped some new mules that I wished were in my possession.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

Do: Dress like the internet isn’t watching. I think for those of us who consume or participate in the online style space can sometimes overthink fits. Don’t let social media convince you that simple fits are boring or not doing enough.

Daniel Z. Baraka - Nashville, Tennessee

Photographer

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

It’s a smock summer for me, so I’m really excited about this textured linen smock I got from Grand Le Mar. I also got a few vintage ones on my eBay watchlist.

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

Basic as hell. I have had the same summer uniform for almost ten summers now: a grandad collar white shirt in cotton, linen, silk, or a blend of two of the three, a pair of medium or light-wash jeans, and some slippers: grecians, Venetians, suedes, velvets, etc. I don’t discriminate much here.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

This summer, I am continuing my exploration of sneakers, which started last summer with the Converse x Lefleur jogger. I picked up a pair of Pane sneakers last month in a beautiful greenish brown color way.

Then, the homies at Todd released the collab with Mister Rogers and sent me a pair of CVOs. I’ll also do Fishermans again; I wear the Ghiaia ones, but I have told everyone who would care to listen that I think vintage Cole Haans were used for Inspo on the Ghiaia and can be found for a fraction of the price and get equal beauty.

I finally found a pair that fits me. I love them. I am, of course, also wearing some slippers. But that goes without saying for me.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

Yellow Brycelands Anorak: We get a lot of summer showers in Nashville, so I keep it handy. It’s a perfect design: great color, great weight, no fluff.

Aeromecano jacket: I have been obsessed with French vintage, so I got one from Anatomica in Sapporo. It’s made from a linen that’s probably less than 150 gsm and dipped in indigo. It’s perfect, except for the bleeding.

P43 loomed linen jacket from Buck Mason: Although, admittedly, I wear mine buttoned all the way like a shirt most of the time.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

I try not to pay attention to trends as much as possible.

I’ve been into French vintage a little too much lately. The problem is that it’s practically impossible to find or way too expensive. So, I have found myself obsessed with Anatomica and everything they do.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

DOs:

Invest in proper rainwear. I can’t stand to see adults ill-prepared on rainy days.

Take care of your toes if you intend to show them.

Wear pieces with more eccentricity and character.

DON’Ts:

No thong sandals outside of the beach, the pool, or California.

No jorts.

Toby Okonkwo - Chicago, Illinois

Business Strategist

What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?

I’ve only recently started getting into my relaxed tailoring bag, and I have a whole list of carefully thought-out pieces I’m working on acquiring over time.

My latest pickup is a black linen DB suit I’d been thinking about for a minute. I was so happy when I finally picked it up that I wore it out of the store and packed the clothes that I wore there into the suit bag.

I’ve worn it one other time since, and I can’t wait to find (or make up) more occasions to wear it to. I still have a few alterations to get it fitting exactly how I want, but it’s pretty close already, and I’m not letting that stop me from enjoying it!

How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?

It usually starts with a button-up shirt, ideally linen or cotton, and roomy on really warm days. From there, it’s either denim or relaxed trousers. With denim, I lean toward light to medium-wash, ecru, or white in the summer.

I try to stay away from darker denim this time of year; no functional reason I can think of, just my preference. With trousers, I keep things roomy, flowy, and lightweight. Usually linen, linen-cotton blends, linen-silk blends. And it’s all finished off with a pair of loafers.

What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?

I’m partial to loafers year-round, or at least as much as I can get away with it. I’ve come to realize over the last few years that I really don’t love laces, so I avoid them where I can. That means I lean even harder toward loafers in the summer. Apologies to the sock police, but I go sockless as much as possible, especially with the unlined ones, to take advantage of how soft they feel on my feet.

The rotation getting the most wear so far this summer: Alden LHS in snuff and dark brown, unlined Belgian loafers from Morjas in black and taupe, tassel loafers from Alden and Sanders. And to switch things up, I’ll throw in my Yuketen horsebit loafers in black calf and brown suede from time to time.

Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?

I’m going to take this one in a slightly different direction. I have some lightweight jackets I enjoy and look forward to wearing throughout the summer, but the thing I’m most eager to add to my rotation this summer is lightweight knitwear.

I really enjoy cotton and lightweight wool knits, and I’m looking forward to incorporating them more into my summer outfits, especially later in the summer as it starts to cool down, or on cooler summer nights. That way, I can get more wear out of them year-round rather than saving them for just the spring and fall. But with how hot it’s been lately, let’s see how this one goes.

Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?

They may just be going over my head, but I’m not really spotting any new trends at the moment. At least, none that are up my alley. Many pieces that have been catching my eye lately, though, are from the London-based brand L.E.J.

I first came across their stuff about a year and a half ago, and safe to say they’ve had me in a chokehold since. I have a few of their pieces, most of them summer-friendly, and they’re getting a lot of wear so far this season. I’m partial to their CUTTS and Shell Collector models, but IMO, they DO NOT MISS. I’m saving up and hoping they drop a slubby linen plage coat or Shell Collector piece soon.

Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?

I’m not much of a rules person when it comes to clothes, but a couple thoughts to share here, one practical and one big picture:

Summer is a great time to play with proportions: big flowy linen pants, straight loose jeans, oversized oxford shirts, big chinos. The permutations are endless, and all of it can work depending on how you put it together. In some ways, summer lets you play with silhouettes in a way fall and winter don’t, once layers enter the picture.

The broader point: it’s really not that serious. Experiment a bit, check out some inspo online or in person, see what works and makes you feel good, confident, or more like yourself, and then do more of that. This should be fun. Anything that feels otherwise isn’t it.

Get access to our shopping guides

Maybe you’re in that awkward in-between-haircuts phase. Or maybe you’re squinting so hard in the sun that you’ve accidentally developed crow’s feet.

Either way, today we’ve got a hat shopping guide.

From lightweight nylon caps that keep your head dry and sweat out of your eyes while you chase STRAVA segments, to mackerel-inspired caps and waxed logger hats for when the only thing you’re really logging is screen time, we’ve got you covered.

If you’ve been following along, we’ve already put together guides on:

• Shorts and Swim Trunks

• Flip-Flops and Sandals

• New suits

• Jackets in transitional weather

• Spring trousers

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

Subscribe now

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

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The North Face has its unimpeachable classics: the ’96 Nuptse, the heavy-ass Denali fleece, the indestructible Base Camp duffles, and ThermoBall-insulated jackets, to name a few.

But over the brand’s 60-year history, its footwear line has largely flown under the radar and, quite frankly, remained underappreciated.

The North Face launched its footwear category in 1999 with the Sawtooth Ridge and Kuna Crest. After the brand was acquired by VF Corporation in 2000, footwear collaborations gradually emerged, thanks in part to VF’s portfolio, which includes Vans, Timberland, and, until 2024, Supreme.

While TNF will never abandon its bread and butter, puffer jackets and technical outdoor gear for athletes like Jimmy Chin and Alex Honnold, the last few seasons have marked a noticeable evolution in its footwear lineup.

The Glenclyffe first caught my attention in 2023, and, to me, it helped kick off the recent conversation around approach shoes.

“The Glenclyffe demonstrated that a product rooted in authentic outdoor performance could also resonate within contemporary culture,” says Francois Pochon, Sr. Product Manager of Lifestyle Footwear.

The Clyffe followed in 2024 as the Glenclyffe‘s successor, while the Clyffe Ultra launched earlier this year. One of our Sprezza team members was wearing a pair of Clyffe Ultras, so I DM’d him and said, “TNF shoes are legit.”

We ended up having a back-and-forth conversation about how the brand’s footwear category no longer feels like an afterthought or a folded-in accessories business. Instead, it feels like a lineup that can stand alongside brands whose sole focus is making shoes.

And with the brand’s latest Verto Approach Shoes, I think things are only heating up. “People want footwear that performs outdoors but also feels relevant in everyday life, blurring the lines between performance and lifestyle,” says Matthew Blunt, Sr. Manager of Global Footwear Design.

I had the chance to chat with Pochon and Blunt about The North Face’s long-term investment in its VECTIV™ platform to accelerate growth in footwear, what gives the brand an edge in an increasingly crowded market, why climbing feels like “the new yoga,” and what’s next as it continues expanding the category.

Photos c/o: The North Face / Gracie Hinz

How do you think about footwear within The North Face as a brand? Outerwear is what most people immediately associate with TNF, so where does footwear fit into the bigger picture?

MB: Footwear is an incredibly exciting space for us at The North Face.

While the brand is best known for apparel and equipment, focusing on footwear allows us the opportunity to deliver a true head-to-toe experience for athletes and consumers, from summiting peaks to exploring cities.

It’s a category with tremendous potential, and we’re just beginning to unlock what’s possible across both performance and lifestyle.

Was there a particular moment or season when it felt like the brand really cracked the balance between performance and style in footwear? It seems like that’s become a major part of the conversation recently.

FP: We’ve been investing in performance footwear for several years, particularly with the VECTIV™ line. However, a key shift came with the launch of the Glenclyffe in Fall ’23.

It marked a pivotal moment, the Glenclyffe demonstrated that a product rooted in authentic outdoor performance could also resonate within contemporary culture. Since Fall ’24, we’ve continued to invest in both tooling and upper design that bridge performance and lifestyle, bringing our “top of the mountain” learnings into everyday environments.

Climbing, a core part of our heritage, has been a powerful anchor in defining this point of view. It reinforced the idea that the strongest products are the ones that connect technical credibility with relevance beyond the outdoors

Once the Glenclyffe proved the concept, did it alter your investment in footwear or your confidence in pursuing this direction?

MB: Absolutely, the Glenclyffe marked a turning point for The North Face footwear, expanding both the audience and how the market perceives the category.

It demonstrated that our climbing heritage could translate into a product with broad lifestyle appeal, unlocking new opportunities for global growth, partnerships, and distribution beyond traditional outdoor channels.

The model reinforced that staying true to our DNA can resonate at a much wider cultural level, proving that our most authentic stories often have the greatest reach and impact.

How do you approach growing the footwear category season after season? What opportunities are you most excited about right now?

FP: Everything starts with authenticity. We’re privileged to work with world-class athletes who push the limits across multiple disciplines.

Listening to their needs and solving real performance challenges is at the core of our strategy. From there, we translate those learnings into tiered product offerings and distribution strategies.

What excites us most is continuing to build from this foundation, staying true to our community while expanding into new expressions of the brand.

Trail running has been one of the biggest influences in footwear over the last few years, and now approach shoes seem to be having a moment. Where does The North Face fit into those conversations?

MB: Trail running is absolutely having a moment, and we’re proud to be part of the momentum.

Our unique position comes from the breadth of environments our athletes explore. Insights from ultra-distance trail running, alpine pursuits, snow exploration, and climbing allow us to design footwear that performs at a high level while influencing broader cultural conversations.

Our brand’s foundation in climb gives us the authenticity and the ability to create an approach footwear offering that feels both technically credible and distinctly The North Face.

More broadly, what are your thoughts on the footwear landscape right now? Why do you think so many consumers have gravitated toward outdoor-inspired footwear?

MB: The footwear landscape is incredibly exciting right now because consumers are looking for products that can do more than one thing. People want footwear that performs outdoors but also feels relevant in everyday life, blurring the lines between performance and lifestyle.

I think the growth of outdoor-inspired footwear comes from a desire for versatility and capability. Features like waterproof protection, traction, and durability provide real benefits, whether you’re exploring a trail or navigating the city.

The Clyffe and Clyffe Ultra are two of my favorite releases right now. Can you walk me through the design philosophy behind each model and what differentiates them?

FP: The Clyffe family is rooted in The North Face’s climbing DNA, but each model serves a distinct purpose.

The Clyffe Ultra reinterprets an archival silhouette through a more expressive, performance-oriented lens—while the Clyffe Trek is built as a capable modern approach shoe inspired by climbing functionality mixed with cultural expression.

Together with the original Clyffe, they showcase different expressions of the same climbing DNA for different consumers and use cases.

When you’re developing a new silhouette, what does the design process typically look like? Where do you usually start?

MB: When developing a new silhouette, we always start with athlete insights.

We spend time understanding the nuances of what our athletes need and identify opportunities where design can provide meaningful solutions, which in most cases have broader benefits for all.

From there, we move through concept exploration, prototyping, testing, and refinement, working together with athletes and cross-functional partners throughout the process.

The goal is always to create innovative products that push the boundaries of what’s possible and define new space for cultural expression, continuing to evolve The North Face’s DNA.

What do you think gives The North Face’s footwear an edge in such a crowded market right now?

FP: In an increasingly competitive market, we see strong consumer demand as an opportunity, and our edge comes from combining authentic performance heritage with a clear, differentiated point of view.

The North Face footwear is uniquely grounded in decades of athlete-led innovation, where real insights from exploration and performance shape purposeful product design. At the same time, today’s consumer is looking for meaningful connection, and our ability to translate that performance credibility into compelling storytelling rooted in our brand DNA allows us to stand out.

This intersection of athlete-driven innovation and authentic brand narrative creates products that are not only functional, but culturally relevant and distinctly positioned in the market.

Running has evolved into a massive cultural and commercial space. Do you see climbing following a similar path, or do you think it’ll develop differently?

FP: While running is clearly having a strong cultural moment, climbing is building momentum in its own distinct way—we often refer to it internally as “the new yoga.”

It offers a unique blend of physical, mental, and social benefits, and is fueled by a highly engaged, inclusive community. From high alpine environments to local gyms, climbing is becoming both a platform for personal progression and a creative outlet for self-expression.

Unlike more competition-driven categories, its growth is rooted in authenticity and connection to nature. As this evolves, we see climbers using gear not just for performance, but as an extension of identity, creating an opportunity for us to deliver both technical credibility and culturally relevant product that enables self-expression.

Looking ahead, where do you see the footwear industry heading over the next year or two?

MB: In the footwear industry, the pace of innovation is accelerating across materials, manufacturing, and digital design tools.

We have access to technologies that allow us to design and develop products faster, test ideas more effectively, and unlock entirely new possibilities.

What excites me most is how these advancements will help us create better experiences for athletes and consumers in the years ahead.

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Whether you’re showing off those pale thighs in a 5-inch inseam, rocking the classic 7-inchers, or wearing a pair that hangs well below the knee and grazes your calves, t…

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A nod to one of our favorite brands

In fashion, as in life, brand identities tend to ebb and flow.

Maybe a label spends a season chasing trends or drops a collaboration that doesn’t land. It happens. But the product itself shouldn’t have to suffer because of it.

One brand that’s managed to stay consistent is Earth\Studies. Based in Portland, Oregon, the label began in 2017 when founder Rob Darmour started it as a hiking club. In 2018, it evolved into a clothing brand called it Vanishes before rebranding to Earth\Studies in 2021.

Through every iteration, the mission has stayed the same: use natural deadstock fabrics and recycled materials to make thoughtfully designed outdoor apparel, with most of the collections produced in India.

One thing that’s never gotten lost in the shuffle is that Earth\Studies makes really good shit, whether you’re deep in the backcountry or just making a grocery run.

The brand has no shortage of standout pieces, from its wool bouclé and cotton patchwork fleece complete with a big-ass forager bag, to its three-pocket asymmetric field pants.

The designs get weird in all the right ways. I’ve been lucky enough to own some of those, but the Earth\Studies piece I haven’t stopped wearing this summer is the MP-111PA P_Article Pleated Trouser.

First and foremost, I’m a pants guy. Sure, the past few weeks have felt like Satan breathing down your neck, so I’ve reluctantly been living in shorts to avoid a potential heatstroke. But once the temperature dips below 90 degrees, these go right back into rotation.

Earth\Studies pants already lean relaxed with wide leg openings, but these are the Big Boy Baggies. They’re cut from a lightweight cotton-nylon blend with deep double pleats, two front pockets, and two zippered back pockets.

They’re roomy without looking sloppy.

I usually wear a 30 or 31, depending on whether I’m bloated from a pastry, but I sized up to a 32 just to be safe.

Thankfully, they feature a built-in webbing belt with an aircraft-grade aluminum hook closure, so dialing in the fit is not a problem. I wish every pair of pants worked like this.

My ideal fit is a roomy top block with plenty of volume through the leg, and these absolutely nail it. The inseam on a size 32 is a cropped 26¼ inches (it varies by size), so despite all the width, they never puddle or look messy.

The cotton-nylon fabric wears almost like a windbreaker for your legs—light, breezy, and comfortable when the humidity turns up a notch. I’ve washed them once, hung them to dry, and they still fit and feel exactly like they did out of the box.

My only gripe? Earth\Studies needs to make more colors. There is a linen version that’s looking more tempting with every degree the thermometer climbs.

For now, I’ve mostly been wearing them with a plain tee and a pair of Vibram-soled flip-flops. They’re the most breathable pants I own that don’t unzip into shorts, and at this rate, I’ll probably keep wearing them well into October.

Earth\Studies ​​MP-111PA P_Article Pleated Trouser, $290

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The anatomy of the penny loafer

Last week we were in Paris for Men’s Fashion Week, where we were lucky enough to partner with G.H. Bass and deliver one of the better brand activations I’ve seen in a while.

To celebrate their 150th anniversary, they transformed La Patate Douce into The Penny Shoe Store, an installation designed to feel like a traditional American shoe shop. Guests picked a pair of loafers from the collection and wore them for the rest of the evening.

Sounds simple, and it was. But standing in that room, watching people walk out into a Paris evening in a shoe that’s been around since 1936, it puts something into perspective. Some brands are so foundational that celebrating them doesn’t require spectacle.

G.H.Bass has been making shoes since 1876. That means this brand existed before the airplane, before two world wars, before the rise of Ivy League style and prep culture and hip-hop and streetwear and every other cultural movement that has shaped how men dress in the last century.

Weejuns have outlasted all of it, not by reinventing itself with every wave, but by being exactly what it is, consistently and without apology. That’s rarer than it sounds.

The origins

The name Weejun is short for Norwegian. British sportsmen who used to fish in Norway noticed the locally crafted slip-ons, and the style gradually made its way to European resorts and eventually to Palm Beach.

G.H.Bass got involved in 1936, updated the design, added the signature cutout across the saddle, and created what became the original penny loafer.

Legend has it that Ivy League students began tucking a dime, or a penny, into that front slot to use for the payphone, and that’s where the name came from.

That’s the founding myth. But what makes it interesting is everything that happened next.

The shoe that every subculture claimed

Over the past 80 years, Weejuns were adopted by almost every subculture going, from the mods of the 1950s to the British Rude Boys of the 70s and the Italian Paninari of the 80s, with each group blending the Weejuns seamlessly into their highly defined style.

That’s not an accident. It’s a function of the shoe’s design. Weejuns don’t announce themselves. It doesn’t have a logo on the side or a distinctive silhouette that reads as belonging to one specific world. It’s a clean, uncluttered shoe that carries whatever energy the person wearing it brings to it.

That’s why JFK could wear it to project effortless American authority and Michael Jackson could open the Thriller video in a pair of black Weejuns and both felt completely right.

The Ivy League connection gave it one kind of cultural credibility. The subculture adoptions gave it something more durable: the quality of feeling simultaneously classic and specific to wherever you are.

Weejuns on college campuses in the 60s read differently than Weejuns in a London mod club in the 70s or on a street in Milan in the 80s. The shoe traveled across all of those contexts without losing itself in any of them.

What makes it worth understanding

The basic construction method for Weejuns remain the same tubular moccasin technique George Henry Bass pioneered back in 1876. This method sees a single piece of leather wrapped around the bottom of the last and hand-sewn to create a hammock for the foot. The outsole is resoleable.

The construction is built to last rather than built to be replaced.

This matters more now than it did twenty years ago. We’re in a moment where people are actively looking for things that hold up, things that were made with intention and can be repaired rather than discarded.

Weejuns were built that way from the beginning, not as a response to a trend but as a reflection of how G.H.Bass has always approached making shoes.

The Larson Weejuns specifically sit in that space between heritage and daily wear that’s genuinely hard to find. The whale tail penny keeper, the handsewn moccasin and beefroll stitching, the Blake stitch construction, the resoleable leather outsole. These aren’t design details added for aesthetics.

They’re the actual mechanics of how the shoe is made, and they’re the same mechanics that have kept it relevant across nine decades.

The Paris moment

What G.H.Bass chose to do with their 150th anniversary says something about how confident they are in the product itself. They could have done a runway moment or a celebrity seeding campaign or a limited-edition collab.

Instead they built a shoe shop and let people try on the classics. It was an activation built around the product, which is exactly the kind of confidence that only comes when you know the product can carry the weight.

Weejuns have been doing that for 90 years. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

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More specifically, the no-sock footwear includes sandals, slippers, flip-flops, and slides. If you’ve been following along, we’ve already done guides on:

• New suits

• Jackets in transitional weather

• Spring trousers

• One on shirting

• A footwear shopping guide (regular shoes)

And as we hit summer holidays or dig our toes into the sand in the coming weeks, here’s a proper guide to get you sorted on footwear.

If you’re new to the guides, we drop one a week and the categories are always different. If you want access to these shopping guides for yourself or a loved one, you can subscribe here.

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. As always, if you’re looking for trendy shit on the cheap, this isn’t the best place to look. You need the right stuff, not more stuff.

2. A lot of these recommendations tend to be medium to higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for quality, affordable options, I always recommend thrifting what you can (like eBay, vinted, etc), or looking at options like Uniqlo.

   1. If you like these guides, share them with a homie, partner, family member, lover, or anyone who would appreciate it!

Access our shopping guides

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These cotton knit rollback sweaters from Horatio

Everything Horatio touches turns to gold. Young London brand, and what Nick and Billy are building is seriously impressive, especially for being fully bootstrapped.

I spent some time with them at their Soho store last month and they’re standup guys doing it the right way, no shortcuts.

The knitwear is where it clicks for me: they’re remixing the classics, but with a restraint most brands miss. The rollback sweater has quietly worked its way into my rotation. It’s the kind of piece that looks considered without trying too hard.

Where to cop

The J.Crew x Timex collab

Well-aligned collabs have gotten harder to find. The barrier to entry is so low now that brands think they can slap a logo on something, call it a partnership, and move on.

And that, my friends, is exactly why this J.Crew x Timex one feels refreshing. It works because there’s real alignment between the two, brand and customer both; the same guy reaching for one is already reaching for the other in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

That said, the dumbest move was releasing the watch before summer and not shipping it until fall. This is the perfect summer watch. Let me wear it in the season it was built for.

P.P.S - J.Crew honoring the heritage of braided belts is a big vibe.

Distance Athletics’ new store in Tokyo

Parisian label Distance just opened a new global location, this time in Tokyo. What I love about Distance is how they inject play and a youthful energy into running, a category that usually takes itself way too seriously.

Their stores are curated like a good friend’s apartment: a smart mix of brands sharing space with fun little knickknacks and objects you didn’t know you needed. And beyond that, the model itself is sustainable.

They’ve figured out how to be a niche, deeply specific offering and still speak to a global audience. Look at where they’ve planted flags: Copenhagen, Tokyo, Lyon, Paris, and Iten in Kenya.

Long live Distance.

These fatigues from Khakis

People ask me all the time who my favorite brand is right now, and I can’t help but say Khakis. The Korean brand has me singing their praises to anyone who’ll listen.

The shape is perfect, wide enough to feel relaxed but never baggy, and they drape beautifully. They come looking broken in, right down to these faint stains on the front that make it look like I put in a hard day of manual labor.

Which, for the record, I did not.

Where to cop

These canvas laundry bins

A proper bin to toss your laundry into is one of the most underrated items you can own. I bought mine a couple of years ago almost as an afterthought, and it’s quietly become the best storage investment in the house.

Made by Steele, an American company producing these in the USA. Can’t recommend it enough.

Worth the money; do it.

Where to cop

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