It’s a month-and-a-half window at best, but transitional dressing is a godsend. Maybe you want to throw on an overshirt over your tees, or tuck in that “big” Oxford shirt and wear it with a tattered denim jacket you haggled for at a 7 a.m. flea market.

For the next few weeks, now’s the time to start lightweight layering before bringing out the heavy coats.

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

• Fall Footwear

• Socks

• Ecru Garms

• Rugged Shirts

• Bags

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!

Overshirts

Where to cop

Read more

Look, we know your inbox has been flooded with sales emails since last week.

And while we don’t send too many discount picks every day for Labor Day weekend, we figured we’d put together some of our favorite items and a few shops worth checking out.

In between manning the grill, toggling between football games and the U.S. Open, here’s one shopping roundup not worth slamming into your recycle bin.

Let us know what you end up getting!

Leave a comment

Leon’s picks

OUTERWEAR:

Parages Matt Jacket, $335 / $188

Alpha Industries Reversible M-65 Quilted Liner, $200 / $140

Frizmworks Edgar Plush-Trimmed Cotton-Canvas Jacket, $315 / $158

TOPS:

Filippo De Laurentiis, Long Sleeve Polo Shirt in Crepe Cotton, $295 / $163

YMC Military Shirt Blue Garment Dyed Poplin, $370 / $111

J. Press Light Grey Cotton-Cashmere V-Neck, $245 / $208

BOTTOMS:

Stan Ray OG Painter Pant, $110 / $77

Carhartt WIP Brader Short, $138 / $83

Snow Peak Nylon Washer Trousers, $154.95 / $92.97

SHOES:

KEEN UNEEK Sneaker, $150 / $90

Vinny’s Boatman Deck Shoe, $350 / $262

Saucony Shadow 6000, $130 / $87.95

Mariano’s picks

OUTERWEAR:

Heugn Albert Coat, $1,895 / $379

DAIWA GORE-TEX Windstopper Perfect Mil Field 2WAY Jacket, $890 / $445

Beam Field Jacket, $565 / $168

TOPS:

3Sixteen Western Overshirt, $245 / $185

Universal Works Coverall Jacket, $335 / $100

Coltesse Everyday Silk Shirt, $275 / $82

BOTTOMS:

Patagonia Lightweight All-Wear Gi Pants, ~$139, ~$97

Cueva x Camo Spectacular Air Trouser, $385 / $115

Stone Island Selvedge Indigo Denim-Raw Regular Fit Jeans, $499 / $225

SHOES:

Sunflower x Dime Brown Edition Cornaro Boots, $715 / $250

Vinny’s Aztec Boat Shoe, $360 / $270

COMME DES GARÇONS HOMME x Sanders Glossy Leather Derbys, $1,445 / $448

Brands and stores with great sales

Independence

Canoe Club

Notre

Windthrow

imogene + willie

Colbo

Today Clothing

Guevel

Todd Snyder

Big Rock Candy Mountaineering

Kristen was let go from her job in publishing during the recession and started making candles and selling them on Etsy in 2008. Fast-forward to now, and the company is almost 20 years old, with three brick-and-mortar shops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. I guess you can say the career pivot worked out.

I’ve been a fan of hers and the brand for a while, always having their Piñon candle lit in a corner of our home. I’m sure, like most millennials my age, P.F. Candle CO. was the first brand that introduced me to more earthy and spicy fragrances without the hefty price tag of Le Labo or Trudon. The amber-colored packaging and hand-stamped label never look out of place, whether they’re sitting next to another candle, on the mantle, or on a coffee table.

Of all the senses, smell has one of the most direct pathways to the emotional and memory parts of your brain, making a simple scent incredibly transportive. “It’s incredibly personal, and it speaks to the ritual of caring for your space and slowing down, even if it’s just for a second,” Pumphrey says.

I had a chance to speak with Kristen in July about how her job waiting tables inspired the candle vessel, how a huge order from West Elm solidified the business, what makes a collaboration worthwhile for the brand, her studio uniform, and her advice for entrepreneurs.

After losing your job in publishing and opening an Etsy shop, what made you land on candles? And what was the very first scent you ever sold?

I have to say, I think the first scent was probably Spiced Pumpkin, which is so funny now because it’s not what we’re known for. What we became known for is this unisex, very natural scent. So it’s ironic that the first scent was hyper-gourmand, sweet, and sugary.

But at the time, I really came into my side of the business through craft and through making things, and that’s just always been something I love to do. I spent my summers after school just making things. So this was basically when Etsy started taking off, and I thought, “I could do that. I want to do that. That sounds really exciting.”

So I came into it through candle making, and I already knew how to do that. I had my sister’s kit from when she was doing her home ec stuff. So I thought, “What? I can make candles. I already know how to do that. I already have some molds.” And I started pouring them.

I was making a lot of other things, too, but candles were the thing that stuck. We didn’t really hone in on the packaging, the way it looks now with the really simple font. It looks like a stamp because it literally was a stamp. I didn’t know any graphic design. I just thought, “What can I make that’s repeatable?” And I would hand-stamp every single label.

So that utilitarian need and function ended up becoming our iconic look. And then the scents that came along with it, the unisex scents, that’s what really made us take off.

When you look back at that journey, what stands out most? Were there any moments that changed the direction of the brand?

Yeah, well, having a kid changed the direction of the brand for me because before that, with just Tom and me, it was a very—it’s still a laid-back atmosphere, but it was very laid-back. We’re talking beers on the loading dock on Fridays. It was casual. We were probably 12 or 15 people.

So when I had my daughter, it sort of amped up the seriousness of, “Oh, shoot, this is a job now.” And it’s not just me on the line anymore. Honestly, that’s what continues to motivate me: thinking about, “How do I provide for my staff?” Not just myself, but we live in an expensive place, and I’m always just trying to chase providing a minimum wage. It feels really good that we’re able to pay people that and give them fully subsidized healthcare.

And it’s funny that seriousness sort of made me give that to all the rest of my staff, too. I’ve just been like, “Okay, I’ve got to provide for them.”

But I also always remember one of the biggest turning points, when we went from just me to being more than just me, was when I got this really big order from West Elm.

Tom was not on board yet—he was not my business partner, but he’d always help me at markets and craft fairs. He was just like, “Look, the future is very uncertain.” He was graduating with a degree in radio, television, and film, and NPR was laying people off. So he sort of took that mentality of, “Let’s make our own future,” and just said, “If you can go get that order, I will make all the candles with you.”

And that was just this massive turning point: getting our own studio and becoming a real business.

When you were first building the company, how much thought did you put into the vessel and packaging? Did you always want it to feel like something people would proudly display in their homes?

I think when I look at our packaging, I wouldn’t say that “pretty” is what drives me. What drives me is utility. It should be functional, and you want it to look good, but it shouldn’t be overly ornate. It’s very simple and functional, and it’s meant to be this everyday item. So you don’t need it to be over the top.

So much of that was just born out of the tools I had at hand and the process of working with them. I would just go to a container supplier, see what they had, and test different items.

The first candle vessel I ever used, though, came from when I was waiting tables. You know those pizzeria-style candles? My boss at the time would throw them out when we were done with them, and she let me take them home. I would pour candles into those, and they had this gorgeous amber glow because they were the yellow ones. I just couldn’t scale it. I stopped working there, so I couldn’t keep getting that item.

I think I wanted something brown or amber, and that’s where that seed came from.

Your scents feel really transportive. How do you go about developing a fragrance? Are there influences, like music, films, travel, and food, that shape the final scent?

The fragrance note ideas can come from so many places. Travel is a huge source of inspiration because I think anytime you can get out of your little pocket, it allows you to zoom out and get a bird’s-eye view. You’re not quite so myopic about your everyday life. You see things a little bit differently.

A lot of our fragrances are inspired by California. It’s not a strict rule, but we have a lot that are inspired by natural spaces. I love to hike and be outdoors, so I like things to smell natural-ish—very true to life.

But we also have a scent like Sandalwood Rose, and we wanted to capture the feeling of a gritty New York atmosphere—the streets, perfumes, and all of that. We call it “New York Meets LA” because it also has this floral component that feels very Los Angeles, like botanical gardens and all of that.

Why do you think people connect with well-designed candles and apothecary goods? Is it about taste, identity, creating a certain feeling at home, or something else?

I think people connect with fragrance and incense because it’s something you can’t really do online. It’s incredibly personal, and it speaks to the ritual of caring for your space and slowing down, even if it’s just for a second. Like, you cared enough to light a candle, you know?

In terms of identity, there are so many candle brands now that you can really find one that speaks to your scent identity, as well as your design identity. A lot of people connect with P.F. Candle CO. because we were born in California. Especially if they don’t live here but used to, they’ll be like, “Oh, I have my little piece of California.” They really connect with that part of the identity.

So, it’s everything. But scent is so closely linked to memory that it can really stick with you. The other night, I was burning incense to cover a bad smell, and I had to think so carefully about what incense I was going to burn because I was like, “I’m about to sacrifice this memory. What am I going to associate this scent with forever?”

What makes someone the right collaborator for P.F. Candle Co., and what are you looking for before saying yes?

So many of our collaborations are born out of genuine relationships. First, we have done the licensing thing. We did a Peanuts license that was really interesting because, being an independently owned brand, it was a very different experience. The math on that was really different. We had such high minimums to meet, so we had to really figure out: How many candles do we have to make in order to meet the licensing minimum?

But it was fun because we were creating these scents that were so inspired by nostalgic, iconic vintage Snoopy imagery. So that was really fun.

For some of our other collaborations, like Grillo’s Pickles, The Hundreds, and Toy Machine, we’ve worked with people where there’s already a genuine relationship. We have a few more collaborations coming down the line with coffee shops, and in those cases, we know them or already have a relationship with them.

I really like starting with the relationship first because you sort of get to know each other and figure out what sparks you. The Grillo’s collaboration was so fun because they have the same kind of energy as us. We work in a similar way, and it was just fun. We were like, “We’re going to create this true-to-life pickle scent.” It actually smelled really good.

For someone who just lights a candle whenever they feel like it, are there any underrated tips on when to burn candles versus when to reach for incense?

So I like to have at least an hour or two if I’m burning a candle. If I don’t have that much time, or if I have to step out to walk the dogs, I’ll burn it inside a little hurricane because that gives it extra protection, but it also amplifies the scent throw. If you’re burning it in a big space—my living room is kind of long, for example—I’ll burn it in the hurricane, and it fills the whole space.

Incense, I could burn all day, every day. I have to watch myself, though, and I always ventilate. I try to open a window or run the air purifier when I’m burning it. But the different forms—cones versus sticks versus paper—are where you can get kind of niche, because each one burns for a different amount of time.

What does a typical studio fit look like for you? Is there a uniform you've settled into over the years?

I have a uniform that I’m wearing right now, which is OG-107s. I found this amazing vintage fit guide on Substack about how to buy them and where to find them, and they are the best damn pants. I swear, they’re comfortable for travel, but they look cool, and they’re so rugged.

My fit always has to be about utility because I’m always riding a bike. So I either have to have a really baggy skirt at the right length or wear my OG-107s. I usually wear those, and then I’ve been living in these mini tees from Uniqlo. I have them in like five colors. This year, I said, “These are my outfits,” and then I just put one on in the morning and don’t think about it. That’s been very helpful.

And then I always wear Chucks in the summer. I might mix it up. I have this Todd Snyder x Gardenheir collab fisherman sandal that I throw on, you know. And then maybe a long jean short is entering the chat, along with an oxford. I’ll do a little oxford with a tank.

For someone hoping to start a business today, what advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur in 2026? Is there anything you wish you'd known when you were starting?

I think you can do it now because I started this in the middle of the recession. You can sometimes get so scared when you’re at the bottom, essentially, and there’s a lot of fear. But this is also a time when you can really create your own opportunities, and create something that has meaning to you and where you see a need in the market.

That’s what we need right now: thoughtful, well-thought-out companies. So really, the biggest thing is finding that. I don’t want to say “finding the need in the market,” because that feels like it takes the heart out of it. But you will always be competing if you’re just sort of ripping someone else off. You want to figure out what it is that you do that’s unique.

That takes a lot of analysis, too. A lot of asking, “Why did that work?” Understanding the deeper connections behind why things worked can help you build a stronger business that’s very true to who you are.

The other thing is trying to find inspiration that comes from yourself. Getting off the internet is so important nowadays because I think you can end up creating things that you feel are an original thought, and then it turns out you’ve never had an original thought. You don’t know whether you’ve just absorbed something that’s been disseminated online.

We’ll release a candle scent and then see one of our competitors do an incredibly similar one, and they’re coming out at the same time, so we know we developed them in tandem. And it’s just like, well, is it the trend? Are we just having that collective-unconscious moment?

So I do enjoy the process of creating a little bit more in a vacuum and trying to draw inspiration from real-life experiences, because that’s going to create better work.

But it’s September, and we feel obligated to at least help you bookmark some weather-appropriate footwear before you adjust your thermostat.

We’ve put together some of our favorite shoes to carry you from now through that stretch when the leaves start crunching beneath your outsoles.

From moc toes and trail shoes to chukkas and derbies, we’ve got the kicks to take you from morning miles to bonfires, and hopefully everywhere in between.

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

• Socks

• Ecru Garms

• Rugged Shirts

• Bags

• T-shirts

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!

Moc Toes

Where to cop

• Morjas The Camp Moc

• Sebago Ranger Waxy Moc

• Rancourt Baxter Ranger Moc

• Quoddy Blucher Shoe

• Studio Nicholson Guston Suede Shoe

Read more

There are few products that make me happy the way a fresh, new pair of socks do. It’s like smelling the pages of a brand-new book; pure bliss.

With that in mind, here’s a mini-guide to our favorite brands to buy from right now. And if you would like to be put on to that list, keep reading.

Note: These shopping guides are paywalled. If you are a free subscriber, you’ll still get some free emails, but not travel guides or seasonal-related shopping guides.

Here’s the fall ones we’ve already posted.

• Where to buy the best ecru garments

• Where to buy the best rugged shirts

• Where to buy the best totes + messengers

• Where to buy the best t-shirts

A few notes about these guides ❤️

1. 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. Many of these recommendations tend to lean towards a medium-to-higher price point (though not always). If you’re looking for more affordable options, I recommend thrifting what you can, searching websites like eBay, Vinted, etc, or looking at brands like Uniqlo.

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

Getting our shopping guides

Read more

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

So, for August, here’s what we’re excited about and what we’ve got sitting in our carts. From a concrete incense holder and a dreamy transitional unstructured blazer to a military-inspired tropical jacket and mechanical pencil sets, these are the things currently occupying real estate in our brains.

Leon’s picks

New Balance Made in UK 991V2, $249.99

The New Balance 991v2 is hands-down the best silhouette in the entire 99X series. They’ve cooked up one of the best colorways I’ve seen in a while with this Walnut and Shiitake rendition. It’s a prime example of how you don’t need some weird-ass radioactive hue to make a classic feel fresh again. Sometimes, you just need to let the damn shoe cook.

Le Labo Concrete Incense Holder, $70

Any time I’m working during the day or into the evening, I’ll always have a candle or some incense burning. I recently picked up this one and love it not only for its brutalist look, but also for how functional it is. Most incense holders leave a little pile of ash and remnants behind, but this one actually catches everything while looking cool next to my stack of coffee table books.

Original Madras Trading Company N°249 SB 5-Roll-3 Button Soft Jacket, $275

This will be the transitional jacket I’ll make myself wear every day. I’m a fiend for a chore-unstructured 5-roll-3 button jacket. The handwoven herringbone twill is like no other, and I can wear this with the middle button closed for a traditional look, or freak it fully buttoned with the throat closure to protect my neck.

Flamingo Estate Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee, $27

I was kindly gifted these beans earlier this year and reorder them once a month. Flamingo Estate is definitely a brand worth the hype, as most of their ingredients come from the local garden, and these acidic beans are grown in Central and South America. The taste is acidic cherry with a slight sugary note—it can be enjoyed all day.

Atlantic Coastal Supplies Fishing Shirt Striped Oxford, $236

I'll be the first to tell you, I'm not the biggest angler; however, I can appreciate the shirts that you need to catch a few bluegills. ACS is one of my favorite brands right now from Double RL alum Shawn Lowry, and the ties still run deep, as he's got Double RL legend Doug Bihlmaier in the latest campaign.

Mariano’s picks

Creek Angler Device’s Ontario by Quiet Mountain Cafe x Blue in Green, $250

The only thing better than a collab between two good brands is a collab between three of them. This is one of those shoes that might go under the radar for most people but will stick out to any real menswear nerd. I think the brown pair might be the more popular color way (they’re almost all sold out) but the black pair is the sleeker choice. Go cop in peace you cosplaying goth gorpcore nerd.

orSlow U.S. Army Tropical Jacket, $434

We are a few weeks away from those 2-3 weeks of northeastern weather where your day starts off in the 40°’s but then creeps up to the 70°’s by lunch and you need to dress in a way that you can be slightly cold at 8AM but perfect at noon. This is the perfect choice to survive those days and look good doing it.

Grenson Sterling Loafer, $290

Not sure if you saw the Sabah’s x Drakes Woven Bolo that dropped but boyyyy did that get me hyped about woven details on shoes. Although the Sabahs is a gorgeous shoe, I think Grenson packs a bit more punch for the price, and the thicker sole looks cleaner IMO. I think these are a fun way to add some texture without going overboard and looking like a fool.

Snow Peak Takibi Ripstop Adjustable Fishtail Coat, $464.97

I feel like I’m realllll close to getting my wife to agree that this flame-retardant CONEX ripstop fabric fishtail is a genuine safety necessity in my life as someone who is near an open flame once every 2-3 years. Maybe buying this would change that? Also it’s currently on sale which means you’d be losing money, and increasing your chances of catching on fire, if you don’t get it.

Pentel GraphGear 500 Mechanical Pencil Classic Colors Box Set, $42.39 (currently on sale for $33)

I’m a diehard pencil & paper guy to this day and love having different line strokes to take notes or sketch. This set gives you 4 sizes—0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm—each in an easy to pick color. In a world of taking notes on an iPad or remarkable, grab yourself this set and a good Leuchtturm1917 notebook and you’re golden.

Mystery clicks

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2

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5

Have a nice weekend!

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Whether it’s flecked hemp fibers or the way the sun hits them, they give your fit a little more visual interest, especially when worn with navy, olive, or khaki.

We’ve since flown the Pantone nest that says this color belongs on the shelf after Labor Day and have gone full-tilt on wearing it year-round.

Dirt, mustard stains, and whatever else you collect throughout the day are inevitable, but that’s part of the beauty.

Here’s a roundup of the natural-ecru-eggshell-colored garms out there, from U.S.-made heavyweight hoodies and pants to Japanese denim and archival cargo shorts.

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

• Rugged Shirts

• Bags

• T-shirts

• Linen and Seersucker

• Hats

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!

Pants

Where to cop

• Norse Projects Korshavn Relaxed 5 Pocket Heavy Twill

• BEAMS A Suvin Cotton Sweatpants

• Knickerbocker K102-W Twill Pant

• Kaptain Sunshine Tapered Cotton and Linen-Blend Trousers

• Sage Nation Mainichi Trouser

Read more

It’s more than safe to say that we’re all overdosed on content and brands and products right now.

There is simply too much sh*t out there, and I expect over the coming months and years we’ll see a consolidation of all 3, and/or an acknowledgment that you (as the brand) don’t need to reach everyone to find success.

And as a patron, you don’t need to consume everything, either.

I’m on the fence about what we’re living through creatively. Because on the one hand, I’ve never been happier and more bullish about creativity and the ability for anyone to birth an idea, build it, and share that thing with the world.

On the other hand, though, the accessibility that lets anyone launch anything at any time to anyone has lowered the barrier to entry and tanked the quality of those things.

And as a result, I think it’s given way to a lot more terrible stuff out there, and it’s made you (the consumer) smarter, because you’re able to weed through what’s good vs. what’s trash.

We’re in the business of trying to surface and share the best that’s possible out there. And we hope you keep us accountable with that on the content side, because all we want to do is share great brands, products, and stories that help you develop better taste and personal style.

Anyway, here are few things that have caught my eye lately.

Leave a comment

Works & Days is putting respect on office uniform’s name

You have likely heard about Another Aspect, the minimal, sustainable Copenhagen-based brand. But it’s less likely you’ve heard about Works & Days, the younger (but equally as good) independent label designing clothes for the modern man.

I’ve known Raff Godrey for years, mostly via Instagram DMs, and we’ve been slowly watching his progress. He’s a certified one-man team, but I love how approachable these pieces feel for wearing to the office. Not that that’s his intention, but I think it feels a clear gap in the market.

Everything feels right, the draping, the shape and silhouette, and the balance of making casual clothing that somehow feels elevated.

Respect to Works & Days.

Note: they drop their AW26 products next week, and below is a teaser.

Please support the homies when it releases! Follow them here.

Spence is restoring the feeling

It’s been a while since we’ve plugged the good folks over at Spence, but we’re due for another re-introduction. The yung tennis brand has undoubtedly made their mark by injecting fun into sport with their playful art direction.

But their recent launch of Spence Labs is refreshing in its own way.

Taking their own core products like the simple, beloved crewneck, Spence teamed up with the legendary Dos Needles, and embroidery connessour, to do 1-of-1 custom stiching on the front chest.

Over Soon - new fragrance brand

Our good friend, Gustav, recently put us on to this phenomenal brand called Over Soon. The Danish fragrance company recently launched, aiming to create unique fragrances in limited batches that will never be reproduced for new customers.

When they launch a new scent, they only create 1,000 bottles in total.

And when it sells out, it’s gone.

I really appreciate this way of thinking, and it reminds me of the approach that luxury eyewear brand Jacques Marie Mage has taken in building its products.

If you’re unfamiliar, JMM produces roughly 450 pairs of eyewear per style, and once they’re gone, you can never get the same pair twice.

I think more brands should lean into this type of scarcity with their products, because ultimately it restores the honor of creating something that feels unique rather than mass-produced.

For the love of clothing tags

Too many large brands are getting lazy with their clothing labels and shirting tags, but if there’s one cohort of brands that are putting the proverbial team on their back and producing interesting ones, it’s the smaller independents. Here’s a recent roundup of clothing tags from brands I love, namely:

• Service Works

• Fera GB

• William Ellery

• Manresa

I hope we continue to invest in little design details like this, because it creates a stronger connection to the product and the story that a brand has to tell, especially about the product’s origins.

Gramicci continues to bring us back to Mother Nature

Gramicci are really leaning into the rawness of the outdoors and juxtaposing their climbing heritage with the multi-functionality of their gear.

Their AW26 collection is here, and the accompanying lookbook has us wanting to get the wind in our hair and the chalk under our fingernails.

Over the last several seasons, their content has shifted towards showcasing an authentic experience, portraying the seasonal offering as something meant to be lived in, not just worn.

A lot of brands have turned away from Gorpcore’s cinematic, high-level production that brought outerwear into the studios and off the peaks. But meanwhile, Gramicci is a perfect example of a brand returning to its source and not one that is just part of a trend cycle.

Long live Gramicci.

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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!

Read more

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.

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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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.

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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!

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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.