love the point about supporting small business — yes you’re paying a lot of money for a jawn, but you’re also supporting a small business and that wins 100% of the time for me.
HELL YEAH. You’re in a tough spot where I know you want to support smaller brands (maybe not shops in this case) but the conversion / shipping rates kill you.
Wonder if there’s a market for cool Australian brands….wonder if you can make sense of that…
Yes, there's a handful of Australian/NZ labels that need more spotlight. I haven't had the chance to cop from the ones I'm obsessed with yet, but when I do, I'll be sure to do a full write-up on them!
Nick Grant & Jon Moy were the goats for me. Their writing styles shaped how I write + reading their stuff made realize I could like clothes as a straight guy hahaha
Well put. The pool metaphor is relatable and the fit + price-first mindset feels accurate. Most people just want to look good without overthinking it, and that’s totally fine...I also like how you treat Zara/mall brands as gateways instead of punching bags, everyone's gotta start somewhere, but hopefully that gateway leads them to more thoughtful consumer choices...
Loved reading this piece. I remember getting my start about a decade ago digging through blogs and niche instagram and tumblr accounts (and eventually, substacks like these), but despite that the insider / outsider dynamic intimidates even me. Good reminder to keep the human experience in mind throughout all of this - and that every insider had to get their start somewhere. Thanks for sharing
HELL YEAH. I think you’ll always have the few people that ruin the experience with their elitism, but genuinely so many people are much more down to earth than it seems.
An important conversation. Thanks for sharing. It’s hard to talk about the importance of educating yourself in any design field (fashion, interiors etc.) without bordering on elitist. I feel you did that very thoroughly and gracefully here.
I also think it’s the awareness that it’s harder to have this convo the deeper you get into it. I think me saying this today has more integrity than me saying it in 2-3 years. Not that I think it would discredit my thoughts, but it would be harder for me to be tapped in to both sides of the convo once I get closer to one end of it.
I really think everyone feels like this when they are in that transitional season. When you become an expert / professional, it gets harder. It is worth fighting to be able to stay tapped in as much as possible.
You hit the nail on the head about going in-person to a store. In pre-#menswear times, a lot of stores had a gatekeeper-y feel to them, the exact attitude that you're calling out here. And that still exists in the luxury world, where you feel like you're getting a visual credit check the moment you walk in the door. But over the past couple of decades, the vibe has shifted such that it's the "deep end" guys working in these places, showing the "shallow end" guys how to swim a little deeper.
Yeah I remember when I went to Drakes to buy the cost, the guy who was with me spent a good amount of time of helping me think through how that coat would fit over a sweater, a denim jacket, a suit. It helped me decide to get a size that was a bit roomier and it’s exactly what I needed, but I otherwise would have sized down and regretted it. Walking into that store felt intimidating but walking out it was such a good feeling to feel like I wasn’t spoken down to, and if anything I was taught to be more aware of what to consider when buying anything that’s $$$$$$.
A few years ago that might not have been the case. But I love that it’s easier to walk into a store and feel that healthy dynamic happen.
love the point about supporting small business — yes you’re paying a lot of money for a jawn, but you’re also supporting a small business and that wins 100% of the time for me.
HELL YEAH. You’re in a tough spot where I know you want to support smaller brands (maybe not shops in this case) but the conversion / shipping rates kill you.
Wonder if there’s a market for cool Australian brands….wonder if you can make sense of that…
Yes, there's a handful of Australian/NZ labels that need more spotlight. I haven't had the chance to cop from the ones I'm obsessed with yet, but when I do, I'll be sure to do a full write-up on them!
Wait I’m texting you about this I want to know about these brands
Shoutout Four Pins. Who’s your favorite writer?
Nick Grant & Jon Moy were the goats for me. Their writing styles shaped how I write + reading their stuff made realize I could like clothes as a straight guy hahaha
Jon Moy, the legend 😮💨🙏
Well put. The pool metaphor is relatable and the fit + price-first mindset feels accurate. Most people just want to look good without overthinking it, and that’s totally fine...I also like how you treat Zara/mall brands as gateways instead of punching bags, everyone's gotta start somewhere, but hopefully that gateway leads them to more thoughtful consumer choices...
I appreciate this a lot.
I really wanted to make sure it never felt like punching down. Getting more people educated > making fun of people.
Selvedge I think of Diesel. (Doesn’t exist)
When I think of raw classic denim I think vintage Levi’s. (I use to work at the denim bar, the last of its best kind 2008 before the crash)
Plain white, simple T, Calvin Klein, it’s forever timeless. Vintage finds are always best. Or anything Tom selleck wore. 🕊️
This was such a great read.
You make me want to start a women’s version of this. It’s so so good. It’s a tough place to be- to support local/small brands as well.
YOU SHOULD. I’m sure there are theoretical overlaps but the examples would be so different.
Great article. Thank you.
Thanks for reading homie!
I think I’ve gotta my feet in… Afraid of how deep I just might go.
KEEP GOING. You’ll make some mistakes along the way but you can reach me for some guidance 😤
Loved reading this piece. I remember getting my start about a decade ago digging through blogs and niche instagram and tumblr accounts (and eventually, substacks like these), but despite that the insider / outsider dynamic intimidates even me. Good reminder to keep the human experience in mind throughout all of this - and that every insider had to get their start somewhere. Thanks for sharing
HELL YEAH. I think you’ll always have the few people that ruin the experience with their elitism, but genuinely so many people are much more down to earth than it seems.
An important conversation. Thanks for sharing. It’s hard to talk about the importance of educating yourself in any design field (fashion, interiors etc.) without bordering on elitist. I feel you did that very thoroughly and gracefully here.
I appreciate it!
I also think it’s the awareness that it’s harder to have this convo the deeper you get into it. I think me saying this today has more integrity than me saying it in 2-3 years. Not that I think it would discredit my thoughts, but it would be harder for me to be tapped in to both sides of the convo once I get closer to one end of it.
I really think everyone feels like this when they are in that transitional season. When you become an expert / professional, it gets harder. It is worth fighting to be able to stay tapped in as much as possible.
You hit the nail on the head about going in-person to a store. In pre-#menswear times, a lot of stores had a gatekeeper-y feel to them, the exact attitude that you're calling out here. And that still exists in the luxury world, where you feel like you're getting a visual credit check the moment you walk in the door. But over the past couple of decades, the vibe has shifted such that it's the "deep end" guys working in these places, showing the "shallow end" guys how to swim a little deeper.
Yeah I remember when I went to Drakes to buy the cost, the guy who was with me spent a good amount of time of helping me think through how that coat would fit over a sweater, a denim jacket, a suit. It helped me decide to get a size that was a bit roomier and it’s exactly what I needed, but I otherwise would have sized down and regretted it. Walking into that store felt intimidating but walking out it was such a good feeling to feel like I wasn’t spoken down to, and if anything I was taught to be more aware of what to consider when buying anything that’s $$$$$$.
A few years ago that might not have been the case. But I love that it’s easier to walk into a store and feel that healthy dynamic happen.