What's dropping this month
A little roundup of some things I'm loving right now.
It’s been a WHILE since I’ve done a drops email. I used to write these more often and it fell off a little, but given how much good stuff is on the horizon, I had to whip another one up with a fresh batch of what’s new and interesting to me.
Without further adeau, let’s dive in.
And let me know if you like this format / want me to do more of these!
Brands using nature as a creative muse
If you’ve followed my work, you know I love spotlighting how brands use the outdoors and nature as a reference in their work. Sometimes, that comes across as phoned-in, but when it’s organic, it’s really good.
And that’s the backdrop of KOTN’s newest campaign.
I’ve been wearing KOTN’s stuff for years. I beat their knit sweaters and Barbarian rugby shirts into the ground, and they’ve held up better than most things in my closet.
No fraying or weird stretching—just well-made, lived-in essentials that improve over time. That’s rare.
I feel like every brand tries to sell you on the promise of making “quality basics,” but KOTN actually delivers on it.
It’s part of what makes them different. They’re a certified B Corp, meaning they’ve built their business around sustainability, ethical sourcing, and investing in their communities.
They own their supply chain, work directly with farmers, and reinvest in literacy programs in Egypt. It’s not just about the label—it’s about making an impact.
And their newest collection, Tefnut, takes its name from the Egyptian goddess of moisture, tying back to KOTN’s roots—one of their co-founders is from Egypt, and the country has always played a huge role in shaping their brand.
This time, they didn’t just pull inspiration from a place—they immersed themselves in it.
For the campaign, KOTN set their sights on Egypt’s White Desert—a surreal landscape of towering limestone formations, rolling dunes, and open horizons.
It’s one of those places that makes you feel small in the best way, a reminder that creativity is often about looking outward—at the world, at nature, at history—and letting it shape what you build.
That’s what I love about this campaign. The Tefnut Collection itself is a refined take on outdoor wear—think utilitarian silhouettes, garment-dyed organic cotton, and details that balance function and aesthetic—but the bigger story is about how the environment we exist in shapes how we create.
Whether it's the colors, textures, or the sheer scale of a place, nature has always been a silent collaborator in some of the best design work out there.
If you’re into pieces that feel intentional, well-made, and versatile, KOTN’s Tefnut lineup is worth a look.
You can check out the full collection here—and if you see something you like, use SPREZZA15 for 15% off.
Canoe Club and BEAMS+ reimagine the suit
The Beams Plus x Canoe Club collaboration is a testament to problem-solving. The suit isn't dead – it just needed evolution. I wrote about this topic a few years ago.
But what works here is the practicality. A 60/40 cotton-nylon blend that resists moisture and wrinkles while still feeling natural. A jacket that packs into its own pocket without looking like travel gear.
Trousers with a drawstring waist that maintain refinement.
The silhouettes borrow from Ivy style but with modern proportions. Nothing feels costume-like – just well-designed pieces that move with you through different environments and situations.
Navy and Blackwatch Minicheck options create a small capsule wardrobe from just two suits. Mix, match, integrate with what you already own.
In an industry chasing constant novelty, there's something refreshing about focusing on making things work better instead. This collaboration recalibrates what clothing should do rather than reinventing it entirely.
The collection drops today. No breathless hype needed – just considered design solving actual problems.
New Balance didn’t have to go this hard
Say whatever you want, but the Allerdale is perhaps one of my favorite sneaker releases in recent history. The work they’ve done with their Made in UK initiative to design a sneaker that feels so absurdly like a shoe my grandfather wore—in the best way possible—is incredible.
That rich brown leather, and the shape / silhouette that gives shades of the almighty Mephisto (that’s having a fun moment right now) is a testament to how we’re craving something different with our footwear right now.
There’s something about the Allerdale that feels storied, weathered, tested, delightfully plain. Maybe it’s the emphasis from the UK on nature and outdoors. Whatever it is, I’m here for it and love seeing this drop come to life.
Here’s a photo I took of it up close:
Restoring the “vibes”
Creating a vibe has become synonymous with explore page nonsense on Instagram these days. Some of it is well-meaning, and there are people and brands with genuinely good taste.
But other parts of the algorithm have watered down our ability to detect something truly good, because taste has become homogenized in a way.
And then there’s Davide of Ghiaia Cashmere, a brand I respect more than most others. The way he’s beeen able to curate his Italian-inspired (which is fully authentic) vision through the brand is a work of art.
There’s no showyness, no fluff, no trying.
It is, in fact, the embodiment of sprezzatura (a word I named this newsletter after). And I am enthralled with how he can style and arrange a look, setting, space, and environment that so beautifully reflects his interests and values, without being too loud. If you ever have the opportunity to visit his store in Los Angeles, please let me know what you think.
Here’s a little styling from his recent spring collection:
Random links
Have a nice weekend ✌️
Michael McGregor in the random links >>>>>
Your news letter is among my fav emails! Since social media frenzy took a strange twist early this year, personally I stopped using meta products! Emails are more than welcome!