Articles – Well Spent

Instead of Rent: January, 2011

January 5, 2011

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month. Special “what I wish I was wearing during last week’s blizzard in NYC” edition.

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Baldwin Denim Sale at WHARF

January 4, 2011

This week’s third not-to-be-missed markdown: the Baldwin Denim sale at Rhode Island’s WHARF. Unless this is your first time reading a menswear blog, chances are you’re (at least vaguely) familiar with Kansas City’s Baldwin Denim. Barely two years old, and the label has already established itself as one of the better American-made denim brands out there, thanks to their jeans’ top-quality construction, unique cut(s), and understated detailing. Read More »

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EP’s Kurabo Redline Selvedge Smith Jeans

December 14, 2010

In case you didn’t already know, I’m a big (BIG) fan of Brooklyn’s Epaulet. Such a fan, in fact, that I actually make a point of limiting how often I cover their products on the site, because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t write about any thing else. It’s not just that the store’s in-house line looks great and is excellently – and responsibly – made (although that is a big part of the appeal), it’s also that it is consistently one of the best deals in menswear. Case in point: the new Kurabo Redline Selvedge Smith Jeans. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: November, 2010

November 3, 2010

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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With Benefits: Nau

October 27, 2010

With Benefits is a series featuring for-benefit companies — for-profit models that inherently benefit social causes — written by Janette Crawford, founder of the consistently excellent ethical fashion daily Fashion Loves People.

I’m told that the founding of Nau went something like this: a small group of do-gooders (some of them ex-Patagonians) got together to launch an endeavor that, whatever it might be, would be truly world-changing. They considered the many ways they might be able to “un-fuck the world” (their original working name was an acronym of this phrase). In the end they were most compelled by the positive change they could effect through the power of capital-B Business. They decided they would start an apparel company that would change the garment industry’s paradigms on environmental impact and social good from the inside out, and launched Nau in 2007.

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Being There: NorthernGRADE

September 15, 2010

As great as the clothing and wares were at this past weekend’s NorthernGRADE – and they were great – for me, the event’s real highlight was the people there. It’s not often you find yourself surrounded by so many like-minded and genuinely kind folks. Perhaps it’s just another testament to the intrinsic kindness of the Midwest and those who dwell within it, or, perhaps it was the shared excitement of finally being able to interact outside of an @ context, or, perhaps everyone in attendance knew they’d have to contend with some pretty major blog blow-back if they copped an attitude. Whatever the reason, I didn’t shake a hand that wasn’t offered in earnest, or share in a conversation that I didn’t enjoy. Thanks to all the browsers, buyers, bloggers and brand owners for making it such a fun and memorable day. I’m already looking forward to next year’s. Scroll down to see some of the people and products that made NorthernGRADE great.

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Instead of Rent: September, 2010

September 8, 2010

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Happenings: Left Field NYC

September 1, 2010

Long before L.L.Bean went Signature, Lands End went Canvas, or J.Crew went Red Wing, there was Left Field NYC. Founded by Christian McCann, the Brooklyn-based label has been churning out rugged, American-made goods since chambray was still putting the blue in blue collar. “We have been in business for over 10 years,” explains McCann, “and have always strived to make quality, made in America clothing at a fair price.” Unfortunately, being so ahead of the curve (just think about what you were wearing in the late ’90s), meant that the majority of people who initially took advantage of those fair prices lived elsewhere. “The Japanese have been great supporters of our brand,” notes McCann. “And, they’re a good litmus test for authenticity.” Despite the lack of a domestic audience, McCann believed enough in what he was doing to keep his label going, never deviating from his original vision.

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Label Spotlight: Epaulet

June 16, 2010

It’s always the brands I feel I can’t say enough good things about, that I wind up having the most difficulty posting on. It’s because I like them so much. I wind up feeling an intense pressure (self-imposed of course) to get my writing as close to perfect as I’m capable. Unfortunately, that pressure more often results in my composing bloated, seemingly endless passages of hyperbolic praise, that I then have to cut and whittle down, so as to not look like a total shill (or pretentious bombast). In the end, what should have only taken me a matter of minutes, will have dragged on for hours – if not the whole day – and I still won’t feel as though I’ve managed to convey all I hoped to. In case you haven’t already figured it out from the title of this post, Epaulet is one of those brands. And this paragraph has taken me a very long time to write.

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