Welcome to the first installment of The Month. What’s The Month, you ask. It’s a round-table discussion (read: GChat) in which the other Well Spent writers and I talk about our most favorite and least favorite things that happened in the last 30 days (basically, we all got tired of looking for links every week for the link round-ups – not to mention that Valet, Get Kempt and Chris Black are better at links than we’ll ever be – so now we’re doing this instead). Feel free to add to the discussion with your most and least favorite things in the comments.
Brad
So, this may work, or it may fall flat on its face. The idea is to have a sort of round table chat. Taking the link round-ups and turning them into a conversation about your favorite – and least favorite – thing you saw / read / listened to this month. Jake, since you’re in a rush, why don’t you go first. What’s something you loved this month?
JAKE: TRUE DETECTIVE / ESQUIRE MARC JACOBS ARTICLE
Jake
I loved True Detective.
Michael
So did all of us (my love is this piece from io9).
Nick
LOL damnit! I need to start watching this show.
Brad
I haven’t seen it. What’s so good about it?
Jake
I mean, I watch a boat load of television, and TD is probably the single most exciting thing I’ve seen in years.
Nick
This is what everyone is saying. I almost want to not watch it just to be that guy.
Christine
I’m usually years behind with shows
Jake
It’s event TV at its best. It’s intriguing, it’s open to speculation, it’s quick paced (only eight episodes). Honestly, it’s the first American show that feels like a British show (Luther, Sherlock, etc). It’s written entirely by one guy, the brilliant Nic Pizzolato, and it’s directed entirely by one person. One writer. One director. Three main characters. Eight episodes. It’s a lean, captivating way to craft a television show.
Brad
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to take Matthew McConnawanna seriously.
Michael
McCon is killin’ it, brah.
Brad
McCon – that’s good.
Michael
I’ve got a man crush on McCon.
Jake
I mean Matthew McConaughey is a god.
Brad
Douche god.
Jake
Not at all. He’s so misunderstood as an actor, IMO.
Brad
That’s an amazing statement Jake.
Nick
McConaughey was amazing in Dallas Buyers Club.
Michael
Brad you’re stuck on RomCom McCon.
Brad
And beach McCon.
Michael
Dude can’t be fit?
Jake
I mean, all these years we’ve just been underestimating McConaughey. Even in romcoms he’s a great actor. Yes, I said it.
Christine
I’m stuck on Dazed & Confused McCon
Brad
Have all eight episodes aired?
Jake
Six. Episode six aired last night.
Brad
Is it binge-watchable?
Jake
Yes. Entirely
Nick
Everyone is saying u should wait until the last episode is about to come on, and then watch all the other episodes right before it.
Brad
Like a long movie.
Jake
Yes, an 8 hour movie.
Brad
Full of muscular, southern-accented men.
Nick
Ok that settles it, I’m getting HBO this week.
Brad
Okay, Jake, what’d you hate?
Jake
Oh man, what didn’t I hate?
Brad
Now you sound like me
Jake
But if you really wanna know, it’s this. Not really this article in particular, but this author has written several pieces that have made me seriously question the purpose of writing about clothing in 2014.
Nick
I don’t know if I have, or ever will, take Esquire seriously.
Michael
Shiiiit, takin’ down other writers?
Jake
I mean, I really don’t care about taking down other writers, or rather, challenging other writers. But if you’re willing to put words out there, you’re open to critique.
Brad
The article is kinda tl;dr, sum it up.
Jake
So that’s the point. It’s tl;dr. But guess what? It’s about a single fucking shirt, or jacket, or leather straightjacket. I don’t even really know – there’s no larger context nor meaning. It’s ridiculous to me. Why does that need to be a feature?
Brad
“But Marc Jacobs, man. Dude has some sort of wizard brain and totally Cronut’d the denim/leather jacket divide.” LOLZ
Nick
I think he’s trying to sum up something, but that’s stupid since not many designers r doing it. If he were talking about a growing trend, then maybe. Basically, #menswear needs better editors.
Jake
Or rather, editors in general. The writer needed to prod further. Why this jacket? Why now? Why should people care? Because, quite frankly, I don’t give a flying FUHUCK about reading 1K words on ONE goddam jacket.
Nick
I dont care to read 1k words about many things on the internet
Brad
Maybe he was trying to use as many words as there are dollars in the price.
Jake
Does anyone, with any sort of menswear interest AT ALL, gain anything from these sorts of articles?
Christine
Everyone is just trying to produce as much “content” as possible.
Jake
And that’s my point, Christine. Less content is better, because when stuff like this is filling up the stream, it’s terrible. It’s as if someone blindly decided one day “WE MUST HAVE 10 POSTS EVERYDAY, EVERY MAN MUST READ 1,000,000 WORDS A MONTH ON CLOTHING.” And that’s bad for everyone. Be brief. Say less. Post less.
Brad
Speaking of saying less, who wants to go next?
NICK: ESPN N-WORD SPECIAL / FASHION BROS
Nick
I wanna talk about something that will likely be uncomfortable: the recent influx of care about the use of the n-word, especially in sports.
Jake
Well, that escalated quickly.
Nick
This shit has gotten out of control, and I need to get this off my chest. Last night ESPN Outside the Lines aired a special on the use of the word in sports.
It was quite possibly the dumbest thing ESPN has ever featured and they’ve featured some DUMB SHIT. 1st off, there will never ever ever be an agreement between any race on when/where/how the word should be used. It’s impossible. 2nd, I don’t think it’s ESPN’s job to open dialogue up about it to try and “educate” ppl.
Jake
Wait, so was the feature saying that there was a time and place in which it could/should be used?
Nick
It was basically black ppl sayin “we use it this way” and white ppl saying “we can’t use that word ever.”
Brad
Nick
And there is a call for it to be banned in the NFL, who will start penalizing teams 15 yards for using it during games. If ur eyes aren’t rolling into the very back of ur head by now, i’ll give u a sec.
Jake
So nick what’s your feelz then?
Nick
If we keep talking about how someone feels about it, we’re empowering it to be used in a negative way.
Jake
Fair point.
Brad
Are there a lot of instances of white players using it against black players in a hateful way? I don’t follow any sports, so I don’t know anything about this.
Nick
Yea, I mean there always has been. As of recently, it was a big issue for Marcus Smart, a college soph who was called it during a basketball game at Texas Tech by a fan, resulting in him pushing the fan and getting a 3-game suspension. I understand if the word makes ppl uncomfortable, but it goes beyond sports, and it’s just hilarious to me that ESPN is trying to use sports as the platform for discussion. I actually wrote an article about it for Complex Sports.
Brad
ESPN does not seem like the right venue – trying to dissect something that tangled and heated, in between commercials for beer and SUVs.
Michael
Yeah I’m interested in that. ESPN as a place to “educate”…awfully strange.
Brad
So, in your opinion what should Smart have done?
Nick
It’s tough to say what he should’ve done and what I would’ve done in his situation. He needs to be smarter and not react, but how can u tell a 19 year old not to do something during a heated game that’s down to the wire and an opposing fan is (allegedly) hurling racial slurs at u just 4 feet away?
Brad
You can’t.
So… what did you love this month?
Nick
This is a stark contrast, but Fashion Bros is pretty awesome.
Brad
Very stark, yes.
Jake
FASHUN BREAUXZ
Nick
I think its funny, well-written and LAS and James do a great job.
Jake
Yea, agreed. It’s no Menswear House podcast, but it’s good.
Michael
Ha ha, this is great. First time watching now.
But like, annoying as fuck at the same time.
BRAD: GEORGE HARRISON / EG FW14 LOOKBOOK
Brad
Okay, so, what I loved this month: George Harrison. Working on Jake’s Inspiration post got me and my fiancé on a GH kick that still hasn’t stopped.
Michael
2 cute.
Christine
YES!
Brad
Truth be told, I only knew the hits. But, while working on the post, I started digging a little deeper.
There’s some really incredible stuff there. Way, way ahead of its time
Jake
Yeah, he was great.
Christine
Huge fan over here.
Michael
Best Beatle?
Christine
Best Beatle hands down.
Jake
Way better than that dickhead Lennon.
Brad
Yeah, Lennon was a prick. And a wife beater.
Jake
When I learned how bad of a guy Lennon was, it was like discovering Santa wasn’t real. If I weren’t, you know, Jewish.
Michael
George, though. My fav. I like Paul, too. I think he’s one of the best pop songwriters eva.
Brad
Yeah, they were all talented. But Harrison was the one you’d want to hang out with.
Michael
Quote that.
Brad
So anyway, that’s what I loved. What I hated: the FW14 Engineered Garments lookbook.
Jake
GTFOH. WOW.
Michael
See ya.
Jake
SACRILEGE.
Michael
Where’s the door?
Jake
I’m out. I quit.
Brad
So, hate is a strong word, but here’s where I’m coming from. I love EG. Truly, love. I buy new pieces from them every season. Sometimes even at full retail.
Jake
Psh, retail.
Brad
They’re a brand I genuinely want to give my money to. But, I feel like the more avant and runway and whatever the fuck Daiki gets, the harder it is for me to do so. I have poured over that new lookbook, looking for something I want, and I still haven’t found it. I remember when the fw13 book dropped. That was revelatory.
PERFECTION.
Michael
Brad, It’s just a season, man. Let the guy express himself.
Jake
So you’re saying your taste level is getting worse? I’m sorry to hear that brad.
Brad
Now, we get this:
It’s fucking costumes!
Jake
Holy shit. that first look is so flame.
Brad
Ugh
Jake
And that last look. C’mon. It’s so good.
Nick
Sorry, stepped away. Do I see slander against EG? Unacceptable.
Jake
SOUND THE CANNONS
Nick
Brad, u do realize that lookbooks r generally comprised of the standout pieces, but they will always have a rehash of the faves.
Brad
Yeah, I get that.
Michael
Yeah, Brad I think you’re against the lookbook.’Cause some of them pieces, I can see you rock. Like those cheeta pants.
Jake
#LongLiveLongShirts
Brad
Jake, In ten years, we’re gonna laugh at those images like we laugh at this:
Jake
Where to cop JT’s denim andover?!?!
Brad
So, Jake, this is something you and I talked about a lot at Capsule. These days, I dress for utility much more than I dress for personal expression or whatever the fuck. I live in the woods. I have to gather and chop wood everyday. I have a 70 lb dog that always has muddy paws and always wants to play. I can’t wear precious things. Nor do I want to.
Nick
Yea, that makes sense. Children do the same thing.
Christine
Form follows function – the true New England way!
Brad
I’m not seeing any utility in the new EG stuff. Just novelty
Jake
To be fair, this lookbook is far more dramatic looking (in setting, color, etc.) than last Fall’s. So it’s harder to see the clothing, harder to judge individual pieces. But, I don’t think this collection is precious.
Brad
If not precious, than at least impractical. And, for the record, I still do love EG. In fact, it’s my love for the brand that’s making me frustrated: I want to give them my money, but they’re not making anything I want.
CHRISTINE: FACEBOOK QUIZZES / CNN DENVER ARTICLE
Michael
Christine you should go
Christine
Ok, i’m incredibly non-eventful compared to everyone so far.
Brad
That’s fine, Jake is easy to wind up.
Jake
haha sorry guiz
Christine
my hate is those freaking quizes on facebook
Jake
hahaha yea
Michael
Oh god. Fuck. That.
Christine
where you’re supposed to live, what cocktail you should be drinking…
Jake
I had this discussion today, cause I recently had to get on facebook again for work, and I despise it.
Christine
Can no one figure this shit out on their own?
Nick
confession: i haven’t had facebook in 7 years.
Michael
I was just saying the other day those should be redirected to Myers-Briggs tests so people can get fucking real.
Christine
exactly! my mum is a psychologist, i was taking real personality tests and i knew what they meant as a kid
Michael
Sa’ll a click-through game, these days.
Christine
it’s like oh well this quiz says i should be in Tokyo, so i guess i should quit my job after all and peace
Brad
That would be amazing if people were actually basing huge life decisions on those quiz results
Nick
haha someone give me a little background on these quizzes?
Michael
Nick: http://www.niemanlab.org/2014/02/are-quizzes-the-new-lists-what-buzzfeeds-latest-viral-success-means-for-publishing/
Christine
i think our generation is so unsure of themselves. it’s really embarrassing
Brad
For proof of that statement, read the Male Fashion Advice thread on Reddit.
Jake
hahahah yes. so accurate.
Brad
Or, better yet, just read this: http://fuckyeahmfa.tumblr.com/
Christine
hahaha
Michael
Wow. Gold.
Nick
that tumblr is making my stomach ache
Brad
So, what did you love C?
Christine
my love is that our buddies in Denver got some love on CNN.
Brad
Yes! I loved that too.
Christine
so deserved. and i like it when features go beyond street style and wtf is happening in NYC.
Brad
Yes! I love that too.
Nick
i saw that this morning
Michael
Mmhmm. Liked that piece mucho.
MICHAEL: TRUE DETECTIVE / AUTOMATED FAST FOOD MACHINES
Brad
Okay, Michael.
Michael
I liked True Detective, so whatever. Let’s not reshash that.
Brad
Ok, give us your hate.
Michael
I’ve kinda gotta run.
Brad
We’re terrible at time management
Christine
yea we are
Brad
Tell us the hate, and then we’ll quit
Michael
what sci-fi dystopias are made of: http://momentummachines.com/ it’s just automated fast food. i came across it and was really disgusted.
Brad
The future is terrifying
Michael
dig into it. it’s fun. i especially love the last section, where it’s about job displacement. basically, “we’ll train you to train your robotic replacements”
Christine
that shit scares me
Nick
i just cant wait until the future brings us holograph clothing so i dont have to wear real things anymore
Brad
As long as the holographs are made in the USA, I’m cool with it
