In today’s letter:

• The shoe of the summer that’s dropping this week

• Accepting the current flip-flop/sandal narrative by buying a sandal that doesn’t look like everyone else’s

• Diving into the world of watches

• A new Birkenstock model that I actually want

• Affordable performance gear for runners that can be worn by everybody else

• Shirts your favorite tastemakers are wearing quietly

• A new vintage-inspired athletic loopwheel tee that I’m obsessed with right now

• and more!

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IS THIS THE SHOE OF THE SUMMER?

New Balance Tokyo Design Studio has returned with an absolute heater for the summer. Building on the foundation of the MT10T model, the MT2 is the newest version that combines elements of water shoes, low profile soles, and the mary jane all into one to create a truly unique piece of footwear.

I’m going with the orange colorway myself, although the brown would probably get way more wear. Alas, I think that this is a shoe that would be more fun to wear in a brighter colorway anyway — the on foot pics are even better, which has me excited to add these to my rotation because they are unlike anything I own.

The New Balance Tokyo Design Studio MT2 is set to release on the New Balance website on July 10th. It’s also available here at Dice & Dice.

Update as of July 10th: North America is set to get these around mid August on the New Balance website. Could be as early as the 6th of August!

THE TIMELINE IS GOING BONKERS OVER THESE

Speaking of summer footwear, everyone is going crazy over the new Amsterdam Wrapped Birkenstocks. Honestly, I don’t blame them because it looks really good. The simple slip-on design is going to quickly become your daily, and that hint of suede that wraps around the foot at the bottom will give you a little bit more control on your feet.

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While I believe those brands deserve their flowers because they’re making great clothes, I find myself feeling bored because at times it seems like those are the only brands everyone is talking about.

When you submerge yourself into the world of menswear, especially online, you can’t help but feel jaded by clothes sometimes. While I enjoy the top brands everyone else is obsessed with, there are others on my radar that are sparking a different level of joy that has me excited about the future of menswear.

In today’s letter I wanted to share the brands that are making noise in my world. These are the brands, large or small, that fit a current aesthetic of design that I’m currently drawn to at the moment. These brands are redefining what it means to source fabric and how you apply that to everyday design.

The world of colorful clothing is expanding, and it’s all thanks to Auralee. Their influence is undeniable, and brands all across the board are taking notes by expanding their own color palette for future collections.

I’ve noticed Auralee’s effects even in my own wardrobe. Just a simple scroll through one of their many amazing collections, and you’re left with endless color combinations you didn’t think were possible — ssstein is also another brand that has that same insporation for me.

Expanding the colors I wear has made getting dressed not only more fun but easier as well, and because of this new obsession, I find myself more interested in brands that are putting out more colorful clothing.

LII

New York-based LII has only been around since 2023 but has already made a splash by being one of the finalists for the LVMH Prize in 2026. Stockists are going to be pretty low because they are new, but you can explore some of the past season items from LII at SSENSE here.

I think their bold use of primary colors are pretty on point when it comes what’s happening in fashion right now. Their SS27 collection preview just landed on their site, which is probably my favorite of theirs yet.

It’s simple, but I do like they way it was styled, which represents how I’ve been dressing myself recently. We’re not reinventing the silhouettes, but rather expanding our world with the use of color, and that’s what captivates me about the brand.

UNKRUID

What seperates a good brand from a really good one? A lot of things really, but the main one is fabric development. Belgium-based brand Unkruid takes fabrics to a whole different level; whether it’s cotton-linen denim made by a self-taught weaver that creates fabrics with too many characteristics to name in Eastern France, or ramie-cotton blends that yield beautiful soft colors in a pre-wrinkled finish that feels lived in.

I’m not going to lie, the price of their clothes isn’t exactly accessible to the average person, but the prices do reflect the work they put in, so I think it completely makes sense to me. This level of development, craftsmanship, or the use of specific machinery that’s only available in certain corners of the world costs a lot of money, and it’s only going up

At this level it’s more than just clothes, you’re sort of buying into art.

I’ve seen the products firsthand, and although I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on a piece just yet, that time is coming very soon. This is my end game though. Once I start wearing Unkruid there’s no turning back.

I will say to check out their headwear, which is probably the best way for you to experience the brand without having to ball out.

Follow Unkruid on Instagram here. Ven Space carries the brand in New York and Neighbour in Vancouver if you’re around. Highly recommend seeing the clothes in person because the photos only tell half the story.

Related Articles:

• A pair of everyday denim that I can’t stop wearing only cost me $150

• Summer Sales Report

• The ultimate guide to my favorite basics

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POLYPLOID

I recently spoke about Polyploid in a Paris Fashion Week recap letter about their amazing showroom and the even better clothing for SS27. I’ve heard about the brand but only got to really experience it when I saw it on a trip to Japan last year — shout out Jesper of Hender Scheme for really introducing me to the brand. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since.

Fabrics and the cuts go crazy, but what I love is how the brand is split into 3 different categories. I can try to explain it myself, but Polyploid does it the best themselves:

The collection presents a series of patterns which are multiplied into three different categories: A ,B and C. Each silhouette showcases three selected fabrics: A, B and C. In the category A, all shapes are realized in white calico - a fabric that represents the foundation of tailoring. It simplifies the product to its most basic expression. In categories B and C, different materials are used, which convert the basic form of A into new concepts, functionalities and feelings. Each pattern is reproduced in six colours. In A, one color, off white. In B, two colours, and in C, three colours.

It’s a cool approach that I haven’t seen other brands do, and that makes the collections that much more special to me.

Follow Polyploid here.

Shop the brand on their site here.

CONKERS

By now it’s clear that I’m really obsessed with high-quality fabrics that require a lot of effort to develop. It’s one of those things that once you touch them and truly understand them, you can’t stop thinking about them. Think about having a really good meal followed by something more mediocre right after, it’s just not going to hit the same, and clothing is exactly the same.

Conkers is a London-based menswear brand that started in 2021 with the goal to create garments that stay with you for life by utilizing high-quality natural textiles — very much on theme with the rest of the brands that we looked at today.

But Conkers stays in their own lane by creating garments that stand apart from anything we mentioned today, and that’s what’s cool. There’s a whole world of how fabrics are made and used to be creative through the final designs, and that’s really exciting.

Conkers has a pretty large stockist list, allowing for an easy in-person exploration wherever you may be. Brands of this level should be required, by law, to be only experience in the real world. Me talking about it to you through a screen can only do so much.

Their range of clothes is great, but I’m definitely a sucker for their Irish-linen products that seem to sell out rather quickly.

Follow Conkers on Instagram here.

NICENESS

If you’re a menswear enthusiast then you should be well aware of the Japanese-based brand Niceness. The brand has been making waves through its amazing line of shirts, and overall quality of products. The cuts are much more relaxed, and where they stand out is across the various details that are hidden with the individual items.

Feels like this one is less IYKYK because they’re getting the recognition they deserve, and I think that’s totally fine.

Sadly, I was unable to make it to their showroom for Men’s Fashion Week, and I regret it deeply. Next time, though! Either way, their AW26 collection just hit their website here that I recommend you check out.

They are pretty wildly available at places like Beams America, and Lost and Found also.

This is obviously the tip of the iceberg from what has me excited about menswear right now — shout out Camiel Fortgens, Taiga Takahashi — but I think it’s important to keep pushing the narrative forward by highlighting great work from other brands that are simply that haven’t hit the mainstream media yet.

Most of the time when I talk to someone about their summer plans they mention that they have some sort of wedding they have to attend that they aren’t really prepared for.

A lot of men seem to be stuck: getting a new suit every time you have a wedding isn’t sustainable, and re-wearing a fit you wore to another wedding isn’t a vibe either. The mistake isn’t spending money on a wedding fit, it’s spending it wrong. Buying something disposable you’ll wear once and resent. The move is putting that money into a few pieces you’ll actually reach for again.

You can update your look by refreshing a few items like a new shirt or a new pair of shoes. It’s a more budget friendly fix that doesn’t require you to get an entirely new fit, but you risk the chance of the look falling short when paired with past items you’ve worn to other weddings.

It’s a vibe thing. Weddings are the place to go bolder and even a bit crazier with your fit. It’s the perfect occasion to assume a character that you’ve always wanted to be by wearing an outfit they would if they were in your shoes. But doing that requires full commitment in finding a fresh new outfit — yeah it’s going to be more money, but you’re going to look and feel that much better.

I’ve never had a conversation where someone told me that they regretted wearing a really nice outfit to a wedding. Most of the time, even if the look was expensive, you tend to forget about the financials after you realize how that outfit made you feel at the time.

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In today’s letter we’re talking about last minute wedding outfits: how to build a few looks from less clothing to have you covered for each of the different stages of a wedding weekend, tips every man should know to make themselves look sharp, going vintage over new, and brands that are having sales on elite shirts and suiting right now.

ALL YOU NEED IS A FEW LOOKS

Ok I know it’s funny to say, oh all you need is just three looks. No problem, buddy! But the question you have to ask yourself is: are you trying to look good, or not? Sadly, there isn’t a cheat sheet on how to look exceptional without spending money. It’s also one of those things that I recommend spending a little bit more money on in order to get the results you really want — a cheap wedding fit will make you feel cheap.

Be smart with your purchases. Spend a bit more on stuff that you can rewear on other special occasions, to work, or even casually when styled right. Plus, if you’re spending money, you might as well get an item that gives you more opportunity to rewear it later while still being excited about it.

A lot of people just buy a new white shirt and rewear the same pants and shoes they’ve worn to multiple special occasions. Nothing wrong with that, but there’s a reason why you aren’t feeling as sharp in a fit you’ve rinsed multiple times.

The magic is gone.

Ideally, you have a fit for the welcome/rehearsal dinner. This look can be more casual, lose the blazer and just wear a nice button-up with a pair of clean trousers or even jeans and some nice leather shoes — this is where you can maybe get away with wearing your suit bottoms and the footwear you’re going to wear to the ceremony. Just make sure the shirt is the main item here.

Acquire a really sharp button up to take away from the fact you’re planning on re-wearing the same bottom fit to the ceremony — nobody is going to notice. You are more than welcome to bring multiple pair of shoes, but one good leather shoe is worth a thousand b*tches, or however that song goes. Just make sure it’s a pair that’s comfortable.

The ceremony requires a suit. It’s annoying, but it has to be done. Depending on the dress code you could get away with a nice crisp tee underneath a blazer, but it has to be new and has to be steamed. But I think you should go the distance by wearing a classic suit with a tie. I’ll have some specific recommendations on these down below for vintage options that doesn’t require you to spend an arm and a leg.

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Last but not least, the after party is where you have more options. Some weddings don’t have time for a fit change, so you can lose the blazer and tie and you’re ready. If you can change, then you can really wear whatever you want as long as it looks crispy.

BRANDS TO SHOP FOR WEDDING FITS

Here are some brands that I like to start with when re-upping on that perfect wedding attire.

• Ecole de Pensee is currently having 50% off some great button ups, trousers and belts. Honestly great spot to get your entire wedding look figured out. If you’re in Montreal, their made-to-measure program is really great. I have a full suit from them, which is probably one of the best ones in my closet.

• New Sunflower just dropped a bunch of more casual, yet sharp button ups here.

• Paracia is having a sale on Italian-made leather footwear over on their site.

• Another Atelier is Another Aspect’s solution to easy wedding attire. They have it all.

• Los Angeles-based Goofight offers custom made-to-measure suits at their store in Westlake. They have a great variety of wedding-ready trousers that are worth looking at.

• NN.07 is probably the best bang for your buck in Europe. Double breasted linen suits, lots of dress pants and a variety of linen shirts in great colorways.

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Navigating multiple shows a day across the city while stopping by showrooms to catch up with familiar faces where I’d quickly charge my phone while trying to decipher where men’s style is heading next required me to take a pause on writing for the week. But it is unbelievably good to be back at the comfort of my own home while I write these words.

In today’s letter we’re recapping what I saw during Men’s Fashion Week this summer: what are men wearing right now, the signs that tell us where style is heading next, key runway moments, brands that left the strongest impressions, footwear that made the biggest splash, and the best showrooms I’ve visited this week.

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WHAT WERE THE MEN WEARING

• Natural fiber shirts mixed with colorful socks. I saw a lot of short sleeve button-ups not just on the streets, but in the showrooms for next summer season as well.

• Spotted a couple of caps by MAN-TLE on the streets — shape of it is insane, so there’s no surprise there. It’s a really great hat.

• Village PM was the clear sneaker I saw most on feet. Felt like they were literally everywhere, my own feet included.

• Flip-flops were undeniably the most popular footwear I saw on both men, and women. It was kind of crazy to see how quickly these took over fashion. There were literally worn with every sort of outfit.

• A couple of people came up to tell me they agree: we should not be mixing white socks with loafers. Sadly I did see this happening a bunch this week.

• Short sleeve button-ups are starting to pop-up more and more.

Between needing 3-4 showers a day, fresh clothes were depleting quickly, and I found that the overall style shifted by the end of the week. I think everyone was tired and was just throwing on whatever they had left, but in doing so, it felt as though the style on the streets became even better by the end of the week — it was less about pulling off fits and more about just living in clothes.

Footwear was pretty solid all around: Soshiostuki + ASICS was one of my favorite sneaker moments from the runway, Moonstar is busy with new collaborations with Body of Work, and Lady White Co., Another Aspect is diving into footwear with their first leather derby for SS27, Tarvas has a new model that’s coming home with me, Khakis and Reebok have another shoe in the works that’s coming out next year, Corridor convinced Mephisto to bring back an old boot model that’s going to hit for fall, and Colin Meredith has a slip-on derby with Paracia in a nice brown leather that I might need as well.

WHERE IS STYLE GOING NEXT

If you go outside long enough you’ll start to see patterns. There were a lot of clothes to see but there were specific styles that kept popping back up. Now, I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do have access to showrooms that tells me what styles of clothing is going to be popular next year.

• Brands like Niceness and Metalwood are doing their own reversible tees for the next summer. It’s something I’ve been noticing more of recently from other brands as well, mostly done in primary colors, so you can really great creative once you start folding the hem or sleeves.

• Flip-flops are already everywhere, but I saw them even more across different showrooms and the runway. As temperature continues to rise, we can expect these to be in fashion for a very long time.

• Big buttons are starting to show up on jackets and shirting more — something I’ve been really wanting to see for a white now, specifically through a more menswear perspective.

SHOWROOMS OF THE WEEK

The best showroom was the one that had air conditioning. Jokes aside, more and more showrooms are starting to pop-up, which is making it impossible to visit all of them. If we spoke and I missed yours, I do apologise, the schedule was insanely hectic and I ended up not having the time to visit a lot of brands I’m usually hyped to see.

The one showroom stood out to me the most was by far was the one from Hender Scheme. Tucked away from the main streets in the back of an alley was an entryway covered with bamboo and other foliage that revealed a room that felt oddly familiar — they nailed to find a space that encapsulated their brand identity that presented itself as one of their many stores back home in Japan.

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Hender Scheme also hosted a party celebrating their collaboration with Artek. Stools and tables were wrapped in Hender Scheme’s signature vegetable-tanned leather that displayed different tanning stages. They also let you keep the wine glasses you got from the party; each came with its own custom leather holder made by Hender Scheme that could be worn around your neck. Absolutely incredible stuff.

My obsession with Hender Scheme runs deep, and it’s about to become even deeper after this trip. I can go on and explain myself, but it’s better just to read my past letter on why I’m obsessed with the brand here.

POLYPLOID

Tucked away upstairs of the same showroom is Berlin-based Polyploid. Hender Scheme helps with distribution of the brand, so they share a showroom together.

Polyploid was definitely one of the stronger brands I saw this week, bringing a selection of finely executed garments in relaxed cuts with great attention to detail. I could talk about the high-quality fabrics, but it’s something that you should experience on your own if you can. I think it’s safe to say that this is a brand that can easily fit into the realm of that elite level menswear that we all strive for.

Similar to Hender Scheme’s showroom, Polyploid managed to capture its identity perfectly, even though it was in the same showroom — it’s not just about showing clothes on a rack, it’s about the full experience that sets a specific tone and aesthetic for the clothes, and you do that by curating the space that the clothes are in.

Polyploid isn’t a brand you should be sleeping on, especially if you’re someone who tends to lean towards brands like MAN-TLE and Casey Casey because of their fabrics selection. Their development is definitely on that same level, which after a while, makes you realize what high-level clothing should feel like.

A NEW OBSESSION

During the week a couple of my friends took me to the Gathering showroom. I’ve never heard of the brand before, but I was instantly hooked the moment I saw what they had to offer.

The button game here is crazy — it’s a detail that is not skipped at Gathering. On top of that you also have another exceptional fabric selection from Asia and Africa, but most importantly, the fits of the garments is what did it for me.

Definitely worth keeping your tabs on this one, because I know I will be.

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KEY RUNWAY MOMENTS

Even though my schedule made me miss a couple of shows — specifically the Auralee presentation which I’m extremely bummed about — I still ended up at about 8 shows in just 2 days. The most I’ve been to yet.

Thank you to everyone who invited me, it was a lot of fun. Experiencing clothing at this level is definitely interesting because it shows you a different perspective to the ideas that are at the base of these collections.

Almost all of these shows had incredible music to go along with the clothes that made the viewing experience that much better.

But the presentation that stole the show for me was Camiel Fortgens SS27. A lot of these shows are set in these amazing, grand venues, historic buildings, but sometimes keeping it simple and real makes the clothing hit that much harder.

For SS27, Camiel Fortgens took over Bigo Bistro, where viewers got to sit around the tables outside while models stood by the bar before hitting the streets to showcase the new collection. After attending so many shows in such a short amount of time, this one just felt more authentic to real life, and that made me enjoy the clothes that much more. It was also the last show I saw that week, so it was a nice way to end it all.

Loved the big hair, many models would come with their own soundtrack that would be blaring from a speaker in their pocket or a phone in their hand.

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In today’s letter: t-shirts, shorts, and tops made with fabrics designed for those hot days. Plus, tops inspired by vintage American football jerseys, footwear for that special occasion, and a new batch of Japanese cotton long sleeves from one of my favorite brands.

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SHORTS

Couple of football inspired shorts from New York based, Scenes just dropped on their site. Simple, affordable. Doesn’t get much better than that. They also have a couple of their past styles available at a discount.

MAXIMUM BREATHABILITY

The Lazy Tee from Stussy might be one of the best go-to options to survive the heat. The thin cotton knit construction makes these some of the thinnest tees I have in my rotation right now. Great breathability and it’s light enough to feel like you’re not wearing anything at all.

I personally love the reverse seams, which gives these a little bit of texture. Each tee was individual dyed, so you get these soft shades that are mainly found in vintage t-shirts. I’d say that they fit more on the relaxed side. No crop cut. Oh, they’re also $50.

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This is the time of year where brands and stores start having really great summer sales. To minimize wasting time trying to search for the best deals, I’ve curated a list for you to enjoy all in one place.

In today’s letter, we’ll have a selection of clothes on sale that I like right now, as well as list of stores from North America, UK, and Europe that have deals worth looking at.

Enjoy!

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THE LIST

North America

• Dover Street Market: 40% off a pretty wide selection of mens and womens wear on sale that’s definitely worth going through. I would start by checking out the deals from brands like Comme des Garcons, Dries Van Noten, and PET-TREE-KOR, they have a solid selection.

• Colbo: up to 50% off a variety of brands as well as Colbo’s in-house line which has some very strong deals happening right now — the overnight bag is one of my favorites.

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I wrote about this space about two years ago. Since then, readers, and friends have stopped by to discover brands they’ve never heard of, try on different clothes, and just hangout. The reaction to this space has been overwhelmingly positive, but I want to bring more than just discovery, I want it to be a place where you can also buy a highly specific curation of items, clothes, and whatever other things that might feel special to me at the time.

So, that’s exactly what I did, and that’s how Teste was born. I’ve had this space for 2 years and now it’s time for an upgrade, so I’m clearing out my warehouse by letting go of a lot of stuff for the low, so this way I can make room for new stock that will be available at my new location and online this fall.

This coming weekend, June 20-21, the space will be open to the public for two days in Montreal, Canada for a warehouse sale. I’ll be selling clothes, footwear, and objects that I’ve picked up during travel in the last few years. We’ll also have a selection of goods from at the pop-up and some other friends as well.

Prices will be low, we’ll have stuff between the $25-$250 range with some exceptions for those truly special items.

Stop by and say what’s up, grab a drink, and shop for great clothes for the low.

Hope to see you soon!

Welcome back to The Offcuts! A series of random fashion thoughts, recommendations, and everything in between.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MENSWEAR

• RIP to Nigel Cabourn: one of the best to ever do it. An absolutely devastating loss for menswear. If you’ve never had a chance to wear one of his items, I suggest you do so, it’s just really great clothing, and it’s wildly available. Those who know, know.

• Human Made to acquire Undercover: I think the craziest thing I learned from this deal is the fact that Human Made generated $89.14 million in 2026, a 26.8% increase from the previous year. Crazy. Not really surprised because that brand is everywhere in Asia. Either way, it looks like Human Made might be interested in becoming bigger than fashion, and this acquisition is a sign of that.

• Paris Fashion Week is just a few weeks away, so expect full coverage right here on the blog with exclusive releases, runway moments, and showrooms throughout the week.

• What are we doing here? The evolution of the Explore Page Warrior is reaching levels never thought possible. The machine is exhausted and those depending on it are clawing at the wall trying to keep that engagement up. It’s something that we should obviously ignore, but the damage the algorithm is doing is something that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Keep clear!

• Knicks won and I love to see it. I will say, I was big on the Spurs during the season, but it was New York’s moment, so you have to be happy for everyone in that city right now. Huge win for the culture.

  • Nike’s latest Knicks campaign was directed by Josh Safdie, so you know it’s about to be a banger. I mean, the brand feels like it’s been asleep for a while now, but I’m digging this new energy Nike is putting out right now.

• Speaking of the Knicks, is Landry Shamet the next it guy for menswear inspiration? I don’t know, but who ever is dressing him is doing a good job — white socks with the loafers is questionable, but I will remain silent until further notice.

• Last week I included the The Broken Arm x Salomon in the latest Summer Footwear letter. It’s a shoe that looks amazing from the top down view, but then you see it from the side, and all of it starts to crumble. I’m still undecided on it, but now there seems to be a bit of controversy surrounding the imagery that was used for the collaboration. Looks like it was taken from an album cover by The World is a Beautiful Place. I don’t know, but Broken Arm seems to have deleted that post since and has still not addressed the allegations. Mistakes can happen, but what does it mean when you remain silent?

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WHAT’S IN MY CART

Summer is a busy time to revamp that wardrobe, and I’ve been looking around. Here are my favorite items that are in my cart right now.

• Premium French linen tees from Batoner to minimize any sweaty situations. It’s going to be really light, and that’s The beige/brown one is calling my name.

• New hand-dyed swim trunks from Bather are awesome. If you’re hitting the water at some point this summer you might as well do it in a pair of swim trunks you actually like. Each pair was hand-dyed by Toronto-based artist Jefford Lam, where he dyes each trunk individually in Indigo, creating a one-of-a-kind textural pattern throughout.

• The fit on these selvedge jeans by ONI Denim is looking good. Plus, I love a little bit of ecru during the summer.

• This Welders Stitch hat by Sexhippies is an absolute need — sexhippies is a hilarious name for a brand.

• A Living Taste just restocked the all-black Plasticana clog. These are for the heads. The Vert color is also very fresh.

• These cotton & hemp blend pants from Barbell Object reminds me of boxing shorts — that thick elastic waistband, which is sort of mimicked at the back of these pants are really cool. I think the most important part is the fabric construction: the hemp properties gives this cotton fabric much more breathability while keeping things light for those hot days.

• I’ve been looking for a very simple, slim, black leather belt. I don’t want any bells or whistles, I just need it to be low-key. The Slim Oval belts by Maximum Henry are handcrafted in New York, and you’re able to customize the color of the leather and the brass buckle to your liking. Might be just what I’ve been looking for. I would also recommend checking out their full belt selection.

• What’s better than 1 t-shirt? 2 of em. The Real McCoy’s reversible shirt is unlike anything you ever had in your closet.

• Comme des Garcons makes some really good wallets. They just dropped a transparent snakeskin collection that I think is awesome.

• I’m all in on these bags by Anthony Calydon. No release date yet, so hit that IG follow to stay in the loop.

• Insanely disappointed I slept on the Henry Johnson Souvenirs drop. There are a few still left on the site, but not the ones I really wanted… This is is the ideal amount of fun from a t-shirt I want right now. Hopefully we can see a new drop soon.

• It’s no Matthew shirt, but the Beach Ombre shirt is pretty damn close. These are already sold out on Stussy, but I found them over at Lost & Found here.

• Three exclusive shorts from Orslow for Blue in Green. Below the knee, great colors, and a nice wide fit for that maximum comfortability. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Calling all writers!

I’m looking to hire additional column writers. SNL is growing fast, and that means doing everything myself is not sustainable. I’m looking for individuals with high level of taste. Past fashion writing experience helps. Paid.

For applications: eugene@streetnightlive.com

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As you may have guessed it, today’s letter is all about shoes, and while I don’t really have any quirky phrases to get us excited about summer footwear, what I do have are recommendations for shoes that I like right now.

Today’s letter is sponsored by… me. So everyone will be able to read today’s recommendations for free. Support does go a long way though, so consider becoming a paid subscriber to unlock great content and support an independent blog.

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THE EVERYDAY

The army trainer is probably the most common shoe style you can actually notice on the streets. Despite their popularity, I still believe that they’re a solid choice with lots of life left. Plus, these make for a great daily option that costs under $150. You can’t go wrong with that.

Some colorways are a bit played out, but this all-black Adidas BW Army still does the trick for me. I think this is a colorway that we should see in North America soon, but if you don’t want to wait they are available internationally in huge size runs over at spots like Highs and Lows, and Up There Store — there is also a pair of these canvas upper ones that look pretty fun.

FOR THE WILD

I hope all of us get to touch some grass this summer, and we do it in a pair of Tarvas Easy Hikers. These did sell out like absolute hot cakes on the Tarvas website, but luckily Haven and Tarvas got together on an Easy Hiker that’s currently available on their site here.

It’s definitely a shoe that might fit tight at first, but the upper will loosen up and mold to top of your foot pretty quickly as you start wearing them regularly. This is where you get to feel how comfortable shoes from Tarvas can really be.

While they are perfectly fine for the summer, you can easily transform these as your daily fall shoe without issues — this is definitely a model more people ask about right now.

QUICK 6

• Blazers are probably some of the most comfortable skate shoes, but you don’t need to be a skater to enjoy these. Skate shoes make for great daily beaters — good comfort, not that expensive, and a lot of good options. Plus, once that suede breaks in on the Blazers a little bit, that’s when they start looking real good.

• I’m surprised how polarizing the Vans Authentic Ease seems to be online. Thankfully, we don’t live on the internet and have free will. They seem to be available in random stores, so I recommend doing a little search, but here’s a pair on Ssense with a few sizes left.

• The online exclusive Warm Skies 740 by New Balance might make for a great new gym shoe — the 740 is extremely underrated, has great comfort that gives you solid grip and overall support throughout the foot.

• I was surprised at how much I wore the Arcteryx Konseal. It became a daily for me as I would run errands that required me getting dirty a little bit — here at SNL we’re not just writing about clothes, we’re also moving stuff for whatever reason. Anyway, good price, true to size, made really well, and just sort of blended in well with any outfit. Good for some random side-quests or your go-to hiking option.

• Reproduction of Found Canadian Army Trainer is a must-cop for me. Cordura upper for that extra layer of durability. It has this hiking aesthetic that I like, but not in a way that fits into a specific style category, making these feel more authentic. There’s also a dark brown version available in a few sizes here.

• If you can secure a pair of Village PM’s before they sell out, I highly recommend you do so. I did find a couple of colors available over at Slam Jam here.

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A FAMILIAR SPINOFF

Deviation is a South Korean footwear brand that specializes in reimagining popular styles of the moment, and they do it well. South Korea’s footwear manufacturing scene began in the 80s, but has been recently going through a technical resurgence that has helped create more made-in-South Korea brands that make great shoes for modest prices.

The price for the quality is honestly surprising — every model uses Vibram soles, giving that extra bit of comfort and quality control. While the quality is great, you shouldn’t be expecting like a true mind bending experience. You’re going to look at these and say, yeah it’s totally a solid shoe for the $140.

I’ve had several pairs of my own and they’ve all been extremely comfortable without any defects or any signs of falling apart.

Shoes are made to order, which takes a couple of weeks, but they will always have your size — unless you’re above a size 13, then you’re out of luck, sorry about that. I’d say their sizing is pretty much on the nose, so go with your regular size.

Check out the full selection on their website here.

THE CLASSIC CHOICE

It’s nice to see a brand like New Balance gain new momentum with new styles while actively keeping the classic models in conversation to this day. I mean, getting a pair of 991v2’s in 2026 is still a huge mood. I also love that they’ve kept running their Made-in-USA and Made-in-UK lines active — between you and me, I think their UK line is the stronger choice.

I wanted to pick out a couple of favorites, but they are honestly all really good in their own way — it’s not often you can visit a brand and enjoy every single style, but New Balance has seemed to figure it out in a way that actually requires me to think which style I might go for.

FOR THOSE THAT NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT

I’m sharing my secret spot for those looking to get more rare styles from some of our favorite brands. Something that you might not see on the street that easily.

Digital Mountain’s selection spans from sneakers down to flip-flops. They have international shipping via Paypal, making the experience pretty seamless — for US orders I believe it’s around $40 for shipping from Japan.

I find this to be a solid spot that has a good amount of variety of shoes that might be sold out elsewhere, while also providing an opportunity to cop more rare styles that are not as wildly available in North America or Europe.

Yes, you’re going to have to do a little bit of work translating and completing your order, but those who put some muscle into it will be rewarded with good shoes — they are also having a sale right now, so it’s going to be worth it.

I was really excited about the next installment of The Broken Arm and Salomon partnership, but after doing a quick search on the model, I was left a bit let down — that top down view is crazy good, but things don’t feel so good after seeing that side profile. I don’t know, maybe I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel, but as of right now this one isn’t for me.

What do you think about them?

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No more white socks and loafers. Read my latest socks guide here.

Welcome back to What to buy this week, or WTBTW for short. Your weekly recommendations letter on everything that dropped this week.

In today’s letter we’re getting World Cup ready with an upcoming Palace + Nike collaboration that’s dedicated to Team England, footwear for your upcoming vacation by the ocean, pants that might be perfect for that last minute wedding you forgot to prepare for, bags that convert into belts, and stuff in between as usual.

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PALACE + NIKE ENGLAND

Although the Palace and Nike relationship is pretty recent, they’ve already set the bar extremely high.

For their new collaboration the two came together on an exclusive Team England capsule with jerseys, outerwear, footwear, and more. The campaign features legends Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott, which takes you through a journey of English football fandom, and what it means to be passionate about the game and your team.

Full collection is dropping on the Palace website on June 12th, and June 16th on the Nike website.

Speaking of the World Cup, there are a lot of jerseys starting to pop up as we head towards. Human by Nature just dropped their World Cup jerseys collection, featuring kits for Ghana, Japan, Kenya, England, USA, Poland, and more.

This hand-stitched Japan jersey from Sashiko Gals is one of one, but it’s awesome and you should check it out anyway.

BAGGIES FOR THE SUMMER

We have a three pack of Japanese nylon poplin shorts coming from the good folks at Manresa this Friday. Designed for your next adventure, with water repellent fabric that makes these perfect to have by the water, and they come in a baggy fit so you don’t even feel like they’re on you.

Dropping on the Manresa website this Friday, June 12th.

3 FROM KNICKERBOCKER

It’s summer and we’re all looking for a pair of breathable pants that can be worn casually, or to that more serious event in your life — maybe you have a wedding you’ve been putting off getting ready for. Either way, you should check out these linen and cotton twill blend pants from Knickerbocker.

There’s also a pair of these straight leg denim that comes in this nice washed fade that just feels good when you look at it — you know when you just see something online and know it’s just going to look good on you? That’s what I’m feeling here.

I would take this opportunity to browse what Knickerbocker is offering for the summer right now. I sort of forgot about them until recently, but there’s definitely a lot of good summer-ready clothes that could be great for all of my menswear enthusiasts out there.

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I’m not saying you should throw out all of your white socks, but I do think the most appropriate way to wear some right now without feeling like you’re part of a social experiment is by either wearing them during sports or to a wedding. Anything else just feels off at the moment.

As a recovering Uniqlo socks enjoyer, I have to say: once you invest in a proper pair of socks you will never go back. Uniqlo socks are cheap, and while they get the job done somewhat, they are a trap. Paying around $30 for a pair feels absolutely ridiculous, yes, but a good feeling fit starts at the feet, and investing in a proper pair of socks will make all the difference.

I mean, trying out a pair of expensive socks isn’t the end of the world. If you really aren’t about that life then you can always go back to the cheaper option, but I don’t think you will.

Oh, before we get into today’s recommendations I have one more thing to say. There’s a notecable rise in no-show socks propaganda online. I’m seeing a lot more discussion around these and that more men should wear them, but I’m here to tell you to snap out of it. I don’t know what’s happening with the menswear discourse right now, but I am not liking what I’m seeing. This sort of concept shouldn’t even be in your brain, let alone on your feet. I mean, you’re a man and you’re thinking about no-show socks? Grow up.

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Now that we have those thoughts out of the way, let’s talk about good socks that will put you in a new level of aesthetic appreciation. I think it’s important to have range when it comes to an item like this in your wardrobe. Different styles are better for different moments in life, so try to avoid buying that 6-pack of Nike socks even if the price feels good. Instead, opt into different colors, materials, and length. Diversify. Substitute the white for off-white or even cream. Embrace colors, textures and patterns because it’s the summer and we could all benefit from a little color in our life.

I’m not saying shorts and loafers are out. We just have so many resources and opportunities to get unique with a look like this, so we have to make it count by doing the opposite of what the feed is trying to feed us.

THE SOCKS I LIKE

Anonymous Ism is known for their high-quality knitted socks, but sadly they’re going out of business, so the window to buy some of their greatness is closing soon. This brand is great for variety, it’s a place where you can get a pair of really great traditional dress socks made out of supima cotton, styles that cater to a more sportswear finish, or even camo socks if you’re feeling wild.

Some personal favorites of mine have to be the Cashmere Links in off-white, and the short slub socks that come in a variety of colors.

Shop Anonymous Ism socks directly on their website here.

Now, it’s pretty common to see cotton socks composed out of some synthetic fibers. This is mainly done to create strength within the cotton weave that gives it longevity, and durability to the product. Cotton socks that are supported with synthetic fiber tend to last longer — this way you can enjoy the great comfort for longer without having to worry about rips or shrinking.

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If you’re looking for a true luxury experience on your feet, then you should try a pair of socks from Shiro. They’re made in Italy and designed with references that stem from vintage American sportswear.

They are more of an investment for some, but Shiro did help me understand what true luxury socks should feel like, and they did this in a way that proved to me that paying more for socks is actually worth the money.

I’ve tried many brands over the years, and I think it’s safe to say that Shiro is in the top 3 for me without a doubt. They feel great, and they stack really effortlessly too — because let’s be real, the shorts season is here, and we’re all trying to get that perfect sock stack that just falls naturally in place.

Wash them how you would any sock, however, I do recommend hang drying them.

Shop their full selection directly on their site here. They’re also having a sale on a most of their women’s socks right now here.

You want to go even more luxurious? These Yaeca socks are made out of a cotton silk blend, so you can expect only the softest experience. This is true luxury, but socks like this require some extra work to maintain them — they could dye quicker depending on the footwear, and they might start fraying early if not taken care of properly, or if you walk on rough terrain. This is a sock that you wear to a wedding, or that special event in your life.

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I’m a big believer of wearing what you want, because at the end of the day, your personality is what makes clothes actually look good on you. However, there are certain items that get co-opted by self-proclaimed tastemakers that leaves them unwearable.

These certain items in the trend cycle vibrate at such low frequencies that they become straight inexcusable, and that’s the energy you need to avoid. You don’t want to be any type of “guy” that can fit into one of the many algorithm style archetypes.

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To avoid falling into any labels we must say no to certain trends and ideas indefinitely. Below are just some things I think we shouldn’t do or need to approach differently in order to avoid falling victim to how the algorithm wants us to think we should dress.

• Flip-flops as daily footwear in a big city: I’m not sure when we collectively decided to lose our minds, but wearing flip-flops in a city like New York is an absolute no from me. Flip-flops give the beach and we should keep it that way. We should only be able to pull these out in cities that have a body of water that you actually want to swim in, or anywhere close to the equator really. A good rule to live by: keep the toes protected if there’s visible garbage on the streets.

• Avoiding the explore page completely: You told me that you’re only going through the algorithm to laugh at the chaos that the fashion bros have created, and now you’re subconsciously taking advice from them without even realizing. Scrolling for fun is doing subconscious damage to your taste and your style making decisions. Obviously I’m not saying stop scrolling entirely, but removing the explore page is going to help.

• Tote bags: I’m specifically talking about the cheap totes made out of thin canvas and loose handles. Having one of those as your daily feels like we’re still stuck in the pandemic. Using those for a grocery run is completely acceptable, but if you’re using that for work you need to upgrade immediately. Invest in a bag that you actually enjoy will make all the difference to your daily commute.

• Loafers with white socks: I don’t know, this right now feels performative for whatever reason. I see it way too much right now, and anyone posting their version of this look is trying a bit too hard for my liking, so naturally, I will not be participating to avoid being placed in that category of mens style. If anything, you should wear loafers without socks, or, socks in subtle colors that resemble the summer mood — think faded yellows, soft lavenders, and garment dyed cottons…

• Whatever style this is: This is where having your own personality really shines, because without one you end up with a style that everyone else has online. Avoid the trends and lean into your personal obsessions in order to let the clothes speak for themselves naturally when they are on your body.

• Stop trying to dress like Jacob Elordi: There’s a new wave of women bloggers covering menswear fashion right now. A lot of them tend to give generic suggestions on how men should dress, providing references that involve very simple outfits — what they fail to mention is, the outfit is often simple, but the guy makes up for it because he’s good looking. Jacob Elordi is sort of that vibe for men who serve as style inspiration right now. Often times his outfits are pretty simple, but he’s built in a way that makes any outfit he wears look good on him. So unless you’re built like him, you shouldn’t be trying to copy anything he wears.

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Things in my cart

• This Ashby Shell Jacket from Bare Knuckles is awesome. I just got it in beige and it’s been getting a lot more wear than I had initially expected it would — summer hasn’t been as warm just yet. Favorite part on this one has to be the double button snaps at the collar that allows you for a loose and tight collar fit adjustment.

• I know a lot of us are looking for a good linen shirt for the summer, and the new Tirreno Linen Shirts by Horatio might be just what we’re looking for — instantly gravitating towards that blue one...

• New made in Italy belts by Ecole de Pensee are looking sensational. They are coming soon, so you’ve been warned, but I’ll try to keep you updated when they do drop.

• The Crimp Shaped pants from ROA are interesting. I really like what’s going on with the paneling around the knee which gives them this unique shape. Good price, and ROA’s clothing is surprisingly really solid, which I think a lot of people don’t seem to really realize. The washed cotton finish feels light and already has this very soft and broken-in feeling to the fabric — I don’t have time to break in any pants during the summer. I need instant comfort.

• Oval Star Cap from Stussy is a hit. I slept on the yellow, but maybe they will have them stocked at places like Dover Street Market.

  

• Speaking of hats: The Radius Cap from Portal has been on my list for a bit now. Designed for performance, so if you’re looking for running or biking gear this should scratch that itch, but they also just have a shape that I really like so it could become a good daily.

• For those not looking to mess around when it comes to their summer shirt line up should be pulling the trigger on one of the many amazing options available right now on Man-tle. The Weather Shirt in Pool Weather is calling my name.

  

• It looks like we’re back in 2010 because bright-colored Vans Authentic seem to be more back than ever right now. I think they took a well deserved break but the return for such a classic model was inevitable.

• Earlier we were talking about the need to replace your canvas tote with something a bit more elevated. This Always Do What You Should Do bag is under $100 and has a playful design that caters to those that aren’t afraid of a little bit of fun. Could make for a great vacation bag or daily, whatever you choose!

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If you’re reading this I only have one question for you: the Spurs or the Knicks?

You might know Chris Black as a fixture of the media elite who has had his hands in too many fashion projects to count. He’s also the co-host of How Long Gone, and now he has a new project, an all-American brand making easy-to-wear staples called Hanover.

Chris Black starting Hanover is a smart step towards the growth of his own personal brand, I mean, he has all of the right pieces and connections to make an idea like that work, so why not try?

But what happens when you let someone of this caliber of influence lean into their connections? You might just end up with a well-polished vanity project right out of the gate, and because of that, the stakes are that much higher. But if the clothes are actually good, then maybe it’s worth paying attention to what Hanover is doing.

In the case of Hanover and its association with Chris, I’m more focused on the clothes themselves. Yes, Chris has the clout to make this brand cool, but are the clothes actually good?

Hanover’s ethos is all about simple American made clothing that is below $300. To me it seems that this is a brand that is made for men in their late 30s to early 40s that have done their fair share of experimenting with fashion already, and are now looking for simple clothes that they can wear everyday without having to think about them.

The marketing is obviously geared towards that age group, with a focus on the specific subcultures of “American-cool” with references to art, music, and people that are part of the same community that Chris has been navigating through for decades.

It’s polished, it feels premium, and it does this in a way that makes it feel like a secret club filled with cool people that you can actually be a part of. That’s what makes Hanover’s brand compelling; not everyone might be invited to the table, but diving into the world of Hanover can make you feel like you’re in the same room.

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Ok, you get the vibe, but what about the actual clothes?

From a quick glance; prices seem solid, everything is made exclusively in the USA using natural cottons — except the now sold out carabiner. I mean for stuff like that, you have to go overseas, that’s understandable.

Anyway, some items are better than others in my opinion, but the bigger question is; could Hanover become a genuine alternative for those that shop at spots like J.Crew, Uniqlo, or Madewell for example?

THE JEANS

For a new brand, Hanover has over 45 items that you can shop directly on the website — we’re talking sweatshirts, oxfords, basic tees, denim, hats, and even boxers. That’s a pretty strong selection considering the brand has only been around for a few months.

I was recently working on a letter for pants and denim for tall boys, you know, 34” - 36” inseams. To my surprise, Hanover jeans come in big sizes with 34” inseams — a detail that is often overlooked by new and even existing brands. That detail alone was enough to really grab my attention to try this brand out for myself.

Chris told me that he wears the Drift Jeans in black almost everyday, and after trying out a pair of the Wander Jeans myself, I actually believe that he wears those daily. I mean, the denim is really comfortable, fits great, and has a nice dark wash that pairs well with almost everything in my wardrobe — the success rate at which these jeans fall on any shoes first try is also incredible.

The jeans themselves are made with deadstock denim sourced from Cone Mills in North Carolina, one of the greatest denim mills that has supplied brands like Levi’s for over 100 years. Long story short; the fabric is quality.

For around $160, the Hanover denim feels like a very solid choice for an everyday denim that fits and feels great right out of the bag. No need to break them in or pre-soak them. Just put them on and you’re ready to take on the world.

THE LONG SLEEVE

Right off the bat I was skeptical about the wide collar on the Staple Long sleeve, I know what that type of collar looks like on me, and I don’t like it. To some it makes sense, but I’m skinny so it just ends up looking weird around the shoulders — the collar would create these points around the shoulder that I couldn’t get rid of.

With that being said, the washed cotton on this is insanely soft, which makes me think that this could be the perfect shirt for the beach or cottage. And in that case, I actually would prefer a collar that’s a bit wider just to let the breeze in. It’s less about the fit and more about the comfort in this case.

Another detail that Hanover does well is make short cuffs on all of their long sleeve products — it’s a small detail, but it looks way better than the traditional longer cuff you see elsewhere.

Overall, is this long sleeve a buy? I’m still on the fence. There’s a specific type of person that will prefer a wider collar, which in that case would make this a solid purchase. The cotton is extremely soft which makes it more wearable in certain situations, but for someone who prefers a tighter neckline will probably not love the overall fit at the neck.

The tees from Hanover all have that same collar, which I believe is trying to recreate the feeling of that already worn in, extremely old t-shirt that you’ve been wearing for a decade. I wish that there was an option for the same fabrics in a tighter collar for someone like myself though.

THE POLO

This one is a hit — although subtle, the lowercase h logo thats embroidered on the left chest could be removed. Let the polo speak for itself, because it’s a good fit, has a small collar that is fun to pop, and does make me feel like I’m ready to converse with the media elite at an 6pm to 8pm function.

Jokes aside, this is a very solid polo that I can see become my daily for the foreseeable future. It’s also perfect for the golf course — something I’ve been dabbling in more recently, so I need the fits to match.

If you’re looking for a simple comfortable polo, this is going to be a great purchase for around $120. Besides the Wander jeans, this polo is definitely my favorite item from them so far.

The Staple Polo is available in both long and short sleeves in a few faded colors.

THE VERDICT

Hanover has started off on a strong foot; the products feel great on body, and they are made well enough where the price makes sense. It’s going to be interesting to see how new products continue to evolve; I’m sure collaborations of sorts are in the pipeline, which will also help solidify the brand’s image.

From my short experience, I think there’s a lot of potential as long as they keep those prices relatively low. Hanover isn’t trying to be Fashion, it’s about making clothes we’re all familiar with in a way that doesn’t require much thinking. You know exactly what you’re getting everytime you shop here.

“Oh I need a simple button-up, but I don’t want to go to Uniqlo or J.Crew”. That’s where Hanover comes into play. It’s a solid substitute.

Will it work for everyone? Probably not, but I think the lower price point is enough for people to try the brand out for themselves so they can make their own decision. Jeans are definitely worth it, that polo is also awesome. Definitely now more curious to try out some of the button ups as well.

Despite being created by someone with a lot of connections and fame, Hanover proves itself as a solid contender in the menswear zeitgeist, and it’s something that is worth keeping a closer eye on.

Shop Hanover directly on their website here.

Follow Hanover on Instagram here.

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UP NEXT:

Planning a trip to Japan? Check out my extensive shopping guide to Tokyo here.

Exploring the most fanatical fashion collectors here.

There are way too many pants online that are being sold without any measurement details. I’m lucky that I come in a standard size of 32x32, but not everyone is built by the default measurement system.

While I was working on a letter dedicated for pants for the tall boys, I realized that online shopping has completely dropped the ball on providing the necessary details needed for an easier shopping experience. Measurements on pants are lacking all across the board; I see brands selling pants without providing inseam measurements, I mean, what are we doing here?

Having measurements for all products is definitely important, but not having them for pants should be criminal. If you’re reading this and work at a brand or a store that doesn’t provide the proper pant measurements, please, fix that. You’ll probably start selling more pants online.

A lot of of my tall friends and readers have been asking for recommendations for pants that fit. We’re talking about 34” to 36” inseams. Now, since our resources are limited, we have to work together on this one. Today’s guide highlights pants and denim that I know has sizes for taller people. If you see something that’s missing in terms of style or brands making good quality options, then by all means, drop the suggestions in the comments below. Let’s build a solid guide for big pants that we can keep coming back to.

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CHEATING THE SYSTEM

To be honest, how you wear your pants can make traditional sizes feel longer than they actually are. I’m 6’3 and I usually wear a 32” inseam pant, which would normally translate to a more flood fit at the bottom — you know, where the pants end just above the ankle, revealing most of the sock. But I don’t really have hips, so that means I can wear them slightly below the hip to give myself some extra length. That slight sag gives me an extra 2 inches in length making it seem like a 34” inseam.

Now, I know that most people tend to wear their pants just above the hips and are not built like a pencil, but if you’re on the slender side, you could get away by sizing up in the waist to let them naturally fall just underneath your hips — if your body type allows this, of course.

Maybe you’re not looking to perform magic by faking how the pants fit your body; you want pure length in a way that you can wear them how they are supposed to fit. If that’s you, then I have a bunch of 34”to 36” inseam recommendations that are worth your money. These pants actually come with proper measurements, so you can make sure the fit works — of course taking the time to see these in-person will yield even better results.

Just so we got our knowledge sharp before we dive in; many brands measure in cm, so look out for inseam lengths around 86.5 cm to get that 34”.

NN.07

A Danish hero that’s providing an array of cuts and styles with 34” and even 36” inseams. Huge selection and size runs of both denim and trousers, making this one of the best options for the tall boys to find a pair of pants that works for them.

Check out their full selection directly on their site here.

ANOTHER ASPECT ANOTHER JEAN 3.0

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Where I bought a pair of my favorite denim right now for $150.

I spoke to chef Chuck Cruz about what gear he’s currently obsessed with here.

Sometimes I think about the need for me to constantly suggest stuff to buy. I mean how many recommendations can I really give, right? But then I look at what the other clothing suggestions online look like these days, and I suddenly start feeling like Batman who’s seen his Bat-Signal.

I’m not looking to point fingers, but we are living in an age of fashion discussion that seems so absolutely basic at times that it feels as though we’re actually moving backwards in style.

Alas, what are we going to do? On my end, I’m just going to continue what I do through the blog because I believe that the recommendations I provide, even if they happen often at times, serve people now and tomorrow. SNL is a global enterprise that is enjoyed around the globe, so why take that away from the people? These recommendations also support independent shops that are operated by great people that deserve our support.

Today’s letter has a bunch of heavy hitters that have come across my desk that continue to fuel our unnecessary spending habits: exclusive info on a couple of really great sales happening right now, where to get loopwheel tees under $40, incognito flip-flops, affordable made-in-america hoodies, hats that won’t make you look like everyone else, and more great recommendations.

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THE FIT OF THE SUMMER?

A nice little button-up and free flowing pants that sit just right on some leather shoes seems to be the it fit in menswear right now—the jokes are certainly making it seem that way at least.

What seperates the boys from the men though is the overall vibe that’s achieved from these items coming together. That effortless look that feels like you didn’t even think about it when you put it together. While these levels of steeze are achievable naturally through your personality, the lack of ability to effortlessly wear clothes can be offset by dabbling into the high-end versions of these classic garments—although that’s a temporary fix that won’t get you far.

Personality > expensive clothes. Remember that.

New drop from Ernie Palo on Centre Commercial definitely piqued my interest when I saw this look. I mean, it’s pretty basic, yes, but it’s styled well. It gives off that effortlessly thrown on vibe that most fashion enthusiasts yearn to achieve naturally.

Ernie Palo is a Japan-based brand that started out in 2021 with the goal of creating familiar garments using high-quality fabrics—a mission that most brands have these days, but I’m not mad about it, if it’s good then I’m down!

Ernie Palo seems to have a myriad of styles for both men and women available across various shops around the world. Colbo was an early adopter of the brand, which you can discover at their shop in New York to get a better idea what they are all about. Neighbor is currently having a sale on their Ernie Palo selection on the site here.

Either way, definitely an interesting brand to check out if you’re looking for luxury without the bells and whistles, and more importantly, it’s a brand that I would say is in the IYKYK style category, which is always a plus—I’m simply not trying to wear what everyone else is wearing.

I’VE BEEN INFLUENCED

I’ve been getting got by IG posts recently… Jound just posted this showing off a couple of their coreline basics, and now I have a pair of their 2000s sweatpants in my cart. These have the ideal fit I’m looking for: good room in the thighs with a slightly tapered cut that doesn’t scrunch too much at the bottom.

I’m curious to know how they’re going to hold up against what I believe are the best sweatpants I’ve found under $150 though.

A GOOD T-SHIRT UNDER $50

It’s pretty rare these days to find a good quality t-shirt that doesn’t cost above $80. So when I see a brand that’s making loopwheel tees that only cost $30, I have no choice but to ask questions.

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In today’s letter we’re going to find out what those styles are, shorts I’m looking for myself this summer, and a list of shorts from some of my favorite brands that I’m enjoying currently.

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SHORTS ARE GETTING LONGER

Let’s get one thing straight; a lot of styles of shorts are widely acceptable right now. The younger gen is continuing their interest in oversized, below the knee shorts with a larger leg opening that gives them a wide cone effect on body.

Menswear enthusiasts are starting to catch up as well by adding more length to their shorts. Pleated shorts that end at the knee are becoming more common in this space—menswear is looking to channel the iconic Giorgio Armani in shorts vibe this summer.

Shorts are getting longer in general, with even capri cuts starting to show up on the feed more frequently—they’re even making headlines in womenswear. There’s a lot of discourse around these online. Many people like them, while many despise the return of what they believe is an “ugly moment in fashion”.

Is there a space for them in the current zeitgeist? If you’re bold enough to dive into the extremes of fashion, then you might have fun with this style right now—I mean, a lot of brands are starting to make their own capris, with even high-end brands like Lemaire creating their own versions, which signals that the interest is definitely there.

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Does that mean that short length shorts are out this season? No. While the longer cut is a style that’s wildly popular right now, the 5” and even the 3” inseam short is still just as popular as they were in menswear years ago. They mostly live in the performance world, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from rocking what they want to rock. What I’m saying is, there is space for both to exist in your wardrobe.

I find that a lot of people look for one style of short and commit to that for the entire summer. Why limit yourself to just one type of short? Shorts should come in all shapes and sizes. Having a range will allow you to get a bit creative with your looks when survival from the heat becomes more of a priority.

Plus, getting outside and doing some sort of physical activity is very much the mood this summer, and every summer for that matter, and you’re not going to do that in some long denim shorts. Have variety that you aren’t afraid to lean into across your daily style.

MY PICKS

While deciding which short archetype to subscribe to this summer, I put together a list of various short styles that do different things for different occasions. We got the shorts for the daily life, lounge styles for the summer, beach options, lightweight fabrics for those who want breathability, and so on.

Most importantly though, they all look steezy, and would make great additions to anyone’s wardrobe.

Metalwood is always a good place to start if you are looking for variety in one place. They currently have a range of shorts on their site from swim to that classic menswear look that we talked about earlier.

Personally, my eyes are set on the Digital Hombre short, because I’ve been looking for some new ball shorts, and I’m down for a wilder pattern in my rotation. The Seersucker Spa Short is also worth looking at; I like the wider cut with the elastic waistband—that light-flow breathability!

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When I first got the follow from Chuck Cruz, I was beyond hyped. I’ve been watching his videos for inspiration for meals at home for a long time, and even though I don’t really come close to his level of execution, it’s the ideas and nature of his content that have me coming back. Chuck’s content is executed in a perfectly relaxed way, where most of the time, I end up being hungry after watching his videos past midnight.

Chuck also has his own newsletter were you can enjoy his collection of amazing recipes all in one place.

I geek about food just as much as I do with clothing, so when I saw that Chuck was also a gear head, I had to get him on the blog. So, I did what anybody would do: get in the car and drive to New Jersey to kick it with him, eat some of his amazing food, and check out what gear he’s currently obsessed with.

In today’s letter, Chuck also put together a recipe for a Braised Beef Shank, a dish he made while I stayed at his place, and Hailee — his partner who’s also a fantastic chef — contributed with her own Parsnip Sticky Toffee Pudding. Needless to say, the meal was insane. You can find both recipes at the bottom of today’s letter.

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14 ITEMS WITH CHUCK CRUZ

Words by: Chuck Cruz

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THE RECIPE

Coconut and Sherry Braised Beef Shanks

Serves 4

Braised Beef Shanks

• 3 pounds beef shanks, about 2-inch thick discs (about 3 large pieces)

• Neutral oil

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

• 3 medium shallots, peeled and halved

• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

• 1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced

• 4 bird’s eye chili, stem removed

• 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns

• 4 ounces sherry or cognac

• 1 13.5-oz can of coconut milk, unsweetened

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• Steamed rice, for serving

• Soft-boiled eggs, for serving

• Pickled mustard greens, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325F.

2. Season beef shanks with salt and pepper all over.

3. In a dutch oven or large oven safe pot over medium heat, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pot. Once shimmering, sear beef shanks, mostly untouched, until both sides are browned, about 15 minutes total.

4. Remove beef shanks from the pot and set aside.

5. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, and chilis to the pot. Cook until the shallots and garlic and slightly browned, about 4 to 6 minutes.

6. Add in peppercorns and toast until aromatic, less than 1 minute.

7. Add in sherry and scrap the browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Reduce sherry by half, about 3 minutes.

8. Pour in coconut milk and soy sauce. Season with a pinch of salt and bring the liquid to a boil. Add beef shanks back into the pot and cover with lid and transfer to the oven.

9. Cook until beef shanks are tender, about 2½-3 hours.

10. Once the beef shanks are tender, carefully remove beef from the pot and set aside. Strain the sauce and reduce sauce by half, about 8 minutes. Add shanks back to the pot and coat with the sauce.

11. Serve beef shanks over rice with pickled mustard greens, and a soft boiled egg.

Parsnip Sticky Toffee Pudding

Serves 8

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing

• 6 ounces pitted dates (about 8 Medjool dates)

• 2 medium parsnips (about 8 ounces), peeled and roughly chopped into small pieces

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup packed dark brown sugar

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or extract

• ¼ cup sour cream, room temperature

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

• 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Toffee Sauce

• ¾ cup heavy cream

• ½ cup packed dark brown sugar

• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for searing the cake

• ¼ cup brandy, optional

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or extract

Sour Cream Whip

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream

• ¼ cup sour cream

• Flake salt, for serving if desired

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter the bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Grease the pan all over with butter, and dust with flour. Set aside.

2. Begin by browning the butter for the cake. Melt the ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk the butter continuously until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. (Keep an eye on it, as this can happen quickly!) Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Add dates to a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let the dates soak for at least 10 minutes.

4. While the dates soak, prepare the dry ingredients. Add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a medium bowl. Whisk until combined and set aside.

5. Drain dates from the soaking liquid and discard the liquid.

6. Add parsnips, sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, soaked dates and the reserved brown butter to a food processor. Process until the parsnips and dates are very finely chopped and everything is fully combined. This should take about 2-3 minutes of blending. Add in the sour cream and process just until combined.

7. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

8. Bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Set aside to cool.

9. While the cake cools, make toffee. Add cream, brown sugar, butter, brandy, salt, and vanilla to a small saucepan. Cook the toffee over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture reduces to a saucy consistency, 12 -15 minutes. The sauce should lightly coat the back of a spoon. Set the toffee aside.

10. Next, prepare the whipped cream. Add the cream and sour cream to a large bowl. Whip to soft peaks. Set aside in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

11. Once the cake is cool, prepare a serving: melt about 1 tablespoon of butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add a thick slice of the cake and sear on both sides until golden.

12. Place the warm, seared cake on a plate and top with the warm toffee sauce (reheating the toffee as needed). Sprinkle the cake with flake salt, and add a dollop of the whipped cream on the side. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

Follow Chuck Cruz on Instagram here. Read his recipes on his Substack here. Follow his side project, Two People Cooking, with his partner Hailee Catalano here.

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These are the clothes I’m currently the most excited about. They’re simple, have lots of versatility, which allows me to wear them individually, or pair them to create multiple effortless fits. These fits are also insanely comfortable, giving me all the reason to re-wear them regularly.

In today’s letter: A brand that’s making some of the best budget denim right now and why spending more isn’t always the answer, what shirts I’ve been wearing recently, and revisiting a couple of oldies from my wardrobe.

What I’m wearing right now

I’ve had this Bozeman denim Type 2 jacket by Klaxon Howl for a few years now, but I never gave it the proper break-in it deserved. Klaxon Howl makes some amazing handmade vintage inspired garments out of Toronto. If you’re ever in the city, make sure you check out his physical location in the west end. The quality and the details in the garments made by Matt are worth every dollar.

Anyway, back to the jacket. I wore it a bunch when I first got it but then decided to put it away because I just didn’t want to wear a denim jacket. Years later I decided it was finally time to tap back into them, and now it’s one of my daily items in my wardrobe again.

It’s been only washed twice, so fades aren’t really coming through just yet, which I don’t mind. I’m 6’3 and went with a size L, which ended up fitting right at the waistline, and just at at the shoulder line for me. If you’re someone with a more broad set of shoulders, then you could benefit from sizing up.

Yeah yeah, natural fibers are great, but sometimes it’s way too hot to even wear pure cotton on your body. In moments like this I prefer shirts made out of Tencel, which are semi-synthetic fibres made using wood pulp that has been treated and processed in ways I haven’t looked into that deeply. All I know is a tencel shirt is extremely breathable, comfortable, wrinkle and stain resistant, and usually, priced really well.

Wythe makes some of my favorite tencel shirts, but I’ve been obsessed with the fit and feel of the Matthew Shirt from Stussy. Purple seems to be sold out on the site, but some other colors are still up for grabs—also just search around and see if anyone else has it in stock. DSM is a good place to look.

The shirt itself fits wider around the shoulders, giving it a shape that effortlessly drapes over your body. The tencel fabric used here is insanely soft and has a nice faded feel and look, which tends to blend really well to other colors in your outfit if you have them.

MORE SHIRTS

I tend to wear most of my 3sixteen shirts slightly oversized. This new Admin BD shirt is a size XL, which gives it a more relaxed look by slightly enlarging the length of the sleeves and the shoulder line.

I love the color of this one. The Dove Grey gives this very faint sage color to the shirt. It’s cool, it’s a color that I don’t have in my rotation. Plus, 3sixteen is a brand I’ll always go back to because I’ve never had any issues with their products. That collar is nice and thin, and by this point I’ve figure out my fit with most of their products. My only wish for this shirt is maybe make the pocket slightly smaller. Not a deal breaker though.

THE EVERYDAY DENIM

Finding the perfect pair of denim is a fun little project in theory, but not everyone has the time and effort to go through fading their own pair of jeans. Most people just want something that looks and feels good right out of the bag. No extra work required.

While I respect the effort it takes to create your own pair of denim through natural wear and tear, sometimes I just want to wear something very simple that doesn’t require all that work. I don’t need the super fancy fabric, I just need something that works when I’m on the go.

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Besides having that perfect fit that works for you, a good pair of everyday jeans should be exceptionally comfortable and have the right fade that works seamlessly with everything in your wardrobe. Most importantly, they don’t have to be $500.

I found a pair of jeans that has all of this and only costs $150.

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In today’s post: Actually, we’re not doing that for this series. I want people to read through and explore ideas and topics without having to know what’s coming up next.

Let’s dive in.

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• This week I remembered the elite turtleneck levels from the GOAT, Issey Miyake. I mean, rocking one so effortlessly underneath a button-up is the level of style that many menswear bros aspire to be. Just remember, the turtleneck fitting perfectly around your neck is crucial, or you risk making your entire outfit fall short. Having natural style sauce also helps.

• Dover Street Market Market is back. Basically you get a chance to buy brands like The Row, Comme des Garcons, Prada, Stussy, and more for up to 70% off. This time they are having this sale in L.A., which has already started but will be on until May 13th. Located at MICA Studios, 356 S Mission Rd, Los Angeles.

• Adidas drops Backyard Legends, a short film starring an array of big names like Timothee Chalamet, Lamine Yamal, Messi, Bad Bunny, and more—wasn’t really on board with the ai David Beckham tbh. Alas, Adidas has been killing the pre-World Cup marketing so far.

• The homie Josh from In Vintage We Trust just posted a crazy tip that’s really helpful on how to figure out the fit on a vintage pair of jeans on the go.

What is menswear saying?

The recent pulse check on what the menswear bros are obsessed with right now is clear; deck shoes, madras fabrics, chinos, and pleated shorts that are at the knee or below—a style that feels delayed when compared to what skaters have been wearing for years prior.

Trying to find the perfect loafer has also been a common question that I’ve been seeing on twitter a lot recently. A lot of debate, but not enough clear evidence to identity the clear winner—maybe the perfect loafer is the one that works for your foot!

You might have seen some discussion around the v-neck sweater, but as of last week, I saw it on my timeline at least 5 different times. The interest is definitely there. Do what you will with that information. Am I into it? Unclear. I will say, I’ve seen a few homies of mine pull it off quite nicely though.

In case you missed it…

• What button-up shirts I’m excited about right now.

• Un-gatekeeping a Slob Cotton tee under $100 that I wear daily.

• How Levi’s reclaimed the youth

I recently went to L.A., and of course, I bought a bunch of stuff. First and foremost, this Double RL Western shirt has not left my body. Loving the top button detailing on this one. Slim fit — I recommend sizing up.

I recently discovered these Japanese Icon Books that feature legendary movie stars like Robert De Niro, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, and more that are filled with style inspiration. I feel like I should be gatekeeping this but whatever. You guys can have this one.

A bunch of them are currently available over at IDEA here.

Things in my cart

• The new Stussy board short is great. Big sizes. Wish I didn’t sleep on the brown and blue pair.

• Vans is having a real comeback into the mainstream right now. We can argue that they never really went anywhere, but they are definitely back in the fashion zeitgeist after some time off. Wild color Authentics are all the rage right now—the recent Beams Boy collaboration was an absolute smash, but we need to see this colorway in mens sizing asap. Speaking of Vans, the Authentic Ease is definitely a huge step in the right direction. I mean, that suede fold over is such a good, subtle detail.

• James Coward puts out some exceptional footwear collabs, and their recent Banana Shoe is no different. They really nailed the leather & crepe combination on this one—the suede upper versions are also very good.

  

• New spring arrivals from Small Talk just hit their website. This hoodie and this shirt are especially fire.

• Just found out about these rollneck sweaters from The Thirteen Club. Sold out unfortunately, but it seems as though they drop this style consistently. Looks like a solid shape with a 90% ultrafine merino wool, 10% cashmere construction. Need to see these for myself to be sure though. Of course, buying a sweater as we head into the summer might feel silly, but maybe it’s something worth keeping in our back pocket for later.

• Just picked up a copy of Proof by Cam Hicks, a photobook of behind the scenes of Virgil as he worked on his Louis Vuitton debut in 2018. Love this sort of stuff.

• Do I need this Land Rover rug? Probably not, but my house would feel a lot cooler if I did have it.

  

Thanks for reading the first edition of The Offcuts!

Make sure you join our growing community on the Chat, only available to our subscribers. Lots of great discussion happening already, but I would not to see even more. I know that some have been asking for a members-only Discord…? Is this something that is of interest? Let me know.

In an effort to get our community even more evolved, I want to hear what fashion thoughts you have on your mind right now, or if you have any specific questions that you need answering. Everything is welcome. Let’s get talking!

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Read my Ultimate Guide to Good Quality Basics here.

Welcome back to the SNL City Guide series, where I curate the best shopping, eating, and hanging out experiences all in one place. In today’s guide, we’re going to the west side to explore the hidden gems and must visit spots of Los Angeles.

I’m big on driving with the windows down, listening to music, all while doing random side quests throughout the day. It can be as simple as starting the day with a coffee from the local hot spot to get a pulse check on what the culture is radiating at the moment, swinging by my favorite shops, stopping by along the way to say hi to a couple of friends, and ending the night with a meal at some new spot someone recommended.

That’s the beauty of L.A., it’s the perfect place to cosplay slow living. The city is massive, with hidden gems spread all across the city. Having a car when you visit is essential—because nobody wants to end up with a hundreds of dollars in Uber bills. People say that traffic is always bad, and I don’t necessarily think that’s true. If you’re someone who enjoys driving around, then you will not find this to be as a major inconvenience as many might say.

Alternatively, you can minimize your need to travel far distances if you position yourself in the right neighborhoods. My favs are: Larchmont, Silver Lake, and Echo Park… classic. If you’re looking to cover some serious distance on your trip, Larchmont is probably one of the best positioned places you can stay in. Here you’re equally distanced to West Hollywood or the Arts District—both great areas for solid shopping and eating.

These are just some basic suggestions. The beauty of LA is there’s always something going on somewhere. So get lost and figure out your areas as you explore through the city.

Below you’ll find my full guide to Los Angeles. It features the clothing shops I visit when I’m in town, bookstores—I’ll be sharing one of my favorite bookstores in the world that you have to go to—food and drink spots, and some stuff in between that’s worth the experience.

Here’s a quick round-up of some of my must go to spots, with a full list that you can sync directly to your Google Maps at the bottom of this letter.

DOUBLE RL

Nothing like a Ralph Lauren experience to start your trip right. There’s something about shopping at the Double RL location in Melrose that gives me that California vibe that I’m looking for everytime I’m in town.

What used to be a former mechanic’s garage is now Ralph’s world.

No but for real, what’s amazing about a Ralph in-store experience is the ability to get lost in the merchandising. Organized chaos makes you dig and look around the corners of the store to discover clothes that are tucked away in corners not displayed anywhere else in the store.

Located at 8150 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles.

La Brea is a great spot for some classic streetwear stores and cafes that are all on the same block:

• Stussy - 112 S La Brea Ave

• Metalwood Studios - 128 S La Brea Ave

• Union - 110 S La Brea Ave

• Stone Island - 101 N La Brea Ave

• Neighborhood Cafe - 133 S La Brea Ave

• Carhartt WIP - 136 S La Brea Ave

• Y3 Concept Store - 138 S La Brea Ave

ARCHITECTURE BOOKS

Listen, I know your girl has probably seen Community Goods and now wants to go see what the hype is all about. The truth is, I haven’t been by there without seeing a lineup of what feels like hundreds of people waiting to get their latte. I know you’re not interested in waiting, and neither am I, so go across the street and enjoy some small bites and coffee while browsing an archive selection of art and photo books over at Architecture Books.

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It’s been a while since I last upgraded my sunglasses rotation. What I currently have does its purpose well, and I’ve enjoyed wearing them over the last few years, but I want something new.

In today’s letter, we’re going to take a look at what makes a good pair of sunglasses, a list of my favorite brands I like to shop at for new frames, why investing in new designer glasses is not worth your money, and vintage styles to keep in mind when searching for your own pair.

I haven’t tapped into designer shades in a while, so I decided to pay SSENSE a visit to check out a bunch of styles all in one place—if you’re ever in Montreal, you can book an appointment at SSENSE to view and try on items at their store.

My notes from checking out various luxury brand shades; it doesn’t feel worth it. Most of them were made out of low-tier acetate or steel. Hardware quality on most of these expensive options doesn’t feel that good enough to justify the price. I personally hate when the hinges become loose after short period of wear, making the entire pair feel fonky. I’m also never going out of my way to fix them, so I just end up with a pair of floppy shades that I paid way too much for—of course after you reach that $800+ mark, then usually they are great quality overall, but for that price it just feels a bit too much.

The sweet spot for a great pair of glasses should be between $200-$300. These sunglasses should come in a high-end acetate or metal frame, have great hardware that feels solid even after years of use, good quality lenses, and most importantly, a good fit doesn’t feel tight around your face. Most lenses these days are made out of plastic, so if you can score a pair that’s using glass, then that’s the real cherry on top.

Below are some of my favorite brands to get you started:

Bonnie Clyde

Well priced, solid frame quality and hardware throughout, Bonnie Clyde has frames for everyone, and my favorite part; there’s little to no branding on the outside of the frame. Although it’s not that big of a deal, I prefer sunglasses that keep the branding to a minimum.

I’ve had several pairs of Bonnie Clyde shades. They’ve held up extremely well, and tend to be the glasses that my friends ask me about the most. They are relatively light in weight and feel very comfortable on my face.

Some of my personal styles of theirs are the Trinket, Sudoku, and Boss Fight.

Check out the full catalog over at Bonnie Clyde here. They also have stores out in LA and NY for those who want to experience their product in person.

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