What to buy this week
Answering community questions, a brand that's focusing on vintage American mountaineering, the return of the Stan Smith, and another hit from Clarks everyone is obsessed with right now.
Welcome back to another edition of What To Buy This Week—a recurring segment where I convince you to trade your cold hard cash for gear that is guaranteed to enhance your everyday life.
In today’s letter we’ll be tackling a couple of community asked questions before diving into today’s recommendations; a fresh collection that taps into American mountaineering gear from the 50s, a brand making the best fitting hoodies, the return of the Stan Smith, tapping into New York with Knicks inspired outerwear pieces and sweatpants that you can get for the low right in the city, and more.
Once in a while I like to host a thread in our subscriber-only chat where I take on questions from the readers related to specific item recommendations or style development. Today I’ll be answering a few of them:
Henry asks: “Recommendations for white low profile sneakers? Ideally comfortable for everyday walking. I tend to have a subscription of Jordan 1 lows in all white but maybe it’s time I mature.”
Maturing your footwear is never a bad idea and you can do it in an effortless way without feeling like you’re going to the other side of the footwear spectrum.
Since you’re already a fan of the Jordan then I recommend sticking to leather. Keep it simple but familiar. Invest in yourself and get something comfortable, something that doesn’t require too much breaking-in, still looks good and will have you excited to put these on everyday.
Since we are talking about everyday wear, then we have to aim for comfort first and style after. Mephisto is probably the only brand I can think of right away that makes extremely comfortable footwear that actually looks good—I know that the three recommendations aren’t all white, but that shouldn’t matter. Their quality alone should be enough for you to adjust your vision slightly if you’re open to the idea!
Scott asks: “Broad question but who makes the best hoodie right now? I like the fit of the new Stussy hoodie from this season over my old Carhartt WIP, and now wondering what else is out there?
The quest to find “the best hoodie” is a never ending battle that continues to evolve. Everyone has their own preference of style, fabric, or the way it fits—arguably the most important part of the fit is always the hood for me. Specifically the way the hood drapes over the shoulders can make or a break a hoodie for me.
As of right now, the 2000s Hooded Sweatshirt by JJJJound is winning every category. JJJJound continues to perfect its basics by creating stuff that is high quality with great details all around that can easily become your go-to items after only a few wears.
It’s comfortable, the cotton is soft, it fits exactly how it’s shown on model, has a hood that’s not too big or too small, and most importantly, it doesn’t cost as much as you think it does.
A Stussy hoodie may be $150, but for an extra $50 you’re getting a huge level up in quality.
Colin asks: “What are good things to tell my family to get me for Christmas?”
Gift cards from brands or stores you like will always be a good and efficient gift. This way you get to pick what you want and you get to avoid pretending to be hyped on a gift that you might not necessarily like as much as your gift giver did.
You also get to avoid any potential side quests where you get a return receipt which you are now forced to use to either find a new size or exchange for another item—nobody has time for all that.
Thanks again to everyone who had submitted a question! If yours didn’t get featured make sure to check back on the thread to get your answer directly there. Don’t forget to join our chat and our growing community of fashion enthusiasts that are looking to get a fit off in this world.
Recent purchases I can't stop wearing
Where I found a pair of some of the best quality sweatpants for only $100, my vintage acquisitions from Japan, escaping the baggy pants agenda, and more.
WEEKLY RECOMMENDATIONS
American outdoor clothing is back thanks to Big Rock Candy Mountaineering, a brand that’s focusing on designing clothes that are rooted in American mountaineering culture between the 50s and 70s.
Their Fall Winter 2025 collection is live on their site here, bringing us a range of solid outerwear, great quarter-zip knits, heavy knit beanies in beautiful colors, and boots that will have everyone asking you for ID.
The brand has only been around for a few years but they’ve already had an incredible start. Excited to see how Big Rock continues to evolve and expand on the idea of bringing vintage American Mountaineering to the people in a fresh way.
