my stuff

Jacket:UNIQLO Shirt:Koto/UrbanOutfitters Denim:A.P.C.

I know, this place's been all about photo safaris and my stuff lately, but I'm on a mountain in the middle of China, give me a break. I've been feeling UNIQLO lately. This jacket is a perfect transitional jacket. It's got a removable quilted liner-which extends its use as a light rain shell to a fairly decent Fall and early Winter jacket. With the right layers, it's apropos for quite a few occasions. I found the chambray buried in a rack of flannels and skittle flavored hoodies one day wandering through the local Urban Outfitters this summer. I've never heard of Koto, but I like the shirt and the pocket details. Don't worry, I only have 2 chambray shirts.

 

Doesn't it look like I'm thoughtfully considering the beauty of nature and how small a speck in this great universe I really am? Yeah, too bad I just misjudged the ten second timer on my camera.

my stuff

I picked up this hat in Osaka from a small hat shop on the walk back to the hotel one day. Obviously, I'm a big fan of driving caps. And I have quite a few of them. What I didn't have was one made in heavy, sweatshirt material cotton. Grey and sweatshirt cotton-sold and sold. The Obey shirt and New Standards are holding up to China well.The real surprise here is I got new specs!

I went for an oval shape. Kind of an impulse buy, I wandered into the glasses shop in the small city at the base of the mountain one night with my sister. She told me before that glasses could be had at pretty amazing prices. A quick eye exam, 45 minutes, and 45 dollars later and here we are. I went for the oval shaped frames. That way I can look like a distinguished architect or modern artist, no? That or the goofy guy with funny shaped glasses. Either way I'm into it. 

my stuff

Watch Cap:Beauty&Youth(United Arrows), Chambray:J.Crew, Denim:A.P.C,Shoes:Clarks, Rucksack:Fjallraven

This is my Serpico look. Fall is finally starting to hit the mountain here. Not cold enough for a full blown sweater or jacket, more of a good excuse to wear a new hat. I pass this telephone booth on my walks quite a bit (it's on the way to the cafe/restaurant my sister  manages). Don't see phone booths anymore, so I had to take a few shots here. While I'm not  testifying against dirty cops or going undercover, if I ever manage to look half as steezy as Frank Serpico, I would be a happy man. So grab your .45, a peacoat, and go handle some business.

my stuff

hat:UnitedArrows, vest:Ciaopanic, shirt:Obey, denim:APC, boots:Ciaopanic, rucksack:Fjallraven

Remember when I said that all I needed were the perfect pair of boots and I'd be set for a fall uniform? Well I found them. Ciaopanic to the rescue! If you come to Detroit, or I'm around your parts, this is probably what you'll see me wearing. Substitute a flannel and I'm pretty sure this will work for all but the coldest days.

I've had my eye on Fjallraven's kanken rucksack for awhile now and when I saw them at Opening Ceremony in Shibuya, I couldn't resist. Can you tell I like the color green?

The boots in a little more detail. I love crepe souls, so obviously when I saw these, I was sold. The thick sole is super comfortable and I like the sand suede. I may switch the laces to red, but other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

These bags are really versatile and have been around forever. My favorite feature is how the shoulder straps can be cinched tight and snapped in place, making the bag a tote rather than a rucksack. Perfect for running around the city, a day hike in the bamboo forest, or packing lunch for that picnic you've been meaning to take her on. Don't want to fly to New York or Tokyo to buy it? Get it at Context Clothing.

my stuff

straw hat, chambray j.crew workshirt, apc new standards, camper shoes

I've had this hat forever. Although there are a lot of cool straw hats in the fedora and panama style, I never felt like I could pull them off. I do like a good baseball cap. The straw is perfect for the summer heat and sun. J.Crew and I have had kind of a rocky relationship throughout the years. But I always find myself grabbing a shirt or sweater every now and then. I really like the chambray workshirts they did this season. I grabbed the indigo and I've had my eye out for the white chambray. It's no secret I like new standard jeans. Although they could stand up by themselves when I first got them, they are breaking in amazingly. No washes yet. And no, they don't stink. I promise.

my stuff

After a friend's art show my parents and I decided to stop by the local mall for some ice cream. Having a few new babies in the extended family always gives my mom a reason to just 'stop by' a few stores. So while they were in the baby gap, I decided to peruse the Gap to see if any of the raw selvage had trickled its way into middle america. No luck. Until I hear my dad say "These look a lot like those APC's you just got." My dad had found the one pair in the store. Apparently an internet return they just happen to be the right size. For 90 bucks, I couldn't pass up at least trying them out. Yes, my dad found them and he knows about APC. Maybe he should have this blog...

top:gap bottom:apc

Like everyone else, I was curious to see how a $90 pair of denim compares to $155 denim. The fits are certainly different, with the APC being a bit slimmer with more of a taper than the Gap. I've worn the APCs for about two months now, so comparing the hand of the two jeans is a bit off. They both feel substantial-the Gap denim is not significantly lighter and I can't really tell if the weaves are very different. The conversation around these gap jeans has centered around how long they will last and if the construction is up to par. Not being an expert, it's hard to say. Generally details like construction take a few weeks to present themselves through wear and tear.

I guess only time will tell if there is a significant difference between 'premium' denim and denim for the teeming masses. Stay tuned for updates on both jeans. (I know you all are on the edge of your seats waiting to see what kind of whiskering takes place)

nice gear

I really like this shirt/jacket by Post Overalls. The Cruzer shirt could be worn as a single layer or as a lightweight jacket. I heard from a little birdy that girls like to steal their boyfriends' jackets and blazers to wear as oversized looks. If your girl stole this from your closet I bet all the hipsters in the world would hit on her...It's on sale at superdenim.

Chambray is a popular guy lately. This waistcoat by Kato is really nice. Plus, girls like guys who wear three piece suits and what not. Rock this over a nice white oxford and a good pair of chinos or denim- we can't all wear three piece suits around everywhere. Again, on sale at superdenim.

Of course I'm going to put the new standards on here. The color is dark enough to work with a chambray shirt (or vest) without looking too much like a texas tuxedo (or canadian tuxedo depending on which one you're closer to). Get them at the h(y)r store.

These Fracap mountaineering boots are awesome. Everybody's on the Red Wing tip, but for me, these would be the boots I'd buy. Get them at Oki-ni quick.

my stuff

cap:can't remember, glasses:my grandpa, shirt:hanes, jeans:apc new standards, shoes:clarks

On monday, barney's co-op had a 40% off sale on pretty much their entire inventory. The first thing I thought of: a.p.c. new standards. APC rarely goes on sale. Their denim never does and for a good reason. It's probably some of the best denim your money can buy. It comes highly recommended by bloggers and random hipsters alike. I was never really into the raw denim thing (only because of my pocketbook), but I jumped at the chance to get a pair of new standards for under 100 bucks. Now I don't think I'll ever go back. So if you see me this summer, I'll most likely be wearing these jeans. 

A few sites suggest sizing down a few inches to allow for stretch. I bought mine pretty much at my exact size-there would be no way I could bear stretching out a pair that were a few inches too small. Plus, I don't really rock my denim very tight. I haven't had a lot of experience with 'quality' denim but honestly, these are best fitting jeans I've owned.  

nice suit

A.P.C. brought the heat for their Spring/Summer collection for sure. I really want this suit. The grey is spot on and the slim fit is a nice change, especially for a summer suit. I don't know if it's lined or not, I'm hoping not-it would be so much more comfortable once the humidity starts to rise. 

A.P.C. online store

nice pants

Lately, A.P.C. has been catching my eye. Grab these lightweight cotton trousers so you're prepared for spring/summer. I know narrower fitting pants are the new bee's knees, but I like my pant leg to fall over my shoe. I think these and their jeans are pretty solid.

get them here.

nice jeans

Good denim is an essential. It's not even an option. Everyone should have a go to jean. You can wear them anywhere, now. But don't. Lately, I've seen some really ridiculous denim. It seems as if too many guys are letting their girls pick out their jeans. True Religion jeans are full of the wackness fellows, no matter what she says, bless her heart. And always wear a belt.

I'm a huge proponent of maintaining a close relationship with a good tailor, but there's something about tailored jeans that I don't really like. So, unfortunately, girls, I don't think you'll ever get us to wear our jeans properly. I like a slouchy jean. So if you're looking for some tighter fits, I'm not your guy. It's not that I'm opposed, I just don't have any picks. (although don't tapered jeans make your nerd alert go off?)

Although you'll probably always catch me in Levis 514s of some sort, I have been looking for something a little different. Much thanks to ryan willms from h(y)rcollective for sharing these A.P.C. jeans. I think if I do get a pair it'll be the rescue jean in raw denim.