Matzo Ball Billiards

Okay, so this is sort of a new thing I’m looking to try out. Welcome to the big debut, buckos. A somewhat seasonal series in which I go over fashion-related items I’m currently watching – as in, pieces I’m tempted to buy, items I recently bought and absolutely adore, and reviewing old favorites that I find myself returning to again and again.

Wears I’m Watching.

New Wears.

Well-Worn.

It’s a three-parter! And it’s gonna be a doozy. So don’t sit back. Lean the fuck in. This is Watch & Wear: Spring/Summer 2024.

Wears I’m Watching: New Denim + Fresco Feature

This might come as a surprise to those who think I exclusively dress like a low-ranking mob boss’ henchman (the word “goon” is ruined, IYKYK), but I actually do wear jeans.

Well, more specifically, I wear one, singular pair of jeans. Those would be the Wrangler 13mwz Cowboy Cut Jeans in Rigid Indigo, purchased a bit over a year ago and washed with disturbing infrequency.

These are some damn good jeans, and a solid value. They sit higher on the waist, feature a subtle bootcut, and have decent durability. I wear them a ton. But pretty much all of my other jeans? I don’t like them. I bought them long before I knew what I wanted in a pair of jeans. I need a straight or roomier fit. I appreciate a higher rise. They need to make my ass look like it isn’t constructed from a series of tent poles and some canvas (it is).

I plan on selling/donating most of my jeans, which means they need to be replaced, and I need a couple of new pairs. Here’s what I’m eyeing.

I really like the relaxed look of The 1991 Straight-Leg Jeans by Madewell Men’s. And their light-wash variations are incredibly tasteful, in my opinion. Here’s a pair in their Becklow Wash that I dig.

I’m also drawn to the Mainshore Wash.

These go pretty hard. Very relaxed, but oddly refined. As you can see from the models here, they go nicely with loafers. I’m especially interested in getting a good pair of light-wash jeans because I currently don’t own any that I like. They’re also a classic spring/summer staple.

I have yet to try on a pair of these jeans, but I’ve held them in the store and found myself appreciating their construction, weight, and sizing options. They come in both a 28/30 and 28/32 variation, which is nice because sometimes I want a longer inseam to see if they look better cuffed. Like I said, I’ll have to try ’em out in the store before I pull the trigger, but I like these a lot.

Another pair of jeans I’ve wanted for quite some time now would be the Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jeans by Buck Mason.

Spoilers – Buck Mason will reappear on this list. But yeah – these jeans go hard. They’re a bit pricey for me, sitting at $228, but you know where they also sit?

High on the damn waist, that’s where! These bad boys come up past your hips, which is a must for me. Not to mention they’re a nice entryway into the world of authentic selvedge denim – which is something I have set up as a notification on my calendar to remind me to be more insufferable about. Selvedge denim is neat because they’re not pre-washed, and the way your body wears and tears through them will allow them to age gracefully and tastefully. That’s the gist.

The last pair of jeans on this list that I’m kinda digging are the Loose Workwear Jeans in Olive Green by Abercrombie & Fitch. These have a nice, relaxed silhouette and details you’d find on a pair of painter or carpenter pants.

These are a bit less versatile than the other options on this list, but if you couldn’t tell by now from the other content on this blog, I kind of have a thing for earth tones, so this would fit right in with the rest of my wardrobe. They’re also only $80, and I’ve heard they’re actually decent quality.

Abercrombie & Fitch have made something of a turnaround in the men’s fashion space these last few years and have become quite the darling of many a fashion bro newbie. Overall, I’m pleased with the direction the brand has taken. I only wish they used better materials for some of their products. These jeans are sturdy, though. And I may have to cop a pair.

There’s one more item I’ve been looking at lately, and it’s a bit of a bonus bit because I doubt that I can actually buy it. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t show it some love. Remember Buck Mason? You better. Otherwise, you have the reading retention of a shoehorn.

Buck Mason recently introduced a new segment of tailoring utilizing English Wool Fresco from Fox Brothers, one of the most prestigious clothmakers in the U.K.

And the final products are really, really nice.

This is their Fox Air Graduate Blazer in Brown Houndstooth Check, and I am a big fan of what they’re doing here. For those who don’t know, fresco is basically a super breathable wool ideal for layering in warmer climates. This jacket has a great, relaxed look to it and a very easy structure, making it an ideal outfit-elevator for more casual looks.

The only problem is that it costs $598, which in my opinion, isn’t too egregious, but I’ll be damned if I can afford it at the present time. Even so, I wanted to give it a shout-out. Keep it up, Buck!

New Wears: An All-Time Suiting Grail

I don’t talk about it enough here, but I love vintage Armani. Like, I’m obsessed. I’ve mentioned this a bunch on my TikTok account, but not so much around these parts. This is me rectifying that.

There’s something so powerful and distinct about vintage Armani – particularly their tailoring. From masterful DB suits with slouchy fits and low-buttoning points, to pleated pants with brilliant drape, to their iconic and timeless neutral colors- old Armani just does it for me. I love 80s yuppiecore, and who demonstrates that better than good ol’ Giorgio?

Only, I’ve had a hard time finding vintage Armani suiting in my size. I’m a jacket size 36 short. Sometimes I can make a 38 work. But classic Armani is known for their excess of fabric, which means I need it to fit me perfectly if I don’t want to look like Nathan Fielder in that one big-ass suit.

So, I waited. I stalked eBay. I exercised patience I did not believe I was capable of.

And last month, it finally paid off. I snagged a beautiful, near-mint condition Giorgio Armani suit for about $150 on eBay. And it’s glorious!

It’s got so much to love. For one – I think grey is a very underrated color for suiting. Yes, it can be boring – if done, well, boringly. But Armani is anything but. This suit has a brilliant texture, somewhat like birdseye but even more intriguing, in my opinion.

In this ensemble, I paired it with a spearpoint collar shirt from British brand Thomas Farthing that I also can’t get enough of. It’s pretty close to the kind they wear in Goodfellas – and you bet your ass that as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. I guess I can check Fashion Resolution #4 off the list!

I’m also sporting a vintage Giorgio Armani tie to complement the theme. 80s/90s stockbroker-core is just so fucking cool! Why the hell they abandoned this shit in favor of Lululemon ABC pants and puffer vests, I’ll never know. Gordon Gecko and Patrick Bateman had that shit ON!

Also typical of Armani suiting, is this suit’s lovely low-buttoning point, which I truly appreciate as it contributes to a really interesting “V” effect. There’ also the classic Armani notch lapel, which, as you can observe, is positioned much lower than on more contemporary jackets. I love it.

Lastly, I find that the high rise of the pants is incredibly flattering. There are also these brilliantly unique double pleats, one forward, and the other reversed. The resulting shape is super cool.

This thing is an absolute dream suit of mine. It’s got so many nice features, and it’s actually incredibly comfortable, to boot. The wool has this silky soft feel to it, and it drapes beautifully. Definitely one of my favorite purchases in 2024, so far. Hopefully I luck out in the future and find myself a vintage Armani DB suit. Until then – this might be my new favorite.

Well-Worn: Terrific Tweed

This past winter, I wanted to upgrade my outerwear somewhat. In my last post, I expressed my distaste for short, slim, skimpy overcoats. I own a couple. They’re okay, and I’ll still wear them from time to time. But there’s a newer (older) coat in the collection that I found myself constantly throwing on top of fits both formal and casual – and I featured it in my last piece, too.

Back in November, I snagged this fantastic, vintage Harris Tweed coat for about $80 on eBay.

It’s in a really versatile grey that goes with just about anything. The herringbone pattern rules. The fit is loose, drapey, and long. Just the way I like it. Because it’s so roomy, I can wear quite a bit underneath. Often, that’s just a sweater, like the thick merino wool turtleneck above, but other times I’ll throw this bad boy over a suit and love the effect it brings.

Even so, it works its best as a way to elevate a casual fit, in my opinion. I’ve long talked about how much I love tweed – it’s my favorite fabric after all. It adds a vital dose of texture to any ensemble. In tailoring, it can be quite elegant, but its origins are more casual. A tweed overcoat is the best of both worlds, truly.

This ended up being my most-worn piece of outerwear this past winter. It just works on so many levels and looks good with basically everything. Some of the best $80 I ever spent. And I fully intend on wearing it for years to come.

Wear to, Now?

That just about concludes this first entry in this new blogpost series. I had a lot of fun with it! To me, this concept is all about surveying the current fashion landscape, identifying what I like, and appreciating the things I already have, as well.

It’s important to wear clothing you like. Those old pairs of jeans I seldom touch? Hopefully Crossroads Trading or Buffalo Exchange wants them – otherwise they’ll be donated. Then I’ll pick up a new pair I never want to take off. I want my closet to be filled with pieces I love and appreciate – and thankfully, it is.