So, it’s spring. Time to re-inject some color into your closet, shy away from the blacks and navys, hit up some light grays, some blues, some reds. In other words, it’s the time of year when things are re-born, and your wardrobe is no exception. But what if you’re just not that guy? What if brights remind you of kindergarten and pastels make you feel like an easter egg? What are your options? Are you damned to remain in mourning-clothes for the entire season, until summer eventually forces you out? We say nay. And so, too, do the folks at Stalward Ltd. Sure, we’ve been enamored with them before, but we feel the need to say bravo yet again for this subtle yet decidedly springy color-flecked tie. It has enough playfulness and color to make it stand out among a closetful of neutrals, yet it won’t make you feel like you’ve joined the peacocking crew. An added bonus? It sort of reminds us of those “fun-fetti” cakes of our youth, the ones that everybody who was anybody brought in for their birthdays back in grade school. But, y’know, decidedly more mature. Ehem. Get it here.
Not to brag, but when it comes to the hard stuff, you know what you’re talking about. You know your whiskey from your whisky, your scotch from your “notch”. You’re comfortable tossing around terms like “sour mash” and “peaty”. Which is why these handsome rocks glasses by Vital are perfect for you. More importantly, though, they’re perfect for educating your less-knowledgeable drinking buddies about the differences between rye whiskey, scotch whiskey, bourbon, and the “everything else” category of just plain old whiskey. Snobbery? Not at all. Drinking has long been the forum for sharing (and debating) one’s areas of expertise. Knowledge is power. Get them here.
Growing up, it seemed like somebody or other was always scolding you for being too loud— whether it was your grandfather telling you to pipe down at dinner, or your folks critiquing your new look during that punk phase. But you know what? “Loud” gets a bad rap. Loud isn’t something to be afraid of— Loud is the Rolling Stones coming through on the airwaves. Loud is kids at a war protest in Washington D.C. Loud is the volume of revolution, and of revolutions-per-minute. So, yes, maybe these special edition Record Store Day desert boots by Clarks are a little loud. But so are you— all the best things are. Get them in Clarks stores while they last— pick ‘em up on your way to go flick through vinyl because, hey, brick & mortar is sorta what Record Store Day is about.
T.S. Eliot maintained that April is the cruelest month, but oh, we beg to differ. February is downright vengeful. We can almost feel it—spring is definitely out there, somewhere, teasing us from afar—but it sure keeps its distance. Every once in a while we get a whiff of it, a faint, “did-I-just-imagine-that?” glimpse, just enough to be vaguely maddened by the sheer promise of it. An afternoon in the sun followed by a week of wintery drizzle. Don’t toy with our emotions, February. But while you wait it out with the rest of us, go ahead and pick up this great chambray shirt from Frank & Oak— its springy cranberry hue and lightweight material will make it the perfect button-down if spring ever does decide to show its face around here, but it’s only $45 so you won’t feel too put out if you don’t get to wear it for a while. And while you wait, you can keep yourself busy by making up “chambray”/”cranberry” portmanteaus. Y’know, like writers do. Get it here.
We’ve been seeing a lot of “men’s totes” around recently, and to be honest, we were never entirely convinced. It takes a certain something to be able to effortlessly pull off the tote bag look, a certain something we just weren’t sure that everyone possessed. But that was before we came across Chester Wallace. With a unique, elongated tote bag shape that reads like a mix between a tool bag and a lunch bag, we’re pleasantly surprised by how masculine it really looks. Add in the subtle color-blocking of the waxed canvas and the fact that you can interchange the contrasting straps, and we’re sold. Hey, nobody ever said it wasn’t manly to want options. Get it here.
Mom always told you that smoking is bad for you. And she’s right— we don’t encourage that type of behavior any more than your folks did. But, if you must smoke (we mean really, really, must smoke), the least you can do is try to be refined about it and clean up after yourself (another of mom’s favorite catchphrases). The easiest way to achieve both in one fell swoop? Bureau of Trade’s brass pocket ashtray, one of the more unique trappings of a bygone era when folks had the good sense to accessorize their vices (and the medical ignorance to justify it). Just remember, kids— smoking doesn’t make you look cool. Owning this vintage brass pocket ashtray, however… Get it here.
What’s up with this crazy weather, right? One minute we’re barricading ourselves in against the storm of the century, and the next, the smell of hot pavement is permeating the air on clear, warm evenings. It doesn’t take much to get us to start fantasizing about spring and so, against our better judgment, we’ve already begun. But before you start digging out all your warm-weather goods only to further tempt fate and ensure disappointment, cast your eyes downward for a second— that’s right, look at your ankles. Those trusty socks that got you through winter’s worst are looking, well, a little worse for wear. Our suggestion? Usher in the return of the visible ankle (bye-bye, boots) with these socks by Richer Poorer x Del Toro— they’re both a practical enough purchase to help you avoid buyer’s remorse when the temperatures once again take a nosedive and a colorful little reminder that, yes, there is a springy light at the end of this tunnel. Still not convinced? Buy ‘em before midnight tonight to get 30% off your purchase with code “LOVE”. You know, love— the other thing that’s in the air, besides spring. Get them here.
February means two things: bone-chilling weather, and heartwarming valentines. Whether you’re on the corporate love-bus or not, we’ve rounded up some tracks that’ll help you stop singing those wintertime blues…unless, of course, that’s how you prefer to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Strange Powers (Magnetic Fields cover)— The Shins
Love Will Tear Us Apart— Joy Division
Wishes and Stars— Harper Simon
Beta Love— Ra Ra Riot
I Don’t Love Anyone— Belle & Sebastian
Girlfriend— The Modern Lovers
She Loves Everybody— Chester French
New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down— LCD Soundsystem
Love In Vain (Robert Johnson cover)— The Rolling Stones
Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand— Primitive Radio Gods
Ask— The Smiths
Up The Junction (Squeeze cover)— The Decemberists
All links to Hype Machine.
So, it’s cold out. Real cold. Pretty much too cold to make us want to do anything but make ourselves a nice drink and sit inside with a few friends, trying to forget how cold it is. The inevitable problem, it seemed, was stocking up enough booze to entertain our company forever (or, conversely, warm our bodies enough to make us impervious to the cold when the dreaded trek home can no longer be avoided). Then we saw these gorgeous custom 1 liter barrels from Tuthilltown Spirits. Immediately, visions of the secluded cabin in the woods with the party that never ends danced in our heads. We imagined aging our own bourbon, fussing over it like proud parents as we hauled it out at gatherings for the requisite “oohs” and “aahs” before diving in. Impractical? Maybe. Irresponsible? Perhaps. Awesome? Definitely. We may never go outside again. Get it here.
It’s one of the worst-kept secrets of all time that life often requires us to be (how shall we say it?) less than truthful. From white lies to those downright indistinguishable gray areas, sometimes we’re put to the test and the only way to pass is to be crafty. One sneaky maneuver you won’t ever feel bad for deploying? The Smuggler’s Belt from Barrett Alley. With a hidden pocket secured behind the buckle, it’s the perfect place to stash whatever type of contraband your rakish lifestyle requires. And the best part? It’s absolutely perfect for concealing things from the person in your life you need to the most— yourself. Need to keep cab fare handy for after a night at the bars, but don’t want to spend it on the third (fourth? fifth? sixth?) round of drinks by mistake? This belt is foolproof. Unlike your latest web of lies… Get it here.
