Denim Jackets, Small Items For Sale, Custom Mid-Century Home Setups, The Best Designed Notebook, Apple Displays, and more
Weekly Roundup #118
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I. DENIM JACKET REPRODUCTION I’M OBSESSING OVER
I’ve been Ralph-pilled lately, obsessed with finding all types of pieces from the brand, specifically ones without logos, ponies, or any sort of branding at all.
While true ‘Lo Heads might disagree, I think the best Ralph Lauren pieces have no branding at all. I prefer ones that are focused on the design details, especially when it comes to reproducing iconic versions from other brands, like the denim jacket above.
It’s a repro of the 101 Rider jacket from Lee®. It might be sacrilegious to say, but it’s better than the original.
I’ve tried on all different sizes and variations of the Rider jacket (including the Storm Rider), from all eras, and never found one with the right length in both the body and sleeve.
I get it, I’m tall and lanky, which, when it comes to cowboys, I’m sure there were few and far between back when the original was released, so the design was not catered to my body type.
Even if I eventually stumble across an original version from Lee® that fits, there’s one small detail that will always bother me: the small label on the left front pocket. Sure, I could remove it, but with vintage pieces, especially ones that have been washed and worn over time, the area behind the tag, once removed, will stick out like a sore thumb.
I was stoked that the sleeve length on the Ralph Lauren “dungarees” version was perfect, and while the body does look quite cropped, I can still pull it off when paired with high-waisted pants.
The back looks a little odd, as it’s more cropped than the front, so I decided to buy another one in a size up to see if the overall fit looks better. I originally bought a size Large, and I’m now waiting for the Extra Large to arrive—if either one of them doesn’t work out, I plan to resell on my over on my Ebay account.
If you want one, there are still some options available in a few different sizes: Medium #1, Medium #2, Large #1 (photo above), Large #2 (returns available), and Extra Large.
Source & Imagery: ebay.com
II. EVERYTHING I’VE FOUND WHILE THRIFTING IN A SIZE SMALL
One thing I mentioned in last week’s newsletter is that I’d found a few great pieces that are all in a size Small.
I chatted with a few of you since then (thanks so much for reading and reaching out!), and now, I’ve listed each item on Ebay (with measurements). You can find links for everything below.
Levi’s Vintage Clothing Bay Meadows Sweatshirt in Gray (Large)
Brooks Brothers Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirt in Blue (16-3)
Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions! I’m open to offers on all items. FYI—I also included a few other larger items towards the bottom of the list.
Source & Imagery: fogvintage.com
III. CUSTOMIZED HOUSE SETUP I’M DREAMING ABOUT
Charles and Ray Eames are some of the most recognized designers of all time, and this week I saw that Eames Office and Kettal have partnered to basically allow anyone to buy an Eames house. Sort of. At least, according to Dwell magazine.
Now, Ray and Charles’s prefab visions can be the basis for your own project. In partnership with Barcelona-based manufacturer Kettal, the Eames Office has developed the Eames Pavilion System, a modular building kit of parts with a wide range of proposed uses, including a recording studio, backyard office, your own Case Study cabana, or, with some retrofitting, a "fully equipped two-story house." Made of aluminum structural modules, the system, which starts at around $325 a square foot, includes interchangeable roof types, windows, textiles, and other accessories that reference those of the iconic Pacific Palisades property and other Eames residential projects.
I must be a designer because I want this so bad.
I love mid-century design. Especially when it comes to furniture, architecture, and of course, fashion. The 1950s-1960s eras produced so much great stuff, and it’s wild how many things that were originally designed from back then have stayed relevant ever since.
I’ve never visited the Eames House in Pacific Palisades, CA, but I’ve seen numerous photos and always admired it from afar. When I saw this news about the Eames Pavilion System, I got super excited.
I have no clue if I’d ever be able to buy any of these pieces to put together my own setup, but the idea of it is so freaking cool. It makes me want to buy some land and do a tiny home setup made up of these pieces.
I’m excited to see some real-world examples once they become available.
Source & Imagery: dwell.com (source), kettal.com (image)
IV. THE BEST MINIMAL NOTEBOOK EVER DESIGNED
iA is one of the most unique companies I’ve ever come across—it's based in Japan and “builds simple tools that do one thing well.”
I’ve talked about one of their pieces of software in the past, iA Writer, which I believe is the best minimal writing app ever created. I use it daily while writing my 750 words.
The smallest bits of design details they’ve included always delight me while using the app. The company’s design ethos shines through in many ways, and the build quality of the software is equally excellent. I’ve never had any issues with the app, and that’s a sign of good design. They don’t ship junk.
One new product from iA is a physical one: the iA Notebook.
It’s beautiful. It’s what you’d expect from a company like Apple.
The sleek edges, cover embossing, and paper quality are top-notch.
They put together a video on how the notebook is made, which itself is equally well-done and beautiful. Ugh, I love everything about it.
The notebook has even won a couple of design awards, including Japan Stationery of the Year and Red Dot Best of Best.
It’s $79, and available both online and in select stores across the world. I want to stop by the SF MOMA and pick one up asap.
Source & Imagery: ia.net
V. NEW WORKSPACE PURCHASE I’M SECOND GUESSING
As some of you know, I’m a software designer for my day job, and one of the main tools I use every day is an external monitor.
I’ve had an LG Ultrafine 5K 27-inch monitor for many years, and it finally crapped out on me. I know, this isn’t necessarily menswear related; however, the same buying decisions were factored into making this purchase.
I want the best quality, best-looking piece of hardware I can buy. And Apple has always made the best. It’s not always the exact setup and configuration wanted by fans everywhere, which is what brings me to this highly complicated buying decision.
Ultimately, as a taller person, I need more height. So, factoring that in, I need the adjustable stand (an additional $300). And, while I’ve used the 27-inch monitor for quite some time, the Apple Studio Display feels slightly smaller than my old LG monitor. I think it has to do with the housing, which extended the overall presence of the monitor compared to the more minimal design of the Studio Display.
Also, one thing I was bummed about was the height adjustment—I still have to place the monitor on top of a platform to achieve the best posture while using it. It’s not tall enough and extends only to a certain height.
There are a few other things that have frustrated me—essentially, the display is the same one as the LG version I had, which originally came out 11 years ago. And, to get the better version, the Studio Display XDR starts at almost double the price ($3,199). And with that price increase, you’re still paying for the same size—27 inches.
I’m debating returning the Studio Display and buying the LG Ultrafine 6K, which is the same 60Hz display, but with five more inches of screen real estate. It has a matte display, which doesn’t particularly bother me, and it seems that’s really the only issue others have shared in their reviews online.
I doubt there will be another 32-inch monitor from Apple in the near future, so I think I’ll have to suffice for now and revisit in another five years or so when Apple either refreshes the lineup again or another company makes a better option at a similar price.
Source & Imagery: apple.com
UPCOMING MENSWEAR EVENTS
The Anthology Trunk Show in New York from April 10 to April 15
J.Mueser Trunk Show in Los Angeles from April 16 to April 18
Patina Studies Vintage Menswear Pop-Up in San Francisco on April 18
Satoria Assisi Trunk Show in San Francisco from June 14 to June 16
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See you next week!
P.S. I LOVE that Meryl Streep wore this Cerulean blue sweater for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” press tour. Great callback to the first movie.
P.P.S. One of the craziest thrift finds I’ve ever seen. Wow.
Good call on the 32" LG monitor. I've had great luck with the LG brand and 32" is a must as your primary monitor (I use a 32" at my work office and I have a 43" in my home office...I'm still deciding if I like the 43", lol)