Should I...

Yuketen Country Ranger

Is Lacoste Ready For A Comeback?

Like many mega "trends", Lacoste, particularly the Lacoste polo shirt, experienced a huge surge in popularity in the mid 2000s. It was too much of a good thing though, as the shirt was made in every conceivable color, and then was hijacked by frat bros around the world, many of whom owned a collection of solid-colored Lacoste polos in colors such as pink, yellow and lime green. A shame, really. Lacoste as a whole then kind of fell of the map of the fashion scene, but End Clothing just picked up a few new Lacoste pieces, and I think I'm feeling it, particularly this simple grey crewneck (see below). I like classic brands, but only when executed in a way that reflects the brand's heritage.

The "Bougie" Crewneck (such a fitting name)

It's subtle with an interesting wooly grey texture. Pair it with some navy chinos, a classic oxford, leather loafers and be bougie, just as Lacoste was meant to be. Available at End Clothing

nonnative FW '10/11 - YHC: Yeti Hunting Club

So Fucking Cool. The long-anticipated (for me) arrival of the nonnative fw 2010/2011 collection.

Power.

City Bicycles and Amsterdam

I have a dormant obsession with Amsterdam. (Not for the reasons you may think, though I enjoy that aspect of Amsterdam as well ;-)

What really made me fall in love with the city was the bicycle culture. While numerous - it's widely said bikes outnumber human beings in Amsterdam - it's nothing like the mass-biking death wish hordes of certain Asian cities. While part of a cosmopolitan city, it's a far cry from the hipster-on-fixie or critical mass madness of San Francisco. No, Amsterdam is dotted with quaint looking "city bikes" - kind of like cruisers, but more Euro than say Venice Beach, if that makes sense. A Continuous Lean recently featured a collaborative effort between Gant and The Impossible Project, and the result is an absolutely gorgeous city bicycle (see below).

It's fit for the most bougie of European cities. What I loved in particular about the culture and bicycles found in Amsterdam is that bicycle use is not limited to a particular type of person (as it is in San Francisco for the most part). You see gents in suits, women in dresses, hipsters, old people, kids, basically anyone and everyone. And somehow everyone is civilized enough to make it all work - I didn't see a single mishap in my three days there despite literally thousands of bicycles weaving through the city.

Pictures from my trip to Amsterdam, Summer 2009

Dior Belt Strap Sneaker

"Belt Strap Sneaker" doesn't sound too appealing, but in my humble opinion, it's the dopest high end sneaker of the season.

Anyone got $760?

A Non-Emasculating Carryall

So you've seen that Miller Light commercial where the presumably unmasculine dude who doesn't care about the taste of his beer is carrying a "carryall", and proudly proclaims as such. Then he gets clowned on for being unmasculine.

C'mon Miller Light, get real. No self-respecting straight guy carries a carryall like that, much less carry one over the shoulder. Carryalls shouldn't be completely damned. And I never understood why someone decided to label carryalls as femme, while messenger bags are OK. What is it about carrying a bag in your hand versus slinging one on your shoulder that makes it femme? I have no idea.

I recently came across this number by APC and I've come to a conclusion: it's OK for a straight guy to carry a carryall. It's just a matter of picking the right one and carrying it with the right amount of swag.