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Here at GQ Recommends, we spend countless hours toiling in the e-comm trenches to curate cool things to buy so you can shop like one of us, whether you’re looking for a new suit or a fresh three-pack of boxer briefs. Our unrivaled window shopping brings you everything from the best new menswear to the hottest menswear deals. But do those selects always align with our own personal order histories? They do not. So we thought we’d give you a tantalizing peek into our very own actual non-imaginary shopping carts. Here are 16 things our editors copped last month—much of which you can cop for yourself, too!—including cushy retro sneakers, top-shelf olive oil, and so much more.
Quarter socks have been one of my tiny-but-significant fashion epiphanies this year, and my growing collection/ongoing experiment in hosiery optimization has led me to Bombas. Their socks are the perfect length, the wool blend is warm and somehow still breathable, and the tension is juuuuust right.
Okay, okay, so technically I bought a vintage MA-1 bomber that was originally made by Alpha Industries. I'm glad to say that they're pretty much exactly the same as back in the day.
Sensitive boy needs his fragrance-free, Eczema Association-approved cleanser. La Roche-Posay's cleansers are all great, especially for a guy like me with chronic skin issues. The Lipikar AP+ line is formulated with ingredients that help your skin biome, and is packed with ceramides to keep your skin healthy and moisturized.
At this point, my wardrobe is about 30% cardigans, so one more couldn't hurt. Auralee's ribbed knit cardi is super cozy and has a subtle cropped silhouette, which, when paired with my average height, looks like it's the perfect length. I've been loving Auralee's Japan-made knits for a loooong time, so Black Friday was the perfect excuse to finally cop one for a decently affordable price.
My favorite pair of denim is a pair of 105s from Orslow in classic faded blue wash. The fit of the 105 is perfect for me, which is just the right amount of straight and high-rise. (Orslow's founder Ichiro Nakutsu based the 105s on a classic pair of 501s, which might make sense for why these are so great.) I wanted a pair of washed black denim, and of course Orslow was the move for me. I thought about switching it up and going for the 107s, which is Orslow's slimmer fit (akin to a Levi's 505), but I told myself that if I loved my 105s, why change? And dammit, I'm glad I listened to myself for once.
There's a picture on the internet of Jacob Elordi rocking a full-placket cardigan. I loved it so much that I found it online, except it was Prada and cost nearly two G's. Neither wool, nor cashmere, nor an Italian fashion house's label could convince me to drop that much on what surely must be an amazing sweater. Luckily, during my marathon of Black Friday shopping I found Studio Nicholson's cardigan for way less, and boy, does it tick every box in terms of fit, color, and, of course, price.
I needed to re-fill my sock drawer, and the only brand that came to mind (besides Hanes) was American Trench. They look like a pair of boring basic socks, but as soon as I sit down, and my pants ride up a bit, you can see the pop of color, courtesy of that varsity stripe.
My brother has a great eye for design, so I like to use him as a litmus test when I'm considering a big investment in the furniture department. Recently, he solved a dilemma I’ve spent months handwringing about: what to buy to balance out the two Aldo Jacober folding chairs I use as my dining seating. He found these chairs in a matter of minutes, of course—in gorgeous oxblood to contrast the neutrals in my apartment. They have some real Bruno Rey swagger to them, and I got them at an absurdly cheap price ($100 apiece!) during West Elm’s Black Friday bonanza.
It’s been so chilly lately that I’ve been holed up in my apartment, barely going out. I’m also conveniently out of slippers at the moment, and in lieu of plush memory foam, I’ve been padding around my cold floors in my fresh-out-the-box Sebagos. They’re surprisingly comfortable despite the fact that I usually get blisters just looking at a pair of loafers, but I’ll reserve judgement ’til I actually take these puppies for a lap around the block.
It’s so rare to covet something online on a twiggy model and feel like the fit and style match up in-person, but this elegant strapless number pleasantly defied my expectations: It’s stretchy enough to hug my figure without constricting it, and printed without veering into picnic blanket territory. A potentially delusional observation, but I think I look like a million bucks in it.
I was something of a straight-leg pants loyalist until I convinced myself to try out a longer, wider fit this past month. Madewell’s beloved Harlows were a successful experiment: Even in a casual linen fabric, they’ve got some C-suite Shiv Roy energy, like I’m ready to start wheeling and dealing the moment they get pulled on.
I swear I almost developed carpal tunnel after spending months combing the internet for a pair of stylish, freaky, and affordable boots. But now that I’ve got CamberLab's Traktoris, I can fully dedicate my motor skills to pulling on these fashionable yet functional, off-kilter stompers all winter long.
I hadn’t thought much of Macy’s private menswear label Alfani since I went shopping for my high school homecoming suit, but after lucking upon a few of their flowy, buttery soft button-ups at a vintage store they’re the only shirt on my mind.
Let’s just say, the snooze button has gotten a lot more action after I copped this comforter.
My boy math is: I saved six figures on an MBA by dropping $65 to get the deeply hydrated and dewy skin of a CEO with a top-rung-of-the-corporate-ladder salary to blow.
A few months ago, GQ's resident denim whisperer—Gerald Ortiz, of viral clog fame—put me onto this small-batch LA operation, which specializes in jeans made in just one perfect silhouette: mid rise, wide leg, straight cut. I snapped up the last pair on Ssense in a hard-to-nail light gray wash, and now my thighs are ready for the real deal; last week, I bought another pair, this time in a raw denim the brand sources from Mexico. Carson's inventory tends to sell through quickly, but in the spirit of the holiday season, I've refrained from stockpiling every 30x32 pair for myself.
October
The product name for these (perfect) pants works sort of like the galaxy brain meme: Uniqlo U (!) wide-fit (!!) parachute (!!!) cargo pants (!!!!). Accordingly, every time I wear them my eyes shoot lasers.
There’s nothing like love to excuse a shopping splurge. While in Berlin, I made a stop at Voo Store to find the perfect statement shoe to show up all the guests at my cousin’s wedding. Almost immediately, I came upon these incredible loafers from Acne Studios. They’re classic, sleek, and shockingly not the type of loafers that require a painful break-in. For the wedding I paired them with white pleated trousers from California Arts and a vintage double-breasted suit that really gave Ricardo Tubbs from Miami Vice. These days I like rocking them with some Carhartt jeans and a bomber jacket. You really can have it all!
On my way out of Voo Store, I was struck by the dope fit of one of the associates—an old Inter Milan Jersey, paint-splattered jeans, and Our Legacy Camion boots. I had held off from buying the black ones as they were very similar to my vintage motos, but man, was there something about that brown olive leather. I sat on it for a week and caved when I passed by the Our Legacy shop in London. So glad I did. They have quickly topped my Saint Laurent "Lukas" pythons to become the top pick in my shoe rotation—sorry, Hedi.
I’d never been to Diptyque, but had seen many fashion influencer posts and memes about their candles, so I popped into their Nolita location to finally see what the hype was about. It smelled pretty good. After trying a couple of their home fragrances I decided on the woody Saint Germain. It’s made walking into my East Village apartment feel like stepping into The Miami EDITION. Magic.
Wool shoe insoles are one of those things that just makes sense to me. For several winters, I'd come across a pair and think, "Yeah, good idea." But it was only until now that I ponied up and bought a pair. I spotted these in an outdoorsy store in the Catskills and I figured it was a sign. A quick tap of the credit card and I slotted them into my boots on the spot. The warm fuzzy feeling was almost instant as was my delight. I was so ecstatic about my impulse purchase that I managed to convince my friends to also buy them. Cold feet no more!
After years of self-imposed coffee snobbery, I've decided to dial back my complicated caffeine routine (within reason). The Hario Switch is an update to the lauded V60 brewer which gives it the capability to steep the coffee much like a French press. Dump the coffee grounds, pour the water, and let it sit for a few minutes. Simple! Unlike a French press, however, it filters the coffee through a paper filter so you don't have to worry about a silt-filled mug. The result is a steamlined and forgiving brew that allows me to be less attentive without butchering my morning joe—crucial when you're futzing with boiling water in a groggy state.
This JW Anderson x Pol Anglada tank is like wearing a blank canvas splashed with a piece of queer art—a wearable masterpiece.
I snagged these AllSaints leather boots because I loved the almond-toe shape and distressed finish. They're like the James Bond of footwear—sleek, quick, and ready for action.
The Artemide Nesso Table Lamp is an iconic piece of post-modern design. But the real deal would ruin me financially, so, for now, this gorgeous dupe fulfills my needs. It doesn't possess the same level of craftsmanship as the original, of course, but it looks SO good in my living room. Now I get to bask in the glow of its beautiful design without going bankrupt.
I saw this little guy when I was shopping in Milwaukee Avenue District in Chicago. I didn’t buy it on the spot, but I couldn’t get its sleek design and cargo green color out of my head. After a few days, I finally surrendered and ordered it online—it’s the best mug I’ve ever owned!
I’m guilty of hopping on the Gen Z-defined foldover trend for my Dickies: unclipping the clasp and turning over the waistband into somewhat of a makeshift belt. Because they're a bit loose on me, the foldover makes them fit better, plus it’s a quick and effective way to jump into the low-rise look. They’re structured, durable, have deep pockets, and don’t wrinkle, which, for me, makes them ideal for work. I copped them in brown, and they've become a staple in my fall-inspired monochrome outfits.
I’ve always been so intimidated by the number of hair products out there. So what I love about the OUAI Treatment Masque is that it’s easy. You can run a dollop of the product everywhere from your roots to your ends and only have to leave it on for 5 minutes. It leaves my hair soft, hydrated, and untangled. Unlike other products I’ve used in the past, I’ve never had to worry about it making my hair greasy.
With the clocks turning back soon and the sun setting an hour earlier, seasonal affective disorder feels more real than ever. Lighting my home will be crucial. This IKEA globe-shaped table lamp was the perfect, subtle, and minimalistic addition to my new bedroom. Make sure to get a warm white light bulb for a soft, sunny feel.
I've played tennis in a lot of different Nike tennis shoes over the years. And while I made the switch to Naomi Osaka's GP Turbos for a while after ACL surgery, I simply couldn't resist returning to one of Nike's most iconic and beloved tennis shoes of all time—the Vapor X's—after they decided to bring them back with the Air Jordan 3's iconic elephant-print upper. I may not have my best stuff every day I step on the court, but I always have the best shoes.
Most cotton bathrobes tend to be way too baggy and oversized, but the folks over at Subset have taken more of a tailor's approach to their Essential Robe without sacrificing any of the coziness. The three-quarter length sleeves are actually quite practical, and the mid-calf length of the robe keeps you far away from Schmidt's kimono territory. As fall turns into winter, these are perfect for those dark, cold mornings and even darker and colder nights.
Cozy Earth has been pumping out some truly lux bedding, including their waffle-knit and cashmere blankets. But their duvet cover in the new clay colorway is a true hero item. The color in person is more akin to the shiniest penny you've ever seen and instantly made my bedroom feel like an uber-lux hotel room. And that's not even acknowledging just how damn soft the fabric is.
I’m no audiophile, but I recently upgraded from Spotify to this gorge hand-built turntable by Pro-Ject Audio. Partially because I think it’s cool to directly support the musicians you’re into, but mostly because I missed the tactile experience of listening to full-length albums as the good lord intended. Especially when it’s True Widow (on repeat).
I’ve been an Aeron guy for many years with no complaints. That is until recently when the armrest snapped off like a twig. The parts are replaceable, sure, but I took it as a sign from the universe to manifest my dream throne: the Soft-Pad Management in luscious black leather. It's a classic for a reason. I scored one for a bargain on Craigslist, and can’t recommend it enough. Your back and your eyes will thank you.
Keep on scrolling to see more real-life purchases from months past.
September
Years ago, I'd bought a vintage J.Crew polo sweater exactly like this and enjoyed it for a few months before it got lost in a move. Thankfully, J.Crew still makes the same sweater and it's just as cozy and soft as my vintage, worn-in, misplaced version. It's still made from 100% wool and brushed to a hairy finish that Cobain would've liked if he'd been into polos, and the fit is immaculate—relaxed, not too long, great for every pant I own.
I'm a sucker for Stüssy, sure, but until they stop making tops that fit 5'9" fellas like myself, I will continue to patronize the streetwear titan. This football sweater is luxuriously silky and fits better than any other sweater in my closet—just short enough to graze my hips and lengthen my legs (without surgery).
For whatever reason, the radiator in my apartment doesn't kick on when it should, so I bought this space heater to hold me over until the day I finally hear the clanking iron. I've been a fan (ahem!) of Vornado's products in the past, so it was a no-brainer opting for this winterized version. Vornado's signature grill and blades allows the heat to distribute more efficiently, which means my room can come up to temperature quickly and evenly. You can adjust the temperature by the degree, and there's even a non-heated fan option for when you just want some air circulation.
These vitamin gummies are too delicious, and I lack self-control. Therefore, I will be turning super saiyan by the end of the week. In the meantime, I will be thoroughly enjoying the tart berry flavor and my renewed sense of vigor!
Not sure when my obsession with Asics will end, but the answer seems to be leaning toward 'never'. The Gel-Kayano's is three decades old, but this latest iteration puts a silver spin on the beloved running/stunting sneaker. Bummed to miss out on those JJJJound Asics but aren't trying to spend half a grand on the resell market? Here you go.
Preppers and hikers know that when it comes to filtration, Lifestraw is as legit as it gets. This rarely happens, but I saw that this pitcher was on sale in one of GQ's very own deal roundups and made a move. It's kinda mega in person, but I'm thrilled that I finally get to replace the ancient Brita that regularly collects filth in my refrigerator.
There are a handful of things I will reliably shell out for in multiples, and one of them is a solid pair of Mary Janes. I recently added these to my collection and they're sensible, easy to walk in, and will be even better for fall, I surmise.
As a creature of habit, I've also upgraded the navy blue knit polo I bought from Alex Mill last year with...a long sleeve version in the exact same color. Cashmere, baby! Hits slightly different.
As much as I love a good sweater, I somehow managed to not have a single black one at the beginning of fall. I saw this cozy pullover (at half off) and immediately added to cart. So far, I've paired it with my Gimaguas flared denim and skirts that hit just below the calf, and love how the boatneck and dropped shoulders polish up and pull everything together.
I recently joined a bookclub and the novel for this month is the appropriately gothic Frankenstein.
Ever since I got my hands on the Breville Bambino Plus, I've been whipping up cappuccinos from the comfort of my home. Usually I sip them against the backdrop of high-pitched whistles and drills (courtesy of the construction taking place next door), but when I'm in a rush to head out I'll pour my daily brew into this sleek coffee mug.
I consider myself a very late adopter of trends. When a style of clothing breaches the threshold of ubiquity, I descend into a deep spiral of rumination about it’s meaning, value, and longevity, followed by 3-6 months of feverishly wishlisting my favorite versions of that style on every shopping app in existence. When cargo pants started crowning, my first thought was “immediately no”. But here we are, many months if not years later, and I’ve found a moody pair that I’ve connected with spiritually. These, by Dion Lee, have so much else going on, a dramatic cut, unique hardware, slanted pockets, bungee cords, and yet it all works beautifully together in a counter-intuitively tasteful way.
I’m always on the lookout for that rare category of great affordable art that feels more unique than something that can be infinitely duplicated by an ink jet printer. Just in time for the only holiday that matters, I discovered the work of Norwegian artist Andrea Scholze. She creates these somehow equally haunting and endearing ceramic and stoneware sculptures of melting humanoids and lumpy animals, some of which are impressively life sized. When I locked eyes with this sad upside down bat flapping it’s wings, there was no turning back. It costs less than one sock from The Row, and will bring me a lifetime of spooky joy. If you’re inclined, there are more iterations available to choose from.
Hand soap has become a real social minefield. To me, there's nothing worse than having guests think you’re desperately trying to signal your status and cultural alliances with something you keep on your bathroom sink. Which is why after I saw a Deweydudes meme about all creatives in Williamsburg having Aesop soap, I knew I had to overhaul my entire life. After A LOT of research and unfortunate amount of waste (another minefield: buying things online you’re supposed to smell), I found the brand Maison Louis Marie. The packaging is pleasingly minimal (I AM A CREATIVE), and the scent Vallée de Farney is warm, subtle, and just the right amount of masculine. And for now, the brand is obscure enough to not get memed.
August
Once a year for about two weeks, US Open swag, from hats to T-shirts, floods the streets of NYC. I fell prey to the lure of the US Open merch and copped a tee on my recent trek to Arthur Ashe. Sure, it's not as cool as something like a band tee, but it does feel like a commemorative souvenir for making it out of Flushing Meadows in one piece.
If I go through a season without buying one thing from Beams, then it was a bad shopping season. Alas, this was a good one! I needed a break from the whole mohair cardigan phase, mainly because I was tired of looking like a Shetland Sheepdog. This lightweight cotton piece has a varsity stripe that makes me feel like I actually did sports in school, and hey look: Pockets!
Dark wash slim-fit denim? Uh, is this 2012? Not with these high-waisted jeans, a flip from the typical low-rise Petit Standards from the brand that got a bunch of menswear dudes into raw denim. These have a little stretch in them (blasphemy!), which helps because I sized down maybe a little too aggressively, but the Martins have a nice cropped fit that helped me nix a trip to the tailor.
My girlfriend has these Garrett Leight Mayan sunglasses, and I was really hoping to get a pair that was just like hers without getting that exact same ones. I could've totally just borrowed hers, but I am dangerously near-sighted, which means all my sunglasses need to have prescription lenses. I'd been onto Akila for a while, mainly because the brand makes some really sick frames for not a lot of money, and the Zeds look really close to my girlfriend's pair. I copped these, sent them over to Lensabl for a prescription (with the same lens color), and now I'm being accused of stealing my girlfriend's style (true, but don't tell her).
I've been on the hunt for The Perfect T-shirt for my whole life. Elusive or illusion, I'm not sure, but that hasn't stopped me from expanding my collection. This one from Bronson Mfg. might be the closest yet with its tube-knit construction, hefty US cotton jersey, and relaxed fit. But the part I'm most psyched about is that has the ideal length so I can finally stop feeling embarrassed about taking my tees to the tailor.
Some people call it a half sock, others call it a quarter sock. Fractions aside, the above-the-ankle-but-not-quite-calf socks are my jam. They're the perfect length, especially for someone with shorter legs (and ham hocks for calves) and Uniqlo's uber-affordable versions are comfy cozy with just the right amount of tension.
I've been using Aesop's deodorant spray for 7 years now, but I'm not about to take a sabbatical. There's simply nothing better. It smells as good as a real-deal cologne, the discreet spray bottle form is perfect for tossing into a tote bag, and if I need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day, it doesn't look like an unsightly roll-on bar.
My arch nemesis is dopamine decor. Since the genre first appeared in the mid-2010s, there’s been a troubling proliferation of derivatives, emerging everywhere from hotel lobbies to millennial veterinarian franchises. To me, the optimism of bright colors and shapes that look like they were drawn by stoned toddlers are a grotesque display against the backdrop of our grim reality. This is why I fell in love with this shower curtain. It’s stark, monochrome, and actually makes the futile exercise of washing away your caked-on filth even darker. I give it 10/10 sparkling heart hands.
By this site's own admission, we’ve hit peak jewelry, and the nostalgia for classics is only strengthened by the polo's dominance and khaki-draped wolf packs who have one pearl necklace on standby for expeditions to Brooklyn. But I have to make an argument for a last entry into the pantheon of wild men’s accessories. This bracelet by apt.1007, also a furniture maker, feels like a treasured mix of familiar and fresh at once. While pearl necklaces were co-opted from high society, apt.1007 gets its inspiration from the hardware aisle. I was able to snag one after the soft launch, but keep an eye out for future drops and don’t give into normalcy just yet.
Ashtrays are one of my favorite objects. Whether at a gift shop in Key West or at an antique dealer on Park Avenue, the charm of a good ashtray is one that can translate across a multitude of stores. This one by Wacko Maria materialized right out of my dreams. It maximizes the vessel’s both luxurious and campy potential, with its Hot Topic-but-make-it-elevated sensibility. Also, the artist who designed it, Neck Face, is famous for his graffiti’d demons and devils around New York, thematic territory I’m helpless not to consume. The best part for non-smokers (great for you, really!), it works just as well displayed ash-free on your side table.
This might look like your ordinary black button-up shirt but this is Our Legacy's freaked take on the wardrobe staple. It's illegible through a JPEG but the shirt comes in a boucle fabric which gives this shirt a sexy dimension. The material is soft and supple and not entirely opaque. Everyone who follows menswear has come to loathe the phrase ‘classics with a twist’, but this might be the first time I've actually seen that philosophy applied successfully. This is going to be in my closet for a long, long time.
If you were wondering how to get a piece from the coveted and now-totally-sold-out Sandy Liang x Baggu collaboration, the answer is to have a friend who already happened to be at the Orchard Street sale pick you up something before they left. While the pattern is great and it’s fun to finally be on the other side of a rare fashion-girlie grail, I’m surprised that my favorite thing about this bag is actually its utility. It has quickly been added to my phone-keys-wallet daily essentials because it packs down so easily and carries way more than your average tote bag. Thanks, Sandy!
New York winters have been getting warmer (wonder why!), and now my big midwestern parka hardly makes it out of my closet. So when I fell victim to the massive Ganni discounts during this year’s SSENSE sale, I wasn't mad about it. This coat is the perfect piece as chilly days get more common and freezing temps become increasingly rare. My favorite thing about it is that, despite the oversized sleeves, the Ganni Geniuses added a lining with elastic at the wrist to keep the cold air from getting in. I haven’t worn it yet, but come winter, you won't be able to tear me away from it.
I struggle with fragrances. A lot of them give me headaches and I hate feeling like I smell like perfume, as opposed to just a good-smelling person. I was recently house-sitting for some friends and they had a little tester bottle of one of the Caswell-Massey Yellowstone fragrance tonics. As soon as I sniffed it I had an epiphany—it's a great scent that doesn't give “perfume”. I love this Lake scent in particular because it's is so fresh and floral without veering into sweet.
Because I’m a member of Gen Z and the entire weight of the climate crisis rests on my shoulders, I am always looking for eco-friendly alternatives. Laundry detergent is depressingly one of those big-footprint-creepy-forever-chemical items, but lucky for me, I found Dropps. There are no scary ingredients, recyclable packaging, carbon neutral shipping, and it really is crazy effective. This is no eye-roll hippie swap—my clothes really do look and feel cleaner than ever.
Nope, they aren't Birks. But they are just as or more comfortable, very lightweight and, dare I say, a more versatile sandal. I love the look and feel of the woven leather and suede uppers combined with the gum rubber sole. Fancy or casual, with socks or without, they're stylish and reliable whether you're rushing out the door or putting together a more thoughtful fit.
July
I'm a jean fiend and these Auralee joints have been taking up RAM on my laptop for months, living rent-free as a browser tab next to my writing assignments. The denim is lightweight and brushed soft with sporadic striations as though you'd blasted them in a washing machine a few dozen times. They've got a flattering high rise and blissfully baggy leg that's ideal for all of my shoes and tops—a rare feat to achieve, generally speaking. Now my can laptop can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that it can finally let go of the Auralee tab—and I can rest easy knowing I've found my new everyday jeans.
When done right, a classic white dress shirt can look as hot as any silky button-up or revealing mesh top. Thus, I don't plan on wearing this very Ivy button-down shirt with a tie or a sportcoat. I'll be wearing it rakishly rumpled like it was on a 12-hour flight stuffed in a Rimowa, top three buttons undone and paired with my perfectly fitting Auralee jeans, before heading to the beach on some '90s rom-com heartthrob energy.
Diligent refreshing and monk-like patience has led me to this moment—Facebook Marketplace has smiled upon me and blessed me with my grail sofa, the Maralunga. I couldn't fork over the money for one of the Maralungas on secondhand sites like Chairish or 1stDibs, but somehow the Universe was like "I got you." The one I did buy was obscenely underpriced and, to be frank, kinda ragged thanks to the previous owner's dog. Unlike the other pristine options at Chairish and 1stDibs, I'll have to get my couch upholstered, but the ludicrous price I paid still makes it a crazy deal.
Every time I walk into Colbo, one of our top 100 menswear stores in the world, I'm met with an instant sense of warmth. Granted, that fuzzy feeling could come from any number of reasons—the interior design, the rotating roster of artists, the coffee bar, the homies. But wafting in the background through it all is the Agaric Fly incense. Each scent is designed with intention and dipped by hand, as if the intoxicating fragrance wasn't enough to convince me to buy not one, but three different scents.
This summer I aimed to become a more organized traveler. Thanks to this compact pill case, I no longer have to carry multiple pill bottles. It keeps everything from Advil to my probiotics organized, freeing up space for my sunglasses collection—because those can make or break a vacation fit.
For a while I was skeptical about packing cubes; I even asked a friend what the hype was around them. Let me tell you, these have really transformed my packing game. Now I'm able to organize outfits strategically instead of chaotically placing my bathing suits with my pajamas.
I recently started the grim process of trying to work out again (the pandemic was my three-year excuse) and was in need of a new gym bag. I don’t really identify as a fitness person so I didn’t want a bag that screamed “GOING TO THE GYM.” This L.L.Bean duffle was a great compromise and in the Deep Loden colorway, almost looks like a much pricier Porter Yoshida Kaban bag.
Do wine bottles need aprons? Probably not. Do these Gohar bottle aprons add some romance to my $99 Ikea dinner table? Absolutely!
I’m a big fan of New York-based brand Commission’s take on office wear, so this blazer—now on deep sale on SSENSE—was hard to resist. Love to feel like the protagonist of an Edward Yang movie.
I grew up in the Philippines, where it’s always coconut jam season. Pika Pika’s take on the spread—vegan, no preservatives and artificial flavors—has become a morning staple for me. Slather it on toast, mix in with your yogurt, maybe even have it in your coffee.
After giving my jaw a break for a decade or so, I’ve started chewing gum again. And let me tell you: it’s a blast! Since I last flirted with the habit, the gum market has exploded with weirdo flavors and janky oral-health promises, but my go-to stick remains all-American spearmint. It’s crisp, it’s refreshing, and no one gives you dirty looks when you’re working through a hefty wad in the office. Gum may or may not be good for you—and it’s definitely kind of gross—but the simple pleasure of stuffing your cheeks with as many pieces as they can hold is worth every snicker. Next up: summoning the moxie to become a toothpick guy.
Sisley makes the type of products the person you dated abroad really liked, though they probably swiped their stockpile from their grandmother’s bathroom bureau. It’s the good shit, and it’s priced accordingly—but if you can stomach the sticker shock (or track down a long-lost grand-mère), it might also be worth it. I have no idea how its revitalizing serum works—the bottle touts a mix of plant extracts, vitamins, and minerals—but I’ve been drizzling it on my scalp for a month now, and it leaves my hair looking appropriately shiny, if not, y’know, “radiant with vitality”.
Pearl necklace fatigue comes for us all eventually, so if your usual jewelry sparks a little less joy than it used to, don’t go cold turkey just yet. You could try the kooky DIY route, but to my eyes, an itty-bitty gold chain feels especially fresh—and the vintage whisperers at Front General regularly unearth a treasure trove’s worth of ‘em. You’ll have to pay a nominal finder’s fee to secure one of your own, but it’s not like you were going to put in the legwork, anyway.
June
I went to Paris with one mission: Buy a pair of moc-toe shoes. Paraboots might be the shoes of the season, but I knew I wasn't going to drop $450, or however many euros they are, because I wanted a pair of Klemans, which I had learned about from this very website. They fit like a dream, and they broke in really quickly. I couldn't even wait to bring them back home to wear, and ended up clocking about eight walking miles in my first day of wearing them. The Padrors also give me like an extra inch in the vertical department, which is very much appreciated for someone in the under-six-foot club. Oh, and because I copped them in Paris, after my VAT refund, they came at a hefty fraction of the price compared to the Paraboots.
Sorry, folks, I'm doing a Paris haul here. I accidentally wandered down Rue Vieille-du-Temple on the way to another menswear store (ahem, Brut, ahem) and passed by Le Mont St Michel. I knew the brand for its chore coats and popped in, falling in love with a weather-inappropriate denim pullover. It's an archived style from the brand that it re-released complete with its low-cut placket with a single-button closure. I love this thing. It's still a little stiff even though I've washed it twice, but it's like a less casual take on a hoodie (minus the hood) for chilly summer nights. I asked the sales associate if the indigo hue would fade into a vintage wash someday and he said no, but I'm kind of hoping it will.
OK, so I didn't technically buy this belt (sue me!) but my girlfriend bought it for me after hearing me talk about it nonstop. In a way, I paid for this belt with my nagging. I'd been looking for a slim belt, something smaller than an inch in width, and I had first heard of Maximum Henry after seeing the brand on SSENSE (which is hosting a pretty epic sale right now. I love the little metal buckle and the way it just feels good to strap in. And I fell even more in love with it after being mezmorized by this video of my belt's distant cousin being crafted into this world.
I used to have this same exact laptop stand months ago before I foolishly gave it away. Stacking a handful of thick art books as a substitute was cute in the beginning (bricolage, baby!), but eventually my neck had its objections. Worse, I don't have enough aesthetically pleasing books to raise my laptop to an ergonomic level. In that neck-breaking time span, I looked for a replacement that was just as simple, sturdy, and well-designed as my first laptop stand only to come up completely empty. The solution was to either ask for my laptop stand back or pony up to my mistake and buy myself another one. So, being the too-nice person that I am (or think that I am), I went with the latter and will not be letting go of this laptop stand ever again.
For whatever reason, basements seem to have their own, uh, scent. I've tried to combat the scent-uation by outfitting my basement with a smattering of NASA-approved plants that help to filter the air. The problem is that plants seem to like sunlight, which my basement lacks. And rather than spritzing the area with a room spray every time I descend, I opted for this air purifier. It's boxy, unobtrusive, not overly designed, and rather plain. Some might call it normcore and in that sense, it is sort of stylish. But the more important thing is that it really filters the air quite well and with a gentle whisper that I can barely hear even when I'm standing right next to it. And that basement fragrance? Gone!
One thing about me is that I love a big chunky shoe. I had been seeing people talk about this newest clog from Crocs for like, two weeks. I would come across fit pic after fit pic on IG, all anchored by a massive, big, chunky clog. After a couple of weeks of this I had to act, I needed to purchase The Big Clogs. I'm happy to report they're everything I've dreamed of and more. You can wear these things with everything, gym clothes, something more dressed up, literally whatever.
I'm not a big athleisure person (why are we making gym clothes expensive.....) but as GQ's resident guy who can squat 500 pounds, I have some very big legs. And sometimes, when you have very big legs, you need shorts with a liner in them because otherwise your Very Big Legs rub together and chafe. I picked these guys up because they looked nice and comfy, and needed a second pair of shorts to compliment my Baggies because I be wearing the hell out of those. They do exactly as advertised, so I cannot complain!
I'm not sure if you guys heard but it's really hot outside lately. I'm very, very skeptical of a lot of wellness trends, since most turn out to be mostly nothing with some sort of very dubiously cited research. But (!) when one of my friends mentioned that she had started taking these before she trains in the gym, and that she feels so much better, I had to give it a try. And wow! It works! Congratulations Liquid I.V. you can take the empty spot in my pantry next to the whey and creatine as actual supplements with real efficacy!
I am, as they say, in my tracksuit era, and this puppy has been on my list of grails since I saw it walk in Barragán's Spring/Summer 2023 show in NYC last September. Browsing a shop in London earlier this month, there it hung, and despite being merchandised amongst other tempting sartorial treats, this jacket had my complete and undivided attention. The sales associated insisted I try it on, the jacket runs small and they only had one XL in stock. I obliged. As a sucker for a 'summer jacket', the light nylon fabric and breathable mesh lining made it an easy sell; not to mention the epic star design and bold red color that had first caught my eye last year on the runway.
Owning a garden in New York City may not be the most feasible, but you don't actually need a backyard to look like you do. These sophisticated clogs composed of the richest cognac leather are modest in style, but totally premium in make. And through trials and tribulations of my own, I've come to discover that the distinguishing factor between a good clog and a perfect clog is its fastening. A clumsy clog will force your toes to clench and grip and have you tripping anyway, whereas these bad boys, with a considered strap for the back of the ankle, has afforded me miles of stylish meandering.
I stumbled upon Studio Nicholson's flagship while on holiday in London. The quietly chic and minimal design of the store drew me in, but the phenomenally-cut and fabricated clothes kept me there. These pants were a no-brainer as soon as I tried them on—the wide billowy legs gave an undeniable comfort, while the heavy cotton denim kept the legs structured and wide. The pleats added a tailored sophistication to an otherwise regular pair of denim that personally, I welcomed eagerly. Easy to dress up and down, they've made their way quickly into my daily rotation.
Shirts: in the GQ offices, you still got to wear ‘em! I’ve been thinking about button-ups a lot lately, as one does, and I bought a couple of doozies over the last few weeks.
The first is from the LA-based vintage experts at No Maintenance, who recently expanded their remit to include a full line of clothing, much to your least favorite Angeleno's delight. (Hey, you can’t pick your fans.) Their cropped camp shirt comes equipped with an ultra-pointy collar and two chest pockets, all cut from a slinky gabardine tencel, which looks cool, but isn’t really that breezy. To misquote Family Guy misquoting a long-forgotten Cheetos commercial: It ain’t easy being sleazy—but it’s worth it.
I also snagged a crisp poplin joint from Factor’s, the next-gen suiting label founded by Sid Mashburn alum (and fellow Atlanta apostle) Matt Lambert, whose hard-rocking tailoring cribs from the freewheeling excess of the ‘70s. On SSENSE, the product listing will try to convince you that it boasts a “spread collar”, but if you care at all about menswear semantics, the description doesn’t quite do it justice; it’s more like a brolic semi-spread. I’ve been tucking it into jeans and wearing it with a blazer, or leaving it untucked over fluttery shorts when the weather is too miserable to worry about my pasty calves.
May
I’m a bit of a larger guy, usually around a 40” or so waist. These shorts were purchased due to a fairly common occurrence in my life: I saw a sick pair of shorts, but they maxed out at a size 36, so I looked elsewhere for something similar that fit. I was stoked when my buddy put me on to these PFG Shorts. They checked the boxes: big shorts with big pockets. I wanted to keep the sleek look that was inspired by the initial pair that I was after so I took a pair of scissors and snipped off the elastic pocket ends to keep things uniform.
Ever since the craze that was the New Yorker tote bag took over the country years ago, I’ve slowly been collecting a small arsenal of tote bags. However, I never seem to “rotate” my collection and instead run one of them into the ground until it’s unusable and swap out. I got sick of this cycle and decided to opt for the “final boss” of tote bags. I went with the medium size and long straps (one of the many customization options), and of course, got my initials monogrammed.
I hardly ever wore hats until my 20s, but ever since I started, I have always been on the quest to find hats that don’t require being on the last peg of the snapback or require the leather strap to be fully extended. Then, I found Wythe. Both their rodeo and ranch hats fit my inconveniently large head perfectly. I bought this hat specifically because it’s a collaboration between two of my favorite brands: Wythe and 3sixteen.
J.Crew's Giant-fit chinos are honestly very good. But they're based on vintage chinos from around the 1950s and there are plenty of those hanging around if you know where to look. I wore a vintage pair almost non-stop for three years and have even had them professionally repaired. They've still got plenty of life left, but I had to retire that pair after a few too many burgers. I recently bought a new pair (well, new-old pair) from one of my favorite secondhand stores here in NYC, 10ft. Single by Stella Dallas. They're just as baggy and sturdy as the new joints you'll find at J.Crew, but with the added history and seasoning that you can only get with vintage. On top of that, J.Crew has yet to put their Giant-Fit chinos on sale, but you can easily find a vintage pair for less. To make it easier for ya, just use this search for ‘vintage military chinos’ on Etsy.
Was I Huberman-pilled? One could say that. Written by the enigmatic music producer and shaman of sound, Rick Rubin, the book is a deep meditation on creativity, its nature, and how to tune in to it. Whether you're an artist or not is inconsequential because not only is creativity everywhere, but, according to Rubin, it's core to our very nature.
Buying fancy upstart olive oil has got to be some kind of marker of a certain stage of my life and I'm not quite sure what that is yet. But the hype surrounding Graza's tasty olive oil (and its very practical squeeze bottle) is very real.
These luxe-looking bath towels not only dry quicker, but the waffle-weave pattern keeps them feeling and smelling fresher for longer than your average Bed Bath & Beyond fare (RIP).
Overlooked in the Great Pen Debate of 2023, Muji's absolutely perfect 0.5mm ballpoint pen, which I've been using to redline your favorite GQ articles for years now.
After tearing my ACL, undergoing surgery, and enduring months of physical therapy, I owed it to myself to upgrade to some supportive insoles in my tennis shoes. Quite helpfully, Remind Insoles has a pair that literally molds to your foot, no matter your arch type. Just toss them in the oven for a few minutes and then step on in for a perfect, custom insole.
Getting back into fashion these last couple years, I’ve really enjoyed how much stylish New Yorkers love to wear New York designers, and Raul Lopez’s Luar is one of the coolest New York labels out there. The Ana bag just reminds me of the city. I bought one in this beautiful espresso-brown color, and then I swung over to Etsy to pick up a red nylon guitar-style crossbody strap to swap out for the regular strap whenever I want to make it feel a bit more jaunty. It’s also on major sale at SSENSE right now, so…get to it!
I, too, am in my Asics era. Admittedly, I bought this pair a few weeks ago (pre-Matty) because I realized I’d never really owned comfy, cushy, or substantial sneakers in my adult life, and these Gel-Nimbus 9s really do fit the bill. I was bummed they were out of the delicious-sounding “rum raisin” colorway in my size, so I got them in this lovely green-silver-coral combo. And while our British GQ brethren deemed them the shoe of the summer last summer, I feel that they have arrived in my life just on time.
If you also like to paint your nails at home, let me tell you: this is the best top coat I’ve ever tried. My good friend (who is of fellow at-home-manicure experience) recommended it to me, and now I am hooked. That said, the bottle claims that it will make your polish “dry to touch in seconds” upon application, and while I believe them, I still like to do the ritual of waving my hands in the air for a couple minutes afterwards just to make sure.
I'm a fiiiiiiiirm believer that many clothes, really, shouldn't be gendered—partially because I've never been able to fit into men's trousers and own more women's pants in my closet. What I love about The Row's Marce trousers are that they're black, wide-legged, and they're just great pants.
Shopping for sunglasses remains one of the most intimate experiences anyone can have, because you have to get very honest about your face. Moscot really delivered with the Telena. The black frame and blue lenses are the ultimate combination for sunny strolls in the city. I've also gotten more compliments on these sunnies than any other pair I currently own.
As the officiant of an upcoming, fabulous wedding this November, I refuse to be caught slipping in a blindingly shiny shoe. Saint Laurent's velvet smoking slipper are perfect. They're comfortable, they're sleek, and they aren't overly glossy like many other dress shoes. Obviously, because they're velvet.
April
Me? Obsessed with wooden clogs? Perhaps that's a Freudian window into me as a person, but I'll have to pencil in some time on the weekend to crack that open a bit more. Anyway, I added another beefy clog to my growing collection of arguably impractical shoes, and your boy couldn't be happier (or taller!). I had my eyes on the Picasso clogs from Troentorp for some time, and though they're certainly not a cubist style as the name would suggest, they're perfect for just about every pant in my closet.
The famed Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is known for his obsessive taste almost as much as his enigmatic writing. Though I haven't quite gotten around to reading any of his fiction (yeah, yeah), his Absolutely On Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa got me hooked on his personal aesthetic. Murakami: The T-Shirts That I Love is basically a show-and-tell of the author's favorite T-shirts from his massive collection. It's a delightful read that peeks not only into his closet, but into his mind. Through vintage Harley Davidson tees and banal burger merch and everything in-between, what we get is a sort of sartorial autobiography that may or may not inspire me to buy more vintage tees.
While many a swaggy guy I know loves the Our Legacy Camion boot (myself included), I wanted something a little different but still sorta the same. Frye's Campus boot has been around for decades and, like the Camion, it has a beautiful square toe and stacked leather heel that looks amazing with jeans, slacks, and chinos. For whatever reason, the black colorway was only available in women's sizes (and, recently, Frye seemingly removed the Campus from the men's collection altogether). Quite a conundrum. But the upside to having smaller feet is that I can fit into women's shoes, too.
In a time when it seems that fast fashion rules now also apply to eyewear, I still prefer to patronize eyeglass establishments that carry more adventurous (and more rarefied in price) spectacles. The way I literally see it, as a lifelong four-eyes, the hardware on my face is my face. So when I was steered toward Bevel's Chicoutimi in Diesel/Mimosa during a recent visit to my favorite optical boutique, I knew I was pushed out of my comfort zone just the right amount. I also knew this ultra-light and equally ultra-strong titanium frame will be just as easy on my nose as it will be on the eyes of any onlookers.
Having just arrived home from a recent trip to my favorite vacation spot (and, I hope, future retirement spot), Palm Springs, I ached to relive the architectural wonders to be found in that literal midcentury-modern California oasis. The most meaningful way to do so was to secure a copy of the lavishly illustrated Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style, written by architectural scholar—and Williams's granddaughter—Karen E. Hudson. Paul Revere Williams, a rare Black architect during an era that shamefully offered scant opportunities for African-American advancement, grew up in an LA orphanage around the turn of the 20th century. Yet he went on to design Hollywood mansions for stars that included Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball—as well as homes, in some instances, he legally could not live in himself due to racist covenants.
Speaking of Palm Springs and Blackness, as I perused all those architectural wonders found in that desert city, I needed to protect myself from the sun while avoiding the sunscreen bane of every darker-hued human: ashy skin! Fortunately, Black Girl Sunscreen, rated SPF 30 and formulated specifically to not leave that chalky film that can discourage use of sun protection among Black populations, comfortably protected my face and arms—and my growing bald spot. It's imperative that we dark-skinned folks are encouraged to slather up in the name of skin health, and brands such as Black Girl Sunscreen can serve as part of that education.
However, when those 90-degree Palm Springs days transform into those 50-degree Palm Springs nights, what better way is there to cover up my no longer sunburn-prone bare arms than with a jacket by the city’s premier leisurewear designer, Trina Turk? This almost-vintage Mr Turk cotton-elastic unstructured blazer in olive brown—and anyone wearing it—is also hot in the daytime and cool in the evening.
Cargo pants have been cool again for a long time now, but it's still absurdly difficult to find a pair that hits all the right notes. Lean too real-deal military, and you wind up looking like an extra from Full Metal Jacket. Go too tailored and preppy, and those side pockets suddenly feel superfluous and just for show. Manresa's take nails the in-between: the herringbone fabric is handsome and weighty; the cut is full with a nice slight taper; and the details—from the watch pocket to the pleats—are all practical and considered.
The funny thing about being on the product beat at GQ for as long as I have is that, inevitably, when you're looking to buy something, there's a 97% chance that an old article exists with great recommendations and your byline. That was the case recently when I decided my pen rotation needed a top-to-bottom overhaul, which led me to this 2018 story I wrote called “The Best Pens Under $10 Will Make Your Handwriting Legible.” In addition to the welcome reminder that I was much smarter and funnier five years ago, I was also reminded of the existence of the Sakura Pigma Micron PN, a pen I praised at the time for "its super crisp, clean lines delivered in waterproof archival ink that won’t bleed or fade." Back then, I included the Sakuras as a mere runner-up, because the younger, more reckless me preferred rollerballs with wet ink. But present-day me ain't got no time to wait for no stinkin' ink to dry before turning the page. I bought a big clutch of Micron PNs, and my notes have never looked better. Thanks, Young Yang.
I've been on an alkaline water kick lately, nominally for recovery reasons but also because it just tastes better. I throw one in a Nalgene, let it sit overnight, and the next morning you have water that tastes closer to Essentia.
I needed a backup pair of beater glasses, and these from Jins are great because they're not super expensive and are designed for low nose bridges (i.e. Asian faces), so they won't fall off my sweaty face when I'm, say, peering down at a book while standing precariously close to the subway platform edge.
It was a point of contrarian pride that I was a grown(ish) man who never owned a black suit, much less a tuxedo. Recently, an event that called for creative black tie felt like the right moment to bite the bullet. In an exhaustive search for something that has a modern elegance with a subtle unconventional slant, I came across the perfect suit from Wooyoungmi. It has a rebelliousness to it thanks to the well-placed hardware details, such as the chrome logo applied like a pin on a denim jacket, and a tailoring quality that rivals the traditional luxury fashion advertiser set. Only thing better than that is that the brand is South Korean, and female-owned. I found exactly the black suit I’ve been postponing my adulthood for.
My reality is not ruled by invisible benevolent forces, but by chaos (and you know the thing about chaos, it’s fair). In spite of this, I’ve encountered certain moments where I’ve wanted to channel my hopes and desires into something other than a perfectly made Negroni. Although manifesting has become a total cliché, it provides, at the very least, a way to direct a cluttered mind to sit with a single thought. The vessel I chose for this occasional ritual is a hunk of citrine, which was readily available at my local gem store (welcome to Brooklyn). Laugh if you will, but I’ll be having the last laugh from my castle in southern France with my wife Cate Blanchett and BFFs Michelle and Barack Obama.
If you want to dress up like you're a tablecloth from the early 20th century, you shop at Bode. At least, that's what I did. I've been eyeing Bode's very-excellent pieces before I ever started at GQ, and I finally pulled the trigger on this short-sleeve shirt, which will inevitably be on me all spring and summer long. The cross-stitched daisy motif is nothing to sneeze at (literally—my seasonal allergies have me going through some things this year), and I love the signature cropped and boxy fit.
OK, I went a little HAM on Bode this month. But you really can't just buy one thing at a time! It's like I needed to scratch that Bode itch. I copped a short-sleeve shirt so I felt like it only made sense to cop a long-sleeve option. When I say this is a breezy shirt, I really mean it. The lace makes it so that every gust of wind goes straight through, so I imagine this will be an excellent top for the hot and humid days ahead. The shirt is so light that I won't be putting anything in these pockets because they just drag the whole shirt down, and the compliments I've received so far make up for the high price.
March
I've been watching too much Daisy Jones & The Six if you haven't been able to tell. I mean, flared jeans? Now a Western-style shirt? C'mon, this man thinks he's a draft dodger! Wythe makes really excellent western shirts (I have one of their lightweight tencel options) and I so badly wanted a flannel option. Now I have it, and you will not see me in anything else—until it's time to take out the tencel.
Dressy jeans? No, those don't really exist (don't let Wrangler fool you) but these Wranchers are the perfect '70s-style bootcut jeans that cost a whopping total of $25. The pants have a distinct Saturday Night Fever feel to them—I chalk it up to the polyester construction, center crease, and flared leg opening—but I will do my best to avoid breaking down to ABBA at the discothèque.
Too many hats, not enough places to put them. Until now! I don't have nearly enough space to store my clothes let alone all the hats, tote bags, and belts that I have, so now I'm utilizing my door as a storage solution. Umbra's Estique over-the-door hook has a slight Eames look to it, but it costs way less and does the exact same thing.
I recently discovered that some coffee roasters make a "half-caf" blend, which, as the name implies, is coffee with half the normal dose of caffeine. That's perfect for someone like me who often craves a second pick-me-up in the afternoon but doesn't want to waltz straight into jitter territory. Onyx Coffee Lab's "Power Nap" is a sweet blend of 50% Ethiopian beans and 50% decaf Columbian beans. The cup gives notes of sweet stone fruit and brown sugar and is just what I need when I find myself powering down around 2pm.
The fragrance of fresh laundry is universally intoxicating, but as someone with sensitive skin and nice cologne that I'd like to actually enjoy, I adamantly avoid using the stuff to wash my clothes. Nellie's laundry detergent soda is free of phosphates, chlorine, optical brighteners, and a whole bunch of other presumably nasty stuff that I won't even try to pretend to know what they do. The powder is super effective at removing stains and is more concentrated than the liquid detergent options, all while remaining gentle on my most prized clothes. And it's fragrance free so my cologne can finally get some breathing room.
In grade school, the classroom pencil sharpener was the designated flex zone, the one conspicuous way you could get a fit off during geometry and hopefully catch your crush's eye. These days, as a legal adult who lives with his partner, I don't have any need for a designated flex zone. But I do still have pencils that need sharpening! After growing tired of whittling pencil points with a kitchen knife, I decided to buy this German pencil sharpener from Mobius + Ruppert. It has a beautiful, old-school design that feels like it could be sitting in a wood shop for 40 years and the brass material gives it a heft that allows it to double as a paper weight. Now my pencil stays sharp even if its main purpose is to feign productivity nestled behind my ear.
Thanks to the wonder that is New York Craigslist, I was able to score a great deal on a vintage Eames-style chair like this that's majorly upgraded my workspace. It has a very scooped out bottom that keeps me in place as I type away, and the creamy color looks really stylish paired with my Scandi-style desk.
My bathroom's been in a sad state since I moved into my apartment about two years ago. Turns out all my towels are gray, and so is the tiling, but these stripe-y fellows are doing a nice job of mixing up the color scheme in there. It was part of an assortment of things I bought recently from Little King, a shop in upstate New York that sells a really rad selection of home goods: Swedish candies, lots of Marimekko, a bounty of giftable things, and so on.
Winter always does a number on my hair and skin, rendering me a static-y, blotchy mess whenever I log onto Zoom. The hair situation has had me in a bit of a spiral, so I bought a bunch of stuff from R+Co and beyond to fix it. But the real solution wasn't a cream or pomade: It's a better shampoo. This hydrating Davines one smells great and really goes to work at keeping my errant hairs in check.
Budget Khaite for $100? We'll certainly take it (and did). The knuckle-grazing sleeves are a no from me, but the sweetheart neckline is mighty flattering.
A couple of weeks ago, I took the subway to the R.M. Williams store, a cheery, wood-lined space that jostles for foot traffic with Dr. Martens and Crockett & Jones, the #menswear-y Northampton cobbler with an outpost across the street. Unlike its SoHo neighbors, R.M. Williams is a specialist: since 1932, the brand has stood fast by its hero product, a sleek Chelsea boot cut from a single piece of leather equipped with two floppy pull tabs at the top. The Yearling shares those essential qualities—ditto the chiseled toe and Goodyear-welted construction—but adds one crucial flourish: a blocky 1.5-inch heel I’m having a tough time imagining anyone wearing in the outback. Well, mates, your putative loss is my gain; I’ve worn them nearly every day since.
Every few months, a certain corner of the internet loses its shit over Supreme’s latest middling offense: not enough stuff, too much stuff, not enough stuff people actually want to buy. (Supreme, for its part, tends to respond the Supreme way—by saying nothing at all.) Two years after VF bought the streetwear juggernaut for a cool 2 billion, Supreme is growing up right before our eyes, but its reliably available jeans haven’t lost an ounce of their luster. Higher rise, slimmer leg: they fit a lot like the vintage 501s all those keyboard warriors are happy to overpay for—and you never have to wait in line to buy them.
For years, the only face wash I bothered using—day in and day out, AM and PM—was a drugstore buy from Cetaphil. It was totally fine, I guess, but I felt like kind of a schmoe for sticking with the same cleanser since high school…and totally fine doesn’t quite inspire the type of glowing anecdotes you’re used to seeing here. So after the requisite Reddit deep dive, I switched to iS Clinical's cleansing complex, a gentle, retexturing formula with a weirdly cult-ish following. Ask me how, exactly, it works its magic and I couldn’t tell you—the icy blue bottle touts the exfoliating benefits of willow bark and a slew of restorative antioxidants—but that’s besides the point: work it does.
February
After at least 18 full months of hemming and hawing, I finally pulled the trigger on a pair of Paraboot Michaels, perhaps the most elevated and truly refined moc toe on the market. I just couldn't wear my thrashed tan Wallabees to another upscale restaurant. Turns out, all that waffling and waiting actually paid off because Paraboot and Drake's cooked up a special collab in those 18 months and it was exactly what I was looking for. It's nearly identical to the regular Michael, but with a couple subtle differences: No teeny-tiny small French flag adorning the upper, and in lieu of a heavy duty Vibram-esque soles on the traditional Paraboots, these have an easier-to-break in crepe sole (so the fit and feel is still a little bit like my well-worn Wallabees, which I dig).
Closest thing I could find to the low-key silver-buckle belt Jerry wears in the first few seasons of Seinfeld.
Took advantage of the solid winter sale going on over at the go-to for nice, normal clothes to grab this zesty teal button-up. Now I'm ready for easy spring Saturday mornings at the playground and any impromptu '90s Charlotte Hornets reunion catering gigs I might pick up.
We're living in what seems to be a golden age of coffee brand...discovery, with a slew of reliable and affordable coffee subscription services that appear to truly support smaller roasters and bean brands. What I like about Fellow, a company that also makes some of the most stylish and functional hardware for java heads, is the simplicity of the service and the all-killer-no-filler quality. Fellow's sub isn't as personalized as a couple others out there, which prompt you with a dozen questions about your preferred brewing method and tasting notes, but I haven't gotten an underwhelming bag from them yet. I was officially a convert when a bag of Santa Cruz-based Cat & Cloud showed up at my door.
I've never really considered myself a watch guy, but it was only recently that I realized I just never came across the right one. The Casio LA670W is an itty-bitty watch that I spotted while at one of my go-to restaurants. Despite it's absolutely atomic scale, it fits my wrist quite nicely and even exaggerates my relaxed-fitting outfits. It's toy-like, super cheap, and a whole lot of fun—now I see what those watch fanatics are going on about.
Two things I learned recently: First, a Costco membership is waaaaay cheaper than I thought (just $60!) and second, you don't even have to have be a member to shop the website (as long as you're okay with paying a meager 5% more). So I, a lowly non-member of the Costco universe, bought a pack of Kirkland Signature tees, a not-so-secret secret amongst fashion people. They have a substantial feel and luscious hand, not to mention a coveted tubular construction, all of which belie they're price tag of just $4 per tee. They're a classic straight fit that's neither baggy nor tight—the kind of fit you've seen on every menswear moodboard. Nothing is perfect, but these tees get pretty damned close.
If you're officially ready to move on from Baccarat Rouge 540, The Harmonist has quietly been producing some of the most interesting and singular fragrances on the market. Now that they have released a complete set of their 10 scents in sample size, you can pinpoint which parfum may be best for you. And if you really want to ensure that nobody else out there smells like you, play around with mixing various scents together. The Harmonist has carefully crafted every one of their fragrances so that they can layer with others.
I've always been a little obsessed with my home smelling like my favorite hotels (shoutout The Edition and Le Labo), but Malouf's Rest scent for the Pura fragrance diffuser smells just like what I imagine the White Lotus in Hawaii to smell like. So now I'm obsessed with my home smelling like my favorite fictional hotel.
Is it a pretty awful time to be leasing any motor vehicle? Absolutely. But if you're in need of a car, the newly redesigned Kias give off a luxuriously futuristic vibe inside and out. I don't fully understand how the self-charging electric battery works, but I'm more than happy to try to do my part and lower my carbon emissions in a hybrid.
All hail the hybrid boot. When I first saw Grape's sporty lace-up, I was initially on the fence–where exactly would these fit within my current rotation? The more I thought about it, the more outfits I mentally plotted out until I realized these shoes were exactly what I needed. A mid-calf boot that I could wear with halterneck dresses and straight-leg jeans. That would look chic spotted at a cafe but also gave the illusion(?) I might dash off into some wild city adventure when the moment called.
Mixing poetry, narrative, and history together, Claudia Rankine sets out to dissect US race relations in a way that feels honest and deeply personal. Rankine is a Black woman who is married to a white man and has no shortage of white friends and colleagues by way of academia and her field of work. So why are conversations centered around unpacking inherent racial bias–from politics to the educational system to dinner etiquette–rife with tension? I've been reading this book in parts, partly because some of the sections are incredibly infuriating but also to really sift through my own thoughts on the matter. These conversations are hard yet necessary, and when I find myself trying to explain the nuance of a certain word in relation to blackness, it's nice to defer/reflect back to this book and be reminded that I'm not alone.
Maintaining healthy curls in the winter calls for a very rich conditioner. I like the Curl Manifesto line 1) because it smells absolutely divine and 2) leaves my curls incredibly soft without weighing them down. If I had to pick one product to spotlight, it's definitely the conditioner, which is packed with honey and ceramides, both great for added moisture.
January
I had been looking for just the right long, warm, lightweight and BIG coat for awhile. Something that checks all of the boxes that any good coat should, but also—and perhaps most importantly to me—one that doesn’t feel constricting when worn on top of layers. You know… like a huge, comfortable cape with a zipper. Or a down blanket with pockets. Or what a football team’s sideline throws over their QB’s shoulders during a cold weather game. This Nanamica coat is all of those things.
I very much dislike stuffing my pockets with stuff. Keys, phone, wallet, sunglasses, chapstick, some pencil I randomly bought while walking around, etc. All of that stuff. I love this bag because it’s simple, sleek, functional and, best of all, now my pockets are empty.
This is the above-mentioned pencil that I just randomly bought while walking around. For years and years growing up I would use those Bic mechanical pencils for everything. Blasphemous for someone who likes to draw, I know. Anyway, this OHTO is quite a stylish upgrade and, if you're anything like me, you can never have too many pencils.
At the risk of overstating it, this stuff is borderline magical. I’ve never used such a transformative skin product with such immediate results. Just a couple drops in the morning will instantly tighten, hydrate and visibly liven up your face. Yes, it’s great for the overall health of your skin, but if you’re interested in masking the appearance of a bad night’s sleep or, perhaps, a hangover, this is your move.
This thing doubles as a beanie (for when it’s kind of cold) and as a balaclava (for when it’s really cold and/or I feel like hiding in plain sight). Perfect!
I came across a gorgeous cashmere topcoat while I was out thrifting and haven't been able to take it off. It makes me feel like the '90s heart throbs I'd grown up watching, probably because it came from that era. I like to wear mine over a fuzzy sweater and baggy jeans while topping it off with a bright scarf and a cozy beanie. Pop over to eBay and Etsy and you can be a heartthrob, too.
Terms like "period correct" and "reproduction" tickle the vintage clothing freak within me and Buzz Ricksons is among the most lauded when it comes to recreating garments from yesteryear. For years I'd lusted after these specific pants which are based on 1940s US Army officer's chinos. They've got a high rise, wide-leg, and metal buttons at the fly (among a bevy of other esoteric details of which I will spare you). But there's a twist. They're a special collaboration with science fiction writer and cyberpunk pioneer, William Gibson, and feature a very period incorrect inky black colorway befitting of my New York City wardrobe.
I forgot to turn off the 'Subscribe & Save' feature on my Amazon account and now I have an extra jar of this CeraVe moisturizing cream. But I'm not exactly upset about that. It's the best moisturizer I've ever used in my life, so having a surplus jar on deck just in case I run out is actually doing future me a huge favor. It's thick but not heavy and it feels super soothing as soon as I put it on. It's also packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep my skin barrier moist and protected so I can avoid any eczema flare ups. But my favorite part is that it comes in a jar with a wide mouth so I can easily access every last glob. My suggestion: buy two at a time.
One of the unfortunate workplace hazards of browsing all our Recommends winter guides is that I’ve come down with serious Cardigan Fever. On a recent trip to LA, I thumbed over everything in Industry of All Nations (a GQ Best Stuff box stalwart) before taking home this alpaca cardigan. It’s incredibly soft, extra warm, and certifiably perfect.
For someone who’s written an entire guide on how to find a stylish bed frame, I’ve been shamefully stacking my mattress on a bed foundation, no frame, for years. Everything I was seeing online felt a little too dated, too meh, or too everywhere. And when a bed frame from Quagga—a very cool Canadian brand that sells inexpensive, inventive designs—finally started selling in the States, I sat on the wait list for half a year before finally looking elsewhere. This one I surfaced recently on Etsy from a small brand based in Denver has a similar Japanese-Scandi vibe to Quagga’s No Fuss Plus, but sits higher off the ground so I can stuff all my shit under there. I’ve clocked only a few days on it so far, but kinda love it.
I never really got into the ballet shoe trend (no arch support, no dice), but a humble mary jane, on the other hand, will always have my heart. My latest addition: a glitzy heeled number that I trotted out to every party on my holiday circuit with nary a blister or foot ache to report.
Blame it on the champagne brunch I had an hour earlier or the enablers I was with, but the moment I laid eyes on this bag at The Row store, I knew it was coming home with me. There's an art to the perfect tote and this one is a masterpiece. It has the most luxurious navy suede and a perfectly proportioned silhouette that comfortably holds my laptop, my cosmetics, and the gym clothes I never use. I might have bought the last one in this color, but the others are worth a look too.
I got Lasik over a decade ago, and while I've come a long way from being legally blind, my aging and screen-addicted eyes have started to depend on eyeglasses more frequently, beyond driving at night. I own several eyeglasses, but my absolute favorites are a vintage pair of Christian Dior frames. Or, at least they were my favorite pair up until recently when they snapped in half while I was cleaning them. The incident left me I depressed for a whole four days before I realized they were all over the internet. Tears were shed, but the crisis was ultimately averted. I got mine on Etsy but you can also find these particular ones on The Real Real, eBay, etc. and avoid a disaster of your own.
Head Hi is my neighborhood bookstore/cafe and I shop there regularly for inspiration. Every time I'm there I learn so much from co-founder Alexandra Hodkowski. She's a huge connector of community and has the most insanely deep and nerdy knowledge of pretty much anything relating to fashion, art and design, so it's not surprising that they've just launched an Architecture + Design Book Club for the local creative community to geek out on. Stephen Burks: Shelter in Place is the first book in this quarterly event series and I can't wait to dig into it.
As a soft-spoken graphic designer with a wildly average build, everyone assumes I’m as physically active as an aging house cat. My secret is that that’s true only 87% of the time. The rest is spent at the gym maintaining a respectable-ish weightlifting regimen. (Watching Predator a few dozen times for the comforting sight of Arnold’s biceps counts as being into bodybuilding, right?) This is why clothing brand Y,IWO is very near to my heart. Their name stands for “Yeah, I Work Out”, and their vintage-style illustrations and typography inspired by the peak Gold’s Gym era of the culture speak to both my inner Lou Ferrigno and Milton Glaser.
I have a massive floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that, somehow, still isn't large enough to hold my entire collection of books. So, people scratch their heads when I admit I’m basically illiterate. The reason is I only buy visual books that I can steal from *ahem* be inspired by in my own practice. My newest—and one of my most treasured—is Brain Dead’s comprehensive monograph Clothing for a Curious Life. I bought my first Brain Dead T-shirt almost seven years ago. Since then, the brand has expanded to include footwear, home goods, toys, furniture, food, an animation studio, theater, wrestling league, and more. The book beautifully chronicles this enviable, and well-deserved, designer Cinderella story.
Winter comes with its own set of sartorial challenges. Case in point: sometime around December when the weather descends into its gloomiest phase, I find it less justifiable to wear my sunglasses on a daily basis. The problem with going sans sunglasses (other than UVs) is subjecting innocent bystanders to my dull, lifeless gaze. My workaround? A pair of light, color-tinted glasses by Oliver Peoples. I got these black frames with a custom ordered pink tint lenses. Now I can continue to wear an essential and flattering accessory through dreary weather, something that benefits both me and the general public.
