Bridging The Gap

On the clothes I'm loving from Buck Mason at the moment

As we move into February, the “cold” season in LA is already starting to fade. Although let’s be honest, it never really gets that cold here. This time of year is usually when I start thinking about spring and summer and making small changes in what I’m wearing day to day. I usually start by just choosing lighter layers that I can peel off as the day gets warmer, but still having the option to bundle up if needed. At the moment, Buck Mason is still very much anchored in our core pieces like felted wool chore coats, Seafarer sweaters, and Welterweight sweats, but a few standout items have started to land that feel perfect for bridging the gap into warmer weather.

Here are four items I’ve been genuinely enjoying lately.

Navy Three-Season Graduate Suit

This suit has quickly become one of my favorites. It’s a 3-roll-2 with some clear 1960s Ivy inspiration, but it doesn’t feel precious or costume-y. The wool-linen blend provides subtle texture, breathability and the feeling that it’s meant to be lived in. In terms of fit, the jacket feels a bit narrower in the shoulders and fitted in the chest compared to last year’s graduate suiting. At the time of writing this newsletter, the matching trouser still has yet to be delivered to our store, so I’ll have to wait to try it on and see how it compares. Judging from the e-commerce photos the jacket and trousers work really well together. The lines of the jacket and trousers flow well into one another, making for a suit that feels relaxed and not so rigid and clean-cut. Tailoring is still a newer category for us, so we don’t do a ton of it throughout the year. Because of that, our Graduate suit always feels a little special. If you’ve been thinking about an off-the-rack suit for a wedding or special event, this is a solid one to check out in person.

Seafarer Cotton Rugby Polo

This one surprised me mostly because of how versatile it is. It feels more like a medium weight sweater than a dressy polo, but you can throw it on anytime you want a collar without feeling stiff or overly put-together. It’s the kind of piece that quietly does a lot of work in an outfit. I usually pair it with heavier pants like chinos or wool trousers, which gives it a more tailored look. I’d stick with your true size here, which for me is a medium. Since it’s essentially a knit sweater, the fabric will loosen up a bit over time and relax as you wear it, in a good way. It only gets better the more you live in it.

Old Herc’ Denim Work Shirt

A lot of guys I talk to in the shop say they wish our button ups had shorter tails so they could wear them untucked without it feeling awkwardly long. If that’s you, this might be the shirt you’ve been waiting for. That being said I still think most button-ups look better tucked in. Untucked can work, but it’s easy for it to drift into sloppy territory, but I’ll save that conversation for another time. Buck’s done a variety of denim shirts over the years, but this one really stands out. It’s modeled after a 1950s Hercules work shirt, and I’m always impressed with how seriously our design team takes these reproductions. The details feel thoughtful without being fussy, which is what makes the originals so good in the first place. I love having a denim shirt like this in my rotation because it’s just easy. You can throw it on to run errands, do chores, grab coffee, and not worry about babying it. It has that laid-back, lived-in feel with a very casual California vibe, the quintessential Buck style.

Japanese Twill Belted Back Chore Jacket

I’m not sure we’ve ever done a belted back jacket before, but I’m very glad we’re doing one now. It’s one of those quietly cool vintage details you rarely see anymore. The belted back cinches the waist just enough to create a clean, tailored shape that can be very flattering and also allow for added mobility in the shoulders and back. Personally, I love this jacket paired with the matching Larsen pant in the same fabrication. Together, they make for an effortless look that you can throw on with loafers or even a low-profile sneaker and instantly feel put together. (And yes, I’m fully biased when it comes to anything remotely related to suiting and tailoring.) The lightweight brushed cotton twill is great for the current transitional weather because it’s insulated but not heavy and rigid. Lightweight outerwear is basically a love language in LA, and this one feels genuinely special.

As always thank you for taking the time to read these newsletters! I’m trying to exercise my writing abilities and not worry so much about posting perfectly worded newsletters all the time. Going forward I’m aiming to write at least two or three times a month depending on my schedule. Feel free to stop by our Venice flagship, or any Buck Mason, to try on any of the pieces I mentioned here. Maybe you’ll find another detail that resonates with you.

Take care,

Brandon

All product images in this post are the property of Buck Mason and are used here for informational and commentary purposes only. All rights to these images belong to their respective owners. If Buck Mason requests removal, the images will be taken down promptly.