Things I've Purchased Recently

On the clothes and accessories I've picked up over the last six months or so

Some time within the last year I made the decision to scale back on buying new clothes and accessories. I wanted to take time to edit my personal style, while focusing on things that are constructed well and align with my own design language. I feel pretty confident about my purchases in the last few months, and I wanted to share a little bit about what drew me towards them.

Vintage Coach Leather Briefcase

Up until the end of last year I always carried a backpack, a habit I carried with me since college. I’ve wanted to upgrade my bag game for years, but always had a hard time finding one that spoke to me. One day I was scrolling on Ebay and found some vintage Coach briefcases that had just the right amount of chic and professionalism that I was looking for. It turns out that Coach briefcases from the 70s-90s were made really well, with full-grain leather, brass hardware, and clean finishing. The one I picked up is an authentic Coach bag (as far as I can tell) just based on the label and construction details. It’s pretty worn down at this point. The leather has softened quite a bit and the black color has turned gray in some parts, with scuffs and scratch marks throughout. That’s my favorite part about this bag - the aged leather feels matured and the patina tells a story.

Golden Age Workwear Chambray Frogged Button Shirt

During my recent visit to Silverlake, I briefly stopped in at Golden Age Workwear and came across their chambray frogged button shirts. The owner was very kind and shared his inspiration behind the shirt, which was an old photo of Pablo Picasso wearing a similar shirt while walking around France. I fell in love with how well it works as a tailoring-adjacent piece that drapes and flows with the body. The chambray fabric makes it great for the dry LA heat, and gives it a more elevated workwear feel and less martial arts/kung fu costume. I’m really excited to wear this during the summer with chinos or swim trunks, and maybe a pair of Sabah loafers.

Buck Mason Angelino Wool Fresco Trouser

I love a medium gray trouser because it pairs with almost anything, similar to the way a pair of white pants acts as a blank canvas for an outfit. I have a pair of gray cotton/polyester ones that I thrifted a while back, but they don’t breathe very well. So when Buck Mason came out with these wool fresco trousers I knew I had to buy a pair. They’re cut wide enough for my taste with a nearly 9 inch leg opening (although I wish they were at least 9.5 inches across), and a mid-to-high rise. I opted for a half break on mine to really emphasize the drape and weight of the fabric. When I’m on my feet for 8+ hours at the shop these breezy trousers are great to move around in without overheating.

With A Beginner’s Mind Studio Tee and Denim

As much as I love tailoring, there are days when I want to wear something more simple and sturdy. The studio tee and denim are great daily drivers that I can easily throw on and feel stylish and at ease while I’m hanging out around Long Beach or just running errands. I especially love the denim because they’re cut almost like a roomy trouser, with thoughtful details like concealed pockets and a hook-and-bar closure at the waist. The studio tee is exactly what I like in a t-shirt: slightly boxy in a midweight cotton jersey that holds just enough structure to flatter my stocky frame. My only regret is that I didn’t buy more colors, but I think Matt may be doing a restock in the near future. Did I mention that the Season 8 collection is all made in LA? Bravo, Matt.

Evan Kinori Natural Dye Cotton/Washi Twill Zip Jacket

Evan Kinori has been on my radar for a while. So when I visited SF for my birthday, I made a point to visit their only brick-and-mortar location. I got a chance to try on several jackets, but something about this one really spoke to me. The faded brown washi fabric felt earthy and chic in a way that I couldn’t really compare to anything else on the market right now. Evan Kinori is famously known for making small batches and unique washes, so owning one of only eighteen of these jackets makes it feel that much more special. I’ve also been leaning more into relaxed silhouettes, and the double zip feature along with the slightly boxy fit really lends itself to experimenting with shape. Despite the novelty, there’s something about it that still feels timeless and guaranteed to get better with age. Those are two things that I’ll always feel good about spending money on.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Take care,

Brandon