My wife, a deeply perceptive woman with occultist tendencies, has always said my love language is gift-giving. She’s not wrong, I do get a lot of joy out of it — I love the hunt, the reveal, and am always happy to hear when I’ve gotten it right. It’s the reason I love writing during gift guide season.

There are a lot of “solutions” out there to gifting these days ranging from a humble Google doc to a full-on registry. Many of these options don’t keep the surprise intact, either. I’ve never found a tool that I really loved using — most are serviceable but clunky (and kind of ugly). So over the holidays, in that nethertime between Christmas and the new year, I came up with my own solution: Mona Lista.

It’s a simple tool that allows you to create a wishlist using any ecomm page on the internet. Mona Lista pulls in the most accurate info it can and let’s you edit where you like. You can share a special link with friends and family who then can privately claim items. This way, surprises stay under wraps and nobody doubles up.

It works like a universal registry. You can copy and paste a batch of links from your notes app, use a bookmark tool while you’re browsing (that’s what I do) or just add them as you go on the site.

It’s free like most of these tools are — though we may earn a small percentage of revenue from anything purchased via Mona Lista(as the similar tools do). And that’s it! I’ve had friends and family messing around with it a bit and it “mostly works,” according to one source. So now, I hand it over to you.

Have at it. Go make a weird little list of stuff you want other people to buy you. Add links from anywhere. I just ask that if you use it, you hit the little chat bubble and send feedback if something is off. Have fun and thank you!

Humans, incredible machines that we may be, are not built to consume the hordes of content we’re fed every day. It comes at such a breakneck pace that there’s little time to react or consider things. A double tap and it’s onto the next thing. It’s perfunctory and ultimately leads to a lot of okay content being branded as good.

But, there is a lot of crap out there. We both know it. I’ve seen intensely mediocre things be heralded as the future of this or that by people who should know better. It’s left me genuinely dumbfounded more than once. Excellence is exceedingly rare. It takes expertise, work, human investment, capital and genuine creativity. When true brilliance is encountered you know it, you can feel it. It deserves to be celebrated.

But when we crown everything as good — then nothing is. And a person’s good opinion is more valuable than that. Removing yourself from that endless cycle of “likes” and “love this” (the worst) is easier said than done. I admit I’ve often found myself in the routine of doling out meaningless praise but I want to think more sharply in the future. So I consulted some experts: Amy Odell of Back Row, of Opulent Tips fame, and from .

I started by simply asking how these three look at things in a more thoughtful way. How can we look at something and know if it’s more (or less) than meets the eye? “As a critic, part of your job is to identify the consensus opinion and interrogate it,” Tashjian says. She is quick to clarify that this doesn’t mean disagree, but to “understand why that’s the broadly accepted reaction and explain it, or in some cases, challenge it.”

When we encounter something, it’s on us to evaluate it and its context. Tashjian, who specializes in fashion criticism, rattled off a list of questions she thinks about: “Who made this? Does it look sloppy? Does it look perfect? Too perfect? Have they said anything about it that might inform my understanding? What other things is this associated with, or what does it remind me of?” She goes on to say that thoughts we’re “usually taught to stuff down — well I must not get it or, this just feels boring to me — are actually the beginning (the beginning, mind you!) of a process that leads to greater understanding.”

Tashjian’s advice implies that we look at things in a multidimensional way. That bigger kind of thinking and faceted consideration is something we’ve all lost in the deluge. With endless amounts to consume there’s also so little time to actually sit with something. And it becomes all too easy to sing praises just because we hear a chorus. Over email, Odell acknowledged this struggle and said that it’s “hard to form objective opinions these days, I think, when we are constantly drowning in reactions and opinions online (which may, of course, be influenced by corporate money).”

Berlinger suggests considering things amid the broader landscape, “Knowing what is happening in art, film, literature, helps orient you to what an object may be saying more broadly.” Wider context and consumption allow us to consider things more carefully and more points of reference. Seeing the bigger picture to make sense of the smaller one, you might say.

Now, most of us aren’t professional critics, so you may wonder why even bother with the rigmarole? Well, as mentioned, your good opinion is valuable and needs to be earned. I’m not advocating that people should just start saying things are bad, just that we reserve our praise for when it’s warranted. The truly exceptional is easily recognized on its own and among other work. That’s what we should put on a pedestal.

We should all keep the advice from these three top of mind as we burn our eyes on screens. My gut tells me these practices will make us love great work even more. And in turn, push ourselves harder in our own creative practices.

Hard as it may be, good criticism makes for better work.

With the navel-gazing out of the way, let’s move on. Everything in this gift guide is under $300 and there are a healthy number of picks for under $200, $100 and $50 as well. I am loathe to open up a subscriber chat right now but please feel free to DM me or shoot me a note if you’ve got particularly burning gift questions.

As I look for items to include, I’m always trying to find things that are true to my point of view. It’s not a point of view for everybody, but it’s been hewn from experience. My family and I take great pride in the things we choose to live with and I think everybody deserves to feel that way. Your wardrobe is your “armor for everyday life,” as Bill Cunningham said. Your home is your sanctuary and so on and so forth. This post will likely be cut off in your inbox, so please feel free to read the full version on Substack.

$300 and Under: Some stuff to focus on here — the orange framed mirror is Clare V. for Schoolhouse. It is deeply discounted and is probably the best deal you’ll find in the mix. The framed print called “Talismans” is delivered framed and there are plenty of options from simple to ornate. (I’m personally a massive fan of bobbin frames, so suggest them.) The Comme Si cashmere socks are my go-tos for any occasion where I can’t wear white “everyday” socks. And then of course, the Sad Napoleon candle is just so funny to look at — like he is so pouty. (You can get Josephine in white, too.)

Roxanne First Stacking Heart Jewelry Box, Jennifer Behr Crystal Brooch, Talismans by Kate Wong Framed Print, Clare V. x Schoolhouse Round Mirror, Comme Si Cashmere Sock Trio, Custom Signet Ring (You Can Choose Font), Gigi Burris Bow, Small Side Table, Sad Napoleon Bust Candle, Leather Laptop Envelope Case, Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, Leather Bound Gustave Doré Fairy Tale Book, Cinder Block Catch All, Dear Cecilia Rose Embroidered Rugby, Max Mara Mittens with Chain

$200 and Under: This is a pretty sweet spot for siblings, close friends, etc. It’s also generally where I like to pick something up for myself. (I own many of these things and love them, so take that for what you will.) The Beata Heuman Monster Head salt container is a perfect catchall for pretty much anything (we used to use it for dog treats and now we use it for heartburn pills and stuff). Every year, I end up getting somebody a pair of Maison Balzac glasses, too. But the black bow ones may be the best ones yet. If you follow my Instagram you’ve likely seen that Virginia Sin candelabra many many times (she is the best). And those scissors? Kevlar. In theory you could stop a bullet with them. Last but not least, I’ve been using that Acne Studios Wallet for years and it’s still in great shape.

Beata Heuman Salt Monster, Wireless Charging Tray, Kevlar Scissors, Dear Cecilia Riding Hat Balaclava, Loretta Green Candelabra, Acne Studios Wallet, Maximum Henry Belt, Kaweco Fountain Pen, Twisted End Table (Multiple Colors Available), Bobby Pin Framed Print, Maison Bougie Zodiac Candle, Maison Balzac Bow Coupes, Virginia Sin Candelabra

$100 and Under: I love the psychological barrier of $100. There is a cliff of difference between $99 and $103. But, there are tons of great options here — from kind of bizarre (Gohar World Gold Oven Mits) to wildly utilitarian (an 8-pack of the best white socks you could ever possibly wear.) Though, if I was going to get anything from this list, it is of course the Polaroid Lab printer that magically makes your phone photos nostalgic. Another crowdpleaser in this mix is the Virginia Sin Ceramic Paper Plates. I love them so much, and Virginia brought them back after a hiatus (my wife famously broke all of ours). Lastly, there’s no better time of year to get a pewter Dickensian candleholder. It’s from Salter House, of course.

Alex Mill Beanie, Todd Snyder Donegal Cashmere Beanie, Gohar World Oven Gloves, Virginia Sin Plates, Cigarette Cup (Very fun I want this badly), Wonder Valley Shower Set, Striped Decorative Pillowcase, That Flamingo Estate Tomato Candle, 8 Pack of Bombas Socks, Owen Barry Shearling Mittens, 24K Gold Plated Jigger, Ursa Major Alpine Rich Cream (Intensely Good Moisturizer), Polaroid Lab Printer, Craighill Best Wine Key, Best Made Strong Box, Edie Parker Jeweled Lighter Case, Book Cover Cocktail Napkins (HT ), Pewter Candleholder

$50 and Under: You might’ve guessed that my top pick on here is the wicker bulldog. It’s a great small size container for apartment dwellers and it’s $50. (As wicker work goes, that’s cheap.) Most of the other picks here are purely for fun — there’s not much utility in a ceramic fortune cookie, or a cool key you can have made, but they’re all fantastic stocking stuffers. More practically, the Crown Affair Oil has done wonders for my hair and my wife’s. The fancy potato chips are great on their own but are the choice in our house for caviar pairings (somebody else supplies the caviar, generally).

And…a candle sharpener. Last week before our Christmas party I had to use a butter knife to scrape some down to get them in a candleholder (this one, funnily enough). This thing would’ve saved so much time. Everybody in America should have one.

Ribbon Trimmed Mirror, Crown Affair Hair Oil, Wildflower Seed Cannons, Wicker Bulldog, Mario Mushroom Pillow, Black Bow Candle Tapers, Edie Parker Lettuce Ash Tray, Lemon Candlestick, Ceramic Fortune Cookies, Bonilla a la Vista Potato Chips, Ceramic Rubber Ducks, Candle Sharpener, Pancake Candle, Braun Alarm Clock, Victory Key, Snake Taper Candles

As always, here’s friendly reminder that in my spare time, I design and sell wrapping paper. There are tons of new hand drawn patterns for Christmas, Hanukkah and more. (Also note, this may get cut off in your email, but just hit the read more at the end for the full thing or click here.)

I hope this helps you guys cross some things off your list. It’s not particularly tilted towards fashion — more like knick knacks, home things, etc. But, I did recently write a gift guide for that has a lot of menswear picks. If you enjoyed this, please consider subscribing to Browser History which is almost entirely free.

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I’m so deeply uninspired, too. (I blame general malaise and the dull discourse around gift guides.) Every time I sit down to write I find myself flummoxed and annoyed. It will pass, it always does, it’s just frustrating. There’s a small chance I’ll be doing some archetype guides (occultists, menswear hounds, olfactory ogres) in the near future but for now, I’m keeping it simple with some gifts I’ve given that were received rave reviews and vice versa.

But, before we get to the gifts, a friendly reminder that in my spare time, I design and sell wrapping paper. There are tons of new hand drawn patterns for Christmas, Hanukkah and more. (Also note, this may get cut off in your email, but just hit the read more at the end for the full thing or click here.)

Polaroid Photo Printer: Make way for the universal crowdpleaser. It brings the analog beauty of Polaroid stills to life while eliminating the trickiness of actual Polaroid cameras. (They are tempermental and tricky.) The process is simple: Place your phone on the top, press a button, and out comes a perfectly-colored Polaroid print. It is hands-down the best gift I’ve ever given.

Available at Polaroid, Walmart

A Custom iPod Classic: Oh, speaking of analog, there’s a whole world of iPod classics out there. Though Apple stopped producing them over a decade ago, you can now get them with custom builds through some intrepid engineering types on Etsy. Music without a phone. As it was meant to be! You can upgrade them for wireless headphones, more space, whatever! (Note: your recipient will have to have a library of music to add to said iPod.)

Available at Etsy

Thermal Printer: Nobody wants to buy a printer for themselves. It’s one of those annoying purchases that you know you can get by without, as long as you remember to use the one at the office. The beauty of a thermal printer is that it needs no ink, just heat. What it lacks in romance and magic it makes up for in convenience and practicality.

Available at Target

Commission a Painting: Speaking of romance — a commissioned artwork is hard to beat. I favor portraits above other subject matters, but there’s nothing wrong with a landscape (a favorite vista) or a still life (their favorite flowers, food, etc). It’s a little late to search out a commission now, but you could start the process and present some kind of certificate on the day. Spencer Verney is my go-to for this type of work, but many artists can be found through friends or even on Etsy.

There are limitless options for “joke” portraits that will plop your pet or wife’s head on the Mona Lisa. If that’s your vibe, but with that, the romance is lost.

Available at Spencer Verney

Some Good Vessels: An odd vase, a pointless box, a weird reliquary of sorts. Kate and Andy Spade had a massive collection of snuff boxes (or cigarette cases, I can’t remember) and they had a table that was absolutely covered in them. True collector madness. Not precisely useful — but beautiful, which is useful! (The last one, by Suzanne Sullivan is pretty amazing.)

Available at Over the Moon, Coming Soon, Porta, Fredericks & Mae

The Headphones: There’s a reason you see these all over. They are quite simply that good. They’re so noise-cancelling it’s almost scary. But think of it this way, you’re offering somebody the chance to tune out the world completely. What better gift could there be? (I recommend black as the white get dirty quickly.)

Available at Bose

A Big Fat Candle: If you’re going to pull the candle card, make it ostentatiously large. Something about the giant ones feels more thoughtful than your standard option (though those are perfectly adequate for host gifts). Scent-wise, I prefer Feu de Bois to all others, but to each their own. Once melted, we use these as vases, planters, or whatever. Too pretty to waste.

Available at Diptyque

Fireside Presents: This is the silliest drum to beat, but I love luxury matches. They strike easy, are a good length and are a very good low-stakes stocking stuffer. I grab a bunch at the beginning of the season and by the time Christmas comes, they’ve all found new homes.

Available at Etsy, Porta, Sid Mashburn

Baseline Cashmere: It’s hard to dislike something cashmere. It’s a failsafe when you’ve run out of ideas. My advice here is to just stick to simple silhouettes and colors — don’t attempt a bright red unless you’re sure they love it. Navy, gray and black are your friends and a crewneck does everybody good. I love an Alex Mill Jordan (either men’s or women’s) or Todd Snyder option, but if you’re looking for something more affordable you could try Quince.

Available at Alex Mill, Todd Snyder

A Little Hermès: Years ago, longtime legend and newtime Substack editor shared this tip with me. Hermès makes playing cards, and they’re a perfect gift. They used to come in editions of one, but the double set is still a great call. (The silver edge — perfect detail.)

Available at Hermès

Light!: Good lighting is essential to a pleasing environment. I’m reminded of this every year when our Christmas tree turns our living room into a warm and cozy den. We’ve given and gotten some table lamps over the years, and they’re always well-received. They don’t have to be fancy, but should feel considered.

Available at Bureau Benjamin (Limited Drops), Anthropologie, Schoolhouse

A Jerry Schatzberg Photo: I’m including this because there’s a lot of mind-numbing chatter about how the New York of the past is dead, etc. This is such a tired conversation and says more about the person saying it than anything. But, Jerry Schatzberg was a storied documentarian of some New York’s most interesting crowds. And while these prints aren’t necessarily affordable, they are a great addition (or start) to a collection. Last time I spoke with the gallery, the smaller ones were reasonable.

Available at FirstDibs

Hugo Guiness Prints: If you’re not into the immediately above, try Hugo Guinness prints. These were among the first things in my own collection and I’ve always loved them. The unframed ones smaller sizes are pretty affordable.

Available at John Derian

Tarot Decks: These skew towards the occult and “witchy” and their are some tarot readers that believe a deck must be given to you before you can even start learning. You can make practicing as simple or complicated as you like — some people I know just pull a card a day, others are more advanced. But there are decks out there for almost every interest just add tarot to the end of it and google. (The Rider Waite deck, on the right, is the original.)

Available at Etsy, Etsy, MyTheresa

Honorable Mentions: Luxury scissors from Salter House (or these kevlar ones) this 2-tone Loewe scarf, a 24k gold-plated jigger from Big Night, this candle, and literally any belt from Maximum Henry.

And for now, that’s all I’ve got. Try and keep a level head about the holiday gift bonanza. It is supposed to be enjoyable and it is technically the thought that counts. I stand by what I said last year about custom gifts: they are a cut above others. If you’re looking for more menswear-related things, keep an eye on for my next post.

Until then, happy hunting.

I am not known as a warm person. Or a social one. And I don’t like people in my house. I especially don’t like them in my house when it gets dark outside because those are the rotting hours. They are sacred in our home.

Nevertheless, once a year I throw the doors of our apartment open for Bloody Christmas, our annual holiday party that’s loosely tied to a make your own bloody Mary bar, my birthday (December 2), an elaborate gingerbread house, heaps of fried chicken and various pastries and sweets from every bakery on DoorDash. Alex makes me a birthday cake, covered in candles (the years are piling up). It’s always one of my favorite days of the year at my favorite time of the year.

There are basically three weekends for holiday parties in December. Those few evenings fill up fast. And the stakes of parties in the darkness are higher for guests and hosts, underscored by the desire for it to be a “good night.” A daytime event, however, reigns supreme. An easy place to stop by before whatever is starting that night. The first part of a movable feast. With the circadian rhythm of your guests working in their favor, it is livelier, more sociable and when it’s over, you have the evening to yourself. The guidelines are simple.

Feed Them: Food, and lots of it! Every surface of our apartment is covered in food. When a guest arrived last year, she said, “we knew you’d have real food.” You could not ask for a higher compliment! It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, either. We have enormous trays of Chik-Fil-A delivered the morning of. We serve them up on Cookie sheets. Rows of donuts on any platters we have fill blank spaces on a dresser in our living room. Last year we filled a dutch oven with pastries, too. (The other one is crowded with liquor, wine and champagne bottles.)

Be Excessive: A quick follow-up to the above. As an apartment-dweller, space is at a premium. But abundunce is key. Over invite people, fill your bathtub with ice and bottles, move all your furniture to the sides to fill the room with bodies. At one point last year I looked into our living room and it was almost shoulder to shoulder. But it was happy. It was the kind of vignette you can only find in an apartment filled with warmth. A product of excess.

Run a Very Open House: We’ve had guests stay for 15 minutes for a drink and dash away. We’ve had others stay for hours. As the day rolls towards evening it gets rowdier but ever more jovial. But the come as you please mentality keeps the flow moving — we over invite, but it is never crowded. And the last thing I want anybody to think is, “have I put in enough time at this thing to leave gracefully?”

Invite People You Don’t Know (Well): A wise woman once told me that parties should always include a healthy amount of people you don’t know too well, but want to spend more time with. The awkwardness of a new friend date is tossed aside and there’s less pressure. It’s an excellent ground for forging new friendships and makes the party all the more interesting for both you and them. You can’t ask boring questions like “how’s work?” when you don’t even know what they do.

Get Them Out: The beauty of a daytime party is that most people have other fish to fry in the evening. They’ll leave of their own volition and it’s rare that they’re overstay a welcome when they’re only halfway through their daily social agenda. That said, it happens. I have no qualms about a last call, lights out, plug pull of a party in my home. Get them out.

The day unfolds differently each year — at times tame, at times boisterous and buzzing. People don’t leave tired, but upbeat and jovial. Merry partygoers go on their way into the early night.

We should all be hosting more daytime parties.

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The protagonist, Lydia Tár is all about control. As a conductor, she reigns over the Berlin Philharmonic. Beyond her podium, she seeks to control sound everywhere she goes (a ticking metronome, a tapping foot, a disembodied scream). This desire extends to her relationships where she routinely shapes narratives to her benefit and at times, others detriment. The film follows her as she navigates a world rife with cancel culture, identity politics and social justice. It’s a perfect movie.

Clothes are not the focus of this film, but they do incredible work. Tár’s wardrobe is rarely discussed, outside of a few scenes of her being measured for custom tailoring at Egon Brandstetter. (Very chic.) But that alone portrays an intense need for control. Otherwise, her clothing is structured and layered, unless she’s on the podium where we see her with rolled sleeves. Presumably here, she is more comfortable — she has unilateral control and it’s recognized and expected by those she’s conducting.

Perhaps this is all reading too much into it — I hate when people do that but I’ve watched Tár so many times and know enough costume designers to think otherwise.

Reviewing the shows from New York, I saw a lot of Lydia Tár. (Critically, I don’t know if this is a good thing.) After all, her wardrobe is utilitarian. But the above could fit seamlessly into her closet. The draped sweater is Brandon Maxwell, the artfully rolled shirt is from Monse, the pants are Ralph Lauren and the shoes are from Calvin Klein Collection.

Beyond the Tár verse. I’m still reeling with thoughts about NYFW, which wrapped up last week. They’re mostly about resigning ourselves to how New York’s runways are less about fashion and more about merchandising. The result being safety and sameness. I’m hoping to get this into something more cogent, but time will tell.

Until next time, hoping to do more of these styling posts.

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But this left a pants-shaped-hole in my wardrobe. I have the same pair of jeans in three colors. That’s pretty much it. So when NYFW came around, along with a host of other appointments, I thought I needed something a little more elevated. A little more fashion. A pair of “papa’s still got it” pants. (The exact words I used in the store.)

With my Doona-bound daughter, I made a beeline for NN07 on Lafayette in Soho. This shop, helmed by menswear alum Justin Berkowitz, is just over a year old. It’s the first U.S. outpost of the brand, which is known for trading in high quality fabrics and modern silhouettes. They are one of the few to promise high-end and quality basics and actually deliver.

I had given Justin a heads up that I was on borrowed time and needed a pair of pants. When I arrived, the store was bustling. Pants shopping is generally my least favorite capitalist pursuit. But thankfully, Justin had pulled a few pairs aside for me — including one that had caught my eye on the rack. And, well, that was it. The first pair I tried on was it: high-waisted, double-pleated, wide legged, in a navy blue wool twill. As a bonus, there’s an adjustable strap on the back which is both helpful and handsome. They’re actually called the “Justin” fit so maybe he incepted this whole thing. But all’s well that ends well.

I hadn’t been excited to wear something in so long. I tried them on at home and got the green light from my wife. I threw them on before heading to the bonanza, to party and the Todd Snyder show. And, I don’t know, they just felt like the best pants I’d ever worn. It felt like maybe I should take more pants risks. I’ve never gotten more compliments than I did when I wore these. Got big dreams? Get big pants.

The best part, though, is that they’re actually so much more wearable than “regular” pants. Since they’re roomy, they’re just naturally breezier — a crucial detail for New York City summers. The proportions may seem daunting, but with a wider leg and silhouette anchoring your lower half, you end up with more options for the upper half. Slimmer shirts and oversized shirts can work with ease here. If I were a little younger and a little broader, I might even do a sleeveless tee. Reckless!

The Justin Pants are available at NN07 and Mr Porter. If you’re in New York, I highly recommend visiting the shop at 276 Lafayette. (Tell them I said hi.)

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Until next time,

JJ

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But, in those forty-ish weeks, it’s far too easy to think of your existing self and forget that it will soon be obliterated. It’s not a painful obliteration, but to roll along thinking you’ll have the same amount of control you did pre-baby is hopeless.

The you on the other side of welcoming a child will have priorities you can’t even fathom. Ones no book can prep you for. We all know this.

As a fairly superficial person, I hated the idea of a recliner in the home we’ve worked so hard to make ours. Couldn’t we find some sort of colonial rocking chair? The chunky, disgusting bassinet we got is the stuff of aesthetic nightmares. We fruitlessly tried to track down a family cradle for vibes. I looked at the Coterie diapers that people don’t stop talking about, but with expenses already high, that was a non-starter. It went on.

The truth is, once Daisy arrived, she was the one that made these decisions for us. And in the beginning you actually need very little “equipment” to get by. Your mission is to keep this tiny creature fed, comfortable, healthy, alive.

Whatever tools get that job done are the ones you need. She fits this diaper, not that one. She doesn’t do a swaddle but she does do a sleep sack. Her crib isn’t the family one but it will transform from mini to full to a toddler bed.

I toyed with sharing a list of our registry way back when, but in retrospect, I’m so glad I didn’t – so much of it is unused, sitting in storage or has been disseminated via the stoop network. This is what we actually rely on to keep Daisy’s health and our own sanity.

The Doona Car Seat/Stroller Hybrid: There are absolutely more aesthetically pleasing strollers out there. I’m not going to fight you on that. We caved to this one because of our limited living space and because you legally need a car seat to bring your baby home from the hospital.

It collapses from stroller to carseat very easily and once you get the hang of it you can have the baby strapped in an Uber in no time. It was also perfect for airport travel. I highly recommend getting the storage and sun shade accessories on the website, too. Doona, if you’re reading this, make a cupholder.

Ubbi Diaper Pail: Absolutely get one of these. No elaboration required.

The Babyletto Kiwi Glider & Recliner: There’s no heavier piece of furniture on this earth, I swear. Pre-fatherhood me detests this thing. It needs so much space to actually recline, essentially creating a bouclé black hole in the nursery. But when Daisy wakes startled, screaming and hungry, it goes from black hole to shining star. And it charges your phone. (I’m still looking forward to throwing it on Facebook Marketplace, though.)

Pampers Pure Diapers: Honestly, the diaper wars are so tiring. We went with Pampers because they were affordable and they fit well. They’re working just fine and we’ve never had any issues with irritation, etc. Diapers get wet. Diapers leak. You’ll have to change a lot of them no matter what you do. And every baby is different so just find something that works.

The Nestig Wave Crib: You know, when Daisy was born we thought there was some sort of divine intervention with… West Elm. (God loves it, I’m told.) They have a whole Daisy collection that we loved. Alas, we couldn’t fit the full size crib in our nursery. (Because the black hole recliner took up all the space — rude.) So we opted for the Nestig convertible crib. The mini size fits snugly in the corner for now and we’ll be able to zhuzh some things around when the time comes. Pro tip: This comes with quite a few boxes you won’t need until you size up. We just slid them right under our couch. Also, insanely heavy.

Oxo Tot Wipe Dispenser: We live and die by baby wipes in this house. Most packages come with a built-in dispenser mechanism, which is great on the go. But there’s something so intensely satisfying about this dispenser — I think it’s the heavy lid that keeps everything grounded. A small luxury, which is a big win.

The Shusher: A dad I know borders evangelism when talking about the Shusher. It’s a small device that emulates the sound of a person shushing. Actively shushing is no gargantuan task, of course, but you can buy yourself a half hour of sleep by turning it on and letting it calm your baby down a bit. I just wish it wasn’t orange. You’ll likely need another white noise solution. We have one of the Hatch ones but you could also just use a Spotify playlist on loop in a pinch.

The West Elm Daisy Changing Table: Our big plan for the changing table was moving one of our antique dressers in the nursery and calling it a day. A good and price-minded idea in theory.

But standard dressers aren’t built to stand over. Over time, that leaning over would’ve killed our backs and shoulders. (Not to mention each drawer needs two hands and some good muscle to open.) We went the brand new route for this instead and I’m so glad we did. The drawers slide easily with just one hand and it’s the exact height you want. Even if you don’t go with this one, take that height lesson wherever you shop.

Simmons Kids Bassinet: Of everything we’ve gotten, this is the ugliest. But, it’s $120 and has a little gate that makes it easy to pull your baby to you if you keep it by the bed. It also comes with a stabilizing strap to keep it attached to your frame. It’s lightweight and adjustable and did the job. I never want to see it again. (She’s in the mini crib now, which, honestly we probably could’ve done from the start but whatever.)

Keekaroo Peanut Changing Pad: Soft and squishy and very easy to clean. I wish they made an adult mattress like this. Daisy always smiles when she gets on there.

Dr. Brown’s 0-6 Bottle Set: I like the smaller ones for when you’re out with the stroller. There’s a sanitizer that we use as well — I’ve heard that these in general are a scam but better safe than sorry. (They also claim to be anti-colic ... and whatever you can do to avoid that, snake oil or not, is good.)

Bath Bassinet: Bath time is much easier with this. We love it so much we ordered one for each grandparent’s house.

Burt’s Bees Baby Onesies: The easiest to put on, in my experience.

You’ll need more as the time goes on but these are the MVPs in our house. In addition to the above you’ll want some more generic stuff: a variety of pacifiers, burp cloths, maybe a lounger, and some bathing materials.

Don’t put undue pressure on yourself to creative direct the first months of parenthood. Babies are remarkably perceptive to their parents, so go easy on yourself for everybody’s benefit and good luck.

*I may earn a small commission from the use of affiliate links in this post.

I was not immune to this and fell deeply for any shop that would sell me a madras shirt. So it’s no surprise that after a few years of black T-shirts for summer, I found myself on Poshmark, eBay and Mercari trying to dig up some of those preppy classics. And if Jonathan Anderson’s debut menswear lineup at Dior is any indicator, we may be on the cusp of a prep resurgence.

Truly though, prep never dies. It may lie dormant in Northeastern enclaves (my hometown chief among them) and behind country club gates, but it’s always there just waiting to be set loose among the masses again. The caricature of preppiness is easy to recognize: Nantucket red pants, critter belts, pastel ginghams draped over sunburned skin. Every style tribe can be described in such extremes.

Today, though, I’d venture it’s much more about ease — the kind inherently tied to a carefree (well-moneyed) lifestyle. You’re not trying to become a member of the club, you’re already admitted.

Linen shirts are often championed as the shirts of summer for their light weight. Linen has its place (and I’ll get to that in some other edition) but Madras has supplanted it in our house. It feels lighter with a breathable weave and by nature comes in more engaging prints. In slightly oversized variations, it is the perfect summer shirt. When paired with gym shorts (about all I can stomach to wear in the summer heat) it gives you a kind of scumbag prep look — a far cry from preppy punchlines, but still under the umbrella. Get them while you can still wear them.

1. Brooks Brothers: In the grander scheme of shirting, this is not subtle. But, on the madras spectrum, it’s a little more subdued than a mix of primary colors and the scale of this plaid is a little more modern than your classic variations.

2. Beams Plus: On the other hand, there’s this from Beams Plus. The principal bright green is very suited to leisure time and vacations. And truthfully, you could soften it a bit if matched with a suit for a summer wedding.

3. J.Crew: This is where I’ll caution you about fit. Because we’re dealing with prints that can easily become nerdy (this one especially), it’s best to go a little oversize. Imagine a man wearing this in a super-fitted version vs. one that’s a little boxier and cuts a roomier silhouette. That’s all you need to know.

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4. Alex Mill: You’ll often see madras shirts come in four or five color plaids. That’s typical, but for those who prefer something a little quieter, perhaps even more elegant, there’s this from Alex Mill. (Good sale happening now, too!)

5. Sid Mashburn: Then again, you could go solid. And with a Sid Mashburn stamp of approval, you can’t really go wrong. (The South is not without its own iterations of preppiness.)

6. Brooks Brothers: As mentioned, prep doesn’t die. One of its greatest champions, Michael Bastian, who previously designed a capsule for Gant Rugger and his own hyper-luxury brand is currently at the helm of Brooks Brothers. A perfect place to start your search.

7. Beams Plus: Another subtle pick from Beams Plus and one of the few options that has a fair bit of neutral cream or white in the mix — which can be very useful when trying to pair with a wider mix of pants and shorts.

8. Polo Ralph Lauren: Similar to Brooks Brothers, you will always find madras worth wearing at Ralph Lauren. (And probably any of those old American stalwart companies.)

9. Brioni: Last but not least, a linen madras blend from Brioni. It’s sort of a happy medium between the two summery materials. Maybe a gateway or stepping stone, if you will.

Again, the key here is a roomier fit and styling. Do not shy away from a slightly grungier appeal here — you don’t have to wear pleated chino shorts with these. In fact, it’s best to go with something that isn’t so preppy — carpenter denim, gym shorts, etc. I personally go with vintage Umbros and dirty Vans when in the city. But to each their own. And let your chest hair free, of course.

(I had hoped to include some camp collar shirts in this but that will be the next one!)

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Most households don’t get this privilege, and that’s a deep shame.

Many workplaces institute a primary and secondary caregiver scheme, which mirrors the traditional maternity and paternity leave system. Primary caregivers must prove their case with documentation, as they’re generally getting more leave. That in itself is sort of dystopian and weird.

In my experience, secondary leaves tend to clock in somewhere between 2–4 weeks. After it’s spent, the primary caregiver—who often just had their body blown up—is in a desolate and stressful position. Not to mention, it deprives the secondary caregiver of a lot of bonding time, as their attention is now divided.

Friends of ours have shared that their baby generally cries in her father’s arms because she hasn’t had nearly as much bonding time with his swift return to work. Some state governments will fund additional leave, but the payouts are generally far less than your salary.

It’s a weird system that, while certainly helpful to primary caregivers, also deprives them of an extra set of hands at home. I could go on about it forever.

As we inch closer to Father’s Day, you see brands start to beat the dad drum. They wax about how much they support fatherhood, want to help men be better, look after their mental health, etc. If this really is the case and not just cash clamoring, I’d just hope internal policies align with the marketing brief.

That said, the day itself is approaching. If better paternity leave policies aren’t something you can give, maybe these things will work!

1. Hanro Boxers: When I was at GQ, Hanro sent me a 3-pack of these boxers. And all these years later, they’re still the best I’ve ever had. Bar none. They’re ultra-soft, and I almost treat them like fancy pajamas. Little luxuries like this are often things dads overlook for themselves, too.

2. The Polaroid Printer I Don’t Shut Up About: Nostalgia from your phone! This printer is always a good gift and instantly makes color-perfect Polaroids by taking snapshots of your screen. It remains one of my favorite purchases of all time. (Note: You’ll want to purchase film as well!)

3. Bearaby Weighted Blanket: I sleep with a 50 lb. dog on my head and this 25 lb. blanket. It adds a dreamy dimension of quality to my rest that’s ever-crucial during these newborn days.

4. Chukka Boots: It’s been a minute since I’ve had a pair of these, but Sid Mashburn always finds a way to pull me in. They’re not “dad” shoes by any stretch, but that’s sort of the point here.

5. Bose Noise Canceling Headphones: The gift of total disassociation? Priceless!

6. Desk Lamp: A classic shape and silhouette by Anglepoise—often replicated, never duplicated. Everybody deserves some good lighting, after all.

7. Lego Mercedes: I can’t buy a real one. And being a new dad does have me rediscovering some of my favorite childhood pursuits.

8. Cotton Linen Sweater: A lightweight sweater is essential for a well-rounded wardrobe. This one is comfortable and has an instant handsome factor to it. (I have… many.)

9. Nintendo Switch 2: Remember what I said about childhood pursuits? Doubling down with this brand-new console. Extreme bonus points for the handheld factor.

10. Comme Si Sock Pack: I literally wrote a book about socks. These are the best fancy socks a dad could ask for. Trust me.

11. Loewe Bag: It took me a while to convert to the cross-body fanny pack lifestyle, but once I did, I was a better man. This one is a bucket list item, but if it proves too expensive, I stand by this one from AWAY.

12. Best Made Foot Locker: Best Made’s thrilling return from the clutches of Duluth Trading means these perfect storage lockers are back. Labeling mine “Dad Crap.”

13. A Perfect Polo: My biggest gripe with polos is that they’re often way too long. The proportions of this one from Alex Mill are about as perfect as you could ask for. As in, they won’t cover your butt like a diaper. An essential quality for short-short season.

14. Collector’s Edition Dune: Dune, the book, converted me to an absolutely rabid reader. It’s the best book I’ve ever read—an opinion shared by many. If you know a Dune fan, they’ll appreciate this.

15. The Other Shirt of Summer: Todd Snyder’s navy blue camp shirt with embroidery is sold out. But honestly, I might be more taken with this “caviar” color. It has a little more of that understated sex appeal.

16. Nick Parker’s Jacket: It’s a little counterintuitive to buy a suede jacket in June, but hear me out. Of all the stuff I’ve bought this year, nothing makes me feel better-dressed than this. Get it for him now, and he’ll be delighted come fall.

17. Flipper Clock: This extremely satisfying clock softly clicks as the time changes. It’s oddly comforting with a healthy dose of midcentury charm.

18. Big Old Cake: Hell yeah, chocolate cake. I occasionally get one of these on my birthday and can’t recommend them enough.

19. An Axe: I like having an axe in the house because it means I can protect the family from intruders. Love to be normal.

20. Enamel & Gold Vermeil Ring: I’m a huge proponent of men’s rings these days, as long as they’re understated and simple.

21. Cork Tray: Another thing to organize “dad crap” on the desk or bedside table.

22. Bottega Wallet: My brother got this for my dad a few years ago. It’s timeless, holds up so well, and I’m jealous I didn’t think of it first.

23. Jacob Gallagher’s Book: If the dad on your list is remotely interested in fashion and style, get him this.

24. Levain Cookie Subscription: The possibility of getting this may or may not be the reason I became a father.

25. The Best Denim Shirt: Feathery light and the perfect faded color. For a sexy dad.

And that about wraps it up. Unless you need wrapping paper, of course.

*Might make some money from affiliate links if you purchase something from this list!

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You can’t buy that kind of feeling. But, you can brand it. And it seems now that there is always a race to “own” summer, an inherently unownable thing.

It started innocently enough when the Summer of 2018 was branded “The Summer of Scam.” That was when its heroine and folk hero, Anna Delvey, made headlines for her wildly ambitious-almost-successful grifting. It was also the summer of Theranos conwoman Elizabeth Holmes’ fall from grace, Caroline Calloway, the twilight of the Fyre Festival fallout, and the start of fake-kidnap-victim Sherri Papini’s unraveling. None of these individuals sought to name or brand the summer this way, but the public and the media naturally grouped them all together and that’s how it happened. It’s not unlike how the Summer of 1967 became the “Summer of Love.”

In 2019, things shifted a bit when Megan Thee Stallion dropped her album Fever and coined the phrase “Hot Girl Summer.” I’m sure you remember, because it was everywhere. Hot Girl Summer at its core makes so much sense when we think about what summer was when we were younger. You can do what you want, you’re probably carefree enough to express yourself how you like, and you generally are living on your own terms. It was fun and it ran its course, though you’ll still see it referenced pretty often. On the outside, it didn’t feel like a planned thing. It happened, as memes do, on its own. Unpredictable and uncontrollable.

When these things inevitably hit a fever pitch, somebody somewhere thinks they can harness it. They’ll wonder, “what’s our ‘hot girl summer’?” That’s probably their job, so you can’t blame them. But the second you try to reverse engineer these things is the second they become absolute trash. I’m sure somebody at, like, Hellmann’s Mayo was thinking about how to make it “BIG MAYO SUMMER” (or probably Cinco de Mayonnaise). Hot Girl Summer also gave birth to Christian Girl Autumn, which became its own juggernaut thanks to its founding mother Caitlin Covington. The internet now eagerly awaits when she announces that fall has begun.

Of course, the summer of 2020 was … different. We were in COVID lockdown and things were weird. These summers saw the rise of “Hot Girl Walks,” which felt like an ancestor of Hot Girl Summer, but didn’t have the same sort of mass adoption. There were some people who claimed 2021 was “Hot Vax Summer,” but like, come on. Get it together.

Before we get to Brat Summer, we have to address Greta Gerwig’s 2024 Barbie movie. One morning we all woke up and everything was pink — Barbie pink. This was all thanks to the gargantuan marketing efforts and collaborations behind the film. A lot of these were planned far in advance, but once it started, every brand was looking for something to pink to promote. A color, a cultural phenomenon, and a blockbuster hit is a recipe for mass adoption. Interesting.

Then it was 2024. Brat Summer. And while one can’t say this was a fully engineered campaign, the powers that be certainly knew how to fan the flames. And they gave the public enough material to make it happen by creating a very distinct universe around the album: the eye-popping (bleeding) green, the typeface, an unapologetic front woman, Kelley Heyer’s Apple Dance, and the rest of it. Like Barbie the year before, it was suddenly green as far as the eye can see. Charli XCX’s tour is ongoing and ends in August 2025. We’re in the midst of Brat Summer 2.0, though it feels far less potent than it did before.

None of these summers were bad. But what’s painfully obvious is that they become more and more mechanical as time goes on. It feels as though we’re always going to be haunted by somebody trying to claim summer for — ugh, a brand. It happens on smaller scales ad nauseam with people and companies posting about what kind of summer “we’re” having or what “we’re” doing. We’re only a few short years away from a Clean Colon Summer sponsored by Miralax. Is nothing sacred?

There are so few places left where a brand can’t scream at you or get at you. I wish they’d just leave summer alone.

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Nestled in the back was a black wool dress with a textured wool grid pattern. The seams formed a sculpted skirt and small cap sleeves. It was entirely recognizable as Dior by Raf Simons and fit perfectly. Alex didn’t get the job*, but she got the dress. Perspective!

When John Galliano famously crashed out of Dior and Raf Simons took up the mantle of the storied house, he did so with incredible care for the brand’s history. His debut collection drew on archival pieces and streamlined some of Christian Dior’s original philosophies. It was beautiful, optimistic and hopeful. Whereas Galliano’s Dior was naturally excessive and romantic, Simons was streamlined, thoughtful and graceful.

The biggest problem with Raf’s Dior is that it was so short lived. He served as creative director from 2012 to 2015 before leaving to focus on his own brand and creative projects. He did put out an intense body of work in that time — 20 collections including couture — but still, it’s hard to find his pieces out there. Since his exit, Dior has been taken over by Maria Grazia Chiuri who while achieving commercial success for the brand, remains a sort of punching bag of the fashion elite. (She can laugh all the way to the bank, though.)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Raf’s early days at the brand are wildly well documented in Dior and I, the documentary that traces the creation of his couture collection and debut. You also get a great look at his longtime collaborator Pieter Mulier, who currently helms Alaïa.

Since Alex found her fated dress, I keep an eye out for Raf’s work. Sometimes, it’s easy. Websites like 1st Dibs will tag and title his pieces, others will not. Thankfully his pieces are fairly recognizable and through a bit of digging, you can also identify the season by reading the hangtags.

The first two characters on Raf’s swing tags are generally a number and a letter. The number is the last digit of the year, the letter is the season. For example, this dress numbered 5A21608A1140 is from Pre-fall 2015 (presumably for avant l'automne). The rest of the numbers identify information like type of garment and factory. The formula for these changed from designer to designer and short of calling Hamish Bowles or Alexander Fury, I can’t decode the rest. But we’re just looking for to verify Rafness. And with that, here are some excellent examples of his work for sale across various resale sites.

1. Big Skirt: Probably the most recognizable of all these pieces. This exact iridescent version appears to have been merchandised down a bit into something more marketable, but still very Dior.

2. Wool Mini Dress: From Pre-fall 2015 (the same collection as Alex’s). It’s very structured and pays homage to the Dior grid pattern. (Worn here with a sparkly shirt.)

3. Oversized Floral Print Mini Dress: I found a couple of these, actually. Very typical of Raf’s style.

4. White Maxi Dress: Easy breezy, good embroidery details.

5. Cutout Dress: Another F/W item in a heavier material. (Similar version here.)

6. Floral Dress: Honestly an insane find as far as I’m concerned. eBay, baby!

7. Metallic Mini Dress: All the Raf Dior trademarks here — a simple and flattering silhouette, neons, scribbles and structure. (Also in a mis-titled top on The Real Real or on eBay.)

8. Floral Micro Mini (or Top?): I’ve seen this called a top and a dress in different places so … buyer’s choice.

9. Beaded Print Dress: Really beautiful, not part of the look book but from Pre-fall 2014. One of the better finds in this list.

10. Real Real Simple: Honestly, not a stunner on the color or the print front but a very straightforward and nicely cut dress.

11. Striped Dress: From Raf’s first ready-to-wear collection (S/S 2013). This is an insane deal.

12. Asymmetrical Dress: Lots of this kind of hemline during his Dior days.

13. Wool Cap Sleeve Dress: Also very close to Alex’s with that homage to the cross pattern. Simple and timeless.

This is far from an exhaustive list of what’s out there, but most of what you’ll see is very basic and doesn’t really speak to Raf’s time at Dior. These all feel like they have some degree of his personality and approach which was a very honest interpretation of Christian Dior’s legacy. You can see there’s common themes in his work and once you clock them, they’re easy to spot. Good luck out there!

Until next time,

JJ

*One of Alex’s best friends got it. They were prepping for mystery interviews together and surprise it was for the same job.

Now, some New Yorkers have a whole host of people that include bodyworkers, facialists, accupuncturists, psychics, and anything else you can imagine. It’s a city of excess, after all. But I can count my most trusted experts on one hand (the best tailor, the best hair person, and an astrologer I trust implicitly). To round it all out I’ve thrown in in some of my favorite stores and restaurants for good measure. Everything is also visible in a google map link for subscribers.

Sarah Mills Hair: I moved here in 2007. After a few failed visits to some well-known and supposedly reputable hair spots, I found Sarah Mills. Like so many neophytes in this city, I found her through New York Magazine’s annual “Best of New York” series. Sarah is the antithesis of the barber shop craze* that still grips the city. She thinks of hair in the long term and has serious chops from some of beauty and grooming’s biggest names. Everybody I’ve ever sent to her has thanked me and stuck with her. I trust nobody more with my hair.

She’s actually the oldest friend I have here now. Currently, she works out of a private room in a Tribeca salon. Book in advance and understand that you’re paying for expertise, precision and quality. DM her to get her number. Very underground energy!

For women’s haircuts, my wife is a huge fan of Teddi Cranford and the whole team at White Rose Collective. Teddi came from recommendation of hair luminary and Crown Affair founder , so you know it’s good.

Karen Chinchilla, Tailor & Seamstress: There are some common names when it comes to tailors in the city. I’ve been to a bunch of them but found that more often than not, they weren’t willing to work with me on what I wanted. And that’s fair, it’s part of their job to offer guidance and expertise — many people go in blind. But, I know exactly what I want out of my clothes and how I intend to wear them. When Alex and I got married, we found Karen Chinchilla through legendary stylist Julie Ragolia who recommended her.

The best thing about Karen aside from her well honed skills, sense of humor and charm, is that she comes to you and your closet. She pinned my tux and Alex’s dresses in our living room while teaching us how to dance. Find me another tailor who would do that, I dare you. (She’s currently scrambling around the UES working on Met Gala looks just in case you need proof.)

Jeff at Boerum Frames: Framebridge has to be stopped. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea, but the execution is very meh. (We’ve had multiple things framed upside down with no resolution from them outside of a discount on our next order, so, be warned.) Jeff, however, is the framing king of Brooklyn. He operates an appointment-only shop on Atlantic and I have trusted him with some of our most valuable pieces. He truly cares about the quality, walks you through everything and is very real about whether you need museum glass or not.

Big Ross, Trainer: I’ve had a lot of trainers since I made a commitment to fitness over a decade ago. They’ve included some pretty impressive characters, from Protein Founders to Olympic Gymnasts but Big Ross was, by my estimate, the most effective. (I owe him my thights.) He has a deep love of the game and cheers on all of his clients from the sidelines. He’s on my list to call for a checkup and to get some new programming. Like everybody here, I’ve sent a lot of friends his way and heard only great things back.

From here on out, we’re looking at people and places I very much respect, admire, follow or patronize. These are less personal relationships and more surface-level, I guess.

Alice Bell, Astrologer & Writer: If you want to go deeper on astrology than the typical Refinery29 post, you need a resource who knows what they’re doing. knows what she’s doing. Her work has appeared in every place you love, but her Substack is really where it’s at these days. There is intense work and thought in every post and Alice does a great job of demystifying “your big three” and other aspects like your midheaven and the various houses. The subscription fee is well worth it, IMHO. If you’re very lucky you can grab a reading from her when they become available on occasion. (I myself haven’t been able to get one but it’s on my bucket list.)

The Atlantic Ave. Corridor: I’d made some trips to Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn before we moved to Fort Greene, but now that it’s just outside our door, I’ve gotten better acquainted … mostly because Crumb and I walk it each day. Atlantic feels unlike the more trampled shopping neighborhoods, with only a few chain stores lining the sidewalks, including a Barnes & Noble and an Anthropologie.

Those more common stores aside, there are some gems. Bright spots on my list for interiors: Michele Varian, Porta, Humble House, Collier West, Sterling Place, and Assembly Line. For clothes, I recently stepped into Indi & Ash because there’s always a dog hanging out there and wanted to buy a lot of their stuff, including what might’ve been the perfect “beach sweater.” Consignment Brooklyn is also a nice alternative to those who feel deflated after scouring The Real Real. (I know many stylish women who bring their stuff here instead of there.)

You can browse Salter House as well, which is full of interesting things and clothes from Pride and Prejudice. But it’s uncomfortably warm in there and I honestly can’t recommend that kind of climate for you unless it’s winter.

Where Atlantic meets the BQE onramp, you’ll also find two more of my favorites. Antik, which rotates their in-house selection of antiques and homewares ever few weeks. And the Art of Play — a well-appointed toy store that’s as much for adults as it is for kids. There is a secret theater in the back with magic shows, too.

Coming Soon: When I tell you guys that 80% of my holiday shopping and gift giving happens here, I am not joking. It is full of homewares and trinkets that are so crowd-pleasing I often find myself buying multiples. Mercifully, their website is always well stocked, too.

A. Mano: Similar to Coming Soon, this is a great place to shop for gifts and has a wide selection of artsy books, ceramics and bric-a-brac. It’s somewhat hidden between Barclays Center and the vibey strip on Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights. Around the corner, there’s also BKLYN Clay which has its own unique selection of pottery.

The Strange Delight, Margot Double Whammy: As Fort Greene livened up after lockdown, a host of new restaurants came to the neighborhood. While most of them, like the middling Sailor made their homes on DeKalb, Strange Delight and Margaux are on Fowler Square. Margaux is stark but chic and sometimes offers a surprisingly good ice cream sundae. Strange Delight has more soul and my Southern wife thoroughly approves of all of their dishes. If you find yourself unable to get a table, neighborhood standby Paulette is just a block away. (If that’s booked, try your luck on Dekalb past the park.)

Corridor: I don’t often get to Corridor, which is shameful since we live quite close, but there is always something in there worth seeing, touching, or trying on. It’s quiet in a way that encourages a restful shopping experience — the kind you used to be able to find in Nolita but has since disappeared. Every menswear guy will tell you to go here, and there’s a reason why.

Clark’s Diner: There’s a lot of fuss about Montague Diner, which took over the Happy Days Diner in Brooklyn Heights. It’s great for ambiance and the food is classic diner faire. But, Clark’s on the corner of Henry and Clark is the money diner of the neighborhood. Their long lines melt with efficiency and their status as a neighborhood institution is untouchable.

Union Square Café: Not to be annoying, but we grew up visiting the original Union Square Café when we were kids. When I first moved here I would sometimes eat at the bar between restaurant shifts or classes. Sure, there are better dining experiences and food to be had in this city, but it is too convenient and reliable to pass up. I would choose there over Balthazar any day of the week.

Locanda Verde for Bloody Marias: A lifetime ago, we used to Airbnb our apartment whenever we’d leave town. It was such a good hustle that basically paid for all of our travel. Check-in and check-out times for our guests didn’t always align with our plans, so we’d find ourselves wondering where to go, luggage in hand. Eventually we ended up at the bar at Locanda Verde pounding Bloody Marias (tequila, not vodka). Honestly my favorite in the city and I have had a lot. Paired with the porchetta sandwich…it’s all heaven.

Gardel’s Fort Greene: This is perhaps a bit of neighborhood bias, but as spring and summer come about, some of you may want some plants to liven up your space, your pots, or yard (lucky you). You’re going here for the help and experience above all, but the plants are also great. Gardel and his son will set you on the right path and remember you season after season. He gave me a hug the other day.

The Rockwell Place: I’m not a huge bar person. I spent most of my twenties waiting for my peers to grow out of that whole scene. But, I do like a drink. And an ambiance. The Rockwell Place which is actually on Rockwell Place stands in the fringe of Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn. The drinks are very good and the food is surprisingly good, too. It’s dark, rarely packed and the soundtrack is sublime. Bonus points for its unassuming front, too.

Saffron Flowers: Once upon a time, when we had a little more cash to burn, we would order a flower arrangement for every astrological season. We’d give the crew at Saffron free reign and a budget and they absolutely never let us down. In fact, I trusted them so much that I sent these to any celebrities I cast for campaigns or editorials, too. (Around the corner, though, there’s Fresh Garden which has an incredible selection of bodega flowers.)

The Piers in Brooklyn Heights: I was once a dawn treader on the West Side Highway. I would run it every morning from our old apartment in Nolita. Both the West Side Highway and Nolita are now insufferable and packed beyond reason. But, if you need a more civilized place to stroll, the piers and paths in Brooklyn Heights are the closest thing to what the West Side Highway once was and offer more picturesque views of Manhattan instead of New Jersey. Steer clear of the DUMBO stretch, though. It’s chaos.

Morgenstern’s Ice Cream: It really is just the best. I’m sorry, but it’s true. Hardly a well kept secret but I couldn’t not mention it.

Alex Mill: You already know.

Greenlight Books: I know there is a deep love of Books Are Magic around these parts, and for good reason! I love them. But, Greenlight on Fulton has my heart. Dough once ran out of our apartment and straight to their door in a blizzard and they let him right in. They treat Crumb and Daisy so kindly and are generally just the best. There’s a stationery shop next door too called Yours Truly to poke around in afterward.

Coming Soon! Saint Street Cakes: I am very excited that Morgan Claire Knight’s Saint Street Cakes will be opening up a spot in Brooklyn. They’re taking over the old Dinner Party space which is the old Pequeña space in Fort Greene.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means and the intent here isn’t to send you flying off to Via Carota or Bemelman’s but to give you a more inside look at some of my most favorite spots in the city. I’ll do my best to update you as more spots come to mind. For now, you can find all these spots on my Google Map.

* No disrespect to this movement, it’s just not for me!

In the postpartum phase, sometimes called “the fourth trimester,” the idea of luxury and peace and quiet shifts dramatically. A half hour of alone time where you can be worry-free? A luxury. A long and lazy shower? A luxury. So for new mom gifts, I triedto think of things that might elevate these previously mundane moments. Even a simple candle in a quiet room can have a powerful effect. And if it’s not luxury or comfort, then I thought about what could make life simpler. After all, when caring for a baby, you don’t even have two hands. Not really, at least. (If all else fails, there’s always jewelry.)

1. Toi et Moi Necklace: I did a whole post about the history of this style, generally meant to symbolize romantic love between two people and often used as an engagement ring. But still, a “you and me” necklace would be a more than appropriate gift for your coparent or partner as long as you back it up with your share of paternal duties, duh.

2. A Very Comfortable Quilt: There’s a lot of moments in those early days where you aren’t sleeping where you’d like. I’ve taken to the plush shag carpet in our living room when I’m on the night shift. A comforting quilt makes all the difference, though. And it comes in quite handy for staying cozy during night feedings.

3. That Tomato Candle: “Oh, did you guys get the Flamingo Estate tomato candle?” asked a friend when she walked into our apartment the other day. Yes, we did, Madison. I can’t explain it but this makes it smell like the outdoors way more than any of those “ocean mist” varieties out there. It’s being in the garden without being near a garden.

4. Vintage Locket: One of the first things my wife asked for when she got pregnant was a locket. It’s a thoughtful first mother’s day gift to treasure those early mom days and might just become an heirloom.

5. Another Vintage Locket: Same as above, really. Except this one doesn’t have the guilloche detailing.

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6. Ultra Noise Canceling Headphones: A bomb could go off in the next room and you wouldn’t hear it. These are honestly worth it even when you’re not listening to anything — just pure silence. Almost like disappearing. (I love the white ones but you may want to opt for a darker color if you’re worried about getting them dirty.)

7. The Momcozy Mobile Pump: This may be more of a registry item for expectant mothers, but we’d never heard of the Momcozy in our house until a friend told us how liberating it is. (She had it on at the dog park.) It allows you to be mobile while pumping which sounds “blah” but is actually extremely glamorous.

8. Neck Massager: Pregnancy does a number on the body. Parenting an infant doesn’t help. This thing isn’t fancy, but my god, it will work wonders on a tired neck and shoulders. I got really into it when I had some lifting injuries, but works just as well for baby injuries.

9. New Socks: I know. I know. But truly, a plush and clean pair of socks feels like a five star hotel if you’ve been on your feet all day. And it’s these little things that new parents often don’t have time to even think about.

10. A Really F’ing Good Brush: Newborns love to grab at hair and beauty routines often take the backseat when you’re trying to keep a child alive. This lux detangling brush from ’s Crown Affair will come to the rescue. And if you really want to inspire some expensive indulgence, pair it with a Mason Pearson brush.

11. Cookies: If the mom on your list has to pump or breastfeed, these will help a lot. It takes a remarkable amount of calories to keep it up. And if they don’t, well, who doesn’t want a box of Levain cookies? Pyschos, that’s who.

12. Fancy-But-Utilitarian Bag: I have resisted the lure of the sling bag for a while. But, I caved and got one at last and I hate how practical and good they are. This Loewe one is technically a men’s bag but what does that matter? It provides quick access to one off essentials and saves you from the stroller sack searching. (My hell.)

13. Big Ass Hair Clip: We almost got these for all the nurses in the maternity wing at our hospital. This chomper is big enough to grab a full on mess of hair and get it out of your face. Very handy when a newborn is starting to grab and pull at it.

14. Opulent Pillow: Sleep is the most important thing a new parent can get. Without it, your regular tasks become painful drudgeries. An opulent pillow, like this one from Frette, will make any amount of sleep even better.

15. The Polaroid Printer Lab: I put this on every gift guide. Simply put, one of the best reviewed gifts I’ve ever given. It takes phone photos and turns them into perfect polaroid prints. They’re great ways to save first baby photos that aren’t digital and without the hassle of working an actual polaroid camera (harder than it looks).

16. Big Vase: This isn’t exactly new mom dependent but just fill this with some flowers and call it a day. It’s a really beautiful piece and maybe pair it with a promise to freshen the bouquet every month or so. (When I was more gainfully employed we had a new bouquet for every astrological season which was fun.)

17. Pearl Phone Strap: We’ve got our phones on us at all times. Not having to dig around for it would just make things a little simpler. Note: You’ll have to grab the case that goes with this phone strap, too.

18. Elitist Baby Carrier: Artipoppe carriers have a cult following for their aesthetic, comfort and because they signal that you *know* about stuff. Many new moms may have had this carrier or others on their registry but just in case they didn’t, it is the one to have.

19. Gigi Burris Sun Hat: It’s walking season and the strollers are already out in full force. Trust Gigi Burris for some sun coverage and style.

20. Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Oil: A very small touch that goes a long way towards feeling clean, refreshed and luxurious. It’s all about making those small moments more impactful. (You can always trust Wonder Valley for that.)

21. Good Lighting: Waking up in the dark to feed a newborn is hard enough. Why blast your eyes with overhead lighting when you can have a softer, calmer and generally better-looking alternative? We put a Stray Dog Designs lamp in our nursery and never looked back. Normally they’re made to order but this collab with Anthro is ready to ship!

22. Big Dumb Water Bottle: I have to tell you, getting up to get a glass of water after you’ve just settled yourself and a baby is miserable. A giant water bottle solves that problem, though. Easy solution, very good gift.

So as you can see, a lot of these picks aren’t about the pomp and circumstance of motherhood. They’re more about the practicality or simple joys that are often lost when welcoming a new baby into the home. Don’t get me wrong, parenthood is great but anybody who tells they haven’t lost a little something of their old selves is probably lying. Hopefully giving them anything above will help them get it back.

Until next time,

JJ

Our Brooklyn apartment serves as a testing ground for products and organizing schemes. Though Alex is singularly talented, there’s no organizing system that can survive my creative whims, wardrobe indecision, mundane chaos or general messiness.

First, see what you’ve got already. Think heavy duty shoeboxes, containers of any kind and makeshift drawer dividers. This helps keep cost and waste down. That said, most of her clients need to bring in some reinforcement items to tie it all together. Her go-to resource is Target’s “Brightroom” collection which offers a more approachable price point than the container store. Her most used products include…

Turntables & Lazy Susans:

“I use these for absolutely everything,” she says. And it’s true — they’ve revolutionized our kitchen cabinets and countertops. I highly recommend these. Just keep the height of the walls in mind for what you plan to put in there.

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I lost my job at the end of October 2024. Legally, I’m not really allowed to explain more about this but in the end I was fairly well taken care of with severance (which is since long gone). Our daughter, who decided to join the ranks of independently existing humans 5 weeks early, was due on April 25. It wasn’t much time for me to figure things out.

This was not unfamiliar territory to me as a creative, especially one who logged years in magazines. Certainly, that doesn’t make it easy or enjoyable. It’s more akin to the dentist: familiar, possibly painful and with an absolute requirement for numbing agents.

But, pushing 40, I have a fairly stacked resume and a network of contacts that could help extricate me from unemployment. My friends and former colleagues are generally wonderful people and they came to my aid as quickly as they learned I needed it. Nevertheless, months and one beautiful daughter later, my situation remains unchanged despite our best efforts.

The job market right now is hard. It’s 2008 hard. (As a 2007 grad, this is also familiar territory.) I have applied and milked the connections, some which rank as high as founders or CEOs at brands with openings. Of the many jobs I’ve chased, three of them have resulted in serious, grueling, sometimes brutal interview processes.

Today, the one that felt right, good and promising resulted in a rejection — a kind one, lined with genuine compliments and entreaties to stay in touch. The closure in itself is rewarding, but certainly not the outcome you hope for after nine separate interviews. The process for this position began in early November. That is a long time. (Not as long as GQ where I interviewed for nine months before getting an offer, but still.) The door with this company is open now, but despite being a “positive” denial, I find myself at square one.

Before this opportunity, there was another role that seemed like it could be a great fit. As a creative applicant, you’re constantly expected to show your past work. Your portfolio is a testament to your skill, your taste and your commitment. People like me spend countless hours and dollars polishing our sites up for the application process. Oftentimes, it’s considered more important than your actual resumé. Can you make something beautiful? Something original? Can you package it in a way that seamlessly displays your skills? On my third interview for a position leading creative I was bluntly told nobody had reviewed my work. This stopped me dead in my tracks.

As creatives we’re expected to prepare this as our calling card, and many times asked to prepare work on spec. To candidly hear my years of work in editorial, art direction and graphic design were not even considered by the third round was comically disheartening. Rude, even.

Almost immediately after I was let go, there was another interview process that went exceptionally well with a brand I knew like the back of my hand. It ended very abruptly, which was surprising to both the recruiter and myself, but it happens. There was never any explanation of why. In the end, you’re never owed that explanation but it was like a 180 from the interviews to the cutting loose and left me more confused than disappointed.

Elsewhere I’ve been told not to bother, “there’s an internal candidate and the listing is just a legal thing they have to do.” A constant refrain you hear is “you don’t want to work there anyway.” Imagine hearing this through the ears of somebody desperate for work, for subsidized insurance, with a newborn in the next room.

Since October, retail and brands have been absolutely rocked by trade wars. Looming tariffs are a dark cloud hanging over budgets, head-counts, and threaten to knock out small and midsize businesses all together. Hiring in this environment is iffy, at best. Some of our own side hustles have gone from profitable to negative and untenable overnight. Layoffs from enormous companies flood the pool of applicants. Talented people I know have been in limbo longer than I have, with nothing on the horizon.

I had my heart set on one of these jobs, truly. It’s stupid and I’m way too old to behave like that, but sometimes you can’t help it. Sometimes it all seems like just maybe these events are elaborately choreographed in the cosmos to spit you out in the exact right place. Maybe they will. I don’t know.

Nobody owes me a job. People make decisions that are right for their teams and that’s the bargain you make when you go hunting. I don’t expect to be handed one on a silver platter. But man, this process has been rough on our family. There are a lot of you in my situation, I know. I’ve no words of comfort for you. I’d give you advice but my own antics haven’t amounted to much. All we can do is keep casting the net.

Oh, and if you want to see my work and resumé, have at it.

At the moment, it’s not a huge concern, though. I’m not in the market for a house, much less one of the Nick Parker or Elizabeth James variety. What I can steal from the film though, is the suede jacket Dennis Quaid wears when he picks up Hallie (Annie) from the airport after camp. It is relaxed, casual and rich (remember, this is Nancy Meyers we’re talking about, so that tracks). The whole outfit — a white t-shirt and jeans — is nothing to write home about but that’s the beauty of it. Most of my clothes fit under this heading, but it doesn’t make them bad. You could get away with calling it quiet luxury, if that weren’t a dead and tired phrase.

Maybe it’s because I’m now officially a father, but this year I could not get this whole vibe out of my head. As I close out my thirties, I find myself looking for things that are simpler, neater and sophisticated. Suede jackets (or shackets, even) fall right in that sweet spot and have an uncanny ability to class up your look. They’re inherently Brunello when done properly. You could certainly mix it up and go a little wilder with the styling, but that’s a “you” thing, not a me thing.

I’ve been wearing this one from Paige Denim for a couple of weeks now. In these transitional temperatures, hoodies add the necessary insulation and when it’s just a tad warmer, a t-shirt will do just fine. True, it’s not the chocolate brown from The Parent Trap but I find this shade works a little better with my faded denim or ecru jeans. It’s a long time before this unseats any of my mainstay outerwear pieces, but it’s definitely a contender. After a few wears I’m convinced it’s a style every guy should own.

There’s a lot of ways you could take a jacket like this and they’re everywhere right now. To that end, I gathered the above picks which tick different boxes on color, styling and fit. As mentioned, I’ve been wearing the Paige one (#6) but am also really drawn to the deeper brown of the Billy Reid option (#8) and the western detailing on the Carter Young version (#3) though I’d never tuck this. I hope you find your suede soulmate.

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Please note: I may make a small commission on any purchases made via links in this post.

I consider myself a creative person. So does everybody else. So do all of those compulsory personality and strengths tests I’ve taken. Creativity is as much a curse as it is a blessing. Creative minds can see things and imagine them in a language spoken only by themselves. Creative hands cannot always bring them to fruition. That disconnect breeds endless frustration. I can draw the most beautiful clothing, but I can’t make it real, even after many classes at Parsons. I’ve dreamt up chairs and furniture that I’d love to see, but I’ve no skill as a carpenter. In fact, most executions involving the third dimension are lost on me. Itches I can’t scratch.

As somebody whose art education was rooted in artistry and craft, I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder about technology. It took forever to get over that and break the thinking that something made digitally or with technology is less creative than something made with pen and paper, for example.

With that antiquated yet common thinking in the rear view, I was suddenly able to scratch those itches. I’m not talking about learning Photoshop, but more about using technology to augment my existing process.

My first foray into this stuff was for a charity project I created which ended up raising over $200,000 for LGBTQ+ causes by selling 10,000 images. Each of them were unique, randomly created by a simple script that layered different hand drawn elements on top of each other to create a face. (Yes, these were NFTs but not the stupid kind, the charitable kind.) This kind of volume and the sheer unpredictability of the outcome was like a game to me. What could the “chaos” of the script come up with that I couldn’t? There were all undoubtedly mine, made of my drawings, but I didn’t draw them. I don’t have the attention or the interest to hand draw 10,000 images.

I should note that when I say hand-drawn, I mean in Procreate with an Apple Pencil — a form of technology that allows me to “draw” and “paint” without the burden of a closet full of supplies, paper and canvas. This is the same program I used to design all of our wrapping paper and the wallpaper for our daughter’s nursery. I’m using quotes here because I would never call the final outcomes paintings or drawings. (The chip on my shoulder isn’t fully gone.)

Eager to see some of these characters as toys or as physical objects, I sought out a freelance 3D artist and found a 3D printer in Brooklyn. The final products were okay because the 3D files themselves were just okay. But the team I spoke to in Brooklyn shared some of their insanely detailed pieces that ranged from custom fit masks for The Phantom of the Opera to flowers for Chanel displays. The breadth of their work showed me how intricate 3D prints could get. In a delusion common to creatives, I thought, “how hard can 3D rendering be? Surely I can figure this out.”

I mean, eventually I did. But it was a long road of trial and error with iPad programs designed for engineers. My first project was a stunning Pikachu candlestick — a gift for a longtime Pokémon fan. Then a mirror with an English Bulldog. But then came jewelry. And this was where I started to have lots of fun.

When a printing partner receives a file for jewelry, they use it to create a cast. The traditional jewelry process involves wax models, painstaking labor, tiny tools and studio space. It’s exacting and cruel work. I’ve done it and hated it. I didn’t do it well. But there is an ease and simplicity to doing this “sculpting” work on an iPad. It’s clean, guarantees symmetry and balance and makes the process much more efficient. It feels almost like cheating. Is it?

Questions aside, the opportunity and possibilities these technologies promise are too enticing to fully ignore. The first piece of jewelry I made was for my wife, a Christmas gift from a few years ago. To model this, I used two programs: Nomad Sculpt and Shapr3D. Nomad is far more intuitive and has a toolset that’s more akin to working with clay than schematics. A gray object on my screen could be stretched, molded, sliced and creased any way I wanted it. Slowly, a sphere became a large flower with a cavity in the center for an opal I had gotten weeks before.

Stone setting and ring sizing need exacting measurements, which is where Shapr3D came in. This tool is much more industrial and brings the third dimension to technical drawings. I drafted a very simple shank and dropped the flower piece on top. Not trusting my expertise enough to use a prong setting, I took the measurements of the opal and built an empty bezel setting in the center. Off it went to the printer for a very cheap plastic prototype. When it arrived, the stone fit snugly and I heightened the setting a bit more for good measure. This time, when I uploaded it to Shapeways (my online printer of choice), I chose to have it printed and cast in gold. And said a prayer.

The whole process happened on my couch. Some days later, a beautiful gold flower that was a gray blob on a screen was getting sitting on my wife’s finger. That was far from the last thing I made. Years later, I’ve made tons of rings and trinkets this way. (I sell them, too. Using ecomm images made from the 3d models.)

This is where I feel strange. I trained my drawing skills for decades and it took me even longer to find a style of art that was mine (even if it wasn’t the photorealistic style I wanted). I presume the same of jewelers. I’m sure big jewelry companies already use 3D modeling in many cases, but there’s an artistry that’s lost.

When I see people using AI to create art, I feel a certain type of way. Is it bad that more people are allowed to express their ideas visually? Shouldn’t they pay somebody to do it? If they’re an individual trying to create a, Substack, for example, can they even afford to? Can a 3D expert unseat a seasoned goldsmith? Is there something wrong with using technology to make your own process more efficient or to level the creative playing field? These are just a few of the very real questions we’re faced with as technology evolves.

But gatekeeping creation or belittling digital art, 3D printed jewelry, and their cousins feels draconian — very “I suffered to learn these things so you must, too.” As somebody who used to be on that side of the line, trust me, there’s no glory in resisting.

Truth be told, when it comes to clothing, there’s never that much that inspires. This hunt has always been a part of the equation. It can be fun, it can be taxing, and it can be downright hell if you’re looking for jeans. To that end, I’m intent on sharing the things I see out there that I really can stand behind. Stuff that I’d actually add to the cart (and, if I weren’t financially prepping for an Aries baby, I’d buy).

That said, let’s get on with it, shall we?

When it comes to sneakers, I always err on the simple side of things. (I actually wore Simples religiously as a kid.) There’s also something about my impending fatherhood that’s drawing me to New Balances. This warm dusty gray is also very much my vibe right now.

I’ve had notoriously bad luck with trench coats. But, this classic by The Row is about as perfect as you could get. As we hit this “you could but you don’t have to” season (coined by ), I’m thinking I’ll jump back in the trench, so to speak. It’s one of the only holes in my outerwear collection.

My general uniform is a black t-shirt and jeans. But, I’ve been feeling in a rut lately and am desperate for a wardrobe shift. Or, at least a few pieces that could work in with what I’ve got going. I really like the proportions on this Nanushka poplin shirt which I could just throw on in case we’re going out to dinner or something.

I’m also a sucker for knitted polos — especially when they’ve got a subtle design effect, like the debossed stripes on the Todd Snyder one above. It’s a little long for my taste, but most things are because I have a short torso, so … whatever. It’s my cross to bare.

This long-sleeved polo, also from Todd Snyder, reminds me of a very disco brown shirt I used to own. It is busy, but a vibrating pattern like that does a lot of work with materials that may be a little clingy. Thinking faded blue jeans and loafers, if I ever leave my apartment, that is.

My old chambray shirt finally bit the bullet this year. I didn’t wear it often, but I had it forever and it had a security blanket feeling to it. I trust Rag & Bone with this kind of stuff more than most brands. As a heavy sweater, I also appreciate that this is “featherweight” because god knows once heat really picks up, it’s game over. I’ll wear it with Umbros until it gets too hot.

I have gone down the mule road a few times, with Birks and some other more fancy versions. But, I didn’t love the hardware on any of them. Sometimes it was too heavy and other times it just didn’t jive. So I’m somewhat intrigued by these, which just do away with the hardware all together. I refuse to bare my toes in public but that a little ventilation on your feet always helps during the summer. If you plan to walk a lot in something like this, get the soles beefed up before you go for a jaunt.

With the baby coming in a month, we’ve got absolutely zero travel plans. I miss the beach in the summer. If we were going, I’d probably grab this Jacquemus for the trip. I’d also wear it with a navy suit to any and every cocktail attire event for the summer. It’s just subtle enough.

We’re deep in getting ready for a baby at our house, so we’ve got eyes out for furniture that would work in our nursery, but last beyond infancy. We need a small end table and are looking for light sources that aren’t too harsh. This twisted leg table has a pretty small footprint, which works really well for the small space we have. The lamp’s scalloped detail also ties in nicely some of the other things we’ve got (lots of baby stuff has scalloped trim). Both could work elsewhere, too. Again, we’re trying to buy with longevity in mind where we can.

My wardrobe is very devoid of color right now. This is by design, but I would like to bring some new stuff into the mix that isn’t navy or black. Last spring and summer I went very hard on rugby shirts, which I still love, but a bright blue knit polo takes that same vibe and classes it up a bit. (And yes, I’ll wear this one with umbros, too.) And while I do love my Alex Mill carpenter jeans, I could use something simpler and sleeker like the ones above. A little less clunky, a little more elegant.

I fell pretty hard for the Paige suede shirt jacket above, solely because it makes me feel like Nick Parker in The Parent Trap. If I can’t have the house, I’ll settle for the jacket. The shoes are the same thing, but for your feet, I guess. I try to avoid leather dress shoes at all times during the spring and summer — too hot. And these are nice.

I don’t know what the hell is going on with the climate right now, but the past few weeks New York has been attempting to unseat Chicago as The Windy City. A nice light windbreaker helps a ton, and it reminds me of being in Newport. Win win. And of course, I’ll never turn down a navy blue polo (even if I’m trying to add more color to my rotation, sue me). Plus it’s from COS so it won’t set you back too much.

None of this stuff is groundbreaking, really. But as I’ve gotten older all of my purchasing power has gone into stuff that will be really timeless, or at least not ostentatious.

Believe me when I say, you’d rather open your closet and see these kinds of things than a sleeveless Balmain sweatshirt and a pony hair baseball cap. I speak from experience.

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It’s been at least a decade since more men started wearing shorter shorts, though I’ve still met plenty of designers who just deny it’s happening (are you blind?). You could chalk some of this up to rising popularity of strength training, too. Leg day champions and squat kings worked hard for their muscles, so why cover them up? Phrases like “hockey butt” and “thighs are the new biceps” are common refrains these days. The lower body is commonly seen as a slog to train, with even the most devout gym-goers dreading “leg day.”

When the short shorts trend hit a fever pitch, you couldn’t look at menswear content without seeing stories about 5” inseams, which became a sort of golden mean. Of course, over time there’s been some backlash. More recent springs and summers have been full of memes over warring inseam camps. But still, the 5” inseam persists and in some cases has shrunk to even shorter lengths. (I personally lift in 4” inseams thank you very much.)

But even with a limitless supply of shorts out there, none top the nostalgia and ease of the 90s era Umbros. (Tracksmith, which is remarkably high quality, is probably a close second.) Every year around this time, I start hunting for a new pair. And every year I’m always shocked to find they aren’t being sold by Umbro the brand. Sure, you can get checkerboard shorts on their site, but you won’t find that flirty inseam. I’ve only ever had luck sourcing them on eBay. To that end, here are a few listings that seem to fit the bill.

But, buyer beware, the sizing here can be pretty hectic. I’ve worn size small and large with seemingly no differences so just be sure you do a little extra research before pulling the trigger.

From Top Left: 1. Black Shorts, Medium, 2. Black Shorts, Large, 3. Black Shorts, Large, 4. Green Shorts, Extra Large, 5. Navy Blue Shorts, Medium 6. Black Shorts, Large

If you’re not willing to risk it on the size, I get that. For actual working out and occasional leisure, I wear the Lululemon Surge Shorts (please bring them back) but have enjoyed the Pace Breakers, too. And for occasional vegging I trust these by Adidas.

And with that, I am actually heading to the gym anyway. Leg day, etc.