THE BELLEVILLE BY TREK
The stunning Belleville by Trek is a great option for riders who put comfort and style at the top of their list, who’s riding gear involves flip flops, not spandex. Designed in timeless cream and dark gray powder with color-matched fenders, chainguard, front and rear racks and dynamo-powered front and rear lights. $750. For a list of retailers, click here.
SUMMER RUGGED
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We often forget that there is a tougher side to summer, one with a spirit of adventure that provides as much, if not more of a vacation for the body and mind than leisure pursuits. Instead of the beach, head to the mountains, or the fields, or best case scenario, the forests of Yellowstone, our nation’s greatest National Park. For an east coast option, head north to Acadia National Park, Maine and watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, and hear the ocean crack at Thunder Rock. If you make the trek, pack accordingly. The Wabasha Chukka boots (more…)
THE PROMISE OF SUMMER
“He looked within for the first time in months and was sad to see what was there. A mind wound so tight around what to do, where to go, in a place so jumbled, that after 16 years he was just able to make sense of it all. On his next trip to the sea, instead of filling that cold empty space with to do lists, he instead let his thoughts roam, listened to the waves for the first time since a child, felt the sand, smelled the rusty air and appreciated that one moment of rest. It was all lost to a chime buried away in a worthless logo’d bag.” (more…)
BEST OF: FJALLRAVEN
Fjallraven is one of those cooler outdoor lifestyle brands that you may never have heard of. Based in Sweden, the company began manufacturing day packs over 50 years ago. “Fjallraven” translates to arctic fox in Swedish, in case you we’re wondering. Here are a few top picks from their website: The Fjell jacket in Uncle Blue, $230. This is a highly water resistant, wind proof and durable jacket that isn’t bulky, making it a perfect year-round option. Vintage Retro L backpack in bold red, $130. This is where the company shines, and (more…)
ONIA BOARD SHORTS
A good pair of board shorts should pay homage to vintage California surfing style and fall right around mid thigh/just above the knee. They’re intended for surfing and living an active lifestyle, not for partying at the Bellagio in Vegas in something that resembles Capri pants. You know those dudes, and avoid them at all costs. The ironic thing is that the longer the short, the shorter they make you look. A ‘stubbing’ effect we’ll call it. So consider the “Amaury” board short by Onia (more…)
BILLABONG SUMMER
This is a great lifestyle video, gets you in the mood for summer. It’s refreshing to see girls featured who actually look really fun to hang out with vs. a bunch of supermodels backstage at a VS show describing each other – “Behati is the rocker of the group!” “Alessandra takes no BS!” – ridiculous empty caricatures. “Billabong” is an Australian/English word meaning small lake. Founded in 1973 by Gordon and Rena Merchant the company has never been stronger. The song is “Camouglage” by Small Black.
PENDLETON YELLOWSTONE BLANKET
If you leave it up to your significant other to bring a blanket to the park or beach, you might end up wrapped in a flowery Lily Pulitzer print. Take charge and own a good solid blanket. Pendleton Woolen Mills has been manufacturing a collection of handsome blankets in honor of America’s National Parks since the early 1900′s. There are four available, with the above “Yellowstone” blanket woven in an eye-catching summer marigold color. Made of 100% virgin wool, they’re best suited for cooler evenings by a beach bonfire, or wrapped up tight (with that same significant other) watching the stars come out. $178, available at Pendleton. And take a look at the Glacier National Park blanket, a very close second: (more…)
WEEKEND PARK STYLE
Get your bicycle tuned, backpack loaded and thermos filled – March is finally here. As life speeds along it’s rare that we get a few hours to ourselves; you really have to focus and carve out time. Hopping on your bike and heading to the park is a liberating weekend activity, especially if you have no idea where you’ll end up. Here are a few ideas for your next sunny afternoon: Italians know their bicycles; the Bianchi “Iseo” is a striking, gloss black, lightweight model perfect for long excursions. $600, for a full dealer list, visit the Bianchi USA website. Herschel Supply “Little America” backpack. $88, available at Stag, Austin. It’s the faded gray color and simple design that makes this backpack so sharp, one of the very few that passes the office test. Stanley kelly green thermos, $40, available at Stanley. This rugged old school thermos keeps your beverage of choice piping hot or ice cold. Try hot apple cider with a little whiskey for good measure as it’s the weekend. And finally, a good book. One of (more…)
THE CITY OF SAMBA
What a remarkable short film. The technique is known as “Tilt Shift” ” – referring to the use of tilt for selective focus, which gives the illusion of Rio de Janeiro as one big toy model. And anyone who thinks the Macy’s Day Parade is awesome will think twice around the halfway point when Carnaval kicks in. See if you can spot the Transformers. Captured during Carnaval 2011 by Jarbas Agnelli and Keith Loutit.
SLED IPHONE BEZEL CASE
Stunning gadgets have quickly become a key part of a man’s style: much like a watch used to be the finishing touch to a great look, now it’s an iPhone slipped into the breast pocket of a tailored suit jacket. There are plenty of interesting cases out there, but to make your phone uniquely your own, consider adding a stunning bezel case, created by the talented artisans at Sled. Pick from a variety of beautiful leathers and natural woods, including ash, walnut and cognac shown above. The bezel actually replacing the back of your phone through an easy installation and becomes part of it. There’s also a custom option where you can dial it up with your initials. Our pick? Go with the mountain-lux look of the Ash wood. $79 for the wood cases, $89 for leather, available at Sled. Here are a few more pics: (more…)
SUNDANCE STYLE
Here are three things to bring along if you’re lucky enough to make it to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival, January 19th through the 29th. Yes, Robert Redford’s Mountain Cineplex is about watching movies, but late-night parties and special events have become essential stops along the way. So pack accordingly: items for staying warm and taking a few runs down the slopes, but nothing too clunky. Think boots that are lighter and slimmed down, a jacket that you can layer underneath accordingly and chic sunglasses to balance the look. You just might score an invite to that late-night (more…)
STARTING TODAY: PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO #81
If you’d like to expand your knowledge on the world of menswear, a good place to start is by simply familiarizing yourself with the industry calendar. There are key dates throughout the year that shape and define the fashion landscape and one of the biggest, and perhaps most prestigious, begins today, January 10th, 2012 in Florence, Italy: Pitti Immagine Uomo. Uomo = Men’s, #81 – the 81st showing of the impressive retail trade show. Although calling it a trade show doesn’t really do Pitti justice – it’s more of a finely-tuned art exhibit than a jumble of overzealous brands and tacky booths. For three days Florence (more…)
BACKYARDS BY MARMOT
This is a terrific video because it shows skiers you’re less likely to know of: the incredibly talented, smart guides and members of the ski patrol who’s main job is to help people experience the great outdoors while staying safe. Instead of Spicoli on skis talking about how rad he is and how much “pow pow” dumped last night, you get down-to-earth Mike Leake of the Grand Targhee, Wyoming ski patrol discussing his authentic love for skiing, respect for the mountain and unique way of life. A natural, soft-sell brand extension for Marmot.
MARMOT STOCKHOLM PARKA
If you dig Moncler but find it crazy overpriced and could care less about logos, here’s an alternate version, just as striking, and at $240, a 1/3 the price. The “Stockholm Jacket” from Marmot has the same glossy down-proof fabric (no feathers sticking you while trudging back country), combined with high-quality 650 fill goose down – natures insulator. “Fill Power” measures the quality of down, specifically the amount of cubic space that one ounce of down will fill. For example; one ounce of 650 fill power down will fill 650 cubic inches of space, one ounce of 500 fill, 500 cubic inches of space. To try to make it more clear: a down jacket that (more…)
TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS OF SKIING
This is a great tribute to the pioneers of skiing by Warren Miller, inventor of the adventure skiing film genre. It’s also a pitch-perfect look at original alpine mountain style that is currently so popular. Inspiration by simply looking back.
TOP SITES: MONCLER
Clean, classic and straightforward, Moncler’s website sells an aspirational lifestyle as much as it does expensive winter parkas. While aligning itself with Verbier, Switzerland, one of the top mountain destinations in the world, Moncler puts itself amongst chic company and legitimizes the technical attributes of it’s collection through its partnership with the famous ski school. I’ve skid in Verbier and it’s a pretty extraordinary experience. Driving up a dicey switch back road from the valley far down below, you arrive (more…)
FURTHUR AT RED ROCKS COLORADO
I’m super jealous of a few of my buddies who are heading out to Red Rocks Colorado this weekend for two concerts by “Furthur,” a group formed in 2009 by former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. If you haven’t been, Red Rocks is one of the most dramatic and (more…)
ASOS BEATBOXING CHOIR TOKYO
This is a fresh and innovative brand extension for shopping site ASOS – As Seen on the Street. Their YouTube channel is killer.
NITTY GRITTY STOCKHOLM
Of the many shops visited in Europe’s most regal city, none was more flawlessly executed and merchandised than Nitty Gritty. Much can be learned by walking through this shop. It takes an expertly trained eye to pick out such a smart mix of brands, from the regulars A.P.C. and Adam Kimmel to the lesser-known, yet just as influential, Visvim and Nigel Cabourn. And if you ever needed ideas on how to divide a store into clear categories while still retaining a seamless, overall point of view, take a look.
KNOW THIS BRAND: HERSCHEL
The Herschel Supply Co. can trace it’s roots way back to the early 1900′s when Peter Alexander Cormack and his wife Annie immigrated from Wick, Scotland, to Herschel, Canada. Cormack was a barrel maker by trade, but fortunately for us, the company transitioned to making highly functional and rugged backpacks and bags. Inspiration is (more…)
