We’re getting to that time of year when it seems like we live in perpetual darkness. Now we’re no scientists, but we seem to have found one remedy to counter the depressing effects of limited daylight hours – purchasing good stuff.
So here’s a bumper list of good quality & nice looking stuff we’ve spotted over the last month, sort of like a Magpie, but we’ve traded out shiny things for down jackets, boots, trainers, hats, shirts and other forms of apparel from our favourite brands.
Goldwin Pertex Quantum Down Parka
The colour of this Goldwin jacket is called Deep Eclipse and it might just be one of the best-sounding and looking colours of any jacket ever. Alongside the obvious visual pros of this jacket are some technical ones, namely a Pertex Quantum construction and heaps of lovely fluffy insulation.
Found Feather Rib Beanie
A likely contender for the most pleasant head warmer we’ve spotted this year. The colour shape and thickness of the ribbing all look sublime, and it should come as no surprise that it’s designed and made in Japan.
South2 West8 x Danner Mountain Light
There’s something quite mean-looking about this boot – which we like, but your other footwear might not. As in they’re going to be scared of it. I don’t know what I’m going on about here – great release though.
Service Works Allotment Parka
Probably going into the wrong season for a jacket of this light-weightiness, but it’s too good not to include. Just look at those chest pockets and lovely brown buttons.
Gramicci Ralston Flannel Shirt
One of the best flannels we’ve seen all year, and definitely the most similar to a 1980s cinema’s carpet. Coincidence? I think not.
Western Hydrodynamic Research G-SHOCK Footprints Hat
A fantastic piece of headwear that can fool people into thinking you’ve conducted research about Western Hydrodynamics, when in fact, you don’t even know what a hydrodynamic is.
Nike LD-1000 Sneaker
If for whatever reason you weren’t aware, an absolute classic Nike runner made a return this year. Not much needs to be said about this shoe, only that everyone needs a pair.
Patagonia Recycled Wool-Blend Sweater
Could almost be a Christmas jumper this, we’re envisioning it as a kind of warm-up Christmas jumper that you wear in November to set the tone for December.
KAVU Lockport Sweater
This looks to be a pretty ideal sweater to wear for cowering indoors, hiding from moderately cold temperatures and double-digit windspeeds. Hardly what we imagine KAVU had in mind when they designed it.
Montbell x Outsiders Superior Down Parka
Only the crafty bunch at Outsiders could make Montbell dig through their archives for an old defunct fabric. We’re glad they pulled it off though, because these Superior Down Parka’s are the crème de la crème of Montbell product.
BEAMS PLUS Oxford Down Vest
A beautiful rendition of a traditional vest silhouette from BEAMS PLUS – you’ll be looking like prime Robert De Niro in the Deer Hunter when you take your Italian Greyhound on a walk in this one.
Gramicci Weather Fatigue Pants
Got a pair of these at the Wellington Mill sample sale recently and haven’t taken them off since. Take it from me, these are a good pair of kecks, dare I say it maybe my favourite Gramicci trousers I own.
KAVU Highline Sweater
Everyone needs a proper mental sweater in their wardrobe, and we quite fancy this one from KAVU, complete with monkeys wearing goggles and all.
Klattermusen Iving 2.0
We wanted to chuck a ludicrous jacket into this list, and here it is – an absolute behemoth from Klattermusen. Yeah it’s expensive but it’s also fully waterproof and extremely warm – purchasing one of these would instantly sort out all of life’s other problems.
adidas Country Japan Sneaker
Always thought these look a bit like an English Bull Terrier, but in a good way.
Gramicci x and wander Down Vest
As we’re getting on in the year, it’s important to take some time to reflect on our favourite collaborations – the one between Gramicci & and wander being one of them. Something about this vest just looks so cosy, and we think it’s got something to do with those handwarmer pockets.
KAVU Long Sleeve Half Zip Throwshirt
We adhere to the tribe that thinks quarter/half-zips should be for relaxing, forget rugby and finance, the ideal activity for quarter-zipping is doing very little – this KAVU number looks perfectly suited for just that.
Farah Japan Two Tuck Side Adjustable Pants
Farah isn’t a name that you hear all that much about anymore – but given that the Japanese branch of the brand has now been stocked in the UK for the first time, expect to start hearing it a lot more. From their AW24 collection, these pleated pants are the pick of the punnet.
Harry’s Post-Shave Mist
This is very much a Christmas stocking present that we’d usually include in the December instalment of Proper Picks, but someone in the office won’t stop banging on about it. Do you really need post-shave mist? Probably not, but once you use it, apparently you’ll never understand how you lived without it.
Adsum Beanie
A no-nonsense piece of headwear, looks to be warm and a nice shape. What more do you want?
Vans Authentic Reissue 44
Nothing is certain in this life except three things – death, taxes and a Vans resurgence. These Authentic Reissue’s are leading the charge of the latter, in our mind.
Kestin Cuilin Down Jacket
You often find people obsessed with cars banging on about ‘future classics.’ Well, we’re not car people, but we are jacket people, and in our minds, this is a future classic.
Found Feather Geo Beanie
We think we’ve found a new favourite headwear manufacturer in Found Feather. This thing looks cooooosy.
Paraboot Avoriaz Nubuck Boot Gringo
A top-tier pair of stompers that has been modelled on mountain boots from the ’60s and ’80s. If you’re looking for a pair of boots to carry you through winter and way beyond, these from Paraboot are a safe option.
Purple Mountain Observatory Solo Fleck Fleece
An outdoorsy take on a track jacket. Think The Sopranos, but the kind of head Tony & co talk about is Hydrostatic, as opposed to the other kind.
Tretorn Arctic Puffer Waterproof Jacket
A waterproof puffer jacket for only £270??? We know that’s still a lot of money, but if you’re in the market for an all-conditions all-weather jacket, you’d be stupid to look past this.
CAYL Packable Stretch Hoody
Easily the item with the best hood on this list. Proper ninja/spaceman/catburglar style.
Goldwin 0 Buckle Straight Leg Pants
There will be a handful of times in your life when you desperately want a pair of soft-shell trousers, and these are here to satiate you in those moments.
