We’re back. Another month, another Proper Picks. Although it is five days late this time, but you know what? We don’t really care. You can’t rush mediocrity. A lot of the items on this list were compiled prior to the departure of British summertime, so you’ll have to forgive me for not including more rain jackets, umbrellas, and GORE-TEX.
It’s another big one – there’s plenty of nice clothes, and plenty of strange ramblings. Hope you enjoy it.
Boy’s Own Balearic T-Shirt
Balearic is a proper cool word to say and look at. Exactly the sort of thing I want written across my chest in bold letters this summer.
Ends and Means Easy Baker Shorts
Japanese brands are well good at making shorts, and this Ends and Means pair is proof. These are so nice, I’d genuinely get rid of all the other shorts in my wardrobe just to have them.
Natra Studios Marlo Vest
This vest has been handmade in Bristol, and you can sort of tell. It’s cool, bespoke, and a bit trippy. Just like the Bristolians.
Montbell 50th Anniversary Monta Bear
At first glance, I thought, yeah, this looks like a nice fella – something I’d like to have in my living room. But the more I look at him, the more menacing his expression becomes.
BEAMS Plus Mesh Open Collar Shirt
This looks like the perfect garment for days when it’s sweltering. The shirt’s stitching has little gaps in it – if I regrettably ended up in St John’s Market when it was 30 degrees out, this is the garment I’d want to be wearing. Even though I’d definitely get bullied by scallies.
Merrell 1TRL x Belstaff MOAB Mesa Luxe
An absolutely huge second collab installation from Belstaff & Merrell. These are mega, and the white colourway is potentially just as good too. 10/10.
U.L. Mono Shoulder Bag
Bought my girlfriend one of these Montbell bags recently, and I’ve been well jealous of it ever since. Was debating not giving it to her and keeping it for myself. Honestly wish I did.
Goldwin Nylon Multipurpose Jacket
Wonder just how truly multipurpose this Multipurpose Jacket actually is. Could you sleep in it? Swim in it? Use it as a hammock? Knowing Goldwin, the answer to all those is probably yes.
Goldwin 0 Reaction Diffusion L/S
It’s happened everyone. AI is now designing clothes. Goldwin got AI to model the pattern on this longsleeve from the surface texture of the desert. Pretty cool to be fair. Actually wouldn’t mind AI taking over if it meant more clothes looking like this.
Arksen Herne Stripe T-Shirt
This pattern looks like something a sailor would see after drinking too much moonshine.
New Balance Abzorb 2010
Quintessential New Balance shoe. You cannot beat a grey upper with a cream sole. Big, big fan of this release.
FILA Miguel Velour Archive Track Jacket
Every time I move house, I end up rewatching The Sopranos – it’s kind of like a christening ritual. I can’t fully settle until I’ve seen all six seasons. Anyway, I’ve just moved into a new flat, so that’s why this Moltisanti-esque velour number is here.
Stussy Skullcap Digicamo
Reminds me a lot of Xbox 360 and Modern Warfare II. My 13-year-old self would’ve loved one of these.
Folk Gabe Shirt Ecru Ikrat
Looks like something one of the cool Japanese extras would wear in that well good Lost in Translation party scene.
Minor Planet NY Tribal Mantra Tee
Tribal print tees are a Y2K staple that is yet to make a full resurgence, and I can’t understand why. Big fan of this one from our pals over at Minor Planet.
Sublime Hand Knit Beanie
You’d have thought it would be totally the wrong season to be including a beanie here, but it’s 12 degrees and pissing it down as I write this. Rule Britannia.
Sedan All Purpose Super Light Anorak
Sedan All Purpose with a lovely piece of outerwear that could be in competition for the ‘anorak of the year’ award.
Champion Ringer Graphic Tee
Many brands attempt the ‘aged’ garment look, and most of them fail. Champion is an exception to the rule, though; this ringer tee looks like it’s been plucked from 1989.
Red Wing Classic Moc Toe Boots 1907
In the conversation of timeless brands, Red Wing should be one of the first names off your tongue. The boots have hardly changed since 1905, and that’s because they haven’t had to.
Snow Peak Classic Kettle 1.8L
Don’t even want this Snow Peak kettle for camping. Would fully just have it inside my house. Waiting 10 minutes for it to boil on the stove while my £6 electric kettle looks on in disbelief.
Refrigiwear Original Vest Garment Dyed
Hats off to Refrigiwear for producing the best example of a garment dyed gilet since Massimo Osti’s departure.
Nike AirMax 95 OG Bright Mandarin
One of the best 110 colourways of all time, just behind the Freshwater and Neon. These are releasing tomorrow, and as much as I’d like a pair, I’ve accepted I’m probably not going to get them.
BEAMS Plus Easy Shorts
Thanks BEAMS. I’ve always wanted a pair of shorts that look like I’m wearing my granddad’s underwear. Not even joking.
Goldwin 0 S/S Assymetric Camp Shirt
This Goldwin shirt is nice, but the cool hammock-shaped pocket on it is even better.
Salty Crew Bruce L/S Tee
Not entirely sure what the Salty Crew is, but I’d definitely like to be a part of it. Especially if it meant a lifetime supply of marine-themed tees.
Amundsen V-Bond Shirt
Big into the pattern on this Amundsen shirt. Sort of like a tablecloth, sort of like a pyjama – in the best kind of way.
Berghaus Meru Mountain Jacket
Berghaus reached into their archive to resurrect the Meru Mountain Jacket the other day, and it’s a pretty special moment. Obviously, the star of the show is the red and navy colour, but this grey and green is top notch too.
Champion Reverse Weave Zip Up Hoodie
If I could have a lifetime supply of jersey products, I’d want it to be from Champion. Their reverse-weave gear is just so good.
Wild Donkey Military Green Character T-Shirt
If the Navy issued these t-shirts to everyone who joined, I’d have already filed my papers.
Nike Air Rift Lace Sneaker
The Nike Air Rift has always bordered between cool and weird. And the older I get, the more I like them. So either I’m getting cooler, or I’m getting weirder.
Snow Peak Low Chair
A very nice sitting device from Snow Peak.
Folk Relaxed Soft Collar Shirt
Don’t think I’ve ever fully appreciated how nice Folk’s shirting offerings are. The benefit with this one is it will double up as a lovely tea towel once you’re done with it.
Subi Ultralightweight Jacket
This is one of them jackets that is going to make you run significantly faster. Or at least make you feel like you’re running significantly faster.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel 4
Intrigued about how rebellious these New Balance Rebels are… Is there a chance they’ll start unlacing themselves mid-run? Start moaning when you run further than 5 kilometres?
Fractel CT Flow State Tee
The Flow State (name of this T-shirt) is an interesting phenomenon, and one I’d like to enter more. It would certainly make writing these stupid paragraphs easier.
New Balance MIUK Allerdale
Said it before, I’ll say it again. New Balance’s Allerdale is the ultimate pub shoe. Wearing a pair of these to your local social club will instantly gain you the respect of the old fellas on the snooker table.
66North Kría Hybrid T-shirt
A very nice techy tee from 66North. Pretty cool of them to incorporate their Arctic Tern (a white and black bird that doesn’t mind getting cold) logo into it.
AFENDS Short Sleeve Shirt
You know that British guy who has a mullet and a moustache and pretends to be Australian? Yeah, he would wear this. Can’t blame him either – it’s nice.
Eat Your Water Charger 6 Panel
The scary text on this cap is actually a friendly reminder to ‘eat your water.’
Fila Nichols Velour Track Top
Yep. Another Sopranos-induced pick.
Reef Fanning
These might look like your regular pair of flip-flops, but they’re not. They’ve got a special ability. Opening beer bottles via the bottle opener on the sole. Great if you enjoy drinking exotic soft drinks or bottled lager.
Wild Donkey Vintage Blue Embroidered Cap
Yep.
Klattermusen Syn SS Shirt
Very good shirt from Klattermusen. Desperate to understand what the purpose of that little mesh triangle is.
Goodlids Splash Soft-Brim
Goodlids are constantly flying the flag for hemp stuff, and as a society we should be standing saluting it. If we can’t get behind a fabric that doesn’t kill the planet, we’re all doomed.
KA_YO_Prototype Running Jacket Solaris
This KA YO jacket has been inspired by the colours seen during Scandinavian springtime. Must not get much sun over there.
HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Lite
This colourway of this Hoka Mafate looks absolutely delicious. Like one of those really nice yoghurts you had when you were younger. Petit Filous sort of thing.
Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals
Everyone who owns a pair of Bedrock sandals won’t shut up about them, including me. And that’s because they’re so good. Easily the best slip-on slip-off footwear ever created.
Wild Donkey Dallas Tote
Just think of all the sailing ephemera you could squeeze into this tote bag. Harpoons, octopus tentacles, shark teeth. The list goes on.
You can quite literally never have enough shorts with zipped pockets, and these Montane ones look sturdy.
