Without wanting to sound like a Facebook mum, how is it August already? Feel like I was doing the Proper Picks for March just the other day.
At this point in the year, I usually find myself feeling quite depressed that the majority of ‘summer’ has passed by, and all I’ve got to show for it is a camera roll full of questionable beer garden photos separated by the occasional screenshot of my lock screen. In an attempt to remedy this negative thinking, I’ve spent hours compiling a big list of nice clothes, trainers & accessories for you. Do I feel any better for it? Yeah, I do, actually. Would feel even better if someone bought me the BEAMS Plus Down Parka about 3/4 down the page. Nice one.
Stone Island Chenille Mock Neck Knit
This is about as good as Stone Island gets for me. Something about the badge hanging off the arm of a loose-knit mock neck is just special. This one is somewhat similar to that red mock neck Noel Gallagher wore that one time. Quite possibly his best look ever.
Danner x Ball & Buck Danner Light
Duck camouflage undoubtedly got done to death in the 2010s, but this Danner x Ball & Buck collab has got me hungry for round two. Catch me down the pub in a full Bape rig-out this winter.
Mega nostalgic Stussy tee, very reminiscent of the designs from that ’90s golden era, which I wrote about in relative detail here.
It doesn’t matter how far away you are; how on earth do you mistake this for a velvet beanie? What even is a velvet beanie? Obviously jumbo cord. And it’s a bucket hat.
Go Out mags are well good, once you get the hang of the whole reading backwards thing. Took me a while.
This Pop Trading Company vest looks like something Robert De Niro would’ve worn in The Deer Hunter. If the Deer Hunter was about learning to do a kickflip instead of the devastating effects that horrific conflict has on the human psyche.
Have you ever wanted a pair of massive pants with strangely positioned pockets halfway down the leg? Me neither, until now.
Very nice heritage tee from Marmot that prompts me to present you with the fun marmot fact of the day – did you know that marmots are incredibly shortsighted? So, if you’re ever going to make rude hand gestures at one, do it from a safe distance.
Originally designed for turf-training back in the 1970s, the iconic Astrograbber has returned, and I’m pretty buzzing about it. Can’t beat a waffle sole.
Patagonia Fitz Roy Icon Trad Cap
I’ve got a weird relationship with the colour purple. Some shades of it remind me of the cheap waterproof jackets old ladies who have loads of ratty dogs wear. Thankfully, this purple Patagonia cap doesn’t do that. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be on this list.
Despite what the name may suggest, I’m pretty certain this lovely parka doesn’t contain any traces of pork, or any other meat for that matter. No fish either, I’m pretty sure.
Daiwa Pier39 Tech Wind Shell Vest
Very nice vest from Daiwa Pier39 that probably draws inspiration from Patagonia’s iconic Puffball Vest – good love letter to them available to read here on the Outsiders Store blog.
Montbell Pocketable Light Tote
This Montbell tote bag packs down to basically nothing. Ideal for those Lidl trips where you can’t quite gauge whether your 13 ultimate chocolate brownies from the bakery section will fit in your primary shopping bag.
The way I feel about the Nike Phassad is probably how a mother feels about their slightly ugly child. I don’t care what people have to say about its weird closure system and massive lug sole – I love the Phassad, and I’m very happy it has been re-released.
For their 99th anniversary, 66North has flipped their logo upside down on a handful of great products, including this jacket whose name I have no idea how to pronounce. Snai-ful? Snaffle? Sniffle?
Teenage Engineering OB-4 Magic Radio & Speaker
This is bordering on mega hipster, but is still definitely cool. The kind of object I’d take the piss out of my mates for having, but deep down it’s only because I’m incredibly jealous.
Effortlessly clean pair of adidas Japan. Would be mortified if you ever got even a spec of mud on these.
Trendy cycling caps are going to be the next big thing in #activefashion I reckon, and I’m going to be ahead of the curve wearing this well nice Mammut x Assos one.
If this Filson Field Jacket could talk, it would speak about the ‘good old days’ in a voice that has been permanently scarred by a two-pack habit of Marlboro Reds. And that is exactly how I want my jackets to speak.
C.P. Company Cotton Gabardine Loose Cargo Pants
Fuck me these C.P. Company Cargo Pants are cool. Fantastic waist adjusters and massive cargo pockets. 10/10.
Columbia PFG Henrys Fork VI Vest
Fishing clobber like this Columbia PFG vest is mega. The closest an average Joe will ever get to wearing astronaut gear. So many pockets, zips, buttons, tabs, closures, vents. No clue what any of them actually do, mind.
Sun Buddies Amber California Poppy
The name Sun Buddies Amber California Poppy sounds like it belongs on an expensive bottle of sun cream.
Nudie Jeans Tuff Tony Blue Day Dreamer
Nudeh have recently opened a store on Oldham Street in Manchestuh and we well like these Tuff Toneh jeans, d’you kno what I mean?
BEAMS Plus MIL Type N-3B Down Parka
That’s right, a fleece-lined BEAMS Plus military parka jacket in August’s edition of Proper Picks. Don’t care that it’s going to be way too hot to wear this for the next four months. Do what we want round here.
Here’s an example of heritage outdoor design executed perfectly. Hanwag have absolutely smashed it on these Rotpunkt Low LL – the kind of thing you’d see Sylvester Stallone wearing in Cliffhanger as he disarms a baddie’s AK-47 with his bare hands, all while hanging upside down from a tightrope.
Somebody from the Proper office actually took this backpack on a hiking trip around Europe recently, and managed to not get mauled by a Slovakian bear in the process. A clear-as-day indicator of the quality of this bag.
Montbell Light Rib Knit Watch Cap
Yes, I know it’s not quite the weather for wearing knitted headwear, but this Montbell beanie was too nice not to include.
Vans OTW Authentic Zip Vibram Shoes
How do you improve the already beautiful Vans Authentic? By slapping on a Vibram sole and a zip pull closure, that’s how.
I’m a big fan of riding my bicycle to new places, but I’m not a big fan of near-misses with articulated lorries while dicking around with Google Maps. The Beeline Velo 2 is a very simple, easy-to-use solution to this problem.
Waterproof shorts with taped seams on the outside, so people can tell you’re serious about keeping everything above your knee dry. Anything below the knee is fair game to get absolutely soaked though.
The Diemme Ampezzo looks absolutely bulletproof. The kind of shoe that, with the correct technique, could be thrown straight through a brick wall. And still come out unharmed.
Never knew I needed a down-filled Montbell balaclava in my life, but here we are. An essential for impromptu large-scale Freddo robberies.
Outsiders Store Sticker Pack #1
At long last, Outsiders Store have presented us with a complete sticker pack, and there are some really good ones in here. Personal favourite is the Tunnock’s caramel bar inspired sticker.
SOAR X Altra Mont Blanc Carbon Trail Shoes
Big colourway on this Soar x Altra collab. Bet they make you run really fast as well.
Satisfy PeaceShell Running Cap
Sure, being a ‘Running Cult Member‘ is cool and all, but I’d be equally as excited about this cap if it said ‘Dr Pepper Cult Member’ or ‘Making Stupid Faces At Random Dogs In Local Parks Cult Member.’
PUMA have been making loads of mental shoes that look like they belong in a Blade Runner alleyway, but sometimes you’ve got to appreciate the classics, and they don’t come much more classic than the PUMA Suede.
Mesh caps are an invention up there with the toaster and mixed grills. Even if you aren’t into running, a mesh cap is a must-have.
