Albam: Islington

Word on the street is that Albam are close to moving into their third shop, in none other than my stomping ground - Upper Street in Islington. Last week Diverse menswear left their own shop (286 Upper Street) to move to the second floor of the womens shop due to what I believe to be financial problems and Albam have already arranged a move into N1. At the moment there is no offical date on a move-in date but if their last shop is anything to go their rustic shop fit may take a few months to re-recreate.

William Fox.

Free & Easy X Warehouse Overshirt

This winter I have constantly been hunting for clothes appropriate for layering. I have often glanced at thicker over-shirts, in particular almost pulling the trigger on an Burgundy Albam effort. Last week, whilst trawling japanese websites trying to put off doing work, I found this, from the Free & Easy x WAREHOUSE collection, the Wool Shirt. Personally I prefer the brown version, which I think is nicer to layer with in winter, but it does also come in a royal blue. Coming from Japan one would also think it might come at an extortionate price, but even via a proxy in comes in at a similar price to the Albam shirt which can be bought by simply walking to the shop.

Free & Easy x WAREHOUSE Wool Shirt, 13 200 yen, Available at Rugged Store

William Fox.

Albam Explorer Jacket

Albams newest arrival, a re-issue of the Explorer Jacket, has seen an addition to their résumé of highly esteemed outerwear. Featuring both navy and charcoal colour-ways, the Explorer Jacket is reminiscent of a Barbour or Belstaff international jacket, although it comes across as being a lot less intense, in a way more simplistic. The "midweight" cotton canvas outer with teflon coating gives it its technical credentials and I am sure it is a jacket that could be worn throughout the year, battling all sorts of weather. This is undoubtedly an item of clothing one could get a lot of use out of if it were to be in ones wardrobe in the coming year, it would certainly take pride of place in mine.

£295, Available at Albam

William Fox.

My New Look

Slowly but surely I am moving away from hypebeast-y Japanese and American brands and these two newest purchases are definitely signaling the direction in which this is going to go.

1. I have continued my Albam theme with these cords. With a simple combination of a white tee and trainers they should look cracking in the summer.

2. In an attempt to alter the balance of my footwear collection from sneakers to shoes I have invested in a pair of Clarks Desert Khans. With them only being at Oi Polloi for a limited run until their wider release later this year I did not want to miss out. I can see myself in the summer pairing these with dark shorts or a pair of rolled up raw denim.

William Fox.

NEW NEW NEW

1. Picked up this lovely Albam knit the other day

2. Some may have noticed a new contributor, Stooops. He holds fairly similar tastes to me so expect to see lots from him this year. He has already done pieces on his Supreme deck collection and the Ari Marcopoulos book.

3. The eagle-eyed amongst you may have also noticed the new layout. Thanks have to go out to a relative who did it all for me

William Fox.