A Few Bits I Found

On my trip abroad I, unsuprisingly, frequented a few shops and I picked up a few bits. These are some highlights.

The one shop I was most impressed with was J-Press. The day before I left my father had told me about it, comparing it to J Crew, but perhaps a little more up market. As far as he knew it was a traditional Madison Avenue outfitters similar to Brooks Brothers that had been bought out by a Japanese firm and therefore they had gone more traditional but less stagnant. There was plenty I could have bought in store but I simply didn't have the time nor money to look and buy seriously. I ended up picking up some very cosy and very warm socks as well as two eternally useful woolen hats, which I may add are very well made.

Before my visit to J-Press I went into Brooks Brothers to find something in particular and I found it straight away. Ever since Thom Browne started his Black Fleece range I had been after one of the oxford shirts. Their fit is fairly similar to one created by Gitman Brothers, but the quality is, in my opinion, on a different level. And luckily this one was in the sale.

I made two trips to Supreme. I attempted to find Mr. Jebbia but he was not around so all I got was his regards. I picked up a nice tee from the recent taps collaboration, the Vans released last year and a thermal long sleeved tee in the sale.

NYU t-shirts and sweats are one of my oldest memories of presents from trips abroad that my father would bring back. Since I have a new love of Champion, as well as the US collegiate look I purchased these from the NYU bookstore, and the fact they were student-y levels of cheapness they are wonderful additions to my wardrobe.

With some level over cash I picked up a plastic strapped Bapex. Not the one I had wanted, but a nice buy nonetheless.

Oh and a Patagonia Rain Shadow. Perfect outer shell for any weather and cheaper to buy across the pond

Present x Crescent Down Works Down Vest

Just before Christmas I picked up this new collaboration PRESENT has undertaken with American outerwear specialists Crescent Down Works. The collection sees various down vests and 60/40 mountain parkas in an array of vibrant colours for the linings. I saw this down vest, navy outer with orange ripstop lining, as the best in the collection and it is easily now the warmest thing I own. With a shell, such as my new Patagonia Rain Shadow, sitting on top of it it is the perfect outfit to combat the chilly arctic weather we are in the midst of.

£165, Available at PRESENT

Supreme Ripstop

Since my Supreme obsession started a few years ago I have always fancied a piece of outerwear. For many years the only Supreme I experienced was that that my father had brought back from trips to Tokyo or NY. Because of this I was limited to t-shirts and the odd sweat. With my age, however, has come wealth, and after working all summer I managed to accumulate enough funds to purchase my first piece of expensive Supreme. This season the ripstop jacket immediately sprung out as something I needed to own. For the period preceding its release I was already investigating more technical apparel. Both old and new style Patagonia, as well as pieces by brands such as Arcteryx and some of the new Stone Island Shadow Project stuff fed my obsession with materials designed exclusively for extreme wear and my interest in the technology behind them. The release therefore of one of these pieces, by one of my favourite brands, equated to a definite cop. Thanks to a friend I managed to get hold of it for US retail, which was a serious money saver and one which I much appreciate.

(excuse the shitty student digs photo)

The technical quality of it must not be underestimated. Some may think, that as its only made by a lowly NY skate brand and not an internationally renowned mountaineering manufacturer, that the way it withstands wind and rain is poor, but these people are fools of the highest degree. I am going to admit that it has only been tested in October rain in Bristol, but it holds up as well as any Patagonia or Arcteryx I have ever owned. The ripstop material is just that, and is both lightweight and tough. The colour is also something which immediately drew me to it as did the detail on it is which is a lovely touch. It also comes it red and black, which are equally as nice (I only didn't cop the red due to the amount of red already in my wardrobe). In my week of owning this I have already worn it enough times to warrant the purchase, and i'm sure this winter I will not be seen without it somewhere near me.

This Looks Familiar

Earlier on Highsnobiety I spotted this, the Nisqually Valey Parka, by Maiden Noir. Anyone with a memory may remember a certain parka Supreme released last season. The similarities are quite ridiculous with only the sleeves making this effort, which by the way is available at Union LA for $424, identical to the S/S 09 effort by NY's finest. Even the colours are perfect, with this replica not being a shade away from the original.

One could, however, argue that this is a case Jebbia receiving a taste of his own medicine. Many have highlighted the similarities that THAT Supreme Mountain Parka has to a Ralph Lauren Parka circa 1993. I am lucky enough to have that jacket but with blue instead of red, but still in an identical design. It just goes to prove how influential RL are in this industry, but also how much stuff is shared, or rather pinched from others. Maybe its more testament to the fact that all this is a lovely design for a mountain parka. As all have come out very nicely, and I would happily own any of the three, the "theft" of this popular design has been a crude move by all parties involved.

For some 15 years this design has done the rounds, and I hope that for another 15 it can evolve in an equally exciting manor

(Oh and Patagonia had a go as well - but it was a bit of a weak effort)