The Highway Is For Gamblers, Better Use Your Sense

With Black Friday at hand, I've decided to take stock of the past year's staples in my wardrobe rather than invest in new threads with slashed prices. Besides, I've already been blowing my monthly allotted budget at the newly opened All Saints store on Robertson in LA, as well as buying new music gear for home-recording purposes (which I'll touch on this in a later posting).

My friends William and Brandie, along with their nice friend Christine whom I've met on a couple of occasions, have all posted great entries in the past about their own personal outfit anatomy. Following in suit, below are some of the additions I've accrued in the past year or two that you're likely to find me donning at any given time.

First and foremost, I went all out and bought this amazing All Saints jacket several months back. I won't lie, the price tag on it was the highest dollar amount I've ever spent on an article of clothing - but I can say without hesitance that it was worth every penny. It's perfectly tapered in all the right areas, the leather is really soft and broken in, and the chipped-paint on the buttons and zippers really give this the overall feel that I've had it for a decade. I never leave home without this jacket. If I were to lose it tomorrow, I would without a doubt buy another.


Continuing on the All Saints tip, underneath the jacket you'll notice the over-dyed plaid button-down also from the same label. I bought this pretty recently, but it's already a favorite. All Saints had the genius idea of including pliable wiring in all the major seams, making it super easy to make this look crunched and well-worn. For example, you can bend your collar, front placket or waist-edge and it will stay in the shape you've contorted to. Plus, the overdye-print gives it a bit of a darker edge, moving it away from a lumberjack-feel and more toward Rogue's Gallery-style sailor motif.


And again, another All Saints button-down, this time in a more formal vibe for those nights where plaid would come across as too casual. What sold me on this shirt was the bottom-front details, which were tailored in the shape of vest tails and unique three-button placket.



For every button-down, you need a t-shirt in case of rising heat. Below are just several of my favorites, but I've amassed more t-shirts than really would ever be necessary in this lifetime. First is a typical band t-shirt, which I have way too many of. This one is for The Big Pink, which I ordered online through their website. Aside from adoring the band, in general I think light colored shirts with photo-realistic prints really look great. I own a couple other in this vein, and they're always my go-to's when I'm dressing lighter.


The next is another band shirt, this time for Pains of Being Pure at Heart. When I initially bought this shirt at one of their shows, I wasn't sure how much use I'd put to it. When I got home, I tried it on and the neck rib was sewn poorly and bunched up really tight. On a whim, I decided to stretch it out, which actually caused the rib to tear. So, I decided to cut out the neck rib entirely, and split the seams on the sleeve and waist edges to unify the feel. It was the best decision I made, as I now wear this shirt all the time and love the liberal neckline which is loose, but not of douche-bag level proportions (sorry, but guys in deep-V's, you need to cut that shit out - you're not J.Lo).

One of the most comfortable t-shirts I own was given to me by my old co-worker. It was a sample the company had bought, designed by Nice Collective, and I'd always fancied it for it's faux-Slowdive graphic. The cotton is really softened, to the point where it just slips on and off like nothing. The graphic was screened from the inside, giving it a really faded appearance on the outside and typography-based image is perfect in its nod to the shoegaze greats.


Lastly for the tees, here is a shirt I bought from Ever a few months ago. Again, really soft-pressed cotton that's really light to wear. I purchased this solely for the graphic, which is screened over the front pocket, giving it a bit more dimension. I have no idea whose in the graphic, but I like how it resembles Suicide a bit.


Onto bottoms! I'm not really much for slacks, I just don't ever find a good fit and don't want to pay the price of tailoring. I stick to denim jeans, and when I find a good pair, I wear them religiously. I also make it a point to not wash them, especially black ones, because once the first-wash fade kicks in - they lose some of their charm. Obviously if they start getting gross, I will, but the two below I've owned for the better part of the year and haven't washed once. If you're careful and generally clean, you won't have to and it never becomes a hygiene issue.

In April, I bought William a pair of April 77 Joey fits in black, as it was on his wishlist of things. After seeing them in-person, I decided to kick down the cash and buy two pairs for myself. I'm so in love with the black ones that I bought yet another pair in the same color in case the ones I wear daily rip. The fit is incredible on these and the construction has been super sturdy thus far. These are definitely the most worn items I own presently.


And what would a good pair of jeans be without an equally good pair of shoes? This year marked my first in owning more then three pairs of shoes at any given time. For running comfort, I'll jump in to my Fred Perry plimsouls or Adidas sambas (both not pictured), but during the work week, I'm generally found in any of the following.

First is the best thrift-shopped pair of Oxford I've ever purchased. These beauties were already well-worn in, and are the most comfortable dress shoes I've ever owned. Sadly, they're starting to fall-apart, but I will continue to wear them until their untimely death.


A couple of months ago, I scored these beautiful Repetto Oxfords on sale from the equally stunning Confederacy boutique in East Hollywood. They've got a really slim-profile heel and the leather is ridiculously soft - which means these will only come out on special occasions, as I'm worried they could tear quickly if they're sported daily.


And then there is my newest footwear addition/addiction –these All Saints military-style boots. They're far and away the most rugged looking shoes I've owned, but are incredibly comfortable. All Saints scores again, adding a side-zipper to conveniently allow for taking on and off, instead of going through elaborate maze of laces. You can wear your jeans tucked into 'em or over top, and either way they look great.



Last, but certainly not least, there are the accessories. Let's start at the top and move clockwise, first covering the grey Fred Perry wallet (and self-added chain). Got this for free from a store that sympathized my bleaching incident that occurred a couple months ago with a newly purchased Fred Perry button-down. The wallet is great and durable, but a little on the thick side. I like the zipper enclosure, which ensures nothing falls out in transit. Next is my smorgasbord of keys and basic silver clasp key holder. Not sure what to say except that having these dangle from my back belt loop often gets me mistaken for a janitor or store employee. I can't help the fact that I need all those keys (and always necessary bottle opener). Moving on, I found this pair of sea-foam green Wayfarer knock-offs for sale at some street-side vendor for $5! The color is semi-translucent and I haven't seen a pair like 'em since. Next is my Rogues Gallery necklace, which I've had for a couple years now and was a gift from an old co-worker. I've got a penchant for all things nautical, and this necklace keeps in that theme. Following that are my assorts bracelets, pins and my sole ring. The leather coiled bracelet on the left was a cheap H&M pick-up, which I've adorned with an amazing clockworkd-gear pin given to me by the very kind Catherine (whom I have been lagging big time in returning a thank you gift). At the top of that bracelet, you can see my sterling silver skull ring, which I purchased from Necromance. I used to have difficulty finding rings that felt comfortable to wear, but this one is just right in sizing. To the right, you can see a single-band rubber bracelet given to me by William's Mom. It's adorned with an anchor, and I've since added a silver charm of fangs sent to me by Will and Brandie for my birthday. I'm actually intending on putting that charm on a necklace, but haven't found a good chain for 'em just yet. To finish it all out, everything is lying atop a black and grey Union Jack scarf I purchased from All Saints.


So, that's that. My anatomy, detached of me. As always, I'm curious to read and see other people's own interpretations.