Around late March, early April, is when I start getting excited for new summer clothes and this year there are some really interesting things coming out by brands that I love! So here’s five things I’m excited to buy this year.
Wallace & Barnes Short Sleeve Cardigan/Polo/Sweater
By all accounts this thing shouldn’t work. It’s a combination of a bunch of goods things that if you told me someone was combining I would just laugh in their face. Yet, I’m intrigued and honestly I can see myself wearing this all spring and some colder summer nights. On top of that this passes one of my favorite tests, would Ryan Gosling wear this? After seeing him wear a sweater vest over a t-shirt last year, the answer is yes.
Barbanera AKC Loafers
Unlined loafers are probably my favorite shoes in the world and Barbanera makes some of the best. Inspired by Antonio Ciongoli (who appears later in this list), these loafers are made from deerskin, rather than the usual calf leather that most shoes are made of, which should make them that much softer. These are also a little pricey, but after owning several Barbanera shoes already, I know that the quality of these is going to be amazing. Plus, there is something about them that is just striking. I plan on wearing them with both my casual cotton suits and my jeans and t-shirts.
18 East Ankit Beaded Necklace
Sid Mashburn wears beads underneath his suits. He once said about them, “It's very rare that I take off my shirt anyway, so it's like I'm being quietly anti-establishment or something. “
I’ve worn a necklace almost my entire adult life. It’s a simple strand with a ring on it that means quite a bit to me, but recently I’ve been looking for something to add a splash of color to my outfits. Enter this necklace.
18 East is a newer company founded by Antonio Ciongoli that is doing some very special work with artisans around the world. For their most recent drop there are some truly remarkable things, that if I had unlimited money, I would have picked up right away. This necklace is “strung from a hand-selected mix of beautifully irregular Indian frosted and matte glass beads”. In order to still support the company I bought this necklace and I’m really looking forward to getting it in the mail!
S.E.H. Kelly Standard Trouser
I love self belting pants. I have a few pairs for the fall/winter but I’ve been looking for some for the warmer months when it makes more sense to have them. In the warmer months, the less I’m wearing the better, so I want to try to “lose” my belts this year. I’m planning on stopping by S.E.H. Kelly when I’m in London just to see what these pants are about, but I’m fairly certain that I’m going to pick them up. They seem a littler fuller, which is perfect for the warmer weather when you want something that doesn’t cling to your skin. Also, if I do pick them up, they’ll be perfect for some more casual summer weddings I have coming up.
Drake’s ‘D’ Sweater
You better believe I want a sweater with a D on it. My name is Dylan. The D stands for Dylan. I don’t care what Drake’s says.
(photos via J. Crew, Barbanera, 18 East Co., S.E.H. Kelly, and Drake’s)