Earlier this year I wrote about how to refocus your purchases once you’ve got the basics of a good wardrobe covered, and even put down a personal list of clothing to buy for myself since that’s the boat I’m in.
I’ve made some new purchases this spring and summer, so I thought I’d share what those were and compare it to that list.
Cotton-linen summer trousers
First are two new pairs of cotton-linen trousers from Spier & Mackay. One in a faded navy color and one in a rich mid-brown. They’re both really great and flattering, though are much more full in silhouette than I’m used to. It’s actually just the knee down that’s less tapered. The side tabs mean they’ll both look cool worn on their own with just a shirt, but will also look good with a tailored jacket.
Earlier in the spring, I’d gotten some cotton-linen pants from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece for $37 apiece; a pair in khaki and another in off-white (those were made from Sondrio cotton/linen, too). So with cotton-linen summer tailored trousers, I’ve got a good line-up.
Still on the list: deeper brown.
Darker navy blazer
Second is my Ring Jacket navy double breasted blazer. I’d wanted a navy DB blazer for years, last year getting a Suitsupply Jort in a brighter blue, but I still wanted something dark navy that would be wearable year-round and to be a bit dressier. So when I was able to buy one from Ring Jacket from a local shop that could use the cash flow, I jumped at it.
Still on the list: darker navy single-breasted blazer.
Light wash jeans
Third was a pair of good light-wash jeans that fit, and I’m glad to say I found a pair. They’re not perfect (the fading near the zipper is a little cheesy to me), but I literally got them free with a random coupon American Eagle gave me. They’re AE’s “original straight” fit, which has a surprisingly decent mid-rise and nice, straight silhouette. The stretch aspect makes them very comfy and useful for me, a dad of a small child.
More chinos
Fourth was a line-up of more chinos. I recently got two pairs from Spier & Mackay, one in a near perfect shade of olive/fatigue, and another pair just this week in slate blue. Both are there to wear on their own, not necessarily with a tailored jacket. They’ve tweaked their chino fit every season for years now, and I’m happy to report this season’s are great; Rick told me he feels they’ve locked in a good silhouette, so I expect moving forward they’ll fit like this.
Still on the list: off-white and stone; but frankly, I have so many pairs of off-white five-pockets now I feel like chinos aren’t necessary
Dressier summer trousers
Fifth was a pair of nicer summer trousers not made in a cotton or linen blend. Specifically, I mused that perhaps I’d buy some Rota trousers from No Man Walks Alone in a wool/silk/linen blend. Lo and behold this very week, Greg is holding pre-orders for Rota, including their W/S/L fabrics, and specifically including the “petrol blue” swatch that I wrote about (which is the swatch card 052-7 on the blue card on the w/s/l pre order page, pictured below). Pre-ordering is nice because you pay for it in two transactions, and also he gives you a 15% discount (with coupon code preorder15). I don’t really want to spend more money on trousers right at this moment, since I’d just gotten those cotton-linen ones, but we’ll see, I may cave.
Still on the list: this whole category
