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Each week, our inbox runneth over with news of gear, apparel and tech releases from around the world. In this feature, we’ll parse through the best of them. Today: a buildable Fiat 500, unusual National Park merch and New Balance fleeces so good they’re making us rethink our spring wardrobe.
Missed Tour
With venues and local government taking extreme precautions regarding the spread of coronavirus, we have seen mass cancellations in festivals, sporting events and travel across the globe. This affects not only consumers, but the workers and talent involved in these events; for the independent bands and artists who depend on income from touring, the loss of a gig can be devastating. So if you’re looking to help out while you work from home, consider buying a piece of merch from an up-and-coming artist via Missed Tour, a site that’s acting as a marketplace for bands who have been left out in the cold.
Barton Perreira SS20 Collection
Barton Perreira just dropped their Spring/Summer 2020 collection in time for the sunny months. The collection is inspired by “lush gardens” and features some classic shapes handcrafted in Japan with their signature polished Zyl acetate and polarized lenses.
Rowing Blazers March Crewneck
If you were unaware, Prince Charles used to be somewhat of a style icon. Or, he was at least enough of one to inspire one of Rowing Blazer’s monthly sweatshirts. March’s sweatshirt pays homage to a yellow Hermès number Prince Charles wore while playing polo at the Guards Polo Club in 1977. The original sweatshirt features “Happy Hermes” in block letters, complete with a graphic of some short of ship (a yacht, maybe?). For their interpretation, Rowing Blazers kept the same bright yellow hue and block lettering, updating the graphic to a screen print of their Clubhouse on Grand Street. It might not be Hermès, but it’s just as good.
Reebok Club C 85 35th Anniversary Shoes
In celebration of Reebok’s 35th anniversary, the sneaker brand is reissuing one of their most iconic sneakers: the Club C 85 Vintage. Available with green or navy accents, the sneaker has all the details of a classic tennis shoe with some updated parts featuring better, longer-lasting material. The majority of the shoe body is comprised of full-grain leather and includes tonal top-stitching, a thin ripstop strip and “Reebok” branding at the sidewalls. Unique details for this edition include a sleek satin tongue with a woven “35th Anniversary” label and a heel counter embroidered with “1985.”
Subpar Parks
No one loves National Parks more than us. But National Parks merch? It’s honestly both oversaturated and, for the most part, uninspired. Not so with this new poster series from designer Amber Share. She took quotes from one-star reviews for the parks (for example, “Nothing specific to do” for the Great Smoky Mountains) and contrasted them with beautiful illustrations. These have been getting a good amount of press, so if your favorite one is sold out, go ahead and bookmark her page and check back later.
Aimé Leon Dore / New Balance Fleece Pull-Overs
Just when we thought we were ready to retire our fleeces, Aimé Leon Dore drops their limited-edition capsule collection with New Balance, included in which are these deep pile pull-overs. The fleeces are so good they’re making us rethink our whole spring wardrobe. Get the shorts to match and you’ll have a full fit for spring.
Weighted Comforter
What we like about Brooklinen’s new weighted blanket is that they didn’t jump on the hype train when weighted blankets were all the rage. Instead, they took their time and developed a thoughtful design with a 400 thread-count exterior and quilted interior for even weight distribution. If you decide to pick one up, just make sure to follow their guidelines about what weight to choose.
LEGO Fiat 500
Whether or not you’re a fan of the adult Lego trend that’s been picking up steam, no one can deny the irresistible whimsy of this Lego Fiat 500. Look, I don’t care if your daily driver is an F-150 or an 18-wheeler, anyone who appreciates cars or culture has at some point, even if for just a moment, wanted one of these lil’ Italian cruisers. And now you can make that dream come true without taking up space in your garage.
Uniqlo x J.W. Anderson
For the designer’s latest collaboration with Uniqlo, Anderson sought inspiration from a place he knows well: the English countryside. The Spring/Summer 2020 collection features traditional silhouettes — chore jackets, anoraks, button-downs — in patterns (think gingham and stripes) that are simultaneously evocative of the English landscape, yet reworked in ways that don’t feel overtly traditional. So while a short-sleeve seersucker shirt might come in a traditional gingham check, the pattern will have been made to alternate between big and small check sizes that creates a patchwork-like design. Traditional, with a twist.
Corridor Recess Runner
Perhaps the most surprising (and exciting) arrival to come from Corridor’s latest drop is the debut of the brand’s first ever pair of sneakers, the Recess Runner. At first glance the sneaker is inconspicuous, but that’s largely where its charm and appeal lie. In the current fashion atmosphere, where logos and insignia stake their claim on everything, it’s nice to come across a pair of sneakers that largely flies under the radar.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself of for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.