summer Archives - From Squalor to Baller

Product Review – Novesta “Star Master” Sneakers

October 26, 2021 No Comments

Although I am fortunate to have a robust stable of nice welted footwear, the shoes that I reach for most often tend to be cheap canvas sneakers. They’re comfortable, inexpensive, and rarely require any maintenance – great for everyday activities that don’t really need to get shoe trees involved. For years I have been making an annual purchase of a pair of white Superga 2750s – this year I decided to branch out and try something just a little bit different. […]

What I Wore

What I Wore: Gringo Gulch

October 15, 2021 No Comments

Although I’m not exactly built for tropical weather, I must admit that it’s pretty convenient that I can fly to Mexico in three hours from San Francisco – that’s half the time it takes me to get to New York City (where I happen to be headed next week). I was able to take a […]

Reviews

Good Tee Hunting: the Quest for the Perfect Modern T-Shirt

August 23, 2021 No Comments

t-shirt tee review asket buck mason sunspel uniqlo

In my mind, t-shirts fall into two general categories. The first is the “vintage tee” – hefty material, boxy fit, historically accurate details, and so forth. Brands like Velva Sheen, Lady White Co., and many others have made a name in this space. But there is another kind of t-shirt, one that I have been gravitating towards lately. This is the “modern tee” – cut slimmer, with lighter, finer fabrics that have a smooth touch rather than a distinct “beefiness.” […]

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It’s On Sale: Wholesale Pricing at Rancourt

June 26, 2020 1 Comment

Retailers and manufacturers have reacted to the COVID pandemic in a variety of ways – everything from switching to PPE production, to heavily discounting their products, to throwing in the towel and filing for bankruptcy. Rancourt, one of America’s few footwear manufacturers, is responding in a unique way – pivoting to a wholesale model. In […]

What I Wore

What I Wore: Quarantine, Day 90

June 15, 2020 No Comments

I’ll be honest – I haven’t been in the mood to write lately. Processing everything that’s going on in the world is hard enough as is, and going through this lockdown alone has made the changes particularly intense. Writing about clothing just hasn’t felt important with everything else that’s happening. But as the initial shock […]

Packing & Travel

A Trip to the Desert

September 5, 2019 No Comments

I recently spent a few days of debauchery in Arizona, where the midday temperatures hovered around 110 degrees (but it’s a dry heat). This isn’t really the environment that I prefer to exist in, but I managed to cobble together a few pieces from my wardrobe to help me cope. Here’s what I packed: […]

Editorials

Someday My Prints Will Come

July 22, 2019 No Comments

I’ve been thinking about printed shirts a lot lately. And I know I’m not the only one – it’s that time of year where every publication is praising the merits of a “fun” printed shirt, and now I’m one of them. It’s taken me a while to come around on this style since I tend to dress fairly conservatively, but even I can admit to the utility of having a casual, whimsical shirt that adds a bit to the enjoyment of dressing seasonally. […]

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Fourth Of July Weekend Sales

July 7, 2019 No Comments

The summer sale season is upon us – here are a few quick picks from brands that I’m looking to purchase from to fill out my summer wardrobe. These sales are ending soon, so act fast if there’s something you like. If the thing you’re looking at sells out, it might be because I bought […]

What I Wore

What I Wore: Heat Wave

June 13, 2019 No Comments

San Francisco has been unbearably hot for the past few days. While summer temperatures hovering around 100 degrees may be common in many parts on the United States, it’s exceedingly rare here. And what makes it exponentially worse is that the city is wholly unprepared for it – nobody has air conditioning, restaurants have to close because the food spoils, the power goes out, and more. It’s not great. […]

Editorials

Wool For Warm Weather

May 30, 2019 No Comments

Now that most of us are easing into the warmer months we’re beginning to once again hear quite a bit about classic spring/summer fabrics – in particular, popular plant fibers like cotton and linen. Since we’re now in the peak of wedding season prep (and many guys are on a hunt for tailored clothing that will keep them from sweating too much during all those outdoor ceremonies) it’s worth discussing how each of these fibers affects overall comfort, breathability, and appearance. […]