Mountain Research Miners Shirt

The General Research brands are really good. Each branch specializing in their own little department and aesthetic but feeling right together as a whole is a difficult feat to pull off. This Miners shirt is one of the most interesting pieces that are currently in stock. The pull over cotton indigo shirt isn't your usual, and I don't think you're going to find this one at a local vintage shop. As usual, Mountain Research go fairly deep into their reference with the 4 pocket shirt. The tab collar, tonal buttons and reinforced chest pocket are great subtle details that round off a great take on what's become a common item. It may be a little over the top for some people, but I'm into it. It can look great and I haven't been one to pay attention to the 'costumey' term being thrown around lately. It's available on the Mountain Research website for about $250.

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Want: Yuketen 6" Buck Boots

Yuketen's fall collection is getting ready to start landing with the short list of stockists and there is one model on the top of my list. This 6" suede extension of the bucks come in sand, navy blue and white and look incredible. I don't think this shoe is going to be for everybody, but I would happily invest in any three of the offered colors, the hard part will just be tracking down a pair. I would probably go with the sand and navy first, as they would withstand the dirty fall grounds a little better. The sole is a great choice, the height is perfect and the simple cut, tonal eyelets and colorful lining top off one of my favorite shoes this fall. Apparently Opening Ceremony will be stocking this model so hopefully they arrive sooner than later, I know I've been checking the website regularly. No word on the price either, but I would imagine it will fall around $350-400 at retail stateside.

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South 2 West 8 Nordic Sweater

We've had a bit of an obsession with Nordic knits in the office the last couple of weeks. Whether it be from Dale of Norway, Arne & Carlos or the tale of the muskox, they are on our mind and soon to be on our backs. The warm sweaters come in a wide variety of cuts, cardigans and crewnecks as well as an endless supply of patterns. South 2 West 8 gone with a fairly tame Nordic crewneck this fall, but its just right to easily work into our closet. The blend of navy, red and grey look great together and would go perfectly with chambray, khaki or lighter colors of denim. These ones aren't the original, but made in Japan and a very nice reference to work into the collection. South 2 West 8 is another brand in the Nepenthes family, so it's not unlikely that we could see it cross the Pacific however, this season it wasn't meant to be. Sizes only go up to medium and the price will run you just about $280.

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Uniqlo Washed Cotton Blazer

We've been getting slightly badgered in the comments lately for our expensive taste in products and fair enough, we can't afford all of the products we talk about. The idea is more to find a good quality garment that is going to last you and be made as well as possible. Having the specific design detailing is also key, so our options get fairly narrowed down when being so picky. However, sometimes you do just need an easy fix for the season at hand, and maybe even something for a meeting in 30 minutes. All around the world, there is one brand that seems to have people covered, Uniqlo. They make very solid cotton pants, Tee shirts, light fleece and this washed cotton blazer. Especially if you haven't fully bought into the casual sport jacket look yet, trying your hand with this piece is a good way to get your feet wet. It retails for $39.50, looks good and probably can't fit that bad, or would be easy to have taken in. I would recommend wearing it with an oxford shirt tucked in, maybe a wool vest, and throw a 60/40 parka in navy or red over top.

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Margiela Knit Caps

One of the best purchases I made last winter was a knit Margiela cap. This winter they are back. For the first time, Tres Bien Shop has the collection on the roster and have a lovely offering of clean cut knits for our layering pleasure. The dark ribbed cap is about as versatile as you could hope for. With a nice deep charcoal tone, it legitimately works with almost anything we might put together. Although I don't personally get too involved in exterior branding, Margiela is one of the few that pulls me in and those four little white marks just look right. Nice and subtle in toque form, the light or dark grey fit snug but will stretch out after being worn for a few days. It's nice to see Tres Bien's expected good taste in the collection with their first buy, as well as making it a little more accessible for most of us.

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Analog Lighting 5 Year Corduroy

What initially struck me about these cords was how similar the patch placement was to an old pair of 44s I've got. I've worn them to death over the years and have done a lot of the repairs myself. Intrigued, I dug a little deeper. Analog Lighting is designed in Tokyo by Takeshi Yamamoto and each collection has a very specific backstory. The current season is inspired by the uniforms of a fictitious Finnish electric company. Most collections are produced around particular themes and reference points but the Japanese definitely thrive on going the extra mile. Attention to detail is often a defining feature of their work and that's certainly the case here - explore the website and you'll see what I mean. Back to the cords though, and I shouldn't need to say too much. A good pair of cords is such a staple and these are beautifully done. They've got plenty of character but don't seem too contrived. Navy is an ideal colour and they'll always be a great alternative to denim or chinos. With the colder weather approaching, don't underestimate the extra warmth they provide either. I lived in cords last winter, intend on doing exactly the same this year and would happily add these to the rotation.

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Margaret Howell Pioneer Jacket

The Supreme Ripstop Parka I posted on Friday was a great waterproof jacket but it did have a particular aesthetic. For me, its bright shell and echoes of Patagonia were perfect but I also appreciate that may not be everyone. If you liked the reference but would prefer a more subdued option, Margaret Howell's Pioneer Jacket might be worth considering. It's inspired by similar technical garments but adopts a more neutral palette. In this instance, the resounding influence would seem to be Rohan. There's a similar spirit in the styling and choice of muted colours, and functionality has definitely been prioritized. Made from GORE-TEX, it features four well placed pockets, waterproof zips, a lined hood and classic drawcord waist. However, its technical features aren't overwhelming and it still has a very considered appearance. It's guaranteed to keep you dry but could also be combined with almost anything. The Pioneer Jacket is a prime example of what Margaret Howell does best and represents a timeless combination of fashion and function.

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Orslow Fatigue Pant

This fall I've selected just a handful of items I plan on purchasing and hope to stick to it after getting a bit of an out of control in the spring.  A good pair of fatigue pants is one of the things on the list. I had been looking at Engineered Garments' option, or filling the void with the ts(s) cropped version. Now though, these Orslow pants are the front runner for fall. The pockets look perfect - from the flaps on the back to the nicely stitched thigh pockets, which are fairly key in defining the casual aesthetic of the pant. I've also been more open than ever to cinch back details and wouldn't mind adding another pant with the feature to my closet. Besides the details and pretty reasonable price of $170 USD, the pants may actually show up stateside as Orslow has been showing in the US for a couple seasons now. I just hope somebody picked the label up and bought these pants (in this colour) because I need them.

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