Closing Time
2022 was a landmark year for me. In part because of things beyond my control. Grailed was acquired by GOAT Group, meaning my job and the team around which I built my work ceased to exist in a few days. I was lined up to transition under GOAT when I got a DM that led me to jump ship for an editorial role I’ll be taking at Buck Mason next week. It’s been a hectic past few months, and I’ve been trying to organize my thoughts around it and how I want to move forward in this transition period.
Ultimately, though, what matters is what’s within our control. For years, I’ve avoided the things I feared most; the deep-seated insecurities I held around my relationships with significant others, my workplace, and even myself. This year, I made a conscious effort to be better. That meant restarting therapy and being kind and generous in my interactions with everyone. I focused intensely on fostering a mindset of abundance and decided to approach everything from a perspective of cautious optimism. I’m closer to settling down and settling into myself than ever before, and it’s entirely of my own volition. I’ve made great friends in my career just by being myself and being available, kind, and generous, and that’s something I appreciate and value in others as well. It’s something I want to carry into 2023; just being kind and helpful. As my mom’s email signature says, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” [Gandhi’s canceled though].
In that vein, something I feel is less of a “leave behind” and more of a growth opportunity is my tendency towards overthinking and fixating on insecurities. It’s one thing to confront them and another to dwell and then spiral. I wouldn’t say I like to dwell on something if I can help it, good or bad. The morning after my last day working at Grailed was Christmas Eve, and I decided to trim my hair so it would grow into itself a bit by the time I started at Buck Mason next week. In the process, I uncovered a small bald patch behind my ear that led me to believe I had somehow buzzed off a chunk of hair. I couldn’t help but panic and tried to tailor my haircut around the smooth, hairless patch. Ultimately, I decided to buzz everything and give myself a skin fade, embracing the bald spot rather than working around it. It’s taken some getting used to, and I don’t love it, but it’s been a solid reminder to roll with the punches—to take things in stride and move on. I’m lucky my hair grows back fast anyway.
This being a clothing-related newsletter, I have to take some time to highlight some of my favorite purchases of the year:
JMueser MTO Camelhair Polo Coat
A polo coat is something I’ve wanted since I first got into fashion. When the Grailed acquisition payout hit, I knew this would be my big wardrobe investment. Something about the decadence of a tan winter coat made from plush camelhair with hand-stitched details combined with its sporting history made me want to lean into the louche oversized details and drape of the coat when I hopped on a call with Matt to go over the design. He gently suggested lengthening the coat and going for a stronger roped shoulder to accentuate the silhouette, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. It hasn’t gotten any wear yet, but it will be well appreciated when I visit New York early next year.
Orslow 2-Year Wash 105s
I love vintage denim, especially Levi’s 501s, and Wranger’s Cowboy Cut, but more often than not, it’s a gamble on sizing and fit. I’ve honed my online shopping skills to discern what will work for me, but it’s so much easier to buy something retail and know that it’s going to look and feel how you want it to. Orslow is a brand I was big on in 2022. The commitment to original details without veering too far into straight-on replicas that cost an arm and a leg is something that I think is undervalued about the brand. These 105s (based on vintage 501s) are the perfect weight, texture, fit and wash with all the vintage denim details I love, like the visible selvage line and chain-stitched hem. I’ve been into set-it-and-forget-it style wardrobe components (unfussy things that don’t need much in the way of styling), and these are a staple of my jeans-and-a-t-shirt combo that remains unbeatable as an everyday uniform.
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