Club Chair Bulletin #7

Selvedge, short-form, soft shirts, and Celine Dion (by proxy)

Jun 05, 2024

What’s he been up to?

Cultivating Salty-Seadog Summer

After last weeks’ Summer Trend Special meeting, I’ve struggled to ignore this very clear visual language appearing in summer lookbooks this year. There’s this clear look inspired by the clothes of coastal retirees, it’s checked shirts, utility vests, lots of short sleeve button-downs too.

So why do we want to dress like old guys on benches? I think it’s fairly simple, it’s because the look is both interesting and effortless. Effortless in the truest sense, we’re looking at folks who are simply wearing clothes, nothing beyond that, and yet they’re here looking cooler than almost anyone on any app. Thus, actually pulling this off as a look in the same manner is nigh-on impossible, because one is putting in effort to construct an outfit in the same regard. That doesn't mean it isn't worth trying though, you get a different result, but still a very appealing one. It’s certainly a visual language which I’m excited to incorporate into my style, and that’s another thing too, this isn't a look which necessitates a wardrobe overhaul, and its composed of pieces which are going to look good in other contexts too. Of all the vibes we could have had this summer, I’m glad this is what we’re working with.

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Thinking about fashion content

I’ve been considering the state of online fashion content, asking myself the question of what do I find valuable, particularly in socials content, so I can make more of that.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that short form video has very limited uses in relation to proper style content creation. With no time to communicate nuance or expanse, it tends to end up either prescriptivist or reactionary, creators cultivate bubbles of folks who agree with them, and continue on, nothing innately wrong with that, but nothing particularly inspiring, and it irks me personally.

When short form video is good, to me, it is always solely educational and descriptivist. Look to Nolan Daniel White, Clayton over at Sprezza, Albert Muzquiz. When they’re doing the green-screen speaking thing, its all about information, not prescription, equipping the audience to make a decision, not dictating for them, and if they do express an opinion, they make it clear that they are doing so.

Ultimately photos are a whole lot more valuable, for me. The net result of this general consideration is I’m spending a whole lot more time on my home page rather than explore. Cherry-picking the content I’m looking at to keep myself from being too frustrated with the prescriptivists.

Recent Acquisitions

Baby’s First Selvedge

I think there comes a point in any given individual’s style exploration, where they look at a piece in their wardrobe and just find the want for it to be a level better. Something flipped in my brain recently that told me it was time to start wearing selvedge jeans, that extra step towards a greater sense of authenticity, I guess.

Notions of authenticity tend to govern most taste, in enthusiast circles particularly. Music, food, fashion, painting, we are in some capacity or another seeking to express the most authentic version of something. I’m not sure yet whether I like this or not, on the one hand the maintaining of the cornerstones of a given culture allows the structure to continue to stand, on the other I find it hard to see now how new authenticities can be made so as to further these interests. With information so readily available and strangers on the internet passing regular judgment in relation particularly to authenticity, I find it hard to see where experimentation can fit in.

With that said, I still found a want for selvedge denim, so when these came up for a charming £25, they felt like a no-brainer. Levi’s 50s Straight hemp denim, to me the fit and wash feel wonderfully 80s, and whilst the distressing is heavy, I find it makes them very suited to summer. Distressing is another interesting point in the conversation around authenticity, the reason that many turn their nose up at it.

I am very happy with this purchase, they fit exactly as I want my jeans to fit, and dipping my first toe into the pool of premium denim feels like a milestone of some sort.

On the Radar

Three Recommendations

Let’s Talk About Love by Carl Wilson - A fascinating book which I’ve not yet completed but which offers some wonderful insight into the nature of taste, how it is formed, and why we value it. A worthwhile read for anyone with a passion of any sort, understanding why one cares about the things they do can offer a deeper connection to and appreciation for them.
Royal Navy T-shirts - Lots of t-shirt chatter on here as of late, forgive me, but these I couldn't skip over. Picked up a few of these for a very good deal, and let me tell you they are the softest t-shirts I’ve ever owned, and they’re the ideal length (I’m 5’11” but mostly leg). They have a low neckline mind, but that doesn’t bother me, nice to flash a little hair/collarbone/chest tat. They seem to be making their way into surplus stores around the UK and Europe at the moment, check the store directory for some good options.
@nenthe - Excellent Instagram moodboard curation, not much more to elaborate on really.

Coming Soon

A lot of the meetings I have in the pipeline are a little more thinkpiecey, with school out now I can commit to putting down two-thousand words or so on more obscure topics. Buying guides are fun to put together, but getting into some more philosophical stuff is what I’m feeling right now. Look out for thoughts on Old Money, and modernising Ivy, in the coming weeks.

The Turntable

I discovered Mk.gee through his work on Absolutely by Dijon, his new release Two Star & The Dream Police from earlier this year is well worth a listen. Dark, ethereal but made so raw and grounded by the sonics.

It’s one to put on in the evening I reckon, a couple of candles, some good incense, and a cold beer.