If Money Were No Object…

All these people want cars and houses; I just don’t get it. There’s not point in having all that if you dress like a middle-school girl who just found out about Shein. Personally, ten years from now, I don’t care if I have a 2001 Volkswagen beetle and I’m living in a rat-infested motel (heck, I could be living in said car). I’ve waited patiently for these items and as soon as the first paycheck comes in, I’m spending every last dollar on them.

Libero World - Le Mans Jacket - $500

Four colorways, every single one of them beautiful. I would probably get the red or the black if I had to choose one, but I’m not too picky. It’s made of a full wool body with a two-way zipper closing. Note that these are RiRi zippers, which are much smoother and more durable compared to your average YKK one, but also marginally more expensive (article coming on that soon). The white strip down the right is made of a full-grain leather from Italy and is a nod to the traditional racing jackets worn at Le Mans (as the name would entitle). Add to the fact that it’s made in Canada (where construction quality is usually solid) and you have a jacket that suits all your needs.

2. NN.07 Gael Wool Jacket - $650

After watching the first two seasons of The Bear (which I recommend to everybody), I noticed the amount of times this jacket kept hugging onto Jeremy Allen White. The first time I saw it, I knew it was what I needed to dress like an egocentric chef in the city. The construction and materials used are all very similar to the first jacket, but the design is obviously not. The square-checkered pattern is probably its most distinguishing feature and the design takes roots from chore/work jackets of the past. There are multiple colorways, but I find this one to be the best for multiple reasons. One, it’s very fitting for the fall and winter season. Two, it’s more so a statement piece than a layer. This is clearly a piece meant to rough out the cold winds of Chicago…or the pleasant 70 degrees of the suburbs. You’re also going to be roughing out the price tag.

3. Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl - $298

This is what I imagine rich white people to wear when they go camping in the woods. Compared to a traditional cardigan, this one has the little fold-collar thing (I don’t know what it’s called so I apologize). I personally like that touch as it is a little more formal and vintage. It’s made from an excessively heavy (but not unwelcome) merino/cashmere wool blend, so the materials are top in class. Would this make me look like a grandpa? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Sometimes. Do I care? Not really. All things considered, the price isn’t bad for what it is, but that’s not to say it isn’t expensive.

4. Bare Knuckles Studded Jeans - $498

I already did an article on Bare Knuckles where I sang its praises—that continues here. I love the faint hint at the western roots of this pant from the nickel adorning on the side seam of the pant. Cowboys used to wear spurs on their boots (or these metal spike things), and the snowflakes on the pant are a nod to that. The wash of the jean creates a great fade that would be approved by any vintage head as well. All in all, a very unique piece that virtually no one is going have. However, this might be the one thing that I really can’t justify the price for. Everything else, I can create some sort of reasoning for it. The only thing that might drive up the cost for this is the studs on the side, but even then…I don’t know.

5. Drake’s Button-Up “Fun” Shirt - $375

This shirt definitely has a little bit of zest, but I love the color palette that’s used. Creates a very playful vibe, while still somehow maintaining a sort of elegance. This is probably the ideal summer shirt and the way Drake’s styles it is amazing. It’s made with 100% linen in England with mother-of-pearl buttons, so top of line materials being used. I think this is 100% overpriced, but that doesn’t mean I would never buy it.

6. Our Legacy Above Shirt - $370

This is the first of two Our Legacy items that I want. I’m not a huge fan of flannel-type items just because the way it’s styled in modern times makes everyone look like a lumberjack. However, this one is somehow different. The colors and design allow it to be used as a single piece in the warmer days of Autumn. In that, there’s a sort of refinement that other flannels don’t really have. I found something like this on Ebay for about $80, but it turned out to be fake so: 1. screw the mf who was selling the fake, and 2. I want this more than ever.

7. Our Legacy Camion Boots - <$600

Technically, the boots are around $600, but they often go far below retail on other sites like Farfetch and Ssense. As I am still a young chap, I don’t see myself wearing these anytime or anywhere, but when I get older, I think I’ll have a ton more use for these. They’re all made from a full-grain calfskin leather from Italy (meaning it’s probably the best in class) and a Vibram sole. This specific sole is more hearty for rougher conditions and can withstand the elements better than a leather sole. I do like how the boot maintains western influence while upholding an elegeance. The colors are all great and if I got randomly sent any one of them, I wouldn’t be complaining.

8. Church’s Pembrey Loafers - <$1070

Similarly to the aforementioned boots, these are $1070 on the official website, but other retailers sell them for less than half the price. Traditionally, the price was set around $600, but Prada took over the brand. Unfortunately, being Prada, they marginally marked up the price and now, many can not afford it. I personally want this because of it’s very traditional penny loafer shape, but also some unique qualities about it; the jagged edge of the upper shoe and the split down the middle are a nice touch. I also like beef-rolls on a loafer, so this delivers on almost all aspects. Made with calfskin leather, goodyear welt construction (meaning the sole can be replaced), and manufactured in England. Checks a lot of boxes.

9. Maximum Henry Belt - $125-$155

Maximum Henry is a custom belt-maker based in New York and these are probably some of the highest quality belts on the market. They’re all made-to-order and very customizable. Belts are usually black and brown, but the brand offers numerous other colors (some being normal and others being horrifically vibrant). Using a Belgian, vegetable-tanned leather, they make all sorts of designs. The images above are my personal favorites, as I imagine they would be very versatile with anything. They also create special belts—the first belt shown being a collaboration with creator Albert Muzquiz—which are still suitable for many different environments. Built to last, they’ll age great.

10. Samuel Zelig Quilt Jacket - $1,995

This one is honestly a bit of a screwball. It reminds me a lot of the jackets my Korean grandmother wear—poofy, quilted, and vintage. Samuel Zelig is, in all sense of the word, an artist. Every piece he makes has an artisanal nature to it with a story attached to each one. This one specifically uses panels of quilt from the 1870’s and are stitched together to form a jacket. I think the colors work extremely well with this and, if Zelig is charging nearly $2000, I can trust the construction to be good as well. One thing I am hopeful for is that the brand often puts items that haven’t sold out on sale at a massive discount. Meaning that in a year or two, this item might be something I can actually afford. Just maybe.