Hey everyone! Come and read my thoughts on some stuff I’ll probably never buy and complain about for a while until I find something new!
- t,
1. Deluxe Swordfish Shirt – $295
It wouldn’t be a Top Ten without an expensive, ironic all-over print shirt. This one is particularly cool though as it has swordfish on it and it’s made by one of my favourite Japanese brands; Deluxe. Sure the price is pretty steep but when I see “vintage” shirts selling for $60 at a crappy antique store $300 for a well made shirt that makes me smile is understandable. It’s also much less likely you’ll see someone’s dad wearing your shirt.
2. Ambush x Reebok Instapump Fury HLS – $220
I don’t really like the Instapump HLS… weird huh? I think through the changes it has lost the appeal that the original has; gone is the insane cut-out sole and the paneling has been cleaned up. Why do this to a shoe that’s infamous for exactly those features? For me the HLS just isn’t crazy enough. That being said I like this version (and only the white one) for two reasons… First it’s got silver! What it lost with the changes to the base shoe it well and truly recovered with a metallic air bladder. The second is that because it’s a collaboration with Ambush it, however slightly, relates back to the babe-tacular Yoon. I think there doesn’t need to be a reason other than that to be honest.
Available via Reebok Japan. Wider release October 20th.
3. Undercover J4908 Cardigan - $680
Undercover; not much to say here other than there’s always one or two pieces each season from their range that catches my interest. Obviously it’s always the most expensive thing and I keep on dreaming. This season sees a heavy music influence, with various tee graphics echoing iconic album covers. This cardigan however is fantastic. Let’s be honest now, this is about as metal as a cardigan is ever going to get. The graphic printed on this is fantastic, I think possibly if it was just printed on a tee it wouldn’t be anywhere near as impactful and probably easier to overlook. However it’s not, it’s slapped right on the front of a mixed colour cardigan and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s a lighter coloured version but it doesn’t work near as well as this dark green and dark grey marl combination. Obviously I can’t afford it though…
Available at Haven Store.
4. UNDFTD x Bape x adidas ZX5000 – $150
I still believe that the very first round of adidas x Bape Superskates are one of the best collaborations the brands have ever done. I still do the odd Ebay search for the rainbow snakeskin version of adidas’ under-appreciated model. When adidas decided to add UNDFTD to the selection something very special happened; Bape’s neo-amry aesthetic met Undefeated’s sports-heavy influence and this ZX5000 was born. I’ve been careful not to get caught up in the hype around new Bape pieces but for me this struck a cord. The combination of those lovely olive and sand hues, a gum sole, oh-so-adidas red white and blue strips all sitting on that techy shoe have me squirming.
They should be releasing late October at top-tier adidas stores… See you in the e-lines!
5. Relax Aztec Socks - $25
Although Summer is well and truly upon us, there’s always time for some fancy socks. The Aussie label Relax has been pumping out some goodies and these Aztec themed pattern socks don’t disappoint. The brown’s a bit of an acquired taste, the blue maybe a little tame, but the black with it’s yellow and pink pattern nails it. For lack of space (and also the fact that I’d prefer to post the wallet) I’ll also mention this lovely blue Parabellum Key Strap. I came across this brand a few years back and thought their use of Buffalo leather and bright colour were really fantastic. Lucky for everyone then, Up There stock both Relax and Parabellum!
6. Stussy x Nike Mogan II OMS - $TBA
Ok so I’ve mentioned the S&S pack before, but this is now singling out one shoe. The Mogan II looks particularly fantastic in the grey/turquoise/blue coloruway pictured here. For me this model is the standout of the three in the series, for simple reason that it looks like it could have come straight out of the ACG catalogue in the early 90s.
These didn’t realease with the Lunar Braata last weekend, instead the Mogan II and Dunk will be available at Stussy Chapter stores November 3rd.
7. Cartier Vendome Santos Platinum - $970
This right here is my sunglass holy grail; the same Cartier frame as worn by Christopher Walken as he played Max Zorin in the James Bond film A View to a Kill. Although I’m completely sure, I think he actually wore gold frames for most of the movie with a light brown lense. These ones are the much more exclusive (and expensive) platinum frame, with some awesome extra pink/blue gradient lenses. One day I’ll have a pair of these and I’ll be a happy little chap indeed.
Available at Vintage Sunglasses.
8. Mishka Spetznaz Jacket – $320
I’ve been trying to get a nice low-key jacket to wear when the weather turns foul for a while now. In true Matt fashion though I’ve managed to get something that technically was what I wanted, but it’s kinda not. Enter the Mishka Spetznaz jacket in all it’s turquoise and yellow glory! This jacket is the fourth evolution of Mishka’s rider-friendly model and to be completely honest it’s fantastic! Although they’re probably best know for their gory graphics, eyeball logos and dubstep music; to me Mishka has always been about the techy jackets and backpacks. Let’s get this straight, we’re not talking Acronym levels of tech, but there’s enough little compartments on this to store everything you need. The drop tail keeps your arse dry when you’re riding around and there’s a cool reflective strip on the back pocket. Finally, the colours are awesome and remind me of something but I have no idea what…
Available at Laced right now!
9. Ronnie Fieg x New Balance 1300 – $TBA
Anyone that asks me about my opinion on Ronnie Fieg and Kith will get my honest answer, but this isn’t the time or place for personal opinions… Well it’s exactly that but not about a person. I’ve not liked anything from this hype-fuelled machine up until now. I think this 1300 is fantastic. Yes it looks like the Norse 670, yes the sole’s colour disgusting looking, yes I still like them. Everything that’s different about this shoe compared to Norse’s 670 from a few years back is what I like. The 670 as a shoe is terrible for me, it hurts my knees; the 1300 on the other hand is one of the most comfortable shoes around. I love the use of nubuck and suede as well as the traditional jacquard mesh. I think the dark ENCAP section of the sole is what makes this shoe even better, I know a fair few people think this detracts but to me it gives the whole shoe a great stance. My only complaint is obviously what people are calling the ‘salmon’ sole, which looks more like fake gum colour. If it was real gum or even black the shoe would be quite a sight nicer but I’m willing to overlook this and consider getting a pair when they release here.
Australian stockists will be Up There and Highs And Lows.
10. Palace One Tooth Tee – $50
I like Palace; I mean I don’t skate and try to avoid dressing like I do but their aesthetic is fantastically British without being annoyingly so. With a lot of skate/streetwear brands seeming to look similar with their slogans and offensively amateur looking logos it’s nice to see Palace out there doing what they always do and keeping things looking professional. This tee itself is cool, I like the 90′s vibe of the large back print as well as the pattern. Annoyingly most of Palace’s stuff sells out pretty quickly so you have to act fast to get something.