Retail Therapy 095: Burberry, Zyn, and Belgians
Plus: Randy heads to the Ren Faire, Tariff Talk, Denim Shirts, & More
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube (see above), and anywhere else podcasts are found.
On this week’s episode, Will and Barrett each bring a big list of topics to discuss, but before we dive in to the digest, let’s take a moment to spotlight our friends over at one of the coolest menswear shops in the country, Canoe Club.
The boys in Boulder have been kind enough to give Retail Therapy subscribers early access to their always incredible Black Friday sale. If you’re unfamiliar, now is the time to get a sweet discount on clothing, homegoods, grooming products, and accessories that rarely hit sale. I’m talking OrSlow, Visvim, Engineered Garments, Auralee, Our Legacy, plus a TON more. Use code SCARIESBF30 for 30% off almost EVERYTHING. (Kapital and Real McCoy’s are the only exclusions.) The homies are packing up orders all week so treat yourself (or a loved one) and pull trig now before the sale goes public next Wednesday. Need help making a decision? I will include some choice selects in this week’s Wishlist section down at the bottom. HAPPY SHOPPING!
The Fall (and Rise?) of Burberry
Iconic British luxury brand Burberry has been through some rough times recently. The stock has nearly halved this year, and earlier this month, they reported a 20% decrease in sales. The strategic shifts over the last half decade have been numerous. Ricardo Tisci replaced Christopher Bailey in 2018 as the brand attempted to align itself with the streetwear sensibilities of the late 2010s. Then, in 2022, Daniel Lee was brought in from Bottega Veneta to try and emphasize the brand’s leather goods program with expensive bags and shoes. Now, new CEO Joshua Shulman wants to return focus to the house’s heritage: trench coats and plaid scarves. The company’s investors responded positively to the news, but is this a savvy move from leadership or just another trend chase as “old money” and trad looks return to popularity?
Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Who What Wear, Tate McCrae
IYKYK: The Enduring Appeal of Belgian Loafers
It’s not often that a fashion item can remain popular and sought-after without becoming oversaturated and ubiquitous. Walking that fine line requires achieving a delicate, harmonious balance of several factors. The price should be daunting but not exactly prohibitive. The scarcity of the product should be such that it’s a task to procure the item but accessible enough that anybody who wants to put in the required amount of effort can obtain it. The right people need to wear the item, but god forbid a fashion deity or celebrity with too much influence wears them, lest they lose their insider appeal. The humble but pricey Belgian loafer from Belgian Shoes has managed to plant itself firmly in this zone, and while there are many less expensive and worthwhile alternatives to choose from, Will maintains that the OG reigns supreme for a reason.
90’s Office Culture
When I was a kid, visiting my dad at his workplace was a major deal. I remember being so excited to wander the hallways of the 37th floor, grab a can of Tab from the break room fridge, and tinker with the variety of toys and trinkets on the shelves of his corner office. Everybody wore a tie. It smelled like fresh photocopies. My nostalgia for that era was cemented during young adulthood as I binged reruns of Seinfeld and Friends, watching George Costanza sleep under his desk while working for the Yankees and Rachel Green gossip on the elevator as a merchandiser for Ralph Lauren. Last month, this article from the New Yorker (and its accompanying photos) had all of those wistful feelings rushing back. Hybrid work schedules and the ability to work from home are amazing, modern amenities, but man… it sure did look fun as hell to be suited and sledded on the 37th floor with all of your fellow associates.
Spotify Wrapped Season is Upon Us
Your IG feed is about to be blessed with the all-out onslaught of shareable content that we lovingly know as Spotify Wrapped. The streaming service confirmed last month that tracking does not stop at the end of October.
If the Grammy nominations are any indication, it might just be a Pop Girl year through and through.
Article of Interest
The tariffs are (maybe) coming. Should we be stocking up on luxury goods? — Link
Bros love Zyn… did it win Trump the election? — Link
Burgundy, the color of the season. — Link
Skims x Dolce & Gabbana crushed the marketing campaign — Link
Will wants to layer with a denim shirt — Link
Of course, we closed things out with our wishlists and imminent cops.
For 2024, we’ve hit the reset button on our wishlists and made them a bit more digestible for the year ahead. To access the complete version of our 2022 and 2023 wishlists, look no further than our final Listener Digest of 2022 and our final Listener Digest of 2023.
Will’s Wishlist (2024)
RRL Officer Khakis ($241.50 on sale) — Link
Abercrombie Workwear Pants ($68) — Link
Nike ACG Russet Moc ($100) — Link
Soho Home Nadine Rug ($1,016) — Link
Acqua di Parma Colonia C.L.U.B. Eau de Cologne ($150) — Link
Drake’s Swim Shorts ($145 on sale) — Link
Dark Brown Belgians ($675) — Link
LL Bean Field Coat (price unknown) — Link
A&F All Day Shorts ($60) — Link
Vintage Duck Camo Pants ($225) — Link
Boy Smells x Kacey Musgraves Deeper Well Candle ($56) — Link
Kavu Organic Strapcap ($40) — Link
Predator Mundial 2024 ($120) — Link
Every Other Thursday Hat ($44) — Link
Kermit Oak Foldable Chair ($300) — Link
Block Crochet Knit S/S Shirt Navy ($450) — Link
Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour NRG ($190) — Link
Vintage Patagonia Stand-Up Shorts on eBay ($25-$60)
Drake’s Soleil Graphic Tee ($145) — Link
We Are Rewind Cassette Player ($159) — Link
Drake’s Olive Seersucker Games Suit ($1,790) — Link
Will’s Note: Please send me any reasonably priced alternatives you have for this as I’d love to buy a new suit in this style before August! Thanks!
Adidas x SNS Predator Mundial ($130) — Link
Frame Crewneck Cashmere Sweater ($498) — Link
Aimé Leon Dore Tassel Loafer ($350) — Link
NEW: Midweight, medium blue, one-pocket denim shirt. Maybe this one? — Link
Barrett’s Wishlist (2024)
Margaret Howell Fireman Trousers ($495 Retail / $371.25 Sale) — Link
Vass Shoes Black Leather Cap Toe Oxfords (€417) — Link
Uniqlo Down Parkas ($40-$150) — Link
Montblanc Meisterstück Stainless Steel & Black Onyx Cufflinks ($280) — Link
Second/Layer Pico Blazer & Trousers ($340 on sale) — Link
Lululemon Soft Jersey Short 5” ($68) — Link
Abercrombie & Fitch “Handcrafted” 3-Button Polo ($90 on sale for $72) — Link
Bode x Nike Sneakers ($150) — Link
JJJJound Sambas ($250) — Link
Post O’Alls x Bagsinprogress Beach Bag — Link
Toga x PORTER Nylon Backpack ($1,135) — Link
Sacai x Carhartt WIP Cotton-Canvas Shorts ($470) — Link
Guest in Residence “Breezy” Sweater ($395) — Link
Noah Slouchy Sock ($22) — Link
Garrett Leight “Webster” Sunglasses ($249) — Link
Buzz Rickson Type CWU-9/P 1960’S Jacket Liner ($355) — Link
Prada Woven Shopping Tote ($2,050) — Link
(Madewell ($80.50) — Link)
Buck Mason Seeded Natural Herringbone Short ($128) — Link
Timex Q 1978 Watch ($179) — Link
Gap’s Linen Collection — Link (Imminent Cops linked below)
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress ($1499) — Link
Vinny’s Fisherman Sandals ($320) — Link
Abercrombie & Fitch University of Texas Crewneck ($90) — Link
NEW: Stüssy Workgear Jacket ($240) — Link
Canoe Club Picks
Candle No. 1 - Petrichor & Tobacco — Link
Stüssy Full-Zip Brushed Merino Sweater — Link
Magzines from Japan (perfect stocking stuffer for the fashion bro in your life) — Link
Merrell Winter Moc 3 in Spice — Link
Engineered Garments Workaday Utility Pant — Link
Auralee Brushed Super Kid Mohair Knit Polo — Link
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube (see above), and anywhere else podcasts are found.