Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of what our editors are digging recently.
Birdwell Beach Britches Wool Sportsman Jacket
Nothing to see here, just a coupla heritage American brands teaming up on a show-stopping, shoulder-month shacket. Santa Ana-based Birdwell Beach Britches, which has been around since the 1960s, just teamed with Woolwrich Woolen Mills, which has been around since long before the 1860s, to construct a dashing, lightweight field button-down with eight pockets and padded elbows. No surprise that this was a bi-coastal project. It’ll perform as well paired with light jeans and white low-tops at a SoCal beach bar, as layered with a toggle coat and boots in a roadside Northeast tavern. Either way, I don’t plan on taking it off anytime soon. — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor
Teroforma Cocktail Pack
I had a bottle of middling bourbon that I couldn’t get rid or throw out last year … until I discovered infusion packs and how they can transform the mundane into something that inspired some party guests to ask me “How did they make this so good?!?” (Yes, with multiple exclamatory question marks.) Teroforma’s kits actually accentuate up to three bottles of spirits with notes of ginger, barrel and spiced vanilla (if you’re using whiskey) or other spices if you get the kits for rum or tequila. — Kirk Miller, Nation Editor/Managing Editor
Nike Air Max 97 Realtree
I’m not typically a camo guy for a few reasons: 1) I’ve never been anywhere near any sort of military operation, 2) I’m not really into big game hunting aside from a few arcade games and 3) I think people already look through me enough, so I don’t need to make it any easier for them. That being said, oooh baby, these are mighty tasty. You can never really have too many pairs of Air Max sneakers and these are no exception. I would recommend acting very fast as they’re sure to sell out quickly (plus they will probably have some good value on the resale market if you’re into that). These guys also tout reflective, reflective stripes, so they’re great if you want to wear them and ride your bike at night. Less so if you’re into burglary by cover of darkness.— Eli London, Director of Partnerships and User Acquisition
The Habit Roadmap
If you know Best Self Co., it’s for their gangbusters goal-oriented journal. But they deal in all manner of tactile productivity tools, and this week they released exactly the thing I’ve been searching for: the Habit Roadmap. Show me a productivity app, and I’ll show you how to ignore it. But I’ve got resolutions I need to stick to (going to sleep earlier, volunteering, working on side projects) and this tangible daily calendar is going to hold me accountable. — Alex Lauer, Senior Editor
Baxter of California Clay Pomade
In the nearly 20 years that I’ve been putting gunk in my hair, this is the only product I’ve ever grown truly fond of. Out of the jar it’s hard — almost too hard — but this an illusion. Loosen it up with a couple drops of water and a vigorous rub between the hands, and you’re in business. It sits at the ideal point on the hair-product bell curve: all-day hold without the gross, crunchy texture that usually attends all-day hold, and you can easily reshape things after any wind-, bed- or hat-induced disheveling. It also smells nice. — Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief
Enso Hammered Damascus Steel 8″ Chef’s Knife
Shoutout to my brother once again on the holiday gifting tip, as this Japanese “Gyuto” (literal translation: “beef knife”) he picked out for my wife last Christmas has proven sharper than a rapier wit and has some seriously handsome Hatori Hanzo vibes going on to boot. Goes through anything you put in front of it like Rain Man through a shoe of cards, and adds a nice dose of personality to our kitchen via this magnetic knife bar I picked up specifically to show it off. A steal at $129. — Danny Agnew, Creative Director
McQ Alexander McQueen Dropped Shoulder Tee
It takes a lot for me to be impressed by a graphic tee. Often I find them boring, not clever, and trying way too hard. However this Alexander McQueen dropped shoulder tee stopped me mid-scroll, and I can’t stop staring at it. The bright mint color and retro pink lettering are what initially caught my eye, and screamed “summer” at me (I’m subconsciously always building my summer wardrobe). Upon further inspection, there is a black and white cutout of a woman wearing large sunglasses and the phrase The planet of no return around her. This shirt makes absolutely no sense to me, and I love it. It’s also half off on East End right now, so this could be my sign that I have to buy it. — Logan Mahan, Editorial Intern
Vans Old Skool in Deep Grass
Ok, so! The sneakers that I really, desperately want in time for spring are the new Yacht Club version of the classic Old Skool Vans silhouette, with their bold primary color-blocking. I fell hard for them shortly after spotting them for the first time. They’re sold out fucking everywhere, though, and I don’t feel like delving into the secondary market for them. (Jordans, yes, but not these.) What I’ve decided to go with instead is the Deep Grass Green colorway of the same shoe — appropriate for spring and summer, with shorts or pants, with denim or khakis, with socks or without… and then also perfect for Christmastime. How’s that for versatility? — Mike Conklin, Executive Editor
THE BEST THING WE DRANK THIS WEEK
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We did try a $3000 vodka this week — more on that soon — but let’s start with the affordable. We’ve always dug Fords Gin, which is extremely versatile and works well across a wide range of cocktails. And we like overproof spirits, because then the taste of your hooch isn’t getting lost in your drink. So the new Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve, a traditional London Dry Gin rested in Amontillado Sherry Casks, is the best of all worlds … at 109 proof, it’ll kick up your G&Ts and gimlets a notch or ten.
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