Back in Black

By The Editors
September 3, 2014 9:00 am

So Labor Day has come and gone, and with it your right to rock those summer whites.

Time for something a little darker. Like, all the way darker.

In short, it’s time for a quick tutorial on All Black Everything.

A staple of your correspondent’s wardrobe. Endorsed by Johnny Cash. One-hundred percent of the Ramones. Louis CK, even.

And in truth, pretty much idiot-proof weekend cool, if you do it right. Here’s how:

The Shoes


Bedrock of a good ABE ensemble — the key is to keep it simple and streamlined. Sneakerheads: grab Greats’ just-dropped Triple Black Royales, which read like the inky period at the end of a very hip sentence.

Boot wearers: pop into Wolverine’s shop on Elizabeth for a pair of classic black 1000 Milers. Suitably rough-and-tumble, but you can still dress ‘em up if need be.

The Pants


Black jeans. Period. If you can do skinny, you’re in luck – Uniqlo’s slim fit straights will only run you fifty bucks. They call the color grey, but for our Ulysses S. Grant that’s just the faded black you’re looking for — second key to ABE is to mix up the hues, lest you tread into Blue Man Group territory.

Slender not your thing? Hit up Jean Shop’s new Crosby Street shop to pick up an ebon pair in either their slim (forgiving, trust) or rocker (brawnier) fits. Raw selvedge, so you’ll need to do your own fading.

The Shirt

Again, simple’s the name of the game. Tees are your go-to. NYC outfit Handvaerk’s Peruvian pima crew is about as luxe as a plain black tee gets, and this number from Bushwick moto fiends Deth Killers is a no-brainer if you dig printed.

When the mercury dips, opt for a waffled henley from Double RL — final key with monochromatic ensembles is to vary the textures to break it up.

Summer, we barely remember ya.

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