THE JOURNAL

What’s in a logo? For most of us, it’s about tribes. A bold (or subtle) declaration to the outside world of which side of the aisle you stand on. The thick, black, sans serif letters of Fear of God emblazoned across a cotton-jersey sweatshirt, for example, proclaim that the wearer – like the brand’s founder, Mr Jerry Lorenzo – deems comfort the ultimate luxury. A not too dissimilar garment spelling out the word “Balenciaga”, on the other hand, speaks to a more avant-garde streetwear camp entirely. The Moncler emblem on a ski jacket sleeve conveys a man who prizes time-honoured craftsmanship, unbeatable quality and function above everything. And nothing signals stealth wealth quite like the glint of gold-stamped TOM FORD lettering on a calf-leather cardholder as one so graciously settles the bill.
In our edit below, we’ve handpicked a selection of embossed, emblazoned and embroidered wares from brands that span the style spectrum. Whether you fancy yourself an Isabel Marant-wearing, Proust-reading flâneur or a devoted subscriber to the school of Mr Hedi Slimane, these pieces will ensure everyone around you gets the memo.
01.
The smart Acne Studios tote

This Acne Studios Baker Out tote bag was originally inspired by a plain old paper grocery bag, but we think it’s more sophisticated than that. Brilliantly smart, its fabric is durable, its design timeless and it brings a much more elegant meaning to the idea of a bag for life.
02.
The charming AMI PARIS socks

03.
The luxurious AMIRI sweatpants

Sweatpants may be a casual-wardrobe staple, but this pair from AMIRI are anything but sloppy. They’re comfortable, yes, but note the leather tag on the back and the bandana print on the logo across the thigh. These are sweats that clearly live on the fancier side of town.
04.
The iconic Balenciaga sneaker

Balenciaga’s Triple S sneakers have defined the “ugly sneaker” era that has dominated menswear for the past few years. This sneaker is an updated version that pays homage to, well, itself, plastered as it is in the brand’s iconic logo. It will look reliably great with anything else from the brand, but we’re keen on playing up the all-black look as favoured by the brand’s designer, Mr Demna Gvasalia.
05.
The Carhartt WIP workwear staple

Carhartt WIP is a key name to know when it comes to workwear and this cotton canvas chore jacket is a prime example. It’s the kind of garment that will still look great 10 years from now when it’s a little distressed. The shape and neutral shade mean it will slot into your wardrobe with ease.
06.
The CELINE HOMME tie-dye T-shirt

The American novelist Mr F Scott Fitzgerald is credited with first using the term “T-shirt” in print in 1920. US presidential nominee Mr Thomas D Dewey later plastered the first slogan on one – “Dew It With Dewey” – in 1948 (although he didn’t “dew” it, losing to incumbent President Harry S Truman). Fast-forward to 2022 and CELINE HOMME may just have perfected the piece, with a tee that marries the brand logo with a monochrome tie-dye print. We have a winner.
07.
The Fear of God Essentials Kids’ sweatpants

Kids say the funniest things, don’t they? But, as anyone who has tried to dress an especially uncooperative child will tell you, what their clothes say to them is a serious matter. These easy, go-with-anything sweatpants come with the Fear of God Essentials seal of approval, as noted below the (hopefully not worn out any time soon) knee.
08.
The Gallery Dept. trucker cap

You don’t need an HGV licence to wear this foam and mesh headgear from cult Los Angeles label Gallery Dept. A blue-collar staple turned vivid blue accessory, it’s more Gen Z than anything given away with a John Deere. For more on the brand’s cutting-edge take on vintage workwear, read our interview with Gallery Dept. designer Mr Josué Thomas here.
09.
The Givenchy chain-embellished bomber jacket

The roots of the letterman jacket can be traced back to 1865 and the sweaters worn by the Harvard University baseball team. So, if the Givenchy logo embroidered across the front of this bomber jacket isn’t entirely without precedent, creative director Mr Matthew M Williams earns his stripes with some maverick chain embellishments across the shoulders.
10.
The Gucci leather sneakers

You could not describe Gucci clothes as quietly going about their business. And yet the Ace tennis shoe has done just that since it was launched in 2016, not long after Mr Alessandro Michele took over as creative director. This simple silhouette has become a firm favourite and the backdrop to a menagerie of snakes and bees. This contrasting monogram is perhaps the strongest use of that white space across the upper.
11.
The Isabel Marant knitted polo

Isabel Marant might not be the first name that springs to mind when one thinks of logo-laden sportswear, but this season the Parisian designer is embracing athletic silhouettes and (quite literally) stamping them with her signature. The graphic, retro-inspired blue and white motif and polished finishes of this jacquard-knit polo shirt should swiftly abolish any PE connotations, while the boxy, oversized fit lends it a laid-back, Left Bank ease.
12.
The LOEWE mohair-blend blanket

Such fans are we of Mr Jonathan Anderson’s creations at LOEWE that we’re not simply satisfied with slipping into his sneakers or toting his tote bags. We’re rather keen on him outfitting our abodes, too. This deliciously soft mohair-blend blanket essentially supersizes the label’s cult-status scarf so you and your sofa can tag-team.
13.
The Maison Kitsuné cardigan collab

Maison Kitsuné has teamed up with Olympia Le-Tan for a collegiate-style cardigan that proves the Ivy League look is still very much of the moment. Despite its scholarly references, this button-down knit is anything but stiff, thanks in part to the label’s tongue-in-cheek fox-in-a-bun logo.
14.
The muted Marni tote bag

Marni is typically a byword for riotous print and colour, which can make it easy to forget the exquisite craftsmanship that underpins it all. This raffia tote bag trades bright hues and bold motifs for something altogether more muted, allowing the sturdy construction, perfect proportions and elegantly embroidered lettering their moment to shine.
15.
The hands-free Moncler iPhone case

There is more to Moncler than jackets. Yes, the skiwear-rooted brand is renowned for its down-stuffed outerwear – and devotees will attest that it deserves all its accolades. But this sturdy PVC phone case with a clever detachable lanyard (ideal for both the slopes and the streets) is a reminder not to sleep on everything else it has to offer.
16.
The quirky Polo Ralph Lauren hoodie

What you want, as a brand, is a logo that can do many things. Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear is an instantly recognisably mascot that can wear a logo of his own, as seen here celebrating the Year of the Tiger. It’s cute and it’s smart and we want everything he’s wearing. Yes, we know it’s a bear. Thank you for the reminder.
17.
The bright Rhude shell shorts

An excellent example of the kind of function and fun you can have with your brand name, this effort from Los Angeles streetwear brand Rhude spells things out across the thighs of these nifty red shell shorts. The vibe is very much boxing realness meets typography nerd; just look at the size of his font.
18.
The Stone Island twill overshirt

Stone Island’s emblem is so iconic there are Instagram pages dedicated to it, the logo naughtily photoshopped onto the billowing sleeve of Mr William Shakespeare and the like. All very ho, ho, ho, but for the serious business of style, a product with the Stone Island logo, such as this twill overshirt, is no laughing matter.
19.
The preppy Thom Browne pool slides

Thom Browne doesn’t have a logo per se, but, as with these pool slides, the clue might be in the brand name emblazoned across the sides of the sole or the colour code of red, white and blue grosgrain across the front. Even so, the signature preppy style here is instantly recognisable as Thom Browne, which arguably is logo enough.
20.
The crystal-embellished Vetements sweater

There is obvious commercial rationale behind a brand emblazoning garments with its logo, but as this grey sweatshirt from Vetements, demonstrates, it’s also an excuse to have some fun. Emblazoned with rainbow colours, this is a logo with bells and whistles attached. Actually, it’s crystals, but you get the idea.