THE JOURNAL
Just the mention of the word California can make you feel 24 per cent more relaxed. This is not an official statistic based on any kind of empirical data. It is merely an attempt to capture the Pavlovian potential of California to take you immediately from wherever you are in your head to a sunnier, luridly happier place. A place that is, if not literally California itself, then a roughly sketched, mental estimation made up of lazy associations based on a thousand images from TV, cinema, advertising or, if you’re lucky, experience.
If it’s cold, hard, objective truth you’re after, rather than mere whimsy, then try these eight pieces, new to MR PORTER, all of which have their own story that starts on the American West Coast. What better way to welcome springtime?
01.
The Gallery Dept. workwear jacket
In recent years, Gallery Dept. has made a name for itself as the authority in remaking and repurposing vintage pieces. At the forefront of its collections have been its denim and paint-splattered workwear pieces – this jacket is a perfect example of the latter. Wear yours over a white tank top or a T-shirt to let the other colours pop.
Wear it with
02.
The CHERRY LOS ANGELES hoodie
CHERRY LOS ANGELES’ coveted streetwear draws inspiration from the 1990s skate scene – and this hoodie is a great example of its knack for laid-back, versatile staples made to exacting standards. Plus, we’ve officially entered the era of cherry red (no pun intended), so there’s no better time to invest in one of the brand’s colourful pieces.
Wear it with
03.
The Elder Statesman floral jacket
Few brands epitomise the relaxed, whimsical Californian spirit quite like The Elder Statesman. All the brand’s garments – including this wool and cashmere bomber jacket, patterned in a bold daffodil print – are made in its Los Angeles factory and considered down to the last details, so they’re sure to last a lifetime.
Wear it with
04.
The John Elliott checked shirt
John Elliott makes American classics – the sort of pieces you could throw together with just about anything else in your wardrobe (or anything else in its collection). However, careful consideration has gone into the items themselves. A signature of the brand, the cut of this checked flannel shirt is typically relaxed, while the attention to detail is anything but, which is what elevates it above the standard-issue man-outdoors casual shirt.
Wear it with
05.
The Rhude cargo trousers
From trucker caps to basketball shorts and bowling shirts, Los Angeles brand Rhude offers up a fresh take on the classics with bold prints and premium fabrications. Take these cargo trousers – they’re cut from hard-wearing cotton-twill and finished with a variety of pockets, panels and buttons that further the utilitarian yet contemporary feel.
Wear it with
06.
The AMIRI star-studded sneakers
AMIRI has traced a stellar path from a small-scale producer of limited-edition, hand-embellished leather jackets and jeans to one of Los Angeles’ best-known luxury labels in the space of just eight years. And though we love the brand’s reconstructed denim, we’re just as thrilled about these star-appliquéd low-top sneakers, inspired by classic basketball styles.
Wear it with
07.
The Garrett Leight California Optical tortoiseshell sunnies
When it comes to timeless style, few people are better suited to offer advice and styling tips than one of the most influential brand, fashion and design consultants around, Mr Josh Peskowitz. Which is why Garrett Leight California Optical has teamed up with the menswear expert to bring its latest small-run, California Editions GLCO capsule to life. Wear the tortoiseshell frames as soon as the sun comes out (or just about anytime).
Wear it with
08.
The SHAY chain necklace
If there was any accessory deserving of the term “investment”, this necklace by SHAY would surely be it. The brand’s jewellery is designed to be mixed, matched and stacked with other pieces from its collections. Crafted from solid white gold, its 10mm links look substantial and have a nice weight to them, allowing you to elevate any casual look with ease.