THE JOURNAL

When the time came to curate our In America capsule collection, a rousing celebration of contemporary US menswear, we’re pleased to report that the pickings were far from slim. So much so that we may have got a tad overexcited and narrowed it down to, er, 600 (whoops). But can you blame us? With the likes of Thom Browne, BODE, Rhude and The Elder Statesman on the menu, it’s probable that even the most disciplined MR PORTER shopper will find themselves in tailspin trying to figure out how much to cram in their basket before being met by those two dreaded words: sold out. But don’t fret – this time around, we’ve challenged ourselves to get it down to just 20 of our absolute highlights and make everyone’s lives a little easier.
01.
The GENERAL ADMISSION corduroy jacket

This is American heritage workwear par excellence from the Los Angeles label GENERAL ADMISSION, from the note-perfect fabric choice – herringbone twill for the body, wide-waled corduroy for the collar – to the smart finishing touches, such as the additional patch pocket on the hip. Throw it on over a denim shirt, stand next to an old tractor and run for president.
02.
The Rhude varsity jacket

Blend vintage sportswear silhouettes and haute luxury fabrics with a contemporary streetwear sensibility and you have something close to Mr Rhuigi Villasenor’s A-list beloved label Rhude. This maximalist bomber is a prime example: it takes the classic varsity jacket blueprint, reworks it in a decidedly grown-up wool-blend and lamb leather, and finally tags it with a mishmash of appliqués and embroidery that lend it a mischievous edge.
03.
The Gallery Dept. terry-cotton hoodie

Gallery Dept.’s Mr Josué Thomas has been leaning into the aesthetic of the stately Hollywood hotel of late with his Chateau Josué project: think towelling robes, monogrammed slippers and, presumably, lots of tiny bottles of shampoo. Terry cotton features prominently in this cosy hoodie, too. Think of it as a dressing gown you can leave the house in.
04.
The TOM FORD flannel

Think Mr Tom Ford and a hardy flannel shirt may not be the first item that comes to the mind, but the Texas-born designer and former Santa Fe ranch owner is more salt-of-the-earth than his signature black suits and globetrotting resumé might suggest. Still, being TOM FORD, this flannel is not just any flannel but a paean to its creator’s Virgoan attention to detail, with Western-inspired frontier-style finishes and a super-soft cotton that gets better with every wear.
05.
The pink floral Collina Strada quilted jacket

Made from deadstock materials, this hot pink Collina Strada jacket delivers feel good fashion that also literally feels good. It’s quilted for added cosiness and has a lovely funnel neck and hood for the coming tundra-type weather patterns (it’s inevitable so you might as well stock up now). And the colour is perfect for a little hit of dopamine on dark mornings.
06.
The rootin’ tootin’ RRL cowboy boots

You may see these boots and think to yourself: will the Western trend ever die? And the answer is an emphatic no. So, you might as well give in and purchase a pair of cowboy boots. These from RRL are a particularly good bet due to their authentic make and attention to detail. Each pair is hand cut and sewn in a Texas factory that’s been making boots such as these for more than 150 years. They’re a beautiful investment piece that will last a lifetime.
07.
The winning time Jeff Hamilton Lakers varsity jacket

Calling all basketball fans and fans of brightly coloured bomber jackets. Jeff Hamilton, bomber jacket-maker to the stars, has something for everyone here. This Lakers number, for example, is modelled on the classic American varsity style and features appliquéd team patches. It fits large on purpose, lending a borrowed-from-big-brother vibe, which is actually perfect for this type of coat. If you know, you know.
08.
The éliou gold-plated pearl bracelet

We love a little bracelet that you never have to take off. And éliou makes such excellent pieces and this one, crafted from pearls, glass beads and enamel charms, fastens with a gold-plated magnetic clasp. This means it’s incredibly easy (and not impossibly fiddly) to put on one-handed. The style harkens back to friendship bracelets of your youth, so why not get two? One for you, one for your bestie.
09.
The heritage-inspired Manresa padded blouson

Nailing trans-seasonal dressing is likely at the top of your priority list right now, and this Manresa blouson jacket is the perfect choice to help you do just that. Its cotton-canvas construction disguises it as a lightweight layer, but the padded insulation ensures superior warmth when temperatures inevitably plummet.
10.
The “good vibes only” Sydney Evan pendant necklace

Fans of Sydney Evan will instantly recognise the LA-based founder Ms Rosanne Karmes’ penchant for protective amulets and symbolic charms. This crystal-shaped pendant necklace is a case in point – it’s strung with malachite beads, thought to have protective properties and ward off negative energies, and gold accents encrusted with glistening diamonds.
11.
The Les Tien distressed sweatshirt

Prioritising comfort and ease, Les Tien’s designs perfectly represent the laid-back spirit of LA, where the brand is headquartered. Take this cotton-jersey sweatshirt – it’s designed in a relaxed profile, lightly distressed at the hem and neckline for a lived-in appeal and embroidered with “Enjoy California” across the back… Need we say more?
12.
The Enfants Riches Déprimés workwear jacket

A simple yet effective workwear jacket belongs in every stylish man’s wardrobe, and we’re particularly fond of this one by Enfants Riches Déprimés’ – exclusively available at MR PORTER – for a number of reasons. For one, it’s distressed and faded to look like an old favourite you’ve owned for years. Even better, it has a couple of handy waist tabs you can use to adjust the fit, depending on whether you wear it over a tee or chunky knitwear.
13.
The floral-print Sorry In Advance hoodie

Skateboarder, actor, model, MR PORTER cover star – the only thing more exhausting than being Mr Evan Mock is keeping up with Mr Evan Mock. And in case that CV wasn’t quite impressive enough, now the world’s most booked-and-busy Gen Z-er has added another string to his bow with clothing line Sorry In Advance, turning out streetwear pieces such as this joyous floral-print hoodie that nod to his Hawaiian heritage.
14.
The graphic One of These Days T-shirt

The graphic motif splashed across this T-shirt may pay tribute to the world of gambling, but rest assured that in this case payoff (in compliments, that is) is guaranteed. The definition of a conversation-starter, it’s the work of installation artist Mr Matt Cormick, whose label One of These Days is replete with eye-catching and unusual prints that often nod to all things Americana.
15.
The multi-stone Santangelo necklace

Don’t be mistaken: we still go mad for a heavyweight timepiece here at MR PORTER. But, that said, we’re also delighted to see that the men’s jewellery landscape has broadened out to include more light-hearted fare. Exhibit A: this necklace by LA label Santangelo, which takes a handful of prized stones and metals – sterling silver, yellow-green peridot and a hefty cultured fireball pearl – and reworks them for a laidback, SoCal surfer effect.
16.
The chiffon BODE shirt

The vintage, lived-in charm that oozes out of Ms Emily Bode’s creations has rendered her a darling of the menswear crowd – find her designs on the backs of Mr Harry Styles and US GQ editor Mr Will Welch, to name but two. Among our top picks from the new season is this parrot-embroidered chiffon shirt, which serves as a billboard to her exquisite craftsmanship (and your exquisite taste).
17.
The nostalgic graphic CHERRY LA sweatshirt

Not all roads lead to Rome. But for a sprawling, decentralised federal republic built largely around private transportation, many in the US eventually end up in Los Angeles. It’s something that’s rubbed off in South Central, where CHERRY LA is based and all of its clothes are made. This cotton-jersey sweatshirt presents a meta-modernist mishmash of the sort of typography you’d typically encounter from behind the wheel when navigating the nation.
18.
The bucking ballet Fantasy Explosion print T-shirt

Sitting somewhere between ephemeral art and corporate clip art is the gloriously named Fantasy Explosion, a showcase for New York-centric vintage pieces and newer items created in the spirit of New York-centric vintage pieces. And, sure as Swan Lake ain’t our first rodeo, there’s more than a healthy pinch of irony to this tee, a reproduction featuring a production you’re unlikely to see at the David H Koch Theater.
19.
The gold and diamond SHAY snake bangle

Among the most ubiquitous symbols in human mythology, snakes often represent great wisdom. But then you knew that. Put that acuity on display with this handsome piece by LA jewellery maker SHAY. Cast from gold, it will add a knowing glint peeking out from beneath a shirt cuff.
20.
The extracurricular Thom Browne collegiate blazer

It’s no secret that designer Mr Thom Browne has long been enamoured with the Ivy League aesthetic. And you’d think that, being his alma mater, Notre Dame is where his loyalties would lie. This blazer, however, has more of a rival schools feel. A deconstruction of the classic preppy sports jacket, it has been pieced together again with merino panels in contrasting colours and finished with fresh white piping.