Vintage Knits: Louis Vuitton

When I go vintage shopping I have one simple rule. If the glove fits I'm buying it. Hesitating is a complete waste of time.
This trusty mantra was exactly what was going through my mind during an overdue and much needed visit to Wasteland in San Francisco. Perhaps now it's best to mention I'm a recent convert to the whole vintage thing. The idea, but really the smell were both very odd (eau de grandmother's-moth-ball is not exactly my favorite, anything Tom Ford is). But then you grow-up and get over it. You also discover the small miracles your local dry cleaners are capable of. 

So with sleeves rolled-up, nose firmly pinched and eyes sharp I began scanning the racks. Rocker tees, leather pants, plaid coats, hats - you probably know the drill. Then a glimmer of hope. A soft crewneck sweater in the most perfect shade of taupe. And then came the insane realization, 'Fuck - I just found a Louis Vuitton!?'. No previous vintage find (and there have been a few) was ever so exciting. Is that shallow? Don't answer that - I don't really care. The point is I found it, tried it, bought and now I'm here, wearing it. It's everything in that it's 1) Louis Vuitton (duh) and 2) not obnoxiously Louis Vuitton. I'm all about understated luxury and this, my friends, is the definition of. 

- Alexander Atkins, wearing a vintage Louis Vuitton sweater and a Forever 21 camouflage beanie, photographed by Irene de Jong in Los Gatos, California.

The Essentials: The Aran Knit

Yes, it's still hot. But because autumn is hopefully looming I thought I'd grin and bear it, and wear some serious knitwear.

As I've mentioned before, it's good to plan ahead. So now that fall fashion is being flung at us every-which-way we turn (TV, Instagram, those annoying pop-ups - you get the picture) I'd say the retail gods are sending a very clear message. Namely: get shopping. So Voilà! Here it is. The white knit sweater. A staple for the upcoming equinox courtesy of Mr. Neil Barrett, who, in case you are wondering, is consistently exceptional.

There's something so right about a solid white knit. Something so luxe and exceedingly debonair. Call it what you will (a chunky-knit, an aran-knit, a cable-knit, whichever), the point is it's a beacon of luxury and heritage. Ultimately the wearer exemplifies sharp yet easy dressing. It's so fresh. What's more the whole thing screams fun in an, 'I enjoy stone-skipping' and, 'why yes, scallops sound marvelous' kind-of way. (I'm painting a picture of the Kennedy's in Hyannis Port, for those of you who may be confused.) Also, the fact that I bought this knit a while ago during a visit to Barneys (an exceeding dangerous trip I might add) as an impulse and not as a pre-mediated thing only adds to the my final point. Which is this: a full-on white knit sweater should be a staple in any and every man's wardrobe. White suits literally everyone, as does looking and feeling a million bucks. It's that simple.

Alexander Atkins, wearing Neil Barrett knitwear, Acne jeans, Dior Homme Blacktie Sunglasses and carrying Louis Vuitton's Poche Documents, photographed by Camille Labat in San Francisco.

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The Details: Louis Vuitton's Leather Coat

A great leather coat is always a hot commodity. Needless to say we'll easily agree anything Louis Vuitton is spectacular.
Last season I was all about this mountaineering-inspired backpack - perhaps because I liked its sense of purpose (there's a lot to be said for practical fashion). So it's no coincidence that everything remained so right about Vuitton's Spring 2014 presentation. 

For starters everyone was going somewhere. Each look meant business. Each outfit resonated - for all the right reasons. Inspired by the iconic retro-American road trip, it became natural to follow a progression along Route 66. I could go on and on (and on...) about the impeccable tailoring, metallic lace-ups, tan bags etc etc - but I won't. It's simple. I just love the back panel of this leather coat - and not just because it reminds me of a Mid-West line dance. What really got me was its history. The iconic 'V' first featured on Gaston Louis Vuitton's personal attaché from 1901. That's right, this leather coat is the ultimate heritage-inspired flashback, and that's worth mentioning. 

To discover more Louis Vuitton click here. Watch the entire show below.

Prime Cut - Fur and Menswear

While spring is T-minus 16 days away, you can never really be too prepared for next winter. It's a matter of basic instinct.

Squirreling away your nuts, so to speak. Not unlike the nuts-thing, wearing fur is a primeval instinct too, and judging by Sharon Stone's infamous leg-cross I'd say I'm on to something (too naughty?). At this stage I think it best to mention this post is not intended for vegetarians, vegans, the upstairs crowd at the Wholefoods on Bowery, or anyone with PETA-esque tendencies (we can still be friends though - maybe). Still reading? Great! I love you.

For FW/13 men everywhere have something to look forward to, besides leather pants. Fur, fur, and more fur! Back-panelling at Marni, slivers of silver-fox at Fendi, perfect pops of snow leopard at Louis Vuitton, luxurious layered wraps at Maison Martin Margiela - I could easily go on. Simply put fur is unstoppable. Perhaps because there is nothing quite like it. Its look, its touch. Even my most ethical friends would agree the synthetic stuff is awful (not to mention a fire hazard and horrendously static). Essentially fur is the cat's meow, well - was the cat's meow. I mean how could you not all fall in love with Vuitton's leopard? 

My first true encounter with fur was a black Ushanka my father brought back for me from St. Petersburg when I was eight. I still have it - it's ideal for skiing (just FYI). But besides my own fur-donning sartorial history, what I'm trying to say is I'm excited. Not necessarily for next winter or another NEMO (dear god), but for fur and it's up-and-coming place in menswear. 

*Above (from left), back-panelling at Marni, silver fox at Fendi, snow leopard at Louis Vuitton. Top (from left) wrap at Maison Martin Margiela, Louis Vuitton's snow leopard coat.