My 2015 Christmas List

I'm not sure if you're like me or not, but every year it's the same thing: someone asks me for a Christmas list, and I have absolutely nothing to give them. Well not this year fellas. Not today. This year, I actually took the time to make a list and send it out to those who asked (parents, siblings, girlfriend, etc.), so they could choose and coordinate things. Don't take this list the wrong way though; it's not that I absolutely need or even expect anything on it, but I mean, if they already have it made up in their heads that they're going to get me something it might as well be something I'll enjoy, right? ...Right?

Well here was my Christmas list in no articular order. Maybe it could help spark some ideas in you. Be sure to include links and details when you send your list!


■   Clothes from KillionEST.com

Killion sells items in limited numbers and will be releasing the remaining items from their most recent collection today. I was put onto Killion by a Twitter acquaintance (@juneyur_) and ordered my first three items during their last presale. They were better than I expected, especially at the price point. Expect to see more Killion posts here in the future.

■   Pumas

Frank the Butcher collaborated with Puma on a Business As Usual "Eat What You Kill" set, and I wanted at least one of them. Luckily, I was able to grab the R698 model at a discount for myself, so I had to send an update to everyone to not buy them. I was originally drawn to them because they are an extremely wearable colorway and the materials are extremely nice for such low price-points. Shit, the price was a gift in itself as the R698 was originally only $110, and I purchased at $77. Don't buy them without a discount; I advised my family this same thing when I sent them my list.

■   Star Wars Battlefront

Everyone needs something to pass some free time. My things are writing and Xbox. Plus, I'm a Star Wars fan. It was a brainless decision to want this game. I ended up getting it from one of my brothers for my birthday. Don't pay full price for it. There are (almost) always coupons/discounts for games.

■   H&M Sweatpant Joggers

I own an extremely limited number of things from H&M because, well, I like my clothes to last more than a two times through the wash. These, however, I am willing to go cheap on. Yeah, they'll fade after a few washes, but I'm going to use them to do a very limited number of things in like: play Star Wars Battlefront, write articles, grocery shop, pump gas, etc. It's not like they're going to become a staple in my Saturday wardrobe.

■   Zanerobe Joggers

Now we're into the real, flex-fit-worthy joggers. Zanerobe makes the best joggers in my opinion. Or, at least in my history of wearing joggers I've liked my Zanerobe pairs the best. I literally never pay retail though. They'll all hit clearance sometime, or at the very least, you'll be able to find a coupon code for some. It might be becoming easy to see that I'm a thrifty shopper when it comes to most things outside of sneakers. 

■   Dress Shirts for Work

I know the world thinks you aren't successful until you can wear swim trunks and a t-shirt on the beach at work, but unfortunately I still have to wear slacks and nice shirts to work. I typically go with one of four different brands: Express, Charles Tyrwhitt, Thomas Pink or Penguin. And I never buy anything but 100% cotton. Yeah, the stretch makes is sound nice, but why do you need a stretchy dress shirt? I hope you're buying them large enough to not be stretching out. Plus, the spandex makes it impossible to keep looking crisp; they wrinkle in approximately .000002 seconds. 

       

■   Light Denim

I have big thighs, so finding jeans that fit properly around the waist and around my soccer thighs is almost impossible. I mean, unless I want to be caught wearing some #NTDenim, and that's not quite my style. That's where stretch denim comes in. It seems like I can't buy denim unless it's stretch, and it's been hard for me to find a lighter pair that I like. Typically I wear David Bitton Ash-X or Max-X, but this pair from ASOS looks like it might work.

■   Vans Sk8-Hi

When you think about sneakers, you probably don't think about Vans, but the Sk8-Hi are one of the most versatile shoes on the market. Think of them like Air Force Ones, but (typically) less expensive, less clunky, and more trendy. At least that's my opinion. I've been wanting a black leather Sk8-Hi for a while to pair with some denim for a nice, carefree look. I'd suggest buying half a size smaller than your Nike size.

■   Wii U

Yeah, back to the video games. The Wii U itself isn't a console I'm attracted to. The games are what attract me: Super Smash Brothers, Super Mario, Mario Kart, Star Fox, and maybe (hopefully, prayers-to-the-sky) Pokemon. This is my childhood. For a price of around $250 including a game I'll actually want to play; that's not that bad. 

■   Linkin Park XVLP/Fort Minor Tees

I grew up listening to Linkin Park. They have collaborated with some of the largest sportswear brands in the world. I like my graphic tees dual-sided dual-sided. Need I say more?

■   Light Denim Casual Shirt

Light denim is the wave. Put it on over a dark short sleeve shirt and you've got yourself a bonafide flex fit. I want one with a single pocket, light washed, and a collar. You'd think that'd be simple to find, but it's actually been fairly difficult. This shirt is the closet thing I've found; it's Modern Amusement from PacSun. The long-length is a bonus.

■   World Series Championship Gear

My city won the World Series this year, and I've been a Royals fan my entire life. No, not that fan that just hops on when they start doing well, but the type of fan who has followed game-by-game since the beginning. It's a reflection of the love I have for Kansas City.

■   Local Brand Tees

I've been making a concerted effort to try to ween myself off of graphic tees as much as I can. However, some occasions call for a nice graphic, like a sporting event. I believe that non-graphic shirts are most classic, and because of that, they are always in style. So, when I do buy a graphic tee, I typically like them to be from a local brand and somehow represent my city.

■   Ronnie Fieg Sneakers

I always ask for one pair of sneakers that pushes the envelope just a little bit. I never expect anyone to actually buy them; although one year I actually got one of my most prized sneaker items from my girlfriend. This year I am asking for the Ronnie Fieg x HighSnobriety x Puma RF-Blaze of Glory. I have the RF698 part of the "Tale of Two Cities" pack, and I had these too at one point. Unfortunately, that pair came damaged, so I had to send them back and haven't purchased since.  I found a few pairs for under retail on eBay though, so I sent direct links to those pairs on the list.

■   Large, Deep Non-Stick Skillet with Lid

And rounding out the list, I always include something that's practical. This year I could use a non-stick skillet. I have a great copper-bottom stainless steel cookware set but am lacking in the non-stick department. Boring, I know, but it's something I wouldn't normally buy for myself.

Well, that was my list for Christmas 2015. I'm sure I won't get many things off of it, but at least I know that by providing a list theres a possibility that I might actually get something I've identified as wanting. Maybe I'll do  a follow-up article on what I actually got. Hmmm. Well, let us know what you've got on your list this year by tweeting us or commenting below. Happy Holidays everyone! 

Kith Ops Collection: 5 Best Remaining Pieces

On November 13th, Ronnie Fieg and his NYC-based boutique, Kith, released the first delivery of the Kith Ops Collection; a vintage military inspired collections of apparel and outerwear for the modern man. The collection features a limited number of pieces collaborated on with Nishikawa outerwear, as well as Ronnie Fieg designed footwear collaborations from Fracap and Danner. This past Friday, November 20th, the shop delivered the second part of the collection lead by three new graphic tee designs. As Kith typically moves thier inventory very quickly, below are the five best pieces you can still grab from the collection via KithNYC.com or the Kith App.


5. Fake Friends Tee- Black ($60)

We don't mess with fakes. You shouldn't either, and here is a way to let the world know it. This 150gsm full cotton shirt has been endowed with vietnam-era wartime markings and features a unique enzyme wash. Pair this tee with a light denim button up and you not only have a great look, but a great message as well. 


4. Kith x Nishikawa Aberdeen Parka- Black ($575)

The Aberdeen parka is sure to be incredibly warm, as Ronnie Fieg has likened it to the warmth of Canada Goose. Equipped with a thermotron lining and down filling, it features internal straps for easy carrying. This means that when you're walking through the mall, you won't be sweating your ass off while the shops have their heater cranked up to volcanic temperatures; I hate that! Not to mention, the fur is faux, for all you earth-conscious dudes out there.


3.  Hawthorne Poncho- Tan ($150)

Typically, when I think of a poncho, I think of a plastic covering you wear at a baseball game to ensure that you aren't going to get drenched in the middle of a September rain delay. This poncho is as far as you can possibly get from that imagery. Composed of 400gsm cotton french terry, this short-sleeved poncho acts more like an upscale and fashionable hoodie. The thickness of the material and the rawness of the unfinished seams and hem will be sure to differentiate you from other hoodie-bearers. Pair this colorway with some dark pinrolled denim and these New Balances for a comfortable, yet modern, tailored look.


2. Lexington Hoodie- Washed Olive ($145)

Lexington? More like FLEXington. This hoodie epitomizes the entire Kith Ops collection for me. Featuring the same custom-milled 400gsm cotton french terry as the Hawthorne Poncho (see above), an additional level of uniqueness dons this hoodie. Not only is it acid washed but also pumice stone distressed. This is sure to give each individual hoodie its own personality. Another detail that drew me to this hoodie was not only the dual-layered short sleeve/long sleeve combo, but also the dual seams on back of the hood itself. Details like this differentiate high-end products like the Kith Ops collection for me and what I enjoy about these types of pieces. Match this hoodie with these joggers and whew, you've got a flex fit winning combo!


1. Ronnie Fieg x Filling Pieces RF- Mid II- Wheat ($235)

Yeah, I know that the name is a mouthful when you're trying to say it out loud, but I expect you won't be reciting this article to your professor while you sit here and read this in class. Anyway. This is by far the best piece of footwear in the collection, in my opinion. The wheat and gum bottom color combination is a staple for all successful fall wardrobes and this pair is so simple it makes it almost impossible to wear them wrong. That, for me, is one of the keys to a truly timeless piece of footwear; can I wear these and not have to buy specific items to make them look flametastic? The answer in this case is a resounding 'undoubtedly.' And not only are these a timeless design; they're made to last forever too. Featuring premium nubuck on the upper amplified by a shearling sockliner, with metal eyelets and grommets, each of the 150 pairs that were available at launch were handcrafted so you know someone's eyes were literally overseeing their creation. Think about that for a second. Someone literally picked up this shoe and created it, crafted it. From start to finish there is someone in Portugal that is responsible for the quality of this shoe. Although only a few sizes are still available, I'm glad there was even one left for me to be able to add this piece to my list of 5 Best Remaining Kith Ops pieces.

Be sure to check out additional high quality footwear at FillingPieces.com, KithNYC and other boutiques.