Logging On - May 20th: Loafers, the Ocky Way
Back like we never left.
Welcome to Logging On - a newsletter column where Raeland Mendoza recaps the week from his timeline with takes on fashion, media, music and internet culture.
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BACK LIKE WE NEVER LEFT. Though in reality, I did leave (sorry).
For those who don’t know, Logging On’s hiatus and ICYT’s end was partially set in motion by me packing up as much garms as I could fit into a luggage and LL Bean tote embroidered with “BRUV” on it, and moving back to Vancouver full time.
Not that anyone asked, but here’s the TLDR of life updates to bring everyone up to speed: The boy band that was I’ll Call You Tomorrow did in fact break up. No, we don’t hate each other. I talk to Alfred and Dan pretty much every day. I got quote-on-quote big boy fashion design job. I got laid off from said fashion design job. I couldn’t be happier. Lastly, no I am not moving back to Edmonton (anytime soon atleast. Sorry again).
With the housekeeping out of the way, let’s get to this week’s newsletter -
THIS WEEK ON THE TIMELINE:
READS:
I’ve really been enjoying Substack. In that vein, here’s a few articles I’ve read this week-
Is ALD in Trouble?, Vacations On
Buying a hat doesn’t actually make you a detached, NYC cool-guy. Who knew?
Your Brand Should be a Cult, Comic.Sans
”Anxiety, devotion, and brainwashing in a post advertising world.”
What Exactly Is a Creative Director, Design Director, or Art Director?, Sujin Lee
Send this to your mom next time she asks about your career plan
FASHION:
“BUTTER LOAFERS THE OCKY WAY” ARE BIG, BIG FLAMES
These customized “Ocky Way” timberland loafers are my personal brain rot. A cut up and blown out boot to you, but a suede loafer shaped like a Plasticana clog with four-needle cover stitching and a vibram lug sole to me.
These are undeniably fire. I’ve never been for timbs but the idea of pairing these with some charcoal/black lightweight wool trousers are sending me. I’ve literally been thinking about them all week.
For fun I typed in the description into chatgpt, and freaked it into a Rae Approved (TM) all black colourway in rough out suede. Timberland, call me.
100 restacks and I’ll send this to product development.
Fun fact: I met Spencer Badu when I was like maybe 16 at a Western Canada fashion event. He was very polite, and very well dressed. It was always apparent that he had an X-factor, so to see him get a sneaker collab feels very well deserved. And that swerve of an unexpected canary yellow hit feels advanced in way that Corteiz’s honey blacks fell short for me (IMO).
Including this because attempting to explain this to my partner Erykah (who doesn’t know who the Rizzler, or the Costco guys are) felt like surrealist performance art.
MEDIA:
I don’t camp, have rarely hiked, and can count on two fingers the times I’ve gone fishing. Yet, this channel is a staple in my screen time. I’ve watched him raise his 3 boys, build homesteads and survive in extreme conditions for years now. Luke is a standup father and all together human being, props for leaving the game while on top.
RIP to the Outdoor Boys.
MUSIC:
13 Months of Sunshine - Amine [Album]
Ever since Caroline days, I’ve been a fan of Amine’s. This album does what he does best: bouncy, house-infused energetic summer bops that’d feel at home any tasteful party playlist. I’d like to highlight this album feels distinctly more personal than his previous efforts. This is especially clear references to his family, relationships and cultural homeland of Ethiopia. Amine’s art direction is always on point (I liked KAYTRAMINE’s visuals and roll out better than the music), but 13 Months’ might be my favourite album cover/visuals/merch in recent memory with music to match.
FEATURE: SPRING FITS SPEED RUN
As mentioned up top, I relocated back to Vancouver basically with a luggage and an LL bean boat tote. This was right before the holidays, so with warmer temps on the rise this has rendered my uniform capsule wardrobe of workwear jackets/pants, cashmere sweaters and tiny beanies out of season.
Here’s a quick speed run of some recent things I’ve purchased / tried on / liked as I’ve attempted to add some seasonality to the usual kit -
Notes in order of appearance -
I’ve never liked the idea of a rain parka/jacket. Something about sitting down for dinner looking like you just got off a hike feels crude. The Uniqlo C waterproof trench has been a great pick up, as it feels polished without having to opt for Veilance level investment.
One of Neighbour’s latest brands, MAATEE & SONS makes some of the most beautiful garments I’ve had a pleasure of trying on. This tropical wool blend shirt with workwear style triple stitch finishing was absolutely freaky. It’s certainly on the list for my next atta boy gift to myself.
The homies at Wallace Mercantile are killing it right now. I tried on a grip of fits recently, with the full washed linen Mechanic Suit by SK Manor Hill, Balloon Pants from Is-Ness, and shirting from Fairly Normal being my favourites. Disclaimer - the team at Wallace are friends, and I’m also very biased.
In the same breath with the Uniqlo Trench, I also picked up the Uniqlo U Half Pants. These not only scratch the big shorts itch I’ve been feeling for a bit, but also remind of tumblr-era swag fits in the best way possible.
I been experimenting with become a striped shirt guy. My personal crossroads is that in order to become said guy, I have to abandon my usual all-black uniform. To my eyes, any predominantly black button shirt makes me feel like I’m clocking into SUR for a bar back shift. I recently thrifted this custom made in NYC striped button down to test drive the vibe.
