I spent forty-five minutes on the shop floor this morning moving boxes. A rep from a big brand sent us the wrong size run again. Mediums instead of larges. I emailed him. He said "my bad" and offered a discount on the next order. Whatever. That's not why I'm here.
Here's what actually caught my eye this week. Three pieces. One buy, one restock worth grabbing, and one I'd wait on.
Buy: Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 990v4 (Grey/Navy)
These came in yesterday afternoon. I opened the box and just stood there for a second. They look better than the product shots. The mesh is tighter than last year's collab. The navy hits different in natural light.
I tried on a pair this morning. Size 10. Half up from my usual. The toe box is snug but not tight. Walked to the coffee shop and back. No rub points. The suede is soft — not the cheap fuzzy kind that stains if you look at it wrong.
Price is $220. That's high. But these will hold value if you keep them clean. And they're comfortable enough to wear all day. Not just for the gram.
If you have the money and you like the color, grab them. They'll be gone by Tuesday.
Restock worth grabbing: Carhartt WIP Detroit Jacket (Black)
This isn't new. It's a restock. But people sleep on the black version because everyone wants the brown.
I have the brown one from two years ago. It's fine. Fits boxy. The black one fits slimmer. More like a trucker jacket. Less like you're wearing your dad's coat.
Price is $188. That's fair for what you get. 12oz cotton canvas. Lining is warm but not heavy. I wore mine through last February and never needed a layer underneath.
Downside: The sleeves run long. I rolled mine once and never fixed it. Looks fine. Nobody notices.
You can order this one online. No rush. Carhartt restocks every few months. But if you need a black jacket for spring nights, just get it now.
Wait on: Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 (White)
I saw the early samples last month. They looked okay. Simple. Just a small box logo near the heel.
Then I held the final pair this week. The leather is stiff. Not the good stiff that breaks in after a week. The kind that creases weird and digs into your ankle. I walked around the stockroom for ten minutes. Took them off. Felt relief.
Price is $128. That's cheap for a collab. But you're paying for the logo. The regular white AF1 is $115. Same sole. Same fit. No ankle pain.
The resale market will go crazy on these. Let it. You're not missing anything.
If you want a white sneaker this month, buy the standard pair and spend the extra $13 on a coffee and a breakfast burrito. You'll be happier.
I almost forgot to check the ACG shipment again. The stitching on the cuffs is still weird. I'll deal with it tomorrow.
One more thing. The truck driver from yesterday? The one who kept missing the alley? He waved at me this morning. I waved back. He had a new route. Nailed it on the first try.
Small wins.
Go buy the New Balances. Skip the Supremes. And if you see a black Carhartt jacket in your size, just click the button. Don't overthink it.
