It’s Friday. That means my inbox looks like a bomb went off. Brand reps, PR lists, shop owners all sending the same thing: “Check out our new drop.” Half of them I delete without opening. The other half, I scroll through while I’m eating a cold bagel at my desk.
This week, I looked at 17 new releases. Some are fine. Some are embarrassing. Five stood out enough to mention. But only three are things I’d actually spend my own paycheck on.
Let’s get into it.
1. Carhartt WIP Black Wash Hoodie – $159
I’ve had the sample on my chair for two weeks. The black wash is weird at first—it’s not pure black, more like someone left it in the sun for a day. I almost wrote it off. Then I wore it three times. The fit is that boxy Carhartt shape but softer. Inside is brushed fleece that doesn’t feel cheap. Worth the money? Yeah. It’ll last you years. Buy.
2. Nike Tech Fleece Jogger (Oversized Fit) – $130
Nike keeps messing with the Tech Fleece cut. This new oversized version is for guys who want the look but hate skinny ankles. I tried them on in the stockroom. They’re roomy but not sloppy. The zipper pocket is deeper than last season. Only problem? The waistband runs big. I’m usually a medium. I’d size down. Still, solid piece. Buy.
3. New Balance 1906R Silver-Black – $155
These came in yesterday. Everyone is hyping the 1906R again. I get it—they’re comfortable. But this colorway? Silver and black. Safe. Boring. The mesh feels stiff out of the box. It loosens up after a few wears, but I don’t want to work for my sneakers. If you don’t have a pair of 1906Rs yet, get the cream color from last month instead. This one? Skip.
4. Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550 – $150
I wanted to like these. I really did. ALD usually hits. But this pale green suede they used? It marks up if you look at it wrong. I brushed my finger against the sample and left a smudge. For $150, I don’t want to worry about a sneaker every time I sit down. The shape is nice. The materials aren’t it. Skip.
5. Uniqlo U Crew Neck Tee (new colors) – $25
Boring pick, I know. But I bought three of these last year and they’re still the best cheap tee you can get. This season they added a dark olive and a gray that’s actually neutral—not too blue, not too warm. The cotton is thick but not stiff. I washed my old one maybe ten times. No shrinking, no weird twisting at the seams. At $25, stop thinking. Buy.
So that’s three buys: Carhartt hoodie, Nike joggers (size down), Uniqlo tee. The NB and ALD? Wait for better colorways.
One thing I forgot to mention—I tried to take a photo of that Carhartt hoodie for this post. My Fujifilm battery died. Again. So you get a mirror selfie from my phone that Sophie said looks “aggressively average.” She’s not wrong.
Oh, and the Uniqlo olive tee? I already ordered one for myself. And a backup. That’s my real buyer move.
Next Friday, I’ll have more. If I remember to charge my camera.
