I ran around New York City Fashion Week this year looking for pieces that would appeal to our community here at The Modest Man. Here’s what I found!
Fashion with a capital F tends to push boundaries. I’ve written about style and have attended Fashion Weeks for years. I’ve worked in contemporary art for even longer. And yet, I don’t always understand the highly conceptual pieces that make it onto the runways.
This year’s NYFW was a touch different. After all, traditional menswear is back. Don’t get me wrong, subversive, gender-bendy, and not-so-classic aesthetics were still prevalent.
But I do love that bolder design sensibilities get brought into the space. They give permission to classically inclined designers to do more interesting things without necessarily going the “weird” route. I spent one of the busiest times in the city running around looking for such pieces. I also looked for practical, well-built items, closet staples, and fun gear.
I know the idea of “Fashion” can intimidate everyday guys who simply want to dress better. Here’s proof that there’s something there for everyone!
2024 New York City Fashion Week Finds
I’ve organized my finds and picks into shirts, outerwear, pants, and (my favorite) gear and watches. Some events I attended included a John Varvatos presentation, Todd Snyder’s runway show, Breitling’s NFL partnership launch event, Buck Mason and Craft + Tailored’s joint cocktail, and Line of Trade’s presentation — among others.
Shirts
Among the shirts presented, there was a major balance of classic and new. I saw this at the Todd Snyder runway show and the John Varvatos presentation. Snyder experimented with textures, while Varvatos incorporated a lot of mesh. Both designers, by the way, were showing for the first time in years.
I understand that some of this sounds a bit loud. Still, you’d be surprised at how easily the pieces are to style with garments you likely already have! A few of the collections won’t be available until spring. For those, I’ve found similar pieces you can shop now.
John Varvatos Mesh Sweater Polo
This mesh sweater polo features a less dramatic mesh than the ones from the latest collection. It still has a distinct aesthetic that makes it a bit more special than the average polo. However, it isn’t any more intimidating to wear than a regular polo. Both fashion-forward men and regular guys (but elevated regular) can pull this shirt off.
Charles Tyrwhitt Washed Oxford Shirt
Charles Tyrwhitt sent me their washed Oxford shirt to wear to their CT x New York Jets Event. While I’m not a Jets fan, I do love this shirt. I can wear it casually, in a business casual context with a jacket, or even as a light plaid flannel stand-in.
It’s made with 100% cotton, washed for extra softness, and is incredibly high value. You can get it collarless (which was also a big trend on the runways this year), as a button-down, and in several colors.
Todd Snyder Wool Silk Knit Polo
Todd Snyder utilized many impeccable textures and exclusive Italian fabrics. This long-sleeve polo from one of the newest collections is made of virgin wool and a touch of silk. It boasts a mix of softness, strength, and beautiful topography. It’s almost like a classy rugby shirt, another example of how traditional menswear is contemporary again.
Buck Mason Work Shirt
Imagine a denim work shirt that looks ruggedly classic but built with far more versatility. That’s what the Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Work Shirt accomplishes. It’s a tried-and-true fit that’s entirely flattering on smaller guys. The five-oz indigo yarn-dyed chambray is durable and washed for a lived-in look. It looks great with or without the sleeves rolled up, tucked into your pants or not.
Outerwear
When it comes to outerwear, there was an overall back-to-basics vibe. Practical but stylish workwear, a touch of cowboy-core, and grandpa-adjacent styles abounded.
I’m not going to bury the lead here. Most of the best outerwear came from Line of Trade. Even more, they’ve remixed some of their classics with new accents and colors.
Line of Trade Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket
I very much love this Line of Trade Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket, especially in the Garnet color. I love it so much, I actually took one home with me. It has a tough, workwear aesthetic to it, but the colorways give it a touch of elegance and class. Both the reddish Garnet and the dark Navy variations are vivid, with light hitting the surface beautifully.
I will say that even the size small was a bit big on me, but I think it looks great that way. I may shorten the sleeves, but the relaxed body looks natural with the workwear design.
Taylor Stitch Waxed Bomber Jacket
This attractive waxed bomber jacket oozes with cool factor and is incredibly weather-adaptable. It isn’t bulky, which means you can wear it on a windy spring day, with layers in winter, and everything in between. Plus, waxing is the tried-and-true way to weatherproof. It also gives it that matte yet sheen surface that looks so industrial and tough.
Line of Trade Donegal Guide Sweater
I find this Donegal sweater infinitely charming. Of course, the classic interspersed flecks create dimension and add character throughout the weave of the surface. It looks almost celebratory on the Dark Navy variation, though my favorite is the versatile Oatmeal version. What really distinguishes it from other Donegal sweaters is the cuff-to-elbow patches.
They look so much more tactical than the standard elbow patches. This sweater is the perfect example of how new brands like Line of Trade are leveling up standards without compromising what makes them classics in the first place.
Line of Trade Carpenter Chore Coat
From the metal shank buttons to the double-needle stitching throughout, this Carpenter Chore Coat is as durable as it is handsome. The silhouette is universally flattering, while the canvas construction is practical and stylish. What I love most about this chore coat, compared to so many I saw during NYFW, are the pockets. They’re big and wide, allowing you more storage that won’t interrupt that perfect silhouette.
Pants
At all of the events I attended, I was happy to see that designers were being quite moderate. While the oversized trend is far from over, many new lines focused on a middle-ground between oversized and slim. Varvatos actually brought back the slim pants.
Here are some of my favorites that I saw. Again, the latest John Varvatos isn’t out yet, but I found a great pair from the previous collection.
Mack Weldon Denim Pants
I attended a Mack Weldon preview for the new SILVER line denim jacket. While that’s under embargo at the time of this writing, I wanted to at least highlight the jeans from the same line. The surface is smooth yet strong, almost like a tougher herringbone dress pants. It doesn’t compromise the overall rugged look you want from jeans though; it just makes it more versatile. On top of that, the premium cotton is infused with antimicrobial material and stretch, allowing you to wear them more and clean them less. Both jean-lovers and jean-haters can wear this.
John Varvatos Motor City Pants
I believe Varvatos is able to bring back the slim fit because they’ve always added a rocker edge. This is even the case with their dressier garments — of which there were plenty at the presentation. These Motor City Pants aren’t exactly like the unreleased latest models, but they have the fit. And they have classic yet thrilling patterns that make them unboring chic.
Line of Trade Officer Chino
Is there anything more definitive in menswear than military wear? The Officer Chino takes the World War II aesthetic but levels it up with modern creature comforts. It’s heavy but feels broken in, flaunting that familiar herringbone fabric. It’s incredibly easy to style. I love this because I’m on an eternal journey to make my closet one that I can just dress in the dark in. I don’t speak in absolutes often, but any guy can wear these pants (and they should).
John Varvatos Benedict Pants
These ready-to-buy Benedict pants remind me of the solid dress pants from the latest collection. They’re solidly colored, though the wool provides some light topography. It’s a pant both hipsters and preps can incorporate into their closets. And since this is Varvatos, the hues are familiar but unique. Carbon grey is a touch more exciting than regular grey, and chamois is just more exciting than brown.
Gear and Watches
When it comes to gear and watches I saw during Fashion Week, I was impressed by two things.
First, from a practical perspective, many new brands are doing some innovative things with bags as storage solutions. You’ll see what I mean with my picks.
Second, contemporary art seems to be playing a big role in gear these days. The result is an offering of some unique and compelling products.
Breitling x NFL Chronomat Collection
On the first day of Fashion Week, I had three back-to-back events. The launch of the Breitling NFL Chronomat collection was by far the best one. This is a genuinely one-of-a-kind partnership. Typically, sports team watches are cheap merchandise. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Patriots Timex. However, never has a true-blue luxury watch brand teamed up with a major sports league to serve up a line of team-themed instant family heirlooms.
Each club in the NFL is represented through team colors and a small, classy logo, one that doesn’t cheapen the dial. I’ve described the different color variations as almost Oyster-Perpetual-esque but far cooler and way more meaningful because of your ability to represent your team.
Wren Dry Bag Sling
Forget those heavy coolers or those unattractive storage solutions. Wren combines aesthetics with functionality in the form of this dry bag sling. Honestly, I’d wear it just as an accessory, though I can’t decide whether I like the Storm Blue or the Field Green better. The Wren Dry Bag Sling is compact, comfortable on your shoulder, and can keep six cans cold for 15 hours.
Halfday Garment Duffel
The Halfday Garment Duffel line is magic. Imagine being able to put a fully pressed suit in a compact bag while you travel without it getting wrinkled. That’s so much better than sitting on a train or plane with your suit hanging in front of you, hitting your head as you’re trying to finish up that presentation. This 45L Premium is made from extra-strong ballistic nylon. You might also consider the regular version, which comes in several cool colorways, or the 40L.
MZ Wallace x Cynthia Talmadge Bag
This custom MZ Wallace bag is a genuine conversation piece. It’s based on Cynthia Talmadge’s series of paintings that tell the story of a young, ambitious, yet unfulfilled actress. The surface of the bag and the bags within it are lifted right from her pieces. It’s also highly functional, with a sort of modular design featuring six interior pockets. Hey, I had to give something to the Fashion guys and the Art guys.
Craft + Tailored X Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 691
Leave it to a vintage expert to do a vintage reissue right. The limited edition Craft + Tailored X Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 691 watch (only 100 pieces) flaunts a genuinely compelling dial. I’m absolutely impressed and tickled by how impeccably executed the details are. Look at the almost floating indices, each textured and dimensional. Watch how the secondhand’s windowed arrow creates a moving frame for each hour marker. And the 36-millimeter case? Chef’s kiss. This watch is toughness and elegance manifested.
Nate Lowman The Ida Kite Limited Edition
I had to include this because I’ve never seen anything like it — a literal art kite. I mentioned how one of the most fascinating things I’ve seen this year is the role art is playing in the gear realm. You can certainly fly this kite, but you can also use it as a unique piece of decor. Nate Lowman designed these kites (edition of 200) after satellite images of hurricanes. They’re poetic, unique, and downright cool.
Conclusion: Something for Everyone
When it comes to New York Fashion Week 2024, it’s not all intimidating high fashion and high art. Sure, Talmadge and Lowman are genuine fine artists. But a cool bag and a fun kite? Anyone can get in on that.
Even more, it’s exciting to see how classic menswear is changing while remaining classic. I do implore all of you to watch out for the unreleased collections. You never know what you’ll find that’ll be right for you!
Did any of these findings pique your interest? Let us know in the comments below.
