Thanks Freakonomics.

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Nothing makes me laugh quite like my collection of t-shirts from Israel. I’m always searching for a lost shirt, one that said “The ShinBet is watching you.” in Arabic.

Another favorite is this one.

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Elegant in its simplicity, supremely comfortable and as warm as you could want — I’d wear this walking the mean streets of Sausalito or on tranquil strolls of New York City. I found my thinsulate version was useful pretty much year around in Northern California, but is likely more of a three-season coat else where. Great with blue jeans or business casual attire, I only refrain from using the Pea Coat as a top coat with my suits as I have the real deal.

The name ‘pea coat’ appears to come from the cloth used to make the jackets. From the Dutch name for this wool cloth ‘pijjekker,’ it appears English speakers shortened this to Pilot or ‘P’ cloth. The jacket for put into use by European powers as early as 1723 and was adopted for the United States Navy in 1881.

Stylish in its simplicity, rugged and durable if you buy good quality wool — I love my pea coat.

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Esquire is running a great slideshow showing the “Evolution of Men’s Style” from 1933 to 2008. I wish there was more commentary on each image — and even with forty some-odd images, I still wish there were more images, too! — but it’s a great primer for understanding teh last several generations of formal and casual fashion.

The Evolution of Men’s Style: 1933-2008 [Esquire]

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Stealing from the King of Cool: not cool.

Chadwick McQueen and The Terry McQueen Testamentary Trust say in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that McQueen’s name and likeness have been ripped off by Belstaff USA Corp. They’ve asked the court to stop the company from marketing jackets, coats, sweaters, T-shirts, pants and shoes under the name of the actor, who starred in classics such as “Bullitt” and “The Great Escape” and died in 1980.

Steve McQueen Heirs Sue Clothing Maker[AP]

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Not a bad compromise for those who don’t like to shop who happen to also be cheap bastards.

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Fly naked on Germany’s first nudist holiday flight [UK.Reuters.com]

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I have never owned a Polo-brand polo shirt before. Is there anything that sets the brand name ones apart from the discount ones?

Polo Collector’s Trunk [AcquireMag via Complex]

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It’s a trick question: I just bought them, so they must be dapper.

Catalog Page [Zappos.com]

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Product Page [Cordarounds.com]

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I like my sneakers loud, right? I figure if you’re going to wear some high tops, make them look hot. GBX has taken this concept to its tragic extreme in an exercise in design literalism that squirts the words “RADIOACTIVE” and “DANGER” across the sides of these shoes. The blue ones look like they were designed by a PC case modder doing a tribute to Fallout.

Worse, GBX was so sure they had a hit design on their hands, they put together five different color packages. (Three of which are shown here.) I’d warn you never to wear these, but since you’re obviously capable of reading, you’ll be impervious to any appeal this shoes might have to the illiterate. Look, duders, my shoes have words!

Oh god, they say “Rescue Brooklyn” on the tongue. Get fucked, GBX.

Catalog Page [Zappos.com]

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I think Members Only jackets fall into the “trying too hard” category, but if you’ve been wanting to sample a little bit of that ’80s flavor, at least do it on the cheap. “Classic Closeouts” is selling some for just ten bucks, plus six bucks shipping. [Dealnews]

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H&M’s slim fit and straight leg jeans were all far too small for me. Because I’m tall but not skinny, I tend to need around a 36-inch waist with a 34-inch inseam. Most designers, especially in New York, presume that if you have a 36-inch waist you must just be fat. 36/30s are easy to come by, but even a 36/32 is a treat. Plus all the H&M jeans that fit in the calf were too tight in the thigh; I’ve still got a little meat up there. Which is to say: fat.

Old Navy, who makes horrible jeans in general, was right next door, so in I went. Their straight-leg jeans are actually cut with a giant thigh, slimming down to a tiny cuff. I didn’t even bother trying them on.

I decided to check out UNIQLO last night after we posted about their PANTONE cashmere sweaters. (Which are nice, but I wasn’t quite ready to pull the trigger.) The Japanese store had a lovely pair of straight-leg 36/34s that just fit; they actually had a “skinny fit” cut that would have been even tighter.

The point to this “I bought some jeans” post is this: I have joined the skinny jeans regime, the very same that I have called “hipster twats” in the recent past as they sidled past with hot girlfriends. And except for the way they highlight the muffin top fat that is smooshed out of the waistband under my t-shirt, I kind of like them! They make my sneakers look very cool.

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Muji is often compared to Target or IKEA—perhaps the two most famous purveyors of “good design” at affordable prices—but Muji takes a decidedly different tack from its much larger American and Swedish counterparts. Target insists on “surprising and delighting” its guests; IKEA implores customers to “be brave, not beige.” Muji, in contrast, revels in neutrality. Almost all of its products are devoid of color, and the most surprising and delightful aspect of their design is how nondescript they are. A teakettle designed for Target will likely have a visual flourish—a spinning piece of plastic on its spout, perhaps—while a Muji teakettle is content to be just what you expect a teakettle to be.

Coming to America [Slate.com via Racked]

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Follow an earlier team-up this year that produced t-shirts, Japanese discount style house Uniqlo and Pantone are producing a line of cashmere sweaters in a palette of 20 official Pantone colors. The color scheme should appeal to design nerds; The $130 price for real cashmere should appeal to everyone else.

The sweaters will be available in crewneck and cardigan and will be available in the U.S. exclusively at the Uniqlo flagship store in New York.

I’ve just realized I’ve yet to visit Uniqlo. I know where I’m going this week.

UNIQLO x PANTONE Cashmere Collection [FreshnessMag.com]

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It also helps to live in an age where Pee Wee Herman is once again a style icon.

HOW TO WEAR PATTERNED SUITS [Men.Style.com]

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