Every week there are dozens of new and exciting pieces of gear. But are they actually worth buying? Trust the team at Cool Material to help you find the latest and greatest releases in a recurring column: What We’re Buying.
andafterthat T-Shirts
“The allure of bootleg merch has long been a staple of fashion, particularly in menswear. And few brands nail the vintage apeal of bootleg clothing like andafterthat. Edgar Gonzalez, founder of andafterthat, curates a hyper-specific sense of design often centered around cinema specifically and niche pop culture generally. Often, Gonzalez crafts shirts and hats that feel like they could’ve been official licensed merchandise from retro movies and shows. With his latest release, andafterthat takes aim at Texas and includes a bevy of incredible shirts, hats, and more. The highlight, in my opinion, is a selection of Wes Anderson-inspired merchandise. I had to pick up one of each shirt including the light pink tee listing all of Wes Anderson’s films. If you want to feel like an insider, buy some merch from andafterthat.” Buy: $45
– John A. Paradiso, Managing Editor
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Arc'teryx Rush Insulated Jacket
“I have a tough time choosing the right ski gear, especially when it comes to jackets. I nabbed an Arc’teryx Rush insulated jacket for my family’s annual Colorado ski trip and swapped it out for my old shell. I was worried it would not hold up, but the Gore-Tex Infinium outer fabric and Coreloft insulation proved to be a great combo for protection and warmth. Temps ranging from 0 to 45 degrees over the course of seven hours of skiing were no problem, and I didn’t even break a sweat. Although the fit is larger, it allowed me freedom of movement. I would’ve liked a two-way zipper and an exterior chest pocket, but they were good tradeoffs for the sheer comfort and lightness of the Rush.” Buy: $640
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Roku Gin
“Nothing quite hits like the perfect gin and soda on a hot day. And now that those hot days are starting to come in more regularly where I live in Denver, I’m bringing the gins to the front of my liquor cabinet. One in particular gets the front of the front: Roku Japanese Gin. It stands out thanks to six Japanese botanicals (sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, green tea, refined green tea, and sansho pepper) that bring welcome layers of flavor to the standard list of what makes gin, well, gin. Sometimes I add a little soda, sometimes it’s a lot of soda, and sometimes I even pause an extra beat to add a lemon wheel, but there aren’t many gins that I’d reach for as a summer sipper over Roku no matter how much time and soda I choose to put in the drink.” Buy: $30
– Nickolaus Hines, Features Editor
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Handmade Apple Magic Mouse Leather Case
“In order to keep you all up to date on the latest and greatest in tech and gear (among other cool things across the web), I depend heavily on my trusty little Magic Mouse to make the journey with me wherever I go. Unfortunately, this also means that it has received its fair share of nicks and bumps over the years. Luckily, I found this amazing little protective pouch that serves to keep it safe and look fashionable at the same time. Coming in a variety of colors (and embossing options) this is a must have for any worker looking for a casing option that doesn’t clash with their shiny new desk accessories. Pick it up while it’s on sale today!” Buy: $22
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Ferro & Company Race Master Chronograph GLF
“As I continue to dip my toes into the world of watches (a nasty habit I’ve picked up this year), I’m looking into microbrands more and more. One such brand, Ferro & Company, recently caught my eye for their retro-inspired racing watches. Currently on pre-order, I’m fond of the Race Master Chronograph GLF for its orange and teal combination (very Wes Anderson, if you ask me) and a nice bold design complemented by a sporty leather band. It’s that mix of bold and classic which really is informing my style decisions lately and while I dress fairly plainly, I think an accessory like this watch will add a pop of color to my outfit without having to think too much.” Buy: $425
– Brett Braley-Palko, Style Editor
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