The New Americana Essentials Every Guy Should Own
This is the new Americana—the list gear that today's American man is popularizing, but more importantly, wearing on the regular.
Image via Complex Original
Americana is loosely defined as a style that's composed of classic American-based brands and the equally classic products they produce. But it's not just those brands' roots that make it Americana, it's the fact that droves of American men (and now men all over the world) have been wearing those pieces for decades.
So what is "new Americana?" Well, yes the brands are all American labels, but even moreso, they're items that today's American male hasn't just popularized, but wears on a highly regular basis. Are these things internationally famous? Absolutely, with some having international followings completely of their own accord. However, there's still something distinctly domestic about how these pieces are style, worn, and prized—even today. We're paying tribute to America's new guard of wardrobe staples, The New Americana Essentials Every Guy Should Own.
Nike Air Force 1
If there's one thing that the modern “athleisure” trend has proven, it's how timeless and versitile the Air Force 1 is—particularly in pure white. It may have it's origins on the basketball court, but if there's a mold for a contemporary “lifestyle” sneaker, the Air Force 1 is it. While you can argue that the Jordan 1 is in the same pantheon of sneaker gods (and it is, without a doubt) the universality, easy price, and non-exclusivity makes it the shoe for guys.
While Jordan 1's are hard to score with the right details (high top, with the “Nike Air” on the tongue), an Air Force 1 in all white or all black will always be on the shelves. You probably know at least one person who cops a new pair every season, or has more than one pair of the shoe for different weather and occasions. High or low, once you've copped a pair, you'll realize they go with just about anything you could possibly wear. Even for a formal setting, while most sneakers that pair successfully with a suit cost as much as the suit does, a pair of Air Force 1 lows make for an interesting formal footwear alternative. Dollar for dollar, there's very few shoes that match the style of the Air Force 1.
John Elliott + Co. Villain Sweatshirt
John Elliott's rise to fashion notoriety in the last couple years is nothing short of meteoric. Turning his once-humble California-based athleisture brand into a NYFW label with Kanye and company in the front row is no easy feat, and while Elliott has a few pieces that one could call “signatures,” by far his biggest piece is the Villain hoodie. Effectively a pull over hoodie with zippers on the sides, Elliott didn't just pioneer the silhouette, his design tweak would go on to be copied by those in both high and fast fashion circles.
While most of the pieces on this list have built their respective audiences over the last couple decades, Elliott deserves recognition for his ability to create a piece of such popularity over the span of a couple years. Side zips may have cooled off, but it's unlikely you'll stop seeing the Villain hoodie anytime soon (shouts to GQ's “Best New Menswear Designers in America” for that).
Nike Tech Fleece Sweatpants
What's interesting about jogger sweatpants is that, while they've only really been in the wider menswear consciousness for no more than two or three years, they've amassed such a following that even the most archaic and out-of-touch-with-the-youth of publications are realizing that, yes, you can wear them to more than just the gym. The sweatpant that is the face of this new movement? Many would sit and debate it, but it's hard to argue that Nike's tech fleece sweatpant isn't the perfect combination of quality and price—making it the easiest way for guys to enter and assimilate the piece into their wardrobes.
A tailored sweatpant isn't something that you'd even consider a few years ago, but now guys are wearing them to even the most buttoned up of casual Fridays. When it comes to innovating contemporary sportswear, you'd be hard-pressed to find a brand who does it better than Nike.
6-Inch Wheat Timberland Boots
You don't need to walk on snowy streets to appreciate the functionality of a pair of timbs. While people like Drake and Kanye were likely introduced to timbs as a solution to dreadful winter weather, there's no question about the boot's place in men's style. It's a no frills workboot that guys of all stripes, whether fans of fashion, or afraid of it. Black timbs are worth the investment, and thanks to people like Yeezus they've received lots of play lately. There's no denying though, the original and the best, is the wheat colorway. While there's definitely a particular way to wear them if you're looking to unlock your style swag, their practical nature makes them an investment on sheer utility.
J.Crew Chambray Shirt
While J.Crew certainly isn't the inventor of this shirt, they can certainly be credited in part to its massive popularity. Chambray shirting is like any denim shirt: workwear history meets with modern tailoring to make for a shirt that's as functional as it is practical. Depending on what you're copping, you can end up with a heavy-duty model that's actually meant for hard labor, or lighter options that can work with a more formal ensemble. Regardless, if you're looking to cop your first chambray shirt (or replace an older one) you can't beat the price-meets-quality niche that J.Crew has built its name on.
Vans Slip-On
Whether you're a true skater or just a fan of Sean Penn in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” Vans' signature shoe is the metaphoric beginning and end when talking about the slip-on silhouette. With the classic waffle sole, and a variety of fabrics and colorways to suit the shoe's now global audience, it isn't just a skate shoe—it's an every day skate sneaker. You're probably well aware of Nike and adidas' respective attempts to woo the fashion crowd with high fashion collaborations and designer tie-ins, but with the Slip-On finding fans in brands like Engineered Garments and Gosha Rubchinskiy, the canvas classic has proven it has plenty of fans in high (fashion) places. Whether you're copping the canvas for a summertime shoe, or a leather version for a “dressed up” look, you can't go wrong with this California classic.
Carhartt Beanie
Even if you don't live in a place that get's below freezing, you probably have owned a beanie with the Carhartt “C” on it. Like much of the other pieces on this list, you become an Americana classic not just buy setting a standard or changing the game, but by combining that with a solid price and plenty of options. With over 10 color options at any given time, and price that ranges hits around $8, there's almost no reason to not cop one—whether you're actually heading out to shovel snow, or you just like the way they sit on your head. Add in Carhartt's workwear history, and you're going to get a piece that's really built to last, at a reasonable price. What's not to love about that?
Levi's Lightwash 511
If the 501 is the grandfather of modern-day denim, then a pair of lightwash 511's is the grandson. Contemporary but still comfortable, the slim-straight 511 is the starting point for many guys when it comes to buying (and wearing) jeans. While you could always go to the skinnier 510 shape, the 511 meets in the middle between a super narrow leg, and the straight, classic fit of a 501. Baggy enough to stack, but still slim enough to flatter the leg. It's skinny, without feeling like your lower half is being crushed. Considering that Levi's also provides a staggering number of washes for it's mainline product, you can bet that you can also find the right wash, without looking like you pulled the jeans out of your dad's closet in the '90s.
Alternative T-Shirt
If you're looking for a white T-shirt, we're happy to admit that Hanes killed the game. If you're looking to find a simple tee that puts its metaphorical money where its mouth is, then we've already given them their due praise.
That said, a recent phenomenon is the rise of the “luxe” white T-shirt. It's not something you're going to wear as a undershirt, it's the main thing you're wearing up top, and it usually is constructed with a higher quality fabric and build. These tees are more expensive, sure, but they're certainly going to be the right about of structure and comfort that you'd need in a plain white tee. It's hard to beat the value Alternative brings to their tees, with a price that may be two or three times the price of a Hanes 3-pack, but with four or five times the value.
New Era Yankees Hat
We'll receive jeers from Boston to Queens over this addition, but it's less about the team than it is the product itself. Sure, the Yankees are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world, much less baseball. The navy and white logo also makes it one of the easiest hats to wear, regardless of logo. That said, feel free to wear the hat of “insert favorite team here.” To be honest, while the Yankees are the obvious choice, the White Sox and the L.A. Dodgers have extensive style histories of their own—and that's just talking about baseball.