Fashion Five: Japanese Suit Enthusiasts, Geoff Hagray Style Profile, Vintage Picking in the South, Burberry Trench Coat, Pokemon Suit

Every Sunday, I’ll share five ideas and content usually focused on fashion and menswear.

Apr 13, 2025

Hi all!

A friend asked me the other day a question I’ve thought about a lot, “Fashion is such a visual medium, why don’t you share on a more visual platform like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube?”

I’ve been writing daily on my blog for more than five years, I’ve written on several Substacks, and I run a writing community. Writing is the medium I feel most comfortable with, which is why I started on Substack in the first place.

But my friend

Kasra

, another prolific writer, brought up a valid point: people just aren’t reading as much these days. The number of people on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok eclipses those reading books, Twitter, or Substack.

When I go to a party, I don’t share my Substack, I give people my Instagram. Most of my friends are on there, too.

While there will always be a place for writing, I realize I’ve been avoiding these visual platforms because I’m scared. Writing feels more private; I’m not putting my face out there for everyone to see.

But if it scares me, that’s how I know it’s the right direction.

I first started Riveting as an outlet to share my curiosity about menswear and fashion with others, and if posting on Instagram allows me to reach more people, why not try it out. I’ll still be writing this newsletter weekly but I’m excited to experiment with making Reels and seeing how that feels.

Here’s my rough plan:

Start a private Instagram account to experiment with Reels without pressure
Study my favorite content creators (shoutout @frontoffice.co) to figure out what makes their Reels so compelling
Begin publishing publicly in early May

I’ll keep you all posted on the journey!

Vintage Dior shirt, Issey Miyake Pleated Pants, and 3Sixteen Leather boots.

I) Japanese suit enthusiasts hang out in a castle in Japan

yamashitayousuke

A post shared by @yamashitayousuke

This is like a Japanese Pitti Uomo if it was hosted at a castle. Everyone in this video looks immaculate.

II) Geoff Haggray Style Profile

I came across Geoff Haggray’s profile through Drew Joiner. He describes his style in five words as Amekaji, Ivy, and Popeye City Boy - right in line with my own.

In a recent interview with Valet Magazine, he breaks down his approach to style.

III) I Investigated Vintage Picking in the Deep South

Ever wonder how vintage stores source their clothes?

Sometimes, it’s about looking where no one else is looking. Some buyers travel to the South, digging through old warehouses or even buying directly from people’s homes. When you buy from a vintage store, you might literally be wearing some guy’s grandpa’s jeans from Alabama.

EdgyAlbert gives a behind-the-scenes look into this process. It’s gritty, unglamorous work, but that’s what makes the finds special.

IV) The Look Book Puts on a Trench Coat

**DIMITRI COSTOPOLOUS,** *Retiree, Scarsdale.*

**GABRIELLE SEGAL,** *Writer, Cobble Hill.*

**QUIL LEMONS,** *Artist, Bedford-Stuyvesant.*

New York Magazine recently put out a call: “Do you deeply love your Burberry trench?” And New Yorkers answered.

The result is a beautiful lookbook featuring New Yorkers in their beloved trench coats, each with a story. From finding a vintage piece in a Paris boutique, to inheriting one from a late mother, to wearing the same coat for 34 years, the love runs deep.

I was lucky enough to find mine at one of my favorite vintage stores in Williamsburg. Hopefully, I’ll be wearing it for decades too.

V) Kid in a Pokémon Suit

Thanks again for subscribing!

I’d love to hear some quick feedback on what you enjoyed and what you would like to see more of.

See you again next week,

<3 James