Hi all!
In my original fashion blog post, I wrote about how my style journey began when a high school friend—whom I hadn’t seen in six years—told me I looked exactly the same. Ironically, he recently commented on one of my stories: “Bro, you haven’t aged a day.”
While my style has evolved over the past few years, I’ve barely experimented with my hair. In fact, I’ve had the same hairstyle for over a decade.
I did shave my head during the pandemic—just to see what it looked like. But it wasn’t it. So, I grew my hair back to the same style as before.
Hair has the power to completely transform a look, and I’m ready to experiment. I’m excited—but also a little scared. Hair takes time, and this will be a long journey. But I’m committed to it.
As always, I’ll keep y’all updated on my journey.
I) The Significance of Kendrick Lamar’s Jeans
Ever since Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance—watched by more people than the moon landing—the fashion world hasn’t stopped talking about his jeans. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, every element of his outfit was carefully considered. So why, out of all the options, did he choose flared pants? This analysis from @trussarchive explores the answer.
II) The History of Flared Pants
Did you know that flared pants were first worn by British and American sailors in the 1800s? The wide leg made it easier to roll them up to your knees or thighs when working on deck or walking through water. They could also be quickly removed in emergencies, say for example, if you fall overboard. This short collection from Google Arts and Culture tells the history and cultural significance of the flared pant.
III) Canadian Clothing Brands to Support
With the threat of tariffs, many Canadians came together to support Made-in-Canada products. Menswear content creator Nolan White highlighted a few Canadian brands worth supporting. As someone born and raised in Canada, I also want to incorporate more Canadian brands into my wardrobe.
IV) Fashion AI App - Doji
I finally got off the waitlist for the fashion AI app Doji last week, and it’s been a blast. For those unfamiliar, you upload a few photos of yourself in Doji and then styles you in different outfits. The fun part? You can virtually try on clothes to see how they fit, and since the app chooses the looks, it suggests outfits I wouldn’t normally wear—giving me fresh inspiration.
I’ll be sharing more about Doji in next week’s post!
V) Field Notes from Paris
Sprezza is one of the few menswear newsletters I’d highly recommend, especially if you’re looking to dive deeper into the space.
In this piece, Sprezza breaks down key highlights and trends from Paris Fashion Week along with a roundup of upcoming brands to watch.
Fit of the Week - Kendrick Lamar’s Flared Jeans
One question I love exploring in this newsletter is: What makes something a trend?
Think of Run DMC wearing Adidas Superstars in My Adidas. Marlon Brando donning a leather Schott Perfecto in The Wild One. Or Rocky Balboa training in a gray hoodie.
One thing I’ve learned is that a trend needs a cultural moment to propel it into the mainstream.
Last week, more people watched Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance than the moon landing—and his jeans became the talk of the fashion world.
We’re witnessing a trend take shape in real time.
Why Flared Denim?
Everything Kendrick wears carries meaning, often with a deeper message. So, out of all the pants he could have chosen, why flared pants?
The short answer: Flared pants were a staple of Black musicians in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in funk. Artists like Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, and Funkadelic made them iconic.
Funk, in turn, was a foundational influence on hip-hop. Early hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and The Sugarhill Gang borrowed heavily from funk’s sound—and its style. As a result, flared pants were common in the early days of hip-hop as well.
Then, in 1979, came Disco Demolition Night—an infamous event at a Chicago White Sox game where disco records were blown up in a promotional stunt. What seemed like a gimmick was, in many ways, a cultural backlash against Black and Latino communities, who dominated funk and disco. The event marked the decline of both genres—and, with them, flared pants.
Fast forward to today. In an era of Trump and MAGA, the phrase Make America Great Again raises the question: Great for whom? Kendrick wearing flared pants is more than just a fashion choice—it’s a reclamation of the past and an acknowledgment of Black culture’s enduring influence on American identity.
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
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