After moving house with a broken foot, I have a great new room and I’ve set out to decorate it loft-style. The thing is, it didn’t come with a closet (huh!? must have been a den previously). Luckily, the room was saved by my parents’ idea of putting in exposed clothing racks on the wall. At first I wasn’t too keen on the idea, but I quickly warmed to it when I realized there was nothing else that would hold all of my clothes. Now, my room looks even more like a loft, and I’ve got 10 feet of clothing racks (plus shelves) to put everything on.

If I do say so myself, it’s pretty wicked (and I’m getting my dad an extra-wicked retroactive Father’s Day gift in return :D). With the wood floors and exposed racks, I’ve got my very own art-student loft space in the heart of suburbia.
So now I’ve got a pristine new room to fill with stuff, and I’m making a wish list. Note: This wish list will not actually be fulfilled, because most designers don’t make shoes wide enough for my feet (which run a width-size above normal). However, one can hope for the other things…
1. Grey Vintage-Style Leather Shoes. These ones by MOMA are beauties. I love shoes like this because you can wear them with jeans for a retro sort of look, without looking pretentious. Blazer, scarf, vest, cardigan … You name it, if it’s old-school you can wear it with these shoes. I’m also a fan of these in ivory white, burnt umber, or that vintage faded black look. Granted, this look has been in (magazines) for a few seasons now, but I never did get around to getting a pair of these shoes…
2. Overdyed Nudie Jeans. I’ve already got 2 pairs of overdyed jeans. What’s one more gonna hurt? Hmm? I am not a fan of those ugly faded-out jeans. Unless you’ve worn a pair of dark ones so long that they’re faded… Then they’re really comfortable. I have tried on many pairs of high-end jeans in my time, and I have to say I do not understand the high price tag. It’s some sort of social-status marker to wear R&Rs, I guess. True Religions have cooler designs, so it makes more sense to wear those but even so - I have suits to buy, who am I to spend $425 on a pair of jeans? If someone gets me a pair, though, I’m not complaining…
3. Studded Metal Vest. As seen in an issue of Flaunt, I covet this vest. It’s like a punk’s get-up, but dressy. How cool is that? I plan to go on a conquest to find this, and when I do I’ll pair it with a pair of patent-leather dress shoes and slim fit black wool slacks. If worse comes to worst, I’ll buy a plain black vest, get some studs, and stick them on.
4. Buckled Dress Boots. If I could shop anywhere in the world for funky dress shoes, John Fluevog would always be it. Superior craftsmanship aside, these shoes win for their innovative finishes and slick good looks. Who wouldn’t be mistaken for coming from old old-money European family while wearing these shoes? (Note: this is fully my intention in buying these). These I would probably wear with the aforementioned studded vest - but the slacks would have to be very well-cut and minimalist.
5. Burberry Trench Coat. Granted, I wouldn’t be wearing this until the rainier months set in… But this is something that, once I bought it, I’d hold onto for dear life until it was finally used up. Even then, I might cut off a button for posterity before finally giving it up and sending it packing to a thrift store. When it comes to trench coats, Burberry is the ultimate.
6. American Apparel V-Necks. Finally, something I can afford without selling my kidneys on the black market. I love these shirts. They are great for guys with broad shoulders (like myself) because they give you more flexibility and room across your upper chest. You can also get them super-duper-V-necked, which I never do… One of my friends is trying to talk me into getting one, but that’s another story. I have one of these ones in white, but I left it at a party (don’t ask) and I still have to reclaim it. I plan to get one in black, one in red, and one in navy blue. If they come out with other colours that strike my fancy, I’ll buy them accordingly.
7. Bamboo Tiger Hoodie. This hoodie, from Lucky Brand Jeans, is one of my favourites. I may enjoy dressing up but I still subscribe to the old teenaged adage that thou shalt never have enough hoodies. But this hoodie is special. It has tigers all over it with bamboo shoots.
And, there you have it … 7 items I’d stuff my closet with. Granted, if one were to truly open the floodgates of my shopping vice I would buy a lot more than this - but let’s not think about that. Over and out!
-FH.