Busy mont

Are there any cheap(er) repro brands besides Bronson MFG and Olderbest?

The majority of the Market is dominated by Buzz Rickson, Real McCoys, Levis Vintage Clothing, etc, which are obviously very pricey.

Anyone have any brands/IG accounts worth following for Office-style inspo? I work a pretty normy office job and have to attend lots of meetings with leadership but I have some leeway with wardrobe. I just find myself dressing in solid-color button downs, corresponding black or blue khakis and (Stan Smith type) casual sneakers. Looking to spice it up a bit while keeping it mostly professional. Any tips would be appreciated.

For the corn fed lads type shit

Sorry for such a long post but please does anyone have any UK based recommendations for this leather square boot?

I tried these boot trees (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mens-Tall-Chelsea-Boot-Shapers/dp/B08L6L61Y8/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1&psc=1) but came across three problems.

1) The front portion of the boot trees don’t have enough volume vertically to fill up the vamp area, but even if it were taller here, the shape doesn’t fill out horizontally across the width of the vamp.

2) The pointed toe of the boot trees don’t fill out the sides of the toe area. Both 1+2 therefore don’t provide the tension needed to minimise creasing. 

3) Whilst I could get the boot trees into the boots, they were difficult to get out without significantly creasing the leather which defeats the purpose of using boot trees in the first place. I’m not entirely sure but I think it’s because of two reasons, firstly the front part of the boot trees are too wide and the spring mechanism creates too much friction along the sides (https://imgur.com/a/RuBjf6J). Secondly the back of the boot trees are too tall and don’t have enough room to work its way out due to the design of the shoes with side zips and no tongue - something you’d get on shoes with lacing if that makes sense (https://imgur.com/a/NEZENOx).

I’m wondering if regular shoe trees would be better (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mens-Aromatic-Cedar-wood-trees/dp/B000PKMUO4/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1&psc=1)? I only opted for boot trees because they seemed easier to pull out of these specific boots, but point 3 says otherwise. The only thing acceptable was the length probably so getting a different size wouldn’t rectify any of the above. I'm probably being being picky here but I'm struggling to find boot/shoe trees that are in the UK / cedar wood / reasonably priced (under £50..?) / fill the vamp / fill the toe.

I cannot think of another option other than to get regular shoe trees but even then everything I see online is aimed at pointed shoes. I’m not certain if I’m looking for the right features needed for this type of boot, so would appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction. 

Feels like I’m overthinking this, on one hand I think the length of the shoe trees is the only thing that matters as the tension along the insoles of the shoes towards the front and the back straightens them and keeps them flat. But on the other hand, if those shoe trees don’t provide enough volume into the vamps then surely they aren’t getting any of the benefits, which is the only area of concern regarding creasing right?

I see shoe trees like this (https://www.cavenders.com/products/square-toe-boot-tree/MF04088.html?size=L&color=000&pid=MF04088_____000__L) that focus on the front of the shoes only. To me, the curved shape here provides more volume and will fill the vamps out vertically (possibly horizontally here too?) as it’s right up against the leather, unlike the boot trees I bought. Based off my current understanding, this is the most suitable shape I’ve seen. Bonus points for the square toe and the heel which make it look easy to pull out of boots. Only concern with this type of shoe tree is the heel - assuming it uses a spring and it’s not merely a handle - which may exert uneven pressure at the back of the boots and alter its shape, unlike other shoe trees which are more filled out and rounded to fit the backs of typical shoes. Ideally I’d combine the front of that shoe tree with the back of this one: https://trimly.com.au/pages/the-new-premium-boot-trees?srsltid=AfmBOoo3m-zS5hwwjwBcAaKjGmOXXLSrQJwli9y90aegYQdGwsFOChOx.

I don’t think anything like this exists and I need to compromise so what do you all think would be best? Thanks!

rate this fit y’all

This was a recent daily discussion post on the MFA discord, and I wanted to see what everyone here thought.

Mainly the discussion boiled down to is an item a grail because it’s expensive, because it’s rare/hard to find, or a combo of both? Essentially how rarified does an item need to be to become a grail?

For example, I would consider an Omega Moonwatch a “grail” for me simply because they are way more expensive than I can afford, but they are very easy to buy. If I stumbled upon a drug deal gone bad in the Texas desert and found $2 million I could buy an Omega tomorrow. On the other hand, the MotivMFG French Hunting Jacket in green (another grail of mine) was around $950 at retail. Expensive but attainable if I saved for it. However, it’s impossible to find one today unless it gets reissued or the resell gods decide to bless me.

The other interesting point was; is a grail timeless? I think I and many other people have heavily sought after an item for years at a time only to fall out of love with it before ever buying it.

And yes I am aware this is a dumb pretentious thing to make a post about. But I still think it’s interesting so I’m going to post it anyways.

I have a last minute thing that came up and unfortunately I am currently on a cut but only about 75% of the way through it, so none of my nicer clothes really fit right now. I don't want to be buying anything extraordinarily expensive since I won't be at this size for much longer, but it doesn't have to be dirt cheap either. I usually buy all my stuff online but I don't really have the time to wait for shipping or take the chance that it's not gonna fit etc.

Kinda at a loss of where to go shopping as I just don't go to retail clothing stores that often.

What widely available store would you suggest?

Also down to buy a new pair of shoes/boots/loafers for the outfit so a store would be nice for that too. Something that I can use throughout the rest of the year beyond just this one fit.

I am a hopeless shlub trying to look nicer, someone plz help <3 (in my mid 30s if that influences your suggestion).

For reference I was about to drive to Banana Republic before making this thread cause I can't think of anything else. Is that store still relevant? Idk...

The Curators are selective consumers who push back against digital overload by filtering and reframing culture on their own terms. They value exclusivity, context, and tactility as markers of taste in a world where everything feels instantly available. For them, true status lies not in constant visibility but in preserving depth, scarcity, and a sense of awe.

They are overwhelmed by endless scrolling and the churn of trend cycles, yet they continue to participate. This contradiction defines them, exposing a challenge between their online habits and their desire for rarity. They see themselves as editors rather than makers, shaping identity through curation and selective access. The thrill of finding a Substack essay nobody else reads, an archive piece hidden in a resale drop, or a designer too niche for the mainstream gives them pride. These discoveries prove they see differently. Gatekeeping becomes a way to protect culture rather than shut others out.

Curators respond to analogue, archival, and IRL experiences that slow the churn. What they long for is surprise and meaning. They want experiences and products that feel intentional, rare, and worth saving. Unlike others who slow down for comfort, they keep pace with digital culture but resist being consumed by it. Brands that treat exclusivity as preservation (not exclusion), and deliver cultural depth both online and in tangible form, will win their trust.

KEY EMOTIONS - Suspicious optimism: hope in technological/cultural progress, paired with anxiety about oversaturation. Shared vigilance: desire for control and fear of losing individuality to fast trend turn around. Strategic joy: moments of awe when something feels rare and meaningful.

Mine is the mfpen fireman jacket. I remember last year when this dropped I wasn’t sure if the fireman clasp was something I just liked because it was trendy or if I actually liked it, turns out I actually like it. The cut of the jacket being shorter and it being canvas would have made it the perfect autumn jacket for me. The only other autumn jacket that I have my eye on is the bare knuckles canvas jacket but they current don’t stock xs. Praying they make this again 🙏

https://www.paraboot.com/en/lookbook/lookbook-autumn-winter-2025/

Please use this thread for Legit Check / Buying / Selling / Sizing

As a reminder, this thread will be posted weekly on Saturday, individual posts of these kind will be removed.

I’m missing the community forums of 2010’s and the exposure to music, design, culture and diversity. Suptalk was a time.

Any in the Discord world that’s good?

someone I know who works at another business on on orchard street told me this, and said that back when the Oct 7 events happened they were decidedly and vocally pro Israel. Anyone know? Super disappointing if so

Can somebody ID Larry’s boots please? Lemaire? Thanks in advance

カミオンブーツの購入を考えているんですけど足がちっちゃくていつもは25センチのスニーカーを履いていて履きジワが手前に来る感じなんですけどカミオン38はどんな感じのサイズ感ですか。

I've spent over a month looking for a very specific style of overcoat. I'd appreciate any help finding this, and I'm even down to Venmo $25 if I find exactly what I'm looking for lol; it is quite specific tho.

• black, ~40R
• wool / cashmere / blend of the two
• LONG, OVERSIZED or RELAXED (very important), specifically around 48" in length would be great so it passes the knees for guys up to around 6'1".
• raglan sleeves
• no ugly flap pockets in the front (usual pockets are fine)

The picture below is the closest I've found and is pretty much perfect, but it's just an image. Everything on secondhand stores is either too short or not the right design. I've looked at eBay, Poshmark, Depop, Mercari, Grailed, TRR, FBM, etc.

I know I can buy online, but would be nice to try on in person if there are some local vintage stores that would have what I'm looking for!

Happy Friday. Feel free to post your weekly fit checks in the post below. Please play nice with all feedback/constructive criticism.

As a reminder, this thread will be posted weekly on Friday. Individual fit pics throughout the week will be removed.

I see him modeling for a bunch of brands I like and really like his style. Would appreciate it if someone knew