SomHACK: when u love the Row but still have to take the subway
The answer is MUJI
Today’s newsletter format is our first ever SomHACK. A very quick tip to make your life easier (or maybe just cooler).
Like so many of my fellow new yorkers - i find myself spending a few TOO MANY minutes a week trying to decide. Do I save up for sweater from The Row or a loft in Tribeca??? LOL. Seriously - I see so many people posting about their new Row purchases and can’t help but wonder - who is your accountant and are u SURE she’s not dipping into your 401k???!
every thing the Row does is beautiful. The quality and level of taste is beyond and prob worth every cent but man it's expensive!
Thankfully for those of us that love the Row BUT still need to take the subway to work - i have a solution.
It’s called MUJI! And the key is to size up.
I discovered this SomHACK as one often does - in a pinch. Every Saturday afternoon i go to Complete body (a gym on 19th in Manhattan). And just like every Saturday this past month in NYC - it was RAINING - so i popped into the MUJI next store for an umbrella.
As i was walking to the register, i found this water repellent trench (on sale), a butter/yellow zip jacket and this green backpack - the total was all def less than $200 (yes! i did the math).
You don’t even have to squint to see how “Row-ish” the pieces are. Between the colours and the cuts -
My design notes:
the khaki is a grey khaki (cool) vs the usual yellow (warm). And this yellow had a “coolness” to it as if diluted with a hit of cold milk. The subdued color palette is a Row specialty and keeping a cohesive palette is key. As designers, you have to really pay attention to the exact tone & depth of colour to make sure it all works together. MUJI designers have that special touch.
As for the cuts - there’s an off hand attitude to both pieces. Roomy, unrestricting and no fuss. All things i want my jackets to be when getting ready for rain!
The construction is great. I have a friend who did production for The Row & the idea was to eliminate anything unnecessary in the construction. Muji does the same - keeps the shape sleek without any unnecessary detail
The key here is to size up - both for the maximum attitude that the Row is famous for AND for comfort, something i am famous for (as of today). I took a size up in all pieces except for the backpack - it was one size - but i would have if i could.
any other life advice you’re wondering about - comment or message me - i am listening
x s
Muji is one of my favorite stores on earth. I go in there just to feel zen 🧘🏽♂️
IM SO happy you’re here and I’ve been trying to identify your hat since I saw you’re profile in Esquire